Noise-reducing blackout curtains can make a room darker and somewhat quieter, but they are not the same as soundproof windows. Heavy, multilayer curtains can reduce some sound passing through a window area and can also reduce reflections inside the room. Their effectiveness depends heavily on the curtain’s construction, weight, coverage, and installation.
If your goal is to reduce traffic noise, voices, barking dogs, or general neighborhood noise while also blocking light, choosing a dense blackout or acoustic curtain can be a practical first step. For severe noise problems, however, curtains are usually only one part of the solution.
This guide explains which types of noise-canceling blackout curtains are worth considering, what features actually matter, how much noise reduction you can realistically expect, and how to install them for the best result.
Table of Contents
Best Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtains: Quick Picks
| Best for | Option | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest manufacturer-backed acoustic option | Moondream 3-in-1 Soundproof Thermal Blackout Curtain | Multilayer acoustic curtain with published manufacturer noise-reduction data |
| Custom / lab-tested option | TWOPAGES Gene Soundproof Curtain | Heavy custom curtain with published STC and OITC test information |
| Best affordable starting point | PONY DANCE Blackout Insulated Curtains | Conventional blackout curtain that performed well in independent editorial testing |
| Budget blackout alternative | BGment Blackout Curtains | Widely available heavy blackout format with many sizes |
| Best when ordinary curtains are not enough | Window sealing or additional soundproofing | Targets the window itself rather than relying only on fabric |
Check current sound-reducing blackout curtain options on Amazon
Do Blackout Curtains Really Reduce Noise?
Yes, some blackout curtains can reduce noise—but ordinary blackout fabric should not automatically be called soundproof.
Blackout and sound control are two different jobs:
- Blackout performance describes how effectively the curtain prevents light from entering the room.
- Sound reduction depends on factors such as mass, density, number of layers, surface area, air gaps, and how completely the curtain covers the opening.
A thin curtain can block light extremely well while doing relatively little to stop outside noise. A heavier multilayer curtain may do both jobs better because it places more material between the room and the window.
Even then, the curtain does not eliminate the original sound path through the glass, frame, seals, wall, or ventilation openings. That is why the most accurate description is usually noise reducing rather than completely soundproof.
What Makes a Blackout Curtain Better at Reducing Noise?
If noise reduction is a priority, look beyond the words “blackout” and “soundproof” in the product title. The construction matters far more.
1. More Mass
In general, heavier curtains provide more resistance to sound transmission than a very light decorative panel. The important comparison is not simply whether the curtain feels thick, but how much material is actually present across the window.
2. Multiple Layers
Dedicated acoustic curtains often use several layers rather than a single piece of blackout fabric. Different layers may contribute mass, light blocking, thermal insulation, or acoustic absorption.
This is one reason a purpose-built acoustic blackout curtain can perform differently from an ordinary polyester blackout panel even when both look similar from across the room.
3. Fullness and Pleating
A curtain stretched perfectly flat across a window uses less material than one installed with generous folds. Extra fullness increases the amount of fabric covering the opening and can also improve absorption of reflected sound inside the room.
A useful starting point is to choose curtains substantially wider than the window rather than matching the glass width exactly.
4. Coverage Beyond the Window
Sound and light can bypass the curtain around the top, sides, center gap, and bottom. A curtain that extends above and beyond the window frame provides better coverage than a panel that barely covers the glass.
5. Floor-Length Installation
Long curtains that reach the floor—or come very close to it—generally leave a smaller open path beneath the fabric. Short curtains may look neat, but the large gap below them works against both light control and noise reduction.
Best Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtains
1. Moondream 3-in-1 Soundproof Thermal Blackout Curtains — Best Premium Acoustic Blackout Curtain
Moondream is one of the more interesting choices because its curtain is specifically designed around three jobs: noise reduction, blackout, and thermal control.
Rather than relying on a conventional single blackout fabric, Moondream uses a multilayer construction. The company publishes noise-reduction figures for individual models, which makes this a more credible option for someone buying primarily because of outside noise rather than light alone.
