Sleep masks are more than an accessory for rockstars and 20th-century prima donnas. While they’ve gone in and out of vogue, sleep masks are also a practical addition to your night routine. They can help block out light and help improve your sleep.
There are a lot of different options out there, though — many with extra features that can offer additional benefits. We picked the best sleep masks out there, so read on to find out which could be the right fit for you to finally get some quality shut-eye.
Not all sleep masks are created with style, comfort, and luxury in mind. In production, brands prioritize and pair different elements together in an effort to redefine your best night’s sleep.
Here are the criteria we found most important when choosing a sleep mask:
Design and comfort
Some brands experiment with three-dimensional, molded cups in their design to avoid putting pressure on your eyes. Others are inspired by deep pressure stimulation and add beads like the ones found in weighted blankets. Some masks are made with material you can pop in the fridge or freezer to get the benefits of a cold compress while dozing off.
Lighter masks, however, are less bulky, can soothe sensitive skin, and can be just as effective at blocking out light.
Whether you choose a flat, cupped, or weighted mask is ultimately a personal preference, so we included a variety of options to help you find what works best for you.
Fit
You should never have to wake up because your mask is sliding around while you sleep. While not all of the products selected come with adjustable straps, all prioritize fit in their design.
Durability and quality
All of the masks recommended here should lead long, happy lives because we chose products that are guaranteed to stand the test of time.
These masks should be less prone to wrinkles, made from cooling materials, and designed to protect both your skin and hair.
Customer reviews
We cross-referenced websites, articles, and review videos to ensure we selected products that reflect the best of what the sleep mask market has to offer.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $25
- $$ = $25–$35
- $$$ = $36–$45
- $$$$ = over $45
Buy the Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eyemask online.
Best sleep mask for a total blackout
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Sleep Mask
For a mask you can trust, consider the TEMPUR-Sleep Mask. Like the brand’s famous mattresses, the mask is filled with TEMPUR material. This foam is known for how it contours to the body.
The mask was designed to gently contour to your face for a more comfortable — and completely dark — slumber.
The TEMPUR-Sleep Mask is highly reviewed online, with many people saying the product eliminates headaches almost instantly.
The mask, however, is heavier than typical layered silk masks. So some customers say the mask feels hot and bulky, especially in the summer.
Buy the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Sleep Mask online.
Most recommended sleep mask
Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask
Lunya creates one of the most sought after sleep masks on the market, with highly favorable reviews on its site and across the internet.
Designed to make sleeping feel effortless, every aspect of the Washable Silk Sleep Mask is intentional. The mask’s exterior is made from 100% silk, and the inside is a polyester filling.
Lunya says their silk is gentle on hair and moisturizes your skin while reducing dark circles. The mask can double as a headband for skin care routines, it pairs well with monochromatic pajama sets, and it is machine washable.
Because it’s thicker than standard sleep masks, reviewers say Lunya’s mask is also noise reducing. Many buyers love the wide elastic band, though some warn it can feel a little tight.
Buy the Lunya Washable Silk Sleep Mask online.
Best basic sleep mask
Athleta Sleep Mask
If you feel simplicity is key for a good night’s sleep, look no further than Athleta’s Sleep Mask. The product is designed with a soft jersey fabric made from recycled materials.
The mask’s elastic band means it’s one-size-fits-all, but Athleta also offers free returns if it ends up not being the perfect fit.
It only comes in one color option, but the light gray color can easily match any pajama set (not to mention any other snuggly t-shirt or hoodie from Athleta).
Lastly, while it’s not machine washable, all you need to do is hand wash it in cold water and lay it flat to dry.
Buy the Athleta Sleep Mask online.
Best sleep mask for napping
MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
MZOO’s Sleep Eye Mask has been reviewed by over 30,000 Amazon users — and once you read the testimonials, you’ll understand why. The product features 3D contoured cups that apply stress-relieving pressure around your eyes instead of on them.
The mask’s elevated sockets are makeup-friendly, making this a great option for anyone looking for a midday snooze without having to redo their lashes.
Customers say they love the adjustable strap that fits comfortably without catching on their hair.
Buy the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask online.
Most innovative sleep mask
nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask
With a recent endorsement from Anthropologie, the popularity of Nodpod’s Weighted Sleep Mask has skyrocketed.
The product features four equally weighted pods with flat, unweighted ends. Instead of adjustable velcro straps that could snag hair, the mask is supposed to fit all head sizes with an easy-to-use, pull-through loop that lays flat against the pillow.
The mask truly aims to please, as customers can choose between two sides: one with a cotton jersey feel and the other made from microfiber fleece.
The pods, which weigh nine ounces in total, are filled with BPA-free plastic beads, making the mask scent-free and machine washable.
The brand says it was inspired to create a weighted mask by deep touch pressure, which can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Still not convinced? Reviews on both nodpod’s company website and Anthropologie’s site attest to deeper sleep and even migraine relief — especially for side sleepers.
Buy the nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask online.
Best bargain silk sleep mask
RachelSilk 19 Momme Silk Sleep Eye Mask
The RachelSilk 19 Momme Silk Sleep Eye Mask is exactly what you picture when you think of movie stars napping on private jets. It comes in 11 different shades, and it features light-blocking layers.
The silk, which naturally protects your hair and skin from friction, is made from 18 amino acids that the brand says make the mask hypoallergenic and anti-aging.
RachelSilk recently updated the mask’s design with a wider elastic band to prioritize the customer’s comfort.
