If you’re on a a try-everything mission to fall (and stay) asleep, we turn to accessories like sleep masks. Both practical and surprisingly stylish (who doesn’t remember Audrey Hepburn’s eye-conic mask in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?), we think a sleep mask is a great addition to your self-care arsenal for a few reasons. They’re great at blocking out light, often come in a variety of patterns and prints, and can help keep your skincare as well as keep your face protected throughout the night (bye, bye pillow creases). They’re usually a less expensive investment than a set of blackout curtains, we might add.
From weighted designs meant to help soothe your worries to the softest mulberry silk coverings from some of our favorite bedding brands, we tested a vast selection of masks to (literally) fit your sleep patterns.
Our Top Picks
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Best Weighted
“I thought a weighted eye mask would take some getting used to, but the slightly heavy feel of Bearaby’s version helped relax my temples to ease me into sleep,” says senior commerce editor and our tester Nashia Baker, a combination sleeper who ends up in a side sleeping position more often than not. Baker also noted that the mask had a particularly strong blackout quality too, which makes it a nice pick to catch some z’s. “It is pretty thick, so I never have to worry about light waking me up,” Baker added. “One note: It doesn’t have an adjustable strap, so it might be a concern if you’re not a back sleeper since it can sag when you sleep on your side.”
For Travelers
Brooklinen’s mulberry silk mask is one of the most lightweight options on this list, making it an excellent travel companion. “Brooklinen sleep masks have traveled with me all over the world,” says commerce editor Audrey Lee. “I always keep one rolled up in my travel kit for flights and they don’t irritate my skin as others have in the past.” Priced at just under $30, you’ve definitely seen this sleep accessory in a few of AD’s gift guides—so you know we stand by this pick. “I’ve gifted several people in my life these eye masks because they have a great feel to them and aren’t rough like some of the silk masks out there,” Lee adds.
Best Luxury
Clementine Sleepwear entered AD’s purview this year thanks to its silk sheets we think look best as part of an eclectic bedroom. After testing more of the luxury brand’s collection, our editors were quickly drawn to their designer sleep masks—which we also elect as a hosting essential. "My sleep routine has never been more stylish than when I've worn this Clementine sleep mask,” says Baker. “Even though there are neutral colors available, the New York City-inspired print helps me evoke the beauty of the concrete jungle as I catch some Zs.” Looks aside, she says the 100% silk material is pretty hard to beat: It’s pillowy soft, contouring to block out all light, and smooth to leave her feeling refreshed by morning. Silk addicts will also find their silk boxers in our best loungewear lineup, if you’re looking.
A Heavy-Duty Option
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Commerce writer Julia Harrison, a chronically light sleeper, swears by this mask for a deep sleep-quality upgrade. It’s a much thicker mask option than its market counterparts. The big velcro strap on the back helps keep it in place during the night, which is an ideal fastening system for a fidgety side sleeper. Among Harrison’s attempts at sleep aids—like melatonin, earplugs, and weighted blankets—this is the one she feels has made the greatest impact. She hasn’t found it to satisfy the skincare claims it makes (targets fine lines and wrinkles), but doesn’t care so long as she’s achieving good sleep.
Best Plush
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Lunya’s eye mask is our top pick to treat your tired eyes to gentle cushioning that won’t feel like you’re wearing a helmet. “The cloud-like polyester fill feels both light and fluffy—like a sponge cake,” says Lee, a combination sleeper who liked that the fill wasn’t overly dense like others she’s tried. “I could see this being a really good option for all types of sleepers, especially since the plushy fill doesn’t feel hard against your eyes, even if you find yourself in more of a face-plant sleep position.” We also wanted to call out that the mask has a thicker elastic band that sits securely on your head and like other washable silk products from Lunya holds up well with a delicate machine or hand wash.
