The 8 Very Best Silk Pillowcases

Momme: 19 momme | Color range: 42 colors

The Zimasilk pillowcase is a consistent bestseller here at the Strategist, and for good reason. First, the material. It’s made from high-quality 6A mulberry silk and has a standard momme of 19, which, while lower than some of the other picks on the list, is mostly felt in texture and fabric thickness. I slept on the Zimasilk and did notice it is 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 pillowcase costs you just $25. And despite the thinner texture, my hair was less frizzy than normal in the morning.

The 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 possibly damage the material), and while I haven’t washed mine just yet, I’m certain it’s sturdy enough to hold its shape. 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. They’ve survived multiple turns in the wash and cut her bed head down to a minimum. More appealing still, it comes in a wide range of colors — from white to soft pink to cobalt blue. There are even patterned options, in case you’d like something with a little more flair.

Momme: 22 momme | Color Range: 15 colors

Though all of these silk pillowcases can help with skin and hair, this dermatologist-developed Slip pillowcase has been recommended by celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian and celebrity dermatologists like Dennis Gross. It’s also a favorite of aestheticians like Candida Lawson, who shared her love for Slip’s silk pillowcases in 2018. “I’m a true believer that they help my blowouts last longer.” Celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union Larry Sims — who counts Gabrielle Union and Janet Jackson among his clients — is also a Slip fan. “It’s great for keeping your hair moisturized and gives it a beautiful shine,” he says. “The slippery smooth texture of silk helps to minimize frizz, breakage, and split ends.” It’s an OG in the silk-pillowcase space and has been around for more than 15 years.

I’ve had my fair share of Silk pillowcases (and an endless amount of eye masks) over the years, and can confirm that it has a very luxurious feel. It has a higher momme than our best pick, which is reflected in the price. A single queen pillowcase is $89. They also last a while. Although I’m not a consistent silk sleeper, I do use the same Slip when I do. I will say they’re a bit delicate. Even though the silk is washable, it’s less silky after a regular-cycle wash. After learning my lesson, I started hand-washing it with the brand’s detergent, and it holds up much better. There’s a range of core colors available, but the brand often does limited-edition collaborations (their most recent one was with Alice + Olivia), expanding the color range.

Momme: 19 momme | Color range: 3 colors

For an even more affordable 19-momme pillowcase, there’s LilySilk, which comes recommended by Strategist UK contributor Natalya Lobanova, who calls them “a dream to sleep on.” They last through multiple washes and because they’re only silk on one side, they can be flipped to look like cotton pillows if you prefer. The brand also sells affordable 22- and 25-momme pillowcases, which makes them overall a very good deal.

Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 24 colors

When scouring Amazon, we came across the Tafts silk pillowcase, which we dubbed the best option for curly hair. It has a high momme (22) at its price point and is beloved for its ability to cut down on frizz. This is key for curly hair, which is particularly sensitive to friction. It also remains smooth and shiny after washing, which is key to ensuring it holds up over time. Depending on the look you prefer, there are both zippered and envelope pillowcases available.