Men’s Sleep Mask: The Best One and Why It Works
Looking for a men’s sleep mask? Read this to find the best ones, plus why using an eye mask helps improve your sleep quality.
Getting good quality sleep is crucial for our well-being. Unfortunately, it’s become difficult for people to get deep and restful zzzs. To illustrate, Sleep Foundation says between 10 to 30% of adults have chronic insomnia(1).
Men, like women, experience a variety of sleep issues. It's fortunate that there are many products that help improve sleep quality nowadays. From wearables to natural supplements to machines.
But one inexpensive and effective solution is a men's sleep mask. It helps block out light. And it provides sensory relief while traveling or sleeping in an unfamiliar place.
Sleep masks for men help because you need darkness to get good quality sleep. It’s not only about the discomfort bright light brings. It has to do with your circadian rhythm or internal body clock.
Exposure to light tells your body it's time to be awake. Meanwhile, darkness signals your brain that it’s time to wind down. And it triggers the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
In this blog post, we'll discuss sleep problems that men face. We’ll also explore the pros of using a men's sleep mask. And we’ll also talk about our recommendations and why people prefer them.
Table of Contents
Sleep Issues Experienced by Men
Light Sensitivity
Too much light in the evening can push your bedtime much later. As we mentioned earlier, it can disrupt your circadian rhythms. It may also suppress melatonin production.
If you’re light-sensitive, this makes things even more difficult. Even the dimmest light may interfere with your ability to drift off and stay asleep. Whether it's the blue light from your phone or a night light.
For instance, let’s examine the case of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS). It’s a disorder where you experience a sleep delay of 2 hours or more from the expected time. Limited studies have linked it to light sensitivity.
A study published in The Physiological Society focuses on participants with DSPS. They showed an increase in melatonin suppression when exposed to bright light(2). While more research is in order, it’s telling of how light can prevent us from getting deep and restful shuteye.
To address light sensitivity, go the extra mile in keeping your bedroom as dark as possible. You might want to consider blackout curtains. Or even better, the best sleeping mask for men.
Shift Work Disorder
Cleveland Clinic says 10 to 40% of people who do shift work experience shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). This condition causes excessive sleepiness, sleep that isn’t refreshing, and drowsiness. On top of this, it can lead to insomnia, low energy levels, difficulty focusing and even depression(3).
It’s good that there are ways to help you manage SWSD and get the sleep you need. These include a regular sleep-wake schedule even during your days off. Another is wearing blue light-blocking glasses as soon as you’re done with your shift.
Getting your bedroom as dark as possible is essential. This is extra tough when the sun is shining outside. This is where a men’s sleep mask comes in handy. Especially when it has a superior light-blocking feature.
Travel-related Sleep Issues
If your work takes you away from home into multiple time zones, it may lead to sleep problems.
Jet Lag
Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder. It’s brought on by traveling through many time zones. You may develop insomnia if your body doesn’t have enough time to adjust to your new time zone. It might also result in daytime fatigue, confusion and disorientation.
The best way to combat jet lag is to follow your destination’s time zone as soon as you take off. And this means when you sleep and eat. This can be tough considering all the distractions.
A sleep mask for men helps block out light and movement. It lets you catch some much-needed zzzs while traveling.
First Night Disorder
This travel-related sleep phenomenon occurs on the first night away from home. Unfamiliar surroundings can cause anxiety, which leads to sleeplessness.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to get familiar with your new environment. And bring a pillow or blanket from home. Blocking out light, movement and sound helps you slide into sleep faster.
Make sure to pack a travel sleep mask for men and comfy earplugs to ease your first-night jitters.
Also, if noise proves too distracting, noise-canceling headphones help. If you use white noise for sleep, Bluetooth sleep masks are an option, too.
💡 Key Takeaway: Eye masks for sleeping are an inexpensive and effective accessory for improving sleep quality. They help reduce light sensitivity. And they can provide the darkness you need to sleep after a night shift. They can also block out distractions and make you feel less anxious when you travel.
Benefits of Wearing a Men’s Sleep Mask
Good sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, the sleep issues we mentioned above make it difficult. As we mentioned earlier, a sleep mask for men helps address these.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of a sleeping mask for men made from silk.
Improved Sleep Quality
Wearing a sleep mask for men blocks out light so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. These two factors impact the quality of your sleep.
Darkness also encourages your body to produce melatonin. This sleep hormone helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. It tells your body it's time to wind down and get ready for bed.
Getting enough restful shuteye with no interruptions is key to improving sleep quality. And an eye mask for sleeping can help you get there.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Anxiety and stress may lead to chronic sleep deprivation. Your body goes into a fight-or-flight mode when stressed.
This causes your heart rate to go up and your breathing to quicken. Not to mention triggers an increase in stress hormones. Drifting off and staying asleep becomes next to impossible.
That’s why it’s important to get in a relaxed state before hitting the sack. A light-blocking eye mask for men gives you sensory deprivation. It blocks out distractions from light and movement, helping you relax.
