The 6 Best Blackout Shades, Tested by BHG

If the sun has ever woken you up like an overachieving coworker who emails at 5:12 a.m., you already understand the mission:
block the light, keep the room comfortable, and do it without turning your window into an industrial accident.
That’s where blackout shades come inroller shades, cellular (honeycomb) shades, and Roman shades that aim to turn “morning”
into “not my problem.”

Better Homes & Gardens (BHG) put popular blackout window shades through real-life testinginstalling them at home and judging what matters
when you’re actually living with them: light-blocking, heat control, ease of installation, fit, and overall quality. The result is a tight list of
six standouts that cover budgets, styles, and rooms (yes, including the nursery where naps are sacred).

How We Looked at “Best” (and Why Your Window Is Always the Villain)

Blackout shades rarely fail because the fabric isn’t dark enough. They fail because of gaps. Tiny gaps at the sides.
Gaps at the top. A little “halo” of light that somehow lands directly on your eyeballs like it was guided by spite.
So when evaluating blackout blinds and shades, the big questions are:

• Does it fit your window (or can it be trimmed/customized) to minimize light leaks?
• Is the mount type right (inside mount for a clean look, outside mount for better coverage)?
• Is it cordless (safer, cleaner, fewer dangling mysteries)?
• Does it help with heat (especially if your room turns into a toaster by noon)?
• Can you live with the look (minimal roller, cozy Roman folds, modern honeycomb texture)?

Quick Comparison: The 6 BHG-Tested Picks

The 6 Best Blackout Shades, Tested by BHG

1) Best Overall: ChrisDowa Blackout Roller Shade

This is the “I want my room dark, I don’t want a week-long DIY saga, and I’d also like to keep my budget from crying” choice.
Roller shades are popular because they’re clean, minimal, and fast to operate. BHG’s testing highlighted this one as a top performer
thanks to its thick, sturdy feel and strong light-blockingwithout a fussy install process.

• Why it wins: Great value, reliable light control, simple look that works with almost any decor.
• Best for: Bedrooms, guest rooms, home offices where glare is the enemy.
• What to watch: Like many roller shades, it can run slightly narrow, which may create small side light leaks on some windows.

Styling tip: If you want the shade to disappear when it’s up, pair it with a valance or a simple curtain panel. Your window will look “finished,”
like it got dressed on purpose.

2) Best Roller: Levolor Blackout Cordless Roller Shade

If your window is even slightly “custom” (read: older home, quirky sizing, or just built by someone who didn’t believe in measuring),
the trim-to-fit advantage here is huge. BHG’s testing noted strong light-blocking for a roller shade and appreciated that it’s easy to install and use.
The vinyl material also makes it practicalthink kitchens, playrooms, or anywhere sticky fingers roam.

• Why it wins: Customizable fit = fewer gaps. Vinyl = durable and easy to clean.
• Best for: Precision shoppers, rentals (where you want simple), and rooms where low maintenance matters.
• What to watch: The vinyl look can feel a bit clinical on its ownsoften it with curtains if you want cozy.

Pro move: Use an outside mount if you’re serious about “blackout.” It can cover more surface area and reduce side glow.

3) Best Cellular: SBARTAR Blackout Cellular Shade

Cellular shades (a.k.a. honeycomb shades) are the multitaskers of the blackout world. They don’t just block lightthey help manage temperature,
because those honeycomb pockets trap air like a tiny insulated puffer jacket for your window. BHG liked this one for quick setup, a cordless design,
and meaningful reduction in light and heat.

• Why it wins: Strong all-around performancedarkness + comfort + easy operation.
• Best for: Hot bedrooms, west-facing windows, and anyone who wants a quieter, more insulated feel.
• What to watch: The material can look “paper-like” at first glancegreat for modern/minimal rooms, less so for ultra-traditional spaces.

If you’re chasing both comfort and darkness, cellular blackout shades are often the sweet spot: less glare, less heat gain, and fewer “why is my room still bright?”
moments.

