The Best Editor-Tested Silk Pillowcases You Can Buy in 2022

Growing up, I always associated silk pillowcases with my grandmother. She slept on one every night and always had the perfect head of hair in between her trips to the beauty salon. Although admittedly prone to horrible sleep habits and extreme bedhead, I am definitely a health and beauty devotee, so I regret never having thought much about including a silk pillowcase in my sleep routine. That was, of course, until they became much more popular in the beauty world, promising not just smooth, frizz-free hair but also hydrated and protected skin and a cool night’s sleep. Still, even I was skeptical of the silk pillowcase’s promises, so I, along with my AT colleagues, put a number of them to the test. After trying several, I can now say I’m committed. My grandmother would be so proud.

There’s a wide variety of silk pillowcases on the market, so it can be quite a challenge to figure out which ones live up to the hype. That’s why we did the work for you to determine the best of the best, considering everything from quality to price. Your skin and hair can thank us later.

Not all silk pillowcases are created equal. There are a few terms to know and several factors to consider while shopping to ensure you end up getting what you intend to pay for and don’t just succumb to good marketing. Are you dreaming of waking up with gorgeous hair without breaking the bank? Perhaps you’re in search of the most luxurious silk money can buy. From momme count to care instructions to price point, these are the facts to consider when choosing the best silk pillowcase for you.

It may not sound pretty, but mulberry silk threads are the byproduct of silkworms that have eaten the leaves of a mulberry plant. There’s actually several types of silk named after the weave or fabric or the type of worm that secretes the silk threads, but mulberry silk is the most common and the type of silk that goes into all of our top picks here.

There’s a reason mulberry silk is used for a variety of beauty products, including pillowcases, sleep masks, scrunchies, and robes: It contains 18 amino acids and proteins known to benefit the hair and skin. Because silk isn’t as absorbent as cotton or other common bedding fabrics, you don’t have to worry about your night creams coming off while you sleep or even your natural hydration being wicked away by your pillowcase during the night. The smooth surface of a silk pillowcase keeps hair from breaking and tangling, and prevents pillow marks, premature lines, and wrinkles. It’s also known to be breathable and hypoallergenic, which is great for hot sleepers and for those with sensitive skin and allergies.

Like I said, not all silk pillowcases are the same, and this has to do with momme. Similar to thread count, momme count measures the fabric’s quality and durability. The higher the momme count, the heavier and more durable the silk… aaand the higher the cost. Most silk pillowcases range from 15 to 30 momme, but not all brands advertise the momme count of their silk, so keep an eye out to make sure you’re not paying for more than you’re getting.

While silk takes a little more work to care for than other fabrics, it’s not much different from the extra care you give when washing your most beloved items. Most of the brands behind silk pillowcases advise washing their product in cold water or, better yet, hand washing with a mild detergent (no bleach, detergent pods, or fabric softeners) and laying flat to air dry. That said, some are able to go in the dryer and can be fairly low maintenance. Just be sure to check the label on your pillowcase since proper care can vary. Similar to wet hair, silk is extra delicate when wet, so you’ll want to handle with love.

Like most air-dried items, silk pillowcases can be a bit stiff or wrinkled, but after a night of use, they go back to their normal, smooth selves. To get rid of wrinkles in the pillowcase, many brands allow ironing on low heat. Like all things, the better care you give your silk, the longer it will last. In turn, you can give yourself shiny locks and supple skin for years to come.

We tested a range of silk pillowcases, from low to high momme count and price point, judging them on the following criteria:

MYK Silk offers among the best varieties of silk pillowcases, ranging between 19 and 30 momme, all at affordable prices. I tested the 25 momme version, which is one of the thickest, smoothest pillowcases I’ve tried and costs less than $45. Most silk pillowcases are 19 or 22 momme and come at a much higher price, which makes MYK Silk our hands-down pick for best overall. It comes in three sizes and several beautiful colors, and it’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, to boot. I love a zipper closure for silk pillowcases because they keep it from moving around, and the MYK Silk pillowcase fits my pillow perfectly, allowing it to stay nice and plump throughout the night. After washing, sleeping on, and comparing it to the others tested, MYK’s pillowcase remained the softest with the least amount of post-wash wrinkles. The only downside? I don’t want to get up when my alarm goes off.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want durable, smooth silk with a high momme count at a manageable price; those who want a variety of sizes and colors to choose from.

Good to Know: MYK Silk offers a variety of silk pillowcases from 19 to 30 momme, some with a cotton underside so you can get the best of both worlds. You can also find silk pajamas and robes for women and men, eye masks, scrunchies, and bonnets.

*Honorable Mention: Best List writer Kendall has tried several silk pillowcases and Casper’s is her new favorite. “I wake without bedhead or pillow marks, my skin is far less irritated, and I’m not sticking to the pillowcase, no matter how toasty I get,” she says. The smooth and durable silk pillowcase can also be purchased as a bundle, which includes a matching sleep mask.

