Buying Guide
Best Silk and Satin Pillowcases UK
Silk and satin pillowcases are different materials that share a practical quality: a smoother sleeping surface than standard cotton pillowcase fabric. This guide compares both materials and covers the key factors worth checking before you buy: the material itself, the momme weight for silk, the closure type, the size, the pack configuration, and how to care for whichever you choose.
Products to Compare
Cognatio 22 Momme 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Check latest details on Amazon UK
A 22 Momme Mulberry silk pillowcase with a hidden zipper. Both sides of the fabric are silk. Sold individually with a gift box. The zipper closure keeps the pillowcase in place through the night.
Compare for: a complete silk pillowcase with both sides in silk, a zip closure, and a gift box finish.
Jasmine Silk 100% 22 Momme Mulberry Charmeuse Silk Pillowcase
Check latest details on Amazon UK
A 22 Momme Mulberry Charmeuse silk pillowcase with an envelope closure. The Charmeuse weave gives the fabric a lustrous finish. Machine washable and listed as easy to care for.
Compare for: a silk pillowcase with an envelope closure that is straightforward to remove and wash.
UQQU 2 Pack Natural Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Check latest details on Amazon UK
Two natural Mulberry silk pillowcases in a pack. Both sides are silk. The envelope closure makes these easy to fit and remove for washing. Having two means one to use while the other is in the wash.
Compare for: a two pack of silk pillowcases at standard UK size with an envelope closure.
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase, 2 Pack
Check latest details on Amazon UK
A satin pillowcase made from polyester. Satin is a weave construction rather than a natural fibre, which is the key practical difference from silk. Machine washable. Sold in a two pack with an envelope closure.
Compare for: a smooth sleeping surface in a polyester satin weave, with two pillowcases in a pack.
ALASKA BEAR 22 Momme Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, King Size, Gift Box
Check latest details on Amazon UK
A 22 Momme Mulberry silk pillowcase in a larger format suited to UK king and super king pillow sizes. Both sides are silk. Hidden zipper closure. Sold with a gift box and includes a scrunchie.
Compare for: a silk pillowcase in a larger size for king or super king pillows, with a gift box and zipper closure.
ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, Luxury Gift Box, YKK Zipper
Check latest details on Amazon UK
A Grade 6A Mulberry silk pillowcase with both sides in silk. The YKK zipper is a branded hardware option. Sold in a gift box.
Compare for: a Grade 6A Mulberry silk pillowcase with both sides in silk, YKK zipper hardware and a gift box.
Comparison
| Product | Material | Momme | Closure | Size | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognatio 22 Momme Silk Pillowcase | 100% Mulberry Silk | 22 Momme | Hidden zipper | 50 x 75 cm | Single |
| Jasmine Silk 22 Momme Silk Pillowcase | 100% Mulberry Silk, Charmeuse | 22 Momme | Envelope | 50 x 75 cm | Single |
| UQQU 2 Pack Silk Pillowcase | 100% Natural Mulberry Silk | Not stated | Envelope | 50 x 75 cm | Two |
| Bedsure Satin Pillowcase, 2 Pack | 100% Polyester satin | N/A | Envelope | 50 x 75 cm | Two |
| ALASKA BEAR 22 Momme Silk Pillowcase, King Size | 100% Mulberry Silk | 22 Momme | Hidden zipper | 50 x 90 cm | Single |
| ZIMASILK Silk Pillowcase, Luxury Gift Box | 100% Mulberry Silk, Grade 6A | 22 Momme | YKK zipper | 50 x 75 cm | Single |
Silk and Satin: What Is Actually Different
Silk and satin are fundamentally different materials, despite sometimes being described in similar terms.
Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms. Mulberry silk is the most common type used in pillowcases and accessories. The quality of silk is measured in part by its grade and by momme weight. Grade 6A is the highest classification available in consumer silk products.
Satin is a weave construction, not a fibre. Most satin pillowcases are made from polyester. The smooth surface comes from the weave pattern, not from the material itself. Polyester satin is a synthetic satin option, while silk is a natural fibre option, and polyester satin is generally easier to care for in a washing machine. Compare current details on Amazon UK before buying.
