The Best Sleep Masks
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Louryn-Strampe.jpg)
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Louryn-Strampe.jpg)
-Offwhite-Background-SOURCE-Therabody.jpg)
I love ambient light as much as the next girl, but it can be a real bother when trying to get shut-eye. (The recent time change really messed with my circadian rhythm!) Whether it’s the sun in the mornings or your partner’s phone screen in the evenings, these sleep eye masks can help block ambient light so you can fall asleep and stay asleep reliably. In my hunt for the best sleep masks, I tested a few of the most popular options on the internet, including my favorite, the Blissy Silk Eye Mask ($28). Added bonus: These look a whole lot cuter in your bedroom than blackout curtains. And no matter what option you go with, a mask can help you get good, deep sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
Be sure to check out our other related buying guides, including the Best Sheets, the Best Travel Pillows, and the Best Mattresses.
| Next up |
|---|
| I’ll be testing more sleep masks from Drowsy and Dore & Rose, plus some affordable and popular Amazon picks. |
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
How I Tested
I tested these sleep masks by sleeping in them! I took naps in them and slept in them overnight. I specifically checked for light leaks while sitting in direct sunlight. Our guide on how to buy a sleep mask might be useful if you don’t know what you’re shopping for.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
The Best Silk Sleep Mask
Blissy Sleep MaskWhen I picture a sleep mask in my head, this is what I think about. The Blissy Silk Eye Mask is available in a huge array of colors, including options that coordinate with other Blissy products. You can buy the mask individually or opt for the Dream Set, which includes a sleep mask, hair ties, and a pillowcase. Either way, the mask comes with a matching drawstring storage bag. The mulberry silk is supremely soft and smooth, and the scrunched elastic band isn’t too tight or compressive. This mask is really lightweight and a bit slippery. I prefer using it with my hair up, and I sometimes have to wiggle around to get it over my eyes when I’m sleeping on my side.
Depending on where you position the mask, sometimes a little light can leak through, but it’s never been difficult to readjust, and it hasn't been enough light to wake me up. It puts the slightest amount of pressure on my eyes and nose, but I find the effect soothing. If you want a cute mask that’s easy to travel with, this is a good option. I like how small it is—it’d be super easy to slip this into a personal item while flying or to keep in your weekender bag for impromptu naps.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
An Upgrade Pick
Dore & Rose Aura Sleep MaskThe Dore & Rose Aura Sleep Mask is stunning and feels very luxurious and high-quality. It feels like something fit for a monarch, in part due to the mask’s claims that it‘s good for your skin, preventing things like fine lines. (For what it’s worth, I didn’t notice any particular benefits compared to other sleep masks, but getting better sleep does provide a benefit when it comes to under-eye circles.)
In any case, this silk sleep mask is Oeko-Tex certified and made with mulberry silk, which is soft and breathable. It feels cool to the touch and doesn’t make me feel hot even after wearing it for seven hours. It also wasn’t bulky. It completely blocked out all light, and it didn’t slip off my hair even though the mask itself is quite slippery. I didn’t notice any eye pressure or discomfort. I like that it came in a little gift box, although I do wish it came with a carrying case. I also like the wide array of jewellike color options—it really adds to the whole “Princess and the Pea” vibe.
- Photograph: Therabody
The Best Vibrating Mask
Therabody SleepMaskSome sleep masks claim to be 100 percent blackout, but this one leaves me totally disoriented, with no idea what dimension I'm in. I often find myself wide awake in the middle of the night, and the TheraFace SleepMask is my favorite remedy for drifting back to sleep. It uses gentle vibrations with three pattern presets that are designed to lull you into slumber. The vibrations are almost too subtle, especially compared to Therabody's SmartGoggles ($199), but they do the trick in helping you get back to rest. Each setting runs for 15 minutes, so you don't need to worry about shutting it off once you're out. The adjustable strap is gentle on my hair, and the contoured, plush pads stay comfortable without pressing into your eyelids. Like two jumbo marshmallows resting on your eyes.
