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Best Curtains

Updated October 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Flamingo P Full Blackout Curtains
Flamingo P
Full Blackout Curtains
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Stylish & Effective
Bottom Line

If you are looking for beautiful curtains that do an amazing job keeping out noise and light, you won't find a better choice for your money.

Pros

Stands at the top of the pack in almost every way – attractive, impressive room-darkening performance, and quality material. Comes in a variety of colors. Grommets look nice and make hanging them easy.

Cons

A few owners say the noise-dampening effects weren't as strong as they had hoped.

Best Bang for the Buck
Deconovo Room Darkening Insulated Blackout Curtains
Deconovo
Room Darkening Insulated Blackout Curtains
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Several Color Options
Bottom Line

A solid choice for the budget-conscious consumer – has as much to offer as most competitors for a money-saving price.

Pros

Has a lot to offer for a price the competitors can't beat. Reasonable light and noise filtering insulation, several stylish color options, and grommets. Washes nicely.

Cons

A few reports of mismatching lengths.

Nicetown Blackout Curtain Panels
Nicetown
Blackout Curtain Panels
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Blocks & Filters
Bottom Line

A good pick if you prefer looks over performance, but others on our list do a better job filtering out light and noise.

Pros

Insulated curtains that block out most sunlight. Available in a number of stylish colors. Grommets give them an expensive look, though the price is reasonable.

Cons

The lighter colors aren't as effective at room darkening.

Utopia Bedding Blackout Room Darkening Curtains
Utopia Bedding
Blackout Room Darkening Curtains
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

In spite of some issues, they provide nice insulation. Their odor may be a dealbreaker for sensitive consumers.

Pros

Owners rave about both their room darkening ability and durable material. Insulation also helps keep rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Available in a variety of colors.

Cons

Some reports of incorrect measurements and of a strange odor upon arrival.

Eclipse Fresno Blackout Thermal Curtain
Eclipse
Fresno Blackout Thermal Curtain
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Solid Job
Bottom Line

Our user testing found these curtains ideal for new parents or anyone who needs to keep a room dark through different environments.

Pros

Substantial heft and feel. Blocks out the majority of light with minimum light leakage at the edges. Effectively blocks out substantial noise. Successfully insulated a summer room in our testing.

Cons

Sold as individual panels. Some found wrinkles persistent.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

57
Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
8
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best curtains

Curtains are the type of home essential that you don't necessarily think about much until you need to buy them. Quality curtains can make the difference between getting a good night's sleep and waking at sunrise courtesy of the sun’s early rays. What's more, an attractive curtain choice can truly tie a room together.

What should you look for in a pair of curtains? Perhaps the first factor to consider is your curtain's heading type, as not all headings are compatible with all poles or tracks. You'll also need to choose the correct length and width of curtain to suit your windows. Of course, the appearance of your chosen curtains is important, too, so you'll need to pay attention to colors and prints.

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Some curtains are sold one per pack, which can be an unpleasant surprise if you were expecting to receive a pair. Check carefully before buying.

Key considerations

Curtain headings

The curtain heading type changes the way the curtains drape. Note, however, that you can't use all headings with all types of poles or tracks. You’ll need to make sure your heading type works with your hardware. These are the most common types of curtain headings.

  • Grommet top: Curtains with grommet headings have large, metal-reinforced grommets sewn into the top of each curtain that slide directly onto standard curtain poles. They tend to drape in large waves.
  • Tab top: Like grommet-top curtains, tab-top varieties can be attached directly to a curtain pole. They use tabs or loops of material at the top of the curtain. Tab-top curtains sometimes have buttons on them, so you can hang them without removing the pole.
  • Pocket top: Pocket-top curtains simply have a long pocket sewn into the top, so they can be threaded onto a curtain rod or pole. This style of curtain doesn't tend to drape all that nicely, so this type of heading is typically seen on inexpensive curtains.
  • Pencil pleat: Pencil-pleat curtains have an adjustable pleated top so that they drape in attractive tight waves. They're really designed for use on curtain tracks, but you can also hang them on curtain poles using rings.

Width

Of course, your curtains must be wide enough to cover all of the window, but ideally, they should be wider than that in order to drape nicely when closed. Measure the length of your curtain pole and multiply it by two or three to get the width for your curtains. Always double-check the product description of any curtains before you buy; sometimes the listed width is for a single curtain panel, and sometimes it's for a pair.

Length

Measure from the curtain pole or track to where you'd like your curtains to sit to find the correct curtain length for you. Generally, curtains hang down to one of three standard lengths: 1 1/2 inches above the sill, 6 inches below the sill, or all the way to the floor.

