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The Best Pillowcases to Buy for a Better Night’s Sleep

Listen up, bedheads: you deserve a better pillowcase to sleep on. Buy one of these.

pillowcasesBrooklinen

By Tyler Chin

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You and your pillowcase have an intimate relationship. Like other bedding (comforters, sheets, etc.), pillowcases can be hard to shop for — they come in a range of fabrics at prices as low as $5 and as high as $500. Your head has specific needs like superior softness or a fabric to combat acne- and irritation-causing bacteria. To help you narrow down your purchase, here are six of the best pillowcases to buy online.

Generally speaking, percale is the best bedding material for the most people: it’s comfortable, breezy, not overly expensive and machine-washable. Brooklinen also happens to make some of the best percale bedding around. Its percale pillowcases feature 100-percent long-staple cotton (a very good thing) at a 270 thread count (don’t buy into the myth of ultra-high thread counts). It’s also one of the few brands that offers bedding in fun (but not too fun) prints and colors.

Because it can be rough and scratchy before it’s broken in, linen might not seem like an ideal choice for a pillowcase. Cultiver’s linen pillowcases – like its wonderful linen sheets – are an exception. They have a significantly shorter break-in period compared to more expensive linen options, and the material and construction of the brand’s bedding far exceeds those at comparable price points. It still ain’t cheap, but it’s worth it. 

Land’s End’s sateen pillowcases are made with Supima cotton, arguably the best variety of cotton around, and they’re only $40 for a pair. Thought sateen is heavier and noticeably less breathable than percale or linen, its weight offers it added durability and, for some, a cozier sleep. Plus, all of Land’s End’s its sateen bedding is treated so that they come out of the dryer wrinkle-free for a tidy look. 

If you’re on a shoestring budget, AmazonBasic’s $8 pillowcases are a fine deal, though, if you’re a hot sleeper, you might look elsewhere, as polyester microfiber – no matter how thin – doesn’t breathe like cotton. Amazon’s offering comes in dozens of color and are stitched together in an independently certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100 factory, too. 

FishersAmazon

Best Silk Pillowcases: Fishers Finery 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Opt for silk pillowcases if you’re worried about developing wrinkles and waking up with frizzy hair. Because of its texture, silk is better for your face since they it doesn’t pull at your skin, and it retains hair’s sheen even after constant tossing and turning. Silk’s weight is measured in mommes, and these pillowcases have a weight of 25mm, which is on the better end of the spectrum. Caring for silk is a bit more involved, such as hand washing or taking precautions for machine washing, but it’s worth it for the benefits to your overall well-being while sleeping. The price is for a single pillowcase, and a pair of standard-sized pillowcases costs $90.

Your pillowcases are covered in dust mites, sebum, dead skin cells and other gross microscopic stuff. Those with sensitive or acne-prone skin might find relief in buying an anti-microbial pillowcase. Silvon’s are made of supima cotton and silver-coated threads. The silver helps to eliminate bacteria, especially those that cause acne. Because the silver is woven into the material, there’s no threat of washing away the treatment. While studies show silver is effective at fighting acne-causing bacteria, you should still wash your pillowcases regularly for a truly clean and restful sleep.