A great night’s sleep can be the difference between a great day and a bad one. Now more than ever, it’s hard to really get that deep restful sleep that we so desperately need. We have more things now vying for our attention—work, school, TV shows, books, memes, fanfiction, and so on. This can make it hard to fall asleep and even when we do, it’s not always as restful as we’d like.
Sometimes, even though we get our recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep, it doesn’t quite feel like it. We wake up groggy and miserable. We contemplate throwing our
alarm clocks across the room and cover our heads with our
comforters and wish that there was no work or school to go to so we could just spend the time sleeping and getting back to our dream.
There are times when we try to fall asleep and it evades us as if we were a nuisance constantly ringing its doorbell throughout the night. Times like these, you’re left to either stare at the ceiling, hug your
pillow, check your phone or go grab a snack, or lay there thinking about some of the most embarrassing moments in your life. None of which brings you closer to falling asleep.
We’re programmed to sleep in the dark. It’s just how we’re built. Now if, for whatever reason, your room or home is never fully dark and it’s hard to fall asleep because of the light peering through or you want to catch a quick day nap but the sun dares to shine its light while you’re trying to nap, then a sleeping mask will become your new sleep best friend.
Sleeping masks are fairly simple, but there are a few things to know when you’re shopping for one to ensure you get the right one for you. To help you with this, we’ve written a comprehensive buying guide to cover all the essentials so you can get the right sleeping mask to cover your eyes and help you drift off to sleep like you were being sung a lullaby.
Price
Sleeping masks are quite affordable. The price range goes from as low as $15 to as high as $45. There are some which are lower and higher than this price range, but most fall within this area. If you’re looking and you see a more expensive sleeping mask, then ensure it’s worth the money. That being said, we caution you against picking a cheap sleeping mask because these tend to be made using inferior materials and won’t last you very long.
You may be wondering why sleeping masks differ in price; after all, they all do the same basic thing. While that is true, there are different types of sleeping masks and that affects their prices, along with the different materials used to make them.
For example, an aromatherapy sleep mask, which has a pouch where you can put a sachet of herbs to help you fall asleep, would cost more than a regular sleep mask without any additional features. Overall, sleep masks will not put much of a dent in your wallet and if you’re having trouble falling asleep, will definitely pay off in the long run.
Features
When you’re shopping for a sleeping mask, you want to ensure you get the right one for yourself, because each person sleeps differently and what may work for your friend or your partner may not be what works for you.
That being said, when you’re looking to choose a sleep mask, these are the features you need to consider:
- Materials – The sleep mask’s material affects everything from the way it feels to how easy it is to clean.
- Type – Sleeping masks come in different forms; we mentioned aromatherapy, but there are also sleeping masks with light therapy and so on. Therefore, it’s important to think about these things when making your choice.
- Size – The size of a sleeping mask will affect how it fits your face and feels, so it’s important to get one that you’ll feel comfortable in and that will stay on even if you twist and turn during the night.
- Shape – Some sleep masks go directly over your eyes, preventing any movement; others have cavities which allow you to open your eyes but see total darkness.
- Maintenance – Sleeping masks need to be cleaned and maintained regularly, so choose one that you know will be easy to take care of.
- Design - While superfluous to some, the look of a sleep mask is important to others. So have fun with it; opt for a funny or even a cute sleeping mask. Whatever tickles your fancy.
- Extras – Some sleeping masks come with earplugs and other accessories, so if you want a little extra, opt for a mask with some nice accessories.
Construction and Design
There are four important factors to consider when it comes to the construction and design of your sleeping mask: the material it’s made from, its size, how its shape fits your face, and what type it is. Below, we’ll go more into detail on each of these.
Material
Sleeping masks all have the same basic profile and purpose. However, the materials used are what really make a difference in how it feels on your face. Sleeping masks are usually made using silk, cotton, or a combination of both. These two materials are known for being soft and comfortable, though some people prefer cotton over silk and vice-versa.
