Finding a sleep mask is easy. Finding one that actually works when you’re trying to sleep at 10 a.m. with daylight coming through the curtains is a different story.
If you work nights or rotating shifts, you probably don’t need another complicated sleep routine. You need darkness, comfort, and a mask that doesn’t press against your eyes or end up somewhere beside your pillow halfway through your sleep.
The best sleep masks for daytime sleep should block light well, fit comfortably around the nose, stay in place when you move, and feel comfortable enough to wear for hours.
We researched current sleep masks, compared their features, manufacturer specifications, and independent editorial testing to narrow the options down to five. We haven’t personally tested every mask in this guide, so we won’t pretend we have. Instead, this guide focuses on what each mask is designed to do—and which type of daytime sleeper it may suit best.
Quick Picks: Best Sleep Masks for Daytime Sleep
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| Sleep Mask | Best For | Why Consider It | Product Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MZOO Luxury Sleep Mask | Overall value & blackout | Contoured design gives the eyes room while helping block daytime light | CHECK CURRENT PRICE → |
| Manta Sleep Mask | Adjustable fit | Adjustable eye cups help customize the position for your face | CHECK CURRENT PRICE → |
| Manta PRO Sleep Mask | Side sleepers | Lower-profile design made with side-sleeping and breathability in mind | CHECK CURRENT PRICE → |
| Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Mask | Long lashes & luxury | Deep silk eye cups keep fabric away from the eyelids and lashes | CHECK CURRENT PRICE → |
| Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask | Gentle weighted pressure | Strap-free design provides light weighted pressure while winding down | CHECK CURRENT PRICE → |
Quick tip: For daytime sleep, start with your biggest problem. If it’s bright daylight, prioritize blackout and nose-area fit. If masks bother you when you turn onto your side, pay more attention to thickness and strap design.
1. MZOO Luxury Sleep Mask — Best for Overall Value & Blackout
If your biggest problem is daylight sneaking around your sleep mask, MZOO is a practical place to start.
Unlike a basic flat mask that sits directly against the eyelids, MZOO uses a contoured design with space around the eyes. That can be especially appealing if you dislike pressure on your eyelids or want room to blink comfortably.
Independent reviewers have also highlighted MZOO for its combination of light blocking, comfort, fit, and staying in place, which are particularly important when you’re trying to sleep for several hours during the day.
Best for: Night-shift workers who want strong light blocking without jumping straight to a premium-priced mask.
Why consider it:
Comfortable contoured eye space, adjustable fit, and a design focused on reducing light around the face.
What to consider:
No sleep mask fits every face the same way. The amount of light leaking around the nose can still depend on your face shape and how you adjust the mask.
Worth considering if:
You’ve tried inexpensive flat masks but still struggle with daylight or pressure against your eyes.
2. Manta Sleep Mask — Best for an Adjustable Fit
Sometimes the problem isn’t the mask itself—it’s that your face doesn’t match the mask.
The Manta Sleep Mask takes a different approach with adjustable eye cups. You can reposition them to better match your eyes and face, which may help when standard one-shape-fits-all masks leave annoying gaps.
The eye cups are also designed to keep pressure away from the eyelids and lashes. That can make a difference when you’re wearing a mask for several hours of daytime sleep.
Best for: Daytime sleepers who have trouble getting a comfortable, light-blocking fit from standard masks.
Why consider it:
Adjustable eye cups, blackout-focused construction, and room around the eyes rather than fabric resting directly on them.
What to consider:
It costs more than many basic sleep masks, and the eye-cup design is bulkier than a simple flat silk mask.
Worth considering if:
You’ve bought sleep masks before but always seem to end up adjusting them because of light gaps or uncomfortable pressure.
3. Manta PRO Sleep Mask — Best for Side Sleeper
A sleep mask can feel perfectly comfortable on your back—and suddenly annoying the moment you roll onto your side.
That’s the problem the Manta PRO is designed to address. Compared with the regular Manta, the PRO uses a lower-profile eye-cup design intended to reduce pressure around the temples while side sleeping. It also puts more emphasis on breathability.
Best for: Side sleepers who regularly feel their sleep mask pressing into their face or shifting when they turn.
Why consider it:
Lower-profile eye cups, breathable construction, adjustable fit, and a design specifically aimed at people who move or sleep on their side.
What to consider:
This is a premium option, so it may be difficult to justify if a less expensive mask already fits you comfortably.
Worth considering if:
You need serious daytime light blocking but thicker masks become uncomfortable whenever you roll onto your side.
4. Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Sleep Mask — Best for Long Lashes & a Luxury Feel
If you’ve ever put on a sleep mask and immediately felt it brushing against your eyelashes, you already know why a deeper eye area can matter.
The Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Sleep Mask uses deep contoured eye cups designed to keep the fabric away from your eyelids and lashes. It’s also made with mulberry silk, giving it a softer, more luxurious feel than many foam-based masks.
