The best blackout curtains

If limited options have been holding you back trying a blackout curtain, consider the Deconovo Room Darkening Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains. Available in 20 colors and three lengths, it's easy to match any room's decor.

These curtains are remarkably effective as far as blocking both natural and artificial light because each panel has three layers of material that work together to block sunlight and deaden sound. The top and bottom layers are polyester while the middle layer is a woven black yarn meant to do the bulk of the light blocking. Choosing a darker colored curtain will also help them to be more effective.

The curtains also claim to help regulate the temperature of your rooms, which will help you save on energy costs. The grommet holes along the top make it easy to install on most curtain rods. However, you'll have to purchase them as individual panels, rather than as a full set. The fact that they're remarkably affordable helps take the sting out of needing to purchase them separately.

Pros: Lots of color and size options, saves energy, affordable

Cons: Sold per panel and not in a full set

If you don't like the look of grommets, a rod pocket option neatly hides the rod for a clean, secure hold.

The Sebastian Rod Pocket Insulated 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panel is a top pick for this style as it will create a dark sleeping environment and comes in three neutral colors that will pair well with most rooms. The front of the curtain is 100% polyester while the back has an attached black light-blocking liner. Though effective, it's not going to be the nicest view for anyone looking at your windows from the outside.

The curtains claim to be 100% light-blocking, and also function for noise-reducing and temperature-regulating elements. They are, however, a bit pricey and are only sold in individual panels. Though, being able to buy by the panel is an upside if you have an uneven number of windows you want to use the treatments on.

Pros: Superior light and temperature blocking capabilities, nice fabric, great color selection, multiple sizes

Cons: Expensive, sold individually, black liner may not look nice from the outside

If your next-door neighbors are having a backyard barbeque until 3 a.m. on a Tuesday, noise reducing curtains won't erase the problem, but they might help. For those that want to block out light and noise, try the Nicetown Noise Reducing Blackout Curtains to ensure you enjoy as much peace and quiet as possible.

In addition to claiming to reduce sound, Nicetown also says its curtains will block 85-99% of the light from outside, and that the curtains are thermal-insulated and resistant to stains and wrinkles. They come in several lengths and a bunch of solid colors to fit a variety of decor and window sizes.

These are also more cost-effective than similar options. They come in packs of two, and though the price varies depending on the size, they are cheaper overall than many on the market.

Pros: Noise-cancelling, blocks 85-99% of light, stain-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, cost-effective

Cons: Some reviewers said the colors are different in person than in the photos online

If you already have curtains you love and don't want to give up, turn them into blackout curtains with the simple edition of a blackout liner. Our top pick is the Eclipse Thermaliner Blackout Panel, which can boost your existing curtains' light-blocking properties.

The attached drapery hooks allow you to pin the panel to the curtains already hanging in your house and turn them into light- and noise-reducing window treatments, with likely more privacy than was offered before.

Per the product's own description, the liners don't block as much light as the brand's true blackout curtains do, but they are a solid choice for "any room where you may want the appearance of darkness, while still having enough light to navigate throughout the room."

From the outside, you'll be able to see the white panel, so if that bothers you aesthetically, you may want to look into blackout curtains that have decorative fabric on both sides.

Pros: Can be used with curtains you already have, come with hooks, help reduce light, noise, and heat

Cons: Size probably won't work for all curtains, won't work as well as true blackout curtains

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