One of the benefits of cotton is that it absorbs sweat and isn’t known for overheating, so if that is important to you then go for a cotton sleeping mask. If you’re worried about allergies, then look for a hypoallergenic sleeping mask to ensure you’re covered. Another great material used is bamboo, which is quite lightweight, cool, and works great if you have sensitive skin.
Size
Besides the material, the size of your sleeping mask is important. While they are one-size-fits-all in most cases, there are those that can go up or down in size to accommodate you if the average size doesn’t feel right. If you want an adjustable sleeping mask, then one with a Velcro strap might be just what you’re looking for.
Shape
Sleeping masks also vary in profile; some are slim, some thick, some medium. The profile that works best for you depends on how you feel and how you sleep. Side sleepers, in most cases, prefer a slim, compact sleep mask that will fit their face and stay put when they toss and turn.
Type
Sleeping masks are also available in therapeutic models. We mentioned the aromatherapy mask, but another therapeutic sleep mask is the light therapy version, which uses a blue light to calm the mind and help you fall asleep faster. These masks are a great way to fall asleep faster without the use of medication, which is sure to have you feeling rested in the morning.
In addition, if you’re worried about bags, you can get a sleeping mask with cooling gels to help you look radiant and refreshed even if you haven’t gotten the amount of sleep you want. Because sometimes you just have to get up and go, but still want to look good.
Performance and Ease of Use
Sleeping masks were created to help you fall asleep quicker and rest longer. They are especially great if you love to sleep, but have trouble falling asleep. It’s funny that as kids many of us protested naps, yet now we cherish them and wish that we could take more naps. #bringnapsback
Here’s a bit of info on what to look out for while choosing your sleeping mask in terms of performance and ease of use.
Maintenance
Besides being great for bedtime, sleeping masks are easy to take care of. Many are made with easily-washable materials and because you wear them to bed, they aren’t overly dirty unless you’re running through dirt fields while you sleep (in that case, maybe your quality of sleep isn’t why you feel so tired in the morning).
One of the common thoughts of sleep mask owners is if the material will hold when washed frequently and in most cases, once you’ve opted for a good-quality mask, the material will be sure to last. It’s also important to follow the washing instructions that come with the sleeping mask, as different companies can make different recommendations to make your mask last longer.
Design
This is an optional factor to watch for, but if you prefer colors, designs, or even characters on your things, you may want to go for a mask with these traits. Similarly, if you just want a simple mask with no added flair, then there are plenty of options on the market for you, too.
Extras
Honestly, once you get a great sleep mask, some quality earplugs and a travel pouch (which you can get with your mask purchase), you are ready to sleep just about anywhere.
Last note, if you haven’t already, search “extreme sleeping” on Google Images and it just goes to show that man can sleep just about anywhere.
We’ve covered all the essentials to help you choose the right sleeping mask. Let’s take a look at those five great sleeping masks we mentioned before to see how they compare and what they have to offer.
Features
PrettyCare is like that one friend whose outfit is always stylish and functional. They create products that are original, functional, and fashionable. They put some of the best possible thoughts, materials, and effort to ensure that what you get is something you’ll love and value supremely.
Our featured PrettyCare product is none other than the PrettyCare Unisex 3D Sleep Mask. This mask is great for both men and women. It’s built with high-density memory foam which makes it ultra-comfortable. On top of that, it’s quite thin, measuring only 0.6 cm in thickness and is a light 0.4 oz.
The large eye cavities make it perfect for any face. These, along with the raised nasal bridge and thickened canthus, make it perfect for a great night’s sleep and it won’t smudge your makeup. The Velcro strap is adjustable and can be changed from 9cm – 20cm. They are also anti-bacterial, anti-fade, and anti-mite. The additional earplugs and silk traveling pouch are also great extras which give this purchase great bang for your buck.
We appreciate you taking the time to read our sleeping mask review and hope it helped you choose the right sleeping mask to use either at home or on the road. If you’re not liking any of the five on our list, then check out what else these five trusted sleeping mask brands have to offer.
