Byrdie / Alli Waataja
We put so much care into our natural hair to get it to its healthiest, most fabulous state. We style it, deep condition it, and even spend hours on protective styles, so the last thing we want to do is ruin all that progress overnight. That's where silky bonnets come into play; they're ace at maintaining moisture and preventing harmful friction that can lead to breakage and bad hair days. We've come a long way since the bonnets our mothers and grandmothers used to wear. Today's iteration of silky scarves and head wraps accessorize and protect hair, making room for style and function to live in the same place. With this in mind, we found bonnets worthy of recognition.
We conducted hours of research, evaluating the bonnets on this list on their material, color selection, sizing, and overall quality. Check out our top picks of the best bonnets and sleep caps to prevent hair from overnight damage.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Grace Eleyae All Silk Turban
Adjustable
Double-lined
May be too tight for some
Material: Silk | Colors: 4
We know what you’re thinking: This turban looks like a style statement meant for daytime, but this elegant piece is bedtime-approved—we checked. Made of 100% washable silk, you can use this turban overnight to protect your hair and distribute natural oils. It also has a hidden adjustable drawstring to allow you to customize your fit and keep it in place all night long. As it's double-lined silk and has no elastic, you don't need to worry about it leaving a mark on your forehead like some other options. Looking to spend a little less? Try their satin-lined version instead.
Best Silk
SILKE London Hair Wrap
Great for all hair types
Stays in place
Elastic band can leave an imprint
Material: Silk, elastic | Colors: 11
Satin bonnets and headwraps can certainly get the job done, but nothing is quite as effective at retaining moisture than silk. Silke is one maker of functional silky headpieces that are pretty enough to be worn everywhere. When brand founder Maria Sotiriou was experiencing split ends and breakage, she looked back to her Caribbean heritage to remember the importance of covering your hair at night. The result is this stylish 100% silk cocoon hair wrap designed to end your bad hair days. If your skin is particularly sensitive, however, it's worth noting that some reviewers say the knot on the front can leave an indent on your forehead.
Best Budget
Kitsch Satin Sleep Cap
Great for all hair types
Can be worn during the day
Not silk
Material: Satin charmeuse | Colors: 2
Okay, so we’re not going to act like this is a new trend; this is totally a durag, but we love this chic satin charmeuse take on the classic sleep accessory. Retain moisture, reduce breakage, and wake up with your hair laid. We find that this piece is ideal for wrapping medium-length straight hair or protecting cornrows and other sleek styles.
Best Reversible
Glow By Daye Satin Bonnet-Premium
Reversible
Adjustable
Not silk
Material: Satin | Colors: 15
If you’re feeling a bit indecisive, this bonnet comes in plenty of patterns and colors, and it has two wearable sides so you can switch things up to get the most out of your sleepwear. It’s also adjustable with a drawstring and made of high-grade double-layered satin for increased durability that the brand swears by, with a one-year guarantee.
Best Print
Cantu Pattern Bonnet
Secure fit that stays on all night
Smooth and comfortable fabric
Not silk
Material: Satin | Colors: 1
With its bright pattern, soft satin fabric, and secure fit that stays in place all night, you really can’t go wrong with this bonnet from Cantu. It’s made from silky satin that stops breakage, frizz, and snagging as you sleep while protecting the hair from moisture loss and keeping coils defined. We’d prefer it if the elastic band went all the way around rather than just at the back as this does make putting it on a little tricky.
Best Classic
Evolve Exotics Sunset Bonnet
Affordable
Stays in place
Dye can stain bedding
Material: Satin | Colors: 1
Okay, now, this bonnet might remind you of your mother’s bonnet that we mentioned earlier, but you know what they say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This budget-friendly pick has been on shelves for the longest, and its no-frills approach gets straight to the point of protecting your hair. The thick yet nonabrasive elastic keeps the bonnet secured to your head for long nights while protecting your edges and fitting to a wide range of head sizes. Keep it handy as a low-risk bonnet to stow in your overnight bag, so you’re protected on the go.
