As parents, we are always looking for ways to keep our children safe and protected while in the water. We get them into swimming lessons, find the best water shoes, and get them the best life jackets. Swim caps are a great way to protect them as well. Swim caps can keep their hair from getting in their face as well as keep it drier and protect it from the harsh pool chemicals. Not to mention, swim caps can also keep their ears from getting water or bacteria in them.
Swim caps serve other functions as well. Most popular swim caps come in bright colors that can help your child stand out should they ever need to be rescued from the water, or if you are just wanting to keep your eye on them. If your child is looking to be a faster swimmer, swim caps can make a swimmer more hydrodynamic and reduce drag, making them swim faster in the water.
Check out the best swim caps for kids that can meet any or all of these needs.
Best Swim Caps for Kids
The Aegend Kids Swim Cap, Careula Swim Cap, and the Friendly Swede Swim Cap are all made from high quality, durable silicone, whereas the TYR Cap is made from the less popular but stretchier latex.
Aegend Kids Swim Cap
The Aegend Kids Swim Cap is our favorite swim cap that we reviewed. It is the best choice for an all-around great swim cap that meets the needs of the average swimmer. This cap will keep your child’s hair protected and out of their way, their ears free of water, and it will hold up over time. It is wrinkle-free which helps with reducing drag in the water.
A great feature is that this cap is made specifically for children and is available in three different sizes that can fit kids ages 2-12. It also comes in a 2-pack, in a variety of eye-catching colors to help your child stand out. We love that it comes in a 2-pack because you always have an extra in case one gets lost or left at the pool.
Best Features
- Eye-catching colors and designs
- Safe, high-quality silicone to prevent rips
- Wrinkle-free to reduce water resistance/drag
- Comfortable fit for long or short hair
- Available in 3 different sizes for ages 2-12
- Anti-slip material inside to keep it from falling off
- Comes in a 2-pack for a great price
- Easy to take on and off without pulling hair
What’s Missing
- Ear pockets that can help reduce pressure
Swim Cap Kids 3D Ergonomic Fit
The Swim Cap Kids 3D Ergonomic Fit is very similar to the brand’s more popular product that is our favorite. What makes it different is that it includes ergonomic ear pockets that help reduce pressure in the ears and keep the ears safe. This may be an important feature for you if your child gets ear pain due to swimming.
Although this is a great feature, it is not known to fit as tight, compared to the non-pocket version. Other than the ear pocket feature, it is almost the same as the other version. So if having an ear pocket is important to you, but you still want to go with a trusted brand, this cap is the one for you.
Best Features
- Eye-catching colors and designs to help your child stand out
- Safe, high-quality silicone to prevent rips
- Comfortable fit for long or short hair
- Wrinkle-free to reduce drag
- Available in 3 different sizes for ages 2-12
- Anti-slip material inside to keep it from falling off
- Comes in a 2-pack so that you always have an extra
- Ear pockets that can help reduce pressure
- Easy to take on and off without pulling hair
What’s Missing
- Added ear pockets seem to compromise tight fit
Careula Durable Silicone Swim Caps for Kids
The Careula Durable Silicone Swim Cap for Kids is another great choice for a swim cap that is made specifically for kids. It has a lot of similar features to the high ranked Aegend Kids Swim Cap . It comes in bright colors to help your child stand out, and a 2-pack so that you never have to worry about losing one.
This cap is made of high-quality, durable silicone, and provides a great fit for all hair types. With this cap, you can choose your perfect size because it comes in small, medium, and large for ages 2-12. The drawback to this cap is that it is not necessarily wrinkle-free, which may not be ideal if increased speed is what you are going for.
Best Features
- Premium quality silicone to prevent rips
- Anti-slip design for a tight fit
- Easy to take on and off without pulling hair
- Eye-catching multi-color design to help your child stand out
- Comes in a 2-pack for a good price
What’s Missing
- Not considered “wrinkle-free” to reduce drag and increase swim speed
The Friendly Swede Silicone Swim Cap
The Friendly Swede Silicone Swim Cap is a swim cap that will grow with your child because it is a one size fits all cap that can fit from childhood into adulthood. It is made of wrinkle-free, premium quality silicone and also includes ear pockets that reduce pressure on the ears. This cap provides a great fit for short-haired kids, but may not fit as well on a child with long, thick hair.
Best Features
- Premium quality silicone to prevent rips
- Ear pockets to help reduce pressure
- Wrinkle-free to reduce water resistance
- Eye-catching colors and designs to help your child stand out
- Comes in a 2-pack so that you always have an extra
What’s Missing
- “One Size Fits All” may not include the best fit for your child
- May not be best for long, thick hair
SANT Swim Cap for Kids with Cartoon Sharks & Minnows Design
The SANT Swim Cap for Kids with Cartoon Sharks & Minnows Design is a super fun choice if you are looking for a good cap to keep your child’s hair away and ears protected. If you think that getting your child to wear a swim cap might be difficult, this one could get them very excited about it.
