Written by Peter and Amanda, founders of SLO Sleep.
Short answer: Look for a contoured mask that sits off your eyes, blocks light around the nose and stays put on a side pillow. The SLO Sleep Mask is contoured, adjustable and $39. That's the lowest regular price of the contoured masks in this guide. Free shipping on orders over $49, and our 30-Night Sleep Easy Promise.
What should you look for in a sleep mask?
- Shape. A flat mask rests on your eyelids. A contoured mask has cups that sit off the eyes, so you can blink underneath.
- Light around the nose. In practice, this is where light gets in. A shaped nose area helps.
- Side sleeping. A soft, low-profile mask is more comfortable against a pillow than a bulky one.
- Care. Some masks are machine washable. Others are spot clean only.
- Returns. Fit is personal, so a trial period matters.
Why choose the SLO Sleep Mask?
- Value. $39 regular price, the lowest of the contoured masks compared below. $31 in our sale until 7 December 2026.
- Contoured and adjustable. It sits softly over the eyes without pressing on them, with a strap that adjusts for a secure fit.
- Free shipping over $49. Manta's threshold is $149 and Slip's is $125.
- 30-Night Sleep Easy Promise. If it isn't part of your routine, email us within 30 nights of it arriving and we'll organise a refund or a replacement.
- A complete range. The mask is one of six SLO essentials designed to work together. The Complete Routine brings all six together for $129. Bought separately at regular prices, they add up to $175.
- Australian owned. Designed in Australia by Peter, a sport scientist who co-authored the 2021 expert consensus on travel and jet lag, and Amanda.
Shop the SLO Sleep Mask · Shop the Complete Routine
How do the main Australian options compare?
Prices are each brand's regular price on its own Australian site, checked 20 October 2026. Light claims are each brand's own wording.
| Mask | Regular price | Shape | Light claim (brand's own) | Care | Returns and warranty | Free shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLO Sleep Mask | $39 ($31 in our sale to 7 Dec 2026) | Contoured, adjustable strap | "Blocks light for total darkness" | Spot clean | 30-Night Sleep Easy Promise: refund or replacement | Over $49 |
| Manta Sleep Mask (Original) | $65 | Detachable eye cups that slide along the strap | "100% blackout" | Machine washable | 60-day money back, 6-month warranty | $149 and over |
| Manta PRO Sleep Mask | $135 to $141, by colour | Cups tapered at the temples, swappable parts | "True 100% blackout" | Machine washable | 60-day money back, 6-month warranty | $149 and over |
| Slip Sleep Mask (listed as slipsilk) | $68 | Flat | No light claim | Not stated | Change of mind only if unused | Over $125 |
| Slip Contour Sleep Mask | $76 | Contoured, foam, shaped away from lashes | Not checked | Not checked | Change of mind only if unused | Over $125 |
| Love Nightshift Luxury Sleep Mask | $69 | Contoured memory foam, shaped nose | "Blocks out 100% of light" | Hand wash (its FAQ also says machine washable) | 30-day guarantee | All orders |
Which mask suits which sleeper?
- Side sleepers: a soft, low-profile contoured mask. The SLO mask is designed to be comfortable in most sleeping positions.
- Lash extensions: a contoured mask, so the cups sit away from your lashes.
- Travellers: a contoured mask kept in a pouch so its shape doesn't get crushed. The SLO Travel Pouch is sized to hold the mask.
- Gift buyers: the Complete Routine. All six SLO essentials, boxed together.
Does blocking light actually matter for sleep?
Yes. Light is the body clock's strongest signal.
In a lab study of 116 healthy young adults, ordinary room light in the evening delayed the release of melatonin, the hormone that signals night, in almost everyone. It also shortened the melatonin night by about 90 minutes (Gooley 2011). Another lab study found that one night of sleeping with the overhead light on raised night-time heart rate and next-morning insulin resistance, compared with a dim room (Mason 2022).
Expert sleep recommendations for athletes include a dark, cool, quiet bedroom (Walsh 2021). The 2021 jet lag consensus statement Peter co-authored lists eye masks as a way to manage light on flights and after you arrive (Janse van Rensburg 2021).
Masks have been studied too. In hospital intensive care units, eye masks and earplugs were linked to better self-rated sleep (Karimi 2021). One study of healthy adults suggests a week of wearing an eye mask at night may help learning and alertness (Greco 2023).
Frequently asked questions
Is it healthy to sleep with a sleep mask every night?
A mask simply blocks light. Keep it clean, and stop using it if it irritates your skin.
Can a sleep mask help with jet lag?
It helps you control light, which is the main lever for shifting your body clock. See how to beat jet lag flying to and from Australia.
Contoured or flat?
Contoured if you want space for your eyes or wear lash extensions. Flat if you prefer something very thin and your room is already fairly dark.
How do I wash the SLO Sleep Mask?
Spot clean with warm water and a little mild detergent, then air dry flat. It isn't designed for the washing machine. More in looking after your SLO products.
References
- Gooley JJ, Chamberlain K, Smith KA, et al. Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(3):E463-E472. doi:10.1210/jc.2010-2098
- Mason IC, Grimaldi D, Reid KJ, et al. Light exposure during sleep impairs cardiometabolic function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022;119(12):e2113290119. doi:10.1073/pnas.2113290119
- Walsh NP, Halson SL, Sargent C, et al. Sleep and the athlete: narrative review and 2021 expert consensus recommendations. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(7):356-368. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102025
- Janse van Rensburg DC, Jansen van Rensburg A, Fowler PM, et al. Managing travel fatigue and jet lag in athletes: a review and consensus statement. Sports Med. 2021;51(10):2029-2050. doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01502-0
- Karimi L, Rahimi-Bashar F, Mohammadi SM, et al. The efficacy of eye masks and earplugs interventions for sleep promotion in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:791342. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.791342
- Greco V, Bergamo D, Cuoccio P, et al. Wearing an eye mask during overnight sleep improves episodic learning and alertness. Sleep. 2023;46(3):zsac305. doi:10.1093/sleep/zsac305
Competitor details from mantasleep.com.au, slip.com.au and lovenightshift.com.au, checked 20 October 2026. Prices change, so check each site before you buy.