While the primary purpose of blackout and blockout blinds (keeping your bedroom nice and dark) feels a little redundant during Australia’s fleeting hours of winter daylight, they do serve another, equally practical purpose: keeping your house warm without driving up your energy bill.
With EOFY sales now in full swing, it’s also one of the best times to invest in window coverings at a lower price point. As retailers look to clear stock across blinds, curtains and shutters, there are solid discounts available on styles that can make a real difference to winter comfort.
Sale scanner: get a better bargain on blinds this EOFY:
Reports claim that during winter, a whopping 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost through windows, resulting in many of us adopting alternative heating methods with concerningly high running costs. And considering the recent energy price spike (according to a 2026 Canstar survey, 76% of Aussies have seen an increase in their energy bills), frequent use of electric heating is becoming less and less affordable.
Enter: blackout and blockout blinds; an easy addition to help warm up your home without keeping the heater running. And with some options starting from less than $50, they offer a cost-effective solution to our biggest seasonal expense.
Shop or skip: blackout and blockout blinds for every kind of Australian home
If you like waking up to natural light, blackout blinds, which block out 99-100% of natural light, and blockout blinds, which block 95-100%, might not be for you, unless you’re the proud owner of a Sunrise Alarm Clock, that is.
But if, like me, you love sleeping in under the cover of darkness, they’re a total game changer.
Blackout blinds & curtains for:
- Heat retention: Total Blockout Thermal Pleated Blind, from $114 at Tuiss
- Renters: LazBlinds No Tools No Drill Shades, from $98.58 at Amazon
- Bargain hunters: Mira Jacquard Blockout Roller Blind, from $45 (was $90) at Spotlight
- New parents: Tommee Tippee Portable Blackout Blind, $32.95 at Baby Bunting
- Noise reduction: Strathmore Blockout Eyelet Curtain, $77.95 (was 129.95), Curtain Wonderland
01
Total Blockout Thermal Pleated Blind
from $114, Tuiss
Best for: keeping your home warm
With a 75.8% heat retention rate, these Total Blockout Thermal Pleated Blinds are a great tool for keeping your home cosy this winter.
Boasting a honeycomb-shaped interior structure, which provides maximum insulation to prevent heat from escaping, these blinds have been designed with energy efficiency in mind. Better yet, as installation doesn’t require screws or drilling, it’s entirely renter-friendly, though we recommend having them professionally installed; even small gaps can reduce effectiveness.
Need to know: While these blinds are also designed to keep heat out during summer (thanks to white outwards-facing fabric for enhanced thermal protection), doing so requires them to be pulled during the day; if you plan on letting sunlight in and run particularly hot, they may make for some pretty hot nights during summer.
02
LazBlinds No Tools No Drill Cordless Cellular Shades
from $98.58 at Amazon
Best for: renters
With plenty of sizes to suit all kinds of windows, these LazBlinds Cellular Shades offer an easy (and cost-effective) way for renters to cut down their energy bill. Like the Total Blockout Thermal Pleated Blinds from Tuiss, they’re made with a honeycomb-shaped interior for effective insulation, and the listing states that setup takes just 30 seconds!
Boasting an average Amazon rating of 4.7 out of 5, they’re a customer favourite too. One reviewer decribes them as a, “Perfect fit and great quality,” adding, “I was totally impressed with the overall quality and how easy they were to install. These appear better than the ones I replaced that were custom-made.”
Need to know: As they’re not made-to-measure, there’s a potential for small gaps around the perimeter. If you’re opting for these blinds, make sure your measurements are as accurate as possible to prevent heat loss this winter.
03
Mira Jacquard Blockout Roller Blind
from $45 (was $90), Spotlight
Best for: bargain hunters
Blockout blinds aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing window coverings, but I adore the understated simplicity of these Mira Jacquard Blockout Blinds from Spotlight. And now that they’re 50% off, ranging from just $45 – $55 depending on size, they’ve become my top recommendation for a cheap (but very effective) energy-efficient window covering.
Boasting an average rating of 4.4/5 stars, they’re well-liked for such a cost-effective option. One happy customer writes, “Great blind for the price and easy to install. I installed these for my elderly neighbour, and they were very happy with them.”
Need to know: as these Mira Jacquard Blockout Blinds are only available in 3 sizes, they won’t suit all windows. If you’re on a budget, but need a different size, skip these in favour of Spotlight’s Emerald Hill Blackout Roller Blind, which is now also on sale for 58% off, with prices ranging from $25-$55 depending on size.
