Prices verified Aug 11 · Always confirm at the retailer before buying.
Quick answer
For most bedrooms under $100, the NICETOWN Pitch Black Solid Grommet ($9.98 for a 2-panel 42x63-inch set on Amazon, blocks 85-99% of light, ★4.6 across 130,047 reviews) is the right starting point — it is the review-count leader in this category at the lowest price of any pick here. For tall or floor-to-ceiling windows, the H.VERSAILTEX 96-Inch panel ($15.95, the only true 96-inch length in this lineup, blocks 99% of light and 100% UV, ★4.6 across 30,991 reviews) solves the length gap that causes most light leakage. For guaranteed full darkness regardless of color, the Yakamok 100% Blackout ($21.59, true 2-layer face-plus-liner construction, ★4.8 — the highest rating in this lineup — across 8,043 reviews) is the right pick, with buyers also reporting stronger noise dampening. For renters who can't drill a curtain rod, the Amazon Basics Suction Cup Shade ($46.18, no-drill install, ★4.4 across 15,991 reviews) is the only no-hardware option. Across Reddit threads, two parsed YouTube test videos, and Wirecutter's own lab testing, the single biggest driver of real-world blackout performance is not fabric quality — it's panel size. Undersized panels that don't reach the floor or span the full window width are the #1 documented cause of the "these aren't really blackout" complaint, regardless of brand or price.
For most bedrooms under $100, the NICETOWN Pitch Black Grommet ($9.98) is the best blackout curtain — 130,000+ Amazon reviews at ★4.6, blocks 85-99% of light, and it's the cheapest pick on this list. We compared 7 curtains between $9.98 and $46.18, all rated ★4.4+ with at least 8,000 verified reviews, to find the ones that actually reach full darkness instead of just claiming it.
What's the best blackout curtain under $100 for 2026?
- Best overall / best value:NICETOWN Pitch Black—$10→
- Best budget alternate:ChrisDowa Grommet—$12→
- Best for tall windows:H.VERSAILTEX 96in—$16→
- Best for bedroom / most sizes:Joydeco 84in—$20→
- Highest rated / best noise reduction:Yakamok 2-Layer—$22→
- Best linen look:MIULEE Linen Textured—$25→
- Best for renters / no-drill install:Amazon Basics Shade—$46→
Picks reflect cross-publication editorial consensus from Wirecutter's blackout curtain testing, 12 Reddit community threads, and 2 NICETOWN deep-test videos (transcripts parsed for first-party test data), cross-referenced against 241,000+ verified Amazon buyer reviews across all 7 finalists.
How did we pick these?
Brands evaluated: 7 brands across 7 models — NICETOWN, ChrisDowa, H.VERSAILTEX, Joydeco, Yakamok, MIULEE, Amazon Basics. 6 stale-priced Amazon listings were excluded for lacking a fresh price check.
Sources: Wirecutter's blackout curtain guide, 12 Reddit threads across 10+ subreddits, and 2 parsed YouTube test videos, plus live Amazon listing data.
First-party data: Amazon listing data (price, rating, review count) verified 2026-08-11.
Hard requirements (4 gates): verified Amazon ASIN, price under $100, rating ★4.4 or higher, review count of 8,000 or more. Products failing any gate were cut regardless of reviews.
NICETOWN Pitch Black Solid Thermal Insulated Grommet Blackout Curtains (2 Panels, 42"W x 63"L)
Pros:
- 130,047 Amazon reviews at ★4.6 — the deepest review base in this lineup by a wide margin, at the lowest price.
- Blocks 85-99% of light through a triple-weave polyester fabric; darker colors block more.
- Machine washable — tumble dry, no bleach, the easiest care routine of any pick here.
- $9.98 for a 2-panel set — under half the price of every other pick on this list.
Cons (honest weight):
- Unlined single-layer fabric won't reach true 100% blackout on its own — add a liner for shift-work-level darkness.
- Only sold in 42-inch widths — wider windows need a second pack.
- No noise-reduction claim — the double-layer Yakamok is the better pick if sound dampening matters.
Mubboo Verdict
The review-count leader at the lowest price — 130K+ reviews back 85-99% light blocking, but add a liner for true blackout.
ChrisDowa Grommet Blackout Curtains (2 Panels, 42"W x 63"L, Charcoal Gray)
Pros:
- 29,655 reviews at ★4.6 — nearly identical track record to the NICETOWN pick, in a charcoal-gray shade.
- Blocks ~98% of sunlight and UV per the manufacturer's listing.
- Same color on both sides — no wrong-side-out mistakes when hanging.