Moondream currently advertises some models in this range as capable of reducing outside noise entering through a glazed window by up to 16 dB. Treat that as manufacturer test information rather than a guarantee of the result in your room because window type, installation, curtain dimensions, frequency, and surrounding construction all affect real-world performance.
Best for: bedrooms, apartments, street-facing windows, home offices, and buyers willing to pay more for a curtain specifically engineered around acoustic performance.
Potential drawback: these are considerably more specialized than standard inexpensive blackout panels, so they may be unnecessary if light blocking is your main priority and the noise problem is mild.
View Moondream’s current soundproof blackout curtain range
2. TWOPAGES Gene Soundproof Curtain — Best Custom Lab-Tested Option
The TWOPAGES Gene is a very different product from the typical ready-made blackout panel. It is a heavy custom curtain designed to combine blackout, thermal insulation, and measurable acoustic performance.
TWOPAGES currently describes the Gene curtain as a 700 GSM multilayer curtain and publishes third-party acoustic testing information, including STC 12 and OITC 20 for the tested curtain configuration.
The ability to order a curtain for a particular track width is useful because fit is extremely important. The manufacturer recommends generous coverage above and on both sides of the window, which aligns with the basic acoustic principle of reducing open paths around the barrier.
Best for: bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms, offices, large windows, and people who want custom dimensions rather than adapting standard-size panels.
Potential drawback: the curtain is heavy and more expensive than conventional blackout drapes, and it requires suitable hardware.
View the TWOPAGES Gene curtain
3. PONY DANCE Blackout Insulated Curtains — Best Affordable Starting Point
If you do not want to spend premium-acoustic-curtain money, PONY DANCE is a more conventional blackout option worth considering.
The reason it earns a place here is not because every blackout curtain from the brand can be assumed to soundproof a room. It is because a current independent editorial test of a PONY DANCE blackout insulated model measured a noticeable reduction in the test setup.
That makes it a reasonable lower-cost option for someone dealing with moderate background noise while primarily wanting darkness, privacy, and a simple curtain-rod installation.
Best for: renters, bedrooms, dorm rooms, home offices, and moderate street or neighborhood noise.
Potential drawback: this remains a conventional curtain rather than a sealed acoustic window treatment, so expectations should remain realistic.
Check current PONY DANCE and other sound-reducing curtain options
4. BGment Blackout Curtains — Best Budget Alternative
BGment is another widely available blackout-curtain option and can make sense when the priority is affordability, room darkening, and some additional fabric mass over the window.
Do not buy a BGment curtain expecting the same acoustic engineering or test documentation as a dedicated Moondream or TWOPAGES acoustic curtain. Its appeal is different: many sizes, straightforward installation, and relatively inexpensive coverage.
Best for: budget bedroom upgrades, apartments, renters, and windows where adding more fabric is preferable to construction work.
Potential drawback: product marketing around “soundproof” or “noise reducing” should not be interpreted as proof that it will provide a specific decibel reduction in your room.
See current BGment and blackout curtain options
Noise-Reducing Curtains vs Ordinary Blackout Curtains
| Feature | Ordinary Blackout Curtain | Acoustic / Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtain |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Block light | Reduce sound while also controlling light |
| Typical construction | One or several textile layers | Heavier multilayer construction |
| Blackout ability | Can be excellent | Often excellent |
| Sound reduction | Usually modest | Potentially greater when properly designed and installed |
| Acoustic test data | Usually unavailable | Available from some manufacturers |
| Weight | Light to moderate | Often considerably heavier |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
How Much Noise Can Blackout Curtains Reduce?
There is no honest universal number.
The reduction depends on:
- the specific curtain construction
- its total mass and number of layers
- the frequency of the noise
- the original window construction
- how much the curtain overlaps the window
- gaps around the curtain
- distance between curtain and window
- whether sound is also entering through walls, vents, doors, or other paths
Some specialized acoustic-curtain manufacturers publish substantial reductions under controlled tests. That does not mean an inexpensive polyester blackout curtain will produce the same result.
The safest expectation is that ordinary heavy curtains can soften or reduce noise, while specialized acoustic curtains have a better chance of making a more noticeable difference.
