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Best blackout blinds 2026: parent-approved blackout curtains for peaceful nights (starting from just £10!)
Need to stop light streaming into your baby’s bedroom this summer? A blackout blind could help. Here's our guide to the best blackout blinds and curtains for babies and children so everyone can sleep better.
By Louise Baty | Last updated Aug 19, 2025
Summer has officially arrived and with that, of course, comes longer days - early sunrise, late sunset, more light, everywhere. Including the room where you're trying to get your baby to sleep. If you find that your little one struggles to know that it's time to sleep when it's still gloriously bright outside (and in!), a decent blackout blind could be one of the best purchases you make.
Best blackout blinds at a glance
Best blackout blinds overall: Tommee Tippee Sleeptight (Gro Anywhere) Portable Blackout Blind |
£35£22 (-36%)Best budget blackout blinds: Lifetree Blackout Window Film | £10
Best blackout blind to take on holiday: Nomadic Star Temporary Blackout Blinds | £33
Best temporary blackout blinds: Easynight Blackout Blind | £28
Best blackout blinds for skylight: Bloc Blinds | £61
Best no mess blackout blinds: Magic Blackout Blind | £26
Best blackout roller blinds: Dunelm Glow in the Dark Stars Cordless Blackout Roller Blind | From £22
Blackout blinds are more effective at shutting out light than standard blinds, so they're very useful to have, particularly in summer. Sleep deprivation is one of the most challenging parts of new parenthood, and getting your baby’s sleep set-up just right can make a huge difference to yours and your child’s sleep quality. Many Mumsnetters swear by using blackout blinds in their child's bedroom (and their own) as a way to improve sleep for everyone.
The NHS advises that, in the early months, it’s wise to teach your baby that nighttime is different from daytime. This means that, during daytime naps, don't worry too much about everyday noises when they sleep. However, at night it’s helpful to ensure calm surroundings to teach your baby that nighttime is for sleeping. A way to help your baby drift off to sleep at bedtime - even when the clocks have just changed - is to keep noise to a minimum and block unnecessary light with a blackout blind.
To help you find the right one for you, we’ve pulled together a list of the best blackout blinds Mumsnetters love. We think there’s a great range here, from roman blinds to travel-friendly options and bargain finds.
Here are the best blackout blinds 2026.
Read next: The best cot bed mattresses and white noise machines to help improve sleep
Best blackout blinds overall
Tommee Tippee Sleeptight (Gro Anywhere) Portable Blackout Blind
Lightweight
Portable
Easy to use
Suckers can lose their grip over time
Key specs
Price on writing: From £22 | Size: 130 x 99 cm or 130 x 198 cm | Material: Polyester | Fastening: Suction cups
What Mumsnet users say
If you want a blackout blind to use anywhere, whether it's in your baby's nursery or while you're travelling the world with your little one in tow, the Tommee Tippee Gro blind ticks every box. It’s certainly the best travel baby blackout blind we’ve found but it also works well at home.
Each side of the blind contains velcro patches and suckers all the way along. This is what the manufacturer refers to as the blind’s ‘clever re-sizing system’ because it allows you to modify the blind to around a third of its maximum size, ensuring that you can fit it to any window perfectly. The maximum size is 130cm x 198cm.
The blind's newest version features the popular Ollie the Owl design (also featured in our guides to the best nightlights and white noise machines). When not in use, you can stash the blind away in its useful storage bag and it’s lightweight too - just 200g - so it’s handy for chucking in a suitcase when you’re on the go.
Read next: For added peace of mind, check out our guide to the best baby monitors
Best budget blackout blinds
Lifetree Blackout Window Film
Cheap
Very effective
Rental friendly
Fiddly
Needs to be left up
Key specs
Price on writing: £9 | Size: Various | Material: Foil | Fastening: Static cling, peel and stick
What Mumsnet users say
If you’d rather avoid installing new blinds in your baby’s nursery or any other room where they’re likely to be sleeping, there’s good news - you don’t have to do so. Instead, you could buy a roll of cheaply priced light blocking window film. All you have to do is cut it to fit your window, remove the backing sheet and smooth it onto the window. Reviewers report that the film really does do what it promises, by blocking out all light.