- Machine washable, with no reported chemical smell out of the bag.
Cons (honest weight):
- $1.71 more than NICETOWN for a near-identical spec sheet — pick this mainly for the color.
- Same 63-inch length ceiling as NICETOWN — tall windows still need the H.VERSAILTEX.
- Unlined construction — the same liner caveat applies for guaranteed full blackout.
Mubboo Verdict
A near-clone of the top pick with a charcoal-gray option — buy it for the color, not for anything NICETOWN doesn't do.
H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout Curtains, 96 Inch Long (Single Panel, 52"W x 96"L)
Pros:
- The only 96-inch panel in this lineup — solves the #1 real-world complaint of short panels floating above the floor.
- Blocks 99% of light and 100% UV rays, per Global Recycled Standard certified testing.
- PVC/vinyl-free, breathable specialty-yarn weave — a step up from plain polyester.
- 30,991 reviews at ★4.6 — a deep track record despite the premium length.
Cons (honest weight):
- Sold as a single panel, not a pair — buy two for a standard two-panel window.
- 52 inches wide only — very wide windows need multiple panels.
- No stated machine-wash instructions on the listing — treat as standard curtain care.
Mubboo Verdict
The only true 96-inch panel here — buys out the length-related light leakage that ruins shorter curtains.
Joydeco Blackout Curtains for Bedroom, 84 Inch (2 Panels, Grommet)
Pros:
- 20+ sizes from 42x63 up to 108 inches long, plus 20+ colors — the widest fit range in this lineup.
- 18,177 reviews at ★4.7 — the second-highest rating among the seven picks.
- Triple-weave, wrinkle-resistant microfiber that machine washes in a mesh bag.
- Dark colorways block 80%+ of light — meaningfully more than the lightest color options.
Cons (honest weight):
- Light colors block only 60%+ — pick a dark shade if blackout performance matters more than the look.
- Costs more than NICETOWN or ChrisDowa for the same core grommet design.
- Bleach will damage the fabric — hand-wash-adjacent care needed for stains.
Mubboo Verdict
The size-and-color flexibility winner — 20+ options fit almost any window, but lighter shades trade away light-blocking.
Yakamok 100% Blackout Curtains, 84 Inches Long (2 Panels, Grey)
Pros:
- ★4.8 — the highest rating in this lineup, across 8,043 reviews.
- True 2-layer construction — a face fabric plus a sewn-in black liner, not a single sheet relying on color.
- 100% blackout via the built-in liner, so color choice doesn't trade away darkness the way it does with Joydeco.
- Buyers report stronger noise dampening than single-layer panels, tied to the extra fabric layer.
Cons (honest weight):
- 8,043 reviews is the smallest review base here, though still well above the 8,000-review qualifying floor.
- Heavier than single-layer panels — check your curtain rod's weight rating.
- Iron on low heat only — a standard care caution for the two-layer fabric.
Mubboo Verdict
The best-rated pick here and the only true built-in liner — full blackout and better noise dampening, in any color.
MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Textured Curtains (2 Panels, 52"W x 84"L)
Pros:
- The only faux-linen finish in this lineup — reads as a natural-fiber drape instead of plain polyester.
- 100% blackout via triple-weave technology, so the textured look doesn't cost any light-blocking performance.
- 8,318 reviews at ★4.7 — a deep, consistent track record for a design-forward pick.
- 52x84-inch 2-panel set matches the same coverage as Yakamok, styled differently.
Cons (honest weight):
- The most expensive curtain-format pick at $24.95, though still under a quarter of Wirecutter's premium panel price.
- Care instructions aren't fully specified — treat as a standard polyester-blend wash.
- Only one length offered (84 inches) — no short or extra-tall option like Joydeco or H.VERSAILTEX.
Mubboo Verdict
Full 100% blackout dressed up as linen — the pick for a bedroom that needs to look designed, not just dark.
Amazon Basics Portable Suction Cup Blackout Curtain Shade
Pros:
- No drilling, no rod, no hardware — mounts with suction cups directly on the glass.
- 15,991 reviews at ★4.4 — a large, well-tested base for a non-curtain form factor.
- Fits any window shape since it doesn't depend on a curtain rod's width.
- Ideal for temporary spaces — rentals, dorms, hotel rooms, RVs, and nurseries where drilling isn't allowed.
Cons (honest weight):
- The most expensive pick here at $46.18 — still under half of Wirecutter's cheapest velvet upgrade panel.
- Lowest rating in this lineup (★4.4) — reviewers report mixed suction-cup grip on textured glass.
- Wipe-clean only, not machine washable — a different care routine than every fabric pick above.
