At Horus X, you know we take sleep seriously. But even the best blue light blocking glasses aren't always enough for a good night's sleep, and at night, what you need is total darkness.
If you aren't lucky enough to be able to fall asleep anywhere and in any way, we have prepared the ultimate guide to choosing the best sleep mask for every situation in daily life.
Something to let you sleep soundly, whether you're at home, traveling, or even camping!
Our top 3 at a glance
To make it easy for you, here is our top 3, the #1 of which has been tested and adopted by our product managers, who have been wearing it for over a year.
| Brand | Rating | Price | Comment | |
 |
Mavojel | 4.6/5 | <10 euros | Ultra effective with adjustable nose piece |
 |
Trilancer | 4.5/5 | <10 euros | Ergonomic, molded |
 |
Gritin | 4.4/5 | <10 euros | Simple, silk |
At Horus X, we like simple, effective products at a fair price; that's what you'll find in these 3 models. We don't get a commission and we don't have shares in these brands—just a friend's advice! And if in the future you see that we aren't just blowing smoke, maybe you'll try our glasses ;)
Want to know more to truly personalize your choice? Keep reading.
Why use a sleep mask?
If you have trouble sleeping, you probably already know the answer. But if you're wondering about the benefits of this accessory, we'll tell you a bit more.
The sleep mask sits over your eyes to artificially block out any light that might be around you. This is especially true if you have LEDs on during the night (digital displays, power indicator lights, etc.) or if you don't have blackout curtains to filter out external light.
Since skin is a material that partially lets light through (test it by shining a light on your cheek, mouth open, and you'll see the light inside), light pollution in your bedroom can hit your eye through your eyelid.
However, light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, the famous sleep hormone. So, you have trouble falling asleep, you wake up more frequently, and/or you sleep poorly.
That's where a sleep mask is incredibly useful! It will block out the light and allow your brain to secrete more melatonin. Ideal for sleeping better.
A study mentions that sleeping with a sleep mask allows you to increase your concentration during the day as well as your alertness level. So why go without it?
Sleep mask or sleep headband 🤔?
What is the best option for you? A sleep mask or a sleep headband? Let's quickly see what distinguishes the two models.
What is a sleep mask?
It's a piece of fabric shaped like the upper part of your face. It covers the eyes, part of the forehead, the cheekbones, and the bridge of the nose. It is designed to block out light by covering only the essential part of the face. The rest consists of an elastic band that goes around the head.
And the sleep headband?
It also covers the eyes to block out light. Except that instead of just having an elastic band to keep everything in place, the mask extends all around the head in the form of a headband.
Thus, the fabric of the headband also covers the ears, making it an accessory that blocks out not only light but also part of the sound. In return, it tends to fit tighter than a sleep mask.
Which one to choose 🤔?
Once again, everything depends on your needs and your sensitivity. Some people can't stand headbands because they squeeze the head too much; others love them.
What you need to know is that the headband covers the ear and can help you sleep in noisy environments. However, you can buy earplugs to go with your mask if you need silence. There are also packs with both the mask and earplugs included.
Which type of sleep mask is made for you?
With all the models available in stores and online, there's bound to be a sleep mask that suits you! Let's review the different masks you can find on the market together.
The weighted sleep mask
This type of mask is specially designed for relaxation and relief from migraines. It is very useful if you spend your days in front of a screen, if you have headaches, or if you are frequently stressed.
Its concept is quite simple: it is generally a headband where the part touching the eyes is weighted. We aren't talking about crushing your eyes under 3kg of cotton, but rather applying enough pressure to relax you.
It's like someone is giving you an eyelid massage while you sleep. Imagine the relaxing effect!
This type of mask can easily be found on the Internet. We can recommend the Dormeur® weighted sleep headband or the sleep mask available at Nature et Découverte.