It comes in shark or fish designs with a fin at the top. Not only does this allow them to pretend they are a shark or fish, but it also adds that extra peace of mind that you will able to spot them easily with that fin sticking out!
Best Features
- Fun design that makes wearing it fun for kids and easy to spot for parents
- Good fit with curved edges and skid-resistant lining to keep the cap on and water out
- High-quality silicone material that won’t rip
- Comes in a 2 pack so that you always have an extra
What’s Missing
- The fun design may not allow for your child to be more hydrodynamic if increased speed is what you are looking for
Speedo Elastomeric Child Swim Cap
The Speedo Elastomeric Child Swim Cap is a good choice from the popular speedo brand. It is special because it has an elastomeric fit, which means it is made out of stretchy silicone that is easy to get on and off. This, along with the textured inside material, makes it one of the easiest caps to take on and off without snagging your hair. It fits well over both long and short hair.
This cap is meant to fit ages 3-8, but it seems to fit better in the younger age range. The downside to this cap is that the elastomeric stretchy fit also tends to make the cap a little less durable and more prone to rips.
Best Features
- Elastomeric fit makes it easier to take on and off
- Contoured shape to reduce drag
- Popular Speedo brand
- Fun colors and a unique design that is easy to spot
What’s Missing
- Meant to fit kids ages 3-8 but runs small
- Elastomeric fit seems to make the silicone less durable and more prone to rips
- Comes with only one for a higher price
TYR Latex Swim Cap
The TYR Latex Swim Cap is the only latex cap on our list. Latex is usually not as popular due to it causing allergies or irritation, but latex can also have some benefits in a swim cap. Swim caps made of latex are a bit more lightweight than a silicone cap and are good for keeping your child cooler if they tend to get hot while swimming. Latex also stretches more than silicone, making it easier to get on and off, and less likely to pull out your hair. The drawback though, is that this extra stretchiness also can cause it to rip easier.
Best Features
- Latex is lightweight, keeping you cool in the water
- Stretchy, making it easy to get on and off
- Sticks well to head, not likely to fall off.
- Comes in a variety of bright colors
- Popular TYR brand
- Keeps hair dry and reduces drag
What’s Missing
- Latex can cause allergies or irritation
- Latex can rip easier than other materials
- One-size fits all for children and adults (not specifically for kids)
Best Kids Swim Cap for Competitive Swimming
TYR Wrinkle Free Silicone Cap
The TYR Wrinkle Free Silicone Cap is a great choice if your child is a competitive swimmer. This cap and the TYR brand is popular in the professional community. The cap is made of premium silicone material and tested to make sure it is as hydrodynamic as can be.
The fit is great and it is wrinkle-free. It is not a cap that is specifically made for children, but it can fit both children and adults. This cap comes in a variety of bright colors that will not fade with use.
Best Features
- High quality, durable silicone to prevent rips
- Created to increase swimming speed
- Non-slip inside for tight fit
- Comes in a variety of bright colors that will stay bright
- Popular TYR brand
What’s Missing
- One-size fits all for children and adults (not specifically for kids)
- Difficult to take on and off
- Comes with only one for a higher price
Best Swim Cap for Long Hair
Lahtak Swim Cap for Long Hair Kids
The Lahtak Swim Cap for Long Hair Kids is the best choice for kids who have long, thick hair. This cap can fit over long ponytails, thick buns, and even braids and dreadlocks. It is a great choice if your main need is to keep your child’s hair dry and out of their face. You are likely to find the right fit for your child because it comes in multiple sizes XS-XL.
Although this cap also comes in colors, the colors are not very bright, so if you are really looking for your child to stand out in the water, this cap may not be the best choice.
Best Features
- High-quality silicone material to prevent rips
- Comes in sizes XS-XL
- The best choice for long hair, buns, braided hair, or dreadlocks
- Helps keep hair 99.9% dry
What’s Missing
- Extra material may wrinkle a bit making it less hydrodynamic
- Does not come in bright colors
- Comes with only one for a higher price
Best Swim Caps for Toddlers
The Cheekaaboo Swim Cap is made from lycra which is easier to get on and off than a silicone cap, and it is available in three different fun patterns; whereas the Funown Swim Cap is a silicone cap that is more durable and doesn’t rip. This cap comes in pink or purple with a unicorn on it.
Cheekaaboo Lycra Swim Cap for Toddler and Kids
The Cheekaaboo Lycra Swim Cap for Toddler and Kids is a great choice for younger children who may not take to a silicone cap. It comes in a variety of fun patterns, fits ages 2-8, and is very comfortable. This cap is made of soft and stretchy lycra material which makes it easier to get on and off than a silicone cap.
