Best Blackout Shades that Block Out the Light (Review) in 2024

Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Sandra Allens

Best blackout shades were determined after 25 hours of research and after interviewing 5 industry experts as well as testing 12 acoustic shades. Among the most stunning shades we’ve tested, Select Blind’s blackout cordless shades are sleek and beautiful. In addition, one of best shades for blackout was found.

1. Classic Blackout Cordless Shades by Select Blinds

It isn’t that easy to find shades that block out light effectively, so these polyester cellular shades fall into that category. They come in just about every size, color, and texture we could find.

The good thing about cellular shades is that they can look good and block light. The shade our panel secretly agreed they want most in their houses is Shades Select Blinds Blackout Cordless Classic. Polyester shades look and feel better than the other shades in terms of quality. As the most varied shade we tested, also boasted the longest warranty of all the models we examined.

2. IKEA Trippevals

Additionally, IKEA Trippevals looks best and performs well, and offers many custom options. The problem with this product is that there is only one size and one color available for it.

The cellular option offered by IKEA Trippevals might not be as attractive as Select Blinds Shade unless you need infinite sizes or only gray, but you do not mind that, it is still a great cellular choice. The delivery time is also can be quicker since it’s not a custom pickup, unlike our number one pick. Among IKEA’s many benefits, they offer an easy return policy, along with a straightforward installation process.

3. Blackout Fabric Cordless Roller Shade from IFit

The only advantage of these shades is that they are easy to clean than cellular shades, which don’t look as attractive. According to our testing, what made this roller stand out was both its visual appeal and its effectiveness.

Roller shades have the ease of cleaning fabric and simple look that may appeal to those who prefer the simplicity of the roller shades. Despite its ease of installation and effective blocking of light, main pick is the best pick we tested. Instead of vinyl on this roller model looks cheaper than those on other roller models, the iFit’s sleek fabric has a crosshatched pattern and a coating of acrylic. Shades come in five neutral shades that are covered by a 1 year warranty.

4. Paper Shade with Original Blackout by Redi Shade

As far as comparing this paper option to other blinds goes, I suppose it is difficult to do, but as far as we can see it appears to be a quick and inexpensive approach. You can cut it to the size you want to make it fit perfectly because it comes with adhesive strip.

Our best pick for people who are looking for something less expensive or for temporary solution to darken a room is   Paper Shades Original Blackout Redi Shade. You can choose from 6 colors, and also you can also choose how you want the product to look. It is the easiest one to mount out of all the shades we have Stick and peel.

Those Who Need Blackout Shades

It may be a good idea to consider best blackout shades if you are sleep-deprived, work night shifts, nap in the afternoons, or own a home theater and dislike look of blackout curtains. As we described in our guide to blackout curtains, we discovered room-darkening, rather than true blackout, was the most ideal choice for the most people.

Choosing and Testing

blackout shades: After interviewing experts and conducting research, we determined that the best blackout shades should ensure:

