The Snore Whisperer's research is based on feedback that we receive from our sleep and snoring newsletter of over 20,000 subscribers. We also personally test and review the products, plus we do extensive research on the internet to find as much information as we can about the products.
Our research is supported by means of affiliate commissions earned from the products that we review. See our affiliate disclosure here.
Do you have trouble falling asleep at night?
You go to bed and just lay there for fifteen, or twenty, or thirty minutes before you finally manage to drift off.
Or maybe you can fall asleep just fine. It’s staying asleep that’s the problem.
You find yourself waking up all through the night, especially when car light’s shine through your bedroom window, or your partner turns on the light in the bathroom.
Or are you a restless sleeper? You fall asleep…technically. But you can’t seem to achieve the truly deep sleep your body craves.
If you’ve experienced any of these sleep problems, you’ve probably tried some of the following:
- Sleeping pills.
- Relaxing herbal teas.
- Ambient noise machines.
- Special pillows.
- Drinking a glass of warm milk before bedtime.
Some of these remedies can certainly work. But there’s an easier solution. One that will help you fall asleep faster, and stay asleep throughout the night.
That simple solution is a sleeping mask.
| Image | Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | OUR TOP PICKBetter Sleep Mulberry Silk Sleeping Mask |
| Buy on AmazonRead Full Review |
 | Dream Sleeper Sleep Mask |
| Buy on AmazonRead Full Review |
 | Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask |
| Buy on AmazonRead Full Review |
 | Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask |
| Buy on AmazonRead Full Review |
What is a Sleeping Mask?
Sleeping masks, also called eye masks and sleep masks, are proof that the simplest solutions can sometimes be the most effective.
A sleeping mask covers both eyes, extending from your forehead to your cheeks. These masks block out any light that could keep you from falling asleep.
They also help if light frequently wakes you up during the night. Even people who don’t suffer from these specific problems find their sleep is more restful when they wear a sleeping mask.
Sleep masks are a natural, affordable way to improve the quality of your sleep. Sleeping masks are also comfortable, easy to use, and easy to take care of.
You don’t have to charge them, plug them in, or refill them. All you have to do to enjoy the benefits of a sleep mask is put it on.
Your body responds to the amount of light that’s in your environment. Light makes your brain think you need to wake up.
As a result, your body produces substances that will make you more awake and alert.
On the other hand, your brain sees darkness as a sign that it’s time to go to sleep. As a result, your body starts to wind down and you start to feel sleepy.
And, ideally, you’ll fall asleep soon after you go to bed.
The problem is that many of us sleep in environments that aren’t completely dark. And for some people, any light (whether it’s from a street lamp, a television, or the full moon) makes it take longer to fall asleep.
Light can also keep them from sleeping as deeply, or for as long, as they need to in order to be fully rested.
By blocking out light, a sleeping mask helps you fall asleep faster. It also prevents you from waking up at all hours of the night.
There’s another, less obvious benefit. Because sleeping masks help you sleep more deeply, you’re less likely to be woken up by some outside disturbance, like a loud car driving by, or your partner getting up to go to the bathroom.
The Benefits of Using a Sleeping Mask
Sleeping masks promote melatonin production.
Your brain sees darkness as a sign that it’s time to go to sleep. As a result, your body starts to produce melatonin, a natural substance that helps to make you sleepy.
This hormone not only helps you fall asleep faster, it also helps you sleep more deeply, and stay asleep through the night.
On the other hand, bright light tells your brain it’s time to wake up. As a result, melatonin levels drop, and cortisol levels increase.
And cortisol is a substance that makes you more awake and alert.
Any amount of light (even light shining under your door from the hallway) can decrease the production of melatonin, and affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. And sleeping masks are designed to block out such light.
Sleeping masks help you sleep during the day.
People who work at night and sleep during the day often have an especially hard time getting enough sleep.
This is because the daylight filling the room is telling their bodies that they should be awake and getting things done.
Wearing a sleeping mask will block out the daylight, and help these people get the rest they need.
A sleeping mask is also good for those who like to take naps during the day.
Sleeping masks help you sleep while away from home.
If you travel a lot, you know how hard it can be to fall asleep on a plane or in a car.