✅ You need a weighted sleep mask if:
-
You have migraines all day long
-
You are stressed
The smart sleep mask
The sleep mask of the future 🤖! Today, it is possible to fall asleep faster, better, and for longer thanks to technology!
This type of high-end mask is designed to improve your quality of life on a daily basis, not just at night. By incorporating a whole bunch of technologies, the smart sleep mask helps you fall asleep, relax, and wake up. Here are the different features you can find in this type of mask:
-
😴 Falling asleep with LEDs: some smart sleep masks include small LEDs that turn on and off. Your goal is to synchronize your breathing to these lights so that you can relax and fall asleep. It is an aid for people who suffer from insomnia.
-
🧘♀️ Meditating: whether it's in the evening to fall asleep or during the day for a good nap, the meditation mode will help you drift off. This mode can come in the form of lights or sounds.
-
📈 Tracking your nights via an app: most smart headbands come with a mobile application that will allow you to get a bunch of statistics on your sleep.
-
⏰ Sleep cycle alarm: the sleep mask takes your sleep cycle into account and wakes you up at the right moment thanks to integrated lights. You finally wake up on the right side of the bed! Your colleagues will be happy!
-
🎧 Listening to sleep sounds: if you're the type of person who needs to hear rain, static, or a hair dryer to fall asleep, this is clearly the type of mask you need! Some models allow you to connect wired or wireless headphones so you can listen to whatever you want. For example, the Sleepace S smart sleep mask from Nature et Découverte detects when you fall asleep to automatically turn off the sound, all without costing an arm and a leg!
✅ You need a smart sleep mask if:
-
You have trouble falling asleep at night
-
You need to listen to music, podcasts, or other content to sleep
-
You need an alarm clock that respects your sleep cycle and stimulates you at the right moment
-
You want an intelligent sleep mask that follows you everywhere
-
You need to meditate regularly
-
You have the budget for it (even if some models don't cost that much)
The gel sleep mask
This mask isn't meant to be worn every night. It is generally a mask where a gel surrounds the eyes and the area around the orbital bone. Often compact, it has a shorter lifespan than a night sleep mask and is useful for short periods of rest.
Indeed, the gel will have a soothing and relaxing effect. Some mask models are also made to nourish the skin around the eyes, thereby avoiding dark circles and wrinkles.
These unique masks can usually be heated or put in the fridge to provide a pleasant effect around the eyes.
People use this type of mask for sleeping on the train, in the car, or on a plane. You can also put it on your eyes when you want to relax at the beach ⛱ or around the pool.
As you will have understood, the gel sleep mask is used more for your well-being than for improving your quality of sleep.
✅ You need a gel sleep mask if:
-
You want to be good to your skin and your eyes
-
You want to improve a commute
The classic sleep mask
You definitely know this one. It's the most basic mask you'll find on the market. It can be made of cotton, silk, polyester, or satin. It is a more or less advanced mask, more or less padded, and more or less elastic.
In any case, it blocks light and makes falling asleep easier. It is generally affordable and makes a great travel companion.
✅ You need a classic sleep mask if:
-
You need darkness to sleep
-
You don't want to break the bank on such an accessory
-
You need a mask that can be taken anywhere
Which material to choose for your sleep mask?
What? There are multiple materials available for masks? Yes indeed, but don't worry, we're going to guide you so you can choose the best possible sleep mask 💪.
The silk sleep mask
It's probably the best-known and most sought-after mask. Silk effectively blocks light. It is also known for being gentle on the skin. This sleep mask is therefore pleasant and effective.
A silk mask is mainly used for sleeping at night. However, be careful with how you care for it. Silk requires specific washing at a specific temperature. Absolutely do not put it in the washing machine with your underwear!
This mask is the top of the category, which translates into a price that is often higher.
The satin sleep mask
It looks very nice, it feels great, but oh is it fragile! This characteristic makes it a somewhat less recommended sleep mask, since we all tend to move during our sleep.