• Light is effectively blocked. The installation of the best blackout shades should be done properly in order to prevent light from reflecting. Even blackout shades also fail due to Light halo: dreaded by many,” as these specks of light enter the shade from its sides. In Blinds.com’s research, Sansone and Musgrove found that cellular shades often block the most light. This shad block light as well as reduce noise due to the hollow cells. Roller shade mounting hardware has a gap at the top where light can penetrate into the shade. The only way For real blackouts, use this method design is by mounting or using a valance. Shades made of woven-wood are usually lined to block light.
• Value should be good. Basic black out shades also be found for as low as 80 cents per square cm, while premium shades can cost 20 times as much. Shades made of paper pleats, for example, are more permanent, let in more light, and use inferior materials. With high prices, blackout shades tend to include unneeded features, such as smart-home functionality or premium finishes. Although they add significantly to total cost, motorized lifts are not necessary according to our experts. For shade options that range from $3.50-$5.50/square foot, we recommend good looks, functionality, and value for money.
• Light should not seep through shade’s sides if it is installed correctly.
• Colors and sizes range. The shades range in width and length from 12 inches to seventy two inches, Majority, ranging from in size from 12 inches to seventy two inches. You may not be able to find something that is as functional as one that has a larger range of sizes and/or colors.
• Ensure safety and convenience. If children and pets play with the cords of certain shades, they may suffer strangulation. Despite the findings of our survey, expert consensus favored motorized or cordless lifts. An increasing number of people will find cordless lifts appealing. Your design needs to be completely retracted from your window if you are using cordless features.
• Be attractive. The fact that you will blackout shades you can interact with on a daily basis indicates that you should choose these shades according to how they appear. When selecting shades, it was important that they have a modern design and attractive materials.
• Installation should be simple. The mounting hardware for the shades should be easy to install also hang. The excess fabric can make roman shades more difficult to mount than roller and cellular shades. Our search turned up no shades that were particularly difficult to install, although some companies charge for professional installation.
• Shipping times should be reasonable. We are able to build and ship custom shades in up to four weeks. Since the shades will fit perfectly at your home, we don’t think this is a dealbreaker. Purchasing off-shelf shades is a good option if you need shades quickly and need to reduce your costs, but they are more difficult to customize.
• The warranty and customer support are good. In choosing right shade for the customer, and in dealing with any problems that may arise, excellent customer service representatives can assist them. The best way to ensure that you select the right product for the needs is to ensure that the warranty and the return policy is good.

A variety of the best blackout shades from respected publications and window treatment manufacturers were consulted for this review, as well as Sleep deeply, Blinds.com, Amazon reviews. Most popular shades, according to our experts, were cellular and also roller shades. There were, however, other types we looked at as well. A large number of bad reviews and higher prices caused the 12 models to be discarded. Cordless models were all used in the test.

The blackout curtain guide test was repeated in order to compare shades. In a room with little ambient light, a shade was hung over a table. External flashes can add a decent amount of illumination and make the process more realistic.   As soon as we clicked the shutter, the outside flash illuminated the shade’s backside. I was able to capture only those rays of light that were directly passing through the shade by using a simple blackout curtain and a softbox. Darker photos make it easier to implement shades.

The results obtained with an external flash were fairly accurate, but due to the fact that we could not control the intensity of light, there can have been some leakage of light. Keeping in mind that many people are more than satisfied with the room-shading shade, it’s important to keep that in mind. Despite this, our team gave no consideration to the best blackout shades that exhibited poor performance in the first instance.

Two homes were then fitted with each shade. The package and instructions for each shade were noted as well as how easily the shades could be raised and lowered, the type of hardware included, installation process and the way the fabric felt. As well as observing each shade’s performance at night, the panel evaluated how it looks and feels.

Classic Blackout Cordless Shades by Select Blinds

Today, there are many kinds of mobile shades available, but this one has the best light-blocking properties, and it’s available in the most colors and sizes of any we tested. During our tests of other shades, select blinds best blackout shades proved to be more effective at blocking out light than the rest. The all-polyester shade represents an excellent value despite its high price due to a variety of benefits including its high quality materials, high level of customization and short lead time.

According to our tests using external flash, the cordless shades shaded nearly all the light from coming in. Installation of these products in kitchen and bath also proved to be successful.

These shades come in a variety of sizes and colors, which adds to their appeal. There are eight neutrals available, including browns, taupes, grays, whites, and more. If you are interested in these shades, order free swatches to see how they fit with your style, as well as how well they block light. Tables can vary in size from nineteen inches wide to 72 inches long, depending on their size. The model we examined differs from others, Select Blinds can be adjusted in 18.5-inch increments, so you are able to find the perfect shade for your window. A Wirecutter interview with Kevin Purdy revealed the size selections and a quick turnaround met his needs: “I have an old Victorian home with unusual-sized windows, and [the order arrived in] about five days.”

