Manta Pro Sleep Mask Review: Does the 100% Blackout Design Actually Stop Light Leaks?
Finding a sleep mask that actually blocks out light without pressing into your face is surprisingly hard. Most masks either let light pollution seep in around the nose or create uncomfortable pressure that disrupts your sleep when you roll onto your side.
The Manta PRO Sleep Mask has gained a loyal following among shift workers, frequent travelers, and anyone with lash extensions who’s tired of waking up with crushed lashes.
The promise is 100% blackout with zero eye pressure—basically, a mask you can almost forget you’re wearing while maintaining complete darkness for better sleep hygiene.
In this review, we’ll see if the Manta PRO lives up to the hype or if it’s just an overpriced accessory.
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What is the Manta PRO Sleep Mask?
The Manta PRO Sleep Mask is a blackout sleep mask designed to block light without putting pressure on the eyes. Many masks sit flat across the face, which can press on eyelids and lashes, or they leave small gaps around the nose that let in light. The Manta PRO uses a different build to avoid these common fit issues.
Instead of fabric resting on the eyelids, it uses contoured C-shaped eye cups that sit around the eye area.
This creates a buffer of space so the mask does not rub against the lids, which helps if pressure on the eyes feels uncomfortable. It also gives more room for long lashes or lash extensions compared with flatter sleep masks.
Manta’s eye cups can be adjusted independently along the head strap, so the fit can be fine-tuned on each side. This makes it easier to line the cups up with the face and reduce light leaks near the nose bridge, which is one of the most common places blackout masks fail.
Key features:
- Tactel fabric interior – softer than standard polyester and dries faster if you sweat at night
- Mesh and perforated foam head strap – allows airflow instead of trapping heat against your scalp
- Deep contoured cups – create space between the mask and your eyelids so you can blink freely
- Infinitely Adjustable Fit: Both the Velcro strap and the moveable eye cups are fully adjustable.
In essence, the Manta PRO is designed to feel lighter on the face than many bulky contoured masks, while combining a no-eye-pressure fit with a true blackout seal.
Budget masks tend to either press on your eyelids or leak light around your nose, ultimately ending up shoved in a drawer unused.
Does the Manta Pro Really Block 100% of Light?
When positioned correctly, the Manta Pro blocks out light completely.
Complete darkness helps your body produce melatonin properly and supports your natural circadian rhythm, which is why even small amounts of light pollution seeping through cheaper masks can disrupt your sleep cycles and make it harder to achieve deep, restful sleep.
How to Adjust the Manta PRO Sleep Mask for a Full Blackout Fit
Because the Manta PRO’s eye cups are movable, getting that perfect seal may take a couple of tweaks.
The biggest mistake new users make is leaving the eye cups too far apart, so they “hover” over the eyes but don’t close off the gap at the nose bridge. That gap is usually where light sneaks in – leading some people to assume the mask itself is leaky, when in fact it just isn’t adjusted optimally.
Here’s how to adjust the Manta PRO properly:
- Position the cups so they’re centered over your closed eyes
- Slide both cups slightly closer to the center—about 1/4 to 1/2 inch—so the inner edges actually rest on your nose bridge
- The cups should create a seal along the sides of your nose, not float above it
- Adjust the strap until it feels secure without creating pressure
Once the cups are in the right spot, the blackout effect feels immediate. The Manta PRO is less like a cheap one-size sleep mask and more like a fit you dial in to your unique face shape.
Most light-leak complaints come from stopping at step one and never moving the cups close enough to the nose bridge, which isn’t obvious for many of us that’s used to fixed-cup masks you just slip on.
👉 See full details of the Manta Pro here
Is the Manta PRO Good for Side Sleepers?
The Manta PRO Sleep Mask is often a better blackout sleep mask for side sleepers because the eye cups sit flatter at the temples instead of sticking out, so there’s less pressure when your head turns into the pillow.
If you’re a side sleeper who’s dealt with masks that dig in or end up half-off your face when you roll over, this design is more likely to stay in place instead of shifting or sliding off.
It also helps with comfort. The C-shaped cups are designed for a no eye pressure fit, leaving space between the mask and the eyelids so blinking and eye movement feel normal. That extra clearance is helpful if you’re someone that dislike masks that press on the eyes or bend lashes out of shape.
For stomach sleepers, comfort can be more hit-or-miss. If sleeping face-down is part of the night, any mask with structured eye cups can feel bulky when your face is pressed into a pillow, and that pressure can shift the cups or break the seal.
The Manta PRO is designed to work across sleep positions, but it tends to feel most comfortable for back and side sleeping, where the cups can sit in place without being pushed forward by the pillow.
Manta Pro vs Standard Masks
| Feature | Manta PRO Sleep Mask | Standard Masks |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Pressure | Zero contact with eyelids | Presses against eyes |
| Side Sleeping | C-shaped cups flatten at temples | Often bulky and uncomfortable |
| Blackout | Complete when positioned correctly | Light leakage around nose |
| Adjustment | Customizable cup positioning | One-size-fits-all |
| Breathability | Mesh and perforated foam | Basic fabric, traps heat |
👉 Check Price & Availability of Manta Pro here
Manta Sleep Mask Pro vs Original: Which One Should You Choose?
Manta offers both a PRO version and their Original Manta Sleep Mask. Both are designed for 100% blackout, and both have adjustable eye cups with zero pressure on the eyes – so what’s the difference, and is the PRO worth the higher price?
The Original Manta Sleep Mask is the classic model that made the brand famous. It has removable O-shaped eye cups made of molded foam, a soft strap, and it indeed provides complete blackout for most people
The real differences come down to breathability and fit.
