The concept of 24-hour light exposure is relatively recent in the advancement of human evolution. Exposure to television screens, phones, laptops, street lamps, and constant overhead lights can disturb your circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle. This disruption can make it more difficult to initiate and maintain sleep. If your bedroom lacks sufficient darkness or if you require daytime sleep, a sleep mask can provide assistance.
A total of 14 masks were subjected to a comprehensive evaluation process, which including examining their materials, sleeping with them for a minimum of two nights per mask, and testing their fit on a diverse range of facial shapes and head sizes. Three possibilities were identified, namely a silky-smooth crowd-pleaser, a cushioned memory-foam mask, and a lightweight contoured mask. These options are characterised by their high quality, long-lasting comfort, and exceptional light-blocking capabilities.
Why you should trust us
The research and testing of sleep masks has been conducted by Wire cutter since 2017. In this guidance, the following actions were undertaken:
- A sleep medicine professional and representatives from sleep mask firms were interviewed. In addition, we perused many scientific papers pertaining to sleep masks in order to gain further insights into the advantages of utilizing sleep masks during nighttime.
- We conducted an extensive investigation of over 50 sleep masks, carefully examining user reviews on Amazon and publications on sleep masks to identify the most suitable models for testing.
- We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of 14 masks, evaluating their light-blocking capabilities, material texture, construction quality, and overall adaptability to various head and facial shapes.
Who this is for
In order to mitigate the presence of light in the sleep environment, the utilization of a sleep mask can be beneficial. If you currently utilize one (whether it was a complimentary item from a lengthy journey or a worn-out bandana), it may be advisable to consider upgrading to one of our recommended options. The design of airline masks or bedazzled models, such as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (video), is sometimes inadequate, resulting in the infiltration of light around the edges. Additionally, these masks may be excessively unpleasant, leading to the possibility of being removed during the night.
According to Dr. Farina Abbasi-Feinberg, a sleep expert and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, our average daily exposure to light has significantly increased due to the presence of overhead lights in our homes, street lights, and the emitted light from computers, phones, and televisions. According to a PDF, more than 33% of Americans experience sleep disturbances caused by either outside or interior light. Exposure to light throughout the night can impede the initial process of falling asleep and lead to nocturnal awakenings, so disturbing the transitions between sleep cycles and diminishing the overall quality of sleep. Establishing a completely dark sleep environment can be challenging, particularly for individuals who frequently travel or work night shifts. Sleep masks are a cost-effective solution to address this issue, and recent studies have demonstrated that wearing one during the night can enhance memory consolidation, learning capacity, and alertness the following day. Sleep masks can not provide a cure for insomnia (for that, we advise consulting your physician), but they can assist in improving your sleep quality.
A silky crowd-pleaser: Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Best for: This mask is ideal for individuals who sleep on their side, back, or stomach and desire a mask that fits snugly against their face.
How it feels: This mask possesses a velvety texture and is highly permeable, ensuring that it remains cool when applied to your skin throughout the night.
It garnered popularity among all testers, irrespective of their sleep patterns. The Sleep Mask made from Alaska Bear Natural Silk exhibits qualities of comfort, softness, and lightweightness. Each of our testers, regardless of whether they sleep on their back, side, or stomach, expressed a positive aspect of this mask. Furthermore, it outperformed the typical mask in all testing aspects, including fit, adjustability, and comfort. If one has previously utilised a conventional sleep mask, this particular variant, which is lined with silk, will evoke a sense of familiarity while offering enhanced comfort and a softer texture on the skin.
It is particularly beneficial for individuals who sleep on their stomachs. The participants who assumed a prone sleeping position saw that the convex sleep masks exhibited deformation upon contact between their face and pillow, hence hindering their ability to achieve restful sleep. In contrast, the Alaska Bear sleep mask maintains its flushness even when positioned between a cushion and the individual’s face. The mask design features mulberry silk lining on both sides, which maintains its breathability even when in contact with the skin.
It is suitable for various facial structures and effectively obstructs light. If convex sleep masks are not suitable for your face or sleep style, this silk mask is a suitable alternative. The flat design of the Alaska Bear sleep mask accommodates a wide range of face shapes and nose types. Despite lacking the ability to form a tight seal around the face, our testers unanimously observed that this mask effectively obstructed the transmission of light.
The adjustable strap exhibits minimal visibility. The testers expressed satisfaction with the ability to modify the strap using a compact plastic clasp, which did not cause inconvenience to individuals with back-sleepers and seldom became entangled in longer or curlier hair. According to a tester who tested the Alaska Bear sleep mask between 2020 and 2024, the mask remains securely in place as long as the strap is tightened every few nights.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Optimal for: This model is ideal for individuals who sleep on their side or back and require a slight gap between the mask and their eyes.
Perception: The mask has a gentle texture on the skin and provides ample space around the eyes, thereby immersing the wearer in a state of total darkness upon application.
It remains stationary throughout the entire night. Even the individuals who sleep on their side, as observed by our testing panel, who experienced difficulties with sleep masks in their favoured sleeping position, reported that this mask remained in place during the whole night. A tester observed that the mask exhibited limited light penetration around the nasal bridge, even when the individual assumed a lateral position.
