The best sleep mask

Business Insider

a day ago

Imagine this: you're on a crowded plane, trying to catch some jet-lagged rest while the overhead lights sear into your eyes. Or, you're trying to sleep in on a weekend after a long week of work, and the pesky sunlight keeps peeking through the curtains. Whether you're traveling or staying at home, the best sleep masks help you get restorative rest to be your best self the next morning.
To find the best sleep masks, I connected with Kelly Murray, a certified pediatric and adult sleep consultant and owner of Kelly Murray Sleep Consulting, and Dr. Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Line of Sight, for more on how sleep masks affect sleep quality and eye health. And if you're a sleep mask skeptic, don't be: according to Murray, sleep masks genuinely help you sleep better at night, since blocking out even the smallest amount of light helps produce more melatonin and can help your circadian rhythm stay consistent.
After testing a dozen sleep masks, the MZOO Sleep Mask is the most comfortable. Its contoured memory foam keeps pressure off your eyes and blocks out light. For a luxurious, silky option, the Slip Silk Contour Sleep Mask is smooth, cool, and comes in an array of patterns and colors.
Our top picks for the best sleep masks
Best overall: MZOO Sleep Mask - See at Amazon
Best budget: Mavogel Sleep Mask - See at Amazon
Best cooling: TheraICE Sleep Mask - See at Amazon
How we choose the best sleep masks
To choose the sleep masks, I tested over a dozen that made it through a rigorous research process.
Use each sleep mask for at least three nights, noting comfort and blackout. I also used it while traveling.
I sat in a moderately lit room, a brightly lit room, and directly point a flashlight at my face while wearing each mask to test blackout
When applicable, adjust each sleep mask to the smallest and largest band size, observing range of adjustment
Best overall
I'm usually skeptical of nondescript stand-alone brands on Amazon. Frequently, these brands prioritize affordability over quality, or are clearly duping an original idea while also missing the mark. So, to recommend an Amazon brand, a product really has to impress me. And the MZOO Sleep Mask did just that.
MZOO's sleep mask exceeded all my expectations. Out of the dozen masks I tried, the MZOO mask was, by far, the most comfortable. It's contoured, so a layer of memory foam hugs your forehead, nose, and cheekbones but keeps the material away from your eyes and reduces any pressure. The memory foam is pleasantly squishy, contouring easily to your face.
With a CPAP and a satin bonnet, I'm usually wary about adding more accessories to my sleep setup out of fear of feeling overstimulated as I try to sleep. But the MZOO Sleep Mask is so lightweight, it feels like you're wearing nothing. Between the soft memory foam, cool fabric, and adjustable band, this mask feels perfect against my face.
The mask fabric itself is cool to the touch, so I didn't have to worry about my face overheating throughout the night. The band is thick, stretchy, and fully adjustable to fit any head size, including my melon of a noggin. Still, it stayed on snugly each night.
It also has excellent light-blocking capabilities. It passed the bright room and direct flashlight tests with flying colors. I'd feel comfortable using this mask in every situation, whether I'm snoozing in my bedroom or on a brightly lit plane.
The MZOO Sleep Mask comes in five colors and includes foam earplugs and a storage bag. I didn't love the MZOO logo on the front of the mask — I hate feeling like a walking advertisement, and I think it'd look better without the logo — but the mask is otherwise well-designed and appealing.
Best budget
Thankfully, sleep masks aren't the most expensive sleep product. It's one of the smallest investments you can make for better sleep. The Mavogel Sleep Mask is the best you can find for under $10.
Mavogel's sleep mask is very simple. It doesn't have any contouring features, so the fabric touches your eyes like a traditional sleep mask. I'm very sensitive about too much pressure on my eyes, and this was one of the few non-contoured sleep masks that saved my eyes from uncomfortable pressure. I also found that I could open and close my eyes as needed.
This was one of the most adjustable masks I've tried, thanks to an adjustable band that comfortably fits every head size. The mask also has a nose flap to help block out light seepage around the edges. There's a wire inside that you can mold to fit your nose. I did notice this mask slipped off more than others in the middle of the night, so be sure to take your time adjusting it to fit your face.
The Mavogel mask had average light-blocking. To test light blocking, I observed light bleed-through when using the mask in a moderately lit room, a brightly lit room, and with direct contact with a flashlight (more on testing procedures below). It passed the moderate light tests, but light was clearly visible in a brightly lit room. I tried the yellow, which is a lighter color, so I'd expect it would perform in a darker color like black or purple. It's sold in 17 colors, so you can pick one to block light and stand out from the traditional black sleep masks if you prefer.
Best silk
A silk sleep mask is the ultimate companion to the best silk pillowcase, bringing a sense of luxury to your bedroom. Silk is a smooth, cool, yet delicate material that lends itself well as asleep mask. Silk sleep masks are helpful for those who don't want to risk a breakout or skin irritation, since silk's lack of friction is proven to benefit skin and is gentle on your hair and around the eyes. Plus, there's something just downright lavish about using a silk sleep mask. Slip's Silk Contour Sleep Mask has that iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's look, while blocking light for your best beauty rest.