Trying to sleep in a hotel or hospital can also be difficult. For one thing, falling asleep in a strange place can be hard. And lighting can also be an issue.
On a plane, there’s no getting away from the fluorescent lights.
If a hotel is in a busy area, there could be lights from business signs and car headlights to contend with. And hospital rooms are rarely completely dark.
Using a sleeping mask helps you fall asleep faster while traveling, or during a hospital stay.
Sleeping masks help you sleep when a light is on.
You know you sleep best when your bedroom is completely dark. But your partner can’t sleep in total darkness.
In fact, they can’t rest unless there’s some kind of light in the room, whether from a small lamp or the television.
Fortunately, wearing a sleeping mask is an easy way to block out the light from the TV or lamp.
Sleeping masks can help increase REM sleep.
When you sleep, you cycle through five different sleep stages. The fifth (and some say the most beneficial) stage is REM, or Rapid Eye Movement.
During REM sleep, your eyes move wildly beneath your eyelids, hence the name. This is also when you do most of your dreaming.
It takes about an hour and a half to cycle through all five sleep stages. And you spend about 20% of each sleep cycle in REM sleep…unless something wakes you up before you reach the fifth stage.
The first two sleep stages are certainly beneficial. (For example, sleeping long enough to reach stage 2 can increase your stamina and alertness.)
But it’s during the third, fourth and fifth (REM) sleep stages that you receive the biggest benefits. During these latter three stages:
- Hormones repair tissues, metabolize fats, lower stress, and do a host of other things beneficial to your overall wellbeing.
- Your mind is cleared of information it doesn’t need, leaving you with more brain power to focus on things that really matter.
- Information you’ve learned is consolidated and solidified, so you’re less likely to forget it. You’ll also be able to make better use of the information after “sleeping on it.”
- Short term memories become long term memories.
- Your creativity is enhanced.
- Your body is healed and restored.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
If you’re constantly waking up throughout the night, you won’t spend as much time in the latter three stages as you need to.
In fact, there might be time when you don’t reach the REM stage at all.
Wearing a sleeping mask helps you get to sleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up less often during the night.
That means you’ll spend more time in the later stages of the sleep cycle.
So now you know some of the benefits of using a sleeping mask. But there are so many sleep masks to choose from. How can you pick the one that’s right for you?
Well, the following list was designed to help you do just that.
Here are our picks for the top 4 best sleeping masks on the market today.
Sleeping Mask Reviews
1. Better Sleep Mulberry Silk Sleeping Mask
The Better Sleep Sleeping Mask is our top pick for several reasons.
Not only is this eye mask effective at blocking out light, it is also silky soft, and extremely comfortable to wear.
And that’s because the Better Sleep is made of 100% of Mulberry silk, both inside and out. And this is the only mask on our list that can make that claim.
Mulberry silk is the highest quality silk you can buy. And it’s a great material to use in a sleeping mask.
Silk is a naturally thick, and excellent at blocking out light. Silk is also extremely durable, so a sleeping mask made of this fabric will last for quite a while.
But while silk is thick and sturdy, it’s also extremely soft and luxurious to the touch.
As a result, you’ll actually enjoy the feel of this sleep mask against your skin.
The filling inside the Better Sleep Sleeping Mask is also made of 100% Mulberry silk which, on top of being soft and comfortable, is also hypoallergenic.
You don’t have to worry about the fabric irritating your skin, or causing an allergic reaction.
Last but not least, the Better Sleep has an adjustable strap. In minutes, you can achieve a perfect and comfortable fit by loosening or tightening the strap.
Currently, the Better Sleep Sleeping Mask is available in two colors, black and pink. So you can choose the one that best fits your personal style.
If you want a sleep mask that’s comfortable, effective, and made of the finest materials, the Better Sleep Sleeping Mask might just be for you.
2. Dream Sleeper Sleep Mask
The Dream Sleeper Sleep Mask is one of the top rated sleeping masks on the market today. And it’s easy to see why.
This mask effectively and completely blocks out all light, allowing you to sleep more restfully.
Not only is this sleep mask comfortable, it is also fully adjustable.
The Dream Sleeper was made to fit heads of all shapes and sizes, and the wide Velcro enclosure on the back let’s you easily adjust the eye mask for a perfect fit.
