The Top Sleep Masks Available for Purchase Online

Best Overall

Our top choice for a sleep mask is the Alaska Bear model. It’s generously sized to cover the eyes fully and features an adjustable headband with sliders and rings—similar to the ones used on bra straps—allowing for an ideal fit. The mask’s high nose curve ensures it stays in place, preventing light from sneaking through while you rest.

This mask is crafted from 100% mulberry silk, a luxurious material known for its softness and breathability, which is commonly used in sleep-related products like pillowcases and pajamas. It also features light foam padding, ensuring no tightness or pressure on your eyelids while you sleep. However, it may be too large for people with smaller heads, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Material: Mulberry silk | Care: Hand wash in cool water, air dry

Best Budget

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a quality sleep mask, and this one proves just that. Crafted from mulberry silk for a smooth feel, it comes in a variety of colorful patterns like stars and closed eyelids. The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit for various head sizes.

This sleep mask is slightly smaller than some of the others on the list, so it doesn’t cover as much of the face or wrap around the sides of the head. It also lacks contoured, padded eye cups, which may make the fabric feel snug against your eyelids or eyelashes. Still, its affordable price and light material make it an excellent budget-friendly option.

Material: Mulberry silk | Care: Hand wash

Best Splurge

The Ostrichpillow Eye Mask is designed for a perfect ‘100% blackout experience’ with its 3D structure that fits the contours of your face. It incorporates six layers of foam and modal fabric, with molded eye cups that allow you to open your eyes without feeling pressure on your eyelids. The adjustable hook and loop closure helps you customize the fit for added comfort.

Due to its bulkier design, this mask may not be ideal for side sleepers, as the extra material could feel uncomfortable between the head and pillow. Additionally, depending on your face shape, some light might leak through the nose area. It is also on the pricier side compared to other masks, but the 100-day return window provides ample time to test its suitability.

Material: Foam and modal fabric | Care: Machine washable

Best for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers often struggle with eye masks because of the straps that rest against the side of the head, causing discomfort. The Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask solves this by incorporating contoured memory foam that is thin on the sides of the face, ensuring comfort no matter your sleeping position.

This sleep mask’s memory foam is not only thin but also provides a soft, cushioned feel to avoid discomfort. Additionally, the mask is designed with contoured eye sockets and a high nose bridge to effectively block out light. However, since memory foam can retain heat, those who tend to overheat during the night might want to consider alternatives made with more breathable materials.

Material: Memory foam | Care: Hand wash

Best Silk

This Brooklinen sleep mask is crafted entirely from mulberry silk, including the straps. The smooth texture minimizes friction on your hair and skin. With a variety of stylish solids, stripes, and patterns, including designs that complement Brooklinen's popular bed sheets, it's perfect for a cozy night’s sleep.

This is a slim, lightweight mask that lacks contoured eye cups, allowing the fabric to rest directly on your eyelids for effective light blocking. The mask's straps are also non-adjustable. The elastic band can stretch to fit larger head sizes, but there’s no way to shrink it, which could be inconvenient for those with smaller heads.

Material: Mulberry silk | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry

Top Bamboo Option

This stretch-knit bamboo sleep mask is a perfect companion to your Cozy Earth pajama set. Its soft padding enhances comfort, and the wide band across the back ensures it stays securely in place. It effectively blocks out light without putting pressure on your eyelids, making it so comfortable that you might forget you're even wearing it. Plus, the absence of Velcro prevents your hair from getting snagged.

Available in seven shades, including white, black, powder blue, and blush, this bamboo viscose mask offers a softness and comfort that some people prefer over silk. We love how easy it is to care for—just toss it in the wash, and you're all set.

Material: Bamboo viscose | Care: Machine wash cold, machine dry

Top Weighted

You’re probably familiar with weighted blankets, but what about weighted eye masks? The NodPod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask features four “pods” filled with weighted microbeads. Simply position the mask over your head in your preferred sleeping posture, and the weighted beads will block out light and keep the mask in place throughout the night. For natural headache relief, you can even chill the mask in the freezer and use it cold.

The mask is crafted with jersey cotton on one side and microfleece on the other, allowing you to choose the side that suits you best (the cotton side offers a cooler feel, while the microfleece side is warmer). It comes with a slot and tab option to secure the ends if you plan to sleep upright (such as on a plane). However, the weighted beads may cause it to slip down your face. Still, the mask is machine washable—just select the delicate setting on your washer.

Material: Jersey cotton, microfleece, BPA-free plastic microbeads | Care: Machine wash

Top Contoured

If you want to protect your lashes while you sleep, or simply prefer a sleep mask that doesn’t touch your eyes, consider this contoured design from Slip. The inner section is hollowed out to stay away from your eyelids, offering more space so you can freely open and close your eyes.

