The 5 Best Blinds

For some people, window blinds are a luxury, while for others, they're a necessity. Indeed, they give us greater control over the mood lighting in the house and can block out the sunlight on the weekends when it's time to sleep in. More importantly, however, a quality window blind or shade provides privacy and security. That's why it's important to get the right one. Those in the market for new window coverings have come to the right place. Here, we list the best of the best. Below, you'll find our top five favorite window blinds and shades, from the premium pick to the budget buy.

Achim Home Furnishings, White Cordless GII, Luna 2″ Vinyl Venetian Blind, 35″ x 64″

Achim takes the crown

Cordless, affordable, and easy to install, the Achim Home Furnishings blinds are the best that money can buy.

Best Overall

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Although Achim’s option isn’t the cheapest, it’s a worthwhile investment for those that want window blinds that will last a lifetime. They function just like traditional Venetian blinds, except they have the added luxury of being completely cordless. The cordless feature is easy to use and won’t result in the tangled mess that’s so commonplace among their corded cousins. Best of all, the material with which they are made is a hardy, durable, and long-lasting vinyl. It doesn’t seem to chip or crack, and the white color won’t yellow even after years of use.

Pros

Easy to install
Great price
Durable materials

Cons

Thin

Chicology Free-Stop Cordless Zebra Roller Shades, Striped Dove Color, 36″ x 72″

Chic blinds from Chicology

These blinds from Chicology may cost a pretty penny, but they're the top choice for those looking for something stylish, well-made, and easy to operate.

Best Premium

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For those flush with cash and in the market for some new blinds, we recommend this premium pick from Chicology. They’re not like traditional blinds, which rotate in order to control the lighting. Instead, these are “zebra shades”, which control incoming light by adjusting the distance between each horizontal blind. It’s a more aesthetically-pleasing design, and even offers greater privacy, since it’s hard to see through the semi-opaque fabric that separates each blind. Best of all, they’re easy to install and easy to operate, so if you’re willing to shell out some extra cash for some extra simplicity, these are your best bet.

Pros

Super stylish
Easy to operate
Easy to adjust

Cons

Pretty pricey

Original Light Filtering Pleated Paper Shade, White, 36″ x 72″, 6-Pack

Shade the day away

Redi Shade makes an offer you can't refuse. For less than fifteen bucks, this option allows you to block out six different windows in your house, making it the perfect pick for those shopping on a budget.

Best Budget

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Blinds can be quite expensive, especially when there are a lot of windows to cover. That’s why we were pleased to discover this incredibly affordable option from Redi Shade. They are indeed made out of paper, but it’s a surprisingly tough, thick, and pliable material. Plus, they’re easy to cut into shape with a sharp knife. That’s why they’re a great bulk buy for anyone that has differently-shaped windows but not the world’s biggest budget. If you need something that will completely block out the light, you may want to consider the next option on our list. That being said, they do a pretty good job at filtering the light, and at this price point, you really can’t go wrong.

Pros

Set of six
Extremely affordable
No tools needed for installation

Cons

Will not black out light completely

Achim Home Furnishings 123CO36B24 Cordless 1-2-3, 36″ x 75″, Black Vinyl Room Darkening Pleated Window Shade

We like it dark, even in the day

Some of us need the darkness in order to sleep. If you fall into that category, we highly recommend this affordable and effective shade from Achim Home Furnishings.

Best Room Darkening Shade

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It’s easy to envy people that can fall asleep in the drop of a hat, especially those with the uncanny ability to drift off even in the brightest environments. Many of us need complete darkness to sleep, so if you fall into this latter category, you should consider these pleated window shades from Achim Home Furnishings. Yes, Achim has made it onto our list twice, and it’s no wonder why. Their window coverings offer total control over incoming light, so you can even enjoy darkness in the daytime. Not only is this particular shade effective, it’s made out of durable vinyl and can be adjusted with ease. Best of all, installation is as easy as sticking the strong adhesive top to the frame of your window, so you can enjoy the nightlife in your home. Customizing the width to fit your window is as easy as cutting it through with a sharp kitchen knife, but make sure it’s a tight fit or else light will slip through the sides.

Pros

Inexpensive
Customizable width
Easy to operate

Cons

Won’t black out the light as well as curtains

WindosandGarden Corldess Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Honeycomb Shades, 24W x 36H, Espresso

Complete control for complete privacy

With their cutting-edge "top down bottom up" feature, these hip, cordless shades from WindowsandGarden prove that the future is now.

Best Design

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With all the latest and greatest features in the world of window shades, this attractive option outshines the competition with its user-friendly design and sleek aesthetic. Completely cordless, these shades can be adjusted to allow light from above or below. What’s more, they come in nine different colors, so you don’t have to worry about some off-white color clashing with the rest of your furnishings. That makes it not only the best in aesthetics, but the best in design, too. We also love the company, Windowsandgarden, because their responsive customer service ensures that you get the correct fit for your windows. That means you’ll have custom-fit shades right out of the box.

Pros

Aesthetically pleasing
Nine colors to choose from
Operation is smooth and easy

Cons

Requires precise custom measurements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an inside mounting and an outside mounting?

You may have noticed that some of the options on our list can be mounted both inside or outside the window. Of course, outside doesn’t literally mean outside the house. Instead, it means that you can mount the top of the window covering on the wall, inside the house and above the window frame. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to either form of mounting. For example, those that want to black out the light completely in their room should probably get a shade slightly wider than the window frame. This way, the shade can be mounted outside the window in order to completely obscure incoming light. On the other hand, those that want a more aesthetically-pleasing window covering may be privy to an inside mounting. Inside mountings need to be customized to fit the interior of the window frame, but once installed can look really neat and fashionable.

Should I get shades or blinds?

This obviously depends on the circumstances. Paper shades are easily the cheapest form of window coverings, though they won’t offer the same privacy that Venetian blinds do. That’s because blinds can be adjusted to allow light in while still limiting the visibility of what lies beyond. However, this privacy has a drawback. Venetian blinds will never completely obscure the light, and light can still pass through their slats. For those that want moderate privacy and moderate light screening, we recommend white pleated shades.