Best for: People with long natural lashes or lash extensions, or anyone who dislikes fabric touching their eyelids.
Why consider it:
Deep eye cups, silk construction, adjustable fit, and more room around the lashes.
What to consider:
It’s considerably more expensive than a basic sleep mask. If your main concern is simply blocking daylight, you may not need to pay extra for the silk and lash-friendly design.
Worth considering if:
Eye pressure and lash contact are the reasons you normally take your sleep mask off.
5. Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask — Best for Gentle Weighted Pressure
Not everyone wants a mask strapped tightly around their head.
The Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask takes a different approach. It’s strap-free and uses four lightly weighted sections that rest across the eyes and surrounding area.
This makes it less about creating the most aggressive blackout possible and more about adding gentle pressure while you settle down to rest.
Best for: People who enjoy weighted relaxation but dislike traditional sleep-mask straps.
Why consider it:
Strap-free design, soft weighted sections, and flexible positioning whether you’re lying on your back or side.
What to consider:
Nodpod says the mask is designed to help you settle into sleep and doesn’t necessarily need to stay on all night. If your main goal is uninterrupted blackout throughout several hours of daytime sleep, one of the blackout-focused masks above may make more sense.
Worth considering if:
You find gentle pressure relaxing and usually dislike the feeling of a strap around your head.
How to Choose a Sleep Mask for Daytime Sleep
Sleeping during the day changes what matters in a sleep mask. A little light leaking through at midnight may barely be noticeable. At 10 a.m., it can be hard to ignore.
Here’s what to pay attention to before buying.
1. Look for Blackout, Not Just Dark Fabric
A black mask isn’t automatically a blackout mask.
Pay attention to how the mask fits around your nose and cheeks, where small gaps can let daylight through. Contoured or adjustable designs can be useful when flat masks don’t fit your face well.
2. Check for Pressure Around Your Eyes
If you dislike anything touching your eyelids, look for 3D or contoured eye cups.
Extra space around the eyes can also matter if you have long eyelashes or simply want to blink without the fabric touching them.
3. Think About Your Sleep Position
Side sleepers should pay particular attention to thickness around the temples.
A bulky mask may feel fine while you’re lying on your back but become uncomfortable when your head presses into the pillow.
4. Consider Heat and Breathability
Daytime bedrooms can get warm.
If you tend to sleep hot, look at the materials around the mask—not just how soft they feel. Breathable fabrics and less bulky construction may be more comfortable for longer sleep periods.
5. Look at the Strap
A mask that blocks light perfectly isn’t very useful if you wake up and find it beside your pillow.
Look for an adjustable strap that feels secure without needing to be painfully tight. If you dislike straps entirely, a design like Nodpod offers a different approach.
6. Check How It Needs to Be Washed
If you’re wearing a mask after several shifts each week, eventually it needs cleaning.
Before buying, check whether it’s machine washable, hand wash only, or has removable washable components. A great mask can quickly become annoying if caring for it is complicated.
One More Thing: Your Room Still Matters
A sleep mask can help with light, but it doesn’t have to do all the work.
Blackout curtains, comfortable room temperature, and reducing unnecessary noise can make your daytime sleep environment easier to manage.
If you’re regularly sleeping after overnight work, you may also find our guide on how to sleep during the day when you work nights helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sleep masks good for daytime sleep?
A sleep mask can help reduce the amount of light reaching your eyes, which can be particularly useful when you’re trying to sleep during daylight hours. For night-shift workers, look for a mask that blocks light around the nose and stays comfortable for longer periods.
What type of sleep mask blocks the most light?
Blackout masks with a close fit around the nose and cheeks tend to be better suited to blocking daylight. Contoured or adjustable designs can also help reduce gaps, although the best fit depends on your face shape.
Are contoured sleep masks better than flat masks?
It depends on what feels comfortable to you. Contoured masks create space around the eyes, which can be helpful if you dislike pressure on your eyelids or have longer eyelashes. Flat masks are usually simpler and less bulky.
What is the best sleep mask for side sleepers?
Look for a low-profile mask with minimal bulk around the temples. A thick eye cup or buckle near the side of your head may become uncomfortable when pressed against a pillow.
How often should you wash a sleep mask?
Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, since materials differ. If you wear your mask frequently, especially for daytime sleep after work, regular cleaning can help remove oils, sweat, and skincare residue.
Can a sleep mask replace blackout curtains?
Not necessarily. A well-fitting mask can reduce the light reaching your eyes, while blackout curtains reduce light throughout the room. Some daytime sleepers may find using both more comfortable than relying on either one alone.
Finding the Best Sleep Mask for Your Daytime Sleep
You don’t need the most expensive mask. You need one that solves your biggest sleep problem.
If daylight is the issue, prioritize blackout and fit. If you sleep on your side, pay attention to thickness. If masks usually bother your eyes or lashes, look for deeper eye cups.
Start there. A sleep mask should make daytime sleep easier—not give you one more thing to fight with after a long night at work.