Sleep Masks vs Blackout Curtains: Which One Gives You the Best Sleep?

Sleep masks vs blackout curtains — which should you choose? Read this article to know the pros and cons of each so you can make the right choice.

Nowadays, a good night’s sleep is often a luxury. But please don’t sell yourself short when it comes to your health and well-being. Sleep is an essential need that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Getting enough sleep is vital for your physical and mental health. It influences your energy and cognitive abilities, to name a few. But let’s face it. Good sleep isn’t easy to come by. There are just too many factors that can contribute to poor sleep quality. That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize your zzzs by making good sleep hygiene a habit.

One way to do so is to create the best sleeping environment. That means ensuring your bedroom is cool, quiet and dark. It involves choosing between sleep masks and blackout curtains. These sleep aids are both designed to provide complete darkness, but they differ significantly in how they work and their efficiency.

Key Takeaways

• Light-blocking sleep aids like masks, and blackout curtains are the real deal. Experts agree they’re an effective way to block natural and artificial light, regulating your circadian rhythm and triggering the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone.

• Thanks to their lightweight and compact design, sleep masks are handy for blocking out light anywhere and anytime. The best ones come with adjustable straps for a custom fit. They also guarantee complete darkness, making them perfect for any sleep situation.

• Blackout curtains make your entire room a cozy, dark haven and keep your indoor activities private. High-quality ones help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

• Premium sleep masks (like Manta PRO Sleep Mask) are portable, 100% blackout and block light from outdoor and indoor sources. They’re also adjustable, easy to use, clean, and cheaper than most blackout curtains.

• Most high-quality blackout curtains are near blackout but aren’t portable. They block out light from outdoor sources for entire rooms. They require installation and aren’t as easy to clean as sleep masks.

Do Sleep Masks and Blackout Curtains Work?

Light-blocking sleep aids like sleep masks and blackout curtains aren’t just all hype. In case you didn’t know it, light tells your body it's time to be up and alert. Darkness does the opposite and triggers the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Many experts have backed the importance of darkness in achieving the best possible sleep quality using sleep aids. Here are a few:

Sleep Foundation says: “Eye masks work by blocking out ambient light. (Think of how bird owners throw a dark cloth over their birds’ cages at night to block light and calm them.) While some people enjoy sleeping in darkness, light exposure is more than a matter of simple personal preference. In fact, research shows that light exposure during sleep has longer-term negative health impacts, too.⁽¹⁾”

According to Healthline: “Exposure to artificial light suppresses melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, which can lead to sleeping issues or disorders such as insomnia.” Also, “Eye masks help to block out this artificial light by acting as a shield. They realign your body’s internal body clock with the rising and setting of the sun.⁽²⁾”

Meanwhile, sleep doctor Dr. Brandon Peters says in Livingetc: “Light exposure promotes wakefulness through its action on the circadian system. Blackout curtains can eliminate light disturbances during sleep.⁽³⁾”

Plus, these curtains are a popular choice all over. WebMD says, "A survey of Norwegian adults found that 63.3% of respondents use blackout curtains. People aged 30 or younger use blackout curtains the most, with usage declining slightly among older populations.⁽⁴⁾”

What Are the Benefits of Sleep Masks?

At its most basic, a sleep mask is a cloth worn over your eyes to block out light. Regular ones have an elastic strap that goes around your head, so the mask stays put all night.

Here’s what makes sleep masks a good option:

They’re Portable.

Sleep masks are lightweight and compact, making them easy to use while traveling. This benefit makes them convenient when you need to rest while on the move.

They Provide a Custom Fit.

Before we explain why, you must know that not all sleep masks have this feature. Your average sleep masks typically have a single elastic strap to accommodate different head sizes. Unfortunately, these quickly lose shape due to wear and tear and flimsy material.

Other sleep masks are designed better than most. These come with adjustable straps and are contoured. This customizability lets you find the perfect fit for your unique head size and eye area. (This is the type of sleep mask you should be looking for, by the way.)

They Guarantee Darkness (At Least The Great Ones Do).

