What is a shower cap used for?

Shower caps are used to keep water and moisture, including humidity, away from your hair while you shower, bathe, sauna, or enjoy some sunbathing in a humid environment. Your hair stays dry, so you can avoid re-styling it.

Do shower caps keep hair dry?

Shower caps' primary purpose is to keep your hair dry. If you use a shower cap that lets in moisture, look for one that fits better or is of higher quality, such as a terrycloth-lined one.

The 10 Best Shower Caps of 2023

The 10 Best Shower Caps of 2022 — Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

When you think of products you use in the shower, a shower cap is typically an afterthought, but you should never underestimate the usefulness of one. A shower cap is your secret weapon for helping maintain your hairstyle—a must-have for those who don’t like washing their hair every day. They do a great job taming frizz and blocking the humidity from messing up your hairstyle, making sure all that time and effort you put forward styling your hair doesn't go to waste.

Not to mention, some shower caps offer uses beyond the bath. A shower cap can protect your hair while you sleep or even be used to make hair conditioning treatments work better. More good news: These days, shower caps are just as stylish as they are functional, available in a mix of vibrant colors, prints, and textures to boot.

Below, we rounded up the best shower caps out there that get the job done.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

SHHHOWERCAP Waterproof Reusable Shower Cap at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Betty Dain Terry Lined Shower Cap at Amazon

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Best Eco-Friendly:

Klorane Terrycloth Lined Shower Cap at Amazon

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Best for Hair Treatments:

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Leopard Print Shower Cap at Ulta

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Best for Long Hair:

Drybar The Morning After Shower Cap

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Best for Travel:

EcoTools Shower Cap at Amazon

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Best for Swimming:

Kitsch Luxury Shower Cap at Amazon

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Best Oversized:

Lulu Beauty Safari Spots Shower Cap at Lulubeautyco.com

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Best Reversible:

Briogeo Front Bow Shower Cap at Sephora

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Best Value:

Esarora 4-Pack Bath Cap at Amazon

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4.8

SHHHOWERCAP Waterproof Reusable Shower Cap

Courtesy of Goop

View On Amazon View On Goop.com View On Shhhowercap.com

What We Like

Breathable
Antibacterial
Comes in various designs

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it feels tight

SHHHOWERCAP prides itself on being the “shower cap reinvented,” and it really does hold up to that statement. This chic turban-style cap is made with a breathable, waterproof fabric that has antibacterial properties, preventing the cap from mold and mildew buildup from frequent use. Use it to preserve your blowout, prevent bedhead, reduce frizz, or maintain volume. Also, choose from pretty prints and designs like leopard and polka dots. We're confident you'll soon be obsessed.

Price at time of publish: $43

View On Amazon View On 4thavemarket.com View On Walmart

What We Like

Affordable
Comes in various designs
Machine washable

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it feels tight

This shower cap proves to give you the best quality for your buck, and it continues to be an Amazon favorite for its cute design and ability to keep your hair dry as a bone. Its outer exterior is made from nylon, and it's lined inside with terry cloth to ensure maximum protection from water and humidity. Wear it inside out to use as a sleeping cap, so all you’ll have to do is wake up, tousle your hair, and leave the room.

Price at time of publish: $10

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Macy's

What We Like

BPA- and PVC-free
Machine washable
Eco-friendly

What We Don't Like

Only has one design

What sets this shower cap apart from the others is that it’s made from BPA- and PVC- free material, while the inside is lined with terry cloth to prevent hair from frizzing up. It’s also machine washable, so you can keep using it again and again.

Price at time of publish: $18

Best For Hair Treatments: The Vintage Cosmetic Company Leopard Print Shower Cap

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Ulta

What We Like

Affordable
Waterproof lining
Helps conditioning treatments work better

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it feels tight

This 50s-style shower cap works double duty to keep your hair fresh, dry, and looking great. The polyester-satin material works well to protect your hair from moisture as well as helping your conditioning treatments work better. Just wear it over your head after applying a hair mask and let it do its magic.

