This article was updated in November 2022 to include new data from silk fabric tests and to add more details about how we chose the best silk and satin scrunchies and added a new pick from Lunya.

Elastic ties are convenient for throwing your hair up into a ponytail and out of the way, but they can create friction and tug on your strands, especially when they’re removed. This can lead to fragile strands, damaged hair and increased frizz. Silk scrunchies, on the other hand, are soft and smooth to reduce friction on hair. Hair stylist and cosmetologist Becca Mutchler says silk scrunchies are less likely to cause damage because the fabric easily glides over hair, which can also help minimize frizz. Besides helping you reap the benefits of silk, these luxurious scrunchies are a more stylish alternative to standard hair ties and can elevate your look.

The textile experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute rigorously test a variety of silk products ranging from silk pillowcases and silk sheets to pajamas for qualities like smoothness, comfort and durability. The picks ahead include top-rated brands from our silk pillowcase and sheets tests, personal favorites that our editors swear by and newer styles with unique features and rave reviews online.

Our top picks:

Keep reading to learn about the differences between silk and satin and for a helpful shopping guide, but first, check out our favorite silk and satin scrunchies.

Blissy

blissy.com

$37.46

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Blissy's popular scrunchies are made of the same silk material as Blissy's pillowcases, which were top performers in our tests. The machine washable fabric held up to repeated laundering in our Lab evaluations, while users told us it was incredibly comfortable. Our textile pros all use this set, and we love that these smooth scrunchies don't leave dents in our hair after wearing them all day. One analyst who regularly uses Blissy's scrunchies shared that the silk loses some of its luster and shine over time, but the material still feels just as luxe. If you have thinner hair, opt for the skinny scrunchies, which provide better grip. On the other hand, if you have super thick or curly hair, consider choosing the brand's oversized option that will stretch over all of your strands.

Quince

onequince.com

$19.90

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For a more affordable set of scrunchies, try Quince whose mission is to bring shoppers luxury-level products at lower prices. Quince offers a three-pack of Mulberry silk scrunchies for less than $20. The brand does provide a 365-day return policy, but you won't be able to wear or wash your scrunchies before returning. When we tested Quince's silk material in the Textiles Lab, our analysts were impressed by how well the fabric held up in the wash. There were no visible signs of change in color or overall appearance, and the material was described as "buttery soft" both before and after washing. A few online reviewers have noted that the elastic band inside the scrunchies is too large to wear on their wrists, so keep that in mind if you tend to sport your hair ties on your arm.

Fishers Finery

amazon.com

$39.99

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Thinner scrunchies combine the smoothing benefits of silk with a stronger grip to help keep your hair in place, and because they're thin, they're a great option for people with finer or shorter hair. Some of our analysts have shared that if you use these on thicker hair, they stretch out and loose their elasticity over time. Fishers Finery's is a GH Seal holder that makes our top-tested silk pillowcase, and these scrunchies use the same high quality 25 momme silk fabric. This six-piece set is a favorite of Textiles Lab executive director Lexie Sachs who says they help prevent creases in her hair and are comfortable enough to leave on her wrist throughout the day as a backup hair tie.

Kitsch

amazon.com

$13.30

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As a cost-effective alternative to genuine silk, consider a synthetic satin scrunchie made of polyester. Polyester satin is typically more affordable and durable than real silk and still easily glides through hair. This five-pack satin set is a popular pick for silk scrunchies on Amazon — even though it's not made with genuine silk. They've accumulated over 15,000 five-star reviews from users who rave that the scrunchies don't pull out or damage their hair. Other reviewers say the scrunchies have great stretch and are long-lasting, with many sharing that they've been wearing the scrunchies for months and washing them regularly without noticing any major changes in their appearance or performance.

Brooklinen

brooklinen.com

$32.00

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Brooklinen scrunchies are a favorite of Good Housekeeping's senior product analyst Emma Seymour who raves that they're perfect to wear to bed. The scrunchies are made with high quality 22-momme Mulberry silk, which is super smooth and durable. Plus, it will help to prevent your hair from denting and frizzing overnight. You can even match your silk scrunchies to our top-tested Brooklinen silk pillowcase and eye mask for a complete bedtime set. When our Textiles Lab experts put the brand's silk material to the test, our consumer testers gave it perfect ratings for feeling smooth, but during Textiles Lab analysis, we noticed that the silky smooth feel faded a bit with repeated washing. You are able to try the scrunchies out and wear them for up to 365 days before committing, thanks to the brand's generous return policy.

