The best sports bras of 2024, tested by editors

It’s no secret that supportive and comfortable athletic wear is crucial to achieving a great workout, whether you’re headed to hot yoga, taking a spin on the Peloton or training for a marathon.

It’s stressful enough worrying about squeezing in time for your fitness routine, let alone finding the perfect sports bra for your workout, price point or body type.

To help you find the best option, we had a team of reviewers ranging in size from 32A to 34G test over 20 sports bras. Our panel put them through months of workouts — both leisurely (errands) and high-octane (running) — and in the end we found six options we recommend as the absolute best.

Best sports bra: Fabletics (Yitty) No-Bounce High-Impact Sports Bra

Our testers loved this comfortable and cooling sports bra from Yitty (Fabletics). For those who don’t know, Yitty is a shapewear line co-created by musician Lizzo in partnership with Fabletics. The brand aims to design apparel for all body types and sizes, ranging from XXS to 6X.

Almost everyone agreed this sports bra was the most wearable, supportive and comfortable of the bunch. Many even described this as the go-to sports bra they reach for before working out. One tester, who partakes in dance classes, wrote she felt “completely held in with no bounce.” Another bench-pressing tester found it better for yoga or walking but was impressed at how “nothing moved around.”

Most testers appreciated the higher neck and wider bottom band for more coverage. Many agreed this sports bra could be worn on its own. One tester wrote: “I really liked the cut of this one. The neckline was nice and high which helps me feel more held in.” Another tester agreed and added: “I liked the crop style, which makes it suitable to wear on its own without a shirt over it. That’s ideal in the hot summer months.” One more tester agreed, adding: “This is definitely the best ‘bra you can also wear as a shirt’ pick.” Even though the fabric felt stretchy, many testers found it ultra-supportive, thick and sturdy — even during cardio workouts.

One of the best qualities of this sports bra, however, was the ultra-cooling and moisture-wicking four-way stretch fabric. Crafted using 81% Nylon and 19% Spandex, this sports bra felt especially cool to wear while sweating bullets in a workout or on a casual walk. Better yet, this fabric is UPF-protecting, which means it protects your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The only downside to this bra was the price, especially for non-Fabletics members. Most testers felt they wouldn’t subscribe to an athletic-wear membership and the price without one felt pricey. Regardless of the $70 price tag, this high-quality bra was supportive, cooling and, dare we say, cute on its own — and could be worth the investment.

Best sports bra runner-up: Under Armour Infinity 2.0 Mid Sports Bra

Under Armour is a well-known and trusted athletic wear brand, which is why we decided to test its Infinity 2.0 Mid Sports Bra. We all found this bra to have great support and that’s coming from our testers ranging in cup sizes from 34A up to 36F. It almost won our best pick but many testers found the fabric stiffer than our favorite Fabletics (Yitty) bra.

This bra is tailored for medium-support activities like cycling, weight training and boxing thanks to the injection-molded pads. Some of our testers were initially worried about this bra feeling too stiff but found it to be “surprisingly comfortable” in the long run. One tester wrote: “It actually molded to my body well and didn’t feel at all restrictive.”

This Under Armour bra also features mesh side panels, convertible straps and hollow foam padding to provide added breathability and comfort. One fun bonus feature of this bra was the odor control technology that does indeed minimize odor.

Although this smart design made the bra more breathable, the straps were a hit-or-miss breaking point for some testers. One tester wrote: “I liked the actual straps because they were thick. They didn’t bounce and were easily adjustable.” She added: “This made the entire bra more comfortable no matter what level of activity I was doing.” However, another tester wrote: “This one felt the most industrial to me. It feels stiff with thick banding and material.” Another tester found this to be her favorite because of the sturdy straps and added, “This was my favorite of the bras with hooks because I felt like it was easier to clasp than the others due to the thicker material on the hook fixture.”

