6 Silk Bonnets Experts Say Are the Best for Protecting Natural Hair Overnight

Getting your first silk hair bonnet was a rite of passage growing up. I received mine, affectionately called a “chef hat,” at just eight years old. Since then, I’ve rotated through just about every type: oversized bonnets for protective styles, smaller ones for everyday use, versions with ties for extra security, and traditional elastic styles. The honeymoon phase with my bonnets was always short-lived. None lasted the standard year they were supposed to. The elastic would stretch out, the satin would pill, or they’d slip off in the middle of the night, leaving my hair a frizzy mess by morning.

While I’ve finally found a bonnet that checks all my boxes, I also turned to the experts, cosmetologist Mika Smith, co-CEO of The Doux Maya Smith, and cosmetologist Cataanda James. They all agree that the criteria for a quality bonnet are: high-quality satin or silk materials, a secure yet comfortable fit (bonus points for adjustable bands), and a size that suits your hair type and style. And yes, having more than one is totally valid. “Your bonnet should be part of your regular hair-care routine, just like brushing your teeth,” says James. “It helps retain moisture, reduce breakage, and preserve the integrity of your hair overnight.”

Ahead, discover seven bonnets tested and approved by hairstylists and editors for comfort, security, and quality you’ll want to sleep in.

Our Top Silk Bonnets

• Best Overall: Slip Pure Silk Hair Wrap, $90
• Best for Long Hair: Bonnet Queen Large Satin Bonnet, $13
• Best for Everyday Wear: Edoneery Satin Bonnet, $13
• Best for Restless Sleepers: Awaytr Mulberry Silk Bonnet, $36
• Best Bonnet in Disguise: Yanibest Silk Satin Bonnet Hair Wrap, $15
• Most Versatile Design: Glow By Daye Satin Bonnet, $20

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should you sleep with a silk bonnet?
• When should you wear a silk bonnet?
• How do you keep a silk bonnet on overnight?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Slip Pure Silk Hair Wrap

Why we love it: Slip’s Pure Silk Hair Wrap comes highly recommended by experts, and for good reason. It’s the definition of everyday luxury, made from 100% double-lined silk to protect hair from overnight frizz and breakage while feeling smooth against both strands and skin. Its turban-style silhouette features a subtle front twist and elastic at the back for a secure, comfortable fit, perfect for curly and thick textures, but may wear looser for those with finer hair. It comes in two timeless shades, pink and black, and is sleek enough to wear beyond the bedroom without drawing a second glance.

Expert tip: “A silk bonnet acts as a barrier and protects the hair from any adverse effects and damage,” says James. “Silk is cooler because it’s a natural fabric and is breathable, which makes it especially comfortable for overnight wear.”

Material: silk | Colors available: black, pink | Sizes: One size

Best for Long Hair: Bonnet Queen Large Satin Bonnet

Why we love it: If you’ve long hair, Bonnet Queen’s Large Satin Bonnet is a must-have for protecting your tresses. Its extra-roomy fit and wide, stretchy band ensure a secure hold without slipping or tugging all throughout the night. The extra-long elastic tie adds another layer of security and can be wrapped multiple ways, including a bow at the front or back. Made from a breathable, silky satin blend, it reduces friction, locks in moisture, and helps prevent split ends and knotting. Available in 19 colors and two sizes (medium and large), it’s especially ideal for braids, long curls, or anyone who needs a bit more space to sleep in style.

Expert tip: “Bonnets are especially helpful for longer styles like braids or protective looks, because they minimize tangling and help maintain definition,” says Mika Smith. “A roomy fit is key to keeping styles intact without flattening them overnight.”

Material: silk and satin blend | Colors available: black, pink, green, purple, and more | Sizes: medium, large

Best for Everyday Wear: Edoneery Satin Bonnet

Why we love it: If you’re serious about protecting your hair overnight, one bonnet isn’t enough. I own two Edoneery Satin Bonnets, and they’ve been in my rotation for years. Made from a soft, breathable polyester satin blend, they reduce friction and breakage while staying lightweight and comfortable. The double-lined, reversible design offers full coverage, and the elastic band fits snugly without leaving marks. Even after countless washes, they hold their shape and don’t collect lint.

Tester feedback: I’ve tried countless bonnets, but Edoneery is the only one I keep going back to. I’ve had two in rotation for over four years, and haven’t needed to replace either. They fit comfortably over my thick, bra-length locs, stay put all night, and feel virtually weightless. The elasticity is still intact, and having two makes it easy to keep them clean without missing a night of protection.

