The 14 Best Period Underwear of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Thinx For All Super Absorbency Brief

5

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Though we loved many of the options we tested, this one is our favorite. The classic bikini style is comfortable and well-fitting, the fabric is soft, it has great absorbency, and it’s affordable and accessible. Our tester noted that the gusset is pretty thick, which is great for additional coverage and leak protection, and she also shared that the underwear has a soft, cotton feel. She was able to add five teaspoons of liquid that was absorbed quickly and produced just a bit of leaking after sitting for a moment. While there was a tiny bit of leaking, we think this underwear still lives up to its claim of being super absorbent. We also appreciate the brand's commitment to size inclusivity.

Price at time of publish: $17

Material: 95% cotton, 5% elastane | Absorbency: Super | Size Range: XS to 4X | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, hang dry

Best Budget

AerieREAL Period Underwear

4.2

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If you’re new to period underwear, it’s wise to start with a budget-friendly option until you’re sure that it’s a method of period care you like. In addition to being affordable, this option for light to medium flow days is great because it holds up to two tampons worth of liquid. Our tester shared that it absorbed liquid quickly, though it did leave a bit of wetness on the surface of the fabric.

The design features a stretchy waistband and a thick gusset that runs nearly all the way to the back of the underwear for added leak protection. While the length and thickness of the gusset are great for protection, it does add a bit of bulkiness to the underwear.

Price at time of publish: $10

Material: 50% cotton, 30% acrylic, 16% polyester, 4% elastane | Absorbency: Medium | Size Range: XXS to XXL | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Best Splurge

Proof Leak Proof High Waisted Lace Brief

4.5

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It’s true, not all period underwear is aesthetically pleasing. But this design is both functional and pretty. It has moderate absorbency, meaning it will hold about three tampons’ worth of liquid, and our tester appreciated how quickly it absorbed liquid. She also noted that the outside of the underwear was completely dry after the absorbency test.

The fabric is soft, and the lace detailing adds a little something special to the design, but we wish the waistband were just a bit stretchier to allow for even more comfort.

Price at time of publish: $49

Material: Nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, acrylate | Absorbency: Moderate | Size Range: XS to XL | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, hang or lay flat to dry

Best for Light Flow

Thinx Air Hiphugger Period Underwear

4.5

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This is the underwear we recommend most for very light days when your period is just beginning or nearing its end. The mesh fabric is soft and lightweight, making it very breathable and comfortable. It also features a long gusset that extends far back for added protection.

As for absorbency, it does hold two tampons’ worth of liquid without leaking, but it takes a minute for the liquid to fully absorb into the fabric. This is also a great option for you if you use other period care methods such as tampons or a menstrual cup, but you’re prone to leaking—it can provide an additional layer of protection.

Price at time of publish: $35

Material: 78% nylon, 22% elastane | Absorbency: Light | Size Range: XS to 4X | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, hang dry

Best for Heavy Flow

Goat Union Overnight Period Underwear

4.2

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If you’re on the hunt for period underwear that will keep you protected on heavy-flow days, we recommend this one. While liquid does take some time to fully absorb, our tester was impressed with how much liquid this pair could absorb without leaking.

Note that while the fabrics are soft, the design does feature multiple seams, which can be a point of discomfort for some people. However, given the impressive absorption capabilities and affordable price tag, this underwear has our stamp of approval.

Price at time of publish: $17

Material: Cotton, spandex, nylon, polyester, bamboo cellulose | Absorbency: Super | Size Range: XS to 4XL | Care Instructions: Machine wash, hang dry

Best Overnight

Thinx Period Pajama Sleep Shorts

4.4

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Whether period underwear is your primary form of period care, or you just don’t like the idea of using other methods while you sleep, we highly recommend checking this pair out for nighttime. Our tester found that a large amount of liquid absorbed into the fabric quickly and did not leak. She also praised the design, saying that the fabric is soft and the long, fairly thick gusset is excellent for maximum leak protection. The one downside? While the attached underwear inside of the shorts provide great protection, they are slightly bulky.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Spandex, micro modal, cotton, polyester | Absorbency: Super | Size Range: XXS to 4X | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, hang dry

Best for Exercise

Thinx Cycle Shorts

4.2

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Finding great period underwear that looks and feels light underneath workout clothes can be tricky, which is why we love these cycle shorts that are designed with built-in period underwear. The shorts themselves are made out of a soft fabric that has the perfect balance of stretch and compression for a workout, and the underwear portion has a gusset that can hold up to two tampons worth of liquid. Our tester shared that while the underwear absorbed liquid during the absorption test, there was slight leaking. Considering that this design only claims to have light absorbency and doesn’t fully protect against leaks, we recommend wearing it on your lightest days or on heavy days in combination with another method.

