Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been using four different sleep masks over the last year and I am writing this review as a comparison. The masks are the Dream Zone-Earth Therapeutics Sleep Mask; the Lewis N. Clark Comfort Eye Mask; the Lights Out Contoured Sleeping Mask Black Out Sleep Eye; and the Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask with Earplugs and Carry Pouch. All four of them are a vast improvement over sleeping without a mask, as I am quite light-sensitive. However, there are differences. I tried the Sweet Dreams Mask first and initially liked it a lot. The carrying bag is flimsy and I have better ear plugs than the ones they give, but the mask worked well. It is molded to the nose and eyes so you open your eyes without having your lashes brush against the mask. This seemed cool at first but really is not that important compared to other qualities. I used the mask every day for about four months, and was satisfied, although, as in most masks a little light come through around the nose. But then I noticed that it was coming apart. The layers of material were separating and I could see the mask was not going to last much longer. So I bought the other three in order to decide which worked best for me. The Lights Out Contoured Mask is also shaped around the nose and eyes. It did a very adequate job, and I probably would be more enthusiastic about it except that I felt the Dream Zone and Lewis N Clark masks were superior to it. Both of these have extra pillow material under the eyes, so they block out light better and are very comfortable. The Dream Zone mask is soft and pillowy throughout, with a satin exterior and soft cotton interior. It is incredibly comfortable, and I sink into sleep as it floats over my face. The Lewis N Clark also has those pillows under the eyes, and is a bit tighter fit with perhaps a tiny bit better light reduction. Both of these masks give me a great night's sleep, and I alternate in thinking I prefer one over the other. Sometimes I switch back and forth from night to night. Meanwhile, I have brought the Lights Out Contour Mask to my office for when I take naps there, and the Sweet Dreams Mask is around as a backup, not having totally fallen apart yet. Update four years later: Over time I decided that the Lewis and Clark mask works best for me. The second time I ordered a Dream Zone mask the feel of the material was less comfortable and it did not last very long. There was the same fraying reported by some other reviewers. I now have three Lewis & Clark masks that I leave in different places I sleep or nap (bed, office, car), and have given them as gifts. I am very happy with them -- they have given me consistent a good night's sleep. And while I did have some of the staining originally, they do seem to have fixed that problem. I do not have it with my most recent purchase.