LilySilk

amazon.com

$32.99

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LilySilk is one of the most popular silk brands online. It offers a mixed pack of 100% silk scrunchies, which unlike other brands allows you to try four different sizes at once. Although the brand's silk material tested by our Textiles Lab wasn't as durable as some other silk we evaluated, it still performed well overall. Plus, our consumer testers loved it, rating it highly for being smooth and comfortable. Online reviewers describe this scrunchie set as "perfect" and rave that the scrunchies stay secure without damaging their hair. You can choose between three solid colors and two prints for this set, or you can opt for a single scrunchie in over a dozen different colors instead.

Slip

slip.com

$39.00

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If you have thinner, finer hair, Slip offers a twelve-pack of mini scrunchies in a variety of colors that you won't have to loop over and over again. The brand also offers larger scrunchies and thin scrunchies for different hair types. Mini scrunchies have a stronger grip and can be used to create more intricate hair styles like bubble braids, but they're great for typical ponytails, too. Slip's silk pillowcases were rated as the smoothest by our reviewers, and their scrunchies are made of the same soft material. According to one editor who has tried scrunchies from Slip, the material is nice and smooth, but the the elastic inside did stretch out and lost its elasticity quicker than she expected.

Crown Affair

crownaffair.com

$25.00

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This oversized scrunchie from haircare brand Crown Affair is a favorite of those with thick, curly hair because there's plenty of scrunchie to wrap around all of your strands, and it makes a big statement. Reviewers say they love wearing this scrunchie everywhere — from work to bed. The scrunchie is made in the USA of 100% silk material, and there are smaller sizes available, but you can only choose between sage green and black colors. According to online reviews, the scrunchies hold their shape well with repeated use and don't lose their stretch easily, so they're easy to wear again and again.

Silk Maison

silkmaison.com

$29.20

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Silk Maison's scrunchies offer the best of fashion and function. The scrunchies are made of 100% high-grade Mulberry silk and are sewn in unique patterns for a bit of added flare around the edges. Reviewers love the variety of colors and patterns available — there are a whopping 13 trendy styles to pick from. Online reviews also note that the scrunchies feel high quality and don't tug on hair like traditional hair ties. Instead, they slide through hair easily without tangling. It's important to note that the brand's website says shipping can take up to 15 days, and it's pretty expensive, so it adds to the already hefty price tag for the single scrunchie.

Bien Abyé

nordstrom.com

$45.00

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Bien Abyé started offering 100% silk scrunchies when the brand realized it could sustainably repurpose silk scraps from its apparel collection. The scrunchies come in sets of three and are offered in an assortment of unique patterns and colors that online reviewers say are "really bright and beautiful." They may cost more than other scrunchie sets, but our Lab experts think the price is worth it because Haitian artisans handcraft most of the brand's products. The scrunchies are hand wash only, so they will require more delicate care.

Lunya

lunya.co

$18.00

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When we tested Lunya's silk in our Textiles Lab, we were impressed by just how soft the material felt, and the brand uses the same silk for its scrunchies. Unique in design, this silk scrunchie doesn't require any twisting to stay secure in your hair. Instead of wrapping the scrunchie like you normally would, just slide it over your hair and pull the exposed elastic band on the sides to tighten it and keep your strands in place without denting them. Online reviewers say it's better suited for thinner hair because it's on the smaller side. The machine washable silk held up well in the wash with no major changes in appearance, including shine.

SILKE London

saksfifthavenue.com

$33.15

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Most silk scrunchies are available in basic neutrals, but Silke London offers a variety of jewel tones for you to pick from. Thin scrunchies provide a stronger grip than thicker silk scrunchies, which makes this pick strong enough to wear to the gym and stylish enough to wear out with friends. The six-pack of 22 momme silk scrunchies is loved by online reviewers who say they're a great pick for people with fine hair, and they don't leave behind annoying dents. Reviewers do warn that the bold colors bleed when wet, so it's best to not use these right out of the shower.