The Best Underwear for Women of 2026

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.

Other Women's Underwear We Tested

More Women's Underwear

• 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.

How We Tested Underwear For Women

The Tester

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.

The Tests

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.

What You Should Know About Buying the Best Underwear For Women

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.

Women's Underwear Styles and Cuts

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).

Fabric and Materials Used For Women's Underwear

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.

Women's Underwear Under Clothing: How to Avoid VPL

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.

Where to Buy the Best Underwear for Women

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.

What is the Pocket in Women's Underwear For?

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.

What Are the Best Underwear for Women for Sports?

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.

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