Best Blackout Curtains for a Home Theater in 2022

A home theatre is great for a night in or entertaining friends and family.

And you’ve invested a lot into your setup to give it outstanding picture quality a big and bold dynamic sound.

The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a good movie, to be interrupted by the glare from the sun. Even the smallest amount of light can alter the entire feel of the setting.

What about the loud and distracting sirens or vehicles outside? Struggling to hear the dialogue should never happen when you’re “at the movies.”

That’s where blackout curtains come in. They look fantastic and add to the overall cinematic feel of your space. They make the watching experience better by:

• Diminishing the amount of light entering the room
• Reducing the reflections on the screen
• Absorbing sound

Because blackout curtains are thicker than regular curtains, they’re able to absorb sound much more effectively. While they won’t stop external noise from coming through your windows, they dampen the internal echo creating fewer distractions from the outside world.

After you have your blackout curtains sorted, you’ll want to consider acoustic panels (if you haven’t done so already). If you are new acoustic panels and want to learn how they can be beneficial, see our guide to what do acoustic panels do.

Best Curtain Materials for a Home Theater

The thickness of your curtain isn’t the only element that affects your sonic experience; the materials your curtains are made of are just as important.

The best fabrics to use in a home theatre should be both dense and porous. Also, the darker the material, the better it is for blocking out light.

Most blackout curtains are made from Polyester or a polyester blend. It’s low cost and also has excellent sound-absorbing abilities. Velvet is another practical option; it’s more expensive, but it does give off a luxury feel.

What to Look For

Not all curtains are made the same. To create the best cinematic experience, you should consider each of the following:

Coverage

You don’t want to go small when it comes to your curtains. You need them large enough to block out a significant amount of light and absorb as much sound as possible.

Aim for floor-to-ceiling coverage if you can, which also creates an authentic theatre vibe. If that look isn’t what you’re going for, then hang your curtains 2″-4″ above a window or door. Make sure they’re long enough to hang down onto the floor or at least 2″-4″ below the window frame.

For the sides, a good rule of thumb is to aim for curtains that are two or three times the width of the window you’re covering.

Fabric Layers & Weave

Blackout curtains should have a two or three-pass lining. This style is produced by spraying a blackout lining with layers or passes of acrylic foam. The three-pass lining will be better at absorbing sound and regulating the temperature within your theatre.

Curtains using a triple weave blackout construction are also effective. Triple weave fabric is made from three interwoven layers, one of which uses a black thread to block out light.

Both of these options offer curtains that are denser and weigh more than your standard ones. In turn, this provides better sound-absorbing and light-blocking capabilities while having more control over the temperature.

Grommets

A popular way to mount your curtains is with grommets. They’re wide metallic holes in your curtains for the rods to pass through when hanging.

While grommets are a favourite in modern homes, you need to be careful when using them with blackout curtains. The metal holes let a lot of light in, so you must make sure they’re high enough on the wall that they don’t hang over the window.

Blackout vs Regular Curtains

You may be wondering if regular curtains will do the trick for your home theatre; the answer depends on your expectations.

Blackout curtains were created to block light and are made accordingly. Regular curtains, even if they’re made using dark fabric, will block some light, but they’re generally not thick enough or made with suitable material to be as effective.

Best Blackout Curtains for a Home Theater

With so many choices out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed browsing through countless pages of blackout curtains. That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you and put together a list of the best blackout curtains for a home theatre.

Let’s jump into it.

1. NICETOWN High-End Thermal Curtains

The NICETOWN High-End Thermal Curtains have made their place as one of the leading choices in blackout curtains.

With two layers of triple-weaved blackout fabric, these curtains completely block out sunlight and UV rays. On top of that, they absorb twice as much sound as your regular curtain would, allowing for an optimal listening experience.

The curtains are designed with silver grommets that add a modern, elegant flair to your space while making them easy to install and slide around. They’re created without the use of formaldehyde or other VOCs like many other blackout curtains, so you won’t need to worry about lingering chemical smells or potential health risks.

The NICETOWN curtains are thermally insulating, balancing the temperature in your theatre room and making the whole experience more comfortable for you and your guests.