Material: polyester, satin | Colors available: blue, black, polka dot, leopard print, and more | Sizes: one size

Best for Restless Sleepers: Awaytr Mulberry Silk Bonnet

Why we love it: If you’re a restless sleeper who wakes up to frizzy, flattened curls, run—don’t walk—to grab Awaytr’s Mulberry Silk Bonnet. Made from 100% mulberry silk, this double-layer reversible bonnet cushions your hair from overnight rubbing while keeping tresses hydrated. The adjustable tie band offers a secure, stay-put fit that won’t budge, even if you toss and turn. Naturally hypoallergenic and ultra-gentle on hair and skin, it’s available in 10 color options to suit your sleepwear aesthetic.

Editor’s tip: Mulberry silk is made from silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves, resulting in longer, smoother, and more uniform fibers than regular silk. This creates a gentler, more frictionless surface that helps reduce dryness, hair loss, and frizz. It's also more durable and hypoallergenic, offering long-term benefits for hair health and sensitive scalps.

Material: mulberry silk | Colors available: pink, brown, black, green, and more | Sizes: one size

Best Bonnet in Disguise: Yanibest Silk Satin Bonnet Hair Wrap

Why we love it: Better than a hat, this Yanibest Silk Satin Bonnet Hair Wrap protects curls without snagging, drying, or flattening them like traditional headwear. Its slouchy, beanie-like silhouette passes as a cute cap you can wear in public while protecting your hair from harsh winds or rain. The outer layer is breathable and stretchy, while the interior is lined with premium satin. It’s got a non-slip band that features an adjustable design for a customized fit, and it comes in two sizes (medium and large). Stylish, functional, and inconspicuous, this bonnet proves you can protect your hair and look good.

Material: satin, spandex | Colors available: black, heather gray, green, navy, and more | Sizes: medium, large

Most Versatile Design: Glow By Daye Satin Bonnet

Why we love it: When you wear a bonnet every day, it should be something you look forward to putting on, and Glow By Daye’s Satin Bonnets offer just that—thanks to their bold, vibrant prints and thoughtful design. The Black-owned brand offers a double-layered, reversible bonnet design with a high-grade satin interior to preserve styles like braids, twist-outs, or updos. The extra-large 23-inch size fits nearly all hair types and thicknesses, while the drawstring allows you to customize the fit further. Plus, it features a sleek satin-edge perimeter to minimize abrasion along your hairline.

Material: polyester satin | Colors available: navy, tropical print, purple, abstract brushstrokes, and more | Sizes: one size

Frequently Asked Questions

All of our experts agree that silk and satin bonnets protect hair from the harsh friction caused by cotton pillowcases, which can lead to dryness, tangles, frizz, and breakage over time. “Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture from your hair, along with any products you apply,” says Maya Smith. Bonnets also maintain styles longer by minimizing overnight disruption, Mika Smith adds, while James states, “Tossing and turning while sleeping causes friction, which results in breakage, thinning, and dehydrated strands.”

All three experts agree: A silk or satin bonnet should be part of your daily routine, and not just reserved for freshly-styled hair. “Unless you're using a silk pillowcase, you should sleep nightly with a bonnet to protect your scalp and hair follicles,” says Maya Smith. Mika Smith notes it’s ideal for all hair types, especially braids, curls, or protective styles. James adds that even for daytime naps, a bonnet helps preserve the integrity of your hair. “Silky hair plus a silk bonnet equals smooth, healthy hair that flows,” says James.

Finding the right fit is essential for making sure your bonnet stays put. Maya Smith recommends looking for bonnets with adjustable bands or a snug, secure fit. Mika Smith suggests drawstrings or tying the bonnet at the base of your head for extra hold, and even using a silk scarf or headband on top for backup. James offers another hack: “Pulling your hair into a loose pineapple or three to four ponytails helps the bonnet fit better and stay on throughout the night.”

• Mika Smith, a licensed cosmetologist in Atlanta and senior educator for Aunt Jackie's
• Cataanda James, a licensed cosmetologist in New York and founder of elite beauty consulting firm CJ The Beauty Group
• Maya Smith, a hairstylist and cofounder of The Doux based in Atlanta

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new hair dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.

For our review of the best bonnets for protecting natural hair overnight, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair stylists—who have different types of hair, concerns, desired outcomes. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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