Head-to-head · Best Blackout Curtains

Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout vs Eclipse Fresno

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Budget shoppers who want the best-tested light blocking for the lowest price and do not need decorative styling or a wide color range. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Blackout Curtains

Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout

4.6

$22.49as of Jun 7

The Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout is the value champion, Reviewed.com's Editor's Choice for blackout curtains, which found it blocked light better than every other panel they tested. Its triple-weave 240 GSM polyester with a back coating is rated 100% blackout, and it adds thermal insulation and noise reduction for around $35. It is plain and stock can be spotty, but for pure light-blocking per dollar it is the best buy on this list.

Strengths

— Reviewed.com's Editor's Choice for best blackout curtains, doing 'an excellent job of blocking out unwanted light'
— Triple-weave 240 GSM polyester rated 100% blackout, with a thick blackout coating on the back
— Metal grommets slide easily on standard or decorative rods and look modern

Watch-outs

— Stock can be intermittent, with the top configuration occasionally unavailable
— Limited color and size range compared with specialty curtain brands
— Plain styling without decorative options like lace overlays

$22.49 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Blackout Curtains

Eclipse Fresno

4.5

$17.18as of May 29

The Eclipse Fresno is the proven-blackout specialist, laboratory-tested to block 98-99.9% of sunlight via patented Thermaback construction. Bob Vila praised the Eclipse line for blocking 'nearly all sunlight, even in the middle of the day,' and reviewers note no light bleed from the edges, no chemical smell, and roughly 40% noise reduction. It is sold as single panels with a rod-pocket header, but for a thick, durable, near-total blackout panel at around $40, it is excellent.

Strengths

— Laboratory-tested to block 98-99.9% of sunlight and UV rays, with patented Thermaback/Thermaweave construction
— Bob Vila named the Eclipse Microfiber line 'Best Lightweight,' blocking 'nearly all sunlight, even in the middle of the day'
— Reduces noise by around 40% and insulates against summer heat and winter chill

Watch-outs

— Sold as single panels, so you need two (or more) to cover a typical window
— Rod-pocket/back-tab header is less convenient than grommets for daily opening
— Lighter colors block less light than the darker options

$17.18 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout

Reviewed.com ranked it ahead of the NICETOWN Contemporary Lined Blackout for outright light blocking, though NICETOWN won CNN's flashlight test. It uses the same triple-weave approach as the NICETOWN Contemporary Lined Blackout and undercuts the Eclipse Fresno, Best Home Fashion Premium Blackout, and Sun Zero Barrow on price.

Eclipse Fresno

Its near-total light blocking puts it just behind the NICETOWN Contemporary Lined Blackout and Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout, and on par with the Best Home Fashion Premium Blackout. Its rod-pocket/back-tab header is less grab-and-go than the grommets on the NICETOWN Contemporary Lined Blackout and Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout, and it blocks far more light than the Sun Zero Barrow.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout	Eclipse Fresno
Fabric	Triple-weave 240 GSM polyester	100% polyester, Thermaback/Thermaweave triple-weave
Light Blocking	100% (room darkening, back-coated)	98-99.9%
Header	Metal grommets	Rod pocket / back tab
Sizes	52 x 84 in, 2 panels	52 x 84 in (single panel; other lengths)
Thermal	Insulating barrier	Insulating (heat and cold)
Noise	Noise-reducing	~40% reduction
Extras	2 Velcro tie-backs	—
Care	Machine washable	Machine washable
UV	—	Blocks harmful UV rays

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