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The best blinds can transform your space by providing style, light control and privacy. There are many styles to choose from – like roller shades, single-cell shades or cordless blinds. Each style of blinds offers unique benefits – making it difficult to choose just one style to fit each window in your home. You may want to mix and match styles depending on how much light or privacy you desire in each room.
We like roller shades for ease of use and privacy, but prefer blackout shades for bedrooms. In this guide, you’ll find our favorite options available online.
Top 5 Blinds
- Best Overall: Windowsandgarden Custom Cordless Single-Cell Shades
- Best Roller Shades: ShadesU Window Shades
- Most Decorative: US Window and Floor Faux Wood Inside-Mount Cordless Blinds
- Best Mini Blinds: Achim Home Furnishings Cordless Morningstar Light-Filtering Mini Blind
- Best Blackout: Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade
Compare Top Blinds
| Product | Material | Installation | Size | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windowsandgarden Custom Cordless Single-Cell Shades | Polyester | Inside- or outside-mount installation | 24 x 38 inches (other sizes available) | Daylight (other colors available) |
| ShadesU Window Shades | Polyester | Inside- or outside-mount installation | 20 x 72 inches (other sizes available) | Gray (other colors available) |
| US Window and Floor Faux Wood Inside-Mount Cordless Blinds | PVC | Inside-mount installation | 34.375 x 60 inches (other sizes available) | White |
| Achim Home Furnishings Cordless Morningstar Light-Filtering Mini Blind | Polyester | Inside-mount installation | 27 x 64 inches (other sizes available) | White (other colors available) |
| Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade | Paper | Inside-mount installation | 36 x 72 inches (one other size available) | Black |
| Product | Material | Installation | Size | Color |
Best Blinds Overall
Windowsandgarden Custom Cordless Single-Cell Shades
- $38
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Available in a variety of colors for more custom options
✔ Several heights available to match your windows
✔ Made from 100% polyester
✘ Works only as bottom-up blinds
✘ Installation can be challenging
What Customers Are Saying
Customers raved about the manufacturer’s customer service team. Customer service professionals regularly followed up with purchasers to be sure that they received the correct measurements before fulfilling the orders. However, some customers claimed that these blinds were easily damaged.
Best Roller Shades
ShadesU Window Shades
- $43.58
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Available in several neutral colors that can match any decor
✔ Comes in sizes ranging from 20-34 inches
✔ Comes with brackets for easy installation
✘ Not available in any bright colors
✘ String is overly long
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers found these blinds to be easy to install, as the process only required a screwdriver. They were also impressed by the quality of these shades, especially considering their price. However, some customers claimed that the quality of the shades didn’t extend to the hardware that bent or broke easily.
Most Decorative
US Window and Floor Faux Wood Inside-Mount Cordless Blinds
- $48.09
- $52.03
- 8% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Available in nearly 50 sizes
✔ Comes with mounting brackets, a tilt wand, a 3 1/4″ decorative valance, valance clips, and screws.
✔ Humidity-resistant
✘ Not available in other colors
✘ Some customers felt raising the blinds wasn’t smooth
What Customers Are Saying
Reviewers were pleased with how durable these blinds were. However, unhappy customers said that the manufacturer needed to improve its packaging methods, as orders sometimes arrived with missing or damaged pieces.
Best Mini Blinds
Achim Home Furnishings Cordless Morningstar Light-Filtering Mini Blind
- $11.54
- $23.13
- 50% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes in several color options
✔ Available in over 70 sizes
✔ Comes with necessary hardware for installation
✘ Some customers felt that they weren’t durable
✘ Color doesn’t always match up with photos
What Customers Are Saying
Reviewers said that they were able to install these blinds in as little as five minutes with no hassle. They also complimented the design of the blinds, which was neutral enough to fit with any decor scheme. However, customers who left negative reviews claimed that they were easy to bend.
Best Blackout Blinds
Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade
- $30.1
- $39.99
- 25% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has quick, easy installation
✔ Has a cordless design for a clean look
✔ Includes clips for easily lowering or raising the curtains
✘ Only designed for blackout purposes
✘ Only comes in two sizes
What Customers Are Saying
Customers complimented these blinds’ effectiveness, saying that they blocked out as much light as was advertised. However, a number of customers said that these blinds were noisy. Since they were made of paper, they moved when the air conditioning or heating system turned on.
Buyer’s Guide
While type should be the first factor you consider when choosing blinds, there are other metrics, such as style and insulation, that also play a role in which model is best for your home. Regardless of if you’re buying blinds for your living room, bedroom, or other room in your home, read our buying guide below to learn more about these metrics.
Type
There are several types of blinds, with the following being the most common.
- Venetian: This traditional blind has horizontal slats, pull cords, and twistable wands. Updated versions of this blind use higher-quality materials, such as wood, vinyl, and aluminum, and allow you to push or pull the blinds up or down instead of using a cord.
- Roman: Roman shades are typically made of fabric. They do a good job of blocking out sunlight and can help regulate the temperature in your room.
- Vertical: As the name suggests, vertical blinds have vertical slats instead of horizontal blinds. They’re typically used on larger windows or sliding patio doors.
- Pleated: Pleated blinds have an accordion look. You can buy standard pleated blinds or a honeycomb version that has several layers of fabric to control the temperature and light in a room.
- Roller: Roller blinds have a string on one side that you pull to roll them around a cardboard core. They have a more decorative look than other types of blinds and are good at blocking sunlight.
- Smart: These blinds use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to smart devices in your home, allowing you to adjust them when you’re away or when you’re in another room. The downside to smart blinds is that they tend to be more expensive.
- Automatic: Automatic blinds are similar to smart blinds in that they have a motor to roll them up or down, but they’re more affordable than smart blinds.
Light
Decide how much light you want in your room. For example, if you don’t want any light in your room, opt for roller or accordion blinds, which will help with room darkening. However, if you want to allow light in during the day, purchase blinds with slats.
Insulation
If you want your blinds to maintain the temperature of your room, look for fabric blinds. Fabric blinds will absorb cold or hot air to keep your room at the temperature you set your thermostat to.
Safety
Corded blinds can be a safety hazard because they tangle easily. If you have pets or young children, you may want to opt for a cordless model to prevent injuries.
Style
Blinds come in all sorts of colors, materials, and designs. If appearance is just as important to you as function, make sure you find blinds that match the style of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix broken blinds?
No. Once the opening mechanism breaks or the slats bend, you’ll have to replace the blinds.
Are window blinds and shades the same thing?
No. Technically, window blinds refer to hard window treatments, such as those made out of wood, vinyl, or metal, and shades refer to those made out of soft fabric.
How do I install window blinds?
To install your blinds, you’ll attach the included brackets to your window frame or wall, following the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll then snap the blinds onto the brackets to complete the installation process.
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