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Jul 21, 2023

The best knee braces of 2023

There are 360 joints in the human body, with the knee being the largest. Perhaps it’s no surprise that it’s also the most common site of joint pain. In fact, research suggests that chronic knee pain

There are 360 joints in the human body, with the knee being the largest. Perhaps it’s no surprise that it’s also the most common site of joint pain. In fact, research suggests that chronic knee pain affects 25% of adults, and when it comes to arthritis, that number is even higher. It’s estimated that up to 80% of those with osteoarthritis have it in their knees, but it’s not just people with arthritis who have to worry. Athletes are also prone to knee sprains and tears, with knee injuries accounting for over half of all sports-related injuries.

Knee pain, whether due to aging, injury, or repeated wear and tear, can significantly impact your quality of life. Everyday movements, such as walking upstairs, getting in and out of a car, and standing up from a low chair can become extremely difficult. If this sounds familiar, wearing a knee brace for additional knee support can be crucial in stabilizing your knee joint to prevent further damage. In fact, bracing with extra support has been shown to offer pain relief and reduce swelling, and stiffness in the healing process.

With that in mind, our team researched over 20 different supportive braces to determine the best one for your specific need. The different types of knee braces were considered based on various factors, including cost, comfort, durability, and effectiveness. Read on to find the best knee brace to keep you mobile, stable and supported.

The type of knee brace you choose will depend on your needs. According to physical therapist Don Levine, some conditions may only need a simple compression sleeve while others could require something with far more stability. Before choosing a knee brace, there are several factors to keep in mind:

First, and most importantly, determine what you need a brace for. Is it for a specific injury, like an ACL or meniscus tear or for an ongoing condition like arthritis, or as a preventative measure to protect your knee during sports like Pickleball or while exercising? A brace for injury recovery or following knee surgery will have special requirements vs. the one you use to aid in physical activity.

The type of knee brace you choose will depend on your injury and need. Do you need something you can comfortably wear all day, while sleeping, or just during specific activities? Several types of knee brace are available, all of which are designed for a specific purpose.

Compression sleeves are worn more like socks – you’ll pull them on the same way, but they’ll fit over your knee to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Wraparound braces are wrapped around the knee and secured with straps to provide moderate support and kneecap stability – often used for injury and during recovery.

Hinged braces hold the knee in the proper alignment and limit movement, offering more stability.

Unloader braces are a type of hinged brace that’s more rigid and immobilizing.

With compression sleeves, wraparound, and hinged braces, there are two styles to choose from: open and closed patella. Braces with an open patella design provide more kneecap support and help relieve pressure on the knee, while a closed patella offers extra compression. In terms of material, knee braces may be made from neoprene, nylon, spandex, or bamboo. Neoprene is more durable and heat-retentive, nylon and spandex are moisture-wicking, and bamboo is lighter and more breathable. The style and material of brace you choose will largely depend on your personal preference.

Fit is one of the most important things to consider. “Choosing a brace can be a little like a Goldilocks dilemma,” Levine tells me. If a brace is too small, it won’t be comfortable and can end up causing more damage. If a brace is too big, it won’t provide enough support. Levine advises finding a brace that’s “compressive but comfortable and stays where needed.”

A high-quality knee brace is only helpful if you actually wear it, so it’s best to choose one that’s comfortable enough for extended periods of time. Similarly, you’ll want a brace that’s easy to put on and take off. Consider the style, materials, and type of brace, and choose one with the right level of comfort and support. Additional things to look for include whether or not there are easy-to-use adjustable straps, a non-slip strip, and extra padding.

Best for: Meniscus Tear, ACL/PCL Injury, Sprain, Pain Relief

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Fits right or left knee

Moisture wicking material

Four-way stretch for maximum comfort

Cons:

Runs small

The Shock Doctor 872 Knee Brace is a lightweight, comfortable brace that simultaneously offers high support. It has dual hinges to provide support and protection while still allowing movement. Made from neoprene, it’s moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, so you can feel confident working out without worrying about odor. On top of that, it has grip tabs to make it easier to get on and off.

