The best eye masks for a great night's sleep, tried and tested
According to research, on average, we spend around a third of our life asleep. Based on the typical lifespan, that’s 9,490 days or 227,750 hours. But shockingly, we also spend an estimated seven years trying to sleep and in our 2024 sleep survey, only 15% of Good Housekeeping readers said they were regularly getting sufficient shut-eye.
There are many different approaches to getting those Zs, and what works best for you could look completely different for the next person. But what we can collectively agree on is that sometimes we need a little help drifting off, whether it’s reducing screen time, listening to white noise, investing in a high-quality mattress and pillow, or even turning to a pair of ear plugs.
An eye mask can another really useful sleep accessory. The best eye masks aren’t just for looking glamorous à la Holly Golightly — they can help you fall into a deep, uninterrupted sleep by blocking out light and external distractions like your phone. Some smart masks go even further and include fancy features such as bedtime playlists for those who prefer to listen to music while snoozing or want to reduce anxiety at nighttime.
There are plenty to choose from, so the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute set out to test the market-leaders. See below for a quick glance at our winners and read on for our full reviews.
The benefits of wearing an eye mask for sleep
If you thought eye masks were just there to make things feel more luxurious, think again.
Theresa Schnorbach, psychologist and sleep scientist at Emma Sleep, says eye masks are crucial for blocking out light. “Exposure to light, especially in the evening or when it's time to sleep, can disrupt your internal clock and make it challenging to drift off,” she explains. “Eye masks create a controlled, dark environment that helps align your internal clock with your sleep schedule.”
Wearing one every night can also encourage a consistent routine, Schnorbach adds, creating a familiar sleep environment and more stable sleep patterns.
And we all know the many benefits of enjoying a good night’s rest on the regular, from improved memory and alertness the next day to better recovery from exercise and even clearer skin.
How to choose an eye mask
When buying an eye mask, Schnorbach says that comfort and fit are the most important factors to consider — but, otherwise, it really comes down to your own needs and preferences.
Wrap-around masks, like our Drowsy runner-up, work best for full coverage, for example, while designs with built-in headphones are good for those who prefer some noise to help them sleep. There are even some weighted and heated designs on our list, which are helpful for people prone to tension headaches and anxiety.
When it comes to the best material, silk and polyester are popular choices. Silk is breathable, has temperature-regulating properties and provides a smooth surface for skin and hair, but it's usually on the pricier side. Polyester is lightweight, durable and tends to be more affordable, but it’s also more likely to absorb skincare products.
How we test
The concept of a sleep test is always a funny one – no, we didn’t watch over our testers from behind a double-sided mirror and take notes as they slept. Instead, we sent the eye masks out to our at-home panel who scored them on how easy they were to use (bearing in mind any additional functionality), whether they felt secure and if they were comfortable and adjustable. Washing and cleaning instructions were also assessed.
Performance was judged based on whether they efficiently blocked out the light, if they were comfortable to wear for long periods without slipping off or leaving marks, whether eyes felt more rested after use and whether they improved people’s sleep overall.
You’ll find our winning, tried and tested masks below all proudly displaying the GHI Approved logo. We’ve also included some picks from our shopping editor, so you have as much choice as possible, catering to every budget and need.
EyeOasis 2 Eye Mask Massager
Score: 92/100
If you need help to wind down before you go to sleep, whether you prefer a massage, listening to crashing waves or white noise, then you need to take Bob and Brad to bed with you. No, not two men, but rather the mask they developed and modestly named after themselves. The two physical therapists designed this smart pre-sleep mask with a built-in heated eye massager that targets pressure points in the head and increases blood circulation, to alleviate eye strain or migraines.
Its purpose is to get you relaxed and ready to sleep. It has five different massage modes and intensities, as well as in-built optional white noise, which can help to reduce anxiety. But if you prefer to relax to the sweet sounds of Metallica, you can also connect to your own music via Bluetooth.
It went down a treat with our testers. One “adored” how it was “gentle on the eyes and yet effective”. It left another feeling refreshed every time they wore it, and because it’s foldable, it’s also easy to take with you on your travels, to work, or even on the daily commute (this wouldn’t be the most outrageous thing spotted on the Tube, we’re sure). “The best sleep mask I’ve ever used,” said one satisfied tester. Not bad, Bob and Brad.
Silk Sleep Mask
Score: 88/100
Coming in 17 different shades of silk, from a deep ‘Midnight Blue’, to an opulent ‘L’amour Gold’, these eye masks from Drowsy really put the beauty in sleep. They’re made from mulberry silk, said to be the softest fabric in the world, so they feel good and protect your skin and hair from friction and damage caused by pillows and bedsheets. In other words, this mask won’t leave any sleep marks on your skin or kinks in your hair, so you’ll wake up feeling and looking fresh.
Though light and delicate, the padded silk is 100% light-blocking – a great plus in the summer months. Likened to a “giant, comforting, cooling pillow for the eyes” by our testers, we’re not sure what else you’d want from a sleep mask. It comes in a beautifully wrapped box with one panellist praising the “simple and clean design that screamed luxury.” It’s a quality product, so we think the investment is worth it. To keep the delicate silk intact, we recommend hand washing in warm water and leaving out to dry.
You can even get a limited-edition Breakfast at Tiffany-esque version.