It is a great cap for a younger child who just needs to keep their hair away from their face. An added bonus is that it is machine washable, which is great if it gets stuck in the bottom of a stinky swim bag.
Best Features
- Made of lycra which may feel more comfortable on the head than silicone or latex
- Stretchy band makes it easy to get on and off
- Fun patterns and designs
- Good for younger children
- Machine washable
What’s Missing
- Lycra is not resistant to water like silicone, so hair can get wet.
- No larger size for older children
- Lycra is not as hydrodynamic as a silicone or latex cap
FUNOWN Kids Swim Cap
The FUNOWN Kids Swim Cap is an all around good swim cap that comes in a super fun design. Even though the picture does not show the cap over the child’s ears, it does cover both the hair and ears and will keep them dry and protected. This cap is made for children ages 2-8 but tends to run small and may fit better on younger children. This would be a good swim cap for a toddler or preschooler who loves unicorns and needs to keep their hair out of the way.
Best Features
- Fun unicorn design that will help your child stand out
- Durable silicone that won’t rip
- Good fit for younger children
- Easy to get on and off without pulling hair
What’s Missing
- Meant to fit kids ages 2-8 but runs small
- Not considered “wrinkle-free” to reduce drag and increase swim speed
- Only choice is a unicorn design, so may be more geared towards girls
Comparing Swim Caps for Kids
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| SANT Swim Cap for Kids with Cartoon Sharks & Minnows Design | 6.0 | 8.2 | 27.99 |
| Careula Durable Silicone Swim Caps for Kids | 9.5 | 8.8 | 19.97 |
| Swim Cap Kids 3D Ergonomic Fit | 7.8 | - | 17.99 |
| The Friendly Swede Silicone Swim Cap | 9.3 | 8.2 | 15.99 |
| Lahtak Swim Cap for Long Hair Kids | 9.2 | 8.2 | 12.99 |
| TYR Wrinkle Free Silicone Cap | 9.9 | 8.6 | 11.96 |
| Speedo Elastomeric Child Swim Cap | 3.9 | 8.8 | 9.99 |
| Cheekaaboo Lycra Swim Cap for Toddler and Kids | 9.6 | - | 8.90 |
| Aegend Kids Swim Cap | 9.8 | 8.4 | 7.99 |
| TYR Latex Swim Cap | 9.9 | 8.6 | 5.50 |
| Speedo Elastomeric Child Swim Cap | 4.0 | 8.8 | - |
| FUNOWN Kids Swim Cap | 7.1 | 8.8 | - |
Buying Criteria for Swim Caps For Kids
When deciding what swim caps to recommend, we considered many different aspects. We looked at what material the cap was made out of and what colors and designs it came in. We also checked out if it fit well and was comfortable, and if it was able to keep your hair in and dry. Most swim caps are not very pricy but we considered the price and whether the cap came in a 2-pack. Last, we looked into the cap’s ability to help your child swim faster, knowing that is an important criterion for competitive swimmers.
Material
The material of a swim cap can make a difference in comfort, fit, breathability, and durability. Most popular swim caps, and most of our recommended caps, are silicone. When swim caps were first created, most were made of latex.
Latex is great because it stretches well, keeps out water, and helps reduce drag. It also sticks to the head well and is less likely to fall off than a silicone cap. The drawback to latex is that because it is thin and stretches so much, it can rip easier. Some swimmers still prefer latex caps though and if you are looking for a latex cap, the TYR Latex Swim Cap is a good choice.
Later on, caps became made of silicone more often, because it is more durable and is less irritating to the skin than latex. This does make them less breathable, less stretchy, and more expensive, but it can also reduce drag even more than latex, resulting in a faster swim. Most of our recommended swim caps are high-quality silicone that will not easily rip.
Another material used for swim caps is lycra. Lycra is a soft, stretchy fabric that provides more comfort than latex or silicone. Lycra caps are much easier to take on and off and will still do the job of keeping your hair out of your way and protecting your ears.
A cap like the Cheekaaboo Lycra Swim Cap is great for small children who may find it more comfortable and who just want their hair out of the way. Lycra is not the best material to keep your hair dry or to reduce drag, so it is not usually used in a competitive environment.
Colors/Design
For many products that you buy, the color or designs on it may not matter to you, but for a swim cap, it might make a difference. A bright-colored swim cap with stand out designs may not only make the swim cap more fun to wear for your child, but it can also help keep your child safe.
Bright colors and unique designs make your child easier to spot in the water. This can help you keep an eye on them from the side of the pool or even help a lifeguard find them easier should they ever need to be rescued. Most of the swim caps that we recommend have options to purchase bright colors.
