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Compare Our Top 10 Sleep Masks
More Sleep Masks We Tested
Photograph: Kat Merck
Drowsy Silk Eye Mask for $79: This 22-momme, padded mulberry silk mask might be one of the most comfortable sleep masks I’ve ever worn. It covered a large surface area on my face, but instead of it feeling suffocating or smothering, it felt calming, like a Thundershirt for my eyes. I also loved that it didn’t leave marks on my face in the morning, and that the Velcro closure never snagged on my hair or bedding. However, even though my mask was dark navy blue, the inside looked dirty after just a few uses, and washing dulled the silk and made it look old and beat up. What ultimately made me stop wearing it, though, was how badly it mashed my eyelashes. I don’t even have extensions (though I do use a growth serum), and it took almost a month for my poor lashes to regain their natural shape. Drowsy does make a lash-protecting version of its mask for just $10 more, which we haven’t tested yet. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck
SideSleeperZ Sleep Mask for $55: Even though I’m a stomach sleeper, I came across this mask while looking for a cheaper Manta dupe to help my eyelashes recover post-Drowsy. Aside from the disturbing promo video featuring a spinning mannequin head on a drill, the mask itself looked promising with its deep eye cups, soft jersey lining, and customizable dual straps that can be adjusted for length and position via low-profile Velcro pads on the sides. However, I found that the straps often seemed to loosen themselves overnight and cause the mask to slide upward. This resulted in the edge of the eye cups mashing my eyelashes and the straps leaving deep, weird marks on my forehead and temples. That said, I’m a stomach sleeper, so maybe this wouldn’t be an issue for true side sleepers, although WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe tested this mask too and also found herself struggling with the “gimmicky” straps. —Kat Merck
MZOO Luxury Sleep Eye Mask for $15: This basic budget mask seems like a no-brainer—it’s highly acclaimed elsewhere online, it’s inexpensive, and it has molded eye cups to keep eyelashes from getting bent. However, I’ve bought it twice now, and both times it fell apart quickly. The first time the stitching came apart when I washed it, the second time the strap broke off when I went to use it for the first time. I’ve now spent as much as I would have on a nicer mask to begin with, while also contributing to the landfill. —Kat Merck
How Does WIRED Test Sleep Masks?
I tested these sleep masks by sleeping in them! I took naps in them and slept in them overnight. My fellow testers followed the same protocol. I specifically checked for light leaks while sitting in direct sunlight. Next I’ll be testing sleep masks from ComfyNap and Kitsch, plus some affordable and popular Amazon picks.
What Should I Look for in a Sleep Mask?
Our guide on how to buy a sleep mask will be useful if you don’t know what you’re shopping for. To summarize, though:
Materials: Silk is cooling and good for your skin. Satin is similar, but made from synthetic fibers. Cotton is easier to take care of and durable, but it can absorb beauty products or sweat. Polyester is also cooling and soft, and it tends to be affordable.
Features: Some sleep masks have added bells and whistles. A weighted mask can be nice if you want a little compression, whether for headaches or for an easier time falling asleep. Masks with speakers built in can be beneficial if you tend to sleep with headphones. And masks with cooling features or swappable eye cups are especially nice if you run hot while you sleep.
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