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Multiple pairs from Aerie scored highly in our tests, making it easily the best brand we tested. With a large variety of fabrics, styles, and sizes, you’ll find a good pair that fits your preference. Read More
For a next-to-nothing feel, On Gossamer Mesh is made of very light, sheer fabric with a gently hugging trim that does not cut into your body, making it enjoyable to wear all day. Read More
This Natori undergarment took the top spot for thongs, edging out other competitors (yes, even Hanky Panky) with its superior materials and comfort. Read More
The Chantelle Softstretch fabric feels smooth against the skin: It’s extremely stretchy, lightweight, and conforms to your body like second skin. Read More
With fabric that feels like a soft brushed cotton and raw-cut edges around the waist and leg holes, this hipster is practically invisible underneath clothing. Read More
Don't underestimate the power of a good pair of underwear. Often the first thing you put on and the last thing you take off, the importance of it being supremely comfortable is on par with loungewear staples like bathrobes and slippers. Not only should the material feel soft on sensitive skin, the best underwear for women must also fit well and stay in place—and it’s nice if there’s no visible panty line under clothes. Finally, the hallmark of the best underwear for women is that it washes well without unintended damage, so you do not have to replace it constantly.
While there are many options for fabrics and styles—some of which come down to personal preference—quality materials and great fit can make a huge difference in whether you want to live in your undies or can’t wait to take them off because they dig in, shift around, or are otherwise uncomfortable. That’s why we reviewed 54 pairs of women's underwear models available in cotton, microfiber, and blended fabrics in styles such as bikinis, thongs, and hipsters.
After several months of testing, the overall best underwear for women brand, hands-down, is Aerie (available at Aerie) . But if you’re looking for specific styles or fabrics, we have plenty of other picks.
Here are the best underwear for women available online right now.
Aerie is our best overall pick.
These will feel like you're wearing next to nothing.
This thong edged out its competitors.
These Softstretch hipsters feel like second skin.
No pantylines with these hipsters.
Light and airy material
Comfortable non-elastic waistband
Brief shows a slight visible panty line
Color faded a lot
Thong back is uncomfortable
Soft lace
Comfortable to wear
Fits well
Thong only comes in one size
Breathe Comfortable to wear
All lines soft material
Noticeable fraying after 10 washes on lace thong
Thick and uncomfortable seams on stretch cotton
Pima Cotton is comfortable
All lines soft material
Pima Cotton leg holes tight initially
Comfort stretch bikini shifts during wear
Comfort Stretch thong stretches out
Soft material
Comfortable to wear
Not a lot of basic patterns and colors
All lines soft fabric
Comfortable to wear
All lines do not stay in place well
No Show collection runs small
Soft material
Sizes XS-4XL
Waistband feels tight
Bikini style has rough seams around leg holes
Color fades
Soft material
Uncomfortable waistband
Noticeable fraying and loose stitches after a few washes
The stylish Parade Re:Play styles felt a little bulky on, with thick and wide waistbands in the brief and thong styles we tested. They also didn’t stay in place, with many adjustments needed throughout my day. They get points for a broad size range, though, coming in XS to 3XL.
The Hanes Cool Comfort bikini panties didn’t seem to have any cooling properties, despite the name. The velvety lining under the waistband is a nice touch for added comfort, but the leg holes felt tight.
I adore the look of the celeb-beloved Calvin Klein Stretch Cotton Logo bikini underwear. But in testing, I couldn’t wait to take these off—the stiff, binding waistband left a dent in my skin after a few hours. What's more, the fabric lost more color than other pairs after ten washes.
The Jockey Cotton Elance Breathe brief was one of the lowest scoring pairs of women's underwear for its baggy, diaper-like fit and cotton fabric that stretched out during the course of day.
Hi, I'm Jamie Ueda. After spending years working for various apparel and textile companies, I pride myself on helping Reviewed readers make smart purchasing decisions for clothing, shoes, and accessories. Because I’ve spent a lot of time evaluating fabrics and apparel, I’m a stickler for quality materials and sound design, especially regarding apparel like underwear, which is such a staple. As someone always on the hunt for a pair of panties so comfortable I forget I’m wearing them, I took my clothing knowledge and went shopping to find the best underwear for women out there.
It will not come as a surprise to readers that there are many options available for women's underwear. I searched the internet for top-rated and highly reviewed styles to decide which pairs to test. I looked at popular brands, and retailers, but also sought out lesser-known lines that may contain hidden gems. I polled the Reviewed staff on their favorite pairs of women's underwear and their go-to brands. After leaving no underwear stone unturned, I put many pairs of women's underwear—54 to be exact—to the test.
Working with Reviewed’s former senior scientist, Julia MacDougall, we devised objective and subjective evaluations that put these pairs of women's underwear through a battery of tests. We tested these in our lab, washing each pair three times according to its care label, checking for loose seams or stitching after laundering, and measuring if they shrank. Then we washed them an additional seven times, for a total of 10 washes for each pair of women's underwear, and rechecked them for wrinkling, fraying, fading, or any other defects.
We wanted to know how the women's underwear performed on real people, not just in the lab. I wore every pair of women's underwear for at least half a day. I also wore these while exercising to see if they were comfortable and if they shifted around. I answered questions such as: Is the underwear sized correctly? How would you describe the fit? Did you have to adjust the underwear during the day? Do these give you visible panty lines? How would you rate the comfort?
