6 Best Blackout Curtains under $40 (November 2026)

Anyone who has tried to sleep past sunrise in a room with thin drapes knows the problem blackout curtains solve, and anyone who has bought them knows the catch: the label says blackout, but the fit decides how dark the room actually gets. Light leaks around the rod, past the sides, and under the hem. The goal for a blackout curtain under 40 dollars is therefore not just a dense fabric but a panel size and header style that cover the window generously, because a budget panel hung too narrow lets in a bright stripe on each side.

This guide suits shift workers, light sleepers, parents of early-rising children, and anyone with a bedroom that faces east or sits near a streetlight. Each option below is described using only the facts in its listing title, such as width, length, heading, and the thermal or noise claims. When a title is unclear on a size, confirm on the listing. A realistic expectation for 2026 budget curtains is a very dark room, not a perfectly black one, and a thermal lining that takes the edge off drafts and summer sun.

Quick Picks

NICETOWN Black Blackout Curtains for Bedroom 42" wide x 63" Long 2 Panels | Solid Grommet Thermal Insulated Drapes, Noise Reducing, Light Blocking, Room Darkening Decor for Kitchen Window Treatments

One of the home & furniture options compared in this guide.

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MIULEE Blackout Curtains for Bedroom 2 Panels 40 x 84 Inch Long Black | Thermal Insulated, Halloween Living Room Darkening Grommet Drapes, Noise Reducing, Light Blocking Window Treatments

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MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Curtains for Bedroom 52x84 Inches Natural Beige | Room Darkening, Light Blocking, Thermal Insulated, Grommet Top, Linen Textured, Window Curtains for Living Room, 2 Panels

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NICETOWN Halloween Thermal Insulated Black Blackout Curtains/Drapes 84 inches Length 2 Panels Set for Living Room, 42 inches Wide, Privacy Sound Reducing Room Darkening Draperies Window Treatment

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MIULEE Blackout Curtains for Bedroom 2 Panels 40 x 63 Inch Long Black | Thermal Insulated, Halloween Living Room Darkening Grommet Drapes, Noise Reducing, Light Blocking Window Treatments

One of the home & furniture options compared in this guide.

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ChrisDowa Blackout Curtains for Bedroom and Living Room 63 Inches Long | 2 Panels Set, Thermal Insulated, Light Blocking, Room Darkening, Grommet, Window Drapes, Dark Grey, 42 x 63 Inch

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How to Choose

Measure width at 1.5 to 2 times the window

Panel width is the most overlooked number. For a gathered, light-blocking look, the combined panel width should be roughly one and a half to two times the width of the window or rod. A pair of 40-inch panels covers a window up to about 40 inches comfortably, while a 52-inch pair stretches further. If you pick panels that are too narrow, they hang flat and let light slip past the edges, which is exactly what you were trying to stop.

Length and rod placement

Mount the rod four to six inches above the window frame and two to four inches wider on each side, then choose a length that ends within an inch of the floor or at the sill. The 63-inch, 84-inch, and 7-foot sizes in this list cover most standard bedrooms. Panels that stop at the sill suit rooms with a radiator or desk below, while floor-length panels block more light at the bottom edge.

Header style

Grommet tops slide smoothly on a rod and look tidy, but the open rings allow a small gap of light above. Back-tab and rod-pocket headers hide the rod and close that gap better. If total darkness is the priority, a header that sits right at the rod, combined with a wide panel, usually beats a grommet top on a thin rod.

Thermal and noise claims, and where budget curtains cut corners

Many titles promise thermal insulation and noise reduction. Read those as modest bonuses from a heavy, tightly woven layer, not a substitute for window seals. Budget panels often trim the weight of the fabric, skimp on hem stitching, or ship with wrinkles that need steaming. Check whether the title says 100 percent blackout or simply room darkening, since the second term usually means a little light passes through.

The 6 Best Options

NICETOWN Black Grommet Blackout Curtains

This pair of black panels measures 42 inches wide and 63 inches long, a good fit for kitchen windows, basement windows, and shorter bedroom windows that do not reach the floor. The title lists a solid grommet design, thermal insulation, noise reduction, and light blocking.

• The 63-inch length avoids the dragging hem that long panels cause on short windows.
• Thermal and noise-reducing wording signals a heavier fabric layer than a basic liner.
• Trade-off: a 42-inch panel width is modest, so wide windows need a second pair.

Skip it if your window runs to the floor, because the short drop would leave a gap of daylight below the hem. Buyers who want a pure black room for nighttime sleep will find the solid black color a sensible match for that aim.

MIULEE Black Grommet Curtains, 40 x 84

MIULEE lists two black panels at 40 by 84 inches with thermal insulation and a darkening, noise-reducing grommet design. The 84-inch drop is the standard length for ceiling-height rods in a bedroom or living room, which makes this a safe default for many apartments.

• The long drop covers a floor-length window and helps block light at the bottom edge.
• Grommets glide easily on a standard rod for daily opening and closing.
• Trade-off: a 40-inch panel is narrow, so measure the window and consider ordering a second pair.

