The Best Silk Pillowcases You Can Buy Right Now

My friend Erika has an adorably neurotic pug named Weenie, who, in addition to being incredibly picky about the people he trusts, lives a somewhat bougie lifestyle, simply because of the perks of his mom’s career. Erika is a beauty editor, so her apartment is stocked with all the hair, skin, and makeup products that make every “best of” list each year. So, I wasn’t surprised when I saw a silk pillowcase on Erika’s bed. I really need to get one of those, I thought, as I recounted all the times Erika has embraced beauty trends I’ve dragged my feet on or been completely unaware of. 

But it wasn’t until Weenie positioned himself across the pillow that I realized just how far behind on this trend I was — even a dog knew that a silk pillowcase would keep his hair smooth and his skin well-hydrated. It’s been a year since I visited Weenie and his silk pillowcase, and I have yet to select and purchase one for myself. It’s not because there’s a lack of choice on the market — quite the opposite. 

In fact, it’s taken me until now to find the right list that is narrowed down enough for me to feel as if I’m choosing from the best of the best. We rounded up a list of the best editor-tested silk pillowcases — keeping quality (which Weenie would certainly consider) and price (which is a big factor for me) in mind.

• Best Overall: Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
• Best Budget-Friendly: The Company Store Silk Pillowcase
• Best Luxury: Slip Silk Pillowcase
• Best Dual-Sided: Cozy Earth Silk & Linen Pillowcase
• Best for Skin: Quince Silk Pillowcase
• Best for Hair: Blissy Silk Pillowcase
• Best Mulberry Silk: Beaute Living 22-Momme Silk Pillowcase

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. 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.

The main certification that’s important to this list is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means the bedding is free of harmful synthetics and dyes. (Read more about this certification and why it’s important.) Another certification you’ll see is GOTS certified, a worldwide standard for processing organic fibers, meaning that the textiles come from green supply chains. (Read more about this certification and why it’s important.)

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

• Feel: How does it feel out of the box? Is it thick or lightweight? How smooth is the silk? Is it comfortable to sleep on? Does it benefit your hair, skin, and/or sleep?
• Durability: Can you see through the silk or is it thick? How does it hold up to washing? What’s the momme count?
• Aesthetic: How well does it fit a pillow? Does it wrinkle? Does it have a zipper or envelope closure? Does it have color and pattern options?

This one is the best for a reason: It makes you feel like royalty. Best List editor Britt experienced that first-hand: “The pillowcase arrived rolled in a little box that made it feel special before I even opened it. The long-staple mulberry silk was so shiny and buttery smooth that it slipped right between my fingers, a good sign for how it would affect my hair — I couldn’t wait to start using it.”

And it just got better from there. Britt says the pillowcase left her hair and skin looking perfect. “I’m a stomach sleeper, so I know all about waking with pillowcase wrinkles on your face,” she adds. “With Brooklinen’s silk pillowcase, there’s no stiffness or resistance to cause bunching. As a result, I wake up with my skin as smooth as it was when I went to bed the night before.”

The biggest pro might be the way this pillow feels. “I’m a hot sleeper, too, and this pillowcase helped me stay cool,” Britt says. “I usually flip my pillows throughout the night for some relief, so it was so nice to sleep on something super soft that doesn’t trap heat.”

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 22 momme count
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Available in 2 sizes and 7 colors
• Hand wash or machine wash cold with a pH-neutral detergent

Who It’s Best For: Someone who sleeps hot and wants to feel good from the second they open the box.

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.

Read our full review of the Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase.

To describe this pillowcase in a few words: durability for a friendly price. Commerce SEO writer Nic says that this pillowcase held up over time and, despite being the sturdy choice, it isn’t lacking in comfort. There was really only one downside, Nic says: “My one main issue with it is that it doesn’t have a zipper closure on the end. I prefer my pillowcases to zip over the pillow — I think it looks neater and makes it easier to use — but that’s not a deal breaker in this case.” 

Nic adds that the pillowcase can wrinkle easily, which isn’t ideal if you’re the kind of person who wants your pillow to look just-ironed smooth all the time. But thankfully, a few wrinkles have nothing to do with the function of this pillowcase, especially at this price. 

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 22 momme count
• Hypoallergenic
• Available in 3 colors
• Hand-wash or machine-wash in cold with a pH-neutral liquid detergent; turn inside out before washing and place in a mesh laundry bag

Who It’s Best For: Someone who wants a budget-friendly choice.

Good to Know: You can buy this pillowcase individually, so if you don’t need a set, you’re taken care of.

If you’re looking for opulence for under $100, you might find your answer with Slip Silk. Senior commerce editor Alicia says that after trying many different options, this pillowcase has become her go-to for cool, calm sleep. She counts it as the “most luxurious part” of her nighttime routine and says it keeps her from waking up sweaty or overheated. 

