The Best Editor-Tested Sleep Masks That Help You Get Some Much Needed Shut-Eye

Have you ever laid in bed at the end of a long day and, try as you might, just can’t fall asleep? Your bed is as comfortable as can be, there aren’t any extraneous noises you have to block out, and your body temperature is absolutely perfect, but it’s just not happening? We’ve all been there, but a possible reason for your delayed Zzzs is that your room isn’t quite dark enough. 

Yes, really! As it turns out, creating the darkest sleep environment possible is just as important as having a just-right mattress or some excellent sheets, and sleeping with an eye mask might just be the solution you’re looking for. That’s right: All it takes is a small fix like an eye mask to make a huge difference in your quality of sleep — and as a result, your quality of life.

The best sleep masks are the ones that help block out light completely and feel comfortable (not snug) over your eyes. Most people who’ve used a sleep mask know that it takes a bit of trial and error to find just the right one. So if you’ve been thinking about getting one, you’re in luck, because AT staffers are here to guide you. We’ve tested plenty of sleep masks, including weighted, silk, luxury, and travel-friendly options, and rounded up the best in each category.

• Best Overall: Baloo Weighted Sleep Stone Mask
• Best Budget-Friendly: Quince Mulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask
• Best Luxury: Drowsy Sleep Co. Silk Sleep Mask
• Best Light Blocking: MZOO Sleep Eye Mask
• Best Silk: Blissy Silk Sleep Mask
• Best Memory Foam: TEMPUR-Sleep Mask
• Best Weighted: Saatva Weighed Silk Eye Mask
• Best for Travel: Pluto POD 2.0

Sleep masks have been scientifically proven to help us get more sound and restful sleep. Research has demonstrated that even dim lighting from street lights shining through windows and electronic devices negatively impacts sleep quality and quantity. This poor quality of sleep has even been linked to depression and anxiety. Quite simply, the darker the sleep environment, the better you sleep.

Terry Cralle, RN and spokeswoman for the Better Sleep Council, says sleep-mask first-timers should expect that the first few they try out may not end up being their favorite. “Be prepared for some trial and error, and don’t give up on them if the first one, two, or three don’t feel comfortable,” she tells AT. “I found the perfect sleeping mask on my fourth try! Overall, it’s a minimal monetary investment when you consider the many benefits of refreshing and restorative sleep.” Cralle also recommends that people who work night shifts should try their best to use sleep masks regularly because they have to get shut-eye during daylight hours.

A pure, high-quality silk mask is often the most preferred sleep mask choice because of how luxuriously soft the fabric feels. Silk is also a lightweight and extremely breathable fabric, which is a win when it comes to anything worn on the face. Cotton, cotton blends, and mesh fabrics are also good sleep mask materials because they’ll help you stay cool throughout the night. It’s also important to consider the material inside the mask. Weighted eye masks often contain small beads or seeds that work to provide light pressure relief. Some contain memory foam that helps the mask feel weightless. It all depends on what you’re going for.

We tested a wide selection of sleep masks, judging them on the following criteria:

• Light blocking: How effective is the mask at achieving total darkness and preventing “light leaks”?
• Comfortability: Does the mask stay put all night? Is it adjustable, and does the material feel smooth against the face?
• Sleep factor: Did we sleep better, fall asleep faster, or feel more well-rested since using the mask?

Baloo’s Weighted Silk Sleep Stone Mask has it all: light blocking, sound muffling, and mulberry silk that’s great for your skin, all of which earned it top marks from AT’s commerce editor, Britt. You can even pop it into the freezer during the summer for an extra bit of cooling — or year-round for a bit of de-puffing. The mask is weighted gently so that it conforms comfortably to your face, keeping it secure and in place all night long. There’s even a crystal sewn inside that’s meant to “channel good energy right to your third eye,” which can’t hurt. You can opt for amethyst, which is said to help to clear the mind for better sleep, or rose quartz for cultivating love.

“I usually sleep hot with sleep masks, which is why I don’t typically wear them, but this mask didn’t overheat my face at all!” Britt says, adding that it totally changed her stance on sleep masks. “It’s so cozy and I felt so relaxed when wearing it. My face didn’t sweat, and I slept like a baby! I love this mask so much that I even bring it with me when I travel!”

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk with cotton and poly lining and lead-free glass beads
• Velcro closure
• Available in 2 colors
• Hand wash only with gentle detergent; towel blot then lay flat to dry

Who It’s Best For: Those who run hot when they sleep and who need to block out sound in addition to light.

Good to Know: There’s a non-weighted version, which is just as comfortable and light-blocking as its counterpart!

