Vanilla sex can get a little boring sometimes.
Especially when partners have been together for a long time, it’s easy to fall into a predictable routine in the bedroom.
The good news is there are so many BDSM sex toys available for livening things up.
Blindfolds and masks are one of the simplest ways to dabble in BDSM by taking away the sense of sight.
And if you’re experienced, there are definitely more intense hoods and masks to restrict your senses even further.
This article shows you the best blindfolds and masks for removing sight and other senses, whether you’re a beginner to sensory deprivation or are looking for a more intense experience.
Our Pick:
Foam Padded Aviator Blindfold
Our experts agree does a great job at blackout sensory deprivation no matter who is wearing it. The leather is very high quality and it’s a classic piece for your BDSM collection.
Starting Out with Sensory Deprivation Play
Blindfolds and masks are not the only form of sensory deprivation, but they are usually where beginners to sensory play start out. All of us have experienced being in the dark, so sight can be a less intense sense to remove.
Many people continue to use blindfolds and masks to remove the sense of sight, even after adding more types of BDSM play to their sexual interactions.
Covering the eyes is a great addition to any kind of play that involves touch because the blindfolded person cannot anticipate where or how they will be touched next.
If you enjoy giving or receiving sensory deprivation, you can advance to restricting other senses as well. Any sense can be dulled or taken away.
Earplugs or headphones deprive a person of sound input. Covering the skin or mummification (wrapping most of someone’s body) reduce touch sensations. Covering or pinching the nose closed can reduce the sense of smell (but should be done carefully to make sure the person can still breathe).
Why People Enjoy Sensory Deprivation
What happens when you take away your or your partner’s ability to see (or experience other senses)?
The remaining senses become heightened.
So if you are blindfolded, you pay more attention to things you hear, smell, or feel.
Your other senses are more on alert because you can’t see what’s happening.
You may be wondering why someone would want to dull the sense of touch by covering up or wrapping the body. The most common reason is to enhance touch sensations in one particular region by leaving only one area uncovered.
Safety Precautions
When you are taking away various sensations, you need to make sure that the person experiencing restricted senses can still communicate with you in case they feel unsafe or need a break.
For instance, some hoods and masks can make it difficult to breathe or may muffle the wearer’s ability to speak. In those cases, you can (and should) make your sexy time safer by giving the person a “drop object”.
A drop object is any item they can hold in their hand and let go of to signal that the scene needs to stop or something needs to change, such as needing a hood or mask removed.
Dropping the drop object is the same as saying a safe-word and should be responded to immediately.
Any type of sensory deprivation play — when taken to extremes — can become dangerous. Wrapping up large areas of the body, for example, can cause a person to overheat. Taking away multiple senses can cause a person to panic or have a sudden change in blood pressure.
You should always remain aware for sudden changes in behavior to make sure you and your partner stay safe.
What to Look for in Blindfolds and Masks
For blindfolds and masks in particular, you’ll want to look for a few specific features:
The item should allow for breathing, even if it is a full hood that covers the entire face and head.
It should do a good job of restricting vision, unlike some cheaper blindfolds that allow peeking beneath the bottom.
It should fit well or allow for size adjustability; individuals with very small or very large heads often find that certain blindfolds or masks will slip down or feel uncomfortably tight.
It should have a pleasing aesthetic, whether for you that means being cute, fun, sexy, or scary (or whatever other look fits your style of BDSM play).
It should be made of safe materials.
Let’s take a look at the options:
Best BDSM Blindfolds and Masks
Now that you know what to look for, here are blindfolds and masks that run the gamut from minimal sensory deprivation to more extreme restriction of the senses:
Fifty Shades of Grey No Peeking Twin Blindfold Set
This is a wonderful blindfold set for beginners to sensory deprivation.
It’s a simple set of two satiny blindfolds, much like sleep masks. If you’re not sure whether taking away the ability to see is something you’re into, this is an inexpensive way to find out.
And the blindfolds are easy to remove on your own if you want to stop playing (or just see what is going on).
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Simple to use.
- Faux-fur with satin lining blocks light well.
Cons:
- Does not conform well to the face, so it may leave gaps to see through.
- Not constructed to last for repeated wear.
- Not size adjustable; just has a thin elastic band.
Bondage Boutique Faux Snakeskin Blindfold
This blindfold is a step up from the sleep-mask style of the ones above. It has a really cool red snakeskin look, and unlike the No Peeking Twin Blindfold Set, it has a buckle in the back that allows you to adjust the size to fit the wearer’s head.
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Simple to use.
- Comfortable faux-fur lining.
- Size adjustable.
- Looks cool.
Cons:
- A bit narrow, making it easy to see if the blindfold slips out of place.
