8 best sleep masks for a good night’s rest, tried and tested

For those who like to support small businesses, put Good House London on your radar. Since launching in 2020, the bamboo silk accessories label has expanded into offering scrunchies, headbands and, of course, eye masks, as well as a capsule collection of clothing. Made from 100 per cent bamboo, this eye mask is one of the more planet-friendly picks, as well as being hypoallergenic and naturally anti-bacterial, making it a perfect pick for those with sensitive skin and eczema. It’s also made from a vegan alternative to silk, which is a plus for animal lovers. Our tester loved the oat shade, the softness of this mask and the sponginess between the layers, which helped block out a huge amount of light, making it our best buy.

Soap & Glory is a go-to for cheeky designs and sassy slogans, and this eye mask is no exception. Made from polyester, it has a silky feel that’s lovely and smooth against the skin, while the extra-long shape wraps around the head and blocks out almost all light. It has an adjustable head strap, which means it stays put perfectly throughout the night, and the pink colour picked up our spirits just a touch. Of course, it wasn’t quite as soft as some of our real silk options but, for the price, we can’t complain.

Desmond & Dempsey is known for its luxury printed pyjamas, but the brand’s eye masks are great lower-priced products bringing the same level of luxury. Featuring the same prints for which the brand is famous, the cotton eye masks are fun, fashionable and highly functional, thanks to the padded eye area, ruched elastic strap and blackout design.

It’s soft and silky on the skin, and, although the product name says it’s for men, we’d say all genders would love this option. To sweeten the deal, it comes in a large printed gift box with a fabric bag for storage, adding an extra layer of luxe as part of the £20 price tag.

Drowsy eye masks are among the most luxurious on the market. Made from pure mulberry silk, they’re sumptuously soft, while the thick padding protects your peepers from all light and is hypoallergenic and breathable. The masks are available in 13 shades – we opted for damask rose – so there’s sure to be something to suit everyone.

The wrap-around Velcro fastening means it can suit almost every head shape and size, and it doesn’t slip off while you’re tossing and turning. We couldn’t fault this mask on the feel of the fabric, and if you’re looking for a little luxury, we couldn’t recommend it more – it also worked to protect our hair from any band breakage.

The best part about this eye mask was the adjustable back strap. Similar to a bra strap, it’s incredibly thin yet can be adjusted to fit your head just perfectly, meaning it doesn’t slip off in the night. The fabric is incredibly soft, thick and feels great across the skin. It’s also organic, hypoallergenic and highly breathable, so you can sleep soundly even in the sweltering heat.

It blocks out a huge amount of light with the smallest gaps at the nose, meaning our tester couldn’t see anything even when sitting in a brightly lit room. It also comes in a matching drawstring bag and keepsake box, meaning it can easily be gifted and kept clean.

Whether you’re a fidgeter or you just can’t get comfy with a mask, Elizabeth Scarlett’s designs are going to be top of your list. Although made from velvet, this mask didn’t leave us feeling hot and bothered – even when we used it in the Australian heat. The material is also less slippy than silk, so, it doesn’t move around throughout the night, either. It’s much more affordable than silk, too. We love the fact this mask comes with a carry bag and a beautiful embroidered design – after an undisturbed night’s sleep, you’ll wake up looking like Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

If that wasn’t enough, sales of this mask sees money donated towards turtle conservation projects.

At first, we thought a music-playing eye mask was a bit gimmicky, but the SnoozeBand blew us away. Not only was it one of the most comfortable eye masks in this round-up – providing full blackout and an adjustable strap for any head size – it was also incredibly easy to use, and the music played just perfectly.

The mask itself is a large wraparound style that will fit almost any head shape. Inside are two ultra-thin 4mm speakers at each ear – just be sure to undo the zip and place these exactly where your ears are – that connect to any Bluetooth device, such as a phone or iPad, so you can drift off to your favourite playlist, podcast or ebook. The charge lasts for around 15 hours, and it comes with a USB lead to recharge each morning. If you hate to sleep in silence, we can’t recommend this enough, and we’re sure to be taking it as a trusty travel companion, too.

For those who like the little luxuries in life, the Mirari Life Grace silk velvet eye mask is for you. The presentation is second to none, coming with all the bells and whistles of an expensive gift: tissue paper and a beautiful presentation box. Made from a silk velvet blend, it was the thickest eye mask in this round-up, meaning it gave a complete blackout effect, so even the most light-sensitive sleepers can drift off with ease. The fabric also shapes to your features, helping to reduce sleep creases and preserving your skincare routine. It certainly elevated our tester’s night routine, and if you fancy splashing the cash, we won’t be stopping you, although, there are, of course, many other options to suit every budget.