Skip it if your window is wider than about 45 inches and you want a full, gathered look. The title mentions a seasonal word, so ignore it and judge the listing on size and fabric alone.

MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Curtains

This natural beige set at 52×84 inches is the pick for people who dislike the heavy, plasticky look of black curtains. The title calls it a 100 percent blackout, grommet top, linen-textured panel with thermal insulation and room darkening.

• Linen texture looks softer in daylight and suits living rooms and bright bedrooms alike.
• A 52-inch width gives more coverage per panel than a 40- or 42-inch option.
• Trade-off: a light beige face can look slightly translucent from outside at night with a lamp on.

Skip it if you want a dark, cave-like color or if the room faces a streetlight, where darker fabric tends to look more discreet. Steam or tumble the panels on a low setting after unpacking so the creases relax and the hang looks even across the rod.

ChrisDowa Blackout Curtains, 63 Inches

ChrisDowa lists a two-panel set at 63 inches for bedroom and living room use, with thermal insulation, light blocking, room darkening, and grommets. It occupies the same short-drop niche as the NICETOWN pair and is worth comparing if the color or fabric appeals more.

• Two panels in a standard drop work well for windows that stop above the floor.
• The title mentions multi-room use, so it can match a bedroom and a nursery.
• Trade-off: the title does not state the width, so confirm on the listing before ordering.

Skip it if you need full floor length or a precise width spelled out in the title. Measure the window first so the size cannot surprise you on arrival. Because the listing wording is generic, it is also worth reading the care and fabric details before you commit.

Guken 100% Blackout Linen Curtains, 84 Inch

Guken lists a cream or ivory pair of 84-inch panels, 7 feet long, with a back-tab header, thermal insulation, and room darkening. Back tabs hide the rod and sit flush at the top, which cuts the light that grommets let slip through.

• A back-tab header gives a cleaner top edge and closes the gap above the rod.
• The cream shade works in rooms with white or warm wall colors.
• Trade-off: back tabs do not glide as easily as grommets, so opening and closing takes a bit more effort.

Skip it if you open and close the curtains many times a day, or if you want a bold, dark color. It also helps to hang them on a rod with return brackets, which sit close to the wall and trap more of the light that would otherwise escape along the sides.

LEMOMO Black Blackout Curtains, 52 x 84

LEMOMO lists a set of two black panels at 52 x 84 inches with thermal insulation and a room-darkening finish. Of the black options here, this one offers the widest panel, which means better coverage on medium and wide windows.

• A 52-inch width per panel gives fuller coverage than the narrower black sets.
• Black color suits sleep-focused bedrooms and home theater corners.
• Trade-off: the title is brief on header style, so confirm on the listing how the panels hang.

Skip it if you prefer light, airy decor, or if the room already feels dark during the day and heavy black fabric would make it feel smaller. Home theater corners and nurseries are where this style shines, since the goal there is control of light rather than decoration. Pair it with a sturdy rod, because wider panels weigh more than they look.

Which One Fits Your Situation

Small bedroom window, no floor-length drop

Pick the NICETOWN pair at 63 inches, or the ChrisDowa set if you prefer its look. Both are sized for windows that end above the floor, such as a kitchen window over a sink or a basement bedroom window set high in the wall. Order two pairs if the window is wider than the panels.

Floor-length window in a main bedroom

The LEMOMO 52 x 84 black set gives the widest coverage among the black options. For a softer look, choose the MIULEE linen pair.

Daytime sleeper or night-shift worker

Go for the darkest color and the widest panels: the LEMOMO set or the MIULEE black 40 x 84 pair, hung wide and high on the wall. Mounting the rod several inches above the frame and extending it past both sides is what turns a good panel into a dark room.

Living room that needs style and light control

Guken or the MIULEE linen set gives a lighter palette while still blocking glare from afternoon sun. The linen texture also hides small wrinkles better than a flat black weave, which matters in a room guests see.

Common Mistakes

• Buying panels that match the window width exactly, which leaves no fullness and lets light leak past the sides.
• Mounting the rod right at the window frame instead of wider and higher.
• Confusing room darkening with 100 percent blackout and then being disappointed by the leftover glow.
• Ignoring the header style, then discovering that grommets leave a bright strip above the rod.
• Skipping the steaming step, so wrinkles stay in the fabric and make the panels look cheaper than they are.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will blackout curtains make the room completely dark?

They get very close if the panels are wide, hung high, and long enough to reach the floor. Small gaps at the top and sides still glow in strong sun, so fit matters as much as fabric. A sleep mask or a draft-blocking strip at the floor can close the last gaps.

Do thermal curtains really help with energy bills?

A thick, lined panel reduces drafts and radiant heat from the glass, so a room feels a little more comfortable. It is a modest help, not a replacement for sealing or insulating the window.

How should I wash them?

Follow the care label on the listing, but most blackout panels do best on a gentle cold cycle with low heat drying. High heat can damage the coating that blocks light, and a folded panel stored damp can pick up odors.

Are black or light colors better?

Black reads as darker and hides light bleed from streetlamps. Cream and beige look more inviting in daylight, and the best choice depends on whether sleep or style comes first.