We also recommend the SANT Swim Cap for Kids which is a cap that looks like a shark or fish and has a fin on top to really make that difference in standing out.
Comfort
As parents, we know that children are not as likely to wear something if it is not comfortable. A swim cap may not be the most comfortable thing to wear, but we looked into what can make the cap more tolerable. A cap that is hard to put on or pull on your hair while coming off can be frustrating for a child.
The swim caps that are specifically made for children like our favorite Aegend Kids Swim Cap seem to be easier to take on and off. We also know that if comfort is your main concern, the Cheekaaboo Lycra Swim Cap might be the way to go.
Within comfort, we also looked into ergonomic ear pockets, which is a feature offered in some swim caps. Ear pockets can help reduce pressure in your ears while swimming. Most swim caps do not offer this feature, but some of our highest reviewed ones do. This could be an important factor for those children who complain of ear pain while swimming.
The Aegend Swim Cap Kids 3D Ergonomic Fit has the same features as our favorite cap but with the added ear pockets. Although, this cap is not known to have as great of a fit as the one without ear pockets.
Fit
If a swim cap does not fit right, then it can not do its job correctly, so fit is an important criterion to look at when purchasing a swim cap. Not every cap is going to fit the same on every kid, but that is why there are options. We considered options that fit a variety of different hairstyles and lengths. The Friendly Swede Silicone Swim Cap is great for shorter hair, while the Lahtak Swim Cap is preferred for longer hair.
We also found that some caps come in one size fits all, for both adults and children, while others ofter size small, medium and large and are specifically geared to fit kids. Our favorite cap, the Aegend Kids Swim Cap comes in a variety of sizes to fit ages 2-12 and can fit both long and short hairstyles. The better the fit, the better job the cap can do at keeping your hair dry and out of the way and your ears protected.
Price
Swimming caps are not very costly, but we considered the cost and whether the cap came in a 2-pack or was sold as a single. Many of our recommended caps that come in a 2-pack are a similar price to our suggested caps that come as a single cap. Getting a 2-pack of caps is great because you can always have an extra in case one gets lost, or dirty, or rips. So the price might be something to consider when thinking about how you can get two caps for the same price as one.
Hydrodynamics
Competitive swimmers wear swim caps for many reasons, but an important reason is that wearing a swim cap can increase your swim speed. Having your hair in the way creates drag in the water and can slow you down. We made sure to take a look at what caps were most hydrodynamic because we know that some parents may have a budding professional swimmer that they are buying a cap for.
Caps that are the most wrinkle-free tend to fare the best in this category. Data suggests that wearing a wrinkled swim cap can slow you down. The TYR Wrinkle Free Silicone Cap may be best if speed is what you are going for.
FAQs About Swim Caps For Kids
Should kids wear swim caps?
If your child is a competitive swimmer or a frequent swimmer, it might be a good idea. Swim caps can protect their hair from getting dried out from all the chemicals in the pool. They also protect their ears from getting water and bacteria in them which can reduce ear infections. Also, swim caps help keep hair out of the pool which helps keep the pool cleaner.
Do swim caps keep your hair dry?
Yes, and no. Swim caps can help keep your hair dry compared to having no swim cap, but no swim cap can guarantee to keep your hair 100% dry. Water can get in even the tightest caps if you are submerging your head under the water.
Do swim caps protect your hair from chlorine?
Yes, because swim caps can keep your hair from getting water in it, they help keep out the chlorine and other chemicals that may be in the pool. This can be a real game-changer for your hair if you are a frequent swimmer.
Do swim caps pull your hair out?
Swim caps can pull your hair out if it is a hard cap to get on and off. This is why many caps that we recommend are made of high-quality material that stretches easily. Wetting your hair before putting the cap on is a good way to help prevent hair from getting pulled out.
Do swim caps make you swim faster?
Yes! Swim caps can help you swim faster by reducing the drag in the water caused by your hair. If you have long hair that is not in a cap, it will cause drag in the water and slow you down. Any type of swim cap that keeps your hair away will reduce the drag from your hair. A wrinkle-free swim cap can reduce the drag by even more.
Do goggles go under or over the swim cap?
Most swimmers put them over the cap. Putting the goggles under the cap creates a gap where the band is and may compromise the fit of your cap. Many professional swimmers actually wear two caps and put the goggles in-between.
How do you put on a swim cap?
When putting on a swim cap, the first thing you want to do is tie your hair up (if it is long). Then you want to get your hair a bit wet (use sink water rather than the chlorinated pool water). The cap will slide on better over wet hair. Getting the inside of the cap wet as well, may make it more simple to get on. Open the cap with both hands and pull it over your head and hair so that is over your hairline but above your eyebrows. Make sure it covers your ears and that all loose hairs and tucked in.
