BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-07-10·6 products compared
The short answer
Our top pick for Blackout Blinds in the UK is the Amazon Basics Blackout Roller Blind.
The best value blackout roller blind for UK homeowners — trimmable, genuinely blackout, and available in multiple widths to suit most standard UK bedroom windows.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
Blackout blinds are one of the most practical bedroom purchases for UK homes — particularly important given the long summer days when light persists until 10pm in the north of England and Scotland, and the early sunrise from May onwards. They're equally valued by shift workers, parents of young children, and light-sensitive sleepers. UK buyers need to navigate a crowded market of roller blinds, tension blinds, and fabric panels, with fitting method being the primary decision: wall-mounted roller blinds require drilling and give the best blackout performance, while no-drill tension blinds suit rental properties but leave small light gaps around the edges. This guide covers the best blackout blinds available on Amazon UK, with particular attention to UK window sizing, rental-friendly options, and true blackout performance.
Buying guide
What to look for in Blackout Blinds
1Measure width inside the recess for a cleaner fit, or outside the recess for maximum blackout — outside-mount roller blinds reduce light bleed around edges
2No-drill tension blinds suit UK renters and avoid landlord deposit disputes — but they leave small light gaps at the sides that drilled blinds do not
3Trimmable blinds let you cut to width at home — useful for UK windows with non-standard sizes common in older properties
4True blackout fabric (3-pass or 5-pass coating) blocks virtually all light; lighter 'blackout effect' fabrics reduce rather than eliminate light
5Thermal backing on blackout blinds adds insulation value — useful for UK draughty sash windows and older single-glazed frames
Our process
How we choose our picks
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise the strongest independent evidence — current Amazon UK listings, verified-buyer feedback, published specs and UK pricing — into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We only shortlist products actively listed and in stock on Amazon UK, checked against live catalogue data — not last year’s models.
Publicly visible buyer feedback
We look at how each product is received by UK shoppers — its overall rating standing and the praise or complaints that recur in public reviews — rather than relying on a single reviewer’s opinion.
Published specs & value
We compare manufacturer specifications, typical UK price bands, warranty and running costs so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage, plug/fitting standards, CE/UKCA marking and Consumer Rights Act cover — details that generic global lists miss.
VELUX blackout fabric with aluminium side channels
Wipe-clean blackout coated fabric
Fitting Type
Wall or ceiling mounted (screws included)
Wall or ceiling mounted
Wall or ceiling mounted
No-drill tension spring — fits inside recess
Clips into VELUX window frame — no drilling needed
Wall or ceiling mounted
Size Options
Multiple widths 56–120 cm, 150 cm drop
14 sizes, 16 colours, up to 120 cm wide
86 x 150 cm (multiple widths available)
Multiple widths, custom cut available
VELUX window code specific (e.g. MK04, FK06)
Multiple widths up to 180 cm
Light Block
99%+
99%+
99%+
95%+ (side gaps unavoidable with tension fit)
99%+ — side channels eliminate light gaps
99%
Trimmable
Yes — cut to width
Yes
Yes
Cut-to-size service available
No — cut to VELUX window codes only
Yes — guide included
The rankings
The best Blackout Blinds, ranked
1
Amazon Basics
Top Pick
Amazon Basics Blackout Roller Blind
The best value blackout roller blind for UK homeowners — trimmable, genuinely blackout, and available in multiple widths to suit most standard UK bedroom windows.
Material
3-pass blackout coated polyester
Fitting Type
Wall or ceiling mounted (screws included)
Size Options
Multiple widths 56–120 cm, 150 cm drop
Light Block
99%+
Trimmable
Yes — cut to width
What we like
+Best value true blackout roller blind on Amazon UK — frequently under £20
+Trimmable to exact width for non-standard UK window sizes
+3-pass coating delivers genuine 99%+ light block
+UV protection reduces sun damage to bedroom furniture
Worth noting
–Requires drilling — not suitable for rental properties
–Basic plain fabric only — limited colour range
–Drop fixed at 150 cm — may not suit floor-to-ceiling UK sash windows
£26.39Amazon.co.uk price as of 02 Aug, 15:12 (London time). Details
Best thermal blackout blind for UK homes with draughty or single-glazed windows — the insulating backing reduces heat loss while the 3-pass fabric blocks light completely.
Material
3-pass thermal polycotton blackout fabric
Fitting Type
Wall or ceiling mounted
Size Options
14 sizes, 16 colours, up to 120 cm wide
Light Block
99%+
Trimmable
Yes
What we like
+Thermal backing adds insulation — reduces heat loss through UK windows in winter
+16 colour options — most variety of any blind in this guide
+3-pass fabric is genuinely blackout rather than 'blackout effect'
+Trimmable to fit non-standard UK window widths
Worth noting
–Requires drilling — not for rental properties
–Thermal backing adds slight bulk compared to standard roller blinds
–Higher price than Amazon Basics for equivalent blackout performance
Best pick for the standard UK 86 cm bedroom window — the most common size in UK new-build and 1980s–2000s properties, at the lowest price in this guide.
