Blackout Curtains for Renters & Apartments
Blackout curtains for apartments and rentals that go up without drilling: tension-rod, existing-rod and suction-cup options, nurseries included.
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Apartment sleepers have three light problems homeowners mostly don't: street lights hitting the bedroom window, neighbor windows spilling light across the courtyard, and landlord rules against anything that permanently changes walls or windows. This guide covers five renter-friendly options: four curtain sets and a portable suction-cup shade for windows where you can't hang a rod at all.
Quick picks
- Most apartments with a rod already up: NICETOWN Blackout Curtains
- No drilling, window has a recess: Eclipse Kendall on a tension rod
- No rod possible: Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Shade, which uses suction cups
Why apartment light is worse than house light
Three problems unique to apartments:
1. Street-level windows. Ground-floor and low-floor apartments face street lights, passing headlights, and parking lot lighting that homes on private lots don't.
2. Courtyards and shared exteriors. Neighbors' windows face yours. Their 1 AM bathroom light becomes your 1 AM bedroom light.
3. Rental constraints. Can't paint, can't drill into frames, can't install permanent rods, can't modify window treatments the landlord already has. Any solution needs to work with tension rods, existing rods, or removable hooks.
The solution isn't "more expensive curtains" — it's the right combination of true blackout fabric, proper sizing, and installation that works around landlord restrictions.
What to look for
1. True blackout, not "room-darkening". Room-darkening fabric dims a room but lets noticeably more light through; true blackout fabric blocks nearly all of it. The difference is significant for apartment sleepers with direct street-light exposure.
2. Triple-weave or multi-layer fabric. Single-layer fabrics are thinner and let more light through. Triple-weave or lined construction is the safer choice for apartment-grade darkness.
3. Grommet top. Grommets work with tension rods and existing rental-apartment rods. Rod-pocket tops can be more fiddly.
4. Extra length and width. Oversized curtains close the edge gap that lets light leak around the sides. Buy curtains 6+ inches wider than the window itself.
5. Thermal benefit. Apartment windows are often poorly insulated. Blackout curtains with thermal lining reduce drafts and help with summer heat — a bonus for renters who can't replace windows.
1. NICETOWN Blackout Curtains — Best Overall
NICETOWN
NICETOWN Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Pros
- Triple-weave fabric blocks 85–99% of light
- Thermal insulating — reduces heat and noise
- Massive color and size selection
Cons
- Not 100% blackout at the edges without overlap
- Wrinkles easily out of the package
NICETOWN is one of the best-known budget blackout curtain brands. For apartment dwellers specifically, these curtains hit the three requirements that matter most: triple-weave blackout fabric (actually blocks light), grommet top (fits any rental rod), and a budget price that makes them sensible even for short-term leases.
Why renters like NICETOWN
- Actually blocks light. The benefit owners mention most. NICETOWN says light blocking varies by color, with darker shades blocking more. Reviewers describe going from a twilight bedroom in the afternoon to a room dark enough to sleep at noon.
- Thermal benefit. The triple-weave fabric also reduces heat transfer, which matters in poorly-insulated apartment windows. Summer rooms stay cooler; winter rooms lose less heat.
- Affordable. Budget-priced panels, so you can outfit a whole bedroom for less than a single premium curtain costs.
- Wide size range. Multiple lengths (45", 54", 63", 72", 84", 96") and widths covering most apartment window configurations.
- Grommet top. Slides onto any standard rod. No sewing, no assembly, no installation beyond hanging.
- Multiple color options. 20+ colors so you can match existing decor without compromising darkness.
NICETOWN drawbacks
- Not literally 100% light-blocking. Light still leaks around the edges unless the panels are oversized and overlapping. Pair with a sleep mask for complete darkness.
- Heavier than regular curtains. The triple-weave fabric is substantial, which means you need rod hardware rated for the weight.
- Colors vary from photos. Reviewer reports occasional color mismatches between listing photos and actual product. Order one panel first to verify before buying multiples.