Which Types of Noise Do Curtains Help With?
Traffic Noise
Heavy curtains may help reduce some road noise, particularly the mid- and higher-frequency components. Deep low-frequency engine rumble is more difficult to control with a curtain alone.
Voices and Neighbors
Speech is a more realistic target for a heavy acoustic curtain than deep bass. If voices are entering mainly through a lightweight or poorly sealed window, additional curtain mass may reduce how prominent they sound.
Barking Dogs
A barking dog contains a wide range of frequencies. Curtains may soften some of the sound, but a loud nearby dog is unlikely to disappear simply because a blackout curtain has been installed.
Aircraft, Trucks, and Bass
Low-frequency sound is particularly difficult to control with lightweight treatments. If aircraft, heavy trucks, subwoofers, or industrial noise are the main problem, the window and surrounding structure usually need more substantial treatment.
How to Install Blackout Curtains for Better Noise Reduction
Installation can make a large difference. Buying a heavy curtain and then leaving large openings around it wastes some of the benefit.
- Mount the rod or track above the window. Avoid starting directly at the top of the glass if you have room for additional overlap.
- Extend past both sides. Wider coverage reduces the open route around the curtain edges.
- Use generous curtain width. Extra width creates folds instead of stretching the material flat.
- Use floor-length panels where practical. Minimize the open gap beneath the curtain.
- Close the center seam completely. Two panels with a large central gap defeat both blackout and sound-control performance.
- Keep the curtain reasonably close to the wall or window area. Huge side openings allow more direct sound around the material.
- Use hardware rated for the curtain weight. Purpose-built acoustic curtains can be substantially heavier than decorative drapes.
Why Wider Curtains Usually Work Better
If a window is 60 inches wide, choosing exactly 60 inches of total curtain width leaves almost no material for folds or side overlap.
Using substantially more fabric allows the curtain to remain pleated when closed. This gives you more material in front of the opening and reduces the chance of gaps appearing when the panels are drawn together.
This is one reason custom acoustic-curtain manufacturers often specify fullness rather than simply matching the curtain’s finished fabric width to the glass width.
Do Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtains Block 100% of Light?
The fabric itself may provide extremely high blackout performance, but the finished room can still have light leakage around the curtain.
The most common leak points are:
- above the curtain rod
- the left and right sides
- between two panels
- below the curtain
That means installation is important for light control for the same reason it matters for sound: coverage matters.
Best Noise-Reducing Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms
For a bedroom, prioritize both blackout performance and coverage. A heavy curtain that reaches from well above the window to the floor and extends beyond both sides is generally a better choice than a small panel that fits the window exactly.
If the bedroom faces a busy road or noisy neighbors, a purpose-built acoustic option such as Moondream or a heavy custom curtain may be more appropriate than a basic room-darkening panel.
For minor neighborhood noise, an affordable multilayer blackout curtain may be enough to make the room feel more comfortable without modifying the window itself.
Best Noise-Reducing Curtains for Apartments and Renters
Curtains are particularly attractive for renters because they are reversible. Unlike replacing windows or opening walls, they can usually be removed when you move.
For a rental apartment:
- choose the widest and longest curtain your wall will reasonably accommodate
- use a sturdy removable or conventional curtain system where permitted
- prioritize multiple layers over thin decorative fabric
- seal obvious window gaps separately if your lease permits it
- avoid expecting the curtain to eliminate low-frequency city noise
Blackout Curtains vs Acoustic Curtains vs Soundproof Windows
| Option | Light control | Noise reduction potential | Cost / difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard blackout curtain | High | Low to moderate | Low |
| Heavy acoustic blackout curtain | High | Moderate and potentially substantial depending on product and installation | Moderate |
| Window sealing / insert | Depends on treatment | Potentially stronger because it treats the actual opening | Moderate to high |
| Upgraded acoustic glazing/window system | Does not inherently block light | Potentially much stronger | High |
If the noise is severe enough that curtains alone are unlikely to solve the problem, see our full guide on how to soundproof windows yourself.
