With so many sleep masks, wellness products, and ‘miracle materials’ flooding the market, finding a genuinely good sleep mask can feel overwhelming. Every brand claims to be the best, promising deeper sleep, better skin, and luxurious comfort. But when you're faced with options that all sound the same, how do you actually choose?
This guide breaks through the noise with a clear, honest comparison of the most popular sleep brands today and their flagship sleep masks. We've created a criteria below on what the key elements are in a well-designed, effective sleep mask:
✔️ Material (Natural vs Synthetic)
✔️ Blackout Capability
✔️ Design & Fit
✔️ Skin Benefits
✔️ Price and Value
Whether you’re looking for sleep performance, on-skin feel & benefits, or both, we’ve analysed each sleep mask to see which sleep mask comes out on top.
Here are the top brands and their bestselling sleep masks we’re comparing:
-
MantaSleep Pro Mask
- Drowsy Sleep Co. Eyelash Protecting Silk Mask
- EnduraSleep EnduraSilk™ Sleep Mask
- Slip Silk Contour Sleep Mask
-
Panda London Bamboo Sleep Mask
Let’s break down what they’re made from and what they’re actually good at, so you can decide which one’s worth your money.
Manta Sleep Pro Mask | £79
High-performance, modular mask for total blackout, adjustability and comfort.
Image via Manta Sleep. Used for product comparison purposes only.
🧵 Material
3/5
Synthetic (polyester mesh, memory foam, Tactel® nylon). Breathable and durable, but not natural or skin-friendly in composition.
❌ Not antibacterial, hypoallergenic, or moisture-wicking. This can contribute to oily skin and increase the risk of blemishes and acne. While it includes breathable features like mesh and air holes, the eye cups are made from memory foam, which tends to trap heat and moisture. This can lead to warmer sleep temperatures and potential skin congestion.
🌑 Blackout Capability
5/5
Industry-leading 100% blackout due to contoured, adjustable C-shaped eye cups. No light leakage even for side sleepers.
✅ One of the best on the market for total darkness in any position.
🎨 Design
5/5
Highly modular and customizable. Eye cups are adjustable with velcro, and the strap is wide and pressure-free. Anti-slip gel keeps the mask secure all night.
✅ Excellent for comfort, especially for side sleepers. The adjustability is unmatched.
💆Skin Benefits
2/5
Synthetic materials don’t naturally support skin health. While breathable in design, they can trap oils and sweat if not washed frequently. Synthetic materials are also more prone to wear and tear, reducing their product longevity, not ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin, where you’ll be washing quite often.
⚠️ Natural materials like hemp or mulberry silk are far better choices for skin.
Price
2/5
£79 makes it one of the most expensive options. While the modular design may justify the cost for some, it lacks skin-safe materials that should be standard at this price point.
⚠️ Best suited for those who want to pay a premium for total blackout and product uniqueness.
⭐ Total Score: 18/25
Drowsy Eyelash Contouring Sleep Mask | £79
A luxurious, full-coverage silk mask that protects skin and lashes.
Image via Drowsy Sleep Co. Used for product comparison purposes only.
🧵 Material
4/5
Natural 22-momme mulberry silk inside and out, and it is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. It has a rich, plush texture that feels premium and comforting.
✅ However, higher momme silk can sometimes be slightly less breathable due to its dense weave, potentially trapping more heat.
🌑 Blackout Capability
4/5
Deep contoured design blocks most light effectively. The plush wraparound fit also helps prevent light from creeping in while you sleep.
✅ Delivers blackout for most users, but some may prefer a firmer seal like the Manta Sleep Pro.
🎨 Design
4/5
Contoured to protect lashes and reduce pressure on the eyes. Velcro strap offers decent adjustability, though it lacks the precision of Manta’s modular system.
⚠️ Can feel bulky on smaller heads or when not tightened properly for people with smaller heads, as adjustable straps need to be pulled tightly.
💆Skin Benefits
4/5
Silk is non-irritating, doesn’t absorb facial products, and helps reduce friction and skin creasing.
✅ Great for wrinkle prevention and sensitive skin, but lacks the antibacterial edge of hemp or bamboo.
💰Price
2/5
At £79, it competes with more functional or skin-enhancing options. The price reflects Drowsy's luxury branding more than the added benefit.
⚠️ Ideal if you want to indulge in luxury, but not the best value.
⭐ Total Score: 18/25
Slip Silk Sleep Mask | £66
High-end luxury classic silk mask known for softness and beauty benefits.
Image via Slip. Used for product comparison purposes only.
🧵 Material
4/5
Natural 22-momme mulberry silk, like Drowsy. Smooth, hypoallergenic, and kind to skin and hair.
✅ A luxurious option, though performance and innovation are limited.
🌑 Blackout Capability
3/5
Eye-contour design helps with blackout, but the silk stretch band offers no adjustability. Fit may vary across head sizes. Light may leak through, especially if the mask shifts overnight.
⚠️ Functional but not full blackout.
🎨 Design
3/5
A simple sleep mask cut with eye contouring, and a silk stretch band. Lightweight and easy to travel with, but lacks proper adjustability.