Best front-zipper sports bra: Nike Dri-Fit Swoosh Zip-Front Sports Bra

The Nike Dri-Fit Swoosh Zip-Front Sports Bra checks all the boxes in terms of fit, support, comfort and ingenious design. The Swoosh’s sweat-wicking Dri-Fit fabric, made from recycled polyester fibers, kept us cool and dry workout after workout. Even during our hardest sessions, the mesh backing kept us feeling cool and the stretch band never retained moisture — a big selling point for anyone who prefers to head straight from working out to running errands. This bra won’t get stinky or gross, and trust us, it’s so comfortable that you’ll want to keep it on straight till bedtime.

This Nike sports bra fit all of our testers snugly, supporting larger chest sizes just as easily as smaller ones, with straps that evenly distribute weight without pinching or digging. The bra’s stretchy fabric and band provide a compressive feel — but not constrictive — ensuring that your breasts evenly fill up the bra without any air pockets or empty gaps. In terms of sizing, it comes in XS to 2XL, and we found the measurements to be accurate. One of our reviewers is a 36DD, ordered a large and found it to be her exact size.

The zipper closure turned out to be the best thing about this bra. Not only is it super sturdy, but it keeps everything in place. Don’t worry about it coming undone, there’s also a hidden buckle inside the bra providing backup protection. The zipper is a savior post-workout too, making it simple to shed your bra. This means you won’t have to worry about wrangling sweaty fabric over your face and head like traditional bras.

We found the Dri-Fit Swoosh washed beautifully, with the removable insert pads even staying in place after multiple washes and dries. In terms of style, the bra’s simple design is totally worth showing off — the zipper and mesh design details keep it from being boring — and it matches most Nike swoosh-bedecked leggings. And if you don’t want to show off your sports bra, the zipper lays flat and won’t leave any bumps under your tank or tee.

Best sports bra for runners: Lululemon Run Times Bra High Support

Lululemon’s Run Times is a running-specific encapsulation-style bra that offers complete support for cups B through G during even the most fast-paced road or track workouts. The thick, padded straps are adjustable and crossable for even more support. The result is a full-coverage bra that keeps your bust in place but is also so comfortable it can be worn all day. One of our reviewers felt the straps helped to improve her posture during the workday, and that it fit so well she forgot she was wearing a bra.

In addition to adjustable straps, the Run Times has a soft, stretchy hook-and-eye closure band that allows for even more customization. Sized like a traditional bra — most of the five colorways are available in 32B to 42G — the Run Times’ fit is incredibly accurate, with the straps and cups seemingly molding to the body, lifting and supporting the chest without smashing or constricting. Our reviewers attested their bras felt like they were made specifically for them, with zero gaps or awkward space in the cups.

The perforated panels on the front and back keep air flowing throughout, which was a game changer for our running reviewers. And despite the bra’s nylon/Lycra fabric being somewhat thick, we found it successfully wicked sweat during runs and high-intensity workouts.

This bra is our top pick for running because it offers incredible support for chests of all sizes, especially during high-intensity runs. At the same time, the quick-drying material kept testers dry and cool.

Best low-impact sports bra: Lululemon Flow Y Nulu Bra Light Support

If the Lululemon Flow Y Nulu Bra Light Support taught us anything during our review process, it was not to judge a book by its cover — or, rather, not to judge a bra by how it looks on the hanger. Made from the brand’s lightweight, buttery soft, four-way stretch “Nulu” fabric (80% nylon, 20% Lycra), the compression-style bra looks flimsy at first. But it offers plenty of support to keep your bust in place for a medium-intensity workout. Our reviewers who are a 34C and a 36C tested it through various exercises — from Pilates reformer and Core Power Yoga classes to treadmill runs and strength training — and found the bra moved with their bodies and stayed ultra-supportive with zero bouncing.

