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The best soundproof curtains to block sound and light
Soundproof curtains are an effective solution to blocking out both unwanted light and sound, especially if your home doubles as your office or studio.
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To help you find the best soundproof curtains that have design options worthy of integrating into your home décor while reducing unwanted echoes and amplifications at a budget-friendly price, ZDNET researched the best soundproof curtains on the market fit for the job. Our top pick, the Moondream curtains,are a bit on the pricey side, but are made from high-density (and high-quality) polyester material and promise up to 7dB of noise reduction. Read to see how our other options compare on these key factors.
The best soundproof curtains of 2024
- Three layers all made without harmful substances
- 7 dB sound reduction
- Great for recording music
- Pricey
Moondream Noise Reducing Curtains features: Specially tailored three-layer design | Beautiful cotton outer layer | Thorough design with strong lab tests for performance | Starts around $149
Ultimately, it's the Moondream's quality design that makes it our choice for best soundproof curtains overall. While many curtains are fully polyester and designed with fabric layers on the outside, over a high-density core, the Moondream curtain has a patented tech that uses polyester and a small amount of aluminum with a cotton backing to create a curtain that is lab-tested certified to block out noise. Along with innovative design there are also extensive size and color options available.
This top quality and unique design work together to decrease reverberation, which can be helpful for decreasing background noise on a Zoom call or in a larger echo-filled space while recording music or video.
- Thick luxurious construction
- Options for many bright design-focused colors
- Easy to clean
- Thick texture isn't for everyone
Amherst Velvet Noise Reducing Curtain features: Polyester velvet dampens sound | Cloth loops make a seamless look at the curtain rod level | Also offers strong Sun Zero blackout and thermal protection | Starts at $16
While many of the curtains we featured have a smooth fabric texture, the velvet curtains featured here offer a little bit more of a luxurious aesthetic and feel, but are still effective at blocking out both sound and light.
The Sun Zero element focuses on keeping all light out of a room for those who want to be able to sleep even in a room that normally would be flooded with natural light, and keeping the curtains drawn reduces heat and cooling loss through glass windows. Solid color options match a variety of home interiors and allow you to keep the overall look of your room while promising up to 40% noise reduction.
- Multi-rod compatibility
- Not all variations are available in large panels
- Soft cotton construction
- Emphasis on sound rather than light reduction
No. 918 Billie Noise Reducer features: Panel size up to 15 feet | Simple design fits into any room setting and can be moved easily | Grommets make curtain rod installation simple | Starts around $63
As a bedrooms divider between fussy kids or between couples sharing a remote working space, curtain dividers are becoming a popular, budget-friendly choice to create new spaces. While many curtains could do the job alright, the No. 918 Billie noise reducing curtain is available in floor-to-ceiling sizes that are up to 15 feet wide.
These sound-dampening room dividers might serve as a more comprehensive solution than using room partitions, which leave lots of open air around them. What's more, they are great when you want flexibility. They can be installed on a variety of rods and easily pulled across the room or removed during times when you want to use the room's full size.
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- Easy to install and clean
- Effective at blocking light and heat
- Affordable even when you need multiple panels
- At least one size of curtain was found to not be exactly the right dimensions according to a customer
- Not as thick as some of the other options we've listed
- Less extensive color options
Pro Space Noise Reducer Curtains features: Available in multiple sizes and colors like navy, grey, and black | Simple grommet construction fits many curtain rods | Machine wash and dry | Starts around $12
Pro Space's noise reducer curtains boast a simple, straightforward design; the top layer is simple fabric and the curtains are offered in black and grey at Home Depot.
However, if you want a curtain that can either nest inside another, more decorative curtain or can stand on its own as a practical option, these curtains deliver thermal protection, light barriers, and some noise cancellation all at a very affordable price. Customers comment on their antibacterial and easy-to-clean properties, as well as the overall aesthetics.
- Only curtain reviewed that is produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory
- Three options for installing on curtain rod: Curtain hooks, round rings, or clip rings
- Lightest, airiest look and feel of any curtain reviewed
- Higher price point
Peace & Quiet Noise-Reducing Curtain features: Fabric curtains in many Pottery Barn style shades | Light look concealing dense polyester core | Multiple size panel options | Starts around $109
Pottery Barn is known for creating beautiful, minimalistic looks that are the height of modern home design, and so a curtain from this retailer that is designed for noise reduction brings a level of elegant design while also appearing more lightweight than some of the thick options we've featured.
