Best Sleep Masks 2025: Wirecutter's Top Picks for Better Rest

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Sleep Mask in 2025

Struggling to fall asleep when ambient light keeps disrupting your rest? The best sleep mask can transform your sleep experience by creating the perfect darkness your brain craves for quality rest. Whether you’re dealing with a partner who reads late, street lights streaming through your curtains, or trying to catch some Z’s during travel, the right sleep mask is an affordable yet powerful sleep tool. Wirecutter has spent years testing dozens of options to identify the truly exceptional performers for 2025, and we’ve analyzed their findings to bring you this definitive guide.

Quick Verdict: The Best Sleep Masks of 2025

If you’re short on time, here’s the bottom line: The Nidra Deep Rest Sleep Mask ($26.99) stands as Wirecutter’s top recommendation and our best overall pick, delivering exceptional 100% blackout performance with innovative eye cups that prevent pressure on your eyelids. For luxury seekers, the Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask ($29.95) offers premium memory foam comfort, while budget-conscious shoppers will appreciate the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask ($12.99), which provides impressive quality at an accessible price point. Each excels in different areas, but all deliver the darkness essential for deep, restorative sleep.

What Makes a Great Sleep Mask? Key Features to Consider

The perfect sleep mask does more than just block light—it transforms your sleep environment without creating new discomforts. Here’s what truly matters when evaluating options:

Complete Darkness: The primary function of any sleep mask is creating total blackout conditions. Premium options like the Nidra Deep Rest achieve 100% light-blocking capabilities through contoured designs that prevent light leakage around your nose and cheeks.

Comfort Materials: The fabric against your face makes a tremendous difference in how wearable a mask feels throughout the night. Silk options like the Alaska Bear provide natural temperature regulation and skin-friendly breathability, while memory foam masks like the Tempur-Pedic conform to your unique facial structure for personalized comfort.

Pressure Relief: Traditional flat masks press directly against your eyelids, which can cause discomfort or prevent REM eye movements. Modern contoured designs create small cavities over your eyes, allowing complete freedom of movement without sacrificing light-blocking performance.

Secure Fit Without Tension: A mask that’s too tight causes headaches, while one that’s too loose shifts during sleep. The best options utilize adjustable straps with enough elasticity to stay in place without creating pressure points.

Durability: Since you’ll use your sleep mask nightly, construction quality matters. Double-stitched edges, quality materials, and washable designs significantly extend the lifespan of your investment.

When assessing these factors, remember that your sleeping position significantly impacts which features matter most. Side sleepers need lower profiles and softer materials, while back sleepers can comfortably use more structured designs.

Learn more about optimizing your entire bedroom environment for better sleep

Top Contenders: In-Depth Reviews of Wirecutter’s Favorites

Nidra Deep Rest Sleep Mask: Best Overall

The Nidra Deep Rest Sleep Mask ($26.99) has maintained its position as Wirecutter’s top pick after seven years of continuous testing—an impressive testament to its exceptional performance. What sets this mask apart is its innovative contoured design with molded eye cups that create small pockets of space over your eyes.

Key Features:

• Complete 100% blackout capability
• Unique contoured cups prevent pressure on eyelids
• Deep side walls prevent light leakage around nose and cheeks
• Adjustable strap accommodates various head sizes
• Washable, durable construction
• Lightweight design works for side sleepers

The mask’s adjustable strap distributes pressure evenly around your head rather than concentrating it behind your ears. This thoughtful design prevents the common problem of masks that feel comfortable initially but cause discomfort after hours of wear.

Where the Nidra truly excels is in its ability to maintain total darkness without compressing your eyelids or eyelashes. This freedom allows for natural REM sleep eye movements, which research shows is crucial for processing emotions and consolidating memories during sleep.

At $26.99, it sits in the mid-range price category, offering exceptional value considering its durability and performance. The only potential drawback for some users is that the structured design has slightly more bulk than ultralight silk alternatives—but this same structure is what enables its superior light-blocking capability.

Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask: Best Luxury Option

The Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask ($29.95) brings the same pressure-relieving memory foam technology from their famous mattresses to the sleep mask category. This premium option molds to your unique facial contours, creating a customized blackout experience.

Key Features:

• Pressure-relieving TEMPUR® material conforms to facial contours
• Plush velour exterior for soft skin contact
• Secure fit stays in place during movement
• Total blackout design with minimal light leakage
• Wide, adjustable strap with gentle elastic
• Includes travel pouch

The standout quality of this mask is how the memory foam gradually warms and adapts to your face, creating an individualized seal against light without applying uncomfortable pressure. This adaptive quality makes it especially valuable for people with unusual facial structures or those who’ve found standard masks leak light.

