If you’re anything like me, lighter summer mornings can seriously disrupt your sleep cycle. My one non-negotiable for getting a full eight hours? Quality sleep masks. Yes, while I love my trusty hybrid mattress, my calming pillow spray and my white-noise-inducing alarm clock, it’s my sleep mask that has become the ultimate game-changer in improving my sleep quality.
Not only do sleep masks help block out light but they also have this incredible cocooning effect that help me gently drift away into REM sleep that much faster. Plus, some of the best sleep masks I’ve tried also help reduce noise by covering up a larger area of the head that goes over the ears with thicker padding. And don’t even get me started on how key they are on long-haul flights.
Sure, sleep masks have always been a no-brainer solution for early birds or those of us who are yet to discover the power of blackout blinds, but trust me when I say that everyone can benefit from them for different reasons. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I’m no stranger to feeling overwhelmed before going bed – courtesy of a thousand thoughts racing through my brain towards the end of the day. But out of all the remedies, I didn’t expect just how helpful sleep masks can be in the long run.
Personally, I find that they work in a similar way to weighted blankets – they’re comforting and soothing, and therefore helpful when it comes to zoning out properly. In fact, I even reach for mine during the day for a quick meditation session for whenever I need to escape my busy work routine.
The best part? Whether you’re on the lookout for something simple and affordable or if you don’t mind splurging a bit more, there is no shortage of options. From satin to silk, velcro or elastic wrap-around sleep masks – plus even high-tech eye massagers or eyelash-protecting iterations – it’s safe to say that we’re spoilt for choice.
To help you pick the best sleep mask based on your priorities – be it level of black-out, comfort, material or whether it looks cute enough to wear on a sleepover – we’ve done all the hard work for you, having put together a definitive guide and have laid out all the pros and cons of each model that impressed us most. Here’s everything you need to know.
How we tested the best sleep masks
At GLAMOUR, our shopping team is committed to delivering independent, honest, and trustworthy reviews to help you shop with confidence. We pride ourselves on offering unbiased product recommendations – highlighting not only the best sleep masks overall, but also the best options tailored to your individual needs.
Throughout the wider GLAMOUR team, there’s enough of us to have tested well over 25 different sleep masks, but these – the 11 ahead of you – are just our very favourites.
When assessing each mask, we endeavour to keep in mind various criteria, such as material, comfort, blackout level as well as aesthetic. We’ve tested them as part of our usual bedtime regimens, as well as while travelling, particularly on long-haul flights.
Looking for more sleep content? We’ve found the best pillows (including pillows for side sleepers), duvets and silk pillowcases all in the name of that well-deserved rest.
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