⚠️ Better for back sleepers than side sleepers.
💆Skin Benefits
4/5
Reduces friction, retains skin moisture, and doesn’t clog pores. Helps prevent fine lines, creases, and skin irritation.
✅ A great all-rounder for skincare support.
💰Price
2/5
£66 is steep considering its basic design. Most of the price is justified by the Slip brand and wide aesthetic options
⚠️ Luxury feel, but limited functional upgrades.
Brand-specific note: Slip does offer the most customisation in terms of colours and patterns, making it a visually stylish and giftable option.
⭐ Total Score: 16/25
EnduraSleep EnduraSilk™ Mask | £49
A skin-optimised sleep mask made from a signature blend of hemp and mulberry silk.
Image via EnduraSleep. Used for product comparison purposes only.
🧵 Material
4/5
A combination of mulberry silk and hemp, the material delivers the anti-ageing and luxurious softness of silk, with the antibacterial, moisture-wicking power of hemp.
✅ Hemp protects against 98.5% of bacterial growth, unlike pure mulberry silk sleep mask, which loses its anti-bacterial effectiveness after just one wash, the EnduraSilk™ sleep mask maintains its anti-bacterial power.
🌑 Blackout Capability
4/5
Contoured, ergonomic fit designed to hug the face and block light without pressure.
⚠️ Highly effective, but not fully modular like Manta.
🎨 Design
4/5
Adjustable velcro strap and plush finish give it a snug fit for most users. Contoured eye space prevents pressure or smudging.
✅ Balanced comfort and performance, though it lacks a wide colour range for those wanting customisation.
💆Skin Benefits
5/5
Antibacterial hemp reduces breakouts, oiliness, and clogged pores. Silk smooths skin and supports anti-ageing. Together, they form a high-performance blend for clear, hygienic, healthy skin.
✅ One of the only masks with proven antibacterial fabric benefits that survive real-world use, ideal to mitigate the development of acne on your skin.
💰Price
3/5
£59 makes it a good value, premium sleep mask which delivers a restful sleep experience with expert-approved skin benefits, at a mid-tier price point. However, due to its premium price point, some customers may still opt for cheaper options.
✅ Strong value for a natural, high-tech material blend.
Brand-specific note: EnduraSilk™ is designed to maximise REM & Sleep recovery and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep through its design and fabric composition. Perfect for those who want blackout and skin health without compromise.
⭐ Total Score: 20/25
Panda London Bamboo Sleep Mask | £18
Affordable, eco-conscious mask made from bamboo lyocell.
Image via Panda London. Used for product comparison purposes only.
🧵 Material
2/5
Synthetic
Outer: 100% Bamboo rayon
Inner: 100% Bamboo microfibre.
While marketed as natural, bamboo rayon is chemically processed and doesn’t retain all the benefits of raw bamboo.
⚠️ Still breathable and hypoallergenic, but not as pure or sustainable as claimed. (See our bamboo fabric deep dive.)
🌑 Blackout Capability
2/5
Flat design and a simple band mean light creeping through is likely, especially for side sleepers.
⚠️ Offers some darkness but nowhere near a blackout experience.
🎨 Design
2/5
Simple, soft and lightweight, but lacks shaping or adjustability.
⚠️ May shift overnight and not fit all head sizes snugly.
💆Skin Benefits
4/5
Bamboo is antibacterial, breathable, and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. While not as skin-healing as hemp or silk, it’s still a safe option.
✅ Good for acne-prone and oily skin, and is perceived to be ultra-smooth like mulberry silk.
💰Price
5/5
£18 is an exceptional price for a very soft, skin-friendly, and comfortable sleep mask.
✅ Best budget option for a starter or backup sleep mask.
⭐ Total Score: 15/25
Final Rankings Summary
| Sleep Mask | Total Score | Best for |
|
Winner: EnduraSilk Sleep Mask |
20/25 | Massive skin benefits, anti-bacterial acne prevention, and comfort at a competitve price. |
|
Manta Sleep Pro Mask |
18/25 | Total blackout and highly adjustable design. |
|
Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Mask |
18/25 | Luxurious and plush silk comfort with lash protection. |
|
Slip Contour Sleep Mask |
16/25 | Classic silk feel and diverse design range. |
|
Panda Bamboo Sleep Mask |
15/25 | Budget-friendly and breathable. |
What’s the Best Sleep Mask for You?
If you’re looking for a skin-friendly, sleep-optimised mask that offers total blackout and pure comfort, EnduraSilk™ is the clear winner. It strikes the perfect balance between functionality, natural materials, and skin benefits, making it the best value in this lineup.
Prefer total blackout and modular adjustability above all? The Manta Sleep Pro is your go-to, it's a great option for side-sleepers and industry-leading in its modular fit.
If you’re looking for that plush, spa-like feel of pure silk, Drowsy delivers on comfort and design for a premium price.
Need something affordable and functional? Panda London is a solid starter mask under
£20, though it lacks the sleep and skin-health benefits of higher-end options.
At the end of the day, a sleep mask isn’t just about what feels soft or blocks light, it’s about how well it supports your recovery goals while providing an irritation-free sleeping experience.
