Best Sleep Masks for Side Sleepers: 5 Picks

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If you sleep on your side, you probably know the little nightly struggle: a mask that slips, a strap that digs in behind the ear, a hard edge pressing into the pillow. A good side-sleeper mask should feel like almost nothing at all. Soft, shaped around the eyes, and thin where your head meets the pillow.

Below are five gentle picks we chose by reading each listing closely. We only describe what the makers say about their own masks, and we keep things simple, so you can pick one, settle in, and let the room go dark.

The NHS suggests keeping your bedroom dark and quiet, and using an eye mask or ear plugs if you need to (NHS: Insomnia). In one review of studies with hospital intensive-care patients, eye masks were linked with better self-reported sleep quality (PubMed 34096647). That research was in hospital patients, so think of a mask as one small comfort that may help you relax, not a fix for sleep problems.

At a glance

The five picks, one at a time

1. MZOO Sleep Mask

A memory foam mask with deep eye cups, so nothing rests on your lashes. The listing describes thin, curved sides made with side sleepers in mind, a small nose cutout, and an adjustable strap of about 19 to 28 inches. A good first pick if you like the feeling of a gentle, cushioned hush over the eyes.

See the MZOO Sleep Mask on Amazon

2. ZIMASILK 22 Momme Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask

A soft mulberry silk mask with 3D contoured cups. The listing mentions a wider band behind the ears for side sleepers and a silk-wrapped adjustable strap. A lovely choice if you prefer the cool, smooth feel of silk against your face.

See the ZIMASILK Silk Sleep Mask on Amazon

3. USlixury 3D Contoured Silk Sleep Mask

Mulberry silk with 3D eye cups and an extra-wide, non-slip headband that the listing says is meant for side sleepers. It closes with a hook-and-loop strap and has a raised nose wing to keep light from creeping in. The maker suggests hand washing in cold water.

See the USlixury Silk Sleep Mask on Amazon

4. Alaska Bear Silk Eye Cover

A simple, flat mask with silk on both sides around a soft foam core, a gently raised nose curve and no piping along the edge. If contoured cups feel bulky against your pillow, this lighter style may suit you better. The listing says it is machine washable.

See the Alaska Bear Silk Eye Cover on Amazon

5. ALASKA BEAR Sleep Mask with Deep Contoured Eye Cups

A memory foam mask with deep cups and a molded nose piece. It comes with ear plugs and a small pouch, which is handy for travel. The listing says it suits back, side and stomach sleepers, lists a strap of about 15.8 to 24 inches, and says it is machine washable.

See the ALASKA BEAR Contoured Sleep Mask on Amazon

How to choose a mask for side sleeping

• Thin sides matter most. Look for a mask that tapers near the temples, so it doesn’t press when your cheek is on the pillow.
• Cups or flat? Contoured cups keep fabric off your eyes and lashes. A flat silk mask feels lighter and may sit more quietly against the pillow.
• A wide, soft strap spreads the pressure behind your ears instead of digging in.
• Silk or foam. Silk feels cool and smooth; foam feels more cushioned and blocks light firmly.
• Easy to clean. Check whether the maker says hand wash or machine wash, and pick what fits your routine.

A short wind-down with your mask

1. Dim the lights and set your phone face down, away from the bed.
2. Do a few minutes of slow, gentle self-massage, like our bedtime wind-down routine.
3. Settle onto your side, adjust the strap so it feels snug but light, and smooth the band flat behind your ears.
4. Breathe in slowly through your nose, and let a long, soft breath out. Repeat a few times, and let the dark do the rest.

Safety notes

• Stop using a mask if it presses on your eyes, causes a headache, or irritates your skin.
• Keep it clean, following the maker’s care instructions, and don’t share it.
• Skip the mask if you have an eye infection, have had recent eye surgery, or have an eye condition, unless your doctor says it’s fine.
• Check the materials if you have sensitive skin or any allergy, including to latex or dyes.
• If you’re pregnant, have a medical condition, or have trouble sleeping that keeps going, talk to a doctor. The NHS insomnia page explains when to see a GP.
• A sleep mask is a comfort item. It does not treat insomnia or any sleep disorder.

Questions people ask

Can you wear a sleep mask if you sleep on your side?

Yes, many people do. A mask with thin, tapered sides and a wide, soft strap tends to feel more comfortable against a pillow than a thick, padded one.

Silk or memory foam?

It’s mostly about feel. Silk is light and smooth, while foam is cushioned and blocks light firmly. If you aren’t sure, a flat silk mask is the gentlest place to start.

Will a sleep mask help me sleep?

A darker room may help you relax and wind down, and the NHS lists an eye mask as one option for keeping your bedroom dark. It isn’t a treatment, so see a doctor if poor sleep keeps going.

Keep exploring

• Self-massage tools, explained gently
• Best neck pillows for sleeping
• Best heat wraps for neck and shoulders
• A bedtime wind-down routine with self-massage
• Our hand-picked massage videos for sleep
• A relaxing facial massage at home

This guide is for general relaxation and information only and is not medical advice. Product details come from each maker’s Amazon listing and may change, so please check the listing before you buy.