Mubboo Verdict
The only true no-drill option — solves the renter's problem the other six picks can't, at a premium price.
Blackout curtains under $100 — full comparison
| Product | Price | Size | Opacity | Mount | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NICETOWN Pitch Black 🛒 | $9.98 | 42"x63", 2-pack | 85-99% light | Grommet | Best overall / value | ★4.6 (130K+) |
| ChrisDowa Grommet 🛒 | $11.69 | 42"x63", 2-pack | ~98% sunlight + UV | Grommet | Best budget alternate | ★4.6 (29.6K) |
| H.VERSAILTEX 96in 🛒 | $15.95 | 52"x96", 1 panel | 99% light, 100% UV | Grommet | Best for tall windows | ★4.6 (31K) |
| Joydeco 84in 🛒 | $19.99 | 20+ sizes, 42-108in | 80%+ dark colors | Grommet | Best for bedroom | ★4.7 (18.2K) |
| Yakamok 2-Layer 🛒 | $21.59 | 52"x84", 2-pack | 100% blackout, 2-layer | Grommet | Highest rated / noise | ★4.8 (8K) |
| MIULEE Linen 🛒 | $24.95 | 52"x84", 2-pack | 100% blackout, linen look | Grommet | Best linen design | ★4.7 (8.3K) |
| Amazon Basics Shade 🛒 | $46.18 | Suction-mounted shade | Insulating light barrier | Suction cup, no drill | Best for renters | ★4.4 (16K) |
What real users are saying
30-day community scan: 12 Reddit threads (688+ upvotes, 403+ comments) across 10+ subreddits, plus 241,222+ Amazon reviews across all 7 finalists.
- NICETOWN: A YouTube reviewer (Wanna Buy It, 107K views) confirms it's "pitch pitch pitch dark" once hung — but a second NICETOWN comparison video (Dad Reviews, 79.7K views) documents light leaking at the bottom hem and near the ceiling on the same brand family, matching the top Reddit complaint about edge leakage rather than fabric quality.
- ChrisDowa, H.VERSAILTEX, Joydeco, Yakamok, MIULEE, Amazon Basics: Limited brand-specific community discussion found — commodity Amazon curtains under $25 rarely generate dedicated Reddit threads. The category-level findings below apply to all of them.
Reddit's most-repeated tip (r/homeownerstips, 38 upvotes, 171 comments): add a blackout liner to any curtain to force a true blackout. The most common complaint (r/Nightshift, 68 upvotes, 79 comments): "More than half of these so-called blackout curtains don't block out anything."
But when panels are sized correctly, users say so — a self-identified graveyard-shift worker on r/notinteresting (398 upvotes) confirmed: "Can confirm. Those are blackout curtains." r/IndianHomeDecor (79 upvotes) adds a practical fix: channel or wall-mount hardware. Across Reddit, YouTube, and Wirecutter's lab testing, full-panel coverage predicts blackout performance better than any brand name.
What to skip when shopping for blackout curtains
⚠️ Skip: any panel that doesn't reach the floor or cover the full window width
Undersized panels are the real reason "blackout" curtains let light through, not fabric quality. Reddit and YouTube testers both trace the complaint to the same cause: gaps at the hem and near the rod.
Fix: buy panels 2-2.5x your window width and a length that reaches or slightly pools on the floor. The H.VERSAILTEX 96-inch panel exists specifically for tall windows that shorter 63-inch panels leave exposed.
⚠️ Skip: light-colored panels if you need full darkness
Color changes performance more than most buyers expect. Joydeco's own listing shows dark colorways block 80%+ of light while light colors block only 60%+ — a real gap for shift workers or light sleepers.
Fix: pick a dark neutral unless the room only needs partial dimming. For 100% blackout regardless of color, the double-layer Yakamok or triple-weave MIULEE panels use a built-in liner instead of relying on face-fabric color.
⚠️ Skip: paying $100+ per panel for a "premium" blackout curtain
Wirecutter's own upgrade pick, the West Elm Worn Velvet panel, runs about $159 per panel and still doesn't fully block out a room. Price alone does not predict blackout performance in this category.
Fix: every pick on this list costs less than a single premium DTC panel, and the double-layer options match or beat velvet's light-blocking without the higher price.
Which blackout curtain fits your window?
Seven picks, seven answers. Match your situation to a pick below.
Still deciding between these seven? Browse all Mubboo Shopping guides — or compare every blackout curtain we track, including newer arrivals, in our Blackout Curtains category hub.
Ready to buy? Match your window to a pick
Seven budgets, seven windows. Here's the fastest path to checkout.
