The Best Sleep Masks That Keep Light Out, According to an Extremely Light Sleeper

I’ve struggled to sleep through the night for as long as I can remember, and I’ve found sleep masks to be the easiest, most cost-effective way to prevent what might otherwise be a night of tossing and turning. And it’s not just a personal preference — sleep masks are scientifically proven to help you get more sound and restful sleep, leading to improved learning, memory, and alertness the following day. So, after testing dozens over the years, I decided it was high time to find the very best sleep masks on the market once and for all.

It’s important to understand that sleep masks are not all created equal. There are so many shapes, materials, and features to choose from, and it can also depend on your sleep position, how hot you get at night, and how much you move in your sleep. In addition to the best blackout curtains, pillows, and sheets, make sure you start with the basics, and read on for the best sleep masks you can buy.

There’s more that goes into choosing a sleep mask than you might think. Terry Cralle, a registered nurse and a spokeswoman for the Better Sleep Council, says sleep-mask first-timers should expect to try out a few masks before finding a 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 says. Here are the main factors to consider when choosing the sleep mask that’s right for you.

• Material: A high-quality silk mask is often the most preferred choice because of how soft, lightweight, and breathable the fabric is. Cotton, mesh, microfiber, nylon, and spandex are also good materials to consider because they encourage cooling throughout the night. The material inside the mask is also important, like memory foam, beads, or batting, which can provide added cooling or light pressure relief. 
• Light-blocking: Studies show that your eyelids alone aren’t all that great at blocking light, and even dim lighting from street lights and electronic devices negatively impact sleep quality. A good sleep mask will keep any ambient light out, and there are several different shapes and features to choose from that can help, including those that are weighted, 3D-contoured, or have flexible nose bridges you can mold to your face.
• Fit: Look for a mask that fits around your eyes comfortably without gaps that let light in. A flat mask doesn’t provide any space between your eyes and the material, which can add pressure, while those with gaps, cups, or domes may be more comfortable. Consider your sleep position and how the mask might fit between you and your pillow as well.

I slept with over a dozen sleep masks for at least a week each, seven to eight hours (or more!) per night. I considered the softness, breathability, adjustability, and light-blocking properties of each one, as well as how well the material held up, and if they stayed on throughout the night. If I found it on the other side of my bed when I woke up, it was out! 

I cleaned each sleep mask according to manufacturer instructions at least once, and took note of how easy they were to wash, and if the material degraded, stained, or pilled at all. I also read dozens of online reviews from verified buyers. 

Read on for the six sleep masks that are absolutely worth buying, according to a light sleeper who hasn’t been able to sleep without one for years.

If you’re only going to buy one sleep mask for the rest of your life, let it be the Drowsy Sleep Co. Silk Sleep Mask. Available in a whopping 19 colors and patterns, this pillowy, padded mask is adjustable via a Velcro strap, and quickly became my go-to. It’s one of the tallest masks I tested at just over four inches at its tallest point, which helped cover enough of my face to give a totally enveloping blackout experience. You can toss the whole thing in the washing machine and lay it flat to air-dry (although mine has survived an accidental dryer cycle or two). 

Not only is this longtime editor-favorite mask super comfy and strap-free, but I’ve found it to keep my super-dry skin hydrated through the night, even with my air conditioning blasting. The silk is thick and sturdy but I find it can stay put without making me overheat. The material is also hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and less absorbent than cotton or polyester, so it absorbs less body oil and sweat.

Like weighted blankets and pillows, there are tons of weighted sleep masks on the market to add extra relaxation to your bedtime routine. The Baloo Weighted Silk Sleep Stone Mask is similar to the Drowsy in shape and style but feels just slightly more weighted, which I found really relaxing and didn’t add too much pressure while I slept. You can feel the tiny lead-free glass beads moving around in the eye area (not the back strap), but it never woke me up, and definitely contributed to restful sleep, blocking some sound thanks to the long straps. The gentle weight was instantly calming, and I found myself reaching for it if it had been an especially long day. I also like to put it in the freezer for an extra soothing experience.

