10 Tampons That Make Dealing With Your Period Less of a Pain

Best Overall: Lola Organic Tampons

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If you’re part of the growing number of women who are more and more cognizant of what tampons are made of, you’ll be happy to know that these are made of 100% certified organic cotton. Even the applicator is BPA-free, as well as super compact, and there’s a size for every level of flow, too.

Best for Beginners: Tampax Pearl

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For those who have been hesitant to get on board the tampon train, these are a choice pick. An anti-slip grip at the base of the applicator makes them extremely easy to insert, even for newbies. Plus, they’re both fragrance- and chlorine-bleach-free, and clinically tested for safety.

Best for Swimming: Playtex Sport

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As the name suggests, we love these for days that you’re going to be super active, including in the pool. The unique FlexFit technology creates complete and total protection so you never have to stress about leaks, and also ensures the tampon moves with you as you move, making this one of the most comfortable options we’ve ever tried.

Best Budget: L. Organic Cotton Tampons

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Despite the wallet-friendly price tag, these have all the same great features as some pricier picks, think organic cotton, and a compact, BPA-free applicator. While there are only two levels of absorbency, we appreciate that they’re clearly distinguished by different colored wrappers. Also nice: For every product you purchase, one goes toward a woman in need.

Best Plastic-Free: Rael Organic Tampons

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If you’re trying to eliminate plastic, for whatever reason, but don’t love applicator-free tampons, here’s the solution. The applicator on these (certified organic, responsibly-sourced, Texas-grown) cotton is made of plant-based materials. You get the same ease of use, without any plastic involved.

Best Applicator-Free: Cora 100% Organic Cotton Non-Applicator Tampons

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If you are comfortable going sans applicator, try these tampons. A rounded tip makes manual insertion surprisingly quick and easy, and, unlike some other applicator-free options out there, even this string is made of cotton. Reviewers rave not only about the ease of application, but also the impressive absorption.

Best Menstrual Cup: Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup

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Yes, this technically is not a tampon, but menstrual cups are having a major moment. Plus, when it comes to minimizing environmental impact, this completely reusable option can’t be beaten. We like this particular one, made from an ultra-comfortable, medical-grade silicone that fits nice and snugly, and can even be worn for up to 12 hours.

Best Organic: The Honeypot Co. Super Organic Bio-Plastic Applicator Tampons

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Byrdie Editor Holly Rhue is just one of many women who sing the praises of these tampons. The organic cotton used is free of pesticides, chemicals, chlorine, and dyes, while the applicator is made of a soft, sugarcane-derived material that makes insertion comfortable and easy (as does a textured grip at the base and a full-length withdrawal cord).

Best for a Light Flow: O.B. Organic Tampons

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For a lighter flow, these are choice. They’re comfortable and easy to put in and take out and can be used for up to eight hours, great on days when your flow is lighter. Just keep in mind that some find them not be quite as absorbent as others, hence the part about them being good for a lighter flow.