The best women's underwear, according to testing

When it comes to underwear, the best pairs are the ones you don't notice. They fit so comfortably without irritation or movement that ideally, you forget you're wearing them. "Undies must shape to your body and stay put. No wedgies, no digging in, no rolling up or down and no chafing," says wardrobe stylist Allie McKenna . 

But let's face it: There are pairs of underwear that we actually reach for in our drawer, and the ones that are forlorn at the back. Our beloved pairs are the most comfortable, work under the most outfits and look good while doing it. 

To find the best underwear on the market, we consulted experts and tested six pairs for months to determine which fit just right and stand up to repeated wear and use under a range of clothes and conditions. Testers rated and and ranked the panties based on 27 factors each. After tallying up the results from 162 performance data points from comfort to durability to performance, we found the very best underwear you can buy.  

From seamless to lace-lined styles, we've tried a ton of panties, our picks come in standard and plus sizes, as well as various nudes for a range of skin tones. Find thongs, briefs, bikinis and more styles for any occasion ahead. 

The best underwear for women of 2026

How we tested the best women's underwear

To find the best underwear on the market, we started by evaluating a broad range of options on the market. We kept in mind size range, skin tone range, cuts, coverage and materials, including breathable cotton, smooth synthetics and stretchy blends that wick moisture. We also referred to vetted customer reviews and expert opinions to narrow down the field. 

During our testing, we scored each pair of underwear for comfort, aesthetics, fit (is it wedgie-, pinch-, chafe-, and shift-proof?) and more. We scored each one's performance, including if it's moisture-wicking and if it stays in place, as well as its softness, durability and versatility by washing and drying the underwear and trying it under different outfits over weeks, months and in some cases, years.

After weighing the scores from more than 160 questions answered about the underwear we tested, we settled on this final selection of picks that range style, price and functionality for every preference and body type.

What to consider when shopping for women's underwear

"Since it is the first layer you put on, and stays on you throughout the day, underwear should first and foremost make you feel good about yourself," says Arias.  

"[Underwear] must both be comfortable and make you feel attractive, ready to face the day," says McKenna. "There are several factors in delivering a combination of comfort and style: the shape of the panties for a perfect fit, materials that feel good on your skin and the method of construction." Here's what to keep in mind: 

Material

The fabric "should be soft and stretchy," says McKenna. "I personally prioritize breathable materials like cotton for daily wear, as well as seamless underwear to prevent visible panty lines." 

• Cottonis a classic for a reason, as a breathable, natural fiber choice that feels soft and washes well. Keep in mind, it may not be the most moisture-wicking for working out, and some cotton panties look more bulky under clothing .

• Nylonis a generally affordable synthetic fiber that feel smooth and can give a luxe sheen for a polished look. This material is often found in seamless styles. It can be lightweight, moisture-wicking and hide well under clothes.

• Polyamideis a super stretchy and comfortable synthetic fiber that adapts to your body while keeping its shape. It's lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking.

• Tencel/Modalis a rayon semi-synthetic fabric that has a luxe, silky drape. It's breathable and moisture-wicking, but can be a bit more expensive than cotton.

• Lycra/Spandex/Elastaneare all terms to refer to the fiber that adds some stretch to your panties for a comfortable fit. (Lycra and Spandex are brand names for elastane.) You'll often find a small percentage woven into the primary fabric, whether that's cotton, nylon, polyamide etc. 

• Laceis a sexy fabric that can hide well under clothes, but it's delicate and prone to tears. Still, lace-edged underwear can look more seamless under clothing than their seamed counterparts.

Style

"Shopping for underwear is extremely personal," McKenna says. "Depending on everyone's personal preference, there are a few tried and true considerations, including proper measurements to avoid digging or sagging, as well as to suit the outfit or clothing type one is wearing, like seamless or a thong for a tight outfit. We reviewed thongs, bikinis, briefs, hipsters and boyshorts.

• Thongsare "the most minimal underwear option, with zero rear coverage and thinner waistbands," says Senior Style Editor Jessica Teich . "They come in high- and low-rise options, skimpy string variations and even smoothing and seamless constructions." They're a great option to avoid panty lines, though some may find the style uncomfortable by design.