I did find that the cooling silk was super soft and slick, so it sometimes slipped from my face or hair as I slept, but it wasn’t as noticeable as some other models I tested. Available in three colors, each mask needs to be hand-washed and air-dried, and comes with a snap closure pouch for storage and travel. 

As a hot sleeper, the Rest Evercool Cooling Eye Mask is probably the one I reach for most. As much as I love the brand’s Rest Evercool+ Cooling Sheets, the sleep mask wasn’t even on my radar until a friend told me I needed to check it out. Available in two colors, the super-soft mask is made of Rest’s proprietary blend of nylon and spandex that makes it feel cool-to-the-touch, and I find that it feels totally weightless on my face. It has the same adjustable Velcro design as the Drowsy and Baloo masks, but is lighter with less padding. Because the nose gap is on the wider side, I did notice sometimes a little bit of light got in, but it wasn’t ever enough to bother me.

The Rest eye mask has a one-year warranty and comes with a travel pouch so you can take it with you wherever you go. What’s more? It’s machine-washable and you can tumble dry it safely, making it one of the easiest on our list to clean.

The most expensive eye mask on our list is worth the price because it isn’t just an eye mask — it’s a travel pillow, too. The PLUTO POD Travel Pillow is for people who are serious about getting sleep en route to their destination. The new 2.0 version has been adapted from the original with customer feedback, and includes everything you could need to sleep sitting up: an adjustable 360-degree neck pillow, a padded, structured hood you can wear up or down, a built-in eye mask you can shorten, and a fold-up design and carabiner for easy transport. As someone who has a hard time sleeping anywhere outside of my bed, I was shocked at how well it helped me get some shut-eye on a plane for a few hours, which I’m not sure I’ve ever successfully done. 

I wrapped myself up in it and leaned against the window, and it added just enough cushion to make me forget I was on a plane. I had to adjust it at first, but once I got settled, the light- and sound-blocking was excellent, and I was able to fit my headphones underneath the hood comfortably. The PLUTO POD is breathable and temperature-regulating, so it kept me warm but not hot. I did have to get past how ridiculous I looked in it, but the restful, sensory-deprivation-style sleep I got was so worth it. One editor even said it helped her sleep for five hours straight on an economy flight!

If you’re looking for limited frills and an under-$20 price tag, look no further than the WAOAW Sleep Mask. With a wide back strap and a sliding adjuster, the 3D-contoured sleep mask blocked all light out with a large, comfy recessed cavity that didn’t put any pressure on my eyes. Compared to other more basic sleep masks I’ve tested in the past that made me overheat, this one is made from a breathable mesh and memory foam that keeps me cool all night. I used this same one for years before testing any of the fancier styles.

I especially love the soft, flexible nose bridge that molds to your face without allowing any light in, a feature that stands out from the rest of the masks on our list. The WAOAW comes in black with five different color options for the lining, and each purchase includes a set of foam ear plugs and a travel pouch. It needs to be hand-washed and air-dried, but mine has survived several (years of) accidental washing machine cycles. 

In terms of sheer comfort, the illo Wearable Sleep Companion might be the most plush, cozy sleep mask on our list. Admittedly, I was skeptical of it at first — it looked a little silly, and I thought it would be too bulky to sleep in. But how wrong I was! The stretchy, three-sided mask doubles as a travel pillow (if you wear it upside down) and offers a breathable, cushioned modal-silk interior, a soft nylon-spandex exterior, and a small nose gap to breathe through.

Although the illo isn’t adjustable, it hugs my average-sized head with just enough gentle pressure to provide a calming effect, and it completely blocks all incoming light without creating too much of a gap between my head and pillow. Available in three colors, the illo is one of the most affordable picks on the list, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly. One editor who never used sleep masks before trying the illo even called it her “emotional support sleep mask” she didn’t know she needed. And, yes, it’s safe to put in the washer and dryer.

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