I installed each shade in two homes. Summer seems like the perfect time to sit out in your yard but, realistically, it's often too hot in the sun to relax in comfort. iFit includes a one-year warranty with these shades, which covers manufacturing defects and design flaws. Select Blinds combined the instructions for several models of shades in one manual, making it confusing and hard to read. Though the external flash test provided us with a somewhat objective measure of a shade’s effectiveness, we couldn’t totally dictate the direction of the light, and there may have been leakage. Our panel confirmed that the Select Blinds shade felt more luxurious, but agreed that the Trippevals looked almost as nice. We called twice—the first rep was not that helpful, while the second person we spoke to was extremely knowledgeable about measuring and installing blackout shades. I then asked a panel to evaluate each shade on look and feel. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald. Expensive blackout shades often have superfluous features such as smart-home functionality or high-end finishes. These are the items we recommend to help your guests feel comfortable in a small space. The iFit comes in five colors: beige, black, brown, light gray, and white. This inexpensive paper option doesn’t look as nice as other blinds we tested, but it’s a great quick fix. The installation process is easy, and IKEA offers a 365-day return policy. But again, it’s best to follow the cleaning instructions included with your shade. If your window isn’t one of these five widths, our top pick offers more precise sizing options. Best Shade Sails Money Can Buy: My Top 5 Favorites #1. The Redi Shade may rip, tear, or discolor more than vinyl or polyester options, but we do think it’ll last longer than you might expect. Installation is straightforward, and it blocks light as effectively as our main pick (and better than other roller shades). If you live relatively close to an IKEA store, the biggest advantage of the Trippevals over our main pick is its availability. By using a softbox and a modified blackout curtain, we were able to capture only the light that passed through the shade. Like the Select Blinds pick, this IKEA shade is constructed entirely from polyester, but it feels thinner, less textured, and generally less pleasant to touch than our top pick. If you’re interested in a version of our pick that offers additional insulation and durability, you might consider getting the Select Double Cell Blackout Shade. It’s a better choice if you prefer the look of a roller shade, if you want to add a blackout shade to a windowed door, or if you need something that’s easier to clean. Among the shades we tested, it has one of the widest selections of sizes and colors, and it's covered by a three-year warranty, the longest of any model we considered. If you can’t reach the top of your window, get a draw rod like the IKEA Riktig. In general, the customer reviews of the Redi Shade are positive, with many people praising the adhesive installation and the low price. Interior designer Oliver Furth said he often recommends mounting “shades higher up on the wall—close to the ceiling—in order to stretch a room's height and make ceilings look taller.”. We’re currently testing three of their shades: the Economy Roller Shade, Blackout Cellular Shade, and Signature Blackout Roller Shade. If you don't have a shaded area outside, a shade sail can create a cooler spot in which to sit that also protects you from harmful UV rays. Tugging on a shade with extraneous force or in unusual directions can easily tear it. This isn’t the best long-term solution, since the shade is less attractive and less durable, and doesn’t come with a warranty. Whenever we clicked the shutter, the external flash illuminated the backside of the shade. Be easy to install: We preferred shades with mounting hardware that’s simple to install and easy to hang the shades on. The extra clearance virtually eliminates any light halo and also gives more leeway with measurements. It’s the easiest to mount of any shade we tested: Just peel and stick. We prioritized shades with attractive materials and modern designs. Finally, be careful with depth if you plan to mount a cellular shade over a full-size window on a door. Be attractive: You’ll interact with your blackout shades every day, so it’s important that you like the way they look. We prefer the iFit’s sleek acrylic-coated fabric and the sophisticated crosshatched texture over the cheaper-looking vinyl of other roller models. The acrylic-coated material of the iFit looks sleeker and feels more pleasant than many of the other roller shades we tested (although we prefer the look of our main pick). These ready-to-install covers can be put up and taken down with ease. The best shade sails are practical in decorating your lovely home or bringing a touch of comfort to that outdoor gathering you’ve been planning. Keep an especially close eye on cats, as their claws can easily scratch or rip shades. We did not receive these models in time to include them in this guide and will update with our results as soon as possible. The IKEA Trippevals is easy to install, looks good, and works as well as custom options (as long as you need standard sizes). And it performed just as well in our real-world tests, blocking as much light as our other picks. Most of the experts we consulted recommended motorized lifts if you can afford them, or cordless lifts if you can’t. It comes in packs of six, can be cut to width, and couldn’t be easier to install—just peel and stick. The Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade is your best option if you want a more affordable or temporary window treatment and don’t mind a bit of light filtering in. Because Select Blinds takes two to three days to manufacture shades, you could wait as long as eight days between the time you order and when the shades show up at your doorstep. If you prefer the minimal look and easier-to-clean material of roller shades, the iFit Cordless Blackout Polyester Fabric Roller Shade is an excellent option. If you’re looking for affordable blackout shades that offer a high degree of customization, Blinds.com is one of your best bets. The Select Blinds shade comes with a three-year limited warranty, which protects you against manufacturer defects. Some custom-shade specialists might also include tracks with their shades, but this isn’t a common option. Most shades can be dusted by hand or with the dusting attachment on a vacuum cleaner (be sure to use a low power setting). If you have kids or pets in the house, roller shades present no safety hazards and can stand up to roughhousing. Yang has had hers for two years, and she’s found they’ve held up well, even with a toddler in the house. The iFit shade comes in a 73-inch length, and the width ranges in half-inch increments from 24 to 73 inches. We suspended a shade in the middle of a room with virtually no ambient light. “The raise/lower action on them is smoother than I would have thought,” Purdy said, “and a significant upgrade from terrible two-string draws or roller shades that I’m used to.” If you can’t easily reach the top of the window to fully retract the shade, you could get the IKEA Riktig draw rod, which can grab hard-to-reach handles. This shade has received numerous positive reviews on the Select Blinds site, with reviewers citing their effectiveness at blocking light, the speed and ease of installation, the excellent materials and construction, and the exceptional customer service they received.