A word of caution though; as the film needs cutting before use you’ll need a clean, dry and spacious surface for doing the cutting. You’ll also need to smooth out any air bubbles when applying it to the window - a credit card can be helpful for this. As it can be slightly fiddly to apply you'll want to leave these up, so it's worth getting a soothing night light for your baby's room too. But, if you want to block out light from a window for a considerable chunk of time without the faff or expense of installing new blinds, it’s ideal.
Related: Find more bedtime essentials with our guides to the best cribs and travel cots
Best blackout blind to take on holiday
Adjustable size
Easy to fit
Cute star pattern
Suction cups may come unstuck
Key specs
Price on writing: £30| Size: 130 x 200cm | Material: Polyester | Fastening: Suction cups and velcro
This travel blackout blind fits to windows with strong wide suction cups and additional optional frame fasteners. These fasteners reduce the risk of slippage when in use.
The blind is almost identical in size to the Sleeptight blind, at 130cm x 200cm. Using the hook and loop resizing system means that you can adjust the blind to fit almost any window - without having to faff about with cutting to fit. It makes an ideal on the go travel blind and comes in a handy silk printed black and silver storage bag too although the manufacturer warns that there may be imperfections on the bag’s print.
Read next: The best cot mattresses, bunk beds and Moses baskets according to Mumsnetters
Best temporary blackout blind
Can be cut to fit any size or shape window
Easy to fit
Largest temporary blackout blind on our list
Key specs
Price on writing: From £23 | Size: Various | Material: Polyester | Fastening: Velcro
Another blackout blind which attaches to a window frame with velcro pad, this reasonably priced offering from easynight will do the job if you don’t want to install permanent blackout blinds. The blackout blind attaches to uPVC or painted wooden window frames with self adhesive, removable velcro pads and it’s available in a variety of sizes but can also be cut to fit, making it super versatile. The XL size is 145cm x 240m - the largest temporary blackout blind on our list.
While the blind comes in a cotton storage bag, you wouldn’t want to use this blind as a travel blackout blind, due to the sticky velcro pads (even if they are described as ‘easily removable’ by the manufacturer. However, there is a travel version with just suction pads, which would be fine to use when staying in hotels or other people’s homes.
Best blackout blinds for skylight
Bloc Blinds
Thermal fabric regulates room temperature year-round
Made to measure
Child-safe design available
Expensive
Key specs
Price on writing: From £41 | Size: Various | Material: Acrylic, aluminium
What Mumsnet users say
Bloc Blackout ('Blockout') Blinds offer some impressive features such as light blocking side rails and a rubber bottom seal to ensure no sneaky slivers of light sneak in. It’s ideal if you need to block out even the strongest sunlight during your baby’s naps. The manufacturer claims that these blinds offer year-round climate control with the thick thermal fabric reducing heat loss by up to 43% but also blocking out the sun’s rays on hot days.
The child safe design uses a cord-free spring-operated system and some designs can be upgraded to a motorised operation. Of course, all high-spec design comes at a price. While every quote is individual, you should expect to pay considerably more for bespoke blinds than for a budget friendly option on our list such as Lifetree Total Blackout Window Film. Also bear in mind that you’ll have to measure up and install the blinds yourself.
Best no mess blackout blind
Magic Blackout Blind
Mess free
Cut to fit any window
Suitable for use on holiday
Can be fiddly to take down and put up again regularly
Key specs
Price on writing: £26 | Size: Cut to size | Material: Polypropylene | Fastening: Static cling
What Mumsnet users say
A similar product to Lifetree Total Blackout Window Film - although double the price - this blackout Blind comes on a roll that you simply cut to size. It then clings with static to the window, blocking out all light. As no adhesives are needed (although a spray of water can help create static) and you can peel the film off a window without leaving a mark, this blind is marketed as a travel blackout blind.
Whether you would want to be peeling the blind on and off a window on a regular basis when travelling is down to you. Some families may prefer to use a fabric travel blackout blind with suction cups. However, Mumsnetters really do rate Magic Blinds for being a mess free solution for a peaceful night’s kip for the whole family.
Read next: The best mattress, kids' mattresses and travel cot mattresses
Best blackout roller blinds
Cute glow-in-the-dark star design
Great looking
Child-safe design
DIY installation
Only fits standard-sized windows (although length can be trimmed)
Key specs
Price on writing: £22 - £48 | Size: Various | Material: 100% Recycled Polyester Microfibre
What Mumsnet users say
If your baby’s nursery window is a standard size, then you may be able to buy a readymade blackout blind. Dunelm has a great reputation for quality window dressings at affordable prices. This cordless Blackout Roller Blind is no exception. Available in five sizes and two different colours - Grey and Navy - all styles are adorned with glow in the dark stars which will add a bit of sparkle to your baby’s room once the lights are off - although not too much sparkle to keep them awake, we hope.
