Best blackout curtains for Airbnb.
Guests sleep late, nap after travel, and cross time zones. A bedroom that gets bright at 6 a.m. costs you sleep-quality reviews, and the fix is a pair of panels and a wider rod. We scored these on what actually matters in a rental: how much light gets through the fabric, whether they survive a hot wash, how many sizes exist, and what they cost per window.
STRKit Editorial
Updated September 2026
Based on editorial research, expert reviews, and host community feedback. How we choose →
Our top pick
NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains · Approx. $25–$45 per pair
The blackout curtain most hosts should buy: triple-weave fabric that actually blocks light, dozens of sizes and colors, and a price that scales to every bedroom.
Read the full reviewDisclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, STRKit earns from qualifying purchases.
Hang them so they actually work.
Go wide
Mount the rod 8 to 12 inches past the window frame on each side so the panels cover the wall, not just the glass.
Wrap the ends
A wraparound rod lets the panels curve back to the wall and closes the gap where most light leaks.
Overlap the middle
Buy enough width that the two panels overlap by a few inches when closed.
Mount high
Hang the rod close to the ceiling. It blocks the light that spills over the top and makes the room look taller in photos.
Side by side.
| Product | Price | Best For | Overall | Durability | Value | Guest Delight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains NICETOWN | Approx. $25–$45 per pair | Every bedroom in a standard listing, East-facing rooms | 8.8 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 8.5 |
Deconovo Blackout Curtains Deconovo | Approx. $18–$30 per pair | Budget listings, Secondary bedrooms | 7.5 | 7.0 | 9.5 | 7.0 |
Sun Zero Nordic Theater Grade Blackout Curtains Sun Zero | Approx. $40–$70 per panel | Primary bedrooms in premium listings, East-facing windows | 8.6 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 9.0 |
Detailed reviews.
NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Best OverallNICETOWN · Approx. $25–$45 per pair · Seller policy
Our Verdict
The blackout curtain most hosts should buy: triple-weave fabric that actually blocks light, dozens of sizes and colors, and a price that scales to every bedroom.
Why This Matters for Short-Term Rentals
Morning light is one of the most common sleep complaints in reviews and one of the cheapest to fix. Triple-weave polyester blocks most light without a separate liner, survives machine washing, and the neutral colors photograph cleanly.
- +Blocks nearly all light in dark colors, most in light colors
- +Machine washable
- +Wide size range including 96 and 108 inch lengths
- +Thermal layer helps HVAC costs
- −Lighter colors let some light through at the edges
- −Grommet-only; no pinch pleat option
Best For
- ✓ Every bedroom in a standard listing
- ✓ East-facing rooms
- ✓ Hosts furnishing several rooms at once
Avoid If
- ✗ You need a pleated, drapery-style look for a luxury listing
Overall Score
8.8/10
Replace Every
3 years
Warranty
Seller policy
As an Amazon Associate, STRKit earns from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Deconovo Blackout Curtains
Best BudgetDeconovo · Approx. $18–$30 per pair · Seller policy
Our Verdict
The budget pick when every window needs coverage and the property is entry tier.
Why This Matters for Short-Term Rentals
Cheap enough to cover every window in the unit on day one. Light blocking is good rather than total, which is fine for bedrooms that do not face sunrise.
- +Lowest cost per window
- +Machine washable
- +Plenty of neutral colors
- −Noticeably more light leakage than triple-weave panels
- −Thinner hand feel
Best For
- ✓ Budget listings
- ✓ Secondary bedrooms
- ✓ Windows that do not face the sunrise
Avoid If
- ✗ East-facing primary bedrooms where full blackout matters
Overall Score
7.5/10
Replace Every
2 years
Warranty
Seller policy
As an Amazon Associate, STRKit earns from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Sun Zero Nordic Theater Grade Blackout Curtains
Best PremiumSun Zero · Approx. $40–$70 per panel · Manufacturer limited
Our Verdict
The total-blackout pick for premium listings and rooms where the review says "the sun woke us up."
Why This Matters for Short-Term Rentals
Theater-grade panels block essentially all light through the fabric, so the only leakage is at the edges. Pair with a wraparound rod and a primary bedroom stays dark at 7 a.m. in July.
- +Blocks essentially all light through the fabric
- +Heavier, more premium look in photos
- +Noise-dampening weight
- −Priced per panel, so a wide window costs more
- −Heavier panels need a sturdier rod
Best For
- ✓ Primary bedrooms in premium listings
- ✓ East-facing windows
- ✓ Listings that market sleep quality
Avoid If
- ✗ Budget listings with many windows
Overall Score
8.6/10
Replace Every
4 years
Warranty
Manufacturer limited
As an Amazon Associate, STRKit earns from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Complete the bedroom.
The rest of what this room needs, at the tier we recommend. Worth adding to the same order.
Frequently asked questions.
Do blackout curtains really matter for an Airbnb?
Yes. "The sun woke us up" is one of the most common sleep complaints in reviews and one of the cheapest to eliminate. A pair of triple-weave blackout panels costs less than one night of a lowered rate.
Why do my blackout curtains still let light in?
Almost always the edges, not the fabric. Hang the rod 8 to 12 inches wider than the window on each side, use a wraparound rod so the panels curve back to the wall, and let the panels overlap in the middle by a few inches.
Blackout curtains or blackout blinds for a rental?
Curtains for most listings: cheaper, machine washable, easier to replace, and they soften the room in photos. Blinds are the choice where curtains cannot hang, like small bathroom windows, and cordless models are required in listings that host children.
What color blackout curtains for an Airbnb?
Neutral and dark enough to block light: charcoal, navy, or greige rather than white. White blackout panels leak more light through the fabric; if the room needs white, add a separate blackout liner behind it.