Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian
Yes, you have eyelids. But if your room is not pitch-dark, your partner stays up scrolling long after bedtime, or you are 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 are traveling, and they are 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 is 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. This story was updated in June 2026 with testing of eight additional sleep masks, including masks from Manta and Slip.
At a glance
- Best overall sleep mask: Mzoo Luxury Sleep Mask $29.99 at Amazon
- Best budget sleep mask: Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask $19.99 at Amazon
- Best silk sleep mask: Drowsy Eyelash-Protecting Mask Now $71, originally $89 at Drowsy
- Best customizable mask: Manta Original Sleep Mask $39 at Amazon
- Best weighted sleep mask: Nodpod Sleep Mask $38 at Amazon
- Best Bluetooth sleep mask: Manta SOUND Sleep Mask $159 at Manta
- Best vibrating sleep mask: Therabody SleepMask $109.99 at Therabody
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 in 2014 and having a baby in 2017, my own sleep has not been great. The sun rises at about 5.30am and sets around 9pm in the summer, at the time of testing many of these sleep masks. I have 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 32 sleep masks based on retail availability, consumer interest, online reviews, and even recommendations from Reddit. 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 most of 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. I held onto a few for future testing.
The best sleep masks in 2026
Best overall sleep mask: Mzoo Luxury Sleep Mask
Mzoo Luxury Sleep Mask $29.99 at Amazon. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. Mzoo sells two masks: one with memory foam 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 did not 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 is a shame that ... the material does not 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
Best budget sleep mask: Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask
Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask $19.99 at Amazon. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. 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 is 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 are not 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 is 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
Best silk sleep mask: Drowsy Eyelash-Protecting Mask
Drowsy Eyelash-Protecting Mask from $89 at Drowsy, $89 at Amazon. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. 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 did not 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 silky. And because the mask is one long, pillowy strip of silk with a Velcro closure and no separate strap, it will not 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 is a shame that ... it is 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
Best customizable mask: Manta Original Sleep Mask
Manta Original Sleep Mask from $39 at Amazon, $39 at Manta. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. 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 could not tell whether the lights were on or off while I was wearing it (I asked my daughter to flicker the lights). The cups do not 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 are 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 are unsure, the brand offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
It is 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
Best weighted sleep mask: Nodpod Sleep Mask
Nodpod Sleep Mask from $38 at Ulta, $38 at Amazon. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. 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 is filled with plastic microbeads and lined with 100% cotton. (For $40 more, you can upgrade to a silk lining.)
Why we love it: There is 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 would not 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 is a shame that ... while this mask may help you fall asleep, it will not help you stay asleep.
- Weight: 9oz
- Type: weighted
- Material: velvet outside, cotton inside, polyethylene plastic filling
- Care: machine washable
- Suitable for: back and side sleepers
Best vibrating sleep mask: Therabody SleepMask
Therabody SleepMask from $109.99 at Therabody, $109.99 at Amazon. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. Therabody's mask vibrates for 15 minutes before powering down, which the company claims helps you sleep longer and more deeply. Whether or not those specific effects pan out for you, you may find the sensation soothing.
Why we love it: The mask has three vibration settings – pulse, wave and constant – each with two levels of intensity: low and high. I found the lower-intensity constant setting pleasantly distracting, particularly when trying to nap in the middle of a hectic day. The non-slip strap meant the mask stayed on securely, and the mask blocked light pretty effectively.
It is a shame that ... you have to sleep on your back with this mask, because with one ear pressed into my pillow, the vibrations became intolerably loud. As an avowed side sleeper myself, I had to use this mask as more of a meditative aid until the vibrations stopped, at which point I turned on my side and fell asleep a few minutes later.
- Weight: 2.3oz
- Type: contoured, with soft foam eye cups
- Material: polyester-cotton blend, PVC and sofa fabric, knitted cotton and nylon strap
- Care: the detachable inner layer is machine-washable; the outer layer, which houses the vibration components, is not washable
- Suitable for: back sleepers only
Best Bluetooth sleep mask: Manta SOUND Sleep Mask
Manta SOUND Sleep Mask $159 at Manta. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. Priced on the higher end, this mask is thoughtfully designed and effective. I could barely feel the ingenious C-shaped eye cups even with one side of my face smooshed into my memory foam pillow, and they seal out light completely without putting pressure on the eyes. The mask shuts itself off after 30 min of no audio to preserve battery life, and it will not disrupt your sleep with an audible notification if the battery does get low.