Material
3-pass blackout polyester
Fitting Type
Wall or ceiling mounted
Size Options
86 x 150 cm (multiple widths available)
Light Block
99%+
Trimmable
Yes
What we like
+86 cm width suits the most common UK bedroom window size
+Best price for a 86 cm blackout roller blind on Amazon UK
+Simple spring-loaded roller mechanism is quiet and reliable
+UV protection protects bedroom furnishings from fading
Worth noting
–Requires drilling to install
–Dark grey only — no colour choice at this size
–Roller mechanism can occasionally stick in humid UK bathrooms
£18.65Amazon.co.uk price as of 02 Aug, 15:12 (London time). Details
Best no-drill blackout blind for UK renters — no fixings, no deposit risk, and easy to take when you move. Note that side light gaps mean it is not true total blackout.
Material
Blackout coated fabric
Fitting Type
No-drill tension spring — fits inside recess
Size Options
Multiple widths, custom cut available
Light Block
95%+ (side gaps unavoidable with tension fit)
Trimmable
Cut-to-size service available
What we like
+No drilling required — ideal for UK renters and listed buildings
+Fits inside window recess without wall fixings
+Cut-to-size service eliminates need to trim at home
+Quick installation and removal — no tools needed
Worth noting
–Tension fit leaves small light gaps at sides — not true 100% blackout
–Not suitable for windows wider than 90 cm without multiple panels
–Tension spring can lose tension over time in very wide windows
£18.65Amazon.co.uk price as of 02 Aug, 15:12 (London time). Details
The only serious option for UK loft bedroom VELUX windows — the aluminium side channels deliver true blackout that no standard roller blind can match on a roof window.
Material
VELUX blackout fabric with aluminium side channels
Fitting Type
Clips into VELUX window frame — no drilling needed
Size Options
VELUX window code specific (e.g. MK04, FK06)
Light Block
99%+ — side channels eliminate light gaps
Trimmable
No — cut to VELUX window codes only
What we like
+Aluminium side channels eliminate all side light gaps — true 100% blackout
+Clips directly into VELUX window frame without drilling
+Essential for loft bedrooms common in UK Victorian and Edwardian conversions
+VELUX brand guarantee and precise window code fit
Worth noting
–VELUX roof windows only — does not fit standard vertical windows
–Must order correct VELUX window code — measure precisely before ordering
–Significantly more expensive than standard roller blinds
£16.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 02 Aug, 15:12 (London time). Details
Best wide blackout blind for UK bay windows and larger bedroom windows — the cordless child-safe mechanism and wider size range make it the go-to for non-standard UK window widths.
Material
Wipe-clean blackout coated fabric
Fitting Type
Wall or ceiling mounted
Size Options
Multiple widths up to 180 cm
Light Block
99%
Trimmable
Yes — guide included
What we like
+Widths up to 180 cm — suits larger UK bay and picture windows
+Wipe-clean fabric practical for UK bedrooms in dusty older properties
+Child-safe cordless spring mechanism — no exposed cord
+Available in neutral tones that complement UK bedroom décor
Worth noting
–Requires wall mounting — drilling required
–Cordless spring mechanism provides less precise height control than corded
–Limited colour palette compared to FURNISHED alternatives
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 02 Aug, 15:12 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
UK building regulations do not mandate blackout blinds, but child safety cord regulations (BS EN 13120 and the 2014 Blind Cord Safety Regulations) apply to all blinds sold in Great Britain — corded blinds must include a tension device or breakaway connector. Cordless blackout blinds are the safest option for UK bedrooms where children are present. For loft conversions (common in UK Victorian terraces), VELUX-specific blinds with side channels are the only way to achieve true blackout in a roof window. UK renters should check their tenancy agreement before fixing any blinds — no-drill tension blinds avoid this issue entirely.
Our Take
British bedrooms run cooler than most, which changes what works for bedding and sleep accessories. The Amazon Basics Blackout Roller Blind is our top recommendation — it consistently outperforms alternatives in real-world UK use. If that's out of budget, the Amazon Basics Blackout Roller Blind offers solid performance at a lower price point. The FURNISHED Thermal Blackout Roller Blind is worth considering if you want a step up in build quality or features. Avoid the cheapest unbranded options on Amazon UK — they rarely survive past six months of regular use and UK consumer protection only helps if the seller is still trading.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
What are the best blackout blinds for UK bedrooms?
The Amazon Basics Blackout Roller Blind is the best value drilled option for UK homeowners, offering 99%+ light block and trimmable width at under £20. For renters, the Bloc Blinds EasyFit tension blind requires no drilling — though note that tension blinds leave small side light gaps that drilled roller blinds do not.
Do blackout blinds need to be fitted to the wall?
Wall or ceiling-mounted roller blinds give the best blackout performance but require drilling. No-drill tension blinds fit inside the window recess using a spring mechanism — suitable for UK renters but not true 100% blackout as small side gaps remain. For a rental property, check your tenancy agreement before drilling.
Are blackout blinds good for UK summers?
Yes — blackout blinds are particularly valuable in the UK from May to August when sunrise can be as early as 4am and sunset after 10pm in northern England and Scotland. A 99%+ blackout blind can reduce bedroom light to near-total darkness regardless of the time of day, significantly improving sleep quality during long British summer days.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.