Price at time of publish: $9

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Nordstrom

What We Like

Generous size
Terry-cloth lining

What We Don't Like

Pricey

You spend good money on getting your hair blown out, so make it last. The Morning After Shower Cap from Drybar is what you need to make your hairstyle last as long as possible. While this may look like just any ordinary shower cap, the inside is lined with a terry cloth material to help protect your blowout from frizz, blocking steam and moisture from entering. It's also a pretty generous size, meaning every strand of your long hair will be protected.

Price at time of publish: $16

View On Amazon View On IHerb

What We Like

Affordable
Includes travel bag
Eco-friendly

What We Don't Like

Only has one design

Most hotels offer a complimentary shower cap, but they're often flimsy and ineffective. Before heading on a trip, pack this adorable shower cap with you to make sure you never have a bad hair day. We love that it comes with a reusable mesh bag, making it that much easier to store in your toiletry bag.

Price at time of publish: $7

View On Amazon View On Mykitsch.com

What We Like

Durable
Waterproof
Comes in various designs

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Shower caps aren’t limited to baths. Perhaps you want to go for a swim but don’t want to get your hair wet. Enter this cap from Kitsch. The stylish design will complement your poolside look, and the snug fit will allow you to swim and splash around worry-free. Other than that, Amazon users continue to love this shower cap for its sturdiness and adorable design.

Price at time of publish: $23

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Lulubeautyco.com

What We Like

Mold-resistant
Generous size
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for short/fine hair

Yes, this shower cap’s outer nylon shell is great at protecting your hair from moisture and humidity and is, not to mention, mold-resistant, meaning you can wear it over and over again. But aside from the functionality, what we love most is the leopard spots for a fashion-forward touch. It’s also oversized, which means it fits those with big heads and big hair.

Courtesy of Sephora

View On Sephora

What We Like

Waterproof
Reversible

What We Don't Like

Pricey

This super stylish shower cap is waterproof and reversible, so you can use it over and over even if one side is still wet. The cap has an elastic band big enough to protect all of your hair, no matter how long or thick.

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Waterproof
Comes in various designs
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note they can run large

This shower cap offers double waterproof lining for extra protection while you shower, so you can be sure your hair will look amazing the minute you step out. With its snug fit, you can continue on to your beauty routine, like washing your face or adding a face mask because your hair will stay put. One order gets you four different caps, and you can choose the one with your favorite prints.

Price at time of publish: $11

What to Look For in Shower Caps

Fit

When choosing a shower cap, the fit is your first concern. A shower cap that is too tight will be uncomfortable, itchy, and could irritate your skin. After all, an ill-fitting shower cap might let water or humidity inside, defeating the purpose of wearing it. It’s good to measure your head if you’re unsure how small or large yours is compared to the shower cap you intend on purchasing.

Hygienic

With any product that gets wet or is subjected to moisture, mold growth is a risk. For this reason, look for a shower cap that has antibacterial properties and/or can withstand a wash. It is possible to also clean your shower cap by hand in hot soapy water if you are concerned about it being tossed into the washing machine, but if you’d prefer to let the machine do the work, look for one labeled as machine wash friendly.

Versatility

Shower caps are designed with one primary use in mind—to protect your hair from getting wet in the shower. However, some brands provide double-duty as a sleeping cap if you need it. Reversible shower caps with terrycloth liners may be worn overnight to protect your hairstyle. Terry cloth liners also help keep your hair frizz-free when worn as a water repellant.

FAQ

What is a shower cap used for?

Shower caps are used to keep water and moisture, including humidity, away from your hair while you shower, bathe, sauna, or enjoy some sunbathing in a humid environment. Your hair stays dry, so you can avoid re-styling it.
Do shower caps keep hair dry?

Shower caps' primary purpose is to keep your hair dry. If you use a shower cap that lets in moisture, look for one that fits better or is of higher quality, such as a terrycloth-lined one.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough shower caps from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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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