Best for Long Braids
Awefeel Double-Layer Satin Sleep Cap
Extra-long length
Includes a matching scrunchy
Slips off easily
Material: Satin | Colors: 12
Women are rocking long braids with more confidence than ever. Thankfully, this extra-long bonnet was made with braids in mind, so you can keep them looking as good as new for longer. With two extended sizes, you can choose 19 inches long for shoulder-length hair or 27 inches long for middle-back hair or even longer. It also comes with a matching satin scrunchy to keep the snag-free hair protection going. Reviewers love it for keeping box braids and long hair in place and note that the elastic band is just snug enough to stay on without causing discomfort.
Best for Short Hair
ZIMASILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Cap
Breathable
Adjustable
Not double-lined
Material: 100% Mulberry silk | Colors: 6
This 100% mulberry silk bonnet is light, breathable, and the perfect size to protect shorter strands without all the extra fabric. Aside from the luxurious silk, our favorite feature is that it has an adjustable ribbon so that you can tie your sleep cap to your desired tightness to keep it in place all night long.
Best for Toddlers
AKISS Reversible Satin Sleep Bonnet
Multiple sizes available
Stays in place
Hand wash only
Material: Charmeuse satin, elastic | Colors: 15
Protecting your little one’s hair at night just got cuter. This miniature piece will do wonders for a developing child’s hair growth. Bald spots where your baby sleeps are usually considered a simple part of life, but by reducing friction with this charmeuse satin bonnet, you can give your child’s hair a chance to grow no matter how they sleep. With sizes ranging from newborn to large for adults, this bonnet has got you covered every step of the journey.
Best Comfort
Peace Crownd Timbuktu
Multiple sizes available
Plush and soft
Not silk
Material: Cotton, satin, silk | Colors: 38
These ultra-plush satin bonnets are about as soft as it gets, so you can feel as good as you look in them. There are plenty of styles to choose from, and each print has a different meaning. This one, in particular, is honorably named after the famous city in northern Mali.
What to Look for in Bonnets for Natural Hair
- Stays in Place: Bonnets for natural hair are typically worn at night, so it’s vital you choose one that fits well and will stay in place. This means they need to be tight enough to fit your head without coming off if you twist and turn. You’ll also want a comfortable one that doesn’t dig into your head. One great alternative is to choose an adjustable bonnet for natural hair. Many adjustable bonnets come with a drawstring or tie feature to help keep hair in place.
- Material: Like pillowcase fabric, the material of your bonnet for natural hair is essential for results. Anything too rough will defeat the purpose of wearing one. A bonnet made of 100% mulberry silk will be top-notch since it is very fine and smooth so that you won't end up with frizz or breakage. The best material is silk, but satin will also work well. Just make sure that it is real satin made with synthetic materials and not sateen, a cotton-weave often used in pillowcases and bedding.
- Size: You will want to look for a bonnet for natural hair that will hold all of your hair. If you have a lot of heavy hair, look for a large, long bonnet. If you have shorter hair, a long bonnet might get caught and be pulled off of your head, so choose a smaller size that suits you.
- Price: The options on this list range from around $5 for satin to upwards of $75 for 100% silk. While the pricier bonnets on this list are made of pure silk, many options are still super soft and under $25.
Why Trust Byrdie
Kindra Moné is a writer and beauty educator. Upon graduation, she interned at Cosmopolitan before becoming a Fashion and Beauty Reporter for Hollywoodlife.com. Since then, she's spent the past eight years creating editorial and marketing content for fashion and beauty brands and, most recently, consulting in beauty education for one of the top industry conglomerates. You can also find her work in Hair Dot Com, IPSY, and more. She has written several articles on hair products for natural and curly hair for Byrdie.
Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best curling irons and weekender bags.
Team Byrdie evaluated our top bonnet picks based on factors such as whether the bonnets stayed in place, material, size, and price.