Getting a good night’s sleep is hard enough to do at home, let alone while you’re hurtling through the clouds. While some frequent fliers are lucky—and talented—enough to doze off before a plane even takes off, others need the help of a sleep mask to ensure they’ll catch some in-flight ZZZs.
Ultimately, the best sleep masks can help travelers adjust to different time zones and reduce the effects of jet lag, making them a must-have for your next flight. When shopping for sleep masks, be sure to look for ones that offer a customizable and adjustable fit and deliver total darkness, ideal for when your plane neighbor insists on keeping the overhead light on during a red-eye flight. For optimal comfort, snag a sleep mask made with ultra-soft materials such as silk or fleece. Alternatively, consider a weighted eye mask, which, like a weighted blanket, can offer a soothing effect. A contoured eye mask can help alleviate eye strain and pressure, while a memory foam option ensures a comfortable fit since it conforms to your eyes.
To narrow down the best sleep masks on the market—and help you find your perfect mask match—our editors tested over a dozen highly rated options and we reached out to travel pros for their own personal recommendations. Whether you need a silky, cool cover or something padded to fight headaches, read on to discover which eye masks truly live up to the hype by 1) improving sleep quality and 2) helping tired travelers unwind wherever they’re headed.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Caroline Morse Teel.
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