Price at time of publish: $38

Material: Polyester, polyamide, elastane, cotton | Absorbency: Light | Size Range: XS to 4X | Care Instructions: Machine wash, line dry

Best Thong

Hamilton Beach Toastation Oven With 2-Slice Toaster Combo

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Not all period underwear is bulky—take this pair, for example. While the design is only sufficient for light days (which the brand claims), it’s hard to believe that thong underwear this soft and seamless has any true leak protection at all—but it does. Our tester shared that it absorbed one teaspoon of liquid quickly and without leaking. It also comes in a wide range of sizes and colors, which is an added bonus. If we could change one thing about it, we wish it provided stronger leak protection for heavier flow days because it’s truly a great option for those that want to wear period underwear in a thong style.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Nylon, lycra, cotton, spandex, carbon | Absorbency: Light | Size Range: XS to 4XL | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Best Lingerie

Dear Kate Ada Full Brief

4.9

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Not all period underwear designs are super sexy, but you can find underwear that is both functional during your period and pretty too. This underwear features a lace waistband that gives it a sexy flare, as well as incredible absorption capability (despite the brand only claiming medium absorbency).

Our tester shared that the underwear successfully absorbed three tampons full of liquid without leaking, so she decided to add more liquid to test the limits. To her surprise, the fabric absorbed five tampons worth of liquid quickly and without spillage. While it is pretty pricey for one pair of underwear, the functionality and cute design make it a worthwhile investment if you’ve been searching for lingerie-like period underwear.

Price at time of publish: $46

Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester, lycra | Absorbency: Medium | Size Range: XS to 3X | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, line dry

Best Cotton

Rael Reusable Period Underwear

4.7

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Whether it’s for comfort or sustainability reasons, many people seek out cotton clothing. If that sounds like you, you’ll appreciate that this underwear is made of 95 percent cotton. The material is comfortable, the design is simple and effective, and the absorbance capability is solid.

Our tester said that the fabric easily absorbed three tampons worth of liquid, but she noted that the gusset felt pretty thin, which made her nervous about its durability. It’s a great option for anyone looking for cotton period underwear, but we would like to see the brand extend the size range.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: 95% cotton, rayon, spandex, polyester | Absorbency: Medium | Size Range: S to XL | Care Instructions: Pre-rinse, machine wash cold. Line dry or lay flat

Best High Waisted

Saalt Leakproof High Waist Period Underwear

4.5

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It seems like most period underwear options on the market are mid-rise, making really great high rise options hard to come by. But for those looking for a high-rise design, we recommend this one. Aside from the cool design, which features asymmetrical, lacey-looking mesh, the high-waisted nature of this underwear provides subtle tummy control too.

In terms of the fabric, our tester said it has a “soft, kind of luxurious-feeling.” However, in terms of absorbency, she noted that three tampons worth of liquid did leak. So, we recommend this underwear for light days, and if you’re going to wear it on heavy days, you might want to consider using additional period leak protection.

Price at time of publish: $39

Material: post-consumer recycled water bottles | Absorbency: Light | Size Range: XS to 2XL | Care Instructions: Rinse, machine wash cold. Hang dry

Best for Comfort

Cora Period Underwear

4.9

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If there’s one thing that everyone who menstruates has in common, it’s likely the desire to be comfortable. Tight or uncomfortable clothing is an absolute no-no during that time of the month. If you’re sensitive to restrictive clothing or lots of seams, this is the period underwear for you. It’s made from soft cotton, has a soft, elastic waistband, and absorbs liquid quickly. Our tester explained that the gusset remained dry to the touch once the liquid was absorbed, although she noted that it could be slightly longer in the back for added leak protection.

Price at time of publish: $25

Material: 100% cotton | Absorbency: Medium | Size Range: XS to 2XL | Care Instructions: Hand wash

Best Plus Size

TomboyX First Line Leakproof Bikini

4.9

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Size inclusivity in the fashion industry still needs some improvement, but we’ll give credit where it’s due, and TomboyX did an awesome job with the size range of this underwear. It ranges from 3XS to 6X, meaning that a very large variety of people will be able to find their right fit. As for the design itself, the bikini shape is standard, the fabric is soft and comfortable, and the thick, elastic waistband is great for functionality purposes.

We will say, the absorbency that’s advertised for this underwear is a bit confusing. The brand says it provides light absorbency but should hold up to eight teaspoons of liquid, which would equate to pretty high absorbency if you ask us. In reality, our tester found that it was able to hold roughly five teaspoons of liquid comfortably—we consider this medium absorbency. But regardless, if you’re on the hunt for great period underwear that comes in a wide range of sizes, we recommend this one for sure.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Absorbency: Light | Size Range: 3XS to 6X | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold in mesh bag, line dry