Foam Padded Aviator Blindfold
The Foam Padded Aviator Blindfold has a distinct advantage over traditional eye-mask blindfolds. It has two separate leather ovals to fit over each eye, and they can be adjusted for the distance between the wearer’s eyes, which varies from person to person.
This separate eyepiece design allows the blindfold to be adjusted to cover each eye fully, without gaps that ruin the sensory deprivation experience. It buckles in the back to fit most head sizes. Also, the buckle can be locked closed with a separate lock and key set.
Pros:
- Moderately priced.
- Adjustable eye coverage that stays in place.
- Comfortable eye padding.
- Size adjustable.
Cons:
- The buckle is made of nickel, which some people are allergic to.
- Only available in black.
Brown Leather Blindfold, Classic Cut
As the name implies, this is a classic style of blindfold.
It’s made of leather, and the brown color option gives you a different choice from standard black leather BDSM gear.
The Brown Leather Classic Cut Blindfold closes with velcro in the back, making it easy to put on, take off, and adjust for size.
Pros:
- Moderately priced.
- Comfortable fabric lining.
- Size adjustable.
Cons:
- Velcro closure can get stuck in hair.
Adjustable Blindfold, Black
This blindfold has a nice aesthetic design and is made of soft black leather.
It’s simple but well-made and has a sturdy elastic band to hold it on. Not only that, but the elastic band has a sliding plastic size adjuster, so you don’t have to get stuck with a too-small, tight band around your head (or a loose elastic band that doesn’t hold the blindfold on at all).
Pros:
- Moderately priced.
- Comfortable faux fur lining.
- Size adjustable.
Cons:
- Only available in black.
Scandal Lace Hood
This stretchy lace hood covers the full face and head, and is made of attractive black lace.
It’s not a full sensory deprivation head, as you can see through the lace. It obscures the vision rather than providing a full blackout experience.
In addition to minor sensory deprivation, the Scandal Lace Hood makes a beautiful accessory piece.
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Pretty.
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide much sensory deprivation.
- One size only.
Black Leather Puppy Play K9 Muzzle with Removable Silicone Ball Gag
This is a specialty mask for puppy pet roleplaying.
The mask has a harness that buckles onto the head and attaches leather ears and a leather muzzle.
It includes a removable ball gag. Although it doesn’t really deprive the wearer of any of their senses, it can certainly put you into a different mindset that opens you up to new sensations.
Pros:
- Comes in multiple sizes.
- Adjustable with buckles to customize the fit.
- Makes for visually fun roleplaying.
- Has a D-ring for leash attachment.
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide much sensory deprivation.
- Expensive.
Vondage K9 Muzzle with Removable Ball Gag
This mask is actually exactly the same as the one above, except that it is made from vegan leather instead of real leather.
It’s really nice when options are provided for different preferences. And you don’t sacrifice on the quality with this vegan version of the mask.
Pros:
- Comes in multiple sizes.
- Adjustable with buckles to customize the fit.
- Makes for visually fun roleplaying.
- Has a D-ring for leash attachment.
- A durable, non-leather, vegan option.
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide much sensory deprivation.
- Expensive.
Premium Leather Hood w/ Gag & Blindfold
The Premium Leather Hood is a lot of fun for more advanced sensory deprivation players.
It covers the entire face and head with black leather. It also has a buckling collar with D-ring, which can be locked with a separate lock and key set.
I’ve seen some hoods like this that leave the mouth area open, and I’ve seen others that cover the mouth and leave only nose holes for breathing. What’s really nice about this particular hood is that it converts to either of those options. You can leave the mouth and eyes uncovered, or snap on the included blindfold and gag to fully enclose the face.
Pros:
- Sewn to fit the head well.
- Multiple sizes.
- D-ring for attaching leads.
- Removable blindfold and gag for versatile use.
- Full sight deprivation.
Cons:
- Expensive.
Rubber Hood w/ Zipper
Unlike the other masks on this list, this full hood mask is made of latex, which provides a snugly wrapped feeling.
It has a zipper on the back for easy removable. It would look amazing with any latex fetish wear, too.
Pros:
- Comes in 5 different sizes for a good fit.
- Looks great with latex fetish clothing.
- Provides snug sensory stimulation for latex lovers.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Only available in black.
Which Blindfold or Mask to Choose
The best overall piece on this list is the Foam Aviator Blindfold.
It’s comfortable.
It fits well.
And it does a good job of providing blackout sensory deprivation no matter the wearer’s face shape, thanks to the movable eyepieces.
It’s also more affordable than items like the Premium Leather Hood (though I absolutely recommend that hood for more intense sensory deprivation!)