Features

• Two layers of triple-weave Polyester
• Completely blocks sunlight and UV rays
• Thermally insulated and sound absorbent
• 24 colour options available in multiple sizes
• Machine washable

We Like

• Affordable
• Efficient at keeping out most light
• Good at blocking out heat from the sun

We Don’t Like

• Some reports of poor stitching
• Easily wrinkled
• Light seeps through the top and sides of the curtain

2. Laurel Foundry – Blackout Curtains

The Laurel Foundry blackout curtains are made using fade and stain-resistant Polyester that’s great for blocking sunlight and reducing reflective glare.

The material is soft to the touch and heavy enough to muffle the noise reflecting around your theatre room. It’s thermally insulated, keeping the temperature perfect so you can enjoy the movie without being bothered to adjust the heating.

The header features a rod pocket holder with a hook belt, so you have the option of hanging the curtain panel from hooks, rods or both.

While the single panel comes at a higher price point, you have nine different sizes to choose from with 25 colour options. The variety of options make it easy to find the perfect curtain for your home theatre.

Features

• Fade & stain-resistant Polyester
• Blackout, thermal & noise reducing
• Multiple colours and sizes
• Rod Pocket Header
• Single Curtain Panel

We Like

• Heavy and thick fabric
• Great for blackout
• Soft material

We Don’t Like

• Colours not accurate
• Arrives wrinkled
• On the expensive side

3. LEMOMO Blackout Curtains

These soft and super smooth curtains are for those looking for the best bang for their buck. The triple weave construction impedes 85%-95% of sunlight and UV rays.

Despite being a lighter curtain, it has excellent thermal insulating capabilities. This trait makes them efficient at preventing energy loss during the hot summers and cold winters.

You can match the colour scheme in your theatre with 19 bold colour options. The grommet-style top gives your space a modern and high-end feel.

The LEMOMO blackout curtains are highly rated and have become a popular choice for those looking for a great deal.

Features

• 100% Polyester
• Triple weave construction with grommets
• 85%-95% blackout
• Thermal insulating
• Machine washable
• 19 colour options in various sizes

We Like

• Great value for the price
• Blocks out the majority of the light
• Keeps room cool from the sun

We Don’t Like

• Some light shines through grommets
• Lighter colours are not as great at blocking light
• Not effective at reducing sound

4. Lark Manor – Blackout Curtains

If you’re searching for a curtain where fashion meets functional, look no further. The Lark Manor blackout curtains feature a bronze grommet header and tiebacks that add a sophisticated and modern look to any space.

The curtains are made from triple-weaved polyester, which we know effectively blocks out sunlight and mutes noises from outside. The material looks and feels incredibly silky and smooth, which adds to the luxury of your home theatre and will have you buying them for your whole house.

You also have 30 colour options to choose from, which means you won’t have a problem matching them to your home and theatre decor.

Features

• Triple-weaved polyester
• Thermal and blackout efficient
• 30 colour options in 8 different sizes
• Grommet header
• Machine washable

We Like

• The material feels soft and silky
• Bronze grommet style
• Blocks heat and sun

We Don’t Like

• Arrives with wrinkles and creases
• Some colors aren’t accurate
• Fabric lighter than expected

5. TM Soundproofing Window Panel

For those serious about creating the ultimate theatre atmosphere, the TM soundproofing panels are worth the investment.

The panel is made from a loaded vinyl noise barrier called BCS (barrier septum composite). While it comes in clear vinyl, there’s also a choice for coloured vinyl that’s able to block light.

The panel is attached to your window frame using velcro strips for easy installation. One side is connected along the edge of your panel, and the second side comes in a roll you attach to the frame yourself. Because the velcro creates a seal along the perimeter of the frame, it also has enhanced sound blocking capabilities.

Grommets are found at the top and bottom of the panel, allowing you to lift the bottom to hang on the top hooks. This feature is handy when you need to access the window.

The TM soundproofing panel eliminates the need for additional soundproofing products, making it superior to curtains and perfect for a home theatre.

Ordering the panel is easy, and you have the choice of custom sizes between 24″ and 96″ so you can be confident in a tight fit.

Features

• Barrier Septum Composite (BSC)
• Grommets along the top and bottom
• Velcro along edges
• Colored or clear vinyl
• Custom sizes

We Like

• Custom sized
• Extremely effective at blocking sound compared to curtains
• Easy installation

We Don’t Like

• Expensive
• Not aesthetically pleasing
• Longer shipping times during large order volumes

Final Thoughts

The best blackout curtains for your home theatre will depend on your budget and expectations. Regardless of which brand you choose, you can look forward to watching movies without being distracted from unwanted light and loud noises.