The practical comparison comes down to this: silk is the natural fibre route. Satin is the synthetic material route, with a smoother surface than standard cotton pillowcase fabric. They are not the same product. If you are choosing between them, the decision is partly about material preference and partly about the level of care you want to put into maintaining the pillowcase over time.
What Momme Means for Silk Pillowcases
Momme is a weight measurement specific to silk. One momme equals approximately 4.34 grams per square metre of fabric. The higher the momme, the denser and more substantial the silk.
For pillowcases, the practical range is 19 to 25 momme. At 19 momme, the silk is lighter and more breathable. At 22 momme, it has a more substantial hand feel while remaining practical for everyday use. At 25 momme, it is denser and more durable over time, though the difference from 22 momme is incremental rather than dramatic.
For most buyers, 22 momme sits at a practical point: dense enough to feel more substantial in the hand, light enough to wash regularly without excessive handling. A listing that does not state the momme weight is not necessarily poor quality, but it makes it harder to compare the weight and density against other silk pillowcases with a stated momme figure.
Closure Type: Zipper or Envelope
Zipper closures and envelope closures each have a practical argument.
A hidden zipper keeps the pillowcase firmly in place through the night. It is less likely to shift or come untucked if you move around in your sleep. The trade off is that removing a zippered pillowcase for washing requires a little more care to avoid catching the fabric.
An envelope closure wraps around the pillow with an overlapping fabric flap. It is easier to remove and replace for washing and tends to fit a wider range of pillow thicknesses. The flap can occasionally shift if the pillow is on the thicker side, which some people find less secure through the night.
The practical choice depends on how often you plan to wash the pillowcase and how thick your pillows are. For nightly use and regular washing, an envelope closure is convenient. For a more secure fit with a zip closure, a hidden zipper is the better option.
Size and Fit
UK standard pillowcase size is 50 x 75 cm. UK super king and king pillowcases are typically 50 x 90 cm or 50 x 100 cm.
Most silk and satin pillowcases on Amazon UK are listed in standard or queen size, which in practice means 50 x 75 cm for the UK market. Before buying, checking the listed dimensions in centimetres against your pillow is worth doing, particularly if you are replacing pillowcases for a UK super king pillow or a non-standard pillow size.
If a pillowcase is listed in inches, it is likely sized for the US market. US standard pillows are typically 51 x 66 cm (20 x 26 inches), which is narrower than a UK standard pillowcase. If a product is only available in US sizing, it may fit a UK standard pillow but sit more tightly than expected.
How to Wash and Care for Silk and Satin Pillowcases
Silk pillowcases need more careful handling than satin ones. Hand washing in cool water with a detergent designed for delicates is the gentlest option. If using a machine, a delicate cycle inside a mesh laundry bag with a silk specific or gentle detergent is the practical alternative. Do not tumble dry silk pillowcases. Air dry away from direct sunlight.
Satin pillowcases made from polyester are more forgiving. Most can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool or warm water. Do not use fabric softener. Tumble dry on a low heat setting or air dry. Do not iron at high heat.
The main practical difference is that silk requires more attention to washing temperature, detergent type and drying method, while polyester satin can go through a standard gentle wash cycle without the same level of care required.
Before You Choose
Silk pillowcases use natural fibre and require more specific care, particularly for hand washing or low temperature machine cycles. In return, silk is a natural fibre with a quality tier that is measurable through momme weight and grade classification. Check the current listing details before buying.
Satin pillowcases use a synthetic weave and are more forgiving in a washing machine. The trade off is that satin does not have the same natural fibre properties as silk. It does not have a momme measurement, since that applies only to silk.
Consider these factors before deciding: whether you prefer a natural fibre or synthetic weave; whether you are comfortable with more careful washing instructions; whether you need a standard size or a larger pillowcase; whether you prefer one pillowcase or a two pack so you have a spare while one is in the wash; and whether a gift box matters for your purchase.
For a broader view of the overnight beauty accessories category, the Routine Builder covers how pillowcases fit within a full evening routine. The Vanity Skincare Basket Builder covers how overnight accessories relate to each other in a skincare-focused setup. The Skincare Organisers guide covers storage options that can help keep pillowcases and other sleep accessories organised between washes.
More buying guides
Compare overnight skincare accessories and routine tools across the Skincare Lab UK guides.