We don’t joke around when it comes tobedding.Around the clock, our writers and editors are uncovering “spine-unfurling”mattresses,Top Chef–judge–approvedsheets,andpet-friendlyduvet covers.But of all the essential components, the right pillowcase may be the most functional. For example, dermatologistMichele Greensaysa cotton cover is best if you’reacne-prone,as it will absorb moisture, reducing sebum buildup and minimizing breakouts. Meanwhile, if you’re aside sleeper,silkis one way to wake up with smootherhairand without marks on your cheek, says Julia Tzu, founder and medical director ofWall Street Dermatology.
Below, we’ve sourced recommendations fromsleep experts,interior designers,andaestheticiansto find the best pillowcases, and included some we’ve tested ourselves. And to make comparison shopping easier, the prices we’ve listed will fit a standard-sizepillowexcept where noted.
Best silk pillowcase
As our top-ratedsilk pillowcase,theZimasilkmade best-seller historylast year.Made from 6A mulberry silk (the highest grade available) with a standard momme of 19 (which refers to how soft thesilkfeels), we were first introduced to it by Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton, who says it’s a dupe for apricier Parachute cover.Aside from its affordable price, this cover is made from a thick material that can withstand multiple rounds ofwashing,says Viera-Newton, who credits it with reducing hereczemaand minimizing bedhead. It also has a sturdy zipper to keep your pillow secure inside and is available in many colors, such as white, soft pink, cobalt blue, and two prints.
Best hybrid silk pillowcase
If you want options, this pillowcase has a momme of 19 on one side and plain white cotton on the other. It comes recommended by Strategist contributorNatalya Lobanova,who describes it as very durable with “a noticeably lustrous sheen on thesilkpart that doesn’t fade quickly.” After months of regularmachine washes,Lobanova says her set is still smooth with no signs of fraying at the seams. And because they’re hypoallergenic, the covers are “more gentle on the skin and can preventinflammationand skin reactions,” aestheticianCandida Lawsonsays.
Best luxury silk pillowcase
Slip has a loyal following, fromKourtney Kardashian,who sleeps on one of the brand’s pillowcases every night, to dermatologistDennis Gross.It’s our favoriteluxury choice;each cover is made of 6A mulberry silk and has a momme of 22, meaning it’s extra heavy and soft. HairstylistLarry Sims— who counts Gabrielle Union and Janet Jackson among his clients — recommends this to minimize frizz,breakage,andsplit ends,while Lawsonsaysshe’s a “true believer” that it helps her blowouts last longer. To keep it extra smooth and ensure it holds up, hand-washing is suggested, Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurstsays.NB: The price listed is for a queen pillow, as Slip doesn’t make a standard size.
Best linen pillowcase
These pillowcases are made from the same linen as ourbest sheet set,which several Strategist staffers favor for its breathable, soft-to-the-touch material and wallet-friendly price tag. Senior editor Jen Trolio ditched all her other bedding for thebrand’s linenand says the texture is ultracomfortable and durable enough to withstand year-round washes.Sweatysleepers might also prefer this option, says Sleep Sherpa founderBen Trapskin,who notes that choosing a lighter hue, such as white or bone, can help reflect more heat away from your head.
Best (less expensive) linen pillowcase
For $30 less than the set above, you can get these pillowcases made by the direct-to-consumer brandQuince,whose linen isbackedby Strategist writer Dominique Pariso. Pariso has slept on both Quince’s and Parachute’s linen but says the former is super-lightweight with a slightly more textured weave. She says she sleeps hot — “like window-open-in-the-middle-of-January hot” — but the material has kept her cool andcozyeven when the heat is cranked up. Like the set above, these covers are pre-washed, made of 100 percent European flax, and areOEKO-TEX Standard 100certified, meaning they’re free of harmful chemicals.
Best cotton-percale pillowcase
If you prefer a crisper feel — and an even more reasonable price — consider this percale set fromWest Elm.Made of 200-thread-count organic cotton, these pillowcases are included in the sheet bundle favored by skin-care executive Rebecca Zhou, whopurchasedthree sets during her last move. “The texture means ourbedalways looks made, but not overly perfect,” she says. And given that the fabric is Global Organic Textile Standard certified (the leading standard for textiles made of organic fibers),Courtney McLeod,founder and principal designer of New York–basedRight Meets Left Interior Design,says they “are excellent quality for the price.”