The color palate is varied and includes muted tones that work well with contemporary neutrals and other accent colors, allowing you to benefit from a drape that looks decorative but also has a thick, light, sound and a heat-blocking core.
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- Silky feel
- Tons of color options
- Multiple sizes available
- Not full 100% blackout
Deconovo Blackout Curtain features: Multiple design options | Designed for living room use | Stainless steel grommets | Starts around $25
The Deconovo Blackout Curtains specialize in effective soundproofing while still affording you options, making them the best soundproof curtains when you want to add some fun to your room.They are also blackout curtains, which means that you can count on them to block out the light in your room, too.
Made of a high-quality polyester blend, these curtains are soft to the touch with a silky feel. Eight grommets in stainless steel help keep your soundproof curtains in place. They are also thermal-insulated to help block out heat and keep cool air in, thus lowering the demand on your A/C and helping to make your home more energy-efficient.
Choose from classic colors like beige, grey, and white, or make a splash with fun shades like red, mellow yellow, coral pink, and turquoise with the option for a pretty silver tree branch design. No matter which you choose, you will receive two curtain panels with two matching solid tie backs to secure them.
- Thermal-insulated
- Triple-weave blackout fabric
- Machine-washable
- Can dirty easily
Nicetown 100% Blackout Curtain features: Full blackout capability | Heat-blocking | Thermal-insulated | Starts around $22
The Nicetown 100% Blackout Curtain is not only one of the best soundproof curtains, but it is also one of the best blackout soundproof curtains you can buy.
Designed with a black thermal liner that is thick enough to deliver full blackout capability. That makes it a perfect fit for your bedroom when you like to sleep during the day, with this curtain keeping the light out Even better, it not only blocks light but also heat and UV rays. The two-layer drapes fit your window in such a way that Nicetown claims double the sound blocking.
Additionally, the curtains tout an attractive design, using silver grommets to secure the curtain into place. There are also plenty of colors to choose from, including burgundy red, bright yellow, lavender rose, and peacock teal, all delivered with the interior black thermal liner so you can personalize your curtains while still enjoying the blackout effect.
What are the best soundproofing curtains?
When you first see a soundproof curtain price, you may think that they vary quite substantially in cost. The key way to make sure you're comparing apples to apples is to ensure you know the dimensions of your windows and whether you'll need one panel or two.
Unless the window is at least a few inches narrower than the width of the curtain, you'll typically want two panels so that you can fully cover the window and get the full soundproof benefits. Finally, make sure that if the curtain comes in a filmier, thinner version and a soundproof version, you're evaluating the soundproof one -- some curtains have nearly the same name but add "noise-reducing" somewhere in the name.
Best soundproof curtain | Price for one panel (typically 84-inch long, 42-55-inch wide) | Attaches to Curtain Rod | Material |
Moondream Noise Reducing Curtains | $109 | Grommets | Polyester, aluminum, recycled cotton |
Amherst Velvet Noise Reducing Curtain | $16 | Rod pocket slides onto rod | Velvet (polyester) |
No. 918 Billie Noise Reducer | Smallest size is 8 x7 feet for $40-$60; available in much larger panel sizes | Grommets | Polyester/cotton |
Pro Space Noise Reducer Curtains | $12 | Grommets | Polyester |
Peace and Quiet Noise Reducing Curtain | $109 | Curtain hooks for separately sold round or clip rings, also includes rod pocket | Polyester with acrylic coating |
Deconovo Blackout Curtain | $12.50 | Grommets | Polyester |
Nicetown 100% Blackout Curtain | $11 | Grommets | Polyester |
Which soundproof curtains are right for you?
If you intend to use the soundproof curtain in an area where you entertain company or have paid careful attention to design, make sure that the curtain you choose fits the color and style of the room and has a good drape to it that works for your room.
At the same time, it is also an option to choose any drape or curtain and include a soundproof curtain liner inside that you choose more for its thickness than for its beauty. Here are some of the ways that we see these different products stacking up as the best option.
