As a beauty expert, a silk pillowcase has become one of the bedtime upgrades I don’t like to be without. Over the past few years I've tested more than 10 of them, so I’ve been able to track the benefits for my hair and skin in real time.
Still, after all my researching, I’ve yet to find a cheap silk pillowcase that’s both reliable and costs less than £30.
So, upon discovering that Amazon Haul (the web retailer's low-cost shopping section) is home to a silk pillowcase that costs just £7.28 (Amazon.co.uk), I was understandably in disbelief. Bona fide silk usually commands a premium price, so a sub-£10 pillowcase sounded too good to be true – especially with usual go-to from Blissy costing a hefty £81.
Not one to rule out the possibility, I reminded myself that every so often, a budget product surprises you. Curious to see whether this could be one of those rare exceptions, I put it to the test. From reducing hair breakage to helping minimise sleep creases, I compared its feel, finish and performance to the premium silk pillowcases I've reviewed over the years. I’ve found out whether it really delivers the hair and skin benefits silk is renowned for – or if the rock-bottom price comes with too many compromises.
Read more: The best Amazon Haul deals to have on your radar this week
Read more: Amazon Haul explained – from delivery times to pricing
Bedelite silk pillowcase
Material: 100% 6A mulberry silk
Silk weight: 22 momme
Fastening: Zip
Size: Standard – 50.8cm x 66cm or queen – 50.8cm x 76.2cm
Colours: Cream gold, pearl white, rose pink, silver gray
Why we love it
- Heavyweight, luxurious feel that rivals some of the most expensive pillowcases I've tried
- Perfect fit on standard pillow
- Easy zip closure means no gaping, like with envelope style
- Hair felt less matted upon waking
Take note
- Long delivery, up to 10 days
- Delivery isn't free, even for Prime members
I'll admit it, I was expecting for there to be a catch. At £7.28, Amazon Haul's Bedelite silk pillowcase is priced well below what I'd usually expect to pay for real silk, yet the specifications immediately looked promising (if not outstanding). It's made from 22 momme, 6A-grade mulberry silk. Not only is 6A the highest silk grading available, meaning you’ll benefit from longer, stronger fibres, but the 22-momme weight is thicker and more durable than the 19-momme silk commonly found in many premium pillowcases (including those from Soak & Sleep and John Lewis). It's also Oeko-Tex standard 100 certified, meaning it's been tested for harmful substances. The only compromise on paper is that it's shipped from China, which means you can expect longer delivery times of up to 10 days
My first impressions were excellent. Unlike many budget buys, it arrived beautifully presented in a smart gift box wrapped in tissue paper, which made it feel far more premium than you’d expect for less than a tenner. Out of the box, the fabric felt reassuringly weighty rather than flimsy and, once on my standard pillow, it fitted perfectly with no awkward overhang or overly tight corners. The concealed zip closure also gave it a neater finish than envelope-style designs.
Over three nights in the ongoing UK heatwave, it felt noticeably cooler (from 9.00 pm through 8.00 am) against my skin than a cotton pillowcase and I woke up with fewer tangles and kinks in my hair. While my straightened hair wasn't perfectly poker straight by morning, it looked every bit as smooth as it does after sleeping on my Blissy and Slip pillowcases, and I was happy to leave the house after nothing more than a quick brush.
Three nights isn't long enough to judge its long-term anti-ageing benefits, but I consistently woke up without the sleep creases that often linger after a night on cotton and my eyes felt less irritated, too. Like every silk pillowcase, it does require careful washing and prompt line drying to keep the smooth, glossy finish looking its best, but that's true whether you spend £7 or £80. Aside from the delivery fee and slightly longer wait for it to arrive, I struggled to find any serious difference between this and the luxe silk pillowcases I've relied on for the past 18 months.
I started this test as a sceptic, but I finished it wondering why anyone would spend ten times as much.
Buy now £7.28, Amazon.co.uk
Should I buy a budget silk pillowcase?
If you'd assumed a real silk pillowcase has to cost £50 or more, Amazon Haul’s Bedelite offering is evidence to the contrary. While you'll need to factor in a longer delivery time and take the same care with washing as any silk bedding, its heavyweight 22-momme makeup, cooling feel and visible hair and skin benefits rivalled pillowcases I've tested at more than ten times the price. If you're curious about switching from cotton, there's little reason to spend more until you've tried this.
How we tested
I slept on the Amazon Haul Bedelite silk pillowcase every night from Friday through to Sunday, paying particular attention to the immediate differences I noticed with the premium silk pillowcases – from Slip, Lilysilk and more – that I’ve used over the past year.
Amid the ongoing UK heatwave, I looked for a cool-to-the-touch feel overnight, fewer morning tangles, reduced facial pillow creases and any signs that my hair felt smoother on waking. I’m a front and side sleeper, so the sleep wrinkles were perhaps my top priority in testing. More specifically, I tested the pillowcase against the following criteria:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Not only has Lucy Smith reviewed the best silk pillowcases more widely for IndyBest, but she’s continued to use them post-testing and has enjoyed their nighttime benefits for near to 18 months now. As someone who suffers from frizz and fine lines across her forehead, she was well placed to see how Amazon Haul’s offering stacked up against premium competitors, especially given her expertise on all things hair damage and anti-ageing. See her guides to the best hair masks and the best anti-ageing routine for more.
For more we’ve also tested the best silk bedding