Increased Memory and Alertness
Without enough quality sleep, you’ll feel tired and lethargic during the day.
You’ll also find it difficult to remember information. It’s pretty much in one ear and out the other. And it won’t matter how much coffee or sodas you drink, too.
A study published in Oxford Academic revealed that using an eye mask to sleep has its perks. Namely, good memory performance and increased alertness the next day(4).
Wearing the best eye mask for sleep has many benefits. These include improved sleep quality and less pre-bedtime stress and anxiety. Not to mention increased energy levels throughout the day.
This is because the best sleep eye mask blocks out distracting light sources. You are then able to relax into deeper stages of restorative shuteye each night.
So, now you know the benefits of wearing a sleep mask. It’s time to move on to your options.
💡 Key Takeaway: Wearing an eye mask for sleeping has its benefits. It helps improve sleep quality by blocking out light. It may also help you relax before bedtime. And studies say it increases memory and alertness the next day.
Types of Men's Sleep Masks
The thing about most sleep masks is they’re adjustable. While men tend to have larger heads than women, this is by no means a standard. Women can also wear an adjustable men’s sleep mask.
The eye masks mentioned below offer the benefits we discussed above. And then some.
100% Blackout Sleep Masks for Better Sleep Quality
Not all sleep masks are made equal, especially when it comes to light blocking.
An eye mask at its most basic is a flat piece of fabric with a flimsy elastic strap. Owing to its construction, light can seep in due to the poor fit. Not to mention it’s likely to slip off as you sleep.
Choose a blackout sleep mask that blocks out light completely with a perfect fit. Better alternatives come with contoured eye cups to seal out light completely. They’re also a more comfy option as they won’t put pressure on your eyes.
We recommend Manta Sleep Mask PRO. This eye mask for sleeping will provide you with complete darkness. On top of that, it’s breathable and designed for side sleeping. (Though it works with other sleep positions, too.)
This sleep mask for men (and women) comes with detachable C-shaped eye cups. They’re comfy and put zero pressure on your eyes and lashes.
Each has a smart bubble that compresses as you switch sides to seal out the light.
Oh, and before we forget. The eye cups have ventilation holes to keep you cool and comfy, too.
The head strap stays on compared to other sleep masks. It has grippy anti-slip gel. It’s adjustable and sits above the ears, too. (Side sleepers, rejoice!)
We made the adjustable head strap with foam and mesh for advanced breathability. How’s that for temperature regulation on hot nights?
This sleep mask for men is perfect if you’re extra light-sensitive. Plus, it has other neat features to boot. It’ll give you the darkness and comfort you need for quality zzzs.
Here’s what our customers have to say about Manta PRO:
Side Sleeper’s Dream
"I’ve tried all the masks Manta and other companies have to offer. If you’re a side sleeper: this is THE one to get. It stays put on my face and doesn’t feel like it’s pressing into my eyeball when I’m on my side. The strap is super comfortable and I’m able to wear this through the entire night with no discomfort of any sort."
— William D.
Absolutely awesome sleep mask
"The Pro is exactly what I had hoped it would be. Wonderful sleep mask! Thank you for making such a great product! I now can sleep anywhere and have a complete blackout sleeping experience. Thank you support team as well, you have been extremely helpful and generous!"
— Joel K.
"I have owned and used several of your sleep mask and products over the years. I work as a river pilot on the Mississippi River and have to sleep at all odd hours of the day. I have always been impressed with your constant improvements and innovations on all of your products. I just received your new Pro Mask. I have to say that y’all knocked this one out of the park! By far the most comfortable mask I’ve ever used. Side sleeping was always the only thing that wasn’t the greatest when using your mask. However, y’all absolutely nailed it. Thanks for continuing to improve your products for your customers."
— Paul D.
Sleep Masks with Headphones for Relaxation
One of the best ways to relax before bedtime is to listen to soothing music or white noise. A sleep mask with Bluetooth® speakers is a great way to wind down with tunes. And shut out everything else.
This music sleep mask is also perfect for travel. It’s a white noise machine and a sleep mask in 1. Wear it on the plane or train for a restful nap. Or use it on your first night away from home. It’ll help block out unfamiliar surroundings and soothe your anxiety.
If this is what you’re looking for, consider Manta SOUND Sleep Mask New Gen. It combines superior light blocking with portable sound.
The sleep mask features built-in speakers that pair with any Bluetooth® device. It has amazing battery life. The intuitive design features power and volume controls at the front of the head strap. You can adjust the volume or turn it on and off with your eyes closed.
This Bluetooth® sleep mask features detachable C-shaped eye cups that block 100% of light. It’s fully adjustable from its eye cups to the head strap and even the positioning of the speakers.
Unlike other sleep masks with headphones, Manta SOUND Mask New Gen has removable electronics. It has a 100% machine washable head strap and eye cups for easy cleaning.