04
Tommee Tippee Portable Blackout Blind
$32.95, Baby Bunting
Best for: new parents
All parents know just how difficult it can be to get their little one down for a nap. But between the street noises and bright lights that accompany midday naps, I can’t blame kids for getting grizzly; I wouldn’t be able to sleep either. But that’s where the portable Tommee Tippee Blackout Blinds come in.
Fully-adjustable, this handy blackout blind can fit windows up to 130cm x 99cm, is machine washable, and even comes with a travel bag for storage. It boasts some glowing reviews on the Baby Bunting site, too, including one that states, “needed this for grandma and grandpa’s house, and it’s worked out wonderfully. Blocks almost as much light as the blackout blinds.”
Need to know: This blackout blind attaches to windows with suction cups, but a few reviews express that they do fall on occasion; when installing them, make sure to put some muscle behind it!
05
Strathmore Blackout Eyelet Curtain
$77.95 (was $129.95), Curtain Wonderland
Best for: noise reduction
Most blackout and blockout blinds will muffle outside noises, but these Strathmore Blackout Eyelet Curtains are particularly good at noise reduction, owing to their 100% polyester fabrication being covered in an acrylic coating. If you’re a city dweller or based anywhere with noise and sound pollution, these will be a big help.
Better yet, if you aren’t happy with these curtains, you can return them for a full refund within 14 days of receiving them. This way, you can give them a trial run before deciding whether they’re a worthy investment.
Need to know: as the Strathmore Blackout Eyelet Curtains don’t sit flush to the window frame, as blinds do, you will notice a little bit of light peeking around the sides (and there will be a bit more room for heat to escape). For maximum energy efficiency, blinds are best, but if you’re set on curtains, these will still keep you cosier than standard window dressings.
06
Double Roller Eclipse Blind
from $71.33, Tuiss
Best for: day-to-night privacy
The biggest problem with standard blackout blinds is having to sit in darkness every time you want a little privacy, but the clever design of these Double Roller Eclipse Blinds solves it completely. Boasting a blackout roller blind at the front (for night-time and maximum heat retention) and a suncreen at the back (for hiding from nosy neighbours whilst enjoying the view), it really is the best of both worlds.
As these are made to measure, they’re designed to perfectly fit your window; no pesky gaps where heat can escape, and light can intrude. And they’re compatible with the Tuiss SmartView App, so you can control them without leaving the couch.
Need to know: If you want your blackout blinds now, these custom-made models might not be for you. With a manufacturing time of 14 – 21 working days, expect to wait up to 3 weeks for your set to arrive.
07
Custom Essentials Blockout Roller Blind
from $99.95, Temple & Webster
Best for: bathrooms
If you need blinds for your bathroom, but you’re worried about moisture damage, these Custom Essentials Blockout Roller Blinds from Temple & Webster offer real peace of mind. Due to their acrylic coating, moisture and steam can’t penetrate the fabric; simply wipe it down if necessary.
Better yet, these blinds are made to measure and available in 12 neutral colours, which allows them to be customised to suit any interiors. They’re a crowd favourite, too, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on the Temple and Webster site, and with prices ranging from $84.96 to a maximum of $356.15, they’re great value.
Need to know: A couple of reviewers have mentioned gaps that let a little light in, which is something to be wary of, but this could be due to mistaken measurements or poor installation. Consider it a reminder to measure twice, and add to cart once!
Pros and cons of blackout and blockout blinds
While blackout and blockout blinds can be a game-changer for some of us, they don’t suit everyone’s preferences. Before adding any to cart, consult this handy cheat sheet to see if the pros outweigh the cons in your home.
| PROS | CONS |
| Improved sleep quality | Too dark for some preferences |
| Efficient heating and cooling | Requires precise installation |
| Increased noise reduction | Usually more expensive than regular window coverings |
| Increased privacy | No natural light to wake up to |
Blackout and blockout blinds are worth it if:
- You sleep during irregular hours, e.g. new parents or night workers
- You’re a light sleeper
- You’re buying them for a child who struggles to stay asleep
- You live in a noisy, bright city
- You have noisy neighbours
- You live next to a party house
- You want to protect furniture from sun fading
Blackout and blockout blinds aren’t worth it if:
- You wake up at a different time from your partner (expect to stumble around in the dark)
- You have unusually sized windows and can’t afford a made-to-measure option
- You much prefer the look of light, airy curtains
- You like waking up to natural light
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