UK Thermal Curtains Buying Guide
The best thermal curtains are the ones that fit the window properly, use a substantial thermal or blackout lining, suit your pole or track and do not block a radiator. We compared current UK retailer specifications rather than assuming that the word “thermal” guarantees better real-world performance.
Quick answer: the Dunelm Ultimate Thermal Twill Eyelet Curtains are our best all-round pick for a straightforward thermal-lined option with a broad size range. The Habitat Thermal Blackout Linen Look Eyelet Curtains are the strongest value choice in this shortlist, while the John Lewis Chenille Blackout/Thermal Lined Eyelet Curtains are the premium pick if finish and blackout matter as much as insulation.
Best thermal curtains UK 2026: quick picks
| Pick | Header | Thermal / blackout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunelm Ultimate Thermal Twill Eyelet | Eyelet | Thermal lined | Best overall |
| Habitat Thermal Blackout Linen Look Eyelet | Eyelet | Blackout thermal | Best value |
| John Lewis Chenille Blackout/Thermal Lined Eyelet | Eyelet | Blackout + thermal | Premium finish |
| Dunelm Alora Chenille Thermal Pencil Pleat | Pencil pleat | Thermal coated / lined | Tracks and traditional poles |
| Dunelm Wynter Thermal Eyelet | Eyelet | Thermal lined, not blackout | Large windows and wide drops |
Product specifications, prices and stock were checked in September 2026. Retailers can change ranges and availability, especially by colour and size.
How we chose these thermal curtains
AurumPick has not laboratory-tested these curtains. We compared current UK retailer information for lining type, blackout function, dimensions, heading style, fabric construction and price position. We also excluded generic “energy saving” claims that are not backed by a clear test method.
For thermal performance in a real room, fit matters almost as much as the label. A substantial lined curtain that covers the whole window and closes properly can be more useful than a supposedly premium thermal curtain that is too narrow or leaves large gaps at the sides.
Before buying, read Do Thermal Curtains Work in the UK? for the difference between cold glass, actual draughts and structural heat loss.
1. Dunelm Ultimate Thermal Twill Eyelet Curtains — best overall
Best for: buyers who want a ready-made thermal-lined curtain in standard sizes without paying premium-retailer prices.
Dunelm lists the Ultimate Thermal Twill Eyelet Curtains with a thermal coating designed to help regulate room temperature. The range uses an eyelet header, comes as a pair and is currently listed from around £50 to £120 depending on size.
- Dedicated thermal lining/coating.
- Modern eyelet header.
- Pair of curtain panels.
- Widths from 117cm to 228cm per panel.
- Drops from 137cm to 228cm.
- Several colour options.
Trade-off: this model is thermal rather than a dedicated blackout curtain, so bedroom users who want both maximum darkness and thermal lining may prefer a blackout/thermal option.
AurumPick verdict: the strongest all-round starting point in this shortlist because the specification is clear, the size range is useful and the price sits below the premium options.
2. Habitat Thermal Blackout Linen Look Eyelet Curtains — best value
Best for: bedrooms or living rooms where you want blackout and thermal lining at a lower purchase price.
Argos lists this Habitat range as blackout thermal with a 100% polyester lining. The checked 117 x 137cm pair was £45, while a 168 x 229cm pair was £65, so larger sizes cost more.
- Blackout thermal lining.
- Eyelet header.
- Sold as a pair.
- Several neutral and darker colours.
- Linen-look face fabric.
- Useful for bedrooms where darkness matters too.
Trade-off: the eyelet format works with poles rather than curtain tracks, and the range is dry-clean only.
AurumPick verdict: the best value combination here when you need blackout and thermal lining without moving into premium pricing.
3. John Lewis Chenille Blackout/Thermal Lined Eyelet Curtains — best premium
Best for: buyers who want a heavier-looking finish, blackout lining and a premium ready-made option.
John Lewis specifies these chenille curtains as blackout/thermal lined. They are available in 167cm and 228cm panel widths with 137cm, 182cm and 228cm drops, and were listed from £90 to £170 when checked.
- Blackout and thermal lining.
- Heavy chenille face fabric.
- Eyelet heading.
- Six width/drop combinations.
- Pair of panels.
- Designed to reduce both heat loss and heat gain.
Trade-off: substantially more expensive than the Habitat or Dunelm options, and professional dry cleaning is required.
AurumPick verdict: the premium pick when you value finish and blackout as much as the extra insulating layer.
4. Dunelm Alora Chenille Thermal Pencil Pleat Curtains — best pencil pleat
Best for: curtain tracks and traditional poles where an eyelet curtain will not work.
The Alora Chenille range uses a traditional pencil-pleat tape header and a thermal coating. Dunelm lists widths of 117cm, 168cm and 228cm per panel with drops of 137cm, 182cm and 228cm. Prices were £55 to £145 when checked.
