Create darkness anywhere.
Red-eye flyers and anyone who wakes the moment a neighbor's reading light switches on will find their next purchase on this page. The four sleep accessories here come from Travel + Leisure's sleep mask testing, matched to what each Amazon link sells.
Part of: Best Long Flight Accessories · 15 Amazon Travel Products That Make Flying Easier
The slots are a Best Overall contoured blackout mask with eye cups that never press on your lids, a Best Value cotton mask that does the basics for under ten dollars, a Trending mask that adds gentle vibration and wellness features, and a Premium silk mask for skin-conscious sleepers. The one thing to check before buying the best sleep mask for flights: how much you will use it. The high-tech masks run from well over a hundred dollars to several hundred, which is hard to justify for a couple of trips a year, while the two simpler picks cover most people's needs for a fraction of that.
We compared every pick on light blocking design, eye cup or flat, fabric, tech features, washable and price tier, so you can choose in under two minutes.
Best for: Light-sensitive and side sleepers on red-eye and transoceanic flights
Best for: Casual flyers and families who want simple darkness on any flight
Best for: Frequent red-eye and jet-lag-prone travelers who struggle to switch off
Best for: Skin-conscious and lash-wearing travelers on frequent overnight flights
Who each pick is for, its main selling point, the reason you might skip it and the price.
| Pick | Product | Best for | Main selling point | Potential drawback | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Manta Original Sleep Mask | Light-sensitive and side sleepers on red-eye and transoceanic flights | The Manta Original Sleep Mask pairs a soft head strap with two movable eye cups you position over each eye, giving blackout darkness on a bright cabin without any pressure on your lids or lashes. | Mid-range price for a non-electronic mask | About $72 |
| Best Value | Mavogel Cotton Sleep Mask | Casual flyers and families who want simple darkness on any flight | The Mavogel Cotton Sleep Mask does the basics right: soft cotton against the skin, a flap that seals the nose gap and an adjustable strap, at a price that makes it an easy add to every carry-on. | Rests on the eyelids, so lash wearers may find it less comfortable | About $9 |
| Trending Now | Therabody SleepMask | Frequent red-eye and jet-lag-prone travelers who struggle to switch off | The Therabody SleepMask wraps a blackout mask around gentle vibration patterns meant to ease you toward sleep, bringing the brand's recovery technology to red-eye flights and jet-lagged hotel nights. | Price is hard to justify for occasional flyers | About $135 |
| Go Premium | Slip Silk Contour Sleep Mask | Skin-conscious and lash-wearing travelers on frequent overnight flights | The Slip Silk Contour Sleep Mask puts pure silk against your face and raises the fabric off your eyes with a contoured shape, a quietly luxurious way to block light on a red-eye without rubbing skin or lashes. | High price for a non-electronic fabric mask | About $249 |
Watch out: $135 to $249 is hard to justify for an occasional user.
Straight answers to what travelers ask most about sleep accessories.
Blocking cabin light is one of the most reliable ways to fall asleep faster on a red-eye, especially when combined with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. A mask that seals around the nose and does not press on your eyes makes the biggest difference over several hours.
Contoured masks hold the fabric off your eyelids, which is more comfortable for long wear and for people with lashes or makeup. Flat cotton or silk masks pack smaller and cost less. Side sleepers against a window usually prefer a contoured mask that stays put.
Masks that add vibration, heat or light therapy cost many times a basic mask and need charging. They make sense for frequent red-eye flyers who struggle with sleep or jet lag. For most travelers, a well-fitting blackout mask under forty dollars does the job.