Best Room Darkening Honeycomb Shades for Bedrooms and Home Privacy
Room darkening honeycomb shades are a practical choice for reducing incoming light, adding privacy, and helping limit sunlight exposure. The MYshade custom shade is best for windows that need a made-to-order fit, while Changshade’s 34-by-72-inch model suits shoppers seeking a specified size. LazBlinds is best for renters who want a no-drill installation, and the 24-by-64-inch Changshade and Joydeco models offer additional fixed-size options. Measure your window and check each model’s mounting requirements before ordering.
| Product | Best For | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| MYshade Custom Cordless | Nonstandard window sizes | Custom sizing; cordless lift |
| Changshade 34 × 72 in. | Specified window dimensions | Foil-coated honeycomb design |
| LazBlinds No Drill | Renters and no-drill installation | Inside mount only |
| Changshade 24 × 64 in. | Narrower, taller windows | Fixed shade size |
| Joydeco 35 × 64 in. | Light-sensitive sleepers | Advertised 99% light blocking |
MYshade Custom Cordless Blackout Cellular Shade
Best for: Buyers with windows that do not match a common ready-made size. This MYshade option is customizable and has blackout honeycomb fabric, a cordless spring-loaded lift, and thermal insulation listed among its features. The shade stays at the position where it is stopped, and the cord-free design avoids dangling lift cords.
The listing supports inside or outside mounting, but buyers need to check the frame depth and measurement guide before ordering. MYshade notes that the shade is made slightly narrower than the listed size for smooth operation. As with cellular shades generally, the product may leave small light gaps at the sides or bottom; outside mounting or wider coverage may help reduce them.
Changshade Cordless Cellular Shade, 34 × 72 Inches
Best for: Shoppers whose window measurements work with a 34-by-72-inch shade. Changshade lists an aluminum-foil coating inside its honeycomb structure, room-darkening light control, privacy, and reduced exposure to harsh sunlight and UV rays. Its cordless mechanism can be pulled down and stopped at a chosen position.
Changshade describes the shade dimensions as the actual shade size, with no additional width deduction before shipping. For an inside mount, its guidance says to choose a shade 0.25 to 0.5 inch narrower than the window and at least as tall as the window. For an outside mount, it recommends adding at least four inches to both width and height. Avoid choosing this fixed-size option if your measurements do not suit it.
LazBlinds No-Drill Cordless Cellular Shade
Best for: Renters or homeowners who want to avoid drilling into the window frame. LazBlinds describes a no-tools, no-drill installation system and lists a silver-plated layer inside the cells for blocking sunlight and UV rays. The model is sold as a 29-by-36-inch shade, with the listing specifying an actual blind size of 28⅗ by 36 inches.
This shade is for inside mounting only, so choose another model if you need an outside mount. The window frame must have at least 1⅕ inches of depth, and the stated fit range is 28.7 to 29.6 inches wide. LazBlinds also says the shade width includes a standard deduction, making careful measurement especially important.
Changshade Cordless Cellular Shade, 24 × 64 Inches
Best for: Windows that suit a 24-by-64-inch shade. This Changshade option uses a honeycomb design with an aluminum-foil coating and is described as providing room darkening, privacy, and reduced harsh sunlight and UV exposure. Its cordless mechanism is intended for homes with children or pets, and the listing says it can stop at different positions.
The stated dimensions are the shade size, not a window opening measurement. Changshade recommends an inside-mount shade 0.25 to 0.5 inch narrower than the window, with enough height to cover it; for outside mounting, the company recommends adding at least four inches in width and height. Avoid this fixed size if your opening requires a different shade width or length.
Joydeco Cordless Blackout Cellular Shade
Best for: Light-sensitive sleepers looking for a 35-by-64-inch model. Joydeco advertises 99% light blocking and UV filtering. Its honeycomb cells are also described as providing insulation and noise reduction. The cordless design gives the shade a clean appearance and avoids lift cords, which may be a useful feature in homes with children.
Joydeco recommends this shade for inside mounting. Its fit guidance says the shade width should be equal to or no more than 0.25 inch less than the inside width of the frame. A close fit is important to blackout performance, so this fixed-size model may not be appropriate for windows with substantially different measurements.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Room Darkening Honeycomb Shades
What measurements should you take?
Measure the width and height of the window opening, and decide whether you want an inside or outside mount before selecting a size. Inside mounts require adequate frame depth and a shade width that fits within the opening. Outside mounts generally use a wider and taller shade to cover more of the surrounding area. Follow the particular product’s instructions because size deductions and fit rules vary.
Do you need a fixed size or a custom shade?
Choose a fixed-size shade when its actual dimensions match your window and you want a straightforward selection. A custom-size option is more suitable when the opening falls between standard sizes. Confirm whether the dimensions shown are the finished shade size or the window size the shade is intended to fit.
How much darkness should you expect?
Blackout or room-darkening fabric can reduce light through the material, but light may still enter around the edges. Mounting style, frame dimensions, and shade coverage affect the result. If minimizing edge light is important, compare the manufacturer’s guidance on outside mounting or wider coverage rather than relying on fabric claims alone.
Is cordless operation important?
All five selections have cordless operation. A cordless lift avoids dangling cords and lets the shade be positioned without a traditional pull cord. Compare the lift style and installation requirements, especially if the shade will be used in a child’s room or an area accessible to pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do honeycomb shades block all light?
Not necessarily. Blackout fabric can block light through the shade, but light gaps may remain at the edges or bottom depending on the window and installation.
Are room-darkening shades the same as blackout shades?
The terms can be used differently by manufacturers. Check the specific product description and remember that mounting gaps can affect the room’s overall darkness.
Can these shades be mounted outside the window frame?
Several listed models allow inside or outside mounting, but LazBlinds specifies inside mounting only. Verify the chosen product’s mounting instructions before ordering.
Why does shade size differ from window size?
Some shades are made narrower than a listed or measured window width to fit inside the frame and operate smoothly. Follow the product’s measurement guide rather than assuming the two dimensions are identical.
Which option is designed for no-drill installation?
The LazBlinds model lists a no-drill installation system. It requires an inside mount and at least 1⅕ inches of window-frame depth.