The best sleep masks: I spent six weeks testing 24 masks, and these are my favorites | Sleep

Sure, you’ve eyelids. But when your room will not be pitch-dark, your companion stays up scrolling lengthy after bedtime, otherwise you’re attempting to take a day nap, chances are you’ll want an additional layer of safety. That’s as a result of any publicity to gentle can suppress your physique’s manufacturing of the sleep hormone melatonin. A very good eye masks retains gentle out, serving to you sleep longer and extra deeply. And in contrast to blackout shades, sleep masks are transportable, so you should utilize them while you’re touring, and comparatively cheap.The Guardian’s journalism is impartial. We’ll earn a fee when you purchase one thing by way of an affiliate hyperlink. Be taught extra.Whilst you might simply slip on a kind of free eye masks airways generally hand out on long-haul flights, the straps are sometimes skinny and infrequently adjustable, which implies the masks can put an excessive amount of stress in your eyes or slide off in a single day. When you think about that getting enough sleep (that’s seven or extra hours an evening for many adults) may help you keep at a wholesome weight, get sick much less typically, and even prolong your lifespan by two to 5 years, springing for eye masks is among the most cost-effective investments you may make in your well being.Why it’s best to belief me {Photograph}: Simon Potter/Getty ImagesI am {a magazine} editor turned journalist who has examined lots of of client merchandise and written deeply reported tales about postpartum sleep, drunk sleep, and trip sleep. After transferring to the Pacific north-west (the place the solar rises round 5.30 and units round 9 in the summertime, once I examined these sleep masks) in 2014 and having a child in 2017, my very own sleep has not been nice. I’ve tried earplugs, melatonin, prescription sleep aids, a white-noise machine, bamboo pajamas, and a number of pillows, however by no means sleep masks – till now.How I examined the masks {Photograph}: Counter/Getty ImagesI gathered samples of 24 sleep masks based mostly on retail availability, client curiosity, on-line opinions, and even suggestions from Reddit. Over the summer season, I examined them in a wide range of settings, together with my bed room, a tent, and an Airbnb in Montana with damaged bed room blinds that permit numerous gentle in. Since no two noses or head shapes are precisely alike, I additionally requested 4 different testers for suggestions.I assessed the masks based mostly on how they felt in opposition to my pores and skin and eyes, whether or not they stayed on in a single day, and the way properly they blocked out gentle. A number of the masks had straps that have been too tight, or molded cups that utilized an excessive amount of stress on my eyes to maintain them on all night time; in any other case, I wore every masks for no less than two nights. Moreover, I washed every masks twice to check its sturdiness.All the masks have been despatched to me by the producers. After testing, I donated the masks to Group Warehouse in Portland, Oregon, which companions with social companies companies to supply mattresses, bedding and different dwelling necessities to those that want them most.At a look$29.99 at Amazon$15.99 at Amazon$89 at Drowsy$39 at Manta Sleep$38 at AmazonThe greatest sleep masks in 2025Best total sleep masks: Mzoo Luxurious Sleep MaskMzoo Luxurious Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianMzoo solely sells two masks: one with reminiscence foam that they name a “blindfold”, and this one, which makes use of a springier sponge foam across the eyes that I most well-liked. Each masks have tapered sides and a large strap you regulate such as you would a bra strap.Why we love itThe Goldilocks of masks, this was the one practically each tester preferred greatest, and the one which I stored turning to nighttime after night time. It blocked gentle extraordinarily successfully and in contrast to most of the different masks I examined, it didn’t budge all night time lengthy. The attention cups are surrounded by foam padding that’s so tender, I might barely really feel any stress across the perimeter of my eye sockets. That remained true even once I slept on my facet: with the facet of my face smooshed into my pillow, the padding appeared to vanish moderately than urgent into my temple.It’s a disgrace that … the fabric doesn’t really feel notably luxurious.Weight: 1ozType: contoured, with tender foam eye cupsMaterial: not listed, and the producer didn’t reply to repeated inquiriesCare: hand-wash onlySuitable for: again and facet sleepers$29.99 at AmazonBest finances sleep masks: Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep MaskAlaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianAt $16, this silk masks is considerably extra reasonably priced than all my different picks. Two adjustable straps evenly distribute the stress on the again of your head and assist preserve the masks in place. It’s fully flat, which implies no sleeping place is off-limits.Why we love itSilk feels nice in your face, and a few consultants declare that the fabric could assist scale back sleep-induced wrinkles by decreasing the friction between your pores and skin and your (presumably) cotton pillowcases. Many silk masks value round $70, whereas the extra reasonably priced ones aren’t usually adjustable. This one will not be solely the least costly silk masks we examined, it’s the least costly masks, interval. I notably appreciated the silk nostril baffle, a