While this brace is best for sprains, meniscus tears and injury prevention, it offers enough compression and support so that those with arthritis will benefit as well. For those who need maximum support though, Shock Doctor makes another knee brace with more compression that’s worth considering.

Best for: Arthritis, Meniscus Tear, Sports Injury

Pros:

Multiple color and size options

Breathable and absorbs sweat

Can be worn on the right or left knee

Cons:

Can be uncomfortable behind the knee

If you’re looking for a supportive knee brace for under $20, the Doufurt one is top-notch. It features adjustable straps that wrap around the back and cross under the knee for a snug, supportive fit. There are also side stabilizers and a patella gel pad for extra joint support and injury prevention. Some reviewers noted that it can become uncomfortable or itchy after long stretches of time, but for those looking for a supportive, easy-to-use brace to recover from an injury or prevent further damage during exercise, this one is a great choice.

Best for: Meniscus tear, ACL, Arthritis, and Post-surgery

Pros:

Machine washable

Can be worn under jeans

Breathable and moisture-wicking

Cons:

Low level of support

While athletes or those recovering from a knee injury might need a brace with a high degree of rigidity, that can be too restrictive for seniors enduring regular bouts of daily knee pain. That’s why Modvel knee braces are often a better choice.

Unlike the previous picks, the Modvel knee braces are sold as a pair rather than a single brace, which is perfect for people with arthritis, gout, or who are just dealing with age-related joint pain. Compression sleeves work by improving blood flow, which can help increase circulation, reduce swelling, and minimize pain. However, since there aren’t any rigid side stabilizers, it doesn’t provide much support.

Best for: Arthritis, Meniscus tear, ACL, PCL, MCL, Joint pain

Pros:

Large variety of colors and sizes

Non-slip gel straps

Breathable, air-knit fabric

Cons:

Hand wash only

These knee braces from NEENCA offer the best of both worlds. It’s a compression knee sleeve, so it can help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling, but it also has spring stabilizers on both sides, providing more support than most compression sleeves. It also has contoured patella gel pads to help keep the kneecap in place during movement. Because of that, it’s great for folks with arthritis, but it’s equally useful for exercise. The air-knit fabric is breathable, lightweight, and quick-drying and can be comfortably worn throughout the day.

It's worth noting that there is a large price range between the regular brace (around $25) and the upgraded version (closer to $50). The version you choose will depend on your specific need, but the biggest difference is that the upgraded brace offers more ventilation, so it may be better for those who plan on using it for working out or playing sports.

Best for: Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Cartilage defect, Avascular Necrosis, Bone on Bone, and Degeneration

Pros:

FSA and HSA eligible

Adjustable range of motion

Non-slip lining

Cons:

Expensive

Can be complicated to put on

Because knee osteoarthritis is commonly unicompartmental (meaning only one part of the joint is affected), unloader braces are a good choice. According to orthopedic physical therapist Dr. Dave Candy, knee unloader braces work by shifting – i.e., “unloading” – pressure off the affected side, thus minimizing pain and maximizing mobility.

Even though it’s slightly pricier than other unloader options, the Orthomen Unloader Knee Brace is my favorite because it is lightweight and low-profile. It’s completely adjustable and features flexion and extension stops as well as a valgus/varus correction so you can tailor it to your knee perfectly. And it has quick snaps, which makes it one of the easier unloader braces to put on.

Best for: Meniscus Tears, ACL and MCL Injury

Pros:

Open patella offers more breathability

Bilateral hinges for stability and movement

Adjustable straps

Cons:

Runs small

McDavid’s 429X knee brace offers maximum support thanks to its bilateral hinges and crossing straps. It also has an open patella design with a padded buttress, providing extra support to the meniscus while still being breathable. There are multiple different straps, all of which give this brace even more benefit. The elastic cross straps add an element of compression, while the top and bottom straps make it fully adjustable.

