Daytime naps in a sun-lit room are 30 minutes shorter on average than naps in a properly dark room. Here are the blackout blinds and curtains our team would buy in 2026, all available on Amazon AU and Amazon US.
In this guide
- Our top picks at a glance
- What separates good blackout from “dim”
- Gro Anywhere Portable Blackout Blind — Best Travel
- Amazon Basics 99% Blackout Panels — Best Permanent
- Tommee Tippee Sleeptime Blackout Blind — Best Side-Seal
- Redi Shade Easy Lift Blackout — Best Cut-to-Fit
- Slumbertot Travel Blackout — Best Budget
- What we’d skip
Our top picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gro Anywhere Portable Blackout BlindBest Travel | Holidays / Airbnbs | ★ 4.6 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Amazon Basics 99% Blackout PanelsBest Permanent | Nursery permanent install | ★ 4.6 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Tommee Tippee Sleeptime Blackout BlindBest Side-Seal | Side-light blockers | ★ 4.5 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Redi Shade Easy Lift BlackoutBest Cut-to-Fit | Awkward window sizes | ★ 4.5 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Slumbertot Travel BlackoutBest Budget | Budget travel option | ★ 4.3 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
What separates good blackout from “dim”
- True blackout fabric — hold it to a bright window. If light passes through the fabric itself, it’s a “blackout-rated” curtain (90–95%), not full blackout (99%+).
- Side-light seal. Gaps at the sides are where most daytime light leaks in. Track-mounted or wall-to-wall solutions beat panel curtains.
- Portable option for travel. Gro Anywhere style suction-cup blinds are the difference between a real holiday nap and a screaming toddler.
- Cordless. Cord pulls are a strangulation hazard for cot-side use.
- Easy install. Tension rods and adhesive strips beat drilling into rentals.
The picks — reviewed in detail
Gro Anywhere Portable Blackout Blind
Six suction cups stick to any window in 30 seconds. Adjustable to most window sizes. The travel essential — we wouldn’t take a baby to an Airbnb without it.
Amazon Basics 99% Blackout Panels
Triple-weave 99% blackout fabric, sold as a pair, multiple lengths. Pair with a blackout liner attached behind your existing curtain rod and you’ve got a properly dark room for under $60.
Tommee Tippee Sleeptime Blackout Blind
Velcro side seals plus suction-cup mount address the side-light leak that defeats panel curtains. Adjustable to most window shapes including bay windows.
Redi Shade Easy Lift Blackout
Pleated paper-style shade you cut to fit any window width. Adhesive top, no tools, full blackout. Lasts a year or two before pleats wear out — fine for the nursery years then replaced.
Slumbertot Travel Blackout
Half the Gro price. Adjustable suction-cup blackout. Build is less robust than the Gro — expect a year of use before suction cups lose grip — but for occasional travel, fine.
What we’d skip
- Curtains with cord pulls near the cot. Strangulation hazard.
- “Room darkening” labels. Marketing for 60–70% blackout. Look for “99%” or “100%”.
- Foil window stickers. Damage paint and rental bond.
Frequently asked questions
Do babies really need blackout blinds?
For naps, yes — daytime naps in dark rooms are on average 30 minutes longer than naps in sun-lit rooms. For overnight sleep, especially in summer, blackout blinds extend morning sleep by 30–60 minutes.
What’s the difference between “room darkening” and “blackout”?
“Room darkening” curtains block 60–70% of light. “Blackout” curtains block 99%+. For baby sleep you want true blackout (Amazon Basics 99% panels, Gro Anywhere) — room darkening leaves enough light to wake light sleepers.
Do portable blackout blinds work in hotel windows?
Yes. Suction-cup designs (Gro Anywhere, Tommee Tippee Sleeptime, Slumbertot) attach to most flat hotel windows. Take a velcro strip for the side gaps too.
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