The Dream Sleeper covers more of your face than most sleeping masks. This ensures that no light can sneak in anywhere (like an opening around your nose) and disrupt your sleep.
The Dream Sleeper is latex free, and made using hypoallergenic materials.
If you suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin, you don’t have to worry that wearing the Dream Sleeper Sleep Mask will cause an allergic reaction.
Not only is this eye mask safe and effective, it also comes with a replacement warranty. If you lose your Dream Sleeper Sleep Mask, the company will replace the mask for free.
You will have to pay any shipping and handling fees. But you won’t have to pay a cent for the replacement mask itself.
If you want a sleep mask that offers more coverage, the Dream Sleeper Sleep Mask could be exactly what you’re looking for.
3. Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask
The Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask is both soft and comfortable.
Part of what makes it so comfortable is that the mask is contoured to fit the curves of your face.
This Dream Essentials Sleep Mask is light as a feather, and won’t put any undue pressure on your face or eyes. In fact, because of the way the mask is shaped, the fabric won’t actually touch your eyes or eyelashes at all.
And the concave eye pockets allow you to open your eyes, and even blink, while wearing the mask.
The Sweet Dreams Sleep Mask also has an adjustable strap, and a quick release closure. Within seconds, you can adjust the strap to achieve the most comfortable fit.
The Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask comes with a drawstring carry pouch so it’s easy to store and travel with your eye mask.
The sleep mask also includes a pair of free earplugs, to block out any sounds that could potentially disturb your sleep.
If you want a sleeping mask that won’t rest against your eyes, you might want to give the Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask a try.
4. Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask
The Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask is another soft and comfortable eye mask designed to fit the shape of your face.
The Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask’s contoured design keeps the material from putting pressure on your eyes. And you can open your eyes and blink while wearing this lightweight sleeping mask.
Thanks to the adjustable strap, the Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask can fit heads of all sizes. Not only can adults benefit from using this eye mask, but children can use it too.
The Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask includes a few extra perks. First, it comes with a carry case that you can use to store your sleeping mask.
You’ll also get a pair of quality, Moldex ear plugs. So while the eye mask is blocking out any light that could keep you from falling asleep, the ear plugs will block out sounds that could disturb your slumber.
Finally, the Bedtimes Bliss Sleep Mask includes a satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t completely satisfied with this sleeping mask, let the company know and you’ll get a full refund.
The Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep
The biggest benefit of using a sleeping mask is that it helps you to sleep better.
The quality and quantity of your sleep can affect your health, your productivity, and your mood. And many people don’t get as much quality sleep as they truly need.
Here are some of the benefits of getting enough sleep.
- Getting enough sleep improves your memory. If you’re trying to learn something new (like a skill, or facts for a test) sleep can help to solidify that knowledge. A good night’s sleep will help you remember more of any information you studied, and you’ll be better at any skills you practiced.
- Getting enough sleep improves performance. Countless studies show that athletes, students and workers who get enough sleep do better than those who don’t. Lack of sleep can also affect driving performance, which is why sleep deprivation is a major cause of vehicular accidents. On the other hand, getting enough sleep improves your ability to focus and concentrate. And you’re less likely to get confused or make mistakes when well rested.
- Getting enough sleep helps you lose weight. One study found that dieters who got enough sleep felt less hungry than dieters who didn’t. There’s a hormone in your body called leptin that makes you feel full. When you’re tired, your leptin levels drop. As a result, you will feel hungry more often, and will probably eat more as a result.
- Getting enough sleep can improve your mood. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel anxious, depressed, impatient, grouchy, and stressed. On the other hand, getting enough quality sleep can help you feel more positive, patient and cheerful. You’ll also experience less stress and anxiety.
- Getting enough sleep will improve your health. Insufficient sleep has been linked to many serious health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. So getting enough sleep could decrease your risk of suffering from such conditions. Getting enough sleep can also decrease pain and inflammation, and strengthen your immune system.
There’s no doubt about it.
Getting enough sleep can drastically improve your quality of life. And wearing a sleeping mask is a simple, affordable and effective way to make sure you get the rest you need to be happier, healthier, and more productive.