That said, design-wise, the wire-free bra does offer less coverage than most. Featuring skinny racerback straps, the Flow Y managed to compress everything (removable pads help with this) without any pinching or digging at the shoulders or band area. While you can rest assured that you’ll never spill out over the top of this bra, know that cleavage will be on display if you’re wearing it solo. Our reviewers also felt that the bra’s continuous support and compression were a bit much after a few hours, so this isn’t our first choice for all-day wear. We found that the band started to feel tight as the day went on, prompting us to take it off.

In terms of wicking, the fabric’s claims hold. We tested it out during a hot yoga class and the bra dried quickly, although we were sweating profusely. Beyond that, the fabric never chafed our skin, and it washed beautifully, with zero pilling after more than a dozen cycles. The bra caters to small cup sizes (A to C) and is available in sizes 2 to 14 (ranging from 28A to 44C), so larger sizes are out of luck. We recommend sizing up if you’re on the cusp of two sizes since the bra has a tight fit. Available in over a dozen colors and patterns, you can coordinate with a slew of Lululemon leggings and shorts, because who doesn’t love to match?

What stands out the most is this bra’s minimalist design. There are no bells and whistles here, just a great-feeling fabric and simple, flattering silhouette that delivers support for low- and medium-impact workouts.

Best sports bra for lounging: Girlfriend Paloma Racerback Bra

Let’s face it: Not every day is a workout day. But why not ensconce your body in something supportive yet incredibly comfortable anyway, such as the Girlfriend Paloma Racerback Bra? Yes, you can throw this bra on for low-impact workouts, but our reviewers unanimously agreed that they preferred it for all-day wear, and tested it while partaking in activities ranging from lounging and running errands to Zooming from home and traveling across the country.

The Paloma is a full-coverage, wireless bra with a longer design than most we tested, with a built-in support band landing mid-torso. It also has a flattering scoop neck and thick racerback straps that evenly distribute the weight of the chest without any digging or pinching.

One Underscored editor likened this bra’s snug, supportive fit to a “nice hug on my chest.” The super soft material (made from recycled plastic bottles and spandex) clings to the body, supporting everything in a way that is compressive and gentle all at once, with zero riding up — even after a full 10 hours of wear.

The Paloma may not work for everyone, however. The bra is available in sizes XS through 6XL, and while our reviewers with smaller chests (34B and 34C) found the bra’s size and fit to be perfect, our reviewer with a bigger cup size (32H) struggled with the fit — the medium smashed her breasts, but sizing up would have resulted in the band being too large.

How we tested

Many factors go into creating a quality sports bra. To assess them, and to find out how the bras worked over a wide range of sizes, we had Underscored staffers review each bra over several weeks. Our testers put each bra through low, medium and high-intensity workouts, in addition to a rigorous “lounge” assessment. We relied on the following categories and subcategories to investigate the best sports bras:

Performance

Design

Sizing

Style

Cost

Other sports bras we tested

Most testers agreed this bra was worth the price tag, especially because of the breathable design and stylish cross-over back. We also liked the molded cups for extra support which ranked highly in our testing. One tester even wrote: “I felt like this one really sucked things in like a vacuum.”

This best-selling bra caught our eye for its high compression and snug fit. Many testers found this to be a stretchy and easy-to-wear sports bra. We also found it to be one of the most comfortable bras we tested. The main downside is that this bra only comes in a size XS to XL, which wasn’t inclusive of everyone on the testing panel.

We consider this the “sister” bra to the classic Knix Catalyst Sports Bra. It’s available in sizes 28A to 42F and features a front-zip function that most testers weren’t a fan of. Although we found it extremely supportive and size-inclusive, most testers couldn’t get over the “suffocating” compression in this bra.

This encapsulation bra has molded cups and we found that it had ample support for larger busts during rigorous workouts. Some of the downsides include the price and constrictive design. The bra is currently available for $75 which felt pricey for a sports bra. One smaller-busted reviewer felt the sizing was off and the support wasn’t up to snuff. Another tester wrote: “It almost gives too much support.”