That said, if you don't move much, you could get one because it's a rather aesthetic accessory. But if you're looking for masks with a long lifespan, we recommend cotton instead.
The cotton sleep mask
It's surely the most basic mask you'll find. Thanks to their composition, cotton fibers allow air to pass through better than other materials. This makes it a very pleasant sleep mask to wear, and easy to clean.
However, it does tend to retain odors better, especially those caused by sweat at night. It will therefore need to be washed more often than other materials.
The polyester sleep mask
We end with the most budget-friendly mask possible! Polyester sleep masks are very durable and block light perfectly.
However, you should know that polyester isn't the most comfortable material in the world, and it can cause allergies in some people. Check your history before buying.
💶 What is the price of a sleep mask?
Since there is a wide range of masks, it's logical to find all sorts of prices. The simplest masks will cost around 10 euros. The most advanced masks (especially smart masks) can exceed 150 euros.
It's up to you to decide on the budget. And while good sleep is priceless, know that you don't necessarily need the ultimate sleep mask: there are quite a few good habits to adopt to improve the quality of your sleep without necessarily spending a fortune.
The best masks for every situation
✈️ The best sleep mask for flying
Whether you're planning to cross the Channel or the Atlantic, a little nap on the plane never hurts. But sleeping there isn't always easy. Between the noise of the engines, the people, and the seats that don't recline the way you'd like, you'll need a hand! But be careful: you need a mask that is easy to transport and does not use a battery (to avoid problems going through airport security).
This helping hand comes from the Tempur sleep mask. It is a sleep mask made of heat-sensitive viscoelastic material that offers both real comfort for the face and optimal darkness. Moreover, the mask adapts to the face and is lightly padded, which will allow you to take your best nap 😴 by the airplane window.
🚅 The best sleep mask for the train
The sound of the tracks might lull you to sleep, but the cries of children and rude people talking on their phones in the carriage less so. You therefore need a sleep headband, which covers both the eyes and the ears!
It allows you to be in total darkness while not (fully) hearing the surrounding noise. Plus, because it tightens around your whole head, there is no risk of it falling off while you sleep.
You can find this type of headband on the most well-known online stores like FNAC, Amazon, or Cdiscount, in all price ranges.
🚗 The best sleep mask for the car
If you are planning to spend long hours in the car, why not take a little nap?
In reality, the choice of your mask will depend on the people you are traveling with and the relationship you have with them 😁
If you don't want to hear the other passengers, opt for a sleep headband (yes, the one for the train). You'll look antisocial, but you gotta do what you gotta do 🤷♂️ A classic silk or cotton sleep mask will do the trick if the surrounding noise doesn't bother you.
⛺️ The best sleep mask for camping
You love going camping or out in nature, but waking up with the sunrise is a problem for you and you prefer to sleep in! We understand, which is why we've thought of you with a simple but effective sleep mask!
Have a good night's sleep without being woken up by the first rays of the sun thanks to the Decathlon night mask. Inexpensive, easily portable, highly opaque... what could be better for heading into your nature adventure? Plus, the mask features a side pocket so you can store your earplugs, just in case you don't want to be woken up if a bear comes rummaging through your bag.
🛏 The best sleep mask for the night
We end with the most obvious situation: the sleep mask for the night, chilling at home in your bed! Here, no real surprise, you can choose a silk sleep mask.
It is light, pretty, and pleasant to wear. It doesn't make you look like Robocop like a sleep headband does (which is useful if you are sleeping with someone).
You can find silk night masks online at all well-known stores and in certain pharmacies. And of course, cotton will do the trick for a tighter budget.
Final word 😴 There is bound to be a sleep mask for you!
Whether you have sensitive skin, need specific technology, or a precise material, there is bound to be a night mask made for you on the market. You can find them everywhere, whether online or in physical stores.
Just be careful to choose your mask based on:
-
Your needs
-
Your usage
-
Your budget