Are Soundproof Curtains Worth It?
They can be worth it when you understand their limitations.
A good noise-reducing blackout curtain makes the most sense when you want several benefits from one reversible treatment:
- less outside noise
- less light
- more privacy
- some additional thermal insulation
- less reflected sound inside the room
- no permanent window replacement
They make less sense if you expect a lightweight curtain to silence aircraft, heavy traffic, bass, construction work, or a badly leaking single-pane window.
What to Look for Before Buying
- Construction: Look for multilayer designs rather than marketing language alone.
- Weight or fabric density: More substantial material is generally preferable for acoustic use.
- Width: Buy enough material to maintain folds when the curtain is closed.
- Length: Floor-length coverage is preferable where practical.
- Blackout layer: Check whether the product is genuine blackout or merely room darkening.
- Acoustic evidence: Manufacturer or independent test data is much more useful than vague “soundproof” wording.
- Hardware: Confirm that the rod, brackets, or track can safely support the curtain.
- Care requirements: Some very heavy acoustic curtains require dry cleaning rather than machine washing.
- Return policy: Real-world results depend on your window and room, so a reasonable return policy is valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blackout curtains reduce noise?
Heavy blackout curtains can reduce some noise, but the amount varies greatly. A dedicated multilayer acoustic blackout curtain is generally a better choice for sound reduction than a thin curtain designed mainly to block light.
What are the best blackout curtains for noise?
For serious noise reduction, look for purpose-built acoustic blackout curtains with multiple heavy layers and published acoustic test information. Moondream and the TWOPAGES Gene are examples of this approach. For a lower-cost upgrade, heavy conventional blackout panels such as PONY DANCE or BGment may still help reduce moderate background noise.
Can blackout curtains block traffic noise?
They can reduce some traffic noise, but they are unlikely to eliminate it. Mid- and higher-frequency traffic sounds are generally easier for curtains to affect than deep engine rumble and other low-frequency noise.
Do blackout curtains help with noisy neighbors?
If voices or other neighbor noise are entering primarily through a window, a heavy acoustic curtain may help. If the sound is passing through walls, ceilings, floors, ventilation, or structural paths, treating the window alone will have limited effect.
Are Moondream soundproof curtains good?
Moondream is one of the more credible choices in this category because its curtains are specifically built for acoustic, blackout, and thermal performance and the company publishes model-specific noise-reduction information. The actual improvement in your home will still depend on the window, noise spectrum, curtain size, and installation.
Do thicker curtains block more sound?
Thickness alone is not enough to judge acoustic performance. Mass, density, number of layers, construction, coverage, and installation all matter. A thick but lightweight fabric should not automatically be assumed to outperform a denser multilayer curtain.
How wide should sound-reducing curtains be?
They should be wider than the opening so that the curtain remains pleated when closed and extends beyond the sides of the window. Avoid buying exactly the same total curtain width as the glass if noise reduction is a priority.
Can curtains completely soundproof a window?
No curtain should be expected to completely soundproof an ordinary window. Curtains are an additional barrier and absorber. Severe noise problems usually require treatment of the window itself, its seals, or the surrounding construction.
Final Verdict
Noise-reducing blackout curtains are worthwhile when you want a simple, reversible way to make a room darker and somewhat quieter.
For the strongest curtain-based approach, prioritize purpose-built acoustic curtains with substantial multilayer construction and credible test information. Moondream is a strong premium choice for combining blackout and noise reduction, while the TWOPAGES Gene is particularly interesting when you want custom sizing and published acoustic ratings.
For a more affordable upgrade, heavy conventional blackout curtains such as PONY DANCE or BGment can still be useful—especially when installed generously beyond the window rather than stretched tightly across the glass.
If the noise remains intrusive after installing a good curtain, the next step is not simply buying an even thicker curtain. You will usually get more value by identifying gaps, improving the window seal, adding an insert, or addressing the window construction itself.
Compare current sound-reducing blackout curtain options
And if you need substantially more noise reduction, continue with our guide to soundproofing windows yourself.
Good luck and happy soundproofing!