Features

Color or print: The majority of curtains are in plain colors, but you can also find options with all kinds of prints, from subtle floral patterns to bold geometric styles. Generally, it's best to either match your curtains to something in the room where they'll be hanging — such as the color of the soft furnishings — or opt for a standout statement color.

Blackout properties: Some curtains can completely black out a room, whereas others let in plenty of light. Blackout curtains are great for bedrooms or rooms where you watch television.

Insulation: Curtains also have insulative properties, helping keep your house warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot weather. Thick curtains and lined curtains are better at insulating your home.

Valance: A valance conceals the area where the curtain attaches to the pole or track, which can add an area of interest to your curtains. Valances are sometimes also used curtainless as short decorative window treatments in kitchens or bathrooms. Some people think valances look tidy, whereas others consider them fussy — it's all down to personal preference.

Accessories

After you’ve chosen your curtains, remember these useful accessories:

Tiebacks: Metaluxe Magnetic Tiebacks

As the name suggests, curtain tiebacks are used to tie back your curtains when open to give them a pleasant drape. Some curtains include matching tiebacks in the price. Otherwise, you'll need to buy them separately. Tiebacks come in many different styles, but we like Metaluxe’s magnetic tiebacks for their looks and functionality.

Lining: Eclipse Thermaliner Blackout Panels

If your chosen curtains are unlined, you can buy a lining separately to improve insulation and block out more light. We like the Eclipse Thermaliner Panels, which can keep your bedroom cozy and dark.

Curtain poles or tracks: AmazonBasics Adjustable Finials Rod

If you don't already have curtain poles or tracks above your windows, you'll need to buy some to hang your curtains on. The styles available are abundant and varied, but we love the classic look of the AmazonBasics adjustable finials rod. It fits 36 to 72-inch windows and is available in black, bronze, and nickel finishes.

Curtain rings or hooks: Tejatan Clipping Curtain Ring Set of 30

Curtain poles and tracks generally have rings and/or hooks on them when new, but if you've just moved in, you might find the last resident has removed them. You'll generally need hooks for all curtain tracks, or both rings and hooks to hang pencil-pleat curtains on curtain poles. Tab top and grommet curtains don't require either. For a no-nonsense and attractive budget option, we like the Tejatan 1 1/2-inch clipping curtain set, which bypasses the need for hooks with small clamps attached to each of its 30 included rings.

Curtain prices

You can find some basic curtains for as little as $15 per pair, but don't expect these to be of excellent quality. A pair of mid-range curtains should cost somewhere between $40 and $80. High-end curtains, generally made from cotton or other natural materials, can cost from $100 to $300 per pair, with some designer options priced even higher.

Tips

  • Consider the room you're buying curtains for. This will influence the type of curtains you require. For instance, you might want to choose blackout curtains for your bedroom but focus more on decor considerations for a general-purpose room.
  • Find out whether your chosen curtains are machine washable. Curtains will get dusty and dirty over time and pick up normal household smells, so occasional cleaning is recommended. This task will be far easier if your chosen curtains are machine washable. Otherwise, you may need to take them to be dry cleaned.
  • Choose voile curtains when you want to let light in. Voile curtains are made from a lightweight, sheer material. They're designed for places where you want to keep prying eyes out but let light in. Voile curtains are obviously not a suitable choice if you need curtains to fully darken a room.
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Quality curtains can reduce your energy bills by keeping heat out when it's hot and keeping heat in when it's cold.

FAQ

Q. Do all rooms need curtains?
A.
It's your personal choice. Curtains bring a soft, homey look to rooms, so they're great for lounges, bedrooms, and anywhere else where you need privacy but blinds don't quite fit the bill. It's rare to have curtains in the kitchen or bathroom, because cooking smells and moisture, respectively, are big issues.
 

Q. What is curtain layering?
A.
Curtain layering is when you use two or more sets of curtains on the same window. This can simply be for aesthetic purposes, but it's fairly common to layer standard curtains and voile curtains for privacy in a room that looks out onto the sidewalk. You can keep the voiles drawn all day, to allow light in but block the gazes of passers-by. Then you can draw the standard curtains later in the day when you want to completely block out the outside world.
 

Q. Why might you need a door curtain?
A.
Door curtains are generally used on front or back doors for their thermal insulation properties. If you have problems with drafts coming in through the gaps in these doors, a door curtain will keep the heat in your house more effectively. However, they're also useful on un-frosted glass doors if you don't want people to be able to look into your home.

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