small tent-like flap you tuck below the masks’s nostril bridge to assist seal out gentle.It’s a disgrace that … it places gentle stress on the eyes, and the 2 skinny straps can dent your hair or get tangled in it.Weight: 0.5ozType: flatMaterial: silkCare: machine-washableSuitable for: again, facet and abdomen sleepers$15.99 at AmazonBest silk sleep masks: Drowsy Eyelash-Defending MaskDrowsy Eyelash-Defending Masks Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianDrowsy makes use of 22-momme silk (momme being a measurement form of like thread depend), which is on the upper finish of the silk masks spectrum. This explicit masks extends practically 5in (13cm) from high to backside within the entrance and tapers all the way down to 3in across the again of your head, making it the “tallest” masks we examined. The entire thing is padded, with concave indentations over your eyes that let you blink whereas carrying it.Why we love itI slept previous 8am for the primary time in years carrying this masks, the one one I attempted that didn’t put any stress on or round my eyes. This masks has numerous different issues going for it too: The silk is dense, easy, and extremely, properly, silky. And since the masks is one lengthy, pillowy strip of silk with a Velcro closure and no separate strap, it gained’t frizz or in any other case mess up your hair. Plus, it’s stunning. Slipping it on at night time got here to really feel like a self-care ritual that was fairly not like, say, placing in earplugs or my mouthguard earlier than mattress.It’s a disgrace that … it’s the costliest masks I examined, and it acquired barely much less tender after washing.Weight: 2.5ozType: flat and pillowy, with indentations to your eyesMaterial: silkCare: machine-washable, although hand-washing is preferredSuitable for: again, facet and abdomen sleepers$89 at Drowsy$89 at AmazonBest customizable masks: Manta Authentic Sleep MaskManta Authentic Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianThe Manta Authentic’s detachable foam eye cups let you simply reposition them with Velcro, and even swap them out solely for freezable eye cups ($29), microwaveable eye cups ($29), or ventilated eye cups ($49). Manta additionally sells a weighted sleep masks, a silk sleep masks, and a Bluetooth eye masks with built-in ultra-thin audio system, amongst others.Why we love itPeople who love this masks actually love this masks, and I can see why: it ensures whole darkness. Actually, I couldn’t inform whether or not the lights have been on or off whereas I used to be carrying it (I requested my daughter to flicker the lights).The cups don’t put any stress in your lids or lashes, however I did discover them uncomfortable once I slept on my facet. One tester had no such situation on her facet or her abdomen, so it might be a private factor. I can say with full confidence that when you’re a again sleeper or you have to sleep on a airplane, this masks, or one in every of Manta’s many different choices, will in all probability enchantment to you. Should you’re uncertain, the model gives a 60-day money-back assure.It’s a disgrace that … the deep cups work rather well for some sleepers, and under no circumstances for others.Weight: 1.3ozType: contoured, with adjustable tender foam eye cupsMaterial: poly-cotton outdoors, polyester velour inside, modal cupsCleaning directions: machine cleanable (consists of mesh wash bag)skip previous e-newsletter promotionA information to purchasing fewer, higher merchandise.Privateness Discover: Newsletters could include details about charities, on-line advertisements, and content material funded by outdoors events. Should you should not have an account, we are going to create a visitor account for you on theguardian.com to ship you this text. You may full full registration at any time. For extra details about how we use your information see our Privateness Coverage. We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply.after e-newsletter promotionSuitable for: again sleepers and a few facet and abdomen sleepers$39 at Manta Sleep$39 at AmazonBest weighted sleep masks: Nodpod Sleep MaskNodpod Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianBasically a weighted blanket to your eyes, this caterpillar-like masks drapes over your face moderately than strapping onto your head. Actually, the corporate particularly calls out the truth that the Nodpod is supposed to remain on solely till you nod off, not all night time. It’s crammed with plastic microbeads and lined with 100% cotton. (For $40 extra, you possibly can improve to a silk lining.)Why we love itThere’s restricted analysis on weighted blankets, and none on weighted sleep masks. With that stated, if the thought of a weighted sleep masks sounds stress-free to you, this one is the one to strive. At 9oz, it was the lightest masks we examined; different masks, weighing as much as 1lb, felt suffocating. Regardless that the masks was comparatively gentle, I wouldn’t need weight on my eyes all night time, so I really preferred that the masks slipped off ultimately. As somebody who has resorted to holding popsicles over my eyes when my allergy symptoms get dangerous within the spring, I additionally appreciated that you would be able to pop the Nodpod within the freezer and use it to appease your eyes.It’s a disgrace that … whereas this masks could show you how to go to sleep, it gained’t show you how to keep asleep.Weight: 9ozType: weightedMaterial: velvet outdoors, cotton inside, polyethylene plastic fillingCleaning directions: machine washableSuitable for: again and facet