17 Cute Winter Hats to Keep Your Ears From Falling Off When It’s Frigid Outside

• Pros: Affordable, just-right slouch factor, plenty of stretch
• Cons: Not machine washable

If you’re looking for an effortlessly stylish winter hat that checks the boxes of being both fashionable and functional, this adorable beanie belongs in your wardrobe. With a double-layered fleece and acrylic lining, this little number will be undoubtedly keep your ears from freezing. As one buyer wrote, "This hat really helped with warmth. I took several hats for my trip to Maine in December and this was by far the one I chose most often because I could tell the difference in how much warmer I felt."

The best part? At just $15, it’s available in an array of hues and its slouchy silhouette, which hits the back of the head just so, will have all your friends asking where they can snag one too.

• Pros: Budget-friendly, trusted brand, cool look
• Cons: Different material than original Carhartt hats

This popular Carhartt knit beanie lives up to the brand’s reputation for creating durable and high-quality products—at least as far as its more than 118,000 5-star Amazon reviewers are concerned. Wearers rave about how cozy it is, but more than that, it's just damn cute. Just ask our editors: “I can’t stop wearing this beanie. I love wearing the ultra-bright neon color in contrast with my mostly black wardrobe,” PureWow’s Wellness Director Sarah Stiefvater, says of the Brite Lime shade she owns. “It’s also super comfy and warm and just 20 bucks. A total no-brainer.”

• Pros: Unique style, warm, French-inspired
• Cons: On the smaller side, no elastic to keep it in place

For a quick and easy way to channel your inner Emily Cooper à la Emily in Paris, there's this gorgeous wool-blend beret. Crafted from a mix of angora wool, regular wool and acrylic, to name a few, it will do a whole lot more than make you a walking compliment magnet—it will actually keep you warm. “The beret is the perfect addition to any outfit, giving it a touch of style and sophistication,” Leo says. “It pairs wonderfully with a white shirt and jeans. Simply add a cardigan or blazer."

And if that doesn't do the trick? Leo says you can also try the beret with a knit dress, "to add some Parisian flair.”

• Pros: Great for sunny days, budget-friendly
• Cons: Not always size-consistent

Let’s set the scene: It’s the dead of winter, the sun is setting, you left your sunglasses at home and you’re about to be… well, “blinded by the light,” as they say. Enter: This stylish knit acrylic winter hat with a visor. It's fashion-forward, functional, and thanks to its faux fur lining, it will also feel luxurious against your head. Basically, it's a style overachiever for those days when it’s too cold for just a baseball cap but too sunny for a traditional beanie.

• Pros: Luxe lining, stretchy, prevents flyaways
• Cons: Could be better quality

We love the luxurious factor that this baby provides on account of its satin lining. It can be worn cuffed or pulled down over your ears for more coverage, but the best part just might be the company's claims that the silky-smooth fabric will also help prevent hair breakage and static (kind of like a satin pillowcase), so you can pull it on and take it off without battling an army of flyaways. While the cotton and acrylic exterior may not last a lifetime (it is $14, after all), you'll look plenty chic in it while it does.

• Pros: A hole for a ponytail or bun, plenty of stretch
• Cons: May not work for thicker ponies

Ponytail fans, rejoice! This beanie made specifically for those of us who don’t want to sacrifice the high (or low) pony we spent all morning perfecting just to warm our ears. Poke yours through the hole at the top of this ingenious design to have your cake and eat it too. It also provides plenty of stretch, so you can comfortably wear it all day long.

• Why We Love It: Unique style, budget-friendly

Why have one pom pom when you can have two? This statement-making beanie features a stretchy hem for ultimate comfort and two puffy balls at the top to give the illusion of ears. It's crafted with cotton and acrylic to provide you with plenty of warmth and comes in multiple colors; just note that it tends to run small and shrinks in the dryer.

• Pros: Trendy, textured, ultra-soft
• Cons: Fits larger heads best

This trendy faux fur bucket hat looks like it was pulled straight from the '90s, and given the era's massive resurgence, that's a very, very good thing. It also has the right zhuzh factor when you're looking for some extra texture (read: fuzzy warmth). It comes in roughly 48 (!) colors and patterns, including houndstooth, florals, animal prints, and more than a few of its 1,500 5-star reviewers called out how soft it is, too.

• Pros: Can be worn six ways, ultra-warm
• Cons: Larger fit

This fleece winter sports hat is ideal for hitting the slopes, then grabbing a hot chocolate right after. While you can wear it six different ways, ranging from a head wrap to a scarf, we're eyeing it as a full-coverage gator to shield you from your head to your neck (you can also opt to sport the gator or hat on its own). However you choose to sport it, its contrasting lining color will give you a cute little splash of color.