The 12 Best Bonnets for Natural Hair of 2021

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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