When all the testing was complete, we rated each attribute—comfort, fit, and so on—in order of importance and tabulated everything for final scores and rankings.
You need to be aware of various attributes before shopping for the best underwear for women. Different styles and materials can significantly impact comfort, and with new fabrics and cuts entering the market, it can be tricky to navigate what’s right for you. Here are some things you might want to consider.
There are many styles, also called “cuts,” of women's underwear. No one cut fits everyone or suits everyone’s aesthetic preferences and stylistic needs. Some may like wearing bikini underwear, which typically has higher-cut leg holes and a full-coverage back. Others prefer thongs, with the back composed of a string or a strip of fabric that’s not much wider for zero cheek coverage. Some may choose women's underwear based on their outfit that day to avoid the dreaded panty line.
The most common styles of women's underwear are bikinis, thongs, briefs, and hipsters or hip huggers (which sit lower on the waist than briefs and may still have lower-cut legs, but not always). Within these categories, you can find variations related to where the waistband lands on the body relative to the hips and belly button, such as low-rise thongs (which sit on the hip bones), high-waist briefs (which may cover the navel, but sometimes not), and many more.
If you like more coverage, consider bikinis, briefs, or boyshorts. Just be sure to assess any individual pair thoroughly, as some may be cut smaller in the back for a “cheeky” look. For less coverage in the back, look for options like thongs or cheekies; for less coverage at the waist, look for low-rise or hipster styles. There’s no set standard for styles of women's underwear, and brands can make up their own rules. To ensure a pair suits your needs, you’ll want to look at front and back views of the women's underwear online (or on your body if you can try it on in-store, over your own undies).
The days of women's underwear being made of cotton by default are long gone. Of the 54 pairs we tested, only 14 had a cotton content greater than 90%. Many pairs of women's underwear are either made with synthetic materials such as nylon, spandex, and various types of rayon or cotton blended with synthetic materials, which provide stretch and “memory” so the cotton retains its shape.
When it comes to underwear fabric, there is no best for everyone, though there are some broad recommendations to consider. Cotton is breathable, absorbs moisture, and is commonly recommended for those prone to infections, which thrive in moist environments. However, plenty of underwear made of synthetics or synthetic blends is outfitted with a cotton crotch or gusset, which may mitigate that concern.
Nylon is durable, stretchy, and silky, making it a top choice for undergarments, which are often used for seamless underwear. Modal, a type of rayon, is becoming more popular for underwear because of its soft, buttery feel—usually even softer than cotton. Spandex, Lycra, or elastane are generally blended into other materials for added stretch and comfort or as part of the elastic trim on waistbands or leg holes.
You may see women's underwear that is labeled seamless, no-show, laser cut, or raw cut. Generally, all these terms refer to underwear that should rest unseen through clothing, i.e., won't show a visible panty line (a.k.a. VPL). These types of women's underwear are made in slightly different ways, but they share a lack of extra elastic or trim (or even the material itself doubled-up) around the leg holes and waist. This makes the edges lie flatter and less prone to digging into skin, which means clothing worn on top is less likely to cling and contour to it (depending on the texture and weight of the clothing, that is).
In most cases, the surest way to avoid VPL is to wear a thong, which has no seams below the butt cheeks, preventing any lines. However, bikini and hipster cuts of “no-show” undergarments can be a great no-VPL alternative, provided you find ones that fit you well. However, one downside we encountered during testing is that "no-show" designs tend to shift around and bunch more than other types of women's underwear because they don't feature a traditional, slightly stiff edge to keep it in place.
Our favorite place to buy the best underwear for women is easily Aerie because of their silky-soft fabrics and great fit. From their Seamless and Cotton to Real Me lines, we were impressed with every style and design. If you’re looking for the best thongs, then check out Natori Bliss Perfection one size thong for its silky seams, stretchiness, and light-like-a-feather feel. For another great pair of women's underwear that’s seamless, we love the Commando Butter for its soft brushed cotton, and that it’s nearly invisible underneath clothing.
Have you ever looked down while putting on your underwear and noticed a little pocket on the inside? Unlike other pockets in clothing, the pockets in women's underwear are there for protection and ventilation. The little pocket stops discharge from going through your underwear and staining your clothes. It’s also usually moisture-wicking, which helps your body breathe and feel comfortable throughout the day.
Whether you are a hiker or someone who likes to train at the gym, wanting a pair of women's underwear that’s comfortable during movement is understandable. When you’re already sweating or struggling during a workout (we’ve all been there), the last thing you want to experience is discomfort, such as itching and chafing, in your undies. The best sports underwear for women should have moisture-wicking properties since they prevent overheating, irritation, and bacterial growth.
Another feature to look for in women's underwear for your active lifestyle is how soft and stretchy it is. Stretchiness allows you to move freely in all directions while the soft material keeps you feeling comfortable. You’ll often see sports women's underwear made of materials like merino wool, polyester, or nylon.
Jamie Ueda
Apparel Staff Writer
Jamie writes about clothing, shoes, and accessories for Reviewed. She loves apparel and doesn't like to sacrifice fashion, comfort, or quality in whatever she wears.
Lily Hartman
Staff Writer, Search
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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