While the mask is still made from luxurious and durable material, it’s slightly less expensive than other silk masks on the market. The mask holds up to gentle machine washing, and customers leave high reviews, saying they’ll be back to buy more colors for their collection.
To feel stylish even in your dreams, you can pair the mask with a matching RachelSilk pillowcase or scrunchie.
Buy the RachelSilk 19 Momme Silk Sleep Eye Mask online.
Most eco-friendly sleep mask
Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Eye Mask
The Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Eye Mask is made from organic bamboo, which research says is environmentally friendly. Bamboo fabric is a vegan alternative to silk, so the mask feels soft and cool, comparable to real silk or — as the brand notes in its product description — a 1,000 cotton thread count.
The brand says this mask is hypoallergenic, ideal for sensitive skin, and uses padding made from recycled plastic water bottles.
Although it only comes in one size with an elastic band, many reviews say the mask fits comfortably and rarely shifts around at night. Reviewers also say it’s successful in blocking out light, especially if you choose a darker color, like Pepper or Grey.
Buy the Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Eye Mask online.
Most luxurious sleep mask
Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
Blissy’s handmade silk mask is for those dedicated to a luxurious slumber. The high-quality, 100% mulberry silk mask is made with a soft elastic band and extra cushioning.
Caring for this mask is fairly low maintenance. Blissy recommends buyers care for the mask by gently machine washing it and hanging it to dry.
Testimonials on Blissy’s site are sourced from models, hairstylists, and dermatologists alike. Some of the most glowing reviews say the mask decreases the appearance of crows feet every morning, leaving them refreshed and confident after every REM cycle.
Buy the Blissy Silk Sleep Mask online.
Best cooling sleep mask
Manta Sleep Manta COOL Mask
Looking for a combination of cooling and light-blocking features? Look no further than the Manta COOL Mask.
The cold therapy mask is designed to put minimal pressure on your eyes, making it ideal for those with headaches or sinus problems. It also has an adjustable strap for a custom fit.
The brand says the mask stays cold for 10 minutes at a time, which they also say is the amount of time doctors recommend for cold therapy. The cool material is supposed to help reduce swelling around your eyes, and even give you relief from headaches.
Reviewers say this mask really does its job. The website features near-perfect testimonials regarding the mask’s ability to soothe and help people find relief.
Buy the Manta Sleep Manta COOL Mask online.
With so many shapes and types of masks on the market, it’s important to understand your specific needs for getting a good night’s sleep. When deciding how much to invest in your new sleep mask, here’s what you should consider:
Shape and weight
Flat, convex, and weighted — oh my! Different shapes and weights of masks matter, especially for those who seek specific health benefits.
Weighted and convex masks are recommended for those seeking anxiety and headache relief because these masks typically apply concentrated pressure to the area around your eyes. Other customers, however, may feel as though the added material makes the mask feel too bulky and hot.
Read product descriptions and experiment with what fits your lifestyle and relaxes you most, whether it’s through a treatment-centric or luxury-centric design.
Fit
If you’re concerned about the way a sleep mask might fit, consider opting for a mask with an adjustable strap rather than a simple elastic band.
The better the mask fits your head, the less likely it is to move around when you sleep, regardless of how much you toss and turn.
Material
The material of your sleep mask is ultimately a personal preference. Different materials can feel softer, be easier to care for, or even be more sustainable.
For an ultra-soft luxurious feel, you might like silk. If you want something sustainable, try bamboo.
Thicker material, and sometimes even the color of the fabric, can also affect how effective a mask is at blocking out light.
Always make sure to check the care instructions before buying, too. If you’re not interested in hand washing your mask, look for materials that are machine washable.
Style
Unlike other sleep products, the appearance of sleep masks usually reveals its function.
Simple and sleeker silk masks are successful at blocking out light and protecting sensitive skin.
Bulkier masks with extra padding are usually designed around a specific kind of experience — like nodpod’s Weighted Sleep Mask or Manta Sleep’s Manta COOL Mask.
The bottom line is that sleeping masks, regardless of extra frills and features, are successful if they block out light. Research from 2018 shows that artificial light at night has negative effects on sleeping patterns. It disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, which can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
Whether you live with a partner who sleeps with the TV on or you have a bright street light outside your window, blocking out that light is important in order to maintain your natural sleep-wake cycle and get the quality rest you need. A sleep mask can help do that.
Additionally, a 2017 study tested the use of eye masks and earplugs on patients in an ICU, who struggle to get quality sleep because of the various lights and sounds in their environment. A 2019 study conducted a similar test. Both studies found that the use of eye masks and earplugs improved sleep quality for those patients.
Although often fashionable, sleeping masks offer more than a luxury aesthetic. Masks can help you sleep better if you struggle to avoid artificial light at bedtime.
When it comes to the shape of your sleeping mask, however, it’s up to personal preference. Flat, convex, or weighted masks all offer varying benefits with the sole intention of improving how you sleep.
If you struggle to get quality sleep because of any light sneaking into your room, a sleep mask might be the solution to finally get some shut-eye.
Growing up, Megan Sauer’s favorite pastimes were writing plays and coercing her cousins into performing them in her grandparents’ living room. Now, the recent Medill graduate reports on politics, travel, and health. Her work has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Tampa Bay Times, SKATING magazine, and more. When Sauer isn’t writing about her life as if it belonged inside a book jacket, she spends her time figure skating, binge-watching The Office, and typing incoherent ideas in her iPhone’s Notes app when she’s half asleep.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/best-sleep-masks