4) Best Cordless: IKEA TRIPPEVALS Blackout Cellular Blind

This pick is for the person who wants their room dark enough to convince their body it’s midnight, even if it’s 2 p.m.
TRIPPEVALS is designed to fully block light and uses a cordless, hidden-cord system that keeps the look clean and the operation straightforward.
BHG’s testing called out how efficient it was at darkening the roomexactly what you want from a true blackout window shade.

• Why it wins: Near-total light blocking in a streamlined, budget-friendly cellular shade.
• Best for: Bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms, and anyone who works nights.
• What to watch: IKEA instructions can be… let’s say “an interpretive art piece.” Plan for a little patience.

Comfort bonus: Like many cellular designs, it can help with insulationgreat if your window is drafty or your room swings between sauna and freezer.

5) Best for Nursery: Eclipse Drew Blackout Roman Blind & Shade

Nurseries are the highest-stakes blackout environment. Babies don’t care that it’s “daytime.” They care that it’s nap time.
Roman blackout shades are a smart choice here because they’re soft, fabric-forward, and less “office building.”
BHG highlighted this one for being cordless and easy to keep clean (because nurseries are basically adorable chaos labs).

• Why it wins: Kid-friendly cordless operation + fabric look that feels warm and homey.
• Best for: Nurseries, kids’ rooms, and anyone who wants blackout performance without the “hardware store chic.”
• What to watch: Roman shades can require a bit more installation effort than a basic roller.

Nursery tip: Pair a blackout Roman shade with a simple curtain panel to reduce edge light and add sound softening. It’s the “two-layer lasagna”
approach to sleep.

6) Best Design: Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Shade

If you want blackout function and you care deeply about texture, drape, and the overall vibe of your room, this is the splurge pick.
Linen Roman shades can make a bedroom feel tailoredlike the window hired a stylist. BHG’s testing praised the quality and the classic Roman look,
especially when partially raised (that soft fold situation is undefeated).

• Why it wins: High-end linen look with blackout liningfunction without sacrificing style.
• Best for: Primary bedrooms, guest rooms you want to impress, and “I love design” households.
• What to watch: Color choices can be limited, and the price is very much “grown-up window treatment energy.”

Design tip: Roman shades shine when they’re framed well. Consider an outside mount if you want the window to look larger and the light leaks to shrink.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Blackout Shade

Pick Your Style: Roller vs. Cellular vs. Roman

• Blackout roller shades: Minimal, modern, easy to wipe down. Great for offices, living rooms, and bedrooms that lean contemporary.
• Blackout cellular shades (honeycomb): Often the best for insulation and temperature control. Great for bedrooms, nurseries, and windows that get blasted by sun.
• Blackout Roman shades: Soft, fabric-rich, more “decor.” Great for bedrooms and nurseries where you want warmth and texture.

Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount (Choose Your Fighter)

Inside mount sits within the window frame for a clean, built-in look. It’s beautifuluntil the sun finds the side gaps.
Outside mount overlaps the frame and usually does a better job at blocking light, especially at the edges.

If your goal is “as dark as possible,” outside mount is often the easy win. If your goal is “I want it to look like it came with the house,”
inside mount is the aesthetic winjust expect a bit more edge glow.

Material Matters More Than You Think

In testing and expert guidance across major home publications, you’ll see the same pattern: fabric roller shades can feel warmer and more homey,
vinyl roller shades are durable and easy to clean, and cellular fabrics can add a noticeable insulating effect. If you’re trying to keep a room cooler,
honeycomb structures and thermal backings are your friends.

Cordless Is the Move (Especially for Kids and Pets)

Beyond looking cleaner, cordless window shades reduce hazards in homes with children and pets. If you’re shopping for a nursery, a playroom,
or any space where small humans exist, prioritize cordless designs whenever possible.

How to Get “Real Blackout” (a.k.a. Defeating the Side-Glow)

Here’s the truth: even great blackout shades can leak a little light around the edges. If you’re extremely light-sensitive, try these practical upgrades:

• Go outside mount to cover the frame.
• Add curtains (especially panels with overlap) to block side glow.
• Consider a valance or shade pocket to reduce top gaps and make the shade look built-in.
• Use draft/light-blocking strips along the sides for a low-cost, renter-friendly improvement.