• Bikinisare "an everyday, low-waisted style with a higher-cut leg that sit below the hip and offer moderate rear coverage," says Teich. Of full-butt underwear options, they are the most minimal: They are low-waisted enough not to peek out of most pants but offer less rear coverage than other styles.

• Hipsterunderwear style "sits at the hips and offers more coverage than bikini styles, with lower leg openings and more fabric in the rear," says Teich. Hipsters have a low- to mid-rise waistband and offers moderate to high coverage. 

• Briefsare higher-coverage underwear that sits higher on the waist with fuller rear coverage. "These are the fullest coverage of full-butt underwear styles," says Teich. Many find the style comfortable and practical, though they may be too full-coverage for some preferences and outfits.

• "Boyshortsresemble a teeny-tiny pair of shorts, with a straight waistband and low leg openings that fit more like a pair of shorts than underwear," says Teich. "The rear coverage is cheeky and often cuts straight across rather than diagonally up, like bikini or hipster styles.

Coverage

Underwear can offer minimal, moderate or full coverage, and it's all about what outfit you need to accommodate and your comfort levels. 

• Minimal coveragemeans less coverage on your behind and sometimes a smaller gusset or high-leg fit. Examples of low-coverage underwear include G-strings and thongs. These are great under clingy clothes and for sexy occasions.

• Moderate coveragelands in the middle, offering some coverage but not a ton. Thin: cheeky or low-rise cuts in bikini, boyshort and hipster styles. This in-between style is great for comfortable daily wear under non-clingy clothes.

• Full coverageunderwear offers complete cover. "Briefs and high-waisted styles tend to offer the fullest coverage and are great beneath more substantial clothing, like high-waisted jeans and thick sweats," says Teich. Some people find this style to be most comfortable, while others find them bulky.

Rise

• Low-risepanties sit at the hips and are best worn under any low-rise pants. If you wear them beneath higher-rise or clingy clothing, though, you may find they visually cut you off at the hip or you may find they don't offer enough coverage.

• Mid-risestyles sit just below the waist and work great under most pants, dresses and skirts. 

• High-risepanties sit at the waist and are comfortable under high-waisted pants, as well as clingy styles, because they hit at your waist, which eliminates awkward indents. If you're wearing anything low-cut, though, high-rise underwear might show.

Color

Stick to colors that resemble your skin tone if you're wearing anything clingy or sheer. Or, go all out with fun colors and prints under opaque jeans or sweatpants.

Brand policy 

"Shopping for underwear on the internet is a challenge, but that's where you can find the best variety of underwear to meet your needs," says Arias. "When you do find a new brand online, it's important to check out their reviews, read their fit guide and last but definitely not least, make sure that the brand allows returns and exchanges."

Best women's underwear FAQs

What's the best underwear for my body shape?

Arias recommends "a high waist and full coverage" style for most women, especially if you want some smoothing. "Both traditional briefs and French cut (which have the added benefit of accentuating your legs) work best," she explains. "If you have fuller thighs, slip shorts will prevent your thighs from chafing and work perfectly under dresses or skirts." For "more tummy control or a smoother look in tighter clothing, there are options for underwear with shapewear built in from brands like Honeylove and SKIMS ," McKenna says.

How often should you replace your underwear ?

"Technically, you should replace your underwear once a year," McKenna says. Arias agrees: "As a rule of thumb, you should replace your underwear every six months to a year for hygiene and comfort purposes. Elasticity and shape can degrade over time, and no matter how carefully you wash them, successive washings will eventually make your undies look less attractive than new ones."

What's the best way to wash your underwear?

Regardless of material or style, our experts agree: a delicate cycle with cold water in a lingerie bag is best. Arias recommends washing undies in "a mesh bag on a delicate cycle. Keep the water cool, as heat can damage the stretch." 

Meet our experts

• Noa Arias , CEO and co-founder of Bloomers Intimates

• Allie McKenna , wardrobe stylist