Valuable information in the detailed sleep mask test as well as my personal price-performance insider tip from the comparison.
There are many different models of sleep masks, all of which promise to improve your sleep.
- Many people only know sleep masks from traveling, but there are also many possible uses in everyday life.
- The darkening effect of the sleep mask is just as important as the material, care and durability.
I have looked at the most important features of sleep masks for you and will introduce you to some recommended products in the course of the text.
I will also give you valuable tips that you should consider when buying a sleep mask.
If you don’t want to read the whole text, here is a quick overview of my most recommended models:
The following text deals with the following points:
Hope after reading this post you can find a sleep mask that will suit all of your needs.
Index
What you can use sleep masks for
The most important function of a sleep mask is to simulate darkness.
So it is usually used when daylight or artificial light sources influence sleep. In the following chapter I will explain to you how important darkness is for healthy sleep.
In addition to the name sleep mask, the terms sleep mask or night mask are also used.
The function is the same for all models. They are made of a dark fabric that covers a large area around the eyes. You can fix the mask to your head using elastic straps or Velcro fasteners.
How light affects our sleep
The body has natural sensors that tell it when it is time to sleep and when it is time to wake up.
This process is traditionally associated with exposure to light. When it dawns people go to sleep, when the sun rises again, people wake up again. This cycle has existed since there was life.
Tip: Just as there are sleep masks to help you fall asleep, light alarm clocks will help you wake up gently.
As soon as it gets darker, the body produces the hormone melatonin. This makes you feel sleepy. Exposure to light then ensures that the hormone breaks down again in the body.
A sleep mask ensures that the body perceives darkness and therefore adjusts itself internally to come to rest. The body then releases more of the hormone melatonin. Because of this, it is much easier to fall asleep when your eyes cannot see light.
The main features of a sleep mask
If you are considering getting a sleep mask, it is important to pay attention to the following points:
- Blackout effect
- Seat and comfort
- Transportation options
- Care and durability
- Low-emission materials
I will explain point by point why all these points are important.
Blackout effect
The better your sleep mask darkens light, the easier it is for you to get a good night’s sleep. If the processed material is not of high quality, it can mean that you can still perceive brightness despite the sleep mask.
Tip: Try a sleep mask in front of an intense light source to convince yourself that it really does not let any light through.
Seat and comfort
Since you often wear your sleeping masks for several hours, they should fit well and comfortably and not slip when you move.
If the mask slips, it cannot do its job.
If it is uncomfortable, itchy, or itches, it can hinder the process of falling asleep.
Only when you try a sleep mask over a long period of time can you actually see how well it fits and how comfortable it is to wear. Testimonials from other users can be of great help here.
Caution : Some sleep masks promote sweat development or cover the nose and thus hinder free breathing. Elastic straps that are too loose or too tight also make sleeping masks uncomfortable.
Some people are also sensitive to having fabric on their eyelids. In this case, you should look for a sleep mask with the eye area slightly curved outwards to avoid direct contact.
Transportation options
A large number of users buy a sleep mask for traveling on planes or trains. If this is the case for you, you should pay particular attention to how easy and safe it is to carry your sleep mask.
Simple sleeping masks can be folded and then easily fit into any pocket. High-quality sleeping masks are often available in stores including a transport bag or box.
Care and durability
If you use your sleep mask regularly and frequently, care and durability should also be considered.
You are probably familiar with the typical disposable sleeping mask that you can get for free on some flights. After the first few hours of the flight, the elastic straps are often worn out or the shape of the sleeping mask warped.
If you are interested in a long-term option, then make sure your sleep mask is washable, maintains its shape, and is made from quality materials.
Low-emission materials
When choosing your sleep mask, you should consider what material the sleep mask is made of.
Plastic, for example, ensures that you sweat a lot under a sleeping mask, cotton tends to deform when you wash.
If there are harmful substances in the materials, this can have an additional negative effect on the eye area in sensitive people and also contribute to the formation of wrinkles.
