If you’ve ever found yourself tossing and turning, battling everything from streetlights outside your window to the soft blue glow of a partner’s Kindle, you’re not alone.
Sleep disruptions caused by light exposure can lower sleep quality, especially during the crucial REM phase when your brain and body are working hardest to reset for the next day.
For me, the solution started with a silk sleep mask I bought during the early pandemic — part practical purchase, part retail therapy.
Back then, I had no idea how vital this small piece of fabric would become to my sleep hygiene.
I’ve since tested a full rotation of eight different masks, ranging from budget basics to luxury indulgences.
Of those, only two earned a permanent spot on my nightstand.
The first is the MZOO Sleep Mask. This one is contoured with memory foam, lightweight, and adjustable, and it blocks out light impressively well — all for under \$20.
It’s the kind of mask you can throw in a travel bag without worry, and it works reliably night after night. It’s proof that you don’t have to spend a lot to get real results.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask. This one is a splurge, but it’s also a revelation. Made of padded mulberry silk and wide enough to cover both your eyes and ears, it’s more of a plush sleep cocoon than a mask.
It feels indulgent, stays on all night, and has held up beautifully after years of use. It’s even washable — something many silk masks can’t claim.
If your sleep needs a reset, a good sleep mask might be the easiest upgrade you can make. Beyond just comfort, there’s real science backing this.
Sleep masks have been shown to increase the amount of slow-wave and REM sleep, and improve memory encoding the next day, as demonstrated in a 2023 randomized controlled trial published in Sleep.
Since becoming a parent, my sleep mask has become even more indispensable. When a 20-minute nap is the only window of rest I’ll get all day, I rely on it to shut down the noise — both external and internal. In those moments, it’s not just a sleep aid; it’s self-preservation.
That’s the quiet power of a tool like this: small enough to fit in a nightstand drawer, powerful enough to change how you sleep.
And the benefits extend beyond sleep. Regular, high-quality rest is linked to improved mood, sharper cognitive function, and better long-term health.
Whether you go for something affordable or invest in luxury, don’t underestimate what a good sleep mask can do.
In my experience, it’s been a consistent, calming part of my nightly ritual — and one I now consider essential.