NICETOWN Blackout Curtains Review: Do They Really Block Light?
I hung NICETOWN blackout curtains in a room full of windows and skylights to see how much light they really kill. Here's what happened.
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Big windows and skylights are great until you’re trying to control the lighting in a room. That was my whole problem. The glare was wrecking my shots, and shades alone weren’t cutting it. So I picked up a few NICETOWN blackout curtains in the 52 x 95 inch size and hung multiple panels across the room to see if they’d actually kill enough light to make a difference.
Quick Verdict
A room with big windows and skylights went from washed-out to noticeably dim once I hung these NICETOWN blackout curtains. They don’t hit pitch-black at the edges, but for the price the light-blocking is hard to argue with.
Buy if you:
- Film videos or work in a room with too much window glare
- Want a media room or bedroom noticeably darker on a budget
- Have large windows and need 52 x 95 inch panels
- Want thermal and privacy help along with the darkness
Skip if you:
- Hate wrinkles, because these come creased out of the package
- Need 100% pitch black with zero edge or skylight leak
- Want rings and hooks included, they aren’t in the box
| Panel size | 52 in wide x 95 in long, sold as 2 panels |
|---|---|
| Header style | Rod pocket / back tab |
| Construction | Triple-weave, black-lined blackout fabric |
| Light blocking | 85%, 99% (darker colors block more) |
| Care | Machine washable, low-temp iron, no bleach |
| Adjustable hang | Up to 3 extra inches with rings/hooks (not included) |
My Filming Room Was Fighting Me With Light
Short answer: yes, mostly. The before-and-after with the panels open versus closed was the kind of difference you don’t need to squint to notice. But there’s a wrinkle to that story. Literally.
What You’re Actually Hanging
Each panel is 52 inches wide and 95 inches long, and they come two to a set. That length is the whole reason I went with these, because a lot of curtains top out too short for big windows. The fabric is a heavy triple-weave with a black lining in the middle, and NICETOWN rates it to block anywhere from 85% to 99% of light depending on how dark the color is.
They use a rod pocket with back tabs, so you’ve got a couple of ways to hang them. If you want the adjustable height trick that adds up to 3 extra inches, you’ll need rings and hooks, and those aren’t in the box. Worth knowing before you start.
Do They Really Block Light? Mostly Yes.
With the panels closed, the room dropped into a real, usable darkness. The whole reason I filmed the before and after was because I didn’t quite believe curtains could tame a room this bright, and the difference held up on camera. Glare gone. Even lighting for filming. That was the win I was after.
Compared to other blinds and shades I’ve used, these blocked more of the flat daylight coming through the big windows. The heavy fabric does most of the heavy lifting. It’s dense enough that when you close the panels, you feel the room settle a bit, and I noticed less outside noise too, which lines up with the thermal and sound claims.
They’re not a sealed vault, though. Light still slips around the edges and there’s nothing curtains can do about skylights directly overhead. If your goal is “much darker and better controlled,” these deliver. If your goal is “cave,” keep reading.
The Wrinkles Out Of The Package
Straight out of the packaging, these things are creased. Folded-up-in-a-bag creased. That’s the one thing nobody’s excited about when you’re hanging new curtains and they look like a crumpled napkin at first. They do relax and hang out over time, and gravity helps, but if you want them looking crisp on day one you’ll be reaching for a steamer or a low-temp iron.
For me, in a filming room, the wrinkles didn’t matter much because the panels are usually pulled to the side or the shots don’t frame them tight. In a bedroom or a living room where people actually look at the curtains, I’d plan to steam them first.
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Who These Make Sense For
The 95-inch drop is the underrated reason to buy these, most budget curtains top out at 84 inches, which leaves a gap above a tall window that torches the whole effect. Beyond that, the use cases stack up: filming rooms, media rooms where you’re watching a screen not admiring the drapes, home offices with monitor glare, bedrooms where early sunrise is the enemy. Any room where darkness is functional rather than decorative, these make sense.
If you’re in an apartment or rental and want more privacy plus a temperature buffer without spending a lot, that’s their lane too. The heavy fabric does double duty.
Curtains Versus The Blinds I Already Had
My existing shades failed one specific test: I could still read a book by the light leaking through them at noon. The NICETOWN panels closed over the same windows and killed that completely. The triple-weave fabric isn’t doing anything clever, it’s just denser than a shade slat, but denser wins when your problem is flat daylight pouring through glass.
The trade-off cuts the other way on precision. Blinds let you tilt slats and dial in exactly how much light you want. Curtains are more of an on-off switch. And where slatted blinds keep a clean, flat look, these panels bring the wrinkle situation. My setup now runs both: shades stay half-open for ambient control when I’m not filming, curtains pull closed the moment a camera turns on. Neither one alone was enough, together they’re the actual solution.
What I’d Tell You Before You Hang Them
Plan for the wrinkles up front. Steam or iron on low before you decide you’re unhappy, because they look a lot better after. If you want that extra 3 inches of hang height, grab rings and hooks separately since they’re not included. And go darker on the color if pure light-blocking is the priority, because that’s how you land closer to the 99% end of the range instead of the 85% end.
Measure your window before ordering. The 52 x 95 panels are generous, but you want enough width to overlap and reduce edge leak. Overlapping panels was the difference between “pretty good” and “actually dark” in my room.
Pros
- Big drop in room brightness once closed, clear before-and-after
- Heavy triple-weave fabric that also cuts noise and helps with temperature
- 95 inch length reaches tall and oversized windows most curtains can’t
- Blocked more daylight than the blinds and shades I was using
- Strong light-blocking for what you pay
Cons
- Wrinkled and creased right out of the package
- Light still leaks around the edges, not a full seal
- Nothing helps with skylights overhead
- Rings and hooks for adjustable height aren’t included
Frequently Asked Questions
Are NICETOWN blackout curtains machine washable?
Yes. They’re machine washable in water below 86°F with mild detergent and no bleach. If you need to smooth them out afterward, iron on low heat. That same low-temp iron is your friend for the out-of-box wrinkles too.
Will these fit a standard curtain rod?
Yes, they use a rod pocket, so they slide right onto a standard rod. They also have back tabs if you prefer that cleaner look, and you can add rings and hooks for an adjustable hang, though those aren’t included.
Do they block 100% of light?
No, not fully. The fabric is rated to block 85% to 99% of light, with darker colors reaching the higher end. Light still gets around the edges and no curtain solves skylights, so expect a very dark room rather than total blackout.
Do they actually help with heat and noise?
They help with both. The heavyweight triple-weave fabric adds thermal insulation and cuts some outside noise, which I noticed once the panels were closed. It won’t replace real soundproofing, but the room felt quieter and more insulated.
What size do I need for a large window?
These panels are 52 inches wide and 95 inches long, sold two to a set, which covers tall and oversized windows well. For the best darkness, buy enough width to overlap the panels and reduce edge leak. Measure before ordering.
How do I get the wrinkles out?
Steam them or iron on low heat, and they smooth out fine. They also relax on their own over a few days of hanging as gravity pulls the creases. If day-one appearance matters, do it before you judge them.
Are they good for a nursery or shift worker’s bedroom?
Yes, for darkening a room where someone sleeps during the day they work well, especially in a darker color. Just remember the edges leak a little, so pair them with an overlap or a wide rod if you need the room as dark as possible for daytime sleep.
Can I return them if they don’t work out?
Ready-made, non-custom panels can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Since these are a standard size and not custom, that window applies. Check the current listing to confirm the return terms before buying.
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Get it now
NICETOWN Blackout Curtains
Get the best price on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