Okay, hold on a minute. Not all sleep masks guarantee total darkness. Those that do offer consistent darkness, blocking out light 100%. Unlike blinds or curtains, you can forget about intrusive light from streetlights, night lights and other artificial light sources seeping through.

A good sleep mask will keep you in complete darkness even when the sun is high. This is especially important for night shift workers who turn in when the rest of the world is up and about.

They’re Affordable.

On the whole, sleep masks are an affordable and accessible option if you’re looking to improve your sleep quality.

Some are indeed more expensive than others, but that’s because they have special features. They may also have a dual purpose, like a weighted eye mask, which also provides anxiety relief.

Depending on quality, a sleep mask is a worthwhile investment and more cost-effective than other light-blocking sleep aids.

Manta PRO Sleep Mask: Your Best Option for 100% Blackout

If you’re considering a sleep mask, why not give Manta PRO a shot? We call it “the most advanced sleep mask on the planet.” Plus, we designed it for all side sleeping positions (or any sleeping posture for that matter). Here’s a rundown of its features:

But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what customers have to say about Manta PRO Sleep Mask:

What Are the Benefits of Blackout Curtains?

Before we dive into the benefits, let’s first explore what blackout curtains are.

Blackout curtains are thick, dark-colored, tightly woven drapes designed to prevent nearly all external light from seeping into a room. They’re made from heavier versions of fabrics like polyester and microfiber. These curtains are a good choice for people who prefer a pitch-black sleep space or live in places with heavy light pollution.

They work on the same premise as sleep masks in that they block out natural and artificial light. (Remember that darkness tells your body it’s time to wind down and triggers the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.)

Here’s what makes blackout curtains a top light-blocking option:

They Cover Large Areas and Keep Things Private.

Unlike sleep masks, which are for personal use, blackout curtains can provide darkness for entire rooms and your entire household. Simply install them to cover your windows to enjoy a near-blackout experience. Blackout curtains also give you privacy, concealing your indoor activities from the outside world.

They Help Lower the Cost of Managing the Temperature At Home.

Sunlight can raise the temperature in your home. Blackout curtains are designed to block out light, which, to some extent, means a cooler interior. Premium blackout curtains with insulated lining help keep your living space cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

How Do I Choose the Right Sleep Aid: Sleep Masks Vs Blackout Curtains

Yep. The two sleep aids are designed to do the same thing — block out light to create a sleep-conducive environment. But as you’ve already read, they have distinct differences.

Here’s how sleep masks compare with blackout shades:

Choosing between a sleep mask and blackout curtains depends on your needs and preferences.

Think about your sleeping space. A sleep mask is your best bet if light sources are more indoor than outdoor. If you live in a place with lots of external light pollution, blackout curtains may be the better option. (But hey, an excellent sleep mask does the trick in that department, too.)

Are you sharing a room? Blackout curtains will block out nearly all light for you and your roommates.

Are you a frequent traveler? Or do you often take naps at work? If so, a sleep mask’s portability makes it the better choice.

Conclusion: Finding Your Best Sleep Solution

Sleep masks vs blackout curtains — what’s it going to be? (Or maybe you want the best of both worlds.) As we said earlier, it’s all about what suits your personal preferences and daily routine.

Remember that a dark space is vital to getting the deep and restorative sleep you deserve. With good sleep hygiene habits and the right sleep aids, you’re setting yourself up for quality zzzs.

We hope this blog post helps you make an informed choice. Do you have any experience with sleep masks vs blackout curtains? Please leave a comment below to let other readers know.

Sources:  

(1) “New Sleep Mask Benefit Unlocked: Improved Brain Function.” Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/sleep-masks-improve-brain-function. Accessed 06 June 2024.

(2) “Trouble Sleeping? A Sleep Mask Could Be a Game-Changer.” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/sleep-mask-game-changer. Accessed 06 June 2024.

(3) “Are Blackout Curtains Good for You? Sleep Experts Put the Debate to Rest.” Livingetc, www.livingetc.com/advice/are-blackout-curtains-good-for-you. Accessed 06 June 2024.

(4) “What to Know About Blackout Curtains.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-to-know-about-blackout-curtains. Accessed 07 June 2024.

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