2. BGment Blackout Curtains — Best Alternative
BGment
BGment Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Pros
- Ultra-budget — often under $25 for a pair
- Rod-pocket and grommet-top options
- Decent light blocking for the price
Cons
- Thinner fabric than premium options
- Light leakage at sides and top without proper overlap
BGment is a direct competitor to NICETOWN in the budget blackout category. The fabric is similar quality, the price is comparable, and owner feedback puts them roughly level, which makes BGment the backup pick when NICETOWN doesn't stock your size or color.
What BGment does well
- Effective light blocking. Similar triple-weave fabric to NICETOWN. Real blackout performance, not room-darkening.
- Eyelet/grommet top design. Same rental-friendly installation as NICETOWN.
- Thermal insulation. Same energy-saving benefit.
- Available in both light-blocking and room-darkening versions. Choose based on your specific need — true blackout for total darkness, room-darkening for daytime napping without total blackout.
Where BGment falls short
- Slightly less variety in colors and sizes than NICETOWN. If NICETOWN has your exact size/color, it's the safer default.
- Same edge-leak problem. Like all blackout curtains, light leaks around the edges unless oversized.
3. Sun Zero Cyrus Thermal Blackout — Best Budget Thermal
Sun Zero
Sun Zero Cyrus Thermal Blackout Curtains (2 Panels)
Pros
- Triple-weave thermal-insulated fabric
- Energy-saving — reduces heat transfer at windows
- Available in 30+ colors and 12 size options
Cons
- Top edge requires ceiling-mount rod for full blackout
- Wrinkles need steaming on first hang
Sun Zero is the retail alternative to the Amazon-first brands, widely available at major retailers. The Cyrus Thermal line is specifically marketed for energy efficiency, which matters for apartment renters who pay their own electricity and can't upgrade insulation. It's a good option for shoppers who prefer buying in-store.
Sun Zero strengths
- Widely available at major retailers. Easier to return in person than online-only purchases.
- Thermal focus. Specifically marketed for energy efficiency.
- Grommet top. Standard installation.
- Competitive price. Similar to NICETOWN and BGment budget tiers.
- Several style options. Available in textured, patterned, and solid designs — more style variety than pure-function Amazon options.
Sun Zero weak spots
- Slightly thinner fabric than NICETOWN in some reviews. Light blocking is still strong but not top-tier.
- More variable quality across style lines. Stick with the Cyrus Thermal line specifically.
4. Eclipse Kendall Thermaback Blackout Curtains — Best for Tension Rods
Eclipse
Eclipse Kendall Thermaback Blackout Curtains, 42 x 84 in (2 Panels)
Pros
- Thermaback backing designed to block most sunlight and add an insulating layer
- Rod-pocket panels slide onto a standard or tension rod with no hardware to install
- Machine washable on a cold, gentle cycle
Cons
- Rod-pocket top slides less smoothly than grommets when opening and closing daily
- 42-inch-wide panels mean wide windows need more than one set
Eclipse is a long-running blackout curtain brand, and the Kendall Thermaback set is its plain, textured everyday panel. Instead of a triple-weave fabric, it uses a Thermaback backing on the window side to block light and add an insulating layer. This listing is a two-panel set, each panel 42 inches wide and 84 inches long.
Why it suits renters
- Strong light blocking. Eclipse markets the panels as blocking nearly all sunlight, and owners describe bedrooms dark enough for daytime sleep, with the usual leaks at the edges.
- Rod-pocket top. The panels slide straight onto a slim tension rod, which makes this a good match for the no-drill setup described below.
- Thermal and noise benefits. The backing adds insulation against drafty windows and slightly dulls outside noise.
- Easy care. Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, then line dry.
Eclipse trade-offs
- Rod pockets slide less freely. If you open and close the curtains every day, grommets are smoother.
- Narrow panels. At 42 inches each, a wide window may need two sets to get the overlap that stops edge leaks.
5. Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Shade — Best No-Rod Option
Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain Shade with Suction Cups (50 x 78 in)
Pros
- Suction cups mount it directly on smooth window glass, with no rod, drilling or screws
- Velcro tabs let you trim the effective size to fit different windows
- Packs into an included travel bag and is machine washable
Cons
- Amazon labels it room darkening, so expect some light at edges that aren't sealed
- Suction cups need clean, smooth glass and can let go over time
Some apartment windows have no usable rod and no recess for a tension rod, or your lease rules out both. This Amazon Basics shade sticks directly to the window glass with suction cups instead. It measures 50 by 78 inches, and Velcro tabs let you fold it down to fit a smaller window. It packs into its own travel bag, so it also works in hotel rooms and guest rooms.
What it does well
- No hardware at all. Nothing to screw in, hang or wedge. It's the most landlord-proof option in this guide.
- Sits right on the glass. Because it covers the pane itself rather than hanging in front of the frame, there's no rod gap at the top for light to spill over, as long as it reaches the edges of the glass.
- Washable and portable. Machine wash cold, line dry, and take it with you when you move.
Where it falls short
- Sold as room darkening. Amazon's listing calls it room darkening, so expect some light where the edges don't seal. Pair it with curtains or a sleep mask for full darkness.
- Suction cups need care. They hold best on clean, smooth glass, and some owners say they let go over time.
How to actually install blackout curtains in an apartment
1. Use tension rods where possible. Tension rods don't require drilling and work in any window with a recess to wedge into. Check the rod's weight rating against your curtains, since blackout fabric is heavy. Because a tension rod sits inside the frame, expect more edge leak than with a rod mounted above and outside the window; if your lease allows small screw holes or you can use the landlord's existing rod, that gives you the overlap described below.
2. Buy oversized. If your window is 36" wide, buy 52"-wide panels (or two 52"-wide panels). The overlap at the center and edges dramatically reduces light leak.
3. Install high and wide. Hang the rod 4–6 inches above the window frame and extend it 4–6 inches past the sides. This creates an overlapping "pocket" that blocks ambient light that would otherwise leak in at the top and sides.
4. Use velcro strips or magnetic attachments for edges. For severe light leaks, attach removable velcro strips along the edge of the window frame and curtain to create a true seal. Removable adhesive strips are designed to come off cleanly, but test one in an inconspicuous spot first.
5. Consider a curtain-plus-mask stack. The most effective apartment darkness setup is blackout curtains + a sleep mask. The curtains handle most of the light; the mask handles the remaining leak.
Blackout curtains for a nursery
The same rules apply in a rented nursery: true blackout fabric, enough width and drop to cover the window, and no drilling. Two things change. Keep the crib well away from the window, and keep any curtain panels and cords out of reach once a child can pull on them. If you use a tension rod, check its weight rating and that it sits firmly, because it can come down if tugged. The Amazon Basics suction-cup shade avoids rods altogether, though suction cups can let go over time, so check it regularly.
For the other half of nursery sleep, see our baby sound machine guide.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between blackout and room-darkening?+
Will blackout curtains damage a rental apartment?+
Do I need blackout curtains AND a sleep mask?+
Will blackout curtains help with noise?+
How do I clean blackout curtains?+
Where to go next
Related articles.
Buyer ReportBGment Blackout Curtains Owner Reviews: Ultra-Budget Light Blockers, Examined
BGment Blackout Curtains: the ultra-budget darkening option, rod-pocket and grommet styles, and where the savings show.
Buyer ReportNICETOWN Blackout Curtains Owner Reviews: Budget Light Blocking, Edge Gaps and All
NICETOWN blackout curtain reviews: 85–99% through the fabric, yet light still gets around the edges. Which colors block most, and the fixes owners use.
Buyer ReportSun Zero Cyrus Thermal Blackout Curtains Owner Reviews: The Energy-Saving Darkhorse
Sun Zero Cyrus curtains: why a standard rod height leaves light gaps, how to get the room properly dark, and what owners report on heat and energy bills.