Feedback from Manta SOUND Sleep Mask New Gen users:
Napping must-have
"New stepfather. I used to nap. Not as much anymore. Between the 2 kids and 3 dogs, there isn’t a lot of quiet time here. Also, I basically require a complete lack of light to fall asleep. This mask solved my weekend afternoons' problem. I can put this on, and I have binaural beats and can’t see any light AT ALL, immediately. Everything else drowns out…loving getting my naps back"
— Cliff H.
Outstanding sleep mask!
"The sleep mask is very comfortable and completely blocks out light. I like to fall asleep to audio but don't want to disturb my partner. I sleep on my side making traditional headphones an annoyance and earbuds always fall out. The manta sound's slim over-ear speakers work perfect for me!"
— Joseph B.
Total Darkness + Bluetooth💤😴
"Soft eye cups in this mask do a wonderful job to block out every single bit of light. I’m extremely sensitive to light so this is huge. A small LED light on a charger or a clock or enough to keep me awake, and this mask totally blocks it out. Also, the ultra-thin Bluetooth speakers do a great job of helping me drift away to whatever I want to listen to whether it’s music or audiobooks or podcasts."
— Daniel J.
Silk Sleep Masks That Provide Comfort
Make no mistake. Comfort is key when it comes to choosing a sleep mask for men. If you want something luxurious yet effective, a silk eye mask is the way to go.
Silk sleep masks are known for their gentle feel on the skin. Don’t let the smooth texture fool you. When they’re made from quality silk, they’re lightweight and sturdy.
Mulberry silk is hypoallergenic. This makes it a great option for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Plus, this light-blocking sleep mask regulates temperature well.
A silk sleep mask keeps you comfy and cool while providing blackout coverage. So, if you have sensitive skin and are big on luxe comfort, consider Manta Sleep Mask SILK.
We made our version of a 100% blackout silk sleep mask with a premium 22-momme silk strap. And 100% pure, 30 momme silk eye cups. The hypoallergenic fabric also has natural anti-aging properties. Plus, its smooth texture won’t create sleep wrinkles.
Unlike other silk sleep masks, Manta SILK is 100% machine washable. We don’t mind saying that goes to show how sturdy and well-constructed it is.
This adjustable sleep mask has a durable and elasticated fit. It secures around your head with a micro hook and loop closure. The detachable eye cups are also made from silk and put zero pressure on your eyes.
Here’s what Manta Sleep Mask SILK owners have to say:
Amazing!
"This mask feels like heaven! I sleep so well in it and don’t know how I got along without it. I have problems sleeping most of the time, but this mask has helped a ton!"
— Eric A.
"These are by far the best, most comfortable, and complete darkening sleep masks out there! I have three, one for travel, one I use for naps or when I plan to sleep late, and a back-up. Easy care! Great product!"
— Wally D.
"Day 1 slept like a truck, felt like. Woke up 2 times and readjusted the mask which had slipped a bit. Had a long cohesive period of deep sleep, usually it's partitioned so I thought that stood out. Slightly better sleep score than normally. (I use a Fitbit charge 3 to monitor my sleep.) Overall it was a nice sleeping experience. Tried a pair of normal ones from the local pharmacy and the fit was bad, uncomfortable and I only used them once or twice, in comparison. Would recommend it to any fellow night worker who wants to improve sleep and reduce light. Really comfy as well with the silk covering. I can even have my bedroom door open now to let in the warmth without being disturbed by the light outside. Easier to get up when your room isn't cold af."
— Daniel C.
💡 Key Takeaway: When it comes to choosing a sleep mask for men, there are many options. Choose one with a superior light-blocking feature and eye covers for sleep. Breathability, comfort and sound features are a big plus, too.
Conclusion
Getting quality sleep is crucial for our health and well-being. But for many, it’s not as easy as it should be. A men's sleep mask might be what you need.
The best sleep mask blocks out light for better sleep quality. And may provide sensory deprivation when anxious or stressed. Recent studies also show that the best eye masks improve memory and alertness.
Men’s sleep masks come in a variety of styles, from basic to more advanced options. If you didn’t find what you’re looking for here, explore our full collection. And consider other sleep products to go with your mask as well.
We hope this blog post helps you find the best men's sleep mask to suit your needs.
Sources:
(1) “Sleep Statistics.” Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics. Accessed 20 March 2023.
(2) “Increased sensitivity of the circadian system to light in delayed sleep–wake phase disorder.” The Physiological Society, physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP275917. Accessed 20 March 2023.
(3) “Shift Work Sleep Disorder” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/shift-work-sleep-disorder. Accessed 20 March 2023.
(4) “Wearing an eye mask during overnight sleep improves episodic learning and alertness.” Oxford Academic, academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/3/zsac305/6912219. Accessed 20 March 2023.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website or provided through our blog, e-mails, or programs is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment that can be provided by your healthcare professionals.