With slight divots for your eyes, Slip's Contour Sleep Mask is a step up from its original Sleep Mask, which doesn't have a contoured design and sits directly on your eyes. The Contoured design was specifically designed for people with eyelash extensions, so you'll be able to enjoy darkness without long lashes getting in the way.
The mask fits around your head with a simple stretchy band. I have a large head, but I felt no discomfort or pressure from the band on my head, face, or eyes. It stayed put throughout the night. The mask itself is filled with a foam that compressed comfortably against my eyes, forehead, and cheekbones.
During testing, I found that silk sleep masks generally perform worse in light-blocking tests than other materials. This was also true of Slip's mask. While in a bright room, I could see light passing through the mask, even with my eyes closed. The light was also noticeable in a moderately lit room. I had no problems using it at night; however, this mask is better suited for nighttime use instead of travel.
Slip is one of my favorite brands when it comes to bright, fun designs. The Contour Sleep Mask is sold in nine colors, including classic black and a beautiful purple-pink gingham. Silk is a lavish material, so this mask is more expensive than others on our list. You'll also have to hand wash the mask. That said, it's the best sleep mask for beauty lovers and people with eyelash extensions.
Best cooling
As a hot sleeper, a cooling eye mask is my favorite summer sleep hack. The cool feeling of the TheraIce Sleep Mask soothes my tired eyes after a long day at my computer while also fighting off sweat as I fall asleep.
The TheraIce Sleep Mask has a simple design: it's black with an adjustable band and a smooth outer fabric. The magic happens on the inside. The inner side of the mask has raised padding made with a squishy gel. You can pop the entire mask in the freezer or microwave to cool or heat the gel, giving it a soothing cool or warm feel. I mostly froze the gel for cooling, since I'm a hot sleeper, but the warm mask felt nice as well. One note: Dr. Tsai recommends avoiding gel masks if you have sensitive eyes or meibomian gland dysfunction, since gel can trap heat and moisture.
To cool the mask, I put it in the freezer about an hour before I wanted to use it. Once frozen, the cooling sensation is comfortable, not overwhelming. Other cooling masks I tried were uncomfortably cold on my face and eyes, but the TheraIce Sleep Mask was the perfect temperature. The cooling didn't last more than an hour, though, so it mostly soothed me to sleep rather than providing long-term temperature regulation. I don't have chronic pain, but I imagine that the cooling sensation would feel amazing when you're battling a headache.
The raised gel padding also lifts the mask's fabric away from your eyes, so you can open and close your eyes comfortably without any uncomfortable pressure. It also has excellent blackout, excelling in bright rooms and direct flashlight tests. The mask isn't washable; in fact, it's not supposed to get wet. To clean it, dab it with a damp cloth, but avoid saturation.
Best weighted
Nodpod Weighted Eye Mask
Perfect for soothing migraines, calming anxiety, or easing into restful sleep, this unique eye mask features four equally weighted pods that contour to your face, blocking out the light and providing soothing pressure to help relieve stress.
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What we like
Soothing weight for easy sleep
Unique design
Easy care
What we don't like
Can feel overstimulating
Doesn't stay secure all night
Not breathable
Specifics
Material:Cotton, velvet, polyethylene beads
Care:Wash on normal setting in garment bag, air dry
Adjustable?:Yes
If you love the subtle pressure of a weighted blanket, you'll probably enjoy the feel of a weighted sleep mask. Weighted with plastic beads, the Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask, also known by the brand as the "weighted blanket for your eyes," is nine ounces of gentle comfort.
Visually, the Nodpod looks different than every other mask on our list. Unlike our other masks, which have an adjustable stretchy band, the Nodpod is open-ended. It's designed to lie over your eyes and naturally fall off as you fall asleep. I'm a restless stomach-side sleeper, so I knew that this design wasn't going to work for me. Thankfully, you can pull the end of the Nodpod through a small hole at the other end to keep it secure against your head. However, it wasn't very secure and ended up falling off my face most nights.
Honestly, though, I prefer only having the mask on as I fall asleep. I love the feel of weighted blankets and masks, but that feeling can be overwhelming on your face all night long. Instead, the gentle weight helped soothe me to sleep, then fell off to avoid any discomfort. I like to use this mask when I'm feeling especially stressed or anxious, since the pressure helps my tired eyes and quiets my brain.
The Nodpod is also super soft, with one side made of cotton and the other made of velvet. It's not the most breathable mask we tried, but I never overheated, either. It's also one of the easiest sleep masks to care for. Just toss it in a garment bag and wash it in a full load with your clothes, then lay it out to air dry.
It's sold in six main colors, like black and pink, and additional limited edition colors, but those tend to sell out quickly.