It completely obstructs light. According to one tester, this mask is ideal for taking a nap in a bright window. It completely eliminates all light, whether you are attempting to sleep in direct sunlight or simply need to suppress any remaining light during the night.
The padded, goggle-like shape of the product provides a high level of comfort. The eyecups of the Mzoo Sleep Mask include a convex aperture, allowing for easy movement of your eyes. The space in question is encompassed by a layer of memory foam padding that is positioned at the outside edge of the eye sockets. The observed outcome is characterised by a lack of sensation of forced closure in the eyes, but a slight compression is experienced in the vicinity of the temples, eyebrows, and cheekbones. The experience was judged to be calming by our testers. “The experience is akin to wearing goggles rather than a sleep mask, but they are guaranteed to accomplish the task,” stated one tester. One individual expressed satisfaction with the eyecup’s contour, as it effectively prevented the mask from coming into contact with their eyelashes. This characteristic renders it a suitable option for individuals who utilise eyelash extensions.
The item is capable of being adjusted. The mask is equipped with a plastic slider that can be adjusted, allowing for a secure fit that accommodates various head sizes and shapes. A solitary tester expressed the opinion that the item remained somewhat over large, despite the strap being securely fastened to its maximum capacity.
The compression of memory foam may not be suitable for all individuals. Out of all our testers, just one expressed a strong dislike for this mask. Excessive pressure was exerted on the orbital bone and eye socket due to the contoured memory-foam construction.
It is costly. The Mzoo mask is priced at approximately $30, a significant difference from the complimentary masks distributed on aeroplanes. Nevertheless, it is frequently available for purchase for a price of approximately $20, which is comparable to the cost of our alternative choice, the Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask.
Only hand-washing is required. Similar to our other selections, this mask may only be washed by hand. Due of its firm pressure on the face, it may require more frequent cleaning compared to our other recommendations.
A structured, lightweight convex mask: Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask
Target Audience: This mask is particularly suitable for individuals who sleep on their side or back and prefer to avoid any additional pressure on their eyes.
Feeling: The model exhibits a lightweight and spacious design, providing a gentle resting experience on the face.
It possesses a lightweight and inconspicuous sensation. The Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask, which is covered in polyester and features an elastic band, features deep and wide cups that provide a gentle and pressure-free fit for the eyes, similar to the product offered by Mzoo. The cavernous form of the Nidra sleep mask allows for sufficient space for eye movement during sleep, regardless of the level of tightness applied to its headband.
The design is capable of accommodating various facial shapes. The Nidra mask has a greater surface area compared to the other sleep masks we evaluated, as it covers multiple temples on most faces. Additionally, it has a larger nose-bridge form. The gap exhibits a gradual incline without excessive rigidity, so accommodating a diverse range of nasal configurations, encompassing narrow and arched noses with bridges as well as larger, flatter noses without bridges. The strap, which underwent a makeover in 2023, transitioned from a velcro fastening to a plastic slider, effectively ensures a secure and comfortable fit while avoiding any potential entanglement with hair.
It effectively obstructs light. Testers stated that the mask effectively maintained complete darkness due to its vast width, spanning from one temple to another. One participant, who characterised themselves as having a diminutive facial structure and a prominent nasal structure, observed that all other masks exhibited little light penetration over the nasal bridge, in contrast to the Nidra sleep mask which did not.
How we picked and tested
When assessing sleep masks, we sought to identify:
Light-blocking capabilities: An effective sleep mask effectively obstructs the majority of light, even when the sun is directly illuminating your face.
Optimal comfort for prolonged use: Given that the mask is positioned directly on your face, a softer and less conspicuous texture is preferable. We sought out breathable fabrics such as silk, which provides a soft sensation against your eyelids while preventing your face from overheating on humid evenings. Masks should possess a lightweight nature, ideally weighing no more than 1.5 ounces, yet maintaining sufficient durability to maintain their form.
The strap should possess the capability to accommodate heads of varying sizes and shapes. The majority of mask straps utilise Velcro or a plastic clasp in order to establish a secure and tight fit. The testers often shown a preference for buckled straps due to their reduced likelihood of becoming entangled in one’s hair.
Convex eyecups are a type of sleep mask that provide a certain degree of separation between the eyelids and the mask, allowing for increased movement or fluttering of the eyes. The majority of testers reported that this particular design exhibited greater comfort compared to flat-style masks, which were perceived as burdensome on their eyelids and lashes. If one is dissatisfied with the sensation or has a tendency to fall asleep while still wearing makeup, opting for a convex, cup-shaped sleep mask would be advisable.
Adaptable design: Sleep masks should be compatible with a diverse range of facial and nasal structures. We excluded any alternatives that exhibited a clustering of prominent noses or excessive light penetration on flatter noses.
The mask’s durability and washability are compromised when worn nightly, since it leads to the accumulation of undesirable levels of skin oils and eye gunk on its underside. We evaluated masks that possess the ability to withstand regular cleaning by machines or hands.
During the last phase of testing conducted in 2024, a total of six masks were evaluated in terms of their quality and flexibility. Subsequently, these masks were distributed to a panel of eight individuals for home testing purposes. Every tester wore each mask for a minimum of one night and assessed their performance in terms of comfort, light blocking capability, and duration of wear.