Why we love it: It is highly customizable to fit your face – slidable tabs on either side of the strap make it easy to adjust the position of the speakers, and you can also adjust the position of the eye cups. An optional over-the-head elastic strap lets you position the earphones directly over your eardrums without the mask sliding down around your neck. When I slept in the Manta, I went to bed listening to white noise and woke up seven hours later with the mask still firmly in place.
It is a shame that ... the controls, over the bridge of your nose, are a little tricky to locate once you have the mask on. And users report that the Velcro strap can lose its stickiness over time (though Manta does offer a six-month warranty).
- Weight: 4.1 oz.
- Type: contoured, with soft foam eye cups
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Material: perforated foam and 3D knit mesh, 3D-knit head strap, modal fabric interior, Tactel eye cups
- Care: machine-washable after you remove the electrical components
- Suitable for: back, side, and stomach sleepers
The best of the rest
Best for bigger features: The Deep Rest Mask by Nidra
Nidra The Deep Rest Mask from $19.99 at Nidra, $29.99 at Nidra. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. 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 are 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 did not make the final cut because ... this mask will probably leave a gap on people with smaller faces. (If that is 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
- Care: hand-wash only
- Suitable for: back and side sleepers
Best for travel: Ostrichpillow Eye Mask
Ostrichpillow Ostrichpillow Eye Mask from $45 at Amazon, $45 at Ostrichpillow. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. When you are trying to sleep on an airplane, you want a mask that blocks out all light and does not 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 will not attract much attention. Plus, it is lightweight and unfussy – no removable cups or delicate fabrics – making it easy to pack.
It did not make the final cut because ... it is not great for side sleepers and is impossible for stomach sleepers. While the rigid mask seems to fit most faces, if yours is not one of them, there is nothing to adjust but the strap.
- Weight: 1.1oz
- Type: contoured, with rigid foam eye cups
- Material: modal
- Care: machine washable
- Suitable for: back sleepers
Best for gift-giving: Slip Contour Sleep Mask
Slip Contour Sleep Mask from $79 at Sephora, $84 at Nordstrom. Photograph: Juno DeMelo/The Guardian. Slip got their start in 2004 making silk pillowcases out of something called Slipsilk: 22-momme, long-fiber, 100 per cent mulberry silk that supposedly took 10 years to develop. The company says this fabric creates less friction and absorbs less face cream than cotton pillowcases do. I cannot vouch for either claim, but whatever the case, the silk-covered, molded eye cups felt gentle against the delicate skin around my eyes.
Why we love it: Many silk masks are flat, but this one has convex cups that give lashes plenty of room to flutter without bumping up against the fabric. The biggest sell is that the mask comes in a much wider range of colors and even patterns—14 in all—than any other we tested.
It did not make the final cut because ... the strap is not adjustable. My head measures about 23 in around, and while the mask fits me just right, the springy strap may be too loose or too tight if you – or your giftee's – head is bigger or smaller than mine. Also, the cups let a little bit of light in.
- Weight: 1oz
- Type: contoured, with silk-covered soft foam eye cups
- Material: silk
- Care: hand-wash only in cold water with gentle, pH-neutral liquid detergent
- Suitable for: back, side, and stomach sleepers
What you need to know about sleep masks
What are the main 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 are usually a no-go for stomach sleepers and they may bother some side sleepers.
What do I need 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 should I 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.
Sleep masks that we tested but do not recommend
- Manta SILK Sleep Mask
- Mzoo Luxury Sleep Eye Mask (memory foam)
- Trtl Glimpse Sleep Mask
- Alaska Bear Silk Sleep Mask With Shaped Padding
- Alaska Bear Luxurious Silk Eye Mask With Molded Cups
- Baloo Weighted Silk Sleep Stone Mask
- Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eyemask
- Nodpod Mineralized Silk Sleep Mask
- Manta PRO Sleep Mask
- Manta COOL Sleep Mask
- Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask
- Cozy Earth Bamboo Stretch-Knit Sleep Mask
- Cozy Earth Adjustable Bamboo Sleep Mask
- Cozy Earth Silk Sleep Mask
- Drowsy Silk Sleep Eye Mask
- Drowsy Featherweight Sleep Mask
- Gravity Weighted Sleep Mask (No longer available)
- Snoozeband Silk Sleep Mask With Headphones (outperformed by Manta)
- SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Mask (headband not large enough to block light)
- SleepPhones Effortless Sleep Mask (same as Wireless but with wireless charger)
- Fusion5 Silk Eye Mask (non-adjustable strap too tight)
- Slip Sleep Mask (flat version; for $7 more, get contoured version)
Juno DeMelo is a 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.