sleepers$34 at Walmart$38 at AmazonThe better of the restBest for greater options: The Deep Relaxation Masks by NidraNidra’s Deep Relaxation Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianMy sister has a outstanding nostril and most of the masks she tried left gaps below her eyes. Not this one, which has a comparatively steep bridge and spans 8.9in from temple to temple. The attention cups could make the masks appear to be a bra, however they’re deep sufficient that you could possibly nap in them whereas carrying mascara and get up smudge-free. And regardless of how roomy this masks is, it was one of many lightest masks I examined.It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … this masks will in all probability depart a spot on folks with smaller faces. (If that’s you, you could possibly strive the corporate’s small-size masks, which is about 1in much less vast.)Weight: 0.5ozType: contoured, with inflexible eye cupsMaterial: polyesterCleaning directions: hand-wash onlySuitable for: again and facet sleepers$18.99 at Amazon$28 at NidraBest for blocking out gentle and noise: Cozy Earth Adjustable Bamboo Sleep MaskCozy Earth Adjustable Bamboo Sleep Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianThis is the sensory-deprivation tank of sleep masks. It’s overstuffed and covers your ears while you wrap it round your head, muffling sound and securing earplugs or earbuds in place when you really need quiet. The corporate is thought for its supersoft bamboo viscose sheets, and the identical materials is used right here, with the addition of just a little little bit of spandex for stretch.It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … the masks runs small. If my head have been an inch or two greater, the Velcro wouldn’t shut within the again – and its duvet-like high quality would possibly make some sleepers scorching.Weight: 3.2ozType: flat and pillowyMaterial: 95% bamboo viscose, 5% spandexCare: machine cleanable (it could possibly even go within the dryer!)Appropriate for: again, facet and abdomen sleepers$38 at Cozy EarthBest for journey: Ostrichpillow Eye MaskThe Ostrichpillow Eye Masks. {Photograph}: Juno DeMelo/The GuardianWhen you are attempting to sleep on an airplane, you desire a masks that blocks out all gentle and doesn’t look ridiculous. The Ostrichpillow was one of many only a few masks I examined that actually made my sight view pitch black, and the straightforward design gained’t entice a lot consideration. Plus, it’s light-weight and unfussy – no detachable cups or delicate materials – making it straightforward to pack.It didn’t make the ultimate lower as a result of … it’s not nice for facet sleepers and is unimaginable for abdomen sleepers. Whereas the inflexible masks appears to suit most faces, if yours isn’t one in every of them, there’s nothing to regulate however the strap.Weight: 1.1ozType: contoured, with inflexible foam eye cupsMaterial: modalCleaning directions: machine washableSuitable for: again sleepers$45 from OstrichpillowWhat you have to learn about sleep masks {Photograph}: AnnaStills/Getty ImagesTypes of sleep masksThere are two fundamental forms of sleep masks: flat and contoured. Flat masks, which could be actually flat or filled with padding, lie flush in opposition to your face so your eyes are coated by a chunk of fabric that holds them shut. Contoured masks have eye cups that block out gentle by surrounding your eyes, which you’ll nonetheless open and shut with the masks on. The previous are usually inexpensive, and you may sleep in your facet or abdomen in them. Contoured masks, distribute stress round moderately than in your eyes, however they’re normally a no-go for abdomen sleepers and so they could hassle some facet sleepers.What to search for in a sleep maskYou desire a masks that matches properly, blocks out gentle, and feels good in opposition to your pores and skin. To that finish, select one with an adjustable strap, whether or not it’s elastic or Velcro. The masks’s material ought to really feel tender and breathable and maintain as much as frequent washing. Should you plan to put on the masks on a airplane or round a brand new companion, its look could issue into your determination.When to put on a sleep maskUnless you’ve blackout shades and 0 light-emitting units in your bed room, you could possibly in all probability profit from sleeping in a masks. That is very true when you go to mattress whereas there’s any gentle left within the sky, or are attempting to sleep previous dawn. And for sleeping throughout the day or on a airplane, a sleep masks is essential.How one can care to your eye maskTo forestall rashes, pimples and eye infections, it’s best to launder your sleep masks no less than as typically as you wash your pillowcases. Some masks are hand-wash solely, and most machine-washable masks are supposed to be washed in a mesh laundry bag in chilly water on the fragile setting, utilizing a detergent specifically formulated for delicates (whew). For that cause, you might have considered trying a couple of masks so you possibly can rotate between them, particularly when you sleep with an eye fixed masks each night time.Juno DeMelo is a contract well being and wellness journalist and obsessive client. As a former journal editor, she has overseen many best-of roundups. And as an early-morning Crossfitter and mother or father of a younger little one, she is chronically sleep-deprived. She started religiously studying the Tightwad Gazette e-newsletter starting at age 9 and has been very fastidiously contemplating her purchases ever since.