The 11 Best Hair Bonnets for a Luxurious Sleep
Sturdy options for the fussy sleeper.
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Some beauty rules are just non-negotiable. For skin care, sunscreen is a must, whether the sun is shining or not, and going too long without cleaning your makeup brushes should be a criminal offense. As for hair—pardon the dramatics—but hair bonnets are as essential as oxygen.
I consider myself a hair bonnet connoisseur, since the last time I went to bed without a hair bonnet, I woke up to find my pillowcase covered in hair oil (bad for my skin) and my hair a hot, frizzy mess (bad for, well, me). Let’s just say I never made that mistake again. As someone with over 20 bonnets to choose from nightly, I know a thing or two about finding the right one—and how tiresome the search can be. However, the benefits of incorporating one into your daily routine can make all the difference.
“Wearing a satin bonnet for your hair protects it from friction, reduces moisture loss while you sleep, and preserves your hairstyle. Bonnets can help maintain the softness your hair receives from natural sebum on your scalp or styling products, while cotton from pillowcases can strip your hair of emollients, causing unwanted frizz and dull, dry hair. Wearing a satin hair bonnet ensures your hair stays healthy while you sleep, so there is less frustration with combing and styling it the following day,” says Sophia Emmanuel, trichologist, licensed hairstylist, and V&Co. Beauty brand ambassador.
The last thing you want to wake up to is dry, frizzy hair that will need every frizz-fighting shampoo or hair growth supplement to reverse the damage. You can never have too many bonnets, which is why we consulted experts, online customer reviews, and ELLE editor collections to find the 11 best bonnets to keep your hair happy, healthy, and hydrated.
ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Sleep Cap
Pros
- Secures hair in place
Cons
- Sizing could be extended
This Amazon bestseller has over 5,000 ratings, and for good reason. Drift into REM sleep without worrying about waking up with tangles, breakage, or, bedhead. Featuring a double-sided Mulberry silk fabric, this bonnet is breathable and tight enough to stay in place no matter how restless you are.
Material: Mulberry silk
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Lightweight. Breathable. Stays on pretty well while I sleep. I have a ton of hair and it holds it all. Perfect for any person with hair. My hair feels soft and fresh every morning when I pull it off.”
Pros
- Keeps hair soft and tangle-free
Cons
- Doesn’t fit king-sized pillowcases
While not exactly a bonnet for your hair, this bonnet protects the other threat to your hair as you sleep—pillowcases. Similar to how you’d apply one to your head, Kin’s bonnet pillowcase slips over your pillow to protect your hair against tension and can easily travel with you on all your adventures.
Material: Satin
Kin rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Kin reviewer said: “Fits my pillow perfectly. Beautiful, high-quality material. Feels great on my skin. Really great concept. I love it. Highly recommend.”
Pros
- Can be worn outside
Cons
- No adjustable straps for control
Designed with silk inside and out, your hair will rest as peacefully as you do throughout the night and look frizz-free come morning.
Material: Silk
Revolve star rating: 476/5 stars
A Revolve reviewer said: “This keeps my hair frizz free. I wrap my hair every night and this is a nice alternative to a scarf.”
Pros
- Adjustable tie band for reinforcement
Cons
- Headband can feel too tight
This affordable bonnet is a must-have solely for its large size (extraordinary for those with thick, long hair) and its tie band. After gathering your hair in the cap, ensure the bonnet stays put by tightening the tie and sealing it with a bow.
Material: Satin
SL Virgin Hair star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The best part of this bonnet is the tie wrap, which helps this restless sleeper avoid waking up with a frizzy, knotted mess. The cap is large enough to safely house my long extensions or braids, and never stains my pillowcase.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Adjustable drawstring
Cons
- Pricey
This ultra-soft bonnet sits comfortably on your head to protect your hair from tension, frizz, and movement throughout the night.
Material: Silk
Bellami Hair star rating: 5/5 stars
A Bellami Hair reviewer said: “Amazing for hair extensions at night or [during the] day when you need to run to the grocery store. Other bonnets have the harmful band and don’t keep your hair style nice and neat.”
Pros
- Double-lined
Cons
- Not best for long hair
Glow by Daye’s fan-favorite bonnets come double-lined with satin inside the cap to protect your hair and satin on the outside for a comfier sleep.
Material: Satin
Glow by Daye star rating: 5/5 stars
A Glow by Daye reviewer said: “Wanted a bonnet that was expensive-looking but stayed on all night because I’m a wild sleeper. This one is great and definitely quality. Will most likely order another <3”
Pros
- Adjustable and snug
Cons
- Not satin
Saving lives is no easy feat, and the last thing medical workers should be worried about is flyaways getting in their faces throughout the day. This “capscrub” is much cuter than the disposable ones typically worn by doctors and nurses and is large enough to fit thicker, curlier hair.
Material: Cotton
MedScrub Studio star rating: 5/5 stars
A MedScrub Studio reviewer said: “Beautiful scrub cap, very good quality.”
Pros
- Adjustable band for reinforcement
Cons
- No stretch
Cantu’s option doubles as a headscarf and a bonnet in one. Tie the built-in bandana tightly around your head to protect your edges from breakage and prevent your cap from slipping off mid-sleep.
