9 best sleep masks for that all-important beauty sleep, tried & tested
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Sleep may come blissfully easily for some, but for those of us who have struggled with insomnia for years, relief often depends on small essentials like sleep masks that make a real difference. Yes, I love my trusty hybrid mattress, my calming pillow spray and my white-noise-inducing alarm clock, but 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 essential they are on long-haul flights.
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 in house 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 15 different sleep masks, but these – the 9 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.
Why you can trust us
We have been covering the latest trends and guiding readers on where to shop for practical sleep essentials for over five years. In that time, we have seen countless brands and innovations come and go, and our team has attended press days, spoken with experts, and most importantly tested and reviewed a wide range of sleep masks from well known and emerging brands alike. As a result, we understand what truly sets high quality sleep masks apart and which ones are genuinely worth investing in far better sleep.
Block out the world with our top picks of the best sleep masks below…
- Material: 22-momme mulberry silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Velcro adjustable strap for different head sizes.
- Size at biggest: Suitable for head sizes up to 64cm.
- Comfort level: 10/10.
Why we love it: ICYMI, Drowsy reigns supreme in the sleep game, thanks to its ultra-luxe, light-blocking silk masks. In fact, our very own Senior European Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett raves about its benefits in her Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask review. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that we've named it #1.
Made from 22-momme mulberry silk, it's light-blocking, sound-muffling and hypoallergenic. Plus, the soft-to-touch material replicates that "cool side of the pillow" feeling all night long, which we absolutely love. Thanks to its padded design and adjustable strap, it's easily the most comfortable sleep mask we've tested.
MayfairSilk Charcoal Silk Sleep Mask
- Material: 100% 22-momme mulberry silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Elastic, velvet straps in a tie-style headband to suit more than one size scalp.
- Size at biggest: 23cm x 12cm.
- Comfort: 6/10.
Why we love it: The main bonus of this eye mask? An elongated gap for your nose. Typically, similar designs offer a smaller nose cut-out, which may also often result in sunlight leaking through the raised fabric on either side of the nose. Thankfully, this adjusted design from MayfairSilk takes care of such qualms with ease, all while remaining featherlight.
We put it to the test and found the fit to be perfect – it really blocks out the light effectively. We also appreciated the slight gap it allows, which not only helps block sunlight but also makes it feel much less restrictive. The adjustable straps and ultra-soft silk padding around the eye area are an added bonus too.
- Material: Protein leather.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Cotton straps, adjustable.
- Size at biggest: N/A.
- Comfort level: 7/10.
Why we love it: Make no mistake, the Therabody SmartGoggles are far from a regular eye mask. This nifty device focuses on delivering a soothing massage around the eye and temple areas with added heat and vibration to help relieve stress, reduce eye strain and soothe headaches.
It relies on a built-in biometric sensor to vibrate at a lower frequency than your heart rate in order to help your heart match the rhythm of your body. Genius. Fair warning: this device isn't intended to be used as a traditional eye mask, so we recommend using it before going to sleep.
LilySilk Ideal Silk Sleep Eye Mask
- Material: 100% silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Yes.
- Size at biggest: 20 x 10 cm.
- Comfort level: 8/10.
Why we love it: We’ve raved about how LilySilk’s silk pillowcases have transformed our sleep – they’re the best-sellers in our silk pillowcase guide for good reason. So naturally, we were excited to put the brand’s sleep masks to the test. In short: they exceeded all of our expectations.
Crafted from 100% charmeuse silk, this eye mask feels incredibly soft and smooth against the delicate skin around your eyes, while effectively blocking out light. We also love the elegant touch of the black piping detail. A quick care tip: the brand recommends spot cleaning with lukewarm water and to hang to dry after cleaning.
- Material: 100% pure mulberry silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Elastic strap, non-adjustable.
- Size at biggest: 20.5cm x 8.5cm x 1.5cm.
- Comfort level: 7/10.
Why we love it: This number from Slip is perfect for those looking to invest in a luxury sleep mask. Thanks to its high-quality mulberry silk design, it excels at reducing friction, making it extra-gentle on your eyelashes to prevent breakage or fallout.