"Standard bedroom window, tightest budget"
NICETOWN Pitch Black
$9.98
130,047 reviews at ★4.6, blocks 85-99% of light.
Get overall pick →"Tall window, curtains keep floating above the floor"
H.VERSAILTEX 96in
$15.95
Only true 96-inch panel here, blocks 99% of light.
Get tall-window pick →"Non-standard window, want more color options"
Joydeco 84in
$19.99
20+ sizes and colors, ★4.7 across 18,177 reviews.
Get size-flexible pick →"Shift worker, need guaranteed full darkness"
Yakamok 2-Layer
$21.59
★4.8 highest rated, built-in liner, quieter room.
Get highest-rated pick →"Want the room to look designed, not dorm-room"
MIULEE Linen Textured
$24.95
Faux-linen face, 100% blackout via triple-weave.
Get design pick →"Renting, can't drill a curtain rod"
Amazon Basics Shade
$46.18
Suction-cup mount, no rod or hardware needed.
Get no-drill pick →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make blackout curtains actually block all the light?
Oversize the panel, not just the fabric type. Buy a width 2-2.5x your window's width and a length that reaches or slightly pools on the floor — undersized panels are the #1 documented cause of light leakage, per Reddit, YouTube, and Wirecutter's own testing. See the anti-recommendations section above for the full breakdown.
Do blackout curtains reduce noise too?
Double-layer curtains like the Yakamok do more than single-layer panels. The extra fabric layer adds mass, which dampens sound as a side effect of blocking light. It's not a substitute for dedicated soundproofing, but buyers consistently report a noticeable difference over thin single-layer panels.
What size blackout curtains should I buy for my window?
Measure your window width, then multiply by 2 to 2.5x for the panel width you buy. For length, measure from the rod to the floor and add an inch or two. The Joydeco line's 20+ sizes (42-108 inches) cover most non-standard windows without a custom order.
Can I add a liner to regular curtains for a blackout effect?
Yes — it's the single most-repeated tip in the Reddit threads we scanned. A clip-on or sew-in blackout liner turns almost any curtain into a blackout curtain. It's a cheaper fix than replacing curtains you already own and like the look of.
Are cheap Amazon blackout curtains actually machine washable?
Most of the panels on this list are, but check per product. NICETOWN, ChrisDowa, and Joydeco are all machine washable (Joydeco recommends a mesh bag). The Amazon Basics suction shade is wipe-clean only, and H.VERSAILTEX and MIULEE don't fully specify care — treat those as standard polyester-blend wash.
Do dark-colored blackout curtains work better than light colors?
Yes, meaningfully. Joydeco's own listing shows dark colorways block 80%+ of light versus 60%+ for light colors. If full darkness matters more than the shade, either pick a dark neutral or choose a built-in-liner design like Yakamok or MIULEE, where color doesn't affect blackout performance.
What's the difference between "blackout" and "room darkening" curtains?
Blackout curtains use a denser weave or built-in liner to block 95-100% of light; room darkening curtains block roughly 60-80%. All 7 picks here are labeled blackout, but the unlined single-layer options (NICETOWN, ChrisDowa, Joydeco) perform closer to the room-darkening range unless paired with a liner.
Will blackout curtains help me sleep better as a shift worker?
Real-world reports say yes, when the panel is sized correctly. A self-identified graveyard-shift worker on r/notinteresting confirmed full darkness with a properly fitted panel. The double-layer Yakamok is the pick built specifically around guaranteed full blackout regardless of window shape or color.
Who wrote this and where's the data from?
Mubboo Editorial Team — independent US-market consumer research. Picks reflect editorial consensus from 9 independent sources and 241,000+ verified buyer reviews.
Sources
- Wirecutter — The Best Blackout Curtains
- NICETOWN Pitch Black Solid Grommet — Amazon listing
- ChrisDowa Grommet Blackout Curtains — Amazon listing
- H.VERSAILTEX 96-Inch Blackout Curtains — Amazon listing
- Joydeco Blackout Curtains for Bedroom — Amazon listing
- Yakamok 100% Blackout Curtains — Amazon listing
- MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Textured Curtains — Amazon listing
- Amazon Basics Portable Suction Cup Blackout Shade — Amazon listing
- Reddit — r/Nightshift, r/homeownerstips and related blackout curtain threads
- YouTube — "Blackout Curtain from Amazon | NICETOWN Curtains" (Wanna Buy It)
- YouTube — "BEST BLACKOUT CURTAINS? Nicetown vs Nicetown 100% Blackout" (Dad Reviews)