The MyHalos blackout 3D sleep mask, priced at just £8.49, has been named the best overall eye mask for sleep after rigorous testing during the UK heatwave. The budget mask outperformed more expensive rivals from Tempur, Manta Sleep, Therabody, and Lumenate, consistently delivering a better night's sleep even in hot conditions.
Jane Hoskyn, a features journalist with three decades of product testing experience, evaluated 12 eye masks over two months, wearing each for at least two nights during May and June. The testing period coincided with some of the hottest nights of the year, with temperatures reaching 32°C. Hoskyn also enlisted her husband Alan to provide a second opinion, particularly on fit for larger male facial features.
How the Masks Were Tested
Each mask was judged on its ability to help fall asleep, stay asleep, and sleep more deeply. Blackout capabilities were tested outdoors in bright sunshine, including while queuing for a Harry Styles concert in 32°C heat. Comfort factors such as eye cup design, fabric breathability, and strap adjustability were also assessed. For Bluetooth-enabled masks, sound quality, comfort, and ease of controls were evaluated. Therapeutic masks with light or vibration features were tested for ease of use and effectiveness.
All masks not purchased for personal use were donated to Southampton Hospitals Charity for use by patients, following the success of weighted blanket donations to the dementia ward last year.
Best Budget and Overall: MyHalos Blackout 3D Sleep Mask
The MyHalos mask, available from £8.49 at Amazon, is a simple contoured foam design that blocks light without touching the eyes. Its lightweight construction and adjustable strap make it comfortable for all-night wear. Hoskyn noted that after a year of use, the mask began to leak a little light around the nose, but this did not affect sleep quality.
“Sometimes, less is more,” Hoskyn wrote. “The MyHalos mask skips the audio, vibration, app controls and light therapy found on some of the more feature-packed models. But none of this mattered, because this was the only mask that consistently gave me what I really wanted: a better night’s sleep, even when I was away from home.”
The mask is hand-wash only and comes with a 30-day free returns policy and a two-year warranty. Colour options include black, blue, navy, grey, peach, and lavender.
Best Bluetooth Eye Mask: SnoozeBand Pro
The SnoozeBand Pro, priced from £44.99 at SnoozeBand and £55 at Currys, combines a blackout mask with flat Bluetooth speakers that are comfortable for side sleepers. The free app provides access to white noise, meditations, and sleep music, but users can stream audio from any app. Hoskyn found the sound quality surprisingly good and noted that her husband could not hear the audio from his side of the bed.
However, the wraparound design can feel too warm in summer, and the Velcro strap occasionally caught in long hair. The audio is not loud enough to drown out a snoring partner. The mask is hand-wash recommended after removing the control unit and speakers, and comes with a 15-day free returns policy and a one-year warranty.
Best Silk Eye Mask: Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask
The Drowsy silk sleep mask, priced from £69 at Cult Beauty and Amazon, offers cooling, hypoallergenic properties ideal for sensitive skin. Its large size provides excellent blackout, reaching halfway down the cheeks to prevent light ingress. The cutout section for the nose and wide silk panels around the Velcro strips help avoid hair tangles.
Hoskyn noted that the mask pressed slightly against her eyelids, which may be an issue for some. Drowsy also offers eyelash-protecting masks with eye cups for £79. The mask is hand-wash only and comes with a 60-day free returns policy. Colour options include midnight blue, damask rose, green sapphire, and leopard print.
Best Therapeutic Eye Mask: Therabody SleepMask
The Therabody SleepMask, priced from £89 at Therabody and John Lewis, uses vibration patterns to soothe the wearer. Three modes—pulse, wave, and constant—are easy to switch between while wearing the mask. A timer powers down the vibrations after a default 15 minutes, with intensity gradually decreasing. Without vibrations, the mask functions as a comfortable blackout mask with a soft eye frame and adjustable strap.
Hoskyn found the constant vibration setting particularly relaxing, even for soothing a headache. However, the pulse and wave modes were distracting as they were out of sync with her heartbeat. The electronics unit cannot be removed for washing; the outer layer should be wiped clean, and the inner layer can be machine washed. The mask comes with a two-year warranty.
Other Notable Masks
The Bon Charge blackout contoured sleep mask (£29.96) performs similarly to the MyHalos but at more than twice the price, making it less competitive unless discounted. The Manta Sleep Sound Mask (£143) offers superb Bluetooth sound quality and full blackout, but its eye cups are too bulky for many women. The Manta Sleep mask (£29) is genuinely blackout and machine washable, but its eye cups may press into the nose of side sleepers.
The SnoozeBand Silk (£79.20) is great for warm nights due to its mulberry silk fabric, but is not fully blackout and touches the eyelids. The Tempur sleep mask (£24-£49) folds easily for travel but its chunky strips may press against the nose. The Therabody SmartGoggles 2nd Gen (£199) provides temple massage and vibration but is too bulky to wear all night. The Lumenate Nova (£99) offers a light therapy experience but is not suitable for people with epilepsy, pregnant individuals, or those under 18. The Sweet Bee Organics deep sleep eye mask (£48.99) is a padded silk mask that only achieves full blackout when fastened tightly, which causes pressure on the eyelids.
Expert Advice on Eye Masks
Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, sleep expert at Oak Tree Mobility, recommends moulded eye cups with tapered edges over flat designs to reduce pressure on eyelids and allow comfortable side sleeping. She advises looking for gentle, naturally breathable fabrics such as silk to avoid trapping heat around the face.
Research supports the use of eye masks for sleep improvement. A 2023 study found positive effects on sleep quality in intensive care patients, and a 2022 Cardiff University study showed that participants performed better in learning and alertness tasks after sleeping with an eye mask.
For those considering an eye mask, Hoskyn emphasizes that the best designs block light without touching the eyelids and feel weightless and comfortable. Full darkness triggers the body's circadian system to aid falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking refreshed.