It’s worth knowing that the blind can be trimmed for a perfect fit if your window isn’t standard.
The blind is cordless - you open and close it using a twist safe mechanism. You will need a drill and low level DIY skills to install the blind. While the blind is supplied with all fittings, it’s worth knowing that the width stated is for fabric only - you should allow an extra 3.2cm for the brackets and mechanism.
What are the best blinds to blackout light?
Reviewers rate the Magic Blind for blocking out 100% of light when applied correctly to windows. This mess free blind attaches to windows with static and leaves no residue when removed.
Do blackout blinds keep the light out?
Forget sticking tinfoil over your windows - blackout blinds are the best solution for truly blocking out all light. While curtains can look lovely - and can have a blackout lining fitted - they will also let in a certain amount of light because they don’t sit flush to a window. By using Bloc Blinds which velcro into a frame on your window, you should block out the majority of light which would still sneak through curtains.
How do you completely blackout a bedroom?
Blinds such as Blinds 2 Go perfect fit blackout blinds can be made to fit a window precisely without any slivers of light peeping through.
How effective are blackout roller blinds?
While roller blinds can sway in a breeze, allowing a degree of light into a room, most are fairly reliable at keeping a room dark. Dunelm Glow in the Dark Stars Cordless Blackout Roller Blind come in three shades, with a pretty glow in the dark star print, and are rated as very successful when it comes to blocking out light.
How can I make my room darker at night?
If you want your bedroom to be darker at night, so that you - and your baby - can sleep for longer - you may prefer a more permanent blackout blind solution such as Custom Blackout Blinds which are made to fit your window space and come in a variety of different fabric designs to match your bedroom decor.
Is it best to sleep in pitch black?
Sleep experts say that it’s important to create pitch black darkness in your bedroom. The absence of light sends signals to the body that it’s time to rest and you’re more likely to enjoy quality sleep and for longer when you’re not disturbed by light flooding through your windows.
How do I blackout a room without curtains?
You don’t need curtains to blackout a room. In fact, curtains aren’t always the most effective way to create darkness in your bedroom or your baby’s nursery, because they can move in a breeze, letting in chinks of light. Blackout blinds such as Daydreamer Blinds Original Blackout Blind are an excellent way to ensure total darkness and a decent night’s sleep for you and your little one.
What are the best overall blackout blinds for a baby’s room?
The best overall blackout blind for a baby’s room is the Tommee Tippee Sleeptight Blackout Blind because it can be attached by both suction cups and adhesive velcro pads and they’re also easy to fit to any window space. They work well both at home and on holiday too. Mumsnetters rate this blind as being an excellent all-rounder product.
How we chose our recommendations
All the blackout blinds in our line-up came from Mumsnetter recommendations. We believe that when you’re considering buying a new baby product - such as blackout blinds - it’s invaluable to have recommendations from other parents who’ve tried and tested them already. That’s where Mumsnetters on our talk boards come in - we reckon that between them, they’ve bought, used and reported back on the majority of blackout blinds on the market right now. With over 10 million users on our forums each month, that’s a staggering wealth of knowledge and experience to share.
To compile our list of blackout blinds, we studied reviews of blackout blinds on the Mumsnet forums to find out which blackout blinds parents had tested and rated. We cross checked these recommendations with consumer sites to see which blackout blinds were mentioned.
Finally, we collated all that information and compared them to other online reviews to see which were the bestsellers and which received rave recommendations. We then cross-referenced our findings to select the blackout blinds that had won the most praise and recommendations across the board, to bring you a selection of the best at various price points.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
About the author
Louise Baty writes parenting content for Mumsnet, producing product round-ups, travel guides and baby name articles. She’s also written content for Mumsnet’s sister site, Gransnet.
Originally from West Yorkshire and now based in Nottinghamshire, Louise has worked as a features writer for consumer magazines and national newspapers for 20 years. She specialises in parenting and lifestyle features and emotional true life first-person interviews and has authored four non-fiction books on parenting and grandparenting.