The Best Blackout and Room-Darkening Curtains

The researchWhy you should trust usWho this is forHow we picked and testedOur pick: Target Pillowfort Blackout Chambray Cotton Kids’ PanelsBudget pick: IKEA Rosenmandel Black-out CurtainsUpgrade pick: West Elm Worn Velvet Blackout CurtainsAlso great: CB2 European Flax–Certified Linen Blackout Window Curtain PanelsHow to properly hang blackout curtainsCare and maintenanceOther good curtainsThe competitionSourcesWhy you should trust usAs a staff writer on Wirecutter’s home and decor team, it’s my job to find and test items that help make your home as comfortable and functional as possible, like bed frames and bedroom storage. This guide also builds on research and reporting by Jackie Reeve, a senior staff writer also on the home team, who wrote an earlier version of this guide.For this guide:I wrapped 11 curtains around a bright, light therapy lamp inside a dark closet to measure how much light filtered through them in complete darkness. I then hung all the curtains in my sunny Los Angel...