How we test bras

Bras are classified as "intimates" for a reason. When it comes to clothing, there are few clothing categories as personal. Maybe that's why it feels like such a personal affront when it's so difficult to find one that fits right.

Even still, struggling in the lingerie department is a somewhat universal experience. Bra sizing is notoriously inconsistent from brand to brand, and there's that old adage that a huge share of bra-wearers are likely wearing the wrong size. It can all combine for the perfect storm that makes the bra-shopping experience even more frustrating: A bra that looks perfectly supportive in a photo can turn uncomfortable within an hour of actually wearing it.

You can't judge a bra by specs alone. The only way to know if it fits, supports and holds up the way it claims to is to put it on real bodies and wear it through a real day. So that's exactly what we do. Here's a peek inside Yahoo's research and testing process for finding the best everyday bras , sports bras, strapless styles, nursing and maternity bras , push-up bras , minimizer bras and more.

Our testers

Our panel of testers is made up of real people across a wide range of band and cup sizes so our recommendations hold up for more than one body type. With sizing from 30B to 40DDD/G, we have folks with petite sizing, plus sizing, small band/large cup combinations and large band/small cup combinations, since we know fit issues often emerge at either end of the size spectrum.

Our testing process

Testers wear each bra through hours of actual daily activity — or, for sports bras, actual exercise — before rating it on fit, comfort, support, durability and overall satisfaction in a 30-question feedback survey. In our most recent round of testing, we collected nearly 1,200 responses on 55 bras from 15 testers.

Research

Our team begins with extensive market research underpinned (sorry) by collective decades of experience testing clothing and working in fashion. Our style pros develop an initial list of top styles from lingerie brands we know and trust, based on knowledge gleaned from attending industry trade shows, product launch previews and brand presentations over the years.

Then, we further dig in to find burgeoning brands, lesser-known styles and cutting-edge technologies. We consider consumer sentiment via reviews, search trends and common customer complaints on popular retailer shopping forums to understand what real bra-wearers are looking for — and, just as important, what's frustrating them most. We poll our testing panel on the same.

From there, we interview field experts, including lingerie specialists who advise on fit and support and designers who provide insight on winning construction details and the features that are best for certain breast sizes and shapes.

After all of that, we narrow down the pool and nix any picks with unreasonable pricing, limited sizing or unreliable availability, including finicky return policies and/or fulfillment issues. Only after all of that do we get our hands on each finalist to test and compare them in real life.

Fit

Each bra is rated on its fit on every aspect, from band to cups to straps. Testers start by rating each bra's overall fit and sizing accuracy. They report on how the bra fits on its own as well as how it looks under clothing; a good bra should look smooth and essentially disappear beneath even a tight t-shirt without telltale signs of squeezing around the cups or band. The fabric should feel high-quality without snagging or pulling on clothing.

Then, they weigh in on whether the cups fit properly. They should fit well and fully contain the bust without gaping or spilling over. The band is just as important; it should sit level and stay put throughout wear without digging in or riding up, and the gore between the cups should lie flat against the ribcage. Testers score each aspect accordingly.

Finally, the straps should fit comfortably without digging in or slipping, even through extended wear. Testers rate whether they stay put or if they're constantly having to adjust them. Ease of use and adjustability are also important (just ask one tester who tore her rotator cuff getting into a sports bra — really). That's why we ask testers to score how easy each bra is to put on and take off and adjust, if applicable.

Comfort

Testers wear each bra during their normal daily activity for a minimum of four hours each time. They rate the bra's overall comfort, as well as the nitty-gritty details that determine whether they can't wait to take it off or happily wear it all day.

They give feedback on the comfort of the straps, which should sit comfortably on the shoulders without digging in or slipping off; the band, which should feel secure without being restrictive or sliding up; and the cups, which should fully contain the breasts without shifting. If there's underwire, testers tell us whether it fits comfortably or if it pinches, prods or sits uncomfortably on the ribcage. We take note of features such as convertible straps or removable padding that add versatility and wear options across a range of clothing.

Support

A bra's main job is to support you, but what "great support" means can vary wildly from person to person. Some people prefer a slight lift in wireless styles, while others prefer the oomph of a push-up bra for everyday wear.

There's a place for all of them in our roundups (and drawers), so each tester rates support according to their unique preferences. They report whether the shape looks flattering, whether the lift matches their desired level and whether they feel adequately separated with enough coverage to suit their needs (again, highly personal: some folks prefer unlined fabric cups while others want full-coverage padding). We then compare these scores to the style of bra so that we can tailor our recommendations accordingly.

Durability

You shouldn't have to replace your bras prematurely due to poor quality; they should stand up to regular use and laundering without warping, buckling or stretching out. After repeated real-world wear and wash sessions, testers rate each bra's material durability and quality, including shape retention after washing, wearing and activity. And yes, we've seen plenty of underwires poke through and straps snap in our evaluations.

Ultimately, testers tell us whether they'd keep wearing the bra, buy it again or recommend it to a friend — the ultimate tell on whether a bra is worth its price. But that's not where our tests end. After initial testing, top-performing bras are sent home with long-term testers because bras perform differently over time. This helps us learn if a certain brand or style is prone to elasticity loss, fading, pilling, underwire shifting or breakage, and whether fit holds up after repeated washing. Our scores and recommendations are adjusted if long-term issues emerge.

Our top bras

• The best bras

• The best wireless bras

• The best push-up bras

• The best support bras

• The best strapless bras

• The best bras for large breasts

• The best minimizer bras

• The best sports bras

• The best maternity bras

• The best plus-size bras