- Pencil-pleat heading.
- Thermal coating designed to retain heat.
- Pair of panels.
- Three widths and three main drops.
- Chenille jacquard face.
- Several colour choices.
Trade-off: it is not positioned as a blackout product, so check the room’s light-control needs separately.
AurumPick verdict: the best option here if your existing setup uses a curtain track or you prefer the fuller look of pencil pleats.
5. Dunelm Wynter Thermal Eyelet Curtains — best for large windows
Best for: unusually wide windows, large glazed doors or rooms where standard ready-made dimensions are too small.
The Wynter range stands out for its broad size selection. Dunelm lists panel widths up to 284cm and drops up to 274cm, along with a thermal lining. It is explicitly not blackout, so some daylight can still filter through.
- Widths up to 284cm per panel.
- Drops up to 274cm.
- Thermal lined.
- Eyelet heading.
- Wide colour range.
- Pair of panels.
Trade-off: not blackout, and very large curtains can become heavy, so check your pole and fixings can support the chosen size.
AurumPick verdict: the most useful ready-made choice in this shortlist when the window or glazed door is simply too large for standard curtain sizes.
How to choose thermal curtains
Measure the pole or track, not only the glass
Curtains need enough width to cover the full opening with useful overlap and fullness. Retailers often quote the width of each individual panel, so check whether the pack contains a pair and how the stated width should relate to your pole or track.
Match the header to your existing hardware
Eyelets slide onto a curtain pole. Pencil pleats can work with curtain tracks or poles using hooks and rings. Buying the wrong header can force you to replace otherwise usable hardware.
Decide whether blackout matters
Blackout lining can be useful in bedrooms and often adds another substantial layer, but thermal and blackout are not identical terms. Some thermal curtains allow light through; some blackout curtains are not explicitly marketed as thermal.
Do not let the curtain block the radiator
If a radiator sits below the window, use a drop that finishes above it or another arrangement that leaves warm air free to circulate into the room.
How to get the best thermal performance from curtains
- Close them before the room and glass become very cold.
- Use enough width to minimise side and centre gaps.
- Keep the top gap reasonably small where practical.
- Keep curtains clear of radiators and portable heaters.
- Open them when useful winter sunlight can warm the room.
- Check behind them for condensation if the room is humid.
If you can feel moving air around the frame, curtains are not the first fix. Use How to Draught-Proof Doors and Windows UK and compare seals in Best Draught Excluders UK.
Our recommendations by use case
- Best overall: Dunelm Ultimate Thermal Twill Eyelet.
- Best value + blackout: Habitat Thermal Blackout Linen Look Eyelet.
- Best premium: John Lewis Chenille Blackout/Thermal Lined Eyelet.
- Best for tracks / pencil pleat: Dunelm Alora Chenille Thermal.
- Best for very large windows: Dunelm Wynter Thermal Eyelet.
For the evidence behind when thermal curtains help, read Do Thermal Curtains Work in the UK?. For broader heat-loss guidance, visit How to Stop Heat Loss in a Room UK.
FAQs
What type of curtain is best for keeping heat in?
A substantial lined curtain that fits the full window well is the strongest starting point. Thermal or blackout/thermal linings add thickness, but good coverage and minimal gaps are also important.
Are blackout curtains thermal?
Some are, but not all. Check the product specification for thermal lining or temperature-control claims rather than assuming every blackout curtain is designed for insulation.
Are eyelet or pencil-pleat curtains warmer?
The header style is less important than overall fit, lining and coverage. Choose the header that works best with your pole or track and lets the curtain close fully.
Should thermal curtains be longer than the window?
Enough drop to cover the full window is useful, but do not hang them over a radiator. Where a radiator is below the window, a shorter drop may perform better overall because it allows room heat to circulate.
Can thermal curtains stop condensation?
No. They can change the surface temperature and airflow around the window, but they do not remove moisture from the air. Keep ventilation working and address high humidity separately.
Do expensive thermal curtains work better?
Not automatically. Price can reflect fabric, design and finish rather than measured thermal performance. Prioritise fit, lining, size and safe installation before brand or price.
Sources and product information
- Energy Saving Trust — heavy curtains and winter heat loss
- Dunelm — Ultimate Thermal Twill Eyelet Curtains
- Argos — Habitat Thermal Blackout Linen Look Eyelet Curtains
- John Lewis — Chenille Blackout/Thermal Lined Eyelet Curtains
- Dunelm — Alora Chenille Thermal Pencil Pleat Curtains
- Dunelm — Wynter Thermal Eyelet Curtains
AurumPick may add affiliate links where appropriate. Product inclusion is based on current fit-for-purpose specifications and editorial usefulness, not commission rate.