Alicia adds that she’s seen a noticeable difference in how her hair looks in the morning. “I have frizzy hair, and I do notice a decrease in frizz when I sleep on this pillowcase,” she says. “I’ve tried other silk pillowcases in the past, but this is the only one that’s worked for me.” A pillow that helps your hair look better after you wake up than when you went to bed? Definitely a winner.

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 22 momme count
• Available in 16 color options
• Machine-washable with pH-neutral liquid detergent and/or fabric softener

Who It’s Best For: Someone who wants a pillow that leaves them with noticeably smoother hair in the morning and feels luxe but more affordable than other pillowcases of similar quality.

Good to Know: In a November 2021 survey of U.S. dermatologists, Slip was the preferred brand for hair and skin.

*Honorable Mention: AT sister site Kitchn‘s senior commerce editor Ian put the Nest Bedding Silk Pillowcase to the test and loved it. “Unlike the traditional pillowcases that I’m used to, this pillowcase is soft, cooling, and breathable — and has been a huge game changers when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep,” he says. “It’s also large enough that I don’t have to worry about my pillows not fitting.”

Oprah once described Cozy Earth’s bedding as *Oprah voice* “the softest EVER,” so now it’s up to you to decide if you want to be so bold as to argue with Oprah. Associate lifestyle editor Sofia won’t be taking the “con” side in this debate. In addition to using the pillowcase for actual sleeping, she counts it as a valuable decorative addition to her bed.  

“I love the option of two different fabrics on the same pillow!” she says. “I do pretty much exclusively sleep on the silk side, but I like having the option to turn it over when I make up my bed and let the casual-cool linen side show.”

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 70% bamboo viscose, 30% linen on the reverse side
• Moisture-wicking and pill-preventing fabric
• Available in 2 sizes
• Machine-washable with “mild” detergent

Who It’s Best For: Those who can never decide which is the “cooler side of the pillow.” Jokes aside, this option is the right one if you want to sleep on linen instead of silk sometimes.

Good to Know: This pillowcase comes with a 100-night, risk-free trial and 10-year warranty.

It doesn’t take much to set one pillowcase apart from the others. In this case, it’s all about the zipper. Deputy lifestyle director Maddie says her main hangup with silk pillowcases is the fact that they slip halfway off the pillow by the time she wakes up. This one, from editor-favorite brand Quince, stays secure — all thanks to this simple feature.

“This is better than other silk pillowcases for one main reason: the tiny zipper,” she says. “I can easily slide my pillow inside and zip up the small, unobtrusive zipper to keep my pillow in place. And even after gentle washes, other silk pillowcases have gotten frayed edges on me. The Quince pillowcase doesn’t do either of those things. And it’s ultra-soft!”

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 22 momme count
• Hypoallergenic 
• Available in 2 sizes and 7 different colors
• Machine wash cold with like colors on gentle cycle — though hand-washing is recommended.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want plenty of colors to choose from and like a pillowcase that doesn’t easily slip off their pillow.

Good to Know: Reviewers say that despite the budget-friendly price, this silk pillowcase feels high-end.

If you think all silk pillowcases are soft, well, you’d be right. But if you’re on the hunt for the softest of the soft, Britt says Blissy is the choice. 

“It’s definitely softer than other silk pillowcases that I’ve used,” she says. “That was the first thing I noticed!” Of course, there are downsides to all good things. Britt says the pillowcase is a little smaller than she’d prefer. “If you have pillows that are on the larger side, be sure to order a larger size in the pillowcase,” she advises. Thankfully, they come in Standard, Queen, and King, so just bump up a size and be on your way to soft-as-a-baby-duckling snooze town.

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 22 momme count
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified
• Available in 3 sizes and 45 colors
• Machine-washable on a cold, gentle cycle

Who It’s Best For: Those who like a super-soft pillowcase and are fighting the battle of the hair frizz.

Good to Know: You can’t put most silk pillowcases in the dryer, but Blissy says that you can put yours in the dryer at the lowest possible temperature for up to 20 minutes and then air-dry them.

If you’re looking for an option that looks like it belongs in the upcoming Barbie movie (in a very good way!), this is your pick. Britt says she didn’t notice many differences between this pillowcase and others that she’s tested, but the differences she noticed definitely stood out. The size — it’s not too small for any of her pillows — and the zipper closure of this pillowcase keeps it secure. Her favorite feature: the Blue Ice color (not a shock; it’s beautiful). “It’s super pretty and looks great on my bed, and I love that I don’t have to worry about it being too small to fit my large bed pillows,” she says.

Specifications:

• 100% mulberry silk
• 22 momme count
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified
• Available in 3 sizes and 6 colors
• Machine washable

Who It’s Best For: Those who want an aesthetically pleasing pillow.

Good to Know: It has a hidden zipper that helps keep the luxurious vibe of the pillowcase and prevents it from sliding off your pillow.

Read our full review of the Beaute Living 22-Momme Silk Pillowcase.