Single Cell vs Double Cell Cellular Shades: Which Should You Choose?

Updated for 2026 · 8 min read

Quick answer: Single cell cellular shades use one row of honeycomb-shaped air pockets, while double cell (also called double honeycomb) shades stack two rows — giving double cell shades noticeably better insulation and light-blocking performance, at a slightly higher price and thicker profile. For most rooms, double cell is worth the upgrade; single cell is the better fit for shallow window recesses or tighter budgets.

What's the Difference Between Single Cell and Double Cell Shades?

Both single cell and double cell cellular shades are built the same way at their core: pleated fabric forms honeycomb-shaped pockets that trap air between the window and the room, creating a layer of insulation. The difference is in how many rows of these pockets the shade has.

Single cell shades have one row of honeycomb pockets. They're thinner, lighter, and typically less expensive, while still offering meaningfully better insulation than a flat roller or roman shade.

Double cell shades stack two rows of honeycomb pockets, one behind the other. This second layer of trapped air is what makes the real difference — it improves both insulation and sound dampening compared to single cell, at the cost of a slightly bulkier headrail and stack height when raised.

Single Cell vs Double Cell: Side-by-Side Comparison

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose double cell if:

• Energy efficiency is a top priority — you want to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer as much as possible
• The room faces a busy street or noisy area and you want extra sound dampening
• You're outfitting a bedroom or nursery where light control and insulation both matter
• Your window recess has enough depth to comfortably fit the slightly bulkier headrail

Shop double cell: Blackout Double Cell Cellular Shades · Light Filtering Double Cell Cellular Shades · TDBU Blackout Double Cell · TDBU Light Filtering Double Cell

Choose single cell if:

• Your window has a shallow mounting depth and a bulkier headrail won't fit cleanly
• You want the lowest stack height possible when the shade is fully raised (useful for windows near the top of a wall or under cabinets)
• Budget is the deciding factor and you're comparing several windows at once
• The room doesn't have extreme temperature swings, so the insulation gap between single and double cell matters less

Shop single cell: Single Cell Cordless Cellular Shades

Does Double Cell Really Make a Big Difference?

The honest answer: it depends on the room. In a climate-controlled interior room with mild sun exposure, the practical difference between single and double cell shades can be modest. But in rooms with direct west-facing sun, single-pane windows, or noticeable drafts, double cell's extra layer of trapped air produces a more noticeable improvement in both temperature comfort and outside noise reduction.

If you're deciding between the two for a specific room, our guide on best blinds for west-facing windows and our breakdown of cellular shades R-value and energy savings go into more detail on when the upgrade pays off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between single cell and double cell cellular shades?
Single cell shades have one row of honeycomb-shaped air pockets, while double cell shades have two stacked rows. The extra layer in double cell shades improves insulation and sound dampening but adds slightly more thickness and cost.

Single vs double cell cellular shades — which is better for energy efficiency?
Double cell cellular shades are better for energy efficiency in most cases. The second layer of trapped air increases the R-value meaningfully, which matters most in rooms with significant heat gain or loss — west-facing windows, bedrooms, and homes in cold climates across the US, Canada, and Australia.

Is double cell worth the extra cost?
For rooms with significant heat gain/loss, noise concerns, or bedrooms where light control matters most, most owners find the upgrade worthwhile. For interior rooms with mild conditions, single cell often performs well enough that the extra cost isn't necessary.

Double cell vs single cell shades — what about sound dampening?
Double cell shades offer noticeably better sound dampening than single cell shades, thanks to the extra trapped-air layer. Neither will fully soundproof a room, but double cell reduces noise transmission more effectively — a meaningful difference for street-facing rooms or open-plan homes.

Do double cell shades block more light than single cell?
Both are available in light filtering and blackout fabric options, so light-blocking capability depends primarily on the fabric you choose rather than the cell construction alone. That said, double cell's tighter overall construction does tend to reduce light gaps slightly more than single cell.

Will double cell shades fit in a shallow window recess?
Double cell shades have a bulkier headrail and stack height than single cell, so very shallow recesses may not accommodate them comfortably. Measure your window's mounting depth before ordering, or consider an outside mount if the recess is too shallow.

Cellular shades single vs double cell — which is more popular?
Double cell is the more popular choice for residential use in the US, Canada, and Australia. The improved insulation and sound dampening make it the default recommendation for bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. Single cell remains the right choice for shallow window recesses or when minimizing stack height is a priority.

Further Reading

• Honeycomb Cellular Shades: The Complete Guide — cell count, TDBU, blackout vs light filtering, room-by-room recommendations
• Honeycomb Shades R-Value: What It Means and How Much You Can Save
• Best Blinds for West-Facing Windows: How to Beat Afternoon Glare and Heat
• Honeycomb vs Double Cell vs Triple Cell Shades: R-Value & Energy Savings Compared