Material: Satin
Target star rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Target reviewer said: “I’m typically not a bonnet girl. I usually like to wrap my hair with satin scarves. But this is a winner! It protects my edges and stays on all night!”
Pros
- Can cover long hairstyles
Cons
- Not much stretch
Sitting down for seven-plus hours to have a protective style installed is stressful enough. Finding a sleeping bonnet with enough room to protect said hairstyle should be the easy part. This super-long bonnet alleviates that stress. It crawls down to your mid-back to give your waist-length box braids breathing room and keep them frizz-free. Plus, it has an adjustable strap to tighten the edges in case the bonnet loses its elasticity.
Material: Satin
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I have been looking for a bonnet for my braids, but they always stopped in the middle of my back. This bonnet is long and comfortable. It doesn’t leave marks on my head. Overall I’d definitely buy again.”
Pros
- Tie feature for snug fit
Cons
- Not much stretch
Kitsch’s pink satin version, with a tie mechanism similar to others on this list, is an even fancier alternative to your favorite durag.
Material: Satin
My Kitsch star rating: 4.9/5 stars
A My Kitsch reviewer said: “I have been trying to find a beanie that I can sleep in that is cute, protective, soft, and stays on all night for my past-my-waist locs. I ended up wearing it all day for work.”
Pros
- Goes with every outfit
Cons
- Not adjustable
For a bonnet you can wear daily, look no further than Grace Eleyae’s collection of practical headwear. The satin-lined beanie doubles as a sleep bonnet and as an everyday cap that keeps the hair moisturized and protected no matter what.
Grace Eleyae rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I love this bonnet. It’s one of the few that actually stays on my head the entire night. I have it in maroon, and it doubles as a cute cap on days I don’t feel like removing my flat twists.”—Danielle James, ELLE.com beauty director
What is the purpose of wearing a satin bonnet for hair?
Protection is one of the top ways to preserve your hair’s health. “The purpose of a satin bonnet is to protect the hair from losing moisture and shape, and to prevent damaging or pulling of the hair while you sleep,” says Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, celebrity hairstylist and founder of NTRL By Sabs. Bonnets are especially good for your hair because they prevent frizz and tangling throughout the night and also protect against breakage and friction.
Which type of bonnet is better: silk or satin?
“Although both are renowned for their ability to protect your hair from damage, their individual merits can make them better suited for different purposes,” Holdsworth says. She advises investing in satin bonnets if you run hot throughout the night. “On the other hand, if you’ll be using it during the day and regularly exposed to environmental elements like wind or sun, then silk may be worth investing in due to its superior ability at holding moisture and staying put on your head,” she adds.
Are bonnets good for the hair versus a scarf?
According to Sophia Emmanuel, the protective method you choose depends entirely on your hair type and style. “Wearing a hair bonnet versus a scarf depends on your preference and style. If you have a voluminous hairstyle, such as a wash-and-go, rod set, twist-out, braids, locs, or any curly hairstyle with volume, a satin bonnet is best to preserve your hairstyle and not flatten it,” she explains. For those with straight hair or are rocking a straight style, a scarf would work best. “A scarf would be better if you wear a straight hairstyle, like a silk press, or blow dry that you wrap, pin curl, or ponytail at night. You would choose a scarf for smoother styles and a satin bonnet for voluminous styles. Scarves tend to slip off while you sleep, so a bonnet is a better option for those who need a snug fit at night. There are satin bonnets with drawstrings to tighten them around the perimeter of your hair to prevent slipping,” Emmanuel adds.
What’s the best way to care for your hair beyond protective bonnets/scarves?
Bonnets are great for protection at night, but true protection comes from a diligent hair routine. Emmanuel suggests analyzing your wash day products to ensure the quality is top-tier and supports hair health.
- “Use products with ingredients that support hair growth and the well-being of your scalp. Try adding V&Co. Beauty Shampoo and Conditioners to your hair care routine, as their affordable options benefit both hair & scalp and are free from sulfates, parabens, gluten, dyes, and phthalates. These ingredients tend to irritate the scalp. Using products with safe ingredients is healthy for your hair and helps create a healthier environment for hair growth. The brand has a Proprietary Peptide Blend with amino acids, proteins, and vitamins that help all hair textures and types. V&Co. Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner is also color-safe, and you do not have to worry about the shampoos stripping moisture from your hair or scalp,” she explains.
- Keeping consistent with your trims will make your hair flourish. “Trim or cut your hair every three months to reduce split ends and hair breakage. Cutting/trimming your hair does not help it grow, but it does help prevent hair from breaking off,” she offers.
- Emmanuel emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet complete with “vitamins like A, C, D, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. Stay hydrated by drinking half your body weight in water. This helps your hair and skin stay hydrated. Your scalp is skin and needs the same hydration as the skin on your face and body,” she says.
- Most importantly, steer clear of hairstyles that do more damage than good. While certain hairstyles may look beautiful, too much stress on the hair can result in breakage and split ends. “Avoid wearing tight hairstyles that pull or add tension to your scalp. These styles include tight ponytails, buns, braids, hair extensions, and faux locs. Styles that pull your hair follicles cause traction alopecia, a type of hair loss that causes hair loss along the hairline. Wear these hairstyles in moderation and ensure they are not hurting the scalp,” she explains.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Nerisha Penrose consulted hair experts to learn about the benefits of wearing a bonnet and best practices.
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