In this article
As a tosser and turner, I’ve been sleeping on satin pillowcases since childhood. It has served as a backup for when my sleep scarf or bonnet inevitably slipped off my head. For curly-haired people like me, satin pillowcases have long been a go-to for cutting down 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 also 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 due to the material — mulberry silk, which derives its name from the silkworm’s mulberry-tree-leaf diet. It’s also grade-A silk, meaning it has long strands that are naturally white and 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 is made from 6A silk, which is both soft and durable, ideal for a high traffic item like a pillowcase. Mulberry silk has become industry standard (I think in no small part because of Slip), though 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, 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’ve slept on three. The ones I haven’t slept on, I picked because they satisfied my general requirements (mulberry silk, a momme of at least 19) and came in certain colorways or had a particular feature like 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 nominal differences in texture. 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 amount of colors available. The wider variety of color, 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 spending a few nights sleeping on it, the Quince pillowcase has unseated the long-standing 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 it 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 price point and quality level, making it 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 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 one costs you just $20. 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.
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. It’s pricier than any other pick on the list, but you’re paying for quality. It’s a touch silkier than the Quince pillowcase and comes in more colors and patterns. The brand frequently collaborates with fashion brands on limited-edition colorways and styles, which can be fun if you like to liven up your bedscape. The pillowcase is also durable. I’ve had the same pillowcase from the brand for seven years and even after a turn in the wash. I try not to dry these (I’ve done it before and it makes them less silky), but when properly cared for, they hold up nicely.
Best silk pillowcase for acne
Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 4 colors
Even though silk pillowcases are less absorbent than cotton, they still collect bacteria over time. The collected oils can be irritating for acne-prone skin, and may cancel out the benefits of using a silk pillowcase at all. This one from Dore and Rose is treated with silver ions, which combat those effects. Silver is naturally antibacterial and helps to reduce the bacterial load of the textiles it’s applied to. Although I don’t own the Dore and Rose 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. It has a momme of 22 (on par with Silk and Quince) and comes in four neutral hues. There’s also a nifty hidden zipper feature, which is nice if you want a streamlined look.
Best hybrid pillowcase
Momme: 19 momme | Color range: 5 colors
If you’re someone who likes 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 look 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. In case you want an even-softer pillowcase, LilySilk also makes affordable 22- and 25-momme pillowcases, which makes them overall a very good deal.
Best patterned silk pillowcase
Momme: unknown | Color range: 7 colors
All of 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 graphics that will liven up your bedscape. Aside from the fun colorways, it has all of the markers of a genuinely good pillowcase: sturdy, soft, and made from 100 percent mulberry silk.
Best monogrammable silk pillowcase
Momme: 22 momme | Color range: 5 colors
Hill House, makers 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 both queen and king sizes and can be monogrammed in six different styles and an array of colored threads 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
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.