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As a tosser and turner, I have been sleeping on satin pillowcases since childhood. They have served as a backup for when my sleep scarf or bonnet inevitably slips off my head. For curly-haired people like me, polyester satin pillowcases have long been a go-to for cutting down on frizz, preserving hairstyles, and avoiding split ends. Sleeping on silk is the same idea, just fancier due to the higher-quality material. While silk wouldn’t have made sense for me at 10 or even 15, it has become a go-to in adulthood and is less cost-prohibitive than in years past. When silk pillowcases initially became popular, thanks to brands like Slip, paying almost $100 for a single pillowcase was fairly normal. This was because of the material: mulberry silk, which derives its name from the silkworm’s diet of mulberry-tree leaves. It’s also grade-A silk, meaning it has long strands that are naturally white and it has a noticeable sheen. Within the grades, there’s a numbering system — starting with 2A and going up to 6A — with 6 being the most expensive to produce. Slip’s pillowcases are made from 6A silk, which is both soft and durable, ideal for such a high-traffic item. Mulberry silk has become the industry standard (I think in no small part because of Slip), though the price points vary. It’s easier to find cheaper silk pillowcases these days (there’s one on this list for less than 20 bucks), but there is a trade-off. More affordable silk pillowcases tend to have a lower momme count, which refers to the weight of the silk. This results in a thinner pillowcase that feels less luxurious but still works.
Of the seven pillowcases on this list, I have slept on three. I picked the ones I haven’t slept on because they satisfied my general requirements (mulberry silk, a momme of at least 19) and come in certain colorways or have a particular feature such as silver ions (a key ingredient in our best silk pillowcase for acne). I’ll continue to test new pillowcases as they crop up, but generally, most silk pillowcases are similar with only nominal differences in texture. See my picks, below.
What we’re looking for
Momme
When you’re shopping for a silk pillowcase, one of the most important metrics is momme count, which reflects the weight of the silk. The higher the number, the softer the silk will likely be. For reference, the average momme count is 19, and the popular Slip silk pillowcase — a Kourtney Kardashian favorite that was developed by a dermatologist — is 22 momme. On this list, we’ve included silk pillowcases from 19 momme all the way up to 25.
Color range
Silk pillowcases come in a wide variety of colors, so we’ve noted the number of colors available. The wider the variety, the more likely it is to find one that works for you.
Best silk pillowcase overall
Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 12 colors
Quince makes some of our favorite high-quality, affordable goods — including supersoft cashmere and lightweight linen sheets. Its mulberry-silk pillowcase is also impressive, and after I spent a few nights sleeping on it, the Quince pillowcase unseated the long-standing favorite, ZimaSilk, as the best overall pick. Despite being less than half the price of the Slip, it’s just as thick and luxurious, and when I woke up, I had near-identical results. My hair was noticeably less frizzy than when I snooze on a cotton pillowcase, and this one felt nice on my skin, too. It has the same momme as Slip (22) and a convenient zip closure so your pillow won’t slip out. I also like that it comes in a range of neutral hues, so you have lots of options for your bedscape. Another bonus: Quince offers a generous return policy — you’ll have 365 days from the date of purchase to decide if it’s right for you. With all of that in mind and the price point factored in, there isn’t a better option at this cost and quality level, making Quince’s the best overall.
Best (less expensive) silk pillowcase
Momme: 19 momme | Color range: 42 colors
The ZimaSilk pillowcase is a consistent best seller here at the Strategist and for good reason. First, the material: It’s made of high-quality 6A mulberry silk and has a standard momme of 19, which, while lower than some of the other picks on our list, is felt mostly in the texture and fabric thickness. I slept on the ZimaSilk and did notice that it’s thinner and more textured than our luxury favorite Slip and our new best overall from Quince, but it’s still soft and a good option if you’re making the shift from satin or don’t want to spend a lot of money. A single Slip pillowcase will run you almost $90, while a ZimaSilk costs just $20. And despite the thinner texture, my hair was still less frizzy than normal in the morning.
