Wirecutter vs UBlockout: The Best Blackout Shades

Referenced article: The Best Blackout Shades of 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blackout-shades/

Key Takeaways:

• Wirecutter's Best Blackout Shades 2025 article only lists light leaking shades
• UBlockout's Ultimate Blackout Shade offers 100% blackout, no compromises
• Wirecutter's shade selection is a range of room darkening shades, not blackout shades
• Light is the most important external factor impacting sleep

New York Times' Wirecutter has spent countless hours inspecting, testing, and reviewing blackout shades to help Americans find the best products.

Their guide is comprehensive and informative, but it misses one crucial factor: true 100% blackout.

Wirecutter writes: "Even the best blackout shades can suffer from the dreaded 'light halo,' which occurs when small slivers of light seep in around the sides of a shade."

Respectfully, that's not true.

With the right design and technology, complete blackout is absolutely possible. And it's not a matter of 'good enough.' 

True 100% blackout isn't just a luxury. It's essential for deeper sleep, improved recovery, and better overall health.

Why 100% Blackout?

Because light is the most powerful disruptor of sleep.

It's no secret: if doctors could prescribe sleep, most of your medicine cabinet would be empty.

Research shows that even a small amount of light can affect metabolism and cardiovascular health.

One long-term study of more than 40,000 women found that sleeping with a light or TV on was linked to an increased risk of gaining more than 10 pounds. Another study found that artificial light at night may raise the risk of certain cancers.

The science is clear: 100% darkness isn't a luxury. It's a biological necessity for quality sleep, deep recovery, and long-term health.

What Does This Mean for Wirecutter's Article?

Wirecutter's Best Blackout Shades article is in reality a selection of room darkening shades: shades that make your room darker (perhaps even significantly) but not 100% blackout.

We're going to take their effort one step further: where can you find a true blackout shade?

To find out, we compared every one of Wirecutter's top picks with UBlockout's Ultimate Blackout Shade, so you can see the difference for yourself.

The verdict: Only UBlockout combines true 100% blackout with fully custom sizing, smart controls, and industry-leading warranty protection.

Judging Criteria

We've taken Wirecutter's testing criteria and made it more rigorous. Here's what actually matters when choosing blackout shades:

Level of blackout (not just "effective" light blocking)

Wirecutter admits their criteria "doesn't actually assess true blackout performance." Their excuse? Many people accept room-darkening shades that fail basic light blocking tests.

We're not that generous. True blackout means 100% light elimination. If light leaks through, it's not blackout. Period.

Cost

Cheap blackout shades are expensive when they fail. We evaluate total lifetime cost, not just the sticker price. Your hard-earned money deserves a solution that works the first time, not repeated purchases of underperforming products.

Range of sizes and colors

Your windows aren't standard, so why settle for limited options? We assess how customizable each shade is to fit your unique space perfectly.

Safe and convenient design

Blackout shades belong in nurseries, kids' bedrooms, master suites, and home offices. Child safety features must be built in, not tacked on as afterthoughts. Cordless blackout shades offer the safest option for homes with children.

Motorized and smart options

Modern life demands convenience. Motorized shades that respond to a button press or voice command aren't luxuries anymore. They're smart investments in daily comfort.

Easy installation

DIY installation can make or break your blackout experience. Poor installation is the difference between true 100% darkness and frustrating light leaks around the edges. DIY blackout shades need clear instructions and quality mounting hardware.

Warranty and customer support

Investing in better sleep requires confidence in your purchase. Strong warranty coverage and responsive customer service protect your investment when it matters most.

Material and quality construction

Cheap construction means light leaks and wasted money. Premium materials and precise engineering ensure your blackout shades actually block light instead of creating expensive disappointment.

Speed of delivery

When you need blackout shades, you need them now. Faster delivery means better sleep sooner, not weeks of waiting in frustration.

Wirecutter's Reality Check

We tested Wirecutter's recommendations against true blackout standards. Not one delivers 100% light blocking.

Select Blinds Essential Cordless Blackout Cellular Shade (Top Pick)

From $116.99

Wirecutter admits this only "blocked nearly all light." Nearly all isn't blackout. The cellular shade design sounds impressive, but those hollow cells actually create more opportunities for light penetration as the material ages and compresses. You're paying $200+ for room-darkening performance, not true blackout.

Blackout score: 90-95%

"There are still light gaps on the sides even with outside mount. It's not true blackout - more like 90-95%. If you need complete darkness, look elsewhere." - SelectBlinds.com review

IKEA Trippevals (Runner-Up)

From $67

Wirecutter's tester confirmed this blocks "95% of the light." That's a fail for blackout. Limited to grey only and eight preset sizes means most windows won't get a proper fit. Poor fit equals light gaps. Light gaps mean no blackout.

Blackout score: 85-90%

"Not blackout at all. Massive light gaps at the top and sides where it mounts. You can see daylight streaming in everywhere." - Reddit r/IKEA user

iFit Cordless Blackout Roller Shade (Best Roller Shade)

$83

Wirecutter acknowledges the fabric is narrower than the mount, creating light gaps, yet still calls this "blackout." Roller shades without side tracks cannot achieve 100% blackout. Period. The gap between the fabric roll and mounting hardware makes 100% blackout physically impossible.

Blackout score: 75-80%

"Don't expect true blackout with these. Light comes in around all edges and the fabric itself isn't completely opaque." - Blinds.com customer

Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade (Budget Pick)

$9-30

Wirecutter's testing showed this "blocked substantially less light than competitors." The paper construction deteriorates rapidly, adhesive mounting fails frequently. You'll replace every 12-18 months plus pay for wall repairs. This "budget" option becomes expensive fast.

Blackout score: 60-70%

"These are basically trash after 2-3 months. The paper starts yellowing and warping, adhesive gives out, and they look terrible." - Amazon verified purchase

The Missing Solution? True 100% Blackout Shades

Every one of Wirecutter's top picks fails the most basic test of all: complete darkness. Their guide is a solid roundup of room-darkening shades, but none deliver true blackout.

What's actually required for 100% blackout:

• Zero light transmission through fabric

• Side-channel technology to eliminate edge gaps and prevent the dreaded light halo

• Precision manufacturing for perfect window fit

• Professional-grade materials that maintain performance long-term

⁠ ⁠Want real, 100% Blackout? UBlockout Is Here

UBlockout's Ultimate Blackout Shade achieves what others dream of. With patented side-channel technology and genuine blackout fabric, it's the only solution that delivers 100% darkness - guaranteed.

Perfect for nurseries, bedrooms, home offices, or any space where complete darkness matters.

Stop paying for 'almost.' Invest once in the blackout shade that actually delivers.

UBlockout: because you shouldn't have to buy blackout blinds twice.

Click here to customize yours now