I’ve lost count of the number of conversations—debates?—my spouse and I have had about our sleep environment. (Do we need new pillows? A set of sheets? A mattress topper?) However, one area that we’ve agreed on for years is the importance of something that doesn’t even go on a bed: blackout curtains.
We’ve been using various blackout curtains for roughly 10 years now. We’ve moved twice and still install and re-install new sets when the need arises. The latest set to make an impression on me is the Sun Zero Blackout Curtains.
My bedroom window—where these reside—faces east, so bright sunrises can blast into our room a full hour or two before we actually need to get up. When we moved in, the window in question had shutters on it (Cute ones! The previous owners had good taste.), but they didn’t block nearly enough light.
Enter, these blackout curtains that we hung up in 2024. We haven’t looked back since. (There was some looking back as we made sure the rod was straight, but I digress.) On top of blocking out light effectively and coming in many colors, they totally transformed my bedroom and my sleep situation, all for under $50.
Great at Blocking Out Light
With these curtains over the top of the aforementioned cute shutters, my room becomes a cave every night. In fact, we have to keep these blackout curtains cracked because, otherwise, we wouldn’t see any morning light to help us wake up in the morning.
We also rely on them to darken the room if we’re watching a movie or show on our projector, and they’re crucial for setting the mood in this respect, too.
In fact, I was just mentioning to my spouse that we should consider adding some to our TV room as well, since they’re that good at blocking out light pollution and making you feel like you’re in a world all your own.
Your Color and Size Options
On a personal note, I really love the color of this set as well. I opted for a set of sage green panels, but there are 12 colors in total available, and you can grab them as singles or in sets of two.
Although, it’s worth mentioning that—to my eyes, at least—the IRL color of these curtains doesn’t quite match the photo on Amazon. The picture in the listing shows a darker, olive green compared to how they look in person, which is more of a lighter, sea green.
The color variation turned out to be a pleasant surprise in my house, but depending on your own tastes and decor, I could see how it could complicate things. (If anyone reading this opts for the flax yellow or fig purple, I’m eager to hear your thoughts, since I’ve got my eyes on those, too.)
As for other choices you can make, there are multiple sizes available, and you can, again, buy single or paired panels. We opted for 84-inch curtains since they’re hanging in front of a glass door, but the height options range from 54 to 120 inches. All panels are 52 inches wide.
Soft, Smooth, and Easy to Clean
I haven’t needed to wash these yet (because they’re not hanging on a window where my kids or dog spend much time), but the brand claims that they’re machine washable. Based on the look and feel, I wouldn’t hesitate to pop them into my washing machine.
And, on the subject of the material, these blackout curtains are relatively soft and smooth, with a pleasant, subtle sheen. I wouldn’t go so far as to call them luxe or high-end in appearance, but, to me, they don’t look as budget-friendly as they are. (Reminder: They’re under $50!)
Extra Details You’ll Love
Plus, a key detail that helps us manage our Goldilocks-level pickiness is the grommets. They allow us to be precise in how each panel is positioned. Compared to pocket curtains which, in my experience, tend to be a bit more bunchy and awkward, you can be very exact with how these panels hang, and they will stay that way.
I also need to shout out that the spacing of the grommets is chef’s kiss. When they’re open, the curtains easily fold up with a nearly accordion-fold level of satisfaction. From the front, I never see the light-blocking black panel of fabric sewn behind the decorative green side.
It’s like the curtains’ superb light-blocking capabilities are really a secret superpower. And they always look even on both sides, too.
Why It’s Worth It
If you were to twist my arm, the one thing that I’d mention as a potential area of caution (aside from the color variation), is the fact that the material is polyester, so buyers who like to shop with sustainability in mind or who prefer natural textiles may want to look elsewhere. I’m slowly but surely heading in that direction myself, but it’s an uphill journey.
I’m in no hurry to trade these curtains now that I have them, either. Even with a few quirks, they offer everything you need in blackout curtains: top-notch light-blocking, color and size options, and a generally nice look and feel.
At under $50, the Sun Zero Blackout Curtains are easy to say yes to and will transform your bedroom (or living room, guest room, or nursery) in a way a brand-new pillow or set of sheets couldn’t. But, of course, we have some recommendations there, too.
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