The Manta PRO is built to feel more breathable and to sit flatter at the temples, which can help side sleepers who get temple pressure or unwanted shifting when their head is on a pillow. It can also suit hot sleepers who find standard straps warmer overnight.
| Feature | Manta Pro | Manta Original |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Latest Price | Check Latest Price |
| Head Strap Material | Mesh over perforated foam | Soft, breathable polycotton |
| Interior Fabric | Tactel (2x softer, 8x faster drying) | Soft polyester velour |
| Eye Cup Design | C-shaped with temple taper + air bubble cups | O-shaped cups made with Modal fabric |
| Side Sleeping Performance | Built to sit flatter at temples (9/10) | Comfortable but can feel bulkier at temples (7/10) |
| Cooling/Breathability | Better airflow from mesh/perforated foam | Standard breathability – can trap some heat |
| Best For | Hot sleepers, dedicated side sleepers, maximum comfort | Most sleepers who want blackout on a lower budget |
The Original delivers:
- Complete blackout when adjusted properly
- Zero eye pressure with tapered molded-foam cups
- Adjustable cups that work for most face shapes
- Budget option at about half the cost
The Manta PRO adds:
- C-shaped cups with air-bubble design – The cups taper at the sides to lay flatter at your temples, which reduces pressure when you’re side sleeping. The Original’s molded-foam cups work fine, but they can feel bulkier at the temples when your head is on a pillow.
- Better airflow – The mesh over perforated foam creates more airflow than standard fabric straps. If you’re a hot sleeper or use the mask in summer, this makes a noticeable difference. That said, even the Pro can feel warm to some people depending on room temperature and how tight you adjust it.
- Softer, faster-drying Tactel fabric – Feels noticeably softer against your skin and dries much faster. If you wash your mask regularly or sweat at night, you’ll notice this.
Who actually benefits from upgrading to the Pro:
- Side sleepers: If sleeping on your side is non-negotiable and temple pressure wakes you up, the PRO’s tapered eye-cup shape is designed to sit flatter at the temples.
- Hot sleepers: If you overheat in a sleep mask or wake up with a sweaty strap, the PRO’s mesh and perforated foam strap is built for more airflow.
- People who found the Original a bit too warm or bulky: If the original Manta Sleep Mask already blocks light well but feels warmer than you like or not as comfortable when you roll onto your side, the PRO is probably worth the upgrade.
Should You Upgrade to the Manta PRO?
If something about the fit of Manta’s Original Sleep Mask is bothering you, a small swap can be enough. Manta sells the Manta PRO head strap and Manta PRO eye cups separately, and they fit other Manta masks.
If the strap feels warm or gets sweaty, the PRO strap is the more direct upgrade. If the issue is the mask feeling bulky at the temples when you sleep on your side, the PRO eye cups are the better upgrade.
Final Verdict: Is the Manta PRO Sleep Mask Worth It?
The Manta PRO Sleep Mask is best for anyone shopping for a true blackout sleep mask because cheaper masks keep failing for the same reasons: nose-bridge light leaks, a mask shifting when you roll onto your side, and any pressure on the eyelids are the usual reasons people upgrade.
The key feature is the adjustable eye cups. It takes a bit of trial and error to position them so they seal properly for your face shape, but that adjustability is also what helps it block light and stay comfortable.
The cups sit around the eye area instead of pressing on the lids, with enough space for blinking and long lashes or lash extensions.
Once the fit is sorted, the experience is about as close as you can get to sleeping in a pitch-black room while barely feeling the mask.
If light does not bother you much or you can sleep through anything, a basic sleep mask may be fine.
But for people dealing with chronic light sensitivity, irregular sleep schedules (think night shift workers), or light pollution they can’t control (like bright city nights or early sunrise through thin curtains), the Manta PRO can make a real difference.
This handy sleep accessory can help you fall asleep faster in unfriendly environments and stay asleep longer without disturbances, leading to more refreshed mornings.
Bottom line: The Manta PRO Sleep Mask is a thoughtfully designed sleep aid that can significantly improve your sleep quality if you’ve found other masks lacking. It’s not magic – you’ll still need to give it a chance to fit well – but it addresses the common flaws of cheaper masks in a way that few other products on the market do. For those who truly need the help, it’s worth it.
Frequency Asked Questions
Is it OK to wear a sleep mask every night?
Yes, it is OK to wear a sleep mask every night as long as it fits properly and doesn’t cause discomfort. Quality sleep masks like the Manta Pro are designed for nightly use and can improve sleep by blocking light that disrupts your natural sleep cycle.
What are the negatives of sleep masks?
The negatives of sleep masks include potential discomfort with poorly designed models, feeling claustrophobic initially, and possible skin irritation from lower-quality materials. Some masks shift during sleep, disrupting rest rather than improving it, while others trap heat or don’t block light completely. Premium masks like the Manta Pro minimize these issues through adjustable components and quality construction.
What does the Manta sleep mask do?
The Manta sleep mask is designed for complete darkness by blocking 100% of light with its specialized eye cups, allowing for deeper sleep regardless of environmental lighting. Its C-shaped design accommodates side sleeping without shifting, while adjustable components customize fit for different face shapes. By creating an optimal dark environment, it helps regulate melatonin production and improves sleep quality for those with light sensitivity or irregular sleep schedules.
Why is the Manta sleep mask so expensive?
The Manta sleep mask is expensive because it features specialized engineering with C-shaped eye cups for side sleepers, premium ventilated materials, and a fully adjustable design that solves problems cheaper masks don’t address. Its durability and effectiveness at creating complete darkness justify the higher price for many users who experience significantly improved sleep quality compared to budget alternatives.