We liked the racerback fit and stretchy recycled polyester fabric of this sports bra from ON but thought the best part was how seamlessly it fit. Even though this garment is designed for runners, there wasn’t any uncomfortable wiring or clamping that usually comes with running bras. Overall, it’s a great and comfortable bra for running and other sweat-inducing activities.

We loved the breathability of the mesh backing offered in this bra from Outdoor Voices, the compression-style support (that never felt constrictive) and the soft, sweat-wicking material. Available in sizes XXS to XXXL, the bra is currently available in nine colorful shades and patterns, each of which has coordinating leggings and bike shorts. The downsides included a lack of adjustable components and a stiff back band.

This sports bra from Sweaty Betty was quite supportive when tested during high-intensity runs. We loved the padded, adjustable shoulder straps that transform the bra into a racerback with a J-hook, the hook-and-eye closure. The compression/encapsulation combination was also impressive, with molded cups and outstanding support.

Better yet? The bra’s ventilated fabric actually works. We stayed dry during the sweatiest of workouts. The main downside was the design, which was more function-inspired rather than form-inspired. We wanted it to be more stylish, exactly what Sweaty Betty is known for.

This compression bra features spaghetti straps and a Y-back that we found dainty and flattering. We also liked the hidden elastic band on the inside of the bra and the sweat-wicking fabric that always stayed dry, in addition to the hefty support. That said, it offers less coverage than most — if you’re cleavage-averse, this is not the sports bra for you. And if you’ve got a bigger bust, it’s likely not going to offer enough support for a rigorous workout.

Super cute in design, this bra from Offline comes in sizes XXS to XXL. What makes it even better are the matching leggings this bra can be styled with. The biggest fault was that the bra’s band retained moisture, which meant it felt uncomfortably sweaty during our heavier workouts.

We love this budget-friendly sports bra, as well as the size inclusivity (34B to 40DD), how comfortable it is and that it provides a hefty dose of support for a medium-impact workout. But beware, we found the sizing to run small, so we’d recommend going up if you’re on the cusp.

We loved most products from the running brand, Brooks. Its running sneakers are among our favorites, so it’s no surprise that this running bra is up to snuff. Featuring adjustable straps and a hook-and-eye back closure, the encapsulation-style bra has molded cups in sizes 30B to 44F.

We like that this sports bra from Freya is super supportive and one of our reviewers even described it as being “absolutely comfortable enough for all-day wear.” That said, another reviewer found the bra’s band to be so tight that it left red marks around her rib cage — and said she would be happy to never wear the bra again. The good news is that sizing comes in 28D to 40G; the bad news is that the bra is not stylish enough to show off on its own.

This underwire option features two molded cups like a traditional bra, in addition to several adjustable options like straps that can convert to a racerback with a J-hook and a hook-and-eye closure. Unlike other options for bigger chests, this one is pretty fashion-forward, and it did a great job at wicking away sweat during intense workouts. The bra’s biggest shortcoming was tricky sizing due to the UK size chart, which we were ultimately able to cheat thanks to adjustable straps. For example, we tested a 32H when a 32FF would have been a better fit.

For the price, this is a good bra for low- to medium-impact workouts. The minimalistic design features a scoop neck, wide cross-back straps and a sweat-wicking material that gets the job done. We recommend sizing up but we wish the fabric were a bit softer. After several rounds in the washing machine, it remained rigid and led to a bit of chafing around the band.

Boasting four stars on the Athleta website, the Advance Bra is a bestseller for the brand for a few reasons. In addition to offering an adjustable band and straps, the compression bra has tons of ventilation, thanks to the open back and quick-drying fabric. For us, the biggest problem was the fit. The band was universally tight on all of our reviewers, and we didn’t love the fact that you had to both pull the bra over your head and fasten the band via hook-and-eye clasps to get it on.

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