Quince is an editor-favorite brand that consistently delivers quality bedding at low prices, so it comes as no surprise to us that its sleep mask made our list. Whereas other options of similar quality will run you at least $50, Quince’s is only $20 — but it’ll still give you all of the features you need for a solid night of sleep. The silk fiber contains 18 kinds of amino acids that nourish skin, according to the brand, and the material is hypo-allergenic and thermoregulating to keep you comfortable. 

What’s more, hundreds of shoppers love it as much as AT’s shopping writer, Nikol. She had never used a sleep mask before this one, but it’s made her a fan. She plans on using it while traveling since it is as efficient at blocking out light as it claims to be. “I love the Champagne color and silk material, which is cool and soft,” Nikol says. “I also like that the elastic strap doesn’t cause headaches, even after sleeping with the mask on overnight.”

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk with polyester interior padding; 22 momme
• Elastic closure
• Available in 12 colors
• Machine wash cold on gentle cycle (inside out in a garment bag) and air dry; hand wash recommended

Who It’s Best For: Those who use sleep masks infrequently; those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a silk sleep mask.

Good to Know: You can pair it with Quince’s mulberry silk pillowcase to complete the look and have a smoothing effect on your hair as well as your eyes. If you purchase both at the same time, you’ll get $15 in store credit!

When it comes to finding the perfect sleep mask, you ideally want a layer that’s soft and comfortable to wear in a range of sleeping positions. It’s even better if the mask can successfully block out intruding light. Fortunately, Drowsy Sleep Co.’s Silk Sleep Mask ticks all the boxes and then some. The magic lies in its clever “nose wing” design, which effectively shields you from any light that could potentially come from the mask’s nose opening. Thanks to its adjustable closure, cloud-like padding, and smooth mulberry silk fabric, you can sleep well knowing your skin and hair are protected. Its wide strap helps to keep the mask from slipping, which means you can sleep uninterrupted and wake up feeling refreshed.

“I slept very well when I used this product on a plane,” says Angel, our tester. “It’s so soft and definitely also helped me when I had a migraine to block out the light and slight sound and fall asleep. This mask is so good compared to many others I have used!” She adds that it’s also a good choice for those with long eyelashes since “some masks can be super harsh on them, but this one was so soft and gentle.” It certainly helps that the mask is adjustable and doesn’t put more pressure on your face than you prefer. If you need further proof that the Drowsy Sleep Co. Silk Sleep Mask is a cozy game-changer: Angel liked it so much she bought a second one to gift to her mom.

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk; 22 momme
• Velcro closure
• Available in 22 colors and styles
• Machine-washable; hand wash recommended

Who It’s Best For: Honestly, anyone. Not only is this light-blocking mask super comfortable, but it also works with an array of sleep styles.

Good to Know: For an even more eyelash-friendly sleep mask experience, Drowsy Sleep Co. recently launched a stylish collection of contoured sleep masks.

It’s no wonder why over 30,000 Amazon shoppers bought the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask in the last month alone. It puts zero pressure on your eyes while you sleep with its wide, contoured cups, but still completely keeps any light from creeping in. You can also open and blink your eyes if you need to, which is a huge plus. Adding to the comfort is the rebound memory foam material that gently conforms to your face and an adjustable buckle strap for a secure fit.

All of these factors made this a winner for AT’s SVP of Marketing and Brand Strategy, Lauren, who is light-sensitive and went through a ton of sleep masks before finding this one to be the perfect option. “It conforms to the face completely and it stays put all night,” she explains. “It’s comfortable on the face and adjustable around the head without using the velcro that other masks have, which does not wear well (and sometimes gets caught in my hair).”

Specifications:

• Memory foam
• Adjustable strap closure
• Available in 6 colors
• Hand wash cold

Who It’s Best For: Those who don’t enjoy masks that press down on their eyes; those who are especially sensitive to light.

Good to Know: Though Lauren says “it’s nearly perfect,” she does think that the plastic pieces affixed to the strap aren’t the most comfortable, and she’s had to replace it after washing it several times. However, it’s worth it because of its “unparalleled blackout capability.”

Blissy is behind one of our favorite silk pillowcases for hair, and its sleep mask is just as top-notch. In fact, according to our tester, it’s “almost perfect.” If concern for your skin has kept you from purchasing a sleep mask in the past, you can be sure that Blissy’s not only won’t harm or cause breakouts on your skin, it’ll actually enhance your skincare routine. It claims to prevent wrinkles and creases on your delicate eye skin, helped by the mulberry silk construction. The material is also cooling and moisture-retaining, according to the brand.