Therefore do not buy cheap products in the nearest Asian store. Always make sure that European production standards have been met during manufacture.
Who are sleep masks recommended for?
Especially if you are one of those people who have an irregular sleep rhythm or work at night, sleep masks can be very helpful.
With a suitable sleep mask, you can ensure that your sleep rhythm is less dependent on the time of day.
Shift workers, pilots, managers, politicians, seafarers and even firefighters are among the groups that often suffer from sleep problems .
A sleep mask is an easy-to-use and extremely inexpensive sleep therapy.
In addition, there are people who are significantly more sensitive to light than others, such as people who suffer from migraines. A good sleep mask then helps to prevent the unpleasant effects of light wine.
Last but not least, a sleep mask is also very helpful if you just want to really sleep in on the weekend. Instead of the sun waking you up early in the morning, you can turn around and go back to sleep.
Sleep mask instead of curtains
In your own four walls, it is often relatively easy to replace sleeping masks with good curtains or roller shutters in front of the windows. Many people sleep more easily if they don’t wear a mask over their eyes.
Unfortunately, this alternative can only be used if you always sleep in the same room. When traveling or for an afternoon nap in the office, curtains are not an option.
In addition, the sleep mask is a much cheaper option if your apartment does not yet have the appropriate curtains or shutters.
My personal leaderboard
Here I have put together some sleep mask models that I think are very recommendable.
In doing so, I took into account the different requirements, my personal experiences and customer opinions from other users.
The price-performance winner
This sleep mask made of breathable silk is as light as it is comfortable to wear. It effectively darkens light and the rubber strap is individually adjustable.
In addition, there is good workmanship and a lifelong guarantee.
In addition to the sleep mask, ear plugs and a transport bag are also included.
Noble and good
If you want something a little more elegant, you will find even more extensive equipment with this Humini sleep mask for little more money:
In addition to ideal darkening including a 3D eye region and adjustable straps, this night mask also offers a deformable nose clip and 100% breathable cotton.
This sleep mask also comes with a transport bag.
Mask with music
Small speakers are included with this sleep mask, so you can listen to relaxing music to fall asleep or play chill-out music to relax.
The sleep mask connects to your mobile phone or player via Bluetooth. You can remove the headphones to wash the sleep mask.
I find the mask very practical, especially for traveling, because music can drown out the unpleasant flight noises.
Perfect for kids
The cute unicorn design should quickly convince pretty much every child to put on this soft sleep mask.
The masks are washable and come in a double pack in gold and purple.
Other models
In addition to the presented sleeping masks, you can find many other models on the market.
There are different shapes and figures, especially when it comes to sleeping masks for children, and many sleeping masks are also decorated with funny sayings or prints.
Tip: If you still have trouble falling asleep, then take a look at the best sleep aids .
In addition to the sleep masks from online shops, you can often get sleep masks on offer from large supermarket chains. The dm sleep masks as well as sleep masks from Rossmann or night masks from Douglas are popular.
Sleep masks against snoring
Unfortunately, sleep masks do not help against snoring or sleep apnea.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, I can recommend the article on specific anti-snoring products or the text on sleep apnea for more information.
Conclusion: Sleep masks are inexpensive helpers for better sleep in the light
You can get sleep masks at a very affordable price between 10 and 20 euros, depending on where you buy your sleep mask.
So see if a sleep mask will help you sleep better during the day or when traveling.
As I am a great lover of the afternoon nap, I have been using different sleep masks for years and can assure you:
- Unless you are buying an absolutely cheap product, a sleep mask can bring you a lot of joy and relaxation when you want to sleep in daylight.
- When buying, just make sure that the material is breathable, easy to wash and the mask has a high darkening effect.
There is nothing healthier than being well rested.
A sleep mask can easily and cheaply help you achieve this.
Which model and which “extra” functions your sleep mask should have depends heavily on your personal preferences. You should definitely be able to find a suitable model in my list of the best.
Take a look at the price and reviews of my value for money winner:
I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.