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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
We do so much to our natural hair in order to get it to its shiniest, best state. We style it, deep condition it, and even spend hours on protective styles, so the last thing that any of us want to do is ruin all of that progress overnight. That's where silky bonnets come to play; they're ace at maintaining moisture and preventing harmful friction that can lead to breakage and bad hair days.
But 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 make room for style and function to live in the same place. Growing up, I was super embarrassed to protect my textured hair at night around friends, sacrificing a good hair day for the sake of "fitting in" at sleepovers. But gone are the days of hiding my bonnet in my top drawer with shame. (I mean, have you seen those cute mommy and me bonnet selfies floating around social media?) Ladies, let’s make our bonnets something to be proud of with selections worth showing off.
Check out our top picks of the best bonnets and sleep caps on the market, below.
Best Overall: Grace Eleyae All Silk Turban
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Courtesy of Grace Eleyae
Adjustable
Double-lined
Pricey
Who else recommends it? Cosmopolitan and BestProducts both picked the Grace Eleyae All Silk Turban.
I 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.
Looking to spend a little less? Try their satin-lined version instead.
Material: Silk | Colors: 4
Best Silk: SILKE London Hair Wrap The Eva
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Great for all hair types
Stays in place
Elastic band can leave an imprint
Satin bonnets and headwraps can certainly get the job done, but nothing is quite as effective at retaining moisture than silk. 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.
Dare I say it? You’ll be looking forward to rocking this accessory to bed every night.
Material: Silk, elastic | Colors: 11
Best Sleep Cap: Kitsch Satin Sleep Cap
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great for all hair types
Can be worn during the day
Not silk
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.
Material: Satin charmeuse | Colors: 2
Best Reversible: Glow By Daye Satin Bonnet-Premium
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Courtesy of Glow By Daye
Reverisble
Adjustable
Not silk
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 and made of high-grade double-layered satin for increased durability that the brand swears by with a one year guarantee.
Material: Satin | Colors: 15
Best Print: Imani Beauty Boutique Satin Lined Anakara Nefertiti Bonnet
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Durable
Multiple sizes available
Not silk
This high-quality bonnet is anything but boring. Made with 100% African cotton print on the outside and satin lining on the inside, it gets two thumbs up for both form and function. We especially love that it comes in multiple sizes. The small and medium sizes are great for TWAs, pixie cuts, and maintaining wash and go’s, while the large size can hold long twists, locs, and braids.
Material: Satin, cotton | Colors: 11
Best Classic: Evolve Exotics Satin Sunset Bonnet
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
Stays in place
Dye can stain bedding
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 bonnet has been on shelves for the longest, and its no-frills approach gets straight to the point of protecting your hair. The thick yet non-abrasive 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.
Material: Satin | Colors: 1
Best for Long Braids: Awefeel Double-Layer Satin Sleep Cap
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Courtesy of Amazon
Extra-long length
Includes a matching scrunchy
Slips off easily
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.
Material: Satin | Colors: 12
Best for Short Hair: ZIMASILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Cap
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Courtesy of Amazon
Breathable
Adjustable
Not double-lined
This 100% mulberry silk bonnet is light, breathable, and the perfect size to protect shorter strands without all of the extra fabric. 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.
Material: 100% Mulberry silk | Colors: 6
Best Size Range: Isoken Enofe Naira Bonnet
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Courtesy of Isoken
Multiple sizes available
Durable
Not adjustable
These stylish bonnets have an option for all of your hair needs, with sizes ranging from medium to XXL. Inspired by Afrocentric heritage, you can go to sleep in these high-quality Ankara print bonnets resting assured that your style and your edges will be intact. The soft satin lining extends to the headband, limiting tension that could lead to breakage.
Material: Silk, satin | Colors: 17
Best Comfort: Peace Crowned Oya-Yansa Bonnet
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Multiple sizes available
Plush and soft
Not silk
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 a Yuroba goddess to protect your hair and your energy (you see what we did there).
Material: Cotton, satin, silk | Colors: 38
Best Indie: Felicia Hair Bonnets Women's Double Sided Luxury Satin Bonnet
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Durable
Stays in place
Mommy-and-me sets available
Elastic band can leave an imprint
If you love shopping small and supporting independent businesses, you can feel good about this purchase without sacrificing quality. Suitable for medium length hair and shorter braided styles, this bonnet is made of luxury satin and has a snug fit that stays on all night. We also love that you can purchase this bonnet in a mommy and me set so that you and your little one can match.
Material: Luxury satin | Colors: 6
Best for Toddlers: AKISS Reversible Satin Sleep Bonnet
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Courtesy of Amazon
Multiple sizes available
Stays in place
Hand wash only
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.
Material: Charmeuse satin, elastic | Colors: 15
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.
Material
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 percent 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.
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.