Most Adjustable
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“I already like sleeping with a satin pillowcase since it’s gentle on my hair and skin—this velvety mask is an added bonus,” Baker says. We really liked that Dore & Rose’s mask is made of mulberry silk and has a soothing, soft feel that makes your sleep feel like a luxury experience. “The adjustable velcro strap is one of my favorite features so I can get the fit just right,” Baker says. “And if that wasn’t already enough, the sleep mask has cutouts shaped for eyes that are both light-blocking and feel like cushiony pillows.”
Most Aesthetic
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“I already like sleeping with a satin pillowcase since it’s gentle on my hair and skin—this velvety mask is an added bonus,” Baker says. We really liked that Dore & Rose’s mask is made of mulberry silk and has a soothing, soft feel that makes your sleep feel like a luxury experience. “The adjustable velcro strap is one of my favorite features so I can get the fit just right,” she says. “And if that wasn’t already enough, the sleep mask has cutouts shaped for eyes that are both light-blocking and feel like cushiony pillows.”
A No-Frills Pick
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It took Lee some time to adjust to this serious-looking blackout eye mask from Manta, but it’s slowly become one of her favorites thanks to its adjustability. “This definitely isn’t the prettiest mask in my collection but gosh darn it it works,” she says. “The removable memory foam eye cups are designed so you never get a peep of sunlight with it on and I really like that you can adjust the head band to control how much pressure is being applied to your face.” The material itself—a breathable modal fabric—feels very comfy on the skin and doesn’t irritate the delicate eye area, even with long periods of wear.
More AD-Approved Sleep Masks We Love
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You may also recognize Quince’s silk eye mask from our gift guides, and we think it’s truly one of the best deals you’ll find out there. “I really love all my washable silk items from Quince and this sleep mask is excellent quality for the price,” says commerce editor Lee. If you’re on the lookout for actually nice party favors or building a personalized gift basket for a loved one, we highly recommend adding a few of these to your cart.
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Ettitude’s hypoallergenic sleep mask promises the luxurious feel of silk with the cooling benefits of bamboo lyocell. And if you’re still not convinced, just know that AD contributor Sophia Herring said in her review of the brand, “hot sleepers, those with sensitive skin, or those who just want to make a more sustainable choice, give Ettitude a shot for sure.”
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Eberjey makes some of the best silk pajamas around, we love the superior quality as well as the wide range of colors and patterns available. The brand’s eye mask is another plush design that’s comparable to Lunya’s but has an ever so slightly denser fill that makes it feel weightier when you put it on. “I imagine this would be an especially good pick for stomach sleepers due to the slight cushioning,” Lee says.
How We Chose
When pulling selections for the best sleep masks, we figured great bedding brands would make great sleep masks, so we started with our old faithfuls: Brooklinen, Lunya, Ettitude. We also heard through the grapevine about brands who set out to perfect the eye mask, like Manta. Lastly, we wanted to try out Amazon’s top contenders, masks with deep cups and eye sockets for better light blocking, and a few machine washable choices. Even sleep masks can get dirty, as it turns out. Our top contenders didn’t struggle to stay put over our nose bridges, came in a variety of colors and patterns, and felt cool and comfortable even at times when we felt hot and fidgety.
How We Tested
Call us your Sleep Week comfort advisors, here to guide you towards the best sleep masks to add to your self-care arsenal. While we put style at the forefront when compiling this list, some of the questions we asked our testers were about what drew them to their selection (did they know the brand? Was it the material? The silhouette?) and how the eye masks actually feel in action. We also made sure that we tested a variety of styles—from the weighted blackout design Baker tested to Lee’s silk Lunya number—and asked editors why these particular styles worked for their needs (Is it a particularly good choice for a specific climate? Post-shower? Perfect for lounging on the sofa with a cup of tea and Netflix?). Testers also detailed important notes about the different materials—cotton, cashmere, polyester, etc.—and we highlighted standout information shoppers should be aware of, including care instructions, notes about how the robes have held up after multiple washes, as well as any notes about pricing.