Roller Shade Style Hack: Opacity Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Designers often talk about choosing different opacity levels for different rooms: blackout for nurseries and bedrooms, and lighter diffusion for living areas.
If you’re putting roller shades all over the house, you don’t have to choose “cave mode” everywhereunless you’re raising bats, in which case, carry on.

Care and Maintenance: Keep Them Working (and Looking) Good

• Roller shades: Dust regularly; wipe vinyl with a damp cloth. Avoid soaking mechanisms.
• Cellular shades: Vacuum gently with a brush attachment; spot clean carefully to avoid crushing the cells.
• Roman shades: Follow care instructionssome have fabric elements designed to be easier to clean and maintain.

One more practical tip: if your shade starts “pulling” unevenly, stop yanking and check the mounting brackets. Most crooked shade drama is bracket drama.

Conclusion: Which Blackout Shade Should You Buy?

If you want the best all-around option, start with the ChrisDowa Blackout Roller Shadeit’s simple, effective, and easy to live with.
If fit is your top priority, the Levolor Blackout Cordless Roller Shade earns its keep with trim-to-size convenience.
For comfort plus darkness, cellular blackout shades like SBARTAR or IKEA TRIPPEVALS are hard to beat.
And if you want blackout performance that also looks like it belongs in a magazine spread, the Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Roman shade is the design-forward splurge.

Whatever you choose, remember the golden rule: a “blackout” label helps, but a great fit and smart mounting make the magic.
Control the gaps, and you control the light.

Extra Field Notes (500+ Words): Real-Life Blackout Shade Experiences

Let’s talk about what happens after you click “Add to Cart,” because blackout shades are one of those home upgrades that feel straightforward right up until
you’re standing on a chair holding a bracket and questioning every life choice that led you here.

Experience #1: The “My Window Is Not Normal” Surprise. If you live in a newer build, your window frame might be beautifully square.
If you live in an older home, your window may be… how do we say this kindly… freestyle. This is where trim-to-fit roller shades (like the Levolor pick)
feel like a superpower. The first time you install a shade that actually matches your window width, the reduction in side glow is so satisfying it should
honestly come with a small round of applause.

Experience #2: The Side-Glow Finds Your Face. You can install a high-quality blackout roller shade, step back proudly,
and thenat nightnotice a tiny beam of streetlight sneaking in from the edge. And not just “somewhere.” It’ll land directly on your pillow like it’s
auditioning for a spotlight. The fix is usually simple: outside mount, add curtains, or apply a light-blocking strip. But emotionally?
It’s an entire journey from “I am a competent adult” to “why is photons.”

Experience #3: Cellular Shades Are Quietly the Most Comfortable. People shop for blackout shades for darkness, but the surprise win is often
temperature control. Honeycomb/cellular designs can make a room feel less drafty in winter and less aggressively bright-hot in summer. If your bedroom gets
afternoon sun, a cellular blackout shade can feel like turning the volume down on the weather. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of comfort upgrade you
notice every single day.

Experience #4: Nursery Installations Are High Stakes. Installing a blackout Roman shade for a nursery feels different than installing one for,
say, a guest room. A guest room can be “good enough.” A nursery is a sacred nap temple where the quality of your window covering directly impacts your ability
to drink coffee while it’s still warm. Fabric-forward Roman shades look softer and more calming, and cordless operation is a non-negotiable for peace of mind.
Also: even if the shade is excellent, many parents end up layering with curtains anyway because babies can detect a single stray sunbeam like tiny adorable vampires.

Experience #5: Design Matters More Than You Expect. The “best” blackout shade isn’t just the darkestit’s the one you won’t resent seeing every day.
Roller shades are clean and minimal, but some rooms want texture. Roman shades add softness and style, but they can be pricier and a bit more involved to install.
The luxury linen option isn’t just about blocking light; it’s about making a room feel finished. If you’ve ever walked into a bedroom and felt instantly calmer,
odds are the window treatment is doing some of that work.

Final lived-in tip: after you install any blackout shade, test it at the worst timemidday sun for light leaks, and nighttime streetlights for edge glow.
Fixing a small gap with a mount tweak or curtain panel is way easier now than after you’ve spent three nights angrily negotiating with your window at 2 a.m.