But, if you're a light sleeper, the mask's audible buzz might disrupt your peace. It's not as soothing as a white noise machine, which could be a dealbreaker for some. That said, the inner layer is machine-washable and you get free access to soundscapes with TheraMind, available in the Therabody app. Plus, it comes with a carrying case, so it's always in my personal item bag when I'm traveling. —Boutayna Chokrane
- Photograph: Amazon
The Best Weighted Mask
Baloo Weighted Silk Sleep Stone MaskThis mask is featured in our guide to the best weighted blankets and weighted eye masks. The 9-ounce mask has a mulberry silk exterior, which feels cooling against your skin. You can also freeze it if you want things even chillier. It’s got a Velcro strap in the back that can be bothersome if you sleep on your back, but our tester wasn’t bothered when she slept on her side or stomach. There’s also a hidden crystal sewn inside (either amethyst to ”clear the mind” or rose quartz to “cultivate love and harmony”) if you’re into that sort of thing. But even if you aren’t, this is a good weighted mask.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
A Mask That Lets You See
Trtl Glimpse Sleep MaskTrtl’s Glimpse Sleep Mask is available in a few more fun colors on its website (there are five options) compared to Amazon. It comes with a pair of standard-issue foam earplugs in a tiny carrying case, plus a carrying case for the mask itself. The mask is made with eucalyptus fabric which lends it a silky, cooling feeling. The molded inner eye cups are oval-shaped and can be removed and readjusted to help create a true blackout environment. I did find it a little tricky to get them perfectly adjusted to balance blocking as much light as possible without the mask being too tight or too low. But I got there in the end after much fiddling, and I like that I can blink in the mask since the eye cups are pretty deep. The Velcro attachment for the mask is a little bit loud, so I suggest dialing in your adjustments before flying or sleeping in a quiet room with other people.
The best part of the Trtl Glimpse mask is its “peek” feature. The eye cups have a dark mesh front, and there’s a soft cloth flap across the front of them. You can lift this cloth covering to get a peek at your surroundings. This is something I’ve been wanting for so long. That mesh still blocks a lot of light when you lift the external flap, but you get just enough light to be able to do something like adjust your phone’s media playback or check to see what time it is. My only real complaint is that the included carrying case is similar to the one that comes with Trtl Travel Pillows. It’s basically a crinkly, scratchy-sounding stuff sack with a roll-down top that secures closed via very loud Velcro. The bag attaches to your luggage or backpack with a carabiner, and the whole thing flaps around uselessly unless you do something to prevent it. Secure the case to the inside of another bag (and take your sleep mask out early in a quiet environment) for the best experience.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
The Best Cooling Eye Mask
Opal Cool Eye MaskThe Opal Cool isn’t specifically a sleep mask, but I’m still including it here. I get the occasional migraine headache, and placing something cooling on my eyes helps me take a nap when nothing else will. A cooling mask also comes in handy on hot summer nights when even a box fan isn’t helping me chill out enough to sleep. The gel in the Opal Cool eye mask feels slightly cold all the time, but you can stick the mask in the fridge or freezer to bring the temperature down even more. The gel pockets place the slightest bit of pressure on my eyes and help me fall asleep fast.
In my testing, the plant-based phase change gel maintained a temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit for a little over half an hour—enough time for me to fall asleep. Of course, this isn’t medical advice and you should talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing headaches! But if you are in the same boat as I am, a cooling mask like this can help bring some relief.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Louryn-Strampe.jpg)
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
The Best Mask With Headphones
Manta Sound Sleep MaskI love the Manta Sound sleep mask (8/10, WIRED Recommends). As a troubled sleeper, sometimes light-blocking just doesn’t cut it. The razor-thin Bluetooth headphones in this mask help me block out even more external stimuli, ensuring that I get good sleep. The C-shaped eye cups block out light without adding pressure to your eyes. The three buttons on the front of the mask make it easy to adjust volume (with 30 different levels) and turn the mask on and off. I wish there were a way to control media playback without needing to lift the mask to peer at my phone, but a good playlist with no skips will take care of that. Despite the relative bulk of this mask compared to some others, it‘s still easy to sleep in no matter whether you’re a back, stomach, or side sleeper. It’s also pretty breathable. I love taking it with me to bass music festivals so I can sleep through morning sound check (or evening party animal neighbors).
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Louryn-Strampe.jpg)
Wired Coupons
10% Off Wayfair Promo Code with sign-up
20% off Dyson Promo Code
$50 Off In-Person Tax Prep When You Switch From Your Tax Current Provider
Up to $500 off cameras at Canon
Save extra 10% Off TurboTax
Exclusive: Up To 50% Off 6 Boxes With Factor Promo Code