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The Best Swim Cap

Last updated on July 27, 2022

We looked at the top 10 Swim Caps and dug through the reviews from 29 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Swim Caps.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Swim caps do more than keep hair dry, and competitive swimmers wear them all the time. They keep the hair compacted in one place, reducing drag and improving speed. Essentially, they make the head more hydrodynamic and prevent the hair from weighing you down. They also help with visibility, essential if swimming out in open water.

If you’re not a pro swimmer, you should also know that swim caps keep water out of your ears and block out bacteria. They also prevent hair from clogging drains in pools and protect hair from chemicals like chlorine and salt; both are known to damage hair after repeated exposure. Swim caps don’t have to be boring, either; you can find them in various colors and patterns.

The most popular material for swim caps is silicone, which is flexible and protects the hair. This is a suitable alternative for people who are allergic to latex. Other caps are made from latex rubber and sometimes have tighter fits; they typically have one uniform color, though. Lycra, Spandex and other fabrics can make the caps more comfortable and are made from the same materials as swimsuits.

Swim caps can be found in children’s and adult sizes as well as one-size-fits-all varieties. Adult sizes are generally made for people with shorter hair, but you can find larger caps that are about 1 to 2 inches longer. Bubble swim caps are shaped more like helmets, with surfaces covered with tiny bubbles; these can also be good for longer, thicker hair. Whichever size you choose, it should be easy to get on and off and shouldn’t move around once it’s on.

Our Picks For The Top Swim Caps

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Arena Classic Silicone Swim Cap

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Arena

Classic Silicone Swim Cap

Made with soft, sweat-wicking, 100% silicone, and a jacquard weave, Arena’s comfortable, classically-styled adult unisex swim cap comes in dozens of styles and colors. It’ll keep your head warm and dry while swimming.

Overall Take

So Many Styles/ColorsThis swim cap is excellent for casual and competitive swimming, diving, water sports and triathlons.

Pros
" It’s made up of 100% silicone and is designed to keep your hair very much dry even after long underwater swimming sessions."
Cons
"Doesn’t keep hair dry on longer sessions"
 Runner Up

Tripsky 360-Degrees Textured-Silicone Swim Cap

Tripsky

360-Degrees Textured-Silicone Swim Cap

This comfortable 100% silicone swim cap has a contoured shape to reduce friction drag, a durable elastic surface, and a reliable anti-slip and anti-tear design. It has enough stretch to accommodate long and thick hair.

Overall Take

For Optimal Swim PerformanceYou’ll really love this swim cap and may want to order an extra one to use in the shower!

Pros
" It's texturized, which helps it grip your head and prevent movement."
Cons
"Doesn’t keep the edges 100% dry"
 We Also Like

Speedo Silicone Solid Swim Cap

Speedo

Silicone Solid Swim Cap

Speedo is known for its industry-standard swimwear and swimming accessories, and this well-made swim cap doesn’t disappoint. It’s made from 100% silicone and offers outstanding durability, stretch, texture and softness. It is also latex-free.

Overall Take

A Familiar Brand NameThis cap won’t tug on your hair when you put it on or take it off!

Pros
" Cap protects hair from chlorine and keeps it out of the way for more freedom while swimming. Made with a stretchy and pliable silicone that feels soft and comfortable. Won’t cause painful snags or hair pulling."
 Strong Contender

Firesara Spandex-Fabric Swim Cap

Firesara

Spandex-Fabric Swim Cap

If you don’t want silicone, this swim cap is made out of 82% polyamides and 12% soft Spandex fabric. The edges are finished with sturdy thread, the fit is comfortable and breathable, and it will never snag or pull on your hair. Best of all, one size fits kids and adults.

Overall Take

Fits Just About EveryoneNo one needs to worry about this one-size-fits-all swim cap being too loose or tight!

Pros
" It’s designed for medium-to-long hair and contains soft material to prevent snagging."
Cons
"However, this cap is not waterproof, so while your hair will stay contained in it, it won't stay dry."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the swim caps available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

29

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Asher & Lyric, Runner's World, Verywell Fit, Style Craze.

112,598

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Swim Caps and also dug through the reviews from 29 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Swim Caps.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Tripsky 360-Degrees Textured-Silicone Swim Cap

Our Expert Score

0.0
2 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.0
4,154 user reviews

Our Take

This comfortable 100% silicone swim cap has a contoured shape to reduce friction drag, a durable elastic surface, and a reliable anti-slip and anti-tear design. It has enough stretch to accommodate long and thick hair.

What other experts liked

It's texturized, which helps it grip your head and prevent movement.
- Runner's World
We recommend the Tripsky silicone swim cap for swimmers with curly and long air. This is because of a 3D sculpted design that ensures that the cap fits all hair types.
- Waterproof Idea

What other experts didn't like

Doesn’t keep the edges 100% dry
- Waterproof Idea

What to Look For

  • There are other specialized swim caps, with things like shark designs and flower decorations.
  • If needed, tie your hair with a waterproof band before putting on the cap.
  • Stretch the cap with your hands and hold it open as you put it on your head.
  • When putting on a swim cap, the seam should line up in the middle of the forehead, and the top should also rest there.
  • The cap should not feel tight or too loose.
  • After using a cap, rinse it well under fresh water and allow it to air dry.

Swim Cap Rankings

1. Arena Classic Silicone Swim Cap

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 5

2. Tripsky 360-Degrees Textured-Silicone Swim Cap

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 3

3. Speedo Silicone Solid Swim Cap

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 5

4. Firesara Spandex-Fabric Swim Cap

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 5

5. SOUL CAP Silicone Long-Haired Swim Cap

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 4

6. Dsane Long-Haired & Bulky-Hairstyle Swim Cap

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 5

7. Alepo 3D-Ear Protection Silicone Swim Caps, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 3

8. Aegend Durable Silicone Swim Caps, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 5

9. COPOZZ Non-Slip Silicone Swim Cap

Overall Score: 7.9
Reviews Included: 4

10. TYR Latex Lightweight Swim Cap

Overall Score: 7.5
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

Experts offer differing opinions on the greatest swimmers of all time, and the two top positions are usually thought to be held by Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps (and not always in that order). Phelps is the most decorated Olympic athlete in history, with an astonishing 23 gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Spitz earned nine golds, one silver and one bronze. Others who made the list include Jenny Thompson, Matt Biondi, Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte, Ian Thorpe and Aleksandr Popov.

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