Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
CB2 European Flax-Certified Linen Blackout Curtain Panels
Best Premium LinenNICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtains
Best Overall BlackoutPrice
$100-$200
$25-$50
Summary
Wirecutter's top pick for room-darkening curtains that actually look beautiful. Certified European flax linen hangs with a breezy, light aesthetic while still delivering impressive light blocking.
The most consistently recommended blackout curtain across Reddit communities. Available in multiple sizes and colors, with triple-weave construction that delivers true cave darkness when installed wider and higher than the window frame.
Pros
- Wirecutter's top pick after testing dozens of curtains
- European Flax-certified linen for a premium, natural look and feel
- Impressive room-darkening ability despite light, breezy appearance
- Hangs beautifully with a sophisticated drape
- Mentioned positively across multiple Reddit communities including r/sleeptrain, r/Nightshift, and r/homeownerstips
- Triple-weave blackout construction blocks nearly all light
- Available in a wide range of lengths, widths, and colors
- Affordable price point on Amazon with easy ordering
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than budget blackout options
- Room-darkening rather than full blackout — won't achieve cave darkness
- More expensive and fewer extras than the similar West Elm option
- Light can still leak from sides if not tacked to wall or installed with extra width
- Fabric can feel synthetic/plasticky compared to linen options
- May not suit design-forward interiors looking for a premium aesthetic
Our take
If you care about how your curtains look as much as how they perform, CB2's linen panels are the move. Wirecutter tested dozens and these came out on top — they're the rare curtain that looks expensive because it is, and it's worth it.
If you want blackout curtains and don't want to overthink it, buy NICETOWN. Reddit has been recommending these for years across sleep, nightshift, and home improvement communities — that kind of sustained word-of-mouth is hard to fake.
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