This pillowcase also holds up on the durability front. Strategist senior editor Crystal Martin says hers has held up to many warm washes and line dries (throwing it in the dryer could damage the material). It’s also a favorite of our beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton, who says it’s a dupe for the pricier Parachute pillowcase. “If the tags were removed, I truly do not think I’d be able to tell the difference between the $25 ZimaSilk pillowcases and my fancy $109 pillowcase,” she says. Hers has also survived multiple turns in the wash and cut her bed head down to a minimum. More appealing still, the ZimaSilk comes in a wide range of colors — from white to soft pink to cobalt blue. There are even patterned options if you’d like something with a little more flair.
Best luxury pillowcase
Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 15 colors
The O.G. in the silk-pillowcase space, Slip has been around for more than 15 years. I’ve had my fair share of pillowcases, eye masks, and scrunchies from the brand over the years and keep coming back for the luxurious feel. This pillowcase is pricier than any other pick on our list, but you’re paying for quality. It’s a touch silkier than the Quince and comes in more colors and patterns. Slip also frequently collaborates with fashion brands on limited-edition colorways and styles, which can be fun if you like to liven up your bedscape. This pillowcase is also durable. I’ve had the same one from Slip for seven years and it holds up nicely, even after a turn in the wash. I do try not to put my silk pillowcase in the dryer (I’ve done it before and it makes it less silky), but when it’s properly cared for, I’d say it’s well worth the money.
Best silk pillowcase for acne
Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 15 colors
Even though silk is less absorbent than cotton, it still collects bacteria and oil over time. This can be irritating for acne-prone skin and may cancel out the benefits of using a silk pillowcase in the first place. This one from Silvon comes recommended by actress Myha’la Herrold, who uses it to keep her skin clear. It contains natural silver, which helps reduce the bacterial load. “I have a couple of different ones, because I change it every three days,” she says. “It’s very soft.” Although I don’t own the Silvon pillowcase, I have used silver-ion-treated cotton washcloths in the past and can attest that they stay fresher longer and haven’t caused any body or face breakouts. This case has a momme of 22 (on par with Silk and Quince) and comes in four neutral hues. Silvon also offers a 30-night trial, so you can give it a test run before you fully commit.
Best hybrid pillowcase
Momme: 19 momme | Color range: 5 colors
If you like the feel of silk but not the look, LilySilk makes double-sided pillows that are silk on one side and cotton on the other. This hybrid style also makes them more affordable because there’s less silk. They’re a favorite of Strategist U.K. contributor Natalya Lobanova, who calls them “a dream to sleep on.” Lobanova is a fellow beauty writer and has been sleeping on silk pillowcases since her early 20s, so I trust her opinion on this one. She switched to LilySilk after sleeping on a cheaper, less luxurious set. And if you want an even softer pillowcase, LilySilk also makes affordable 22- and 25-momme pillowcases, overall a very good deal.
Best patterned silk pillowcase
Momme: unknown | Color range: 7 colors
All the silk pillowcases on this list come in basic colors like white, black, and beige. Brooklinen has all of those, along with funky, limited-edition graphic patterns that will liven up your bedscape. Aside from the fun colorways, these have all the markers of a genuinely good pillowcase: sturdy, soft, and 100 percent mulberry silk.
Best monogrammable silk pillowcase
Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 5 colors
Hill House, maker of the ubiquitous nap dress, has applied some of its signature Victorian-looking patterns to silk pillowcases (though you can also get them in plain white). Each pillowcase comes in queen and king sizes and can be monogrammed in six different styles and an array of colored thread for an extra $15.
Some Strategist-approved pillows to complete your bed’s makeover
Our experts
• Candida Lawson, aesthetician and skin therapist
• Natalya Lobanova, Strategist U.K. contributor
• Rio Viera-Newton, beauty columnist and aesthetician
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