Yes, you have eyelids. But if your room is not pitch-dark, your partner stays up scrolling long after bedtime, or you’re trying to take an afternoon nap, you may need an extra layer of protection. That is because any exposure to light can suppress your body’s production of the sleep hormone melatonin. A good eye mask keeps light out, helping you sleep longer and more deeply. And unlike blackout shades, sleep masks are portable, so you can use them when you’re traveling, and relatively inexpensive.
While you could just slip on one of those free eye masks airlines sometimes hand out on long-haul flights, the straps are often thin and rarely adjustable, which means the mask can put too much pressure on your eyes or slide off overnight. When you consider that getting adequate sleep (that’s seven or more hours a night for most adults) can help you stay at a healthy weight, get sick less often, and even extend your lifespan by two to five years, springing for a good eye mask is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your health.
Why you should trust me
I am a magazine editor turned journalist who has tested hundreds of consumer products and written deeply reported stories about postpartum sleep, drunk sleep, and vacation sleep. After moving to the Pacific north-west (where the sun rises around 5.30 and sets around 9 in the summer, when I tested these sleep masks) in 2014 and having a baby in 2017, my own sleep has not been great. I’ve tried earplugs, melatonin, prescription sleep aids, a white-noise machine, bamboo pajamas, and multiple pillows, but never sleep masks – until now.
How I tested the masks
I gathered samples of 24 sleep masks based on retail availability, consumer interest, online reviews, and even recommendations from Reddit. Over the summer, I tested them in a variety of settings, including my bedroom, a tent, and an Airbnb in Montana with broken bedroom blinds that let a lot of light in. Since no two noses or head shapes are exactly alike, I also asked four other testers for feedback.
I assessed the masks based on how they felt against my skin and eyes, whether they stayed on overnight, and how well they blocked out light. Some of the masks had straps that were too tight, or molded cups that applied too much pressure on my eyes to keep them on all night; otherwise, I wore each mask for at least two nights. Additionally, I washed each mask twice to test its durability.
All of the masks were sent to me by the manufacturers. After testing, I donated the masks to Community Warehouse in Portland, Oregon, which partners with social services agencies to provide mattresses, bedding and other home essentials to those who need them most.
At a glance
Best overall sleep mask:
Mzoo Luxury Sleep Mask
Best budget sleep mask:
Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask
Best silk sleep mask:
Drowsy Eyelash-Protecting Mask
Best customizable mask:
Manta Original Sleep Mask
Best weighted sleep mask:
Nodpod Sleep Mask
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The best sleep masks in 2025
Best overall sleep mask: Mzoo Luxury Sleep Mask
Mzoo only sells two masks: one with memory foam that they call a “blindfold”, and this one, which uses a springier sponge foam around the eyes that I preferred. Both masks have tapered sides and a wide strap you adjust like you would a bra strap.
Why we love it
The Goldilocks of masks, this was the one nearly every tester liked best, and the one that I kept turning to night after night. It blocked light extremely effectively and unlike many of the other masks I tested, it didn’t budge all night long. The eye cups are surrounded by foam padding that is so soft, I could barely feel any pressure around the perimeter of my eye sockets. That remained true even when I slept on my side: with the side of my face smooshed into my pillow, the padding seemed to disappear rather than pressing into my temple.
It’s a shame that … the material doesn’t feel particularly luxurious.
Weight: 1oz
Type: contoured, with soft foam eye cups
Material: not listed, and the manufacturer did not respond to repeated inquiries
Care: hand-wash only
Suitable for: back and side sleepers
$26.99 at Amazon***
Best budget sleep mask: Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask
At $16, this silk mask is significantly more affordable than all my other picks. Two adjustable straps evenly distribute the pressure on the back of your head and help keep the mask in place. It’s completely flat, which means no sleeping position is off-limits.
Why we love it
Silk feels great on your face, and some experts claim that the material may help reduce sleep-induced wrinkles by reducing the friction between your skin and your (presumably) cotton pillowcases. Many silk masks cost around $70, while the more affordable ones aren’t typically adjustable. This one is not only the least expensive silk mask we tested, it is the least expensive mask, period. I particularly appreciated the silk nose baffle, a small tent-like flap you tuck under the mask’s nose bridge to help seal out light.