Choose from two solid colors or three fun patterns to match your style. Additionally, many of the color options are available with a matching silk pillowcase, creating a luxurious sleep experience that ensures a peaceful night’s rest.

Material: Elastic with piping exterior, PU foam filling | Care: Hand wash, line dry

Top Cooling

While sleep masks certainly help aid in creating a dark environment that’s perfect for snoozing, wearing them can be cumbersome, especially if you tend to get overheated very easily. The Slumber Cloud Silk Cooling Sleep Mask takes this issue into account, providing customers with a mask lining that is made from a breathable, temperature-regulating fabric that is designed to wick away moisture to help you sleep cooler.

While this mask is certainly a top choice for those who need a mask that won’t make them overheat, admittedly, this product doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles other masks on this list have. A few pain points include a lack of molded eye cups and an adjustable strap, in addition to its white color, which may not be as effective at blocking out light compared to darker masks. Most importantly, the mask is one of the high-end options on this list, which might be a deterrent for those looking for a budget-friendly option. 

Material: Silk and lyocell-based liner | Care: Hand wash, line dry

Best Heated

Unlike other options on this list, the Pinpoxe Heated Eye Masks come as a set of two, each featuring removable heat-retaining seed bags. Simply remove the bag from the mask, heat it in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds, replace it in the mask, and enjoy the soothing warmth as you wear it.

These masks are ideal for individuals suffering from dry eyes or headaches, as the warmth can help alleviate discomfort. The outer mask is machine washable, and it features an adjustable strap for a customized fit. The only challenge might be determining the ideal temperature for your face, which may require some trial and error.

Material: Velvet | Care: Machine wash outer cover

Final Thoughts

How to Shop for Sleep Masks Like a Pro

Material

The material of your sleep mask plays a crucial role in your decision-making process before making a purchase. "Avoid materials with added stuffing or strong scents," advises Dr. Singh. "Opt for light, breathable fabrics that can be easily secured around your head." Bamboo and silk are examples of such suitable materials.

Light Blockage

A quality sleep mask should provide excellent light blockage, helping you both fall asleep and stay asleep. It should gently cover your eyes without being too tight on your face. Some masks even feature a contoured nose area to prevent light from leaking through. Finding the right mask may require trying a few different options to ensure it blocks light effectively while avoiding too much pressure on your eyes.

Size

The ideal fit for your sleep mask will vary based on factors like the size of your head and the shape of your face. Before making a purchase, do some research to ensure it will be comfortable for you. You can often find the mask's measurements online and check if it includes features such as an adjustable strap for a better fit.

Care

Think about whether you're willing to hand wash and line dry your eye mask or if you'd prefer one that can be machine washed and tumble dried. The frequency with which you need to clean your mask depends on how often you use it. If you primarily use it for travel or in hotels, you might find yourself washing it more often compared to a mask used only at home.

Questions You Might Ask

Do sleep masks actually help you sleep?

By blocking out light, sleep masks assist in falling and staying asleep, as they prevent any light from disrupting your rest. Dr. Singh also points out that sleep masks provide additional indirect benefits to your sleep routine.

According to Dr. Singh, "Sleep masks eliminate the chance to engage with a screen, which can cut into your sleep time. This reduction in stimulation helps your mind relax." Singh adds that if incorporating a sleep mask into your bedtime routine becomes a habit, it signals to your body that it’s time to unwind and sleep.

Is it OK to sleep with a sleep mask every night?

There’s no issue with wearing a sleep mask every night, as long as it remains comfortable. However, you should consider switching to a different mask if you notice any of the following signs:

• The strap causes discomfort by digging into your face or ears, leaving marks.
• Your skin becomes irritated where the mask touches your face.
• You wake up with headaches or eye strain.
• The mask shifts around during the night, causing restlessness and discomfort.

What is the best material for a sleep mask?

"For a more comfortable experience, I recommend opting for natural or organic fabrics," advises Dr. D'Ambrosio. These materials are breathable and less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Examples of such fabrics include cotton, silk, bamboo, linen, hemp, and wool.

Trust Us

This article was crafted by Nina Bahadur, a seasoned writer with over a decade of expertise in home, health, culture, and beyond. It was further updated by Camryn Dilger, associate editor at Mytour. Our team dedicated countless hours to researching the best sleep masks, evaluating factors like size, materials, care instructions, and light-blocking capabilities. We also consulted with Dr. Abhinav Singh, a board-certified sleep medicine expert and medical director at the Indiana Sleep Center, as well as Dr. Carolyn D'Ambrosio, the chair of the Sleep Medicine Network for the American College of Chest Physicians.