Why You Can Trust CNET Best Silk Pillowcases for 2024
Ditch that old pillowcase for a light, silk one this summer. Stay cool and save your skin and hair.
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
If you are a hot sleeper and are looking for a new way to take care of your complexion and hair, swapping out your pillowcase is a simple hack. Silk pillowcases reduce hair breakage, promote healthy skin and won't retain body heat. Rough cotton pillowcases can cause irritation while you sleep, which can lead to damage during the night. But silk pillowcases are incredibly smooth, which helps to prevent friction and irritation. The best silk pillowcases are gentle on anything and everything they touch, and they're a great way to help improve your bedhead in the morning.
Why switch to silk?
Silk pillowcase brands often advertise an impressive list of benefits to switching your pillowcase from cotton to silk. While the science is less than solid on how much silk can really help with complex skin concerns such as wrinkles, sensitive skin or acne, silk pillowcases have been recommended for helping you achieve softer hair and skin for years by beauty pros and experts around the world.
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase at night can reduce:
- Friction
- Hair breakage
- Frizzy hair
- Sensitive skin
- Dry, dull skin
Read more: Best Pillow for 2024
If you are on the hunt for the best silk pillowcase, look no further than Amazon. With over 30,000 five-star reviews, the Zimasilk Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is a clear winner. The pillowcase is made with 100% premium-grade mulberry silk on both sides. It comes in 35 different colors and many sizes -- including a body pillowcase size. There are also silk sleep masks and pillowcase bundles. Zimasilk says that the vibrant colors of its pillowcases won't fade after many washes.
Best features:
- Hidden zipper
- Many colors and sizes to choose from
- 180-day guarantee
If you're going to invest over $50 in a pillowcase, you want it to last, and this mulberry silk pillowcase from Slip seems to fit the bill. Slip's pillowcase comes in a king and queen size and 15 different colors and patterns. Do note that this pillowcase does not come with a hidden zipper, so it might not keep the pillow in place as well as those with one. Slip's pillowcase is made with the right amount of thickness, shine and color that will last many nights and washes.
Best features:
- One of the most popular silk pillowcase brands
- Very shiny, expensive look
- Available in beauty department stores like Sephora
Brooklinen is a well-known name in the mattress game, so it makes sense the brand would offer quality, luxury pillowcases as well. Brooklinen's Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is cool to the touch, soft and machine-washable. There are standard and king sizes. If you are looking for a pillowcase with a vibrant design or color, Brooklinen is for you. Choose from five bright colors and three unique patterns -- such as constellations. While the luxury pillowcase is on the pricey side, Brooklinen has sales often.
Best features:
- Unique color and design options
- OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety
- Machine-washable
It is hard to beat a silk pillowcase under $15. The Suatien Natural Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is affordable but it is not cheap. It is made of pure mulberry silk and comes in 11 different colors, though not all colors are the same price, and some have an option to buy a set of two. The pillowcase is light, breathable and even has a hidden zipper to keep your pillow from coming out of place (silk is a slippery material). You can machine- or hand-wash it.
Best features:
- Under $15
- Hidden zipper
- Some colors come in a set of two
When buying a new silk pillowcase, you have to take into account that most of the products and prices on this list are for only one standard, queen or king size. Buying two or more pillowcases will be more expensive. However, the Jocoku 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is a great value -- you get a set of two for under $35. There are four sizes and eight colors to choose from, and it even comes with a hidden zipper to keep your pillow in place. Even if you don't need two pillowcases, one can make a great gift. However, do not machine-wash.
Best features:
- Available in standard, queen, king and throw sizes
- Hidden zipper
- Great gift idea
This article was originally published in 2021 and is periodically updated with the latest deals.