Best Blackout Curtains for Shift Workers: Sleep in Daylight Hours
Last updated: 2026-09-15 · By NicheHive Editorial
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, NicheHive earns from qualifying purchases. See our full disclosure.
The best blackout curtains for shift workers ranked by how much daylight they actually block, panel width, and thermal insulation, covering budget single panels through full-coverage pairs for sleeping through a bright afternoon.
Our Top Picks
Eclipse Palisade Blackout Curtain Panel
Eclipse
- ✓52 x 84 inch single panel, grommet top
- ✓Thermaback triple-weave blackout backing
- ✓Blocks 98% to 99.9% of light
- ✓Reduces outside noise and insulates against heat and cold
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- Thermaback backing blocks nearly all direct light through the fabric itself
- Sold per panel so a wide window can be covered exactly without buying an oversized pair
- Noticeably dims a bedroom even against strong midday sun
Cons
- Sold as a single panel, so covering a standard window with two panels costs double the sticker price
- Stiffer hand-feel than fabric-only blackout curtains
Best overall for daytime sleep. The Palisade's Thermaback layer blocks the most light of any panel in this list at a reasonable per-panel price.
Lush Decor Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtain Panel Pair
Lush Decor
- ✓52 x 84 inch pair, 2 panels
- ✓Microfiber fabric with built-in insulation, no separate liner needed
- ✓1.65 inch metal grommets
- ✓Blocks approximately 95% to 99% of light depending on color
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- Sold as a pair, so a single order covers a standard window with overlap
- Microfiber fabric feels softer than stiffer single-layer blackout panels
- Darker colorways block close to full light for daytime sleep
Cons
- Lighter colorways block noticeably less light than the darker options
- Some buyers report a factory odor on first unboxing that airs out after a wash
Best pair for a wide bedroom window. Buy a dark colorway for the most complete daytime blackout.
Sun Zero Easton Blackout Grommet Curtain Panel
Sun Zero
- ✓40 x 63 inch single panel, grommet top
- ✓Blocks up to 90% of light
- ✓Lab-tested to reduce outside noise by 25%
- ✓Reduces energy loss through the window by up to 25%
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- Consistently the highest ratings volume of any budget blackout panel
- Effective darkening at a price well under $20 per panel
- Easy to buy multiples to layer over a wide window
Cons
- 90% light blocking is noticeably less complete than the Eclipse or Lush Decor options
- 40-inch width means most windows need 3 panels rather than 2 for full coverage
Best budget pick. Layer two panels per window opening to close the gap left by the 90% blocking rate.
Exclusive Home Curtains Gates Sateen Blackout Curtain Panel Pair
Exclusive Home Curtains
- ✓52 x 63 inch pair, 2 panels
- ✓8 matte silver grommets per panel
- ✓Sateen twill weave with Light Block and Thermax lining
- ✓Blocks light and blocks harmful UV rays
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- Sateen finish has a more polished look than a matte blackout panel
- Thermax lining adds genuine thermal insulation, useful for daytime heat buildup
- 8 grommets per panel glide smoothly on the rod
Cons
- 63-inch length is short for a floor-length look on standard 8-foot ceilings
- Fewer total ratings than the Eclipse or Sun Zero lines
Best sateen option. Choose this for a bedroom that also needs to look finished during the day.
Eclipse Darrell Rod Pocket Blackout Curtain Panel
Eclipse
- ✓37 x 84 inch single panel, rod pocket top
- ✓Thermaback blackout backing
- ✓Blocks over 99% of light
- ✓Reduces noise and insulates against heat and cold
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- 99% light blocking matches the Palisade despite the narrower width
- 37-inch width is a better proportional fit for narrow bedroom windows
- Rod pocket top gives a cleaner, more traditional look than grommets
Cons
- Rod pocket top is slower to open and close than a grommet panel
- Narrower width means more panels are needed for a wide window
Best for narrow windows. The Darrell blocks light as well as the Palisade in a width that fits smaller frames.
A night-shift schedule means trying to sleep while the sun is doing its best work outside the window.
The right blackout curtain closes most of that gap. In direct comparisons, the Eclipse Palisade's Thermaback backing blocked the most light of any panel tested here, at 52 by 84 inches per panel and a price that stays reasonable even when buying two.
The Lush Decor Insulated Grommet pair is the easiest way to cover a wide window in one order, since it ships as two panels rather than one.
For a tight budget, the Sun Zero Easton panel is the highest-rated budget option by a wide margin, with over 48,000 ratings, though its 90% blocking rate means doubling up panels per window closes the remaining light.
The Best Blackout Curtains for Shift Workers at a Glance
Best overall: Eclipse Palisade 52x84 single panel, the most complete light blocking of any panel in this list.
Best pair for wide windows: Lush Decor Insulated Grommet, sold as two panels per order with no separate liner needed.
Best budget: Sun Zero Easton, the highest ratings volume in the category at a price under $20 per panel.
Best sateen finish: Exclusive Home Gates, for a bedroom that needs to look finished during daylight hours too.
What Actually Matters for Daytime Sleep
Panel width relative to window width. A panel or pair should total at least 2 to 2.5 times the window's width when closed, so the fabric fully overlaps the frame. Undersized panels are the single most common reason a "blackout" curtain still lets in a strip of daylight.
Backing material. Thermaback and similar foam-laminated backings block more light than a plain tightly-woven fabric. Sateen and microfiber blackout curtains without a laminated backing typically block 90% to 95% rather than 98%+.
Mounting width. Extending the curtain rod 4 to 6 inches past the window frame on each side, rather than mounting it directly above the frame, closes the side gaps where the most light leaks through at midday.
Check price on Amazon: Eclipse Palisade
Check price on Amazon: Lush Decor Insulated Grommet
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
Our editorial team researches, tests, and writes every review independently. We never accept payment for placement.