Best blackout blind · Blackout curtains
IKEA FRIDANS Black-out Roller Blind
by IKEA
Cordless, cut-to-width blackout roller blind from $30. Mount it inside the frame and layer curtains over it for the darkest room.
Specs
| Blackout claim | Blocks all light (IKEA claim) |
|---|---|
| Light-blocking layer | Polyester with block-out coating |
| Sizes | 23-48 in W x 76¾ in L |
| Mounting | Inside, outside or ceiling; cut to width |
| Independent light test | None found |
| Operation | Cordless, wand |
| FabricWidth | 32 in on the 34 in model |
| MaxCut | Up to 7⅞ in off the width |
| Material | 100% polyester (100% recycled) |
Specs from the manufacturer and the sources listed below. Last verified Oct 20, 2026.
Good
- $30 to $55 depending on width, about $40 for the 34 in size
- Cordless wand operation, which IKEA designed for child safety
- Can be cut down by up to 7⅞ in to fit an inside mount
Not so good
- Fabric is 2 in narrower than the roller on the 34 in model, so expect a strip of light down each side
- One length only (76¾ in)
- One IKEA reviewer calls the shade paper thin and says the roll can veer to the sides
FRIDANS is the cheapest fabric blackout blind on this list, and it sits close to the glass. IKEA says the block-out coating “prevents all light from coming in”, and it is sold in eight widths from 23 to 48 in, all 76¾ in long, for about $30 to $55. The 34 in size was $39.99 on October 20, 2026.
It is cordless. You raise and lower it with a wand on the right-hand side instead of a beaded cord, which IKEA says is for child safety. If your window is narrower than the nearest size, you can cut the top rail down by up to 7⅞ in.
The weak point is the sides. On the 34 in model the fabric is 32 in wide on a 34 in roller, so an inside-mounted blind leaves a gap of about 1 in at each edge. That is where light gets in.
IKEA itself recommends mounting inside the recess or as close to the window as possible to limit gaps. For a properly dark room, hang blackout curtains such as the NICETOWN lined set over the blind on a rod that extends past the frame. Each layer covers the other’s leaks.
If you prefer a metal rail, IKEA’s TRETUR blackout roller blind has anodized aluminum rails and is also cordless, but it cannot be cut and costs $49.99 to $69.99. One IKEA reviewer called the FRIDANS shade “paper thin” and said the roll can veer into the sides if you are not careful, so treat it as a budget blind.
Renters who cannot drill can try Redi Shade paper blackout shades, which stick on, though they are paper and claimed to block 99% of light rather than all of it.