Commerce writer Britt was happily surprised with this budget-friendly silk pillowcase from Mildly Home. “I really liked this pillowcase more than I expected to, and it’s less than half the price of my all-time favorite silk pillowcase,” she says. “I also really liked that the zipper kept the pillow from sliding out of the case, no matter how much I tossed and turned!” Compared to more expensive silk pillowcases, it feels just as smooth, soft, and cool, says Britt. She typically wears a satin bonnet when she sleeps, but the one night she forgot, she woke up with hair that wasn’t dried or tangled. She also wakes up free of lines and creases on her face, thanks to this pillowcase — perfect for that morning video call.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a budget-friendly option.

Good to Know: It comes in five beautiful color palettes — Britt loves the blue!

*Honorable Mention: Britt also recommends the Mellanni 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase as another budget-friendly option. It has a momme count of 19, which isn’t as high as our best pick, but it comes in several more colors and is still extremely soft and luxurious for its price point. Since it’s delicate, Britt notes to adhere to the care instructions.

Multiple AT staffers love Brooklinen’s Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, especially our master tester Britt, who gave it a glowing review and says that it’s by far her favorite mulberry silk pillowcase. “Once I started sleeping with this pillowcase, I definitely noticed a change in my skin,” says Britt. “I don’t break out very often, in general, but I woke up looking rested with smooth, clear skin versus having to deal with any lines on my face from a wrinkled pillowcase.” She also adds how easy Brooklinen’s pillowcases are to clean. “Even if you don’t wash them exactly right, they won’t get ruined after one bad wash.”

I’m also a huge fan of this pillowcase, which fits my pillow perfectly and comes in several limited edition colors and patterns that you can’t find anywhere else. I’m obsessed with the funky Wild Purple pattern that adds a colorful, unique touch to my bedding. I’ll definitely be grabbing another to create a matching set before this pattern goes out of stock!

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for a reliable pillowcase, but nothing too fancy. Those who like fun colors and limited-edition pattern options.

Good to Know: You can also purchase Brooklinen’s Mulberry Silk Pillowcase as a bundle, which includes a silk eye mask so you can really catch those Zzzs. Scrunchies and a solo eye mask are also available.

The Parachute Silk Pillowcase is the first silk pillowcase I tested, and it was a total game changer for my dry skin and frizzy hair. It has a 25 momme count, which sets it apart from most others, as you can immediately feel the difference when you slide your hand across it. I also love that it’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. The care instructions recommend washing it in a mesh bag, but I’ve had no problems washing it without one alongside other delicates. The only downsides are its price point, which is higher than MYK’s silk pillowcase of the same momme count, and its limited color selection. But, given how soft and visibly thick and durable this pillowcase is, there’s no way we could leave it off this list. I know I’ll personally be using mine for years to come.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a luxurious and soft pillowcase; those looking for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified bedding.

Good to Know: In addition to being free of over 100 harmful substances, Parachute’s fabrics aren’t artificially softened.

For those who don’t love the look of shiny pillows atop their cotton or linen sheets but still want all the beauty benefits of a silk pillowcase, CULTIVER’S Silk Linen Flip Pillowcase is the perfect solution. We’re big fans of the brand’s luxuriously soft linen (in fact, their sheets made our Best List), so the dual-sided combination of mulberry silk and linen may just be the versatile solution we all need — especially those of us sticking to a certain decor aesthetic. It’s definitely the best of both worlds for AT contributor Alyssa, who loves sleeping on the silk side at night and then flipping the pillow over when making her bed in the morning to showcase the equally luxurious linen side.

Who It’s Best For: Those who don’t like the look of silk; those who want options; those who love the feel of both silk and linen.

Good to Know: The pillowcase can also be purchased in a set of two and as a bundle with an added silk sleep mask. Did we mention it also comes with a matching silk and linen drawstring bag? This may be your new travel companion.

NIGHT’s Trisilk Luxe Pillowcase is just that: luxe. It’s super soft with a bit of stretch, given the added spandex, which makes it a great option if you want something luxurious but with a little give. I received the Standard/Queen size for testing, but it seemed pretty loose on my pillow, despite its use of spandex for a snug fit. However, I do think my pillow is quite flat and that perhaps a larger pillow would work perfectly. I love that this pillowcase has both a zipper and envelope flap, which hides the zipper, but the flap is visible on the front (overly so with my flat pillow), which is an aesthetic choice.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a pillowcase with stretch; those who want added protection for their pillow.

Good to Know: This pillowcase is available at Bed Bath & Beyond and Nordstrom so you can easily add it to your existing carts (or just shop from your favorite retailer).

SEO writer Sarah loves Bedsure’s 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, which comes with a bonus eye mask for a truly peaceful night of sleep. “It’s silky soft so it feels great against the skin, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my hair — my blowouts look better longer and it’s been so kind to my curls (nothing better than waking up after a wash day and not having frizzy curls).” While the pillow tends to wrinkle easily, this wasn’t a deal breaker for Sarah, who also loves the matching eye mask. “I think this makes it a lovely gift for the wellness obsessed in your life as well as a great travel option for those looking to keep their sleep routine in tact while on the go.” While the instructions say to dry clean or hand wash, Sarah machine washed hers on gentle and hung it over her shower door to dry.

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for an affordable option; those who prefer a pillowcase with an envelope closure; those looking for the perfect bundle to gift.

Good to Know: Sarah also recommends this set for travel so you can use your own pillowcase and catch some sleep with the eye mask wherever you go.