DayDark Reviews

Sleep Like It's Midnight, Even at Noon

We test blackout blinds built for shift workers, new parents, and anyone who needs total darkness on someone else's schedule.

Regular curtains let in more light than you'd think — that thin strip round the edges is enough to mess with your body clock. If you work nights, early starts, or rotating shifts, proper blackout blinds aren't a luxury, they're the difference between actually sleeping and lying there wide awake at 2pm. We've compared six of the best options, from full frame-fit systems to renter-friendly suction options.

At a glance

ProductLight Block LevelPriceRating
NightShift Frame-Fit99%+£45-655.0
TotalBlack Roller~95%£30-404.5
PortaBlack Suction~90%£20-284.0
SilentSleep Thermal~85%£35-554.5
DarkRoom Cellular~95%£50-704.0
QuickFit Pressure~80%£15-223.5

The reviews

1. NightShift Frame-Fit Blackout Blind

5.0£45-65

Pros

  • Side channels block edge light completely
  • No drilling required, tension-fit
  • Blocks 99%+ of light

Cons

  • Only fits standard window sizes without cutting
  • White frame only

This is the gold standard for shift workers, and it's what I'd point anyone toward first. The side channels are what set it apart — most blackout blinds still leak light around the edges no matter how thick the fabric is, but this one runs a tension-fit frame down both sides of the window that seals it properly. Fitting takes about 15 minutes with no drilling, which matters if you're renting. If your window is a non-standard size you can trim the frame with scissors, but check your measurements twice before cutting.

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2. TotalBlack Roller Blind

4.5£30-40

Pros

  • Thick triple-weave fabric
  • Easy drill-fit bracket install
  • Wide range of widths available

Cons

  • Some light leakage at edges without a frame system
  • Manual pull cord only

A solid, straightforward roller blind with genuinely thick blackout fabric — you can hold it up to a lamp and barely see light through it. The catch is the same as almost every roller blind: without side channels, you'll still get a thin strip of light down each edge unless your window recess is a tight fit. Combine it with a cheap set of light-blocking strips (widely available separately) and you'll get close to the frame-fit experience for less money.

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3. PortaBlack Suction Cup Blind

4.0£20-28

Pros

  • No tools, no drilling, fully removable
  • Great for renters or temporary use
  • Packs flat for travel

Cons

  • Suction cups can loosen on textured or cold glass
  • Less durable long-term

If you're renting somewhere you might move from soon, or you just need something up fast without leaving marks, this is the practical choice. It uses suction cups around a rigid frame edge and comes down in seconds. The trade-off is reliability — on very cold glass or textured windows, the suction can weaken over weeks, so you may need to re-press it occasionally. Also genuinely useful as a travel blackout blind for hotel rooms if you shift-work while travelling.

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4. SilentSleep Thermal Blackout Curtain

4.5£35-55

Pros

  • Doubles as thermal insulation, cuts noise slightly
  • Machine washable
  • Wide colour range

Cons

  • Needs a curtain rail, not a standalone fit
  • More light leakage than frame systems

This one's less about a perfect seal and more about an all-round upgrade if you already have curtain rails. The thermal lining does a genuinely noticeable job of keeping the room cooler in summer and warmer in winter, plus a small amount of external noise reduction — handy if traffic or neighbours are part of what's disturbing your sleep alongside light. It won't block light as completely as the frame-fit options, but paired with an eye mask it's a comfortable, low-effort setup.

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5. DarkRoom Cellular Shade

4.0£50-70

Pros

  • Honeycomb design adds slight insulation
  • Cordless, safer around kids/pets
  • Clean, modern look

Cons

  • Pricier than roller options
  • Installation slightly fiddlier

The cellular honeycomb structure gives this a neater, more premium look than a basic roller blind, and the cordless mechanism is worth it if you've got kids or pets around. Light blocking is very good but not quite at frame-fit level around the edges. Installation is a bit more involved — you're mounting brackets inside the window recess, so measure carefully.

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6. QuickFit Pressure Blind

3.5£15-22

Pros

  • Cheapest option here
  • Installs in under 5 minutes
  • Good for a spare room or occasional use

Cons

  • Thinner fabric than the rest of this list
  • Less durable over time

This is the budget entry point — a basic pressure-fit blind that does the job for occasional use or a room you're not sleeping in every single day. The fabric is noticeably thinner than the others on this list, so while it blocks most light, don't expect the same total-darkness result as the frame-fit or thermal options. Good as a backup or for a guest room where a shift-working relative occasionally sleeps.

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