Best for travel
The Ostrichpillow Sleep Mask is our top eye mask for traveling. Like any good sleep mask, it's soft, comfortable, and breathable, but it also has a unique design that lends itself well to sleeping while sitting up or leaning. There are defined ridges on the browbone and the cheekbones, which give your eyes plenty of room to open and close. This makes it suitable for long-term use since your eyes aren't subjected to any uncomfortable pressure.
The ridges are comfortable while sitting up, but I wouldn't recommend using this mask while lying on your side or stomach. The contour of the mask can dig into your cheekbones, which is generally uncomfortable and prevents me from falling asleep.
It has excellent light blocking, too, so hopefully you'll be able to get some much-needed rest on your flight. I couldn't see any light at all in a brightly lit room, and I couldn't see light from a flashlight, either. There was some light seepage around the nose, so it took a second to get perfectly adjusted, but once it fit my face, there was absolutely no light to be seen. I used this mask to take a nap during the day on a road trip to Kansas, and slept soundly without sunlight peeking through the edges.
What else we tested
On my journey to find the best sleep mask, I also tested:
Alaska Bear Sleep Mask: A classic budget eye mask, I preferred the texture of the Mavogel to the microfiber feel of the Alaska Bear.
Baloo Weighted Silk Sleep Mask: I loved this weighted mask with a mulberry silk shell, but it's much more expensive than the Nodpod. It gets its weight from tiny glass beads and the inclusion of either amethyst or rose quartz, which is supposed to help you channel good energy if you believe in the healing properties of crystals.
Manta Cool Sleep Mask: A rival to the TheraIce sleep mask, the Manta Cool's cool sensation was overwhelming, and the stones put too much pressure on my eyes.
Manta Pro Sleep Mask: This mask nearly made our guide in the travel category. It's a good sleep mask with excellent blackout capabilities, but at $85, we found it wasn't worth the price.
What to look for when choosing a sleep mask
When shopping for a sleep mask, keep an eye out for the following:
Comfort: Sleep masks are supposed to help you sleep, not hinder it. For the best night's sleep, look for design elements that make a mask more comfortable. Gel and memory foam are soft and squishy against your face, stretchy bands keep pressure off your eyes,and contours keep pressure away from your eyes. "Some people love the contoured ones that don't touch your eyelids at all — especially if you're a side sleeper or wear eyelash extensions," Murray said.
Material: Murray recommends shopping for a mask with breathable materials. "Look for silk, bamboo, or soft cotton that breathes well. Avoid anything synthetic that might make you sweaty or cause skin irritation," she said. Dr. Tsai recommended avoiding gel masks if you have sensitive eyes.
Blackout: Murray noted that even the smallest amount of light can interrupt your melatonin production, so blackout is especially important. When considering blackout or light-blocking masks, think about how you'll be using a sleep mask. Blackout isn't as important if you're already in a dark bedroom. If you're looking for a mask to sleep on a bright plane or train, though, you'll want to ensure the mask can completely block out all light. Look for features like contouring nose panels and eye cups that help block light
Adjustability: Sleep masks should fit everyone, whether you have a small or large head. Straps should be stretchy or fully adjustable. Features like velcro straps are also a plus.
Care: If handwashing is the bane of your existence, look for sleep masks that are machine-washable. Most should be washed in a garment bag and air dried.
How we tested the best sleep masks
Comfort: I used each sleep mask for at least three nights, trying every sleeping position to find what was comfortable and uncomfortable. After each night, I logged my experience with each mask, noting feel, fit, security, and ease of use. I also used each sleep mask in broad daylight as a passenger during a long car ride to test how it fared with upright sleeping.
Blackout: To test blackout effectiveness, I performed three tests. First, I put on each mask in a moderately lit room (open windows, lamps), observing any light seepage through the fabric or edges. I repeated this test in a brightly lit room (overhead lights, lamps, open windows) and with a flashlight pointed directly at the mask.
Adjustability: I adjusted each mask to its smallest and largest size and noted my own experience and comfort adjusting it.
Sleep mask FAQs
Is it OK to wear a sleep mask every night?
It's generally OK to wear a sleep mask every night. Murray actually encourages people to wear a sleep mask every night. "Think of it as creating your own personal darkness sanctuary, regardless of what's happening outside," she said.
Dr. Tsai noted that daily use might not be best if you have chronic eye issues, advising that "If you have chronic dry eye, blepharitis, or recent eye surgery, check with an eye doctor first."
How tight should a sleep mask be?
You'll want to adjust your sleep mask to be comfortable, but stay on and block out light. "A sleep mask should be snug enough to stay in place but loose enough to avoid pressure on your eyeballs or lids," Dr. Tsai said. "If you wake up with blurred vision, puffiness, or discharge, your mask might be too tight. Choose adjustable masks with a contoured or hollowed design that doesn't directly touch your eyelids."
Do I have to wash my sleep mask?
Cleaning your sleep mask is very important for your eye health. Just like you would wash your sheets or pajamas on a regular basis, Dr. Tsai noted that a dirty mask can transfer bacteria to your eyelids or eyelashes, which can cause irritation or even styes. Always follow the care label on your mask.