These shades are not dangerous to children and pets because they operate cordless, so there is no risk of strangulation. I am told that there is a solution to retracting the shade completely if you are unable to reach at the top of window. I believe that using the Riktig rod that is available exclusively at IKEA. For those who prefer privacy, the Blackout in a single cell Shades by Motorized Select Blinds are a great choice.

Despite being one of the most challenging shades to install in our tests, it is still the most straightforward and simple shades we tested. The shade’s size will determine how many brackets you need to mount this shade. The handle will need to be popped off the bottom and the shade clipped into a bracket.

In addition to feeling more luxurious and being more durable, Shades Classic Cordless from Select Blinds had a better finish than any of our other 100% polyester shades. Also preferred it because its lead time was shorter than our other options-eight days instead of four. During this period, we will assess how well the systems perform.

Three years after the date of purchase of the best blackout shades, you are covered against manufacturer’s defects. It costs money to upgrade to a five-year limited warranty or five-year warranty with unlimited coverage. As well as their reputation for exceptional client service, their representatives were extremely helpful throughout the installation and measurement process.

Customers have praised this shade’s effectiveness in blocking light, ease in installation, excellent quality, and exceptional client service. “I’m so impressed with these blinds,” writes another reviewer. There were no tangles in their cords since they fit snugly into window frames. Almost all light is blocked out, which darkens a room to an extent. “My husband completed all drilling within thirty minutes.”

This blackout shade offers a range of benefits including a stylish appearance, insulated construction, and long durability. Consequently, if you’d like a shade which provides additional insulation, you should look into getting it. The Premium Cordless Light Filtering/Blackout Cordless Shade, available in top-down and bottom-up styles, has the functionality of a traditional shade combined with what makes this shade unique.

They’re Not Dealbreakers, but They Do Have Flaws

I did not find it easy to read the manual provided by Select Blinds because in it were instructions for many different models of the shades. Even though the effort to reduce paper usage is commendable, installation process varies significantly from model to model, and there are a majority of smaller installations. As my eye wandered to other shades, I would marvel at the knowledge until I realized how irrelevant it was.

There have been complaints regarding mounting brackets, including the fact that they sit outside the house so evidently, or they are difficult to fit and require bending and bending.” We are not disputing their claims, but we did not encounter any mounting bracket problems.

As a final suggestion, be careful when using cellular shades on doors that have full-size windows to take advantage of the depth. In our tests, we found that this pick didn’t have door handles must have enough clearance to sit properly. Choosing a shallower depth cellular shade for your door window is the best choice if you’re considering installing it. In our tests, an inch, less or half an inch was adequate.

IKEA Trippevals

Additionally, IKEA Trippevals looks best and performs well, and offers many custom options. The problem with this product is that there is only one size and one color available for it.

Trippevals offers the same light-blocking effectiveness, ease of installation, cordless design, and third less cost than our other pick, as well. It also comes in fewer sizes as well as only gray, which makes it much less attractive than other, more expensive blinds. Depending on the store you’re at, customer service differs, however IKEA’s call center representatives were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. This shade is not covered by a warranty, but it is fully returnable within 365 days of purchase.

Polyester is used, just like the Pick from Select Blinds, however it is thinner and less textured. It also does not feel as appealing to the touch as the top pick. Despite not being as luxurious as Select Blinds, the panel felt the Trippevals shade looked almost good. Though less effective than the top pick, window blockers do good job at blocking light. In an interview with Daniel Varghese, ex-reinierdejong writer, he informed us that Trippevals blocked all the light, but there was still some in his space.

In our opinion, Trippevals has a huge advantage over the top pick IKEA stores are relatively close if you live nearby, which is the fact that it is readily available for purchase. Due to Select Blinds’s long-drawn out manufacturing process, it is likely that you will have to wait for a period of up to 8 days between moment you order until the moment you receive your shades.