Best Egyptian-cotton pillowcase
“High-quality, genuineEgyptian-cotton sheetsfeel extremely luxurious on the skin and, in my opinion, aid in better sleep,” says interior designerElizabeth Strianese,who owns Matouk’s Luca Satin Stitch sheet set, which includes these 500-thread-count pillowcases. They have “a very small flange around thepillowsham, so there isn’t this big sloppy thing flapping all over your bed,” Strianese says. These are alsoOEKO-TEX Standard 100certified, and while the fabric comes from Italy, the covers are made in the U.S. Manyhigh-end hotelsalso use the brand’s long-staple cotton, which refers to the fibers that make the yarn strong and smooth.
Best sateen pillowcase
As a material,sateenhas a silkier (and more substantial) feel than percale, Strategist writer Lauren Rosays,which is one reason to opt for this 480-thread-count pillowcase bundle.Brooklinen’sLuxe Coresheet set, which includes these covers, is recommended by interior designerMolly SchoneveldandMichelin-starred chef Missy Robbinsfor its softness, crisp appearance, and temperate feel. Schoneveld says the texture is buttery and looks good as new after many washes, while Robbins promises that the cotton is lightweight and cooling. “I want to be super-cozy, but I don’t want tosweat to death— these have that balance,” Robbins says.
Best (less expensive) sateen pillowcase
Target’sin-house line Threshold offers a more affordable set of sateen pillowcases, and the 100 percent cotton material comes recommended byNew Yorkdeputy editor Alexis Swerdloff. She has a fewsheetsets for her4-year-oldson’s twin bed and says they soften after a few washes, which she can attest to after falling asleep with him. The covers come in various colors andpatterns,including light blue, cream, andthese blue-dotted ones,all three of which Swerdloff owns, along with their accompanying flat and fitted sheets.According to the brand,the 400-thread-count fabric is wrinkle-, pill-, and shrink-resistant, making it extra easy to care for.
Best bamboo pillowcase
In ourreview of the best bed sheets,Ro says naturally derived fibers like bamboo, known for being light, crisp, andbreathable,is a good option for warmer sleepers. This holds true for Strategist contributor Jolie de Feis, a self-described “very sweaty person and an even sweatier sleeper,” whorecommendsthe bamboo lyocell from Ettitude. “They feel like a cross between cotton and silk, somehow crispy cool and soft at the same time,”she writes.As someone who used to sleep on atowelto avoid changing thesheetsmultiple times per week, de Feis says she’s impressed every morning when she wakes up sweat free. While this bamboo cover set is pricier than other options on this list, de Feis likes them so much that she’s replaced all her bedding with Ettitude, including herduvet cover.
Best (less expensive) bamboo pillowcase
Decorilladesigner Devin Shaffer is a fan of the bamboo-rayon sheets from Oasis Fine Linens — he’s gone through two sets in five years — which includes these pillowcases. Shaffer, who haspets,says bamboo has the added benefit of being naturally resistant to odors and bacteria. Although the brand does not list an exact thread count,Shaffer notesbamboo linens can feel as soft as other materials whose thread counts reach up to 2,000. And because bamboo iscooling,its “excellent moisture-wicking and insulating properties help regulate body temperature,” Shaffer says.
Best jersey pillowcase
Coyuchi makes some of our favoritebath towelsandrobes,along with these pillowcases, which can be found in ourexpert-recommended jersey sheet set.Havenlylead designer Heather Goerzen praises the “luxuriously soft and stretchy” fabric, which gives “your bed scene a lived-in and loved-well appeal,” she says. The material’s construction is also high quality, thanks to the GOTS- and Made Safe–certified (or nontoxic) organic cotton, which gives them an airier feel, Goerzen says. Nancy Davilman ofND Interiorsalso recommends the brand’s jersey because it’s breathable, allowing you to “keep your temperature very balanced.”
Best cashmere pillowcase
Parisosaysthe cashmere-blend bedding from Brooklinen, which she’s owned for two years, is her “new favorite — of all time” and is “good for people who want their bedding to be extremely cozy.” The fabric is 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Himalayancashmere,and while Pariso admits that “5 percent doesn’t sound like a lot, they are so, so soft.” She says the feel is similar to jersey but more like a softer, lighterflannel,which means they’re ideal for colder weather without being too warm. But even in the summer, Pariso, who calls herself asweaty sleeper,hasn’t had a problem with overheating.
Best acne-fighting pillowcase
For those withacne-proneskin,manyexpertsstress the importance of cleaning your pillowcase often to preventblemishes.Lawson recommends changing the cover at least once a week and washing the actualpillowevery three months. That’s a lot oflaundry,but thisDéjà pillowcaselengthens the time between washes with eight fold-over layers you peel back for a fresh cover each time you sleep. “A clean surface each night won’t expose your skin to dirt, oil, and bacteria buildup, which can make acne worse,” dermatologistMichele Greensays. NB: The price listed is for a queen pillow, as Déjà doesn’t make a standard size.
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