Choose this best soundproof curtain... | If you want... |
Moondream Noise Reducing Curtains | Top tech for demonstrable noise reduction and top thermal and light protection. A patented blend of polyester and aluminum with a cotton backing has proven to be truly sound-reducing. |
Amherst Velvet Noise Reducing Curtain | A luxurious feel to your soundproof curtains. The velvety design adds texture instead of your typical plain design. |
No. 918 Billie Noise Reducer | A larger-sized soundproof curtain. This model will also work as a room divider with floor-to-ceiling sizes. |
Pro Space Noise Reducer Curtains | The best cheap soundproof curtain. Enjoy blackout and noise reduction features with this thermal-based design. |
Peace and Quiet Noise Reducing Curtain | An upscale soundproof curtain. This curtain goes the extra mile to combine a stylish design with a thicker design to block out noise. |
Deconovo Blackout Curtains | To add a pop of color to your room. These soundproof curtains come in an array of fun colors to choose from. |
NICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtains | To block out light. These soundproof curtains don't only prevent sound but light, too. |
How did we choose these soundproof curtains?
In addition to customer reviews, we considered the following factors when choosing the best soundproof curtains.
Sound: The most important factor is whether a soundproof curtain will help block noise. There are other features typically associated with soundproof curtains, such as a thermal barrier or light barrier to help block out extra sound.
Weight: It is critical that a soundproof curtain is not too heavy so it does not weigh down the support apparatus. The last thing you want is your curtain rod ripping out of the wall and causing you extra damage.
Features: We also took into consideration specialty elements, like how some curtains were available in room-sized panels that can be used to create convenient room-sized dividers, as well as the luxury and style of the fabric.
Design: Curtains and drapes are chosen with both aesthetic and practical elements in mind, so we paid attention to whether the end users enjoyed the effect that the soundproofing features produced, as well as whether they thought the curtains looked good in the rooms where they were used.
- Price: Although not generally too expensive, the cost of soundproof curtains can vary based on factors like the manufacturer, material, and size. We found the best soundproof curtains range in price from $11 to $109, depending on the option you choose. We were sure to include a highly affordable option that gets the job done without extra frills.
Are soundproof curtains good for a home studio?
Soundproof curtains can absolutely make a positive impact on your home studio. They can block out exterior noises while keeping the good sounds inside. They are also better able to isolate noises so you can record all of the little nuances of your musicianship. In addition to their overall affordability, they are super easy to set up, so you can get them up and ready before your next session.
What are the materials to look for in soundproof curtains?
There are many types of soundproof curtains out there, but not all of them may be designed to provide the best soundproofing for your area. Many of the best soundproof curtains are made of a polyester blend with thermal backing to provide extra noise reduction. However, there are some other heavier types of materials available such as the Amherst Velvet Noise Reducing Curtain that can provide even stronger protection.
Are soundproof curtains truly soundproof?
While all of the curtains featured mentioned promise to be soundproof or noise-reducing, all have reviews mentioning that the curtains act more as a sound dampener rather than full-proof sound-blocker.
If you're concerned that the sounds you want to dampen are too loud, be aware that no particular curtain is going to protect against all noise -- not even the wall of your home is able to do that in most cases.
Instead, aim for curtains that will act a bit more of as a damper and allow less noise through, and then consider other options like adding insulation to your home if you worry that you're still hearing far too much.
Can soundproof curtains reduce your energy bill?
Soundproof curtains and indeed curtains of any kind add additional protection against heat and cooling loss that can happen through both poorly sealed windows and single-pane windows. While you may not notice a change in your energy bill with only one new curtain, adding and using soundproof thermal curtains throughout your home could have a noticeable impact on how easily your home cools and heats, as well as your bill if all else is held equal.
Do people sleep better if they have soundproof curtains?
Most people startle if outside noise is loud or sharp enough at night, so a sound-dampening or reducing curtain can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep even with outside noises. However, adding a white noise machine may also be beneficial to your sleep if you find that unpredictable sounds are still rousing you from sleep.
Are there alternative soundproof curtains worth considering?
Both companies Wontex and Nicetown have high-quality curtains available that help to muffle sounds, making them two additional options to evaluate.
Wontex curtains are thick and weighted so they hang straight, and they are made with fabric on both sides and a middle high-density layer that works to block extra sound, heat, and light. Nicetown curtains are soft despite also featuring a triple-layer design all while being soundproof and fade resistant.