In comparison with the other shades, the Trippevals has the fewest colors. You will only be able to order it in light gray if you place an order online. A maximum length of one and a maximum width of five are available. Standard sizes will not fit many people. The editor of reinierdejong, Harry Sawyers, decided to buy Ikea’s Marjun blackout curtains rather than Trippevals because of his non-standard windows. For windows that don’t fall into one of these five categories, the top pick with more precise sizing options is ideal. Assembling the package is straightforward even though mounting brackets are absent.

Blackout Fabric Cordless Roller Shade from IFit

There is a lot more work involved when it comes to cleaning this shade than cellular ones, but it’s less of an issue than a cell shade. During the test, we looked for the roller shades that looked sharp and one that were most capable of blocking as much light as possible.

We’ve tested a number of roller blinds and cellular shades that block light better than most, but the cordless roller shade made of polyester fabric that is blackout-proof is significantly better than its counterparts. There are many reasons to choose this type of shade Roller shades look great, if you prefer would like shaded doors that can be easily covered and cleaned, or if your preference is something easy to wash.

Almost all roller best blackout shades considered for the external flash examination produced results similar to those we obtained for our external test, and iFit did not disappoint. As only a little light was leaking through the sides, a good portion of light was blocked. The panel blocked the same amount of light as the other picks in our tests, and in real-world situations, it performed just as well.

It is worth noting that iFit shades come in sizes ranging from 24-73 inches, 1/2 inch increments, in addition to their 73-inch length. It can enter the frame of the window both through the sides and also through the gap between roll and also the mounted if it is hung within the frame of the window. In fact, fabrics are often wider than window frames, which means that shades can often hang outside the window frames. If the shade had been mounted outside or if it were fitted with a valence, the light halo would be unavoidable.

Furthermore, there are five other colors available besides white that are available for purchase: Black, gray, brown, and beige purple. It has the same electric lift system we use on our cell phone picks so you can use it on your own cell phone as well. This is an IKEA Riktig product. It is made from thick, lightweight, and strong material It is made to fit over small to medium sized windows.

IFit is one of the most durable and easy-to-clean polyester roller shades on the market, just like most polyester roller shades. We found the iFit roller shades to be much more pleasant to use due to the fact that they are surfaced with acrylic instead of traditional fabric. You won’t have to worry about roller shades presenting any safety hazards to children or Household pets, and they are resistant to roughhousing as well.

In this case, iFit provides these shades with a warranty for a period of one year covering the manufacturing problems and the design flaws of the product. We recommend contacting Home Depot’s customer service department for the best assistance with regards to iFit’s shades, since the majority of them are distributed through the retailer. I was able to speak with the second rep we spoke with during this process because first rep we spoke with was not very responsive, however the second rep we spoke with was extremely experienced regarding best blackout shades and their installation.

Customers have praised Roller Shade in Polyester iFit from Home Depot for its ease of installation, particularly the fact that it can be easily fitted. There was a customer who compared the products with those available at the boutique shop where the price was four times more expensive.

Shades for Windows by Redi Shade

We tried this paper option as a quick and inexpensive alternative to other blinds, but it is difficult to compare. You may trim to fit perfectly because it has adhesive strip.

The Paper Shades Original Blackout Redi Shade is equally suitable when you need a temporary solution or are looking for more affordable window covering that allows a few rays of light to pass through. Designed for easy installation, the strips come in six-packs and can be trimmed to fit any width. This long solution has less attractive shades and fewer durability benefits, as well as not having a warranty.

The light coming through this shade looks reddish, blocking few light than other shades we tested an external flash drive. In Winnie Yang’s home, an indirect-lit window is installed, so she does not feel the inconvenience of this problem. The conference focused on the advantages of roller shades and cell shades for basements, garages, and dormitories, and related to their reliability, convenience, and affordability.

