Sleep is essential for proper health, optimal functioning, and a balanced mood. So if you’re having trouble getting some decent shut-eye at night, it’s important that you help yourself by finding a solution to your nighttime woes. Before you start popping those sleeping pills, however, a conservative remedy – like the use of a sleep mask – might be an easy, safe, and effective solution for your problems.
A sleep mask can optimize your sleeping situation for a more comfortable and trouble-free sleep experience. Find out which ones are top-notch picks by checking out this guide for choosing the best sleep mask on the market.
Top 10 Sleep Masks Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Material | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. ALASKA BEAR® Natural silk sleep mask & blindfold, super-smooth eye mask | Natural Mulberry Silk | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 2. DRIFT TO SLEEP Eye Sleep Mask with 2 Pairs Soft Foam Ear Plugs - Black | Soft Foam | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 3. CoolingTech 3D Sleeping Eye Mask Shift Works 2 Pack (Black & Purple) | Soft Foam | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | 4. Hamalaya Natural Silk Sleep Mask with Satin Carry Pouch, Black | Natural Silk | $ | 4.5 |
 | 5. Lonfrote Star Moon Deep Molded Sleep Mask Super Soft Material (Blue) | Soft Foam | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 6. Bedtime Bliss BTB01 Contoured & Comfortable Black Sleep Mask with Moldex Ear Plugs | Soft Foam | $$$ | 4.3 |
 | 7. MemorySoft Sleep Mask - Eye Mask and Ear Plugs - Black | Memory Foam | $$ | 4.3 |
 | 8. Dream Essentials Escape Sleep Mask with Earplugs and Carry Pouch, Black | Natural Cotton | $$$$ | 4.2 |
 | 9. Living Pure Luxury Sleep Mask with Ear Plugs | Light Blocking Eye Mask | Memory Foam | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 10. Simple Health Global Sleeping Eye Mask Free Ear Plugs & Carry Pouch, Midnight Blue | Silk | $ | 4.1 |
Tips on Buying the Best Sleep Mask
If you thought all sleep masks were made the same, then it’s time to sharpen your knowledge on this humble sleep aid. The best eye mask should meet several different standards and criteria if it will help you achieve better sleep.
Don’t fall for those seemingly effective masks that will just fall short of your needs and expectations. Be sure to purchase only the best sleep mask by remembering these tips.
- Check the Material. This has to be one of – if not the most – important factors to consider when buying a sleep mask. The material of your chosen product will dictate how comfortable you will feel while using it, so be sure to inspect all the specifics before settling on a decision.
A good sleep mask should use materials that are comfortable against the skin. Anything that’s too rough or stiff can easily cause friction against your face as you sleep. This can cause great discomfort, and might even interrupt your slumber. Always check for soft, smooth fabrics that are lightweight and gentle against the skin.
Another consideration is breathability. Having a piece of fabric close to your skin throughout the night can generate lots of heat and sweating; this might further prevent you from experiencing uninterrupted sleep. Breathable fabrics that permit air to flow between your skin and the mask will prevent discomfort caused by heat and sweat.
- Test the Fit. Unstructured sleep masks come as a one-size-fits-all design that conforms to the shape and contour of the user’s face. While this can be comfortable for some, it is important to keep in mind that unstructured masks also leave some room for light to enter through the edges as it isn’t likely to lay completely flat against your skin.
Structured masks are solid and feature a contoured shape that’s made to securely conform against the user’s face; this ensures that the mask won’t move around your face while you sleep and that no light will enter through any cracks where the mask meets your skin.
The only downside to these masks is that some might not find them quite as comfortable because they can be bulky and heavy, reducing breathability with their thick padded form.
- Consider Added Features and Accessories. It’s always nice to purchase a product that gives you more than you expect. For instance, some sleep masks come bundled with free ear plugs that help make your sleeping experience that more peaceful and hassle-free.
There are others that feature a cooling gel insert that you can remove or slip into the mask for added comfort and better temperature regulation. Consider what you want out of your mask and whether these added features would be beneficial to your use, or if you would be much happier with a straightforward product.
Top 5 Best Sleep Mask Reviews
1. ALASKA BEAR® super-smooth eye mask
Made from top quality mulberry silk, the two-sided Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask and Blindfold is one of the most comfortable sleep masks on the market. The material offers superior softness and breathability to provide a relaxing sleep experience even for people with sensitive skin.
The mask is designed with a wide mask width that completely obstructs sight and prevents bands from digging into the sides of the temples. The easy-to-adjust straps rest comfortably against the back of the head and do not cause tangling of the hair, unlike Velcro straps used by other sleep masks.
The hypoallergenic silk makes this mask the best sleep mask for people who want a relaxing sleep aid that won’t cause discomfort or irritation throughout the night. At a fairly reasonable price point, the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask and Blindfold is definitely worth the purchase.
2. DRIFT TO SLEEP Eye Sleep Mask
The Drift to Sleep Eye Mask with Soft Foam Ear Plugs is a structured sleep mask that features hollow eye pockets which permit blinking even while the product is secured against the eyes. The soft foam mask is covered in a smooth spandex material that permits breathability and prevents discomfort caused by stiff materials digging into the skin.
The Drift to Sleep Eye Mask with Soft Foam Ear Plugs comes with multiple pairs of ear plugs that can be used in tandem with the mask for a more relaxing sleep experience. A Velcro strap secures along the back of the head to keep the mask in place even during phases in the sleep cycle when users might move around.
While the shape of the mask does make it the ideal product for instances when you may not want to smudge makeup or obstruct blinking during use, it tends to lose its hold against the skin when the user sleeps on their side leaving room for light to filter in. Regardless, this is an effective mask that can be ideal for both travel and sleep.
3. CoolingTech 3D Sleeping Eye Mask
The contoured shape of the CoolingTech 3D Sleeping Mask allows users to enjoy superior breathability compared to other options. The dome-like shape of the eye covers keeps your eyes free from contact with the material for easy and comfortable blinking.
The shape of the mask is specifically designed to allow air to freely pass through between the mask and the skin to properly regulate heat and prevent sweating. The wide mask panel covers the eyes completely and rests comfortably against the temples to accommodate side sleepers.
Secured by a Velcro strap across the back of the head, the CoolingTech 3D Sleeping Mask can cause hair tangling; this can be inconvenient for some, but all in all, it’s still definitely a mask worth trying.
4. Hamalaya Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Designed to completely block out light, the Hamalaya Natural Silk Sleep Mask with Satin Carry Pouch is a soft, smooth, and comfortable mask that’s designed to help aid sleep in the best way possible. This mask is made from 100% pure silk that allows it to conform easily to the shape and contour of your face without hassle.
The lightweight material makes for a breathable mask without permitting light to filter through and interrupt sleep. An adjustable elastic strap with a side buckle keeps the mask secure against the face; however, these small pieces of plastic can dig into the skin and cause discomfort during sleep especially for side-sleepers.
5. Lonfrote Star Moon Deep Molded Sleep Mask
The molded shape of the Lonfrote Star Moon Deep Molded Sleep Mask with Ear Plugs makes this mask sit comfortably on the user’s face without digging into the skin and causing irritation or friction. The hollow concaves that cover the eyes permit breathability and maintain optimal darkness for interruption-free sleep.
The mask comes with an adjustable strap, ear plugs, and a super soft carrying pouch that’s guaranteed to maintain the quality of the product during storage.
While it is comfortable and soft, the mask might lack some structure that is particularly evident for side-sleepers. When the head rests on the temples and cheeks during side sleeping, the mask tends to lose its grip on the face, creating a space between the eyes and the mask where light can filter through.