It’s a shame that … it puts light pressure on the eyes, and the two thin straps can dent your hair or get tangled in it.
Weight: 0.5oz
Type: flat
Material: silk
Care: machine-washable
Suitable for: back, side and stomach sleepers
$15.99 at Amazon***
Best silk sleep mask: Drowsy Eyelash-Protecting Mask
Drowsy uses 22-momme silk (momme being a measurement kind of like thread count), which is on the higher end of the silk mask spectrum. This particular mask extends nearly 5in (13cm) from top to bottom in the front and tapers down to 3in around the back of your head, making it the “tallest” mask we tested. The whole thing is padded, with concave indentations over your eyes that allow you to blink while wearing it.
Why we love it
I slept past 8am for the first time in years wearing this mask, the only one I tried that didn’t put any pressure on or around my eyes. This mask has a lot of other things going for it too: The silk is dense, smooth, and incredibly, well, silky. And because the mask is one long, pillowy strip of silk with a Velcro closure and no separate strap, it won’t frizz or otherwise mess up your hair. Plus, it is beautiful. Slipping it on at night came to feel like a self-care ritual that was quite unlike, say, putting in earplugs or my mouthguard before bed.
It’s a shame that … it’s the most expensive mask I tested, and it got slightly less soft after washing.
Weight: 2.5oz
Type: flat and pillowy, with indentations for your eyes
Material: silk
Care: machine-washable, though hand-washing is preferred
Suitable for: back, side and stomach sleepers
$89 at Drowsy $89 at Amazon***
Best customizable mask: Manta Original Sleep Mask
The Manta Original’s removable foam eye cups allow you to easily reposition them with Velcro, or even swap them out entirely for freezable eye cups ($29), microwaveable eye cups ($29), or ventilated eye cups ($49). Manta also sells a weighted sleep mask, a silk sleep mask, and a Bluetooth eye mask with built-in ultra-thin speakers, among others.
Why we love it
People who love this mask really love this mask, and I can see why: it ensures total darkness. In fact, I couldn’t tell whether the lights were on or off while I was wearing it (I asked my daughter to flicker the lights).
The cups don’t put any pressure on your lids or lashes, but I did find them uncomfortable when I slept on my side. One tester had no such issue on her side or her stomach, so it may be a personal thing. I can say with full confidence that if you’re a back sleeper or you need to sleep on a plane, this mask, or one of Manta’s many other offerings, will probably appeal to you. If you’re unsure, the brand offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
It’s a shame that … the deep cups work really well for some sleepers, and not at all for others.
Weight: 1.3oz
Type: contoured, with adjustable soft foam eye cups
Material: poly-cotton outside, polyester velour inside, modal cups
Cleaning instructions: machine washable (includes mesh wash bag)
Suitable for: back sleepers and some side and stomach sleepers
$39 at Manta Sleep $39 at Amazon***
Best weighted sleep mask: Nodpod Sleep Mask
Basically a weighted blanket for your eyes, this caterpillar-like mask drapes over your face rather than strapping onto your head. In fact, the company specifically calls out the fact that the Nodpod is meant to stay on only until you nod off, not all night. It’s filled with plastic microbeads and lined with 100% cotton. (For $40 more, you can upgrade to a silk lining.)
Why we love it
There’s limited research on weighted blankets, and none on weighted sleep masks. With that said, if the idea of a weighted sleep mask sounds relaxing to you, this one is the one to try. At 9oz, it was the lightest mask we tested; other masks, weighing up to 1lb, felt suffocating. Even though the mask was relatively light, I wouldn’t want weight on my eyes all night, so I actually liked that the mask slipped off eventually. As someone who has resorted to holding popsicles over my eyes when my allergies get bad in the spring, I also appreciated that you can pop the Nodpod in the freezer and use it to soothe your eyes.
It’s a shame that … while this mask may help you fall asleep, it won’t help you stay asleep.