It's one of the most comfortable designs we've tried. It offers breathable temperature control, which is especially useful during lighter summer mornings – perfect for blocking out light without overheating in warmer weather. P.S. we highly recommend checking out the brand's zodiac collection, which includes an individual pattern for each sign – gift ideas, anyone?
Save money on brands like Slip with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
- Material: TEMPUR material and velour.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Adjustable Velcro straps.
- Size at biggest: Each strap measures 15cm, with a total width of 41cm.
- Comfort: 7/10.
Why we love it: If you're a fan of the best-selling memory foam mattresses from Tempur, then you'll be sure to love the support offered by their equally impressive eye masks. You see, the aim of TEMPUR material, is to relieve pressure and mould around your face comfortably according to your natural contours for total darkness.
We admit – it’s not the most stylish option in our edit, but the reviews speak for itself. One buyer shared, “I thought I’d give this eye mask a go on my flight. Absolute dream! So comfortable, blocked all the light, actually slept on the flight too – would recommend this 100%.” Plus, it also comes with a two-year guarantee.
Save money on the best sleep masks with these Tempur discount codes.
Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Mask
- Material: 22 momme mulberry silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Velcro adjustable strap for different head sizes.
- Size at biggest: Suitable for head sizes up to 64cm.
- Comfort level: 8.5/10.
Why we love it: If you're someone who regularly has eyelash extensions or if you're simply concerned about the health of your natural lashes, you'll appreciate this lash-protecting number from Drowsy. It blocks out light like a dream and also does a superb job at making sure that your eyelashes are well protected against unwanted friction all night long.
Having tested both this version and the original, our only gripe is that this one tends to let in a bit more light unless it's fitted quite snugly. That said, it’s excellent for protecting lashes and has noticeably helped the skin around our eyes feel less dry and tired come morning.
The White Company Piped Silk Eyemask
- Material: 100% silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Elastic, non-adjustable.
- Size at biggest: 8cm x 19.5cm.
- Comfort level: 7/10.
Why we love it: Are you a bride-to-be (or know a bride-to-be) who's looking for the perfect eye mask to complete her sleeping ensemble? Say less. This luxurious sleep mask from none other than The White Company comes in the most gorgeous ivory hue to beautifully complement a bridal robe or a luxury pyjama set.
Cut from 100% silk, it's easily one of the most luxurious in our edit. The fabric feels incredibly soft and smooth against the skin, which makes it a dream to wear all night long – especially for sensitive skin or those prone to irritation. The only caveat is that it doesn't feature an adjustable band, although it is elasticated for some flexibility.
Beauty Pie Sleepeasy Luxury Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask
- Material: 100% pure mulberry silk.
- Elastic/Velcro/size adjustable? Elastic, non-adjustable.
- Size at biggest: N/A.
- Comfort level: 6/10.
Why we love it: Not only does this sleep mask have you covered in the chic colour department, but it also happens to be one of the softest silk designs we've tested. Better yet, it would make one of the best gifts for her regardless of the gifting occasion.
It's crafted from pure 22 momme Mulberry silk and makes an ideal companion for a restful night. The silk threads help support hydration around the delicate eye area, while the blackout design truly delivers. We can vouch for its effectiveness as a natural sleep aid – especially if, like us, even the slightest light can disrupt your sleep.
Is a sleep mask worth it?
In short: yes. 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.
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.
What are the most important features to look for in a sleep mask?
The most important features to look for in a sleep mask are strong light-blocking ability, a comfortable and secure fit, soft breathable materials, and minimal pressure on the eyes. A good sleep mask should fully block out light - especially around the nose area - to help your body produce melatonin and improve sleep quality.
It should also have an adjustable strap so it fits snugly without being too tight, and be made from skin-friendly materials like silk, cotton, or soft memory foam to prevent irritation and overheating. Contoured or moulded designs are often better than flat ones because they reduce pressure on the eyes and prevent light leakage, making the mask more comfortable for all-night wear.
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.
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.