The high fabric quality has won over AT’s associate email editor, Carolyn. “The silk is so cozy and the filling keeps it weighted on my eyes,” she says. “The fabric quality is great and definitely has held up over time, and the travel bag that’s included makes it easy to bring on long flights or to hotels. I love how many color customizations there are; there truly is a design for everybody.”

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• Elastic closure
• Available in 59 different colors and prints
• OEKO-TEX certified
• Machine-washable

Who It’s Best For: Those who prioritize skincare and comfort over light-blocking in their sleep mask.

Good to Know: “It did have a little bit of light leak, which wasn’t too big of a deal, but seemed to be coming up at the bottom which kept it from giving full eye coverage,” Carolyn says.

Craving a luxurious sleep for less? You can’t go wrong with the TEMPUR-Sleep Mask which offers some serious bang for your buck. Like other editor-favorite Tempur-Pedic products, the mask is made with the brand’s Tempur material that conforms to your face. The memory foam fill gives it a unique fit that provides pressure relief and successfully blocks out light, too. Additionally, while this mask does have an elasticized strap, it’s fully adjustable due to its velcro closure. The TEMPUR-Sleep Mask is compact enough to travel with you and reviewers say it’s just as good for afternoon naps as it is for overnight rest.

“I’ve worn sleep masks in the past, and they’ve never provided this much comfortable coverage. I could open my eyes underneath the eye cups and it was completely dark,” says home associate editor Cullen. “I didn’t wake up throughout the night because I wasn’t disturbed by moving lights. I would definitely recommend this to someone who loves their sleep!”

Specifications:

• TEMPUR material; memory foam
• Velcro closure
• Hand wash only

Who It’s Best For: Those who want an affordable mask with a one-of-a-kind feel.

Good to Know: This Tempur-Pedic mask ships for free!

After staring at your screen all day long, it’s likely your eyes might need some serious TLC. Fortunately, Saatva’s Weighted Silk Eye Mask is designed to deliver. The brand has been making popular, top-tier mattresses since 2010, so it’s safe to say it knows a thing or two about a good night’s sleep. Saatva’s weighted eye mask is made with long-fiber mulberry silk, which is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and temperature regulating. (Not to mention ridiculously comfortable.) Meanwhile, it’s filled with all-natural glass beads to offer gentle, therapeutic pressure.

“It’s arguably one of the softest and thickest I’ve used, while still feeling fairly lightweight when I’m sleeping with it,” says senior style editor Blair. “It’s made from mulberry silk, so you know you can count on cozy, breathable softness, especially paired with the gentle pressured filling.” That said, if you love the look and appeal of this mask but don’t need the added pressure, Saatva offers a non-weighted version of the silk eye mask as well.

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk cover with glass bead fill
• Elasticized band
• Available in 2 colors
• Hand wash with mild detergent; lay flat to dry

Who It’s Best For: While its one-size fit is great for back sleepers, anyone with tired eyes will get a lot of mileage out of its gentle pressure.

Good to Know: “The only downside is that the back strap isn’t adjustable, so it doesn’t always fit on my head as snugly as I’d like it to, and it is a little splurgier,” Blair says.

Innovative and cozy, the POD is a futuristic travel pillow from Pluto, the editor-favorite brand behind a Best List-willing customizable pillow. Using the POD is an immersive experience as the eye mask is built into a breathable hooded neck pillow with a cushiony foam fill. While the travel pillow is available in one size, there are snaps on the back of the hood that make it adjustable if you need a tighter fit. The snaps also allow the POD to roll into itself for storage or to attach it to your luggage while on the go. However, the POD 2.0 also has a storage hook that clips easily to a backpack or suitcase, no snaps needed.

“The Pluto POD is my absolute favorite travel pillow, and it was the built-in sleep mask that took it above and beyond!” says Britt. “The pillow is adjustable for comfort, and I love that it has a hood since I’m often cold while traveling. The eye mask totally blocks out light and makes me feel like I’m in my own little cocoon. On a trip from Louisiana to California, I used the POD, and while I wasn’t intending on falling asleep for the entire ride, I was surprised by how soundly I slept! The eye mask helped a lot in making it feel like I wasn’t even on a plane, and it blocked out the light, even with the window open. I’ve been a fan ever since!”

Specifications:

• Lightly padded hood with foam pillow insert
• Velcro closure
• Available in 2 colors
• 125-night trial

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for an eye mask made for traveling; those who want to be immersed in total light blockage.

Good to Know: While the outer surface of the POD is machine washable, the inner foam must be removed from the neck cushion as it “disintegrates in the wash,” according to Pluto.

Additional reporting by Kelsey Mulvey and Jasmine Grant.