Shades such as this one can be customized to fit your needs and are available in 2 sizes: 36″ x 72″, and 48″ x 72″. Even Irregular shapes like hexagons or semicircles can be cut from your paper shades to mount inside windows with non-rectangular shapes. In order to lift the shade more forcefully, It utilizes a patented system cordfree lift system that is similar to our picks. However, it is less precise than those we have chosen before. I can imagine it is a bit tricky to raise or lower the shade if it sags a bit.

However, we cannot guarantee that Redi Shade won’t tear, tear, or discolor more frequently than vinyl or polyester options. In the past two years, Yang’s children have performed well because she has a toddler at home. Jennifer Hunter, senior editor at Wirecutter, used Redi Shades to install privacy shades in her new home. In the meantime, we were able to use these until custom shades could be ordered.

Redi Shade is generally considered to be a high-quality product, with customers commenting on how easy and affordable it is to use the adhesive and how easy the product is to install. There are cases when the customer reports that you should thoroughly clean the area around the window with alcohol before applying the shade, so that the shade does not fall after a long period.

How to Reach Total Darkness

A halo of light is left by blackout shades when they are opened at night. The basic solution for this problem can be broken down into two parts. To prevent the device from shining through the glass, a dark track, such as Sleepy Time Tracks, is required in front of the glass. All of our picks are compatible with this magnetic track. If you choose the budget pick, install the tracks first.

Sleep Tracks

You can install these tracks In window frames, along the side and bottom prevent haloing from arising from the inside when a shade cannot be properly positioned inside the frame. Tracks aren’t common with custom shades, even though some specialists may include them. A curtain or drape can often be layered over a shade instead using tracks.

A shade of the same size can be hung over the window on wall by mounting it outside the frame and the shade will be suspended next to the window. It is recommended by experts at Blinds.com that you extend the width of the window the window has two sides by at least three inches for the best results. A lot more clearance makes it virtually impossible for a halo to be visible. In addition, more and more people suggest that the shades be hung higher on wall, so that they are near the ceiling. This will extend the height of the room and make the light appear brighter.

If you want to enjoy the light entering your room from the window, you have to make sure the window shade you buy has right width.

Maintenance and Care

It’s a good idea if you have children pets to keep your shades out of their reach. It is easy for shades to be easily torn if you apply enough force to them when they are pulled in an unexpected direction. If you own a cat, be sure to watch out for its claws, which can easily damage your shades.

Dusting attachment of the vacuum cleaner can be used to clean shades.   It is also possible to spot clean your appliances with lukewarm water and mild dishwashing detergent. Follow the cleaning instructions included with every shade if you want to clean it effectively them.

What to Expect

At blinds.com, we have the best blackout shades which suit every budget. The Blackout Cellular Shade, Economy Roller Shade, and Signature Blackout Shade are the three shades we are testing from this company currently. Our results will be posted as soon as we receive these models in good time.

Competition

Cellular:

Comparing our winner to the runner-up choice of Crystal Blackout Cellular Shades, there is little to distinguish Linen Avenue from the rest. There is no customer support offered by the company. No one could be reached by phone, and the company did not respond to our email requests.

We are concerned about quality of the cut-and also-install easy lift-at-home shady, as much as we liked the ease of installation. Cellular shades are the only option if your window size is unusual and you want them inside-mounted. In any case, our best pick would be better for you.

Roller:

Despite our pick, Ikea’s now disbanded Tupplur roller shade was a little challenging to install. Members of the Wirecutter staff were unimpressed by the slick feel of the vinyl. Also, Tupplur’s sizes and colors were more limited than those of our pick for roller shades.

In addition to the less sizes available in Select Blinds Blackout Shade, it also has rougher vinyl surface making it look much worse.

Roman:

There was an overly complex mechanism and multiple fabrics in the now-discontinued Birch Lane Blackout Roman Sha Birch Lane best Blackout Shades are no longer available. Furthermore, the pleats were difficult to keep light out.

Woven Wood:

I was unable to get satisfactory pictures with the privacy blackout gray/brown Roman shades from Top Blinds regardless of how attractive they were and how easy they were to install.