Best for: Meniscus Tear, Arthritis, Hyperextension, Tendonitis, Injuries

Pros:

Sizes from XL to 9XL

Open patella and cutout behind the knee

Removable dual-axis hinges

Cons:

Runs small

Finding the right knee brace can be a pain for plus-sized individuals. That’s because most commercial braces run from small to XXL. But the bariatric knee wrap from BraceAbility goes all the way up to 9XL. The front closure makes it quick and easy to put on and it can be worn on both the right and left knee. Featuring heavy-duty dual-axis hinges, it provides a ton of support, too. But what I love best is that the hinges are removable so that they can be used for either more or less stability. It also features an open patella and a behind-the-knee cutout, making it breathable and flexible for all-day use.

It's worth noting that the sizing can run small according to the company, so make sure to take your measurements to ensure the proper fit.

Best for: Meniscus Tear, Arthritis, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Post-Surgery Recovery, Exercise

Pros:

Patella gel pad for added support

Non-slip silicone strips

Breathable, four-way stretch fabric

Cons:

Sold as a single sleeve

Compression sleeves are typically the least restrictive type of knee support, making them far more comfortable for all-day wear. But this particular sleeve from TechWare Pro has the added benefit of being highly supportive, too. It’s a compression sleeve made with breathable, soft-knit fabric, so it’s comfortable enough for everyday use. On top of that, it has spring stabilizers on both sides and a patella gel pad, so it offers more support than most other knee sleeves. However, most other sleeves are sold as a pair while this one is sold individually, so if you have pain in both knees, you’ll need to buy two.

Best for: Exercise, Injury recovery, Arthritis

Pros:

Stays in place

Easy to put on

Affordable price

Cons:

Not comfortable for all-day use

Staying active is essential to a healthy lifestyle, especially as we age. Exercise can also help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis. Ironically, these same symptoms typically prevent people with arthritic knees from hitting the gym.

That’s where the Crucial Compression Knee Sleeve can help. They’re supportive and durable while still allowing you free range of motion. Plus, the non-slip grips ensure they are firmly in place during your entire workout. They are a little bit thicker than some other compression sleeves, so they’re probably not comfortable enough for all-day wear. That said, compression sleeves are best worn during sports or exercise, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Best for: Arthritis, Post-Surgery

Pros:

Soft, breathable fabric

Lightweight for all-day comfort

Easy to put on

Cons:

Runs small

If you’re looking for nighttime support, knee sleeves are the most comfortable option. The ProFitness Bamboo knee sleeves are a great option because they provide compression and warmth and are soft, lightweight and breathable. It’s worth noting that they do run a bit small, which is especially important if you plan to wear them overnight. Compression sleeves should never be too tight that they cut off your circulation, so if in doubt, size up.

According to osteopath Dr. Liza Egbogah and sports chiropractor Dr. Matt Tanneberg, knee braces are safe to wear all day as long as they fit and are worn appropriately. However, discussing your specific injury with a doctor is always best. Some conditions may require more or less frequent usage.

Yes, you can safely sleep in a knee brace, but it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor first. When wearing a brace overnight, fit is especially important. If a brace is too tight, it may inhibit circulation.

Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation and pain. It refers to over 100 different musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when the cartilage in your joints begins to break down. It’s a degenerative disease, meaning it gets worse over time. The exact cause is unknown, but several risk factors include age, joint injury, overuse, and obesity.

Yes, knee braces are not gender specific. They are, however, size specific, so while men and women can both wear a particular brand’s knee brace, they might not be able to share the brace unless they’re the same size.

To help you choose the best knee brace for you, our team looked at over 20 different braces on the market. We evaluated each option based on price, comfort, support, and wearability. Specific factors we took into consideration included material, sizing options, and user reviews. We also consulted with four orthopedic experts, including doctors and physical therapists.