A good sleep mask should block out light and feel comfortable over your eyes. It can also help you adjust to different time zones when you’re on a flight and prevent any at-home disturbances from keeping you awake. Finding the right eye mask for you can be hard, which is why tThe Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tested sleep masks to learn which ones will give you the best sleep quality.
Thanks to some help from consumer testers, we looked at each sleep mask’s ability to block out light, ease of use, and overall comfort. We also laundered them to see how they hold up over time. The eye masks featured here are winners from our tests plus newer styles with unique features and rave reviews. Read on to learn more about our top picks, but to summarize, the best sleep masks you can buy are:
Best Overall Sleep Mask: Bucky 40 Blinks Contoured Eye Mask
Best Value Sleep Mask: Mack’s Dreamweaver Contoured Sleep Mask
Best Sleep Mask for Back Sleepers: Magovel Cotton Sleep Mask
Best Silk Sleep Mask: Fishers Finery Silk Sleep Mask
Best Weighted Sleep Mask: Gravity Weighted Sleep Mask
Best Sleep Mask and Pillowcase Set: Brooklinen Mulberry Bundle Set
Best Sleep Mask for Side Sleepers: Parachute Chambray Quilted Eye Mask
Best Sleep Mask for Travel: OSTRICHPILLOW Lite Travel Pillow
Best Cooling Sleep Mask for Puffy Eyes: IMAK Compression Mask
Best Memory Foam Sleep Mask: Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask
How to choose a sleep mask
A good quality sleep mask should block light, which can help you sleep more soundly whether home in bed or while flying. Here are other considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a sleep mask:
✔️ Material: Each material has different benefits, but we recommend choosing whichever feels best against your skin.
- Cotton: A popular fabric for sheets, cotton sleep masks are great if you love a super soft feel.
- Silk: Silk has a super smooth feel and shiny appearance that many love as pillowcases too. The smooth feel of silk can actually prevent signs of aging and wrinkles.
- Polyester: This synthetic material makes lightweight eye masks that can mimic the feel of silk at a lower price point.
- Foam: Sleep masks with a domed foam construction keep their shape so that when you blink or open your eyes, your eyelashes don’t touch the sleep mask.
- Beads: A mask filled with beads has added pressure, heating, or cooling effects.
✔️ Overall fit: When you try on a sleep mask, you want to make sure no light comes in and also make sure it’s comfortable to wear. For example, some sleep masks cover your whole face, which might be uncomfortable or even claustrophobic for some people, while for others is soothing. We recommend looking for an adjustable back strap, as that’ll let you customize the fit.
✔️ Consider your sleeping position: Just like when buying a new pillow, you must consider your sleeping position before buying an eye mask. If you sleep on your side, you’ll want to avoid bulky styles that’ll feel uncomfortable when turning over. Back sleepers should look for a sleep mask that’ll block light from every angle. Stomach sleepers should choose a lightweight, thinner mask to prevent creases or indentations on their face.
1
Best Overall Sleep Mask
40 Blinks Contoured Eye Mask
This sleep mask was the top performer in our evaluations: Testers loved the contoured design that lets you open your eyes while wearing it. They also said it was easy to put on and take off, and it held up to machine laundering in the Lab without shrinkage or damage. Not to mention, there was barely any light leakage in our evaluations. There are tons of colors and prints to choose from, so this eye mask is primed to be your new favorite sleep accessory.
2
Best Value Sleep Mask
Dreamweaver Contoured Sleep Mask
This second-place sleep mask came in just after Bucky, but since it comes with a carrying case and ear plugs, it nabs our pick for best value. The contoured shape means there’s space around your eyes, and it held up to our Lab’s durability tests. The downside is that it let in a bit more light than some more expensive picks.
3
Best Sleep Mask for Back Sleepers
Cotton Sleep Mask
If you prefer the feel of natural materials, this one’s made with a cotton cover that users say feels super soft. It’s also flexible with an easy-to-shape nose piece and flaps on the side, making it great for back sleepers to block light from all angles. On top of that, it has a soft, wide strap that’s easy to adjust so you can find your perfect fit.
4
Best Silk Sleep Mask
Silk Sleep Mask
Fishers Finery
amazon.com
$19.99
It might not block out light entirely, but sleeping on silk feels amazing and can actually help prevent creases in your skin – ideal for stomach sleepers. This mask from Fishers Finery is is made of high-quality fabric that was both strong and moisture-wicking in our tests. It’s also a Good Housekeeping Seal holder so if it’s damaged or defective within two years, Good Housekeeping will give you a refund.
5
Best Weighted Sleep Mask
Weighted Sleep Mask
Gravity
bloomingdales.com
$40.00
This mask uses the same concept behind its weighted blankets: The pressure calms you down so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It weighs just one pound, so you feel the pressure without it being too much on your face. We love how the weight is evenly distributed and is made with glass beads, which is more dense than the plastic pellet alternative. It also has a micro-fiber cover that feels plush and cozy against skin.
6
Best Sleep Mask and Silk Pillowcase Set
Mulberry Silk Bundle
Brooklinen
brooklinen.com
$59.00
Silk is not only for sleep masks, but also silk pillowcase. For a matching pair, Brooklinen offers a set with a Mulberry silk pillowcase and sleep mask for $60, which is a bargain considering that mulberry silk is the highest quality silk with longer and more uniform fibers for a smoother, durable mask. It’s available in five shades and you can choose a different color for each piece in the set.
7
Best Sleep Mask for Side Sleepers
Quilted Chambray Sleep Mask
Side sleepers need an eye mask that’ll block light without added bulk on the sides. This quilted eye mask from Parachute is made from 100% cotton and is lightly padded for a soft feel. It has a back elastic strap that’ll adjust to your head size. We also love the matching slippers!
8
Best Sleep Mask for Travel
Light Travel Pillow
OSTRICHPILLOW
amazon.com
$44.99
If you plan to nap while traveling, this two-in-one design is both a pillow and a sleep mask — perfect for saving some space in your carry-on luggage. It’s filled with silicone micro-beads and is designed to block out light and sound while giving you a comfy place to rest your head. It might look a bit silly when you wear it (even though it’s nothing compared to the original Ostrich Pillow!), but our testers loved the idea of getting a good snooze on the go.
9
Best Cooling Sleep Mask for Puffy Eyes
Compression Eye Mask
Perfect for people who get headaches, overheated, or even puffy eyes, this sleep mask has a built-in ice pack to give you a cool compress. Just leave it in the freezer and take it out when you’re ready to use it. It’s made with small microbeads so it’ll feel squishy (not hard) and will fit to your face to help block out light. Amazon reviewers swear by this eye mask, even saying it helps relieve headaches and soothe puffy eyes!
10
Best Memory Foam Sleep Mask
Sleep Mask
Tempur-Pedic
tempurpedic.com
$29.00
This eye mask uses the same foam material as the pressure-relieving Tempur-Pedic mattresses so it’ll mold to your face, giving you both darkness and cushion-like comfort. It also has a velcro strap that’s easy to adjust. The outer material is plush and can be removed so you can wash it separately.
Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping Institute
Product Testing Analyst, Textiles, Paper and Plastics Lab
Emma Seymour is a test analyst in the Textiles, Paper and Plastics Lab at The Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates fiber-based products ranging from bedding to clothing.
Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping Institute
Textiles Director
Lexie Sachs earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University, and she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing.
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