Weight: 9oz
Type: weighted
Material: velvet outside, cotton inside, polyethylene plastic filling
Cleaning instructions: machine washable
Suitable for: back and side sleepers
$34 at Walmart $38 at Amazon***
The best of the rest
Best for bigger features: The Deep Rest Mask by Nidra
My sister has a prominent nose and many of the masks she tried left gaps under her eyes. Not this one, which has a relatively steep bridge and spans 8.9in from temple to temple. The eye cups may make the mask look like a bra, but they’re deep enough that you could nap in them while wearing mascara and wake up smudge-free. And in spite of how roomy this mask is, it was one of the lightest masks I tested.
It didn’t make the final cut because … this mask will probably leave a gap on people with smaller faces. (If that’s you, you could try the company’s small-size mask, which is about 1in less wide.)
Weight: 0.5oz
Type: contoured, with rigid eye cups
Material: polyester
Cleaning instructions: hand-wash only
Suitable for: back and side sleepers
$18.99 at Amazon $28 at Nidra***
Best for blocking out light and noise: Cozy Earth Adjustable Bamboo Sleep Mask
This is the sensory-deprivation tank of sleep masks. It’s overstuffed and covers your ears when you wrap it around your head, muffling sound and securing earplugs or earbuds in place if you really want quiet. The company is known for its supersoft bamboo viscose sheets, and the same material is used here, with the addition of a little bit of spandex for stretch.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the mask runs small. If my head were an inch or two bigger, the Velcro wouldn’t close in the back – and its duvet-like quality might make some sleepers hot.
Weight: 3.2oz
Type: flat and pillowy
Material: 95% bamboo viscose, 5% spandex
Care: machine washable (it can even go in the dryer!)
Suitable for: back, side and stomach sleepers
$38 at Cozy Earth***
Best for travel: Ostrichpillow Eye Mask
When you are trying to sleep on an airplane, you want a mask that blocks out all light and doesn’t look ridiculous. The Ostrichpillow was one of the very few masks I tested that truly made my field of vision pitch black, and the simple design won’t attract much attention. Plus, it’s lightweight and unfussy – no removable cups or delicate fabrics – making it easy to pack.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s not great for side sleepers and is impossible for stomach sleepers. While the rigid mask seems to fit most faces, if yours isn’t one of them, there is nothing to adjust but the strap.
Weight: 1.1oz
Type: contoured, with rigid foam eye cups
Material: modal
Cleaning instructions: machine washable
Suitable for: back sleepers
$45 from Ostrichpillow***
What you need to know about sleep masks
Types of sleep masks
There are two main types of sleep masks: flat and contoured. Flat masks, which can be truly flat or stuffed with padding, lie flush against your face so your eyes are covered by a piece of material that holds them shut. Contoured masks have eye cups that block out light by surrounding your eyes, which you can still open and close with the mask on. The former are typically less expensive, and you can sleep on your side or stomach in them. Contoured masks, distribute pressure around rather than on your eyes, but they’re usually a no-go for stomach sleepers and they may bother some side sleepers.
What to look for in a sleep mask
You want a mask that fits well, blocks out light, and feels good against your skin. To that end, choose one with an adjustable strap, whether it is elastic or Velcro. The mask’s fabric should feel soft and breathable and hold up to frequent washing. If you plan to wear the mask on a plane or around a new partner, its appearance may factor into your decision.
When to wear a sleep mask
Unless you have blackout shades and zero light-emitting devices in your bedroom, you could probably benefit from sleeping in a mask. This is especially true if you go to bed while there is any light left in the sky, or are trying to sleep past sunrise. And for sleeping during the day or on a plane, a sleep mask is crucial.
How to care for your eye mask
To prevent rashes, acne and eye infections, you should launder your sleep mask at least as often as you wash your pillowcases. Some masks are hand-wash only, and most machine-washable masks are meant to be washed in a mesh laundry bag in cold water on the delicate setting, using a detergent specially formulated for delicates (whew). For that reason, you may want more than one mask so you can rotate between them, especially if you sleep with an eye mask every night.
***
Juno DeMelo is a freelance health and wellness journalist and obsessive consumer. As a former magazine editor, she has overseen many best-of roundups. And as an early-morning Crossfitter and parent of a young child, she is chronically sleep-deprived. She began religiously reading the Tightwad Gazette newsletter beginning at age nine and has been very carefully considering her purchases ever since.
