How to buy the best blackout blinds

Not a morning person? Blackout blinds could help you sleep better and longer by blocking out light.

Manufacturers claim that these will blot out the sun in your room, leaving you to sleep in near-total darkness. However, there are a few caveats you should be aware of before buying.

Side rails? Cassettes? Aren't blinds supposed to be about light, not sound? There's a lot of jargon, so we've broken it all down to help you buy the best blackout curtains and blinds.

We've also rounded up popular models and spoken to our in-house scientists to find out whether blackout blinds are actually beneficial to your sleep.

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What different types of blackout blinds are there?

We've broken down the most common types:  

• With rollers: These blackout blinds have a top-mounted mechanism that rolls the fabric up to keep it out of the way when you're not using it. Just know that the extra space at the top can create a gap that lets in light.  
• Stick-on/no-drill: If you can't drill holes in your walls or don't want to do any DIY, these models use either adhesive strips to hold up blinds or brackets that hang on the outside of your window. 
• Curtains: These work the same as their non-blackout counterparts but are often made from different or layered materials to block out additional light from your room.
• Cassette: A 'cassette' just means there's housing at the top of the blinds that helps tidy them away and prevent the fabric from unravelling from the roller. It can also help block gaps at the top of your windows, a common area where light can creep in.
• With rails: This means there will be additional guides or channels for the blinds to slide through to prevent light bleed along the sides.
• Electric: These blackout blinds have a motor that opens and shuts your blinds. These models are typically more expensive than others, but some can be set to a timer that automatically opens your blinds in the morning.
• Temporary: Similar to some no-drill models, these are typically darkened sheets you stick directly onto your windows with magnets. They tend to be cheaper, but you'll need to fold them away in the mornings. 

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Popular blackout blinds and curtains

We haven't put blackout blinds through our rigorous testing yet, but we've rounded up some of the most popular models available online.

Ikea Schottis block-out pleated blinds

Pick them up from Ikea (£5)

• Stick-on block-out blinds
• Pull-down 
• Available sizes: 100 x 190cm (W x H)

We like: Only £5 per blind

Watch out for: Pleated design may still let some light in

If you're on the fence about blackout blinds, these budget-friendly Ikea blinds could be a good choice if you want to avoid spending a lot on a set of curtains.

To install them, apply the adhesive strip to the top of your window and attach the blinds. You can fit them to your windows by cutting them down to size.

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Argos Home Blackout Roller Blind

Get these blinds from Argos (£8)

• Roller blackout blinds
• Chain mechanism
• Available sizes: from 60 x 160cm to 180 x 160cm (W x H)

We like: Chain can be put on either side of the roller

Watch out for: No cassette or side rails

These simple roller blinds include the hardware needed for installation, but you may need to use a drill. 

There are several colours available, and you can trim them down to size if needed.

Deconovo Blackout Curtains

• Blackout curtains
• Two curtains per pack
• Available sizes: from 96.5cm x 114.3cm to 228.6 x 274.32cm (W x H)

We like: Come in a variety of different colours

Watch out for: You'll need to buy a separate curtain rail

If you'd prefer blackout curtains instead of blinds, these bestselling sets from Amazon come in dozens of colours. They're machine washable, but you can't tumble dry them.

They come in a variety of sizes, but the larger you go, the more you should expect to pay. These curtains will fit any rail up to 4cm in diameter.

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Ikea Hornvallmo Block-out Pleated Blinds

Get these blinds from Ikea (£20)

• Block-out blinds
• Pull-down 
• Available sizes: 60 x 130cm or 100 x 130cm (W x H)

We like: Mounted on rails

Watch out for: Need to use a hacksaw to cut the rails to size

These blinds come on rails and can be adjusted to fit several windows, and can be mounted to skylights. They can open from either the bottom or the top.

Just know that some reviews say they can be a bit tricky to assemble. 

Furnished Roller Blackout blinds

• Roller blackout blinds
• Chain mechanism
• Come in sizes from 45 x 165cm to 240 x 210cm (W x H)

We like: Brackets have multiple mounting options

Watch out for: Gaps on the sides

These bestselling roller blinds may not include a cassette or side rails, but they can be ordered in dozens of sizes, up to more than 2 metres wide.

There are some slight gaps on the sides (2.25cm on each side), so you may want to pick a larger size to fully cover your windows.

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Do blackout blinds help sleep?

Our expert says:

Do curtains or blinds block out the most light?

If you want total darkness in your bedroom, you're likely best off buying blinds over curtains. Curtains can be easier to install, but are more likely to let some sunlight creep through.

However, the most important thing when installing either is to get a proper fit in your windows. 

Depending on which model you buy, you may have to cut them down to size or make sure that they cover your window entirely.

What is the difference between blackout blinds and 'blockout' blinds?

Generally, both terms are used interchangeably by retailers and manufacturers.

There is a slight difference, however. Blackout blinds are designed to block all incoming light, while certain blockout blinds allow some sunlight to enter.

Regardless, both will keep most light out – especially if they're installed properly.

Should you buy blackout blinds with a cassette, side rails or both?

These extra features aren't required, but can help ensure you're blocking out the most light from your room.

A cassette helps block gaps at the top of your windows, a common area where light can creep in, while rails prevent light bleed along the sides.

Getting both features on your blackout blinds means you'll be blocking out as much light as possible, but it also typically means paying extra for your blinds.

Do you need a drill to hang blackout blinds or curtains?

Not always, but if you're looking for the best fit and to block out the most light from your windows, we'd recommend models that require you to fasten your blinds securely to a wall or window frame.

There are 'no-drill' models available which use adhesive strips to keep them in place, but we wouldn't count on them holding up as long as blinds or curtains anchored into your wall with screws.

If you can't drill into your walls and don't trust adhesive, you can always hang blackout curtains using an adjustable tension rod. 

Need a drill? Read our reviews on the best cordless drills, or our expert advice on the essentials to keep in your toolbox

Are blackout blinds helpful during a heatwave?

It isn't just light that blackout curtains or blinds block. Having a set can help keep solar heat gain – when sunlight heats up a room – out of your bedroom.

This can help maintain a consistent indoor temperature and prevent you from waking up too hot in the night.

When buying blackout blinds, keep in mind that darker colours can absorb rather than reflect heat. Some models come with thermal or reflective lining that can increase the amount of solar energy reflected away. 

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Are you better off buying a sleep mask instead?

Maybe – they tend to be cheaper, and the best ones block any and all light from reaching your eyes. They will also block any artificial light that might be in the room.

Some models aren't always comfortable to sleep in, and some may find wearing an eye mask while sleeping feels invasive or uncomfortable. 

That said, we reckon that it's always worth a shot before investing in a full set of blinds.

Read our reviews and advice on the best eye masks for sleeping