SleepMask
Score: 78/100
This exciting new launch from Therabody, which is known for its popular massage guns, earned the brand some new fans on our testing panel. The mask uses vibrations to help relieve headaches and eyestrain brought on by stress or hours of staring at screens. There are three quiet patterns and intensity levels to help improve your sleep quality and quantity. The vibrations automatically shut off after 15 minutes, as they’re designed to help you drift off.
“It was surprisingly comfortable!” said one sceptical tester. Another, who wasn’t convinced they would enjoy the vibrations, was converted, telling us: “It’s super relaxing and instantly made me feel calm.”
And if you need to be in complete darkness to get those blissful 40 winks, you’re in luck – our experts found it extremely effective at blocking out light. Coming in at just under £80, it’s at the more expensive end of the scale, but if you take your sleep seriously, we think it’s worth the investment.
Smart Goggles 2nd Gen
Score: 77/100
With this updated version of its original Smart Goggles, Therabody has listened to customer feedback. Not your average eye mask, it uses innovative SmartSense technology to reduce eye strain, headaches and tension through air massage, vibration and heat. It also has an in-built sensor, which is used to monitor your heart rate and adjust the vibrations to help you wind down before bed (or relax if you’re feeling stressed during the day).
The vibrations are quieter in this 2nd Gen version; there’s also a new and improved adjustable strap for a more comfortable, personalised fit and the contoured padding avoids any unwanted pressure around the eyes. Testers confirmed it was “light” and “more comfortable” than the previous model.
It lost points for the lack of set-up instructions, but the three buttons that control the intensity of massages are straightforward to use. If you need further advice on how to use it, there’s a full user manual and video demo available online. You can connect to the Therabody app to adjust the vibration settings, and access soundscapes, white noise and guided meditations. It left most of our panellists feeling relaxed and de-stressed, with one saying it even improved their Oura ring sleep score.
Dream Sleep Mask
Score: 77/100
This clever eye mask has extra padding inserted around the eyelids, which blocks light out effectively without feeling tight and uncomfortable against your face. Testers appreciated this feature, with one saying it was “a comfortable wear”, and another telling us they enjoyed better sleep when they used it during the trial.
It’s on the chunkier side, so it’s best suited for those who sleep on their backs or who find flimsier masks slip off while they’re snoozing.
Whether you need it for travelling, daytime naps, or you simply haven’t got around to putting those blackout blinds up yet, there are some good quality Zs ahead with this product.
Sleep Mask
Score: 76/100
Helping everyone achieve great sleep quality is at the heart of Tempur’s mission, and now you can match your eye mask to your mattress and pillow for a night of uninterrupted slumber, thanks to this comfy design.
Developed with the same pressure-relieving material as the brand's mattress, it’s made up of viscoelastic cells (think memory foam) that mould to the shape of your face for ultimate comfort.
Multiple testers praised its ability to block out the light – “it's extremely effective” and “it completely eliminates light disturbances from my sleep”, were just a couple of the comments we got back. Another tester thought it was a great option for travelling, so slip this into your hand luggage for a restful flight.
Silk Piped Eye Mask
Score: 72/100
“Beautifully made, not a stitch out of place”, was how one of our panel members described this 100% silk mask from The White Company. It’s a simple and classy option, which is what we’ve come to expect from the brand. Made from luxurious 19 momme silk (which is the measurement of the weight), this mask is gentle on the eyes where the skin is thinner and more susceptible to developing fine lines.
The elasticated strap is great for keeping the mask in place, though some testers wished it was adjustable to give a more personalised fit. Pair with the Silk Piped Pyjama Set for a night of ultimate comfort (and style).
Shopping editor's picks
Bluetooth Sleep Mask
This Bluetooth eye mask pairs with your phone and plays music through built-in headphones, so you can drift off to your favourite playlist without having to lie uncomfortably on your AirPods.
The wrap-around design effectively blocks out light and its 10+ hour battery life lasts through the night. The sound quality is as good as regular headphones, and a control panel at the front of the mask allows you to easily increase or decrease volume in the dark.
It comes with a charging cable, earplugs and a storage bag for safe keeping.
Self Heating Eye Mask, 5 Pack
This clever self-heating design helps to encourage circulation and ease tension, giving tired eyes a well-earned break.
The heat lasts for around 15 minutes, giving you enough time to enjoy it before drifting off. The mask also provides full blackout, and its loop straps meant it stayed put throughout the night.
Note that Spacemasks are single use only, but the box and foil wrapping can be recycled.
The verdict on eye masks
Our winning pre-sleep mask, the EyeOasis 2 Eye Mask Massager from Bob and Brad, combines a built-in heated eye massager and white noise, making it the ideal choice if you’re serious about improving your sleep.
The Drowsy silk sleep wraparound mask is one for sleeping beauties, with its skin-friendly material that screams luxury.
A pillow for your eyes? You can’t go wrong with the Tempur Sleep Mask, which is comfy and cooling thanks to the brand's pressure-relieving material, which also makes up the brand's mattresses.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
At the GHI, we’ve been testing thousands of products for over 100 years, from robot lawn mowers and sewing machines to IPL devices and hair straighteners.
Our testers are experts in their fields. Our health and wellness tester Kim Hawley has over 30 years' experience in the industry. She is a level 4 qualified personal trainer, has a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK. For this test, she collated and analysed all the feedback from our panel and scored each mask according to rigorous protocols.
Our lifestyle writer Madeleine Evans – who has written about hundreds of products since joining the GHI – then took this information and turned it into an easy-to-follow review. She’s always on the lookout for the latest products we can trial to keep this list updated and bring you the best deals.
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