Are bonnets good for natural hair?

Bonnets are good for natural hair because they protect strands from rubbing and becoming frizzy. They can also help preserve natural oils and the hairstyle you created the day before when you wear them to bed.

What type of bonnet is good for natural hair?

Silk and satin bonnets are good for natural hair to prevent frizz and breakage and preserve natural oils. Look for a bonnet with a drawstring or tie to keep hair secure.

Is satin or silk bonnet better for hair?

A silk bonnet is likely best for hair since it is a natural fabric that is exceptionally smooth. Satin is an excellent fabric as well because it is also very soft and tends to be less expensive than silk.

Can any hair type wear bonnets?

Any hair type can wear a bonnet, but they are especially beneficial for curly and natural hair types or those with fine strands that are prone to frizz and breakage.

The 12 Best Bonnets for Natural Hair of 2023

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.

When it comes to styles, 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. 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 your feed?) Ladies, let’s make our bonnets something to be proud of with selections worth showing off. With this in mind, we went to work, finding bonnets that were stylish and functional. 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 at Nordstrom

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Best Silk:

SILKE London Hair Wrap at Revolve

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Best Budget:

Kitsch Satin Sleep Cap at Amazon

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Best Reversible:

Glow By Daye Satin Bonnet-Premium at Amazon

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Best Print:

Imani Beauty Boutique Anakara Nefertiti Bonnet at Imanibeautyboutique.com

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Best Classic:

Evolve Exotics Sunset Bonnet at Amazon

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Best for Long Braids:

Awefeel Double-Layer Satin Sleep Cap at Amazon

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Best for Short Hair:

ZIMASILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Cap at Amazon

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Best Size Range:

Isoken Enofe Naira at Isokenenofe.com

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Best for Toddlers:

AKISS Reversible Satin Sleep Bonnet at Amazon

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4.8

Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Graceeleyae.com

What We Like

Adjustable
Double-lined

What We Don't Like

May be too tight for some

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 percent 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.

Price at time of publish: $70

Material: Silk | Colors: 4

Revolve

View On Revolve View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Great for all hair types
Stays in place

What We Don't Like

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. 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 percent 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.

Dare I say it? You’ll be looking forward to rocking this accessory to bed every night.

Price at time of publish: $84

Material: Silk, elastic | Colors: 11

Amazon

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What We Like

Great for all hair types
Can be worn during the day

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $15.99

Material: Satin charmeuse | Colors: 2

Amazon

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What We Like

Reversible
Adjustable

What We Don't Like

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 with a drawstring and made of high-grade double-layered satin for increased durability that the brand swears by, with a one-year guarantee.

Price at time of publish: $19.99

Material: Satin | Colors: 15

Imani-beauty-boutique

View On Imanibeautyboutique.com

What We Like

Durable
Multiple sizes available

What We Don't Like

Not silk

This high-quality bonnet is anything but boring. Made with 100 percent 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, including for toddlers. 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.

Price at time of publish: $23 for large

Material: Satin, cotton | Colors: 11

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Affordable
Stays in place

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $5

Material: Satin | Colors: 1

Amazon

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What We Like

Extra-long length
Includes a matching scrunchy

What We Don't Like

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. 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.

Price at time of publish: $16 for medium black

Material: Satin | Colors: 12

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Breathable
Adjustable

What We Don't Like

Not double-lined

This 100 percent 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.

Price at time of publish: $21

Material: 100% Mulberry silk | Colors: 6

Courtesy of Isoken

View On Isokenenofe.com

What We Like

Multiple sizes available
Durable

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: Silk, satin | Colors: 17

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Multiple sizes available
Stays in place

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $13

Material: Charmeuse satin, elastic | Colors: 15

Peacecrownd

View On Peacecrownd.com

What We Like

Multiple sizes available
Plush and soft

What We Don't Like

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 the famous city in northern Mali.

Price at time of publish: $27

Material: Cotton, satin, silk | Colors: 38

Pattern Beauty

View On Sephora View On Patternbeauty.com

What We Like

Band isn't too tight
Plush and soft

What We Don't Like

Dye can stain bedding

This double-lined satin bonnet was specifically made with curly and coily hair types in mind to prevent frizz and preserve the natural style. Reviewers love that the band isn't too tight yet securely holds tight styles in place and that it works particularly well for short hairstyles. It's a favorite for preserving edges and helping curls stay soft and manageable.

Price at time of publish: $22

Material: Polyester | Colors: 1

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Grace Eleyae All Silk Turban, which is adjustable, made of pure silk, and boasts a luxurious skin feel. For a more affordable pick, consider the Kitsch Satin Sleep Cap also helps keep hair smooth and frizz-free.

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, like the Glow by Daye Satin Bonnet.

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 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, like the Pattern Satin Cap. 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 percent silk. While the pricier bonnets on this list are made of pure silk, many options are still super soft and under $25.

FAQ

Are bonnets good for natural hair?

Bonnets are good for natural hair because they protect strands from rubbing and becoming frizzy. They can also help preserve natural oils and the hairstyle you created the day before when you wear them to bed.
What type of bonnet is good for natural hair?

Silk and satin bonnets are good for natural hair to prevent frizz and breakage and preserve natural oils. Look for a bonnet with a drawstring or tie to keep hair secure.
Is satin or silk bonnet better for hair?

A silk bonnet is likely best for hair since it is a natural fabric that is exceptionally smooth. Satin is an excellent fabric as well because it is also very soft and tends to be less expensive than silk.
Can any hair type wear bonnets?

Any hair type can wear a bonnet, but they are especially beneficial for curly and natural hair types or those with fine strands that are prone to frizz and breakage.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

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