The primary consideration with the Tempur-Pedic mask is temperature management. While extraordinarily comfortable, the dense memory foam can feel warm during extended wear, particularly in hot sleeping environments. Many users counterbalance this by lowering their bedroom temperature slightly.

At $29.95, it represents the luxury tier of sleep masks, but delivers corresponding quality. The durability and performance justify the investment for those who prioritize comfort and have struggled to find masks that truly conform to their face.

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask: Best Value

The Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask ($12.99) proves that effective light blocking doesn’t require a premium price tag. This sleek, minimalist option relies on 100% mulberry silk to deliver impressive performance with natural benefits.

Key Features:

• 100% natural mulberry silk on both sides
• Lightweight, breathable design
• Naturally temperature-regulating material
• Gentle on skin and hair
• Adjustable strap with metal sliders (no velcro to catch hair)
• Multiple color options available

The silk construction offers unique advantages beyond just comfort. The natural protein fibers are hypoallergenic, breathable, and smooth against skin, making this mask particularly valuable for those with sensitive skin or concerns about wrinkles from sleep compression.

While lacking the structured eye cups of the Nidra, the Alaska Bear compensates with a nose recess design that minimizes light leakage. The mask’s lightweight profile makes it exceptionally comfortable for side sleepers who find bulkier options shift during position changes.

At just $12.99, it delivers remarkable value, especially considering the genuine silk construction—a material typically associated with much higher price points. For those new to sleep masks or wanting multiple options for travel and home, this represents an excellent entry point without compromising on essential performance.

Comparison: Finding Your Perfect Match

When selecting between these top contenders, consider your primary sleep needs. If you prioritize absolute darkness above all, the Nidra and Tempur-Pedic deliver the most complete blackout experience. For those with sensitive skin or who sleep hot, the Alaska Bear’s breathable silk provides natural temperature regulation that prevents the common complaint of sweating under masks.

Your sleeping position also significantly impacts which option will work best. Side sleepers generally find the lightweight Alaska Bear or the carefully contoured Nidra more comfortable, while back sleepers can fully enjoy the enveloping comfort of the Tempur-Pedic.

Check out our guide to the best sleep trackers to measure how your new mask improves your sleep quality

How to Incorporate a Sleep Mask Into Your Sleep Routine

A quality sleep mask delivers maximum benefits when integrated into a consistent sleep routine. Here’s how to make your new mask part of an effective sleep strategy:

Start with short periods: If you’re new to sleep masks, begin by wearing yours during naps or for the first hour of sleep until you adjust to the sensation.

Create association cues: Put on your mask at the same point in your bedtime routine each night to create a psychological trigger that signals your brain it’s time to sleep.

Combine with other sleep tools: Pair your mask with a quality white noise machine to address both light and sound disturbances simultaneously.

Maintain proper cleaning: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to keep your mask fresh and extend its lifespan.

Travel prepared: Keep your mask in a protective case when traveling to prevent damage and maintain hygiene.

Many users report that consistent use of a sleep mask gradually improves their overall sleep quality as their brain begins associating the physical sensation of the mask with the transition to sleep—similar to how consistent sleep habits and routines strengthen over time.

Final Recommendations: Investing in Your Sleep

After thorough evaluation of Wirecutter’s extensive testing and current market options, our conclusion remains clear: the Nidra Deep Rest Sleep Mask ($26.99) offers the best combination of complete darkness, comfort, and value for most sleepers. Its thoughtful design addresses the most common complaints about sleep masks while delivering exceptional performance night after night.

However, sleep remains deeply personal. Those seeking luxurious comfort and exceptional conforming fit should consider the Tempur-Pedic Sleep Mask ($29.95), while budget-conscious shoppers or those with sensitive skin will find the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask ($12.99) delivers impressive results at an accessible price point.

Whichever option you select, investing in a quality sleep mask represents one of the most affordable yet effective steps you can take toward improving your sleep environment. When paired with other evidence-based approaches like optimizing your bedroom environment and establishing consistent sleep routines, the right mask becomes a powerful tool in your quest for restorative, quality sleep.

Remember—darkness isn’t just a preference for quality sleep; it’s a biological necessity. Your brain produces melatonin, the crucial sleep hormone, primarily in response to darkness. By investing in the right sleep mask, you’re not just blocking light; you’re actively supporting your body’s natural sleep mechanisms.