The 12 best bras for comfort, support and shape

We're firm believers that every good outfit starts with a great bra. Even the most perfectly curated capsule wardrobe wouldn't be effective without a well-stocked bra drawer to go with it!

Finding the best bra for you means your clothes will sit correctly, and your silhouette will be beautifully defined, but the bra you'll need depends on the day and the occasion.

We started our testing process with four key categories: most comfortable bras, bras for large busts, minimiser bras and bras for back fat. Of course, strapless bras can be incredibly useful too, but we wanted to focus our initial testing on the everyday styles women most regularly reach for.

With our guide on how to measure bra size in mind, we tested dozens of styles to deliver the best bras in every category. We looked at the quality of the material, design, support, and arguably the most important factor - comfort. These are our favourite three styles for everyday wear.

Our top three picks

Most comfortable bras

When it comes to the best bras for comfort, non-wired styles are more often than not going to trump their wired counterparts. Because they don't include any hard materials underneath the cup, there's an added softness to them for comfort. With that in mind, they are usually best suited to women with smaller breasts, who don't need as much support. But that doesn't mean women with bigger boobs should avoid them.

"Non-wired means the bra has no wires around the cup, but the bra could still have side bones in the side seams for support," Georgina Bibby, a lingerie expert for Next, explains. "They are usually worn for comfort purposes, but a quality non-wired bra can still provide good support if fitted properly.

"Non-wired styles can come in all shapes – full cups, plunge, balcony, sports, etc. After and during the pandemic, sales of non-wired bras increased due to the consumer wanting to be more comfortable every day. Non-wired bras can be worn by all ages, from teens in training bras to the more senior wearer."

Best bras for large busts

"The best bra is an investment. Like anything you want to last for a long time, you need to invest and go for a brand that has a wide size range, from back bands and cup sizes, to ensure the perfect fit", says Curvy Kate's PR and Content Manager and resident bra whisperer, Katie Weir.

She recommends: "If you have big boobs, the comfort and design of a bra is integral to a great fit and shape. Look for wide straps as these will feel super comfy across your shoulders, a wide, firm back band to hug and hold your body from the underarm right around to your back, as 80% of support comes from the band".

In our guide to the best bras for large busts, our expert tested lots of styles on the market and recommended seven key designs. To save you some time, we've listed the top three below.

Best minimiser bras

The best minimiser bras create a smaller and less prominent appearance, without actually reducing the size of your bust. This can result in a smoother silhouette under clothing.

In our comprehensive guide, we've found six of the best styles on the market, including a sports bra and a non-wired style. Here are three of our favourites.

Best bras for back fat

If unwanted bumps are something you're worried about (we've all got them!), I’d recommend the best bras for back fat, which will create a much smoother look under clothing.

It was tough to narrow it down in this category - our lowest rating was an impressive four stars - but here are our tester's top three picks.

How we tested the best bras

We tasked two testers to try dozens of bras in order to narrow down the vast selection on the market to just the very best six in each category. Both testers are different cup sizes, ages and body shapes, and are looking for different things from the best bras.

Fit, support and comfort were all weighed up, and a final rating out of five stars was given. They wore them for a reasonable amount of time and washed each style, promising to report back with any problems.

We also took into account the design details and how the bra looks - because who says supportive bras have to be boring?

Learn more about how we test bras at woman&home in this detailed guide.

Bra shopping tips

• Book an online fit consultation: no, it's not the same as an in-person fitting, but virtual bra fittings can go a long way in helping you find the best fit, and subsequently the best bra for you.
• Put your new bra through its paces: "When you finally get your bra, make sure you try adjusting the straps and jiggling your boobs," says Carlotta Ghigi, Nudea’s in-house bra technologist and expert fitter. "As you’re putting the bra on, lean forward and ‘jiggle’ your boobs into the cups to get the best fit. This can be a real game-changer for some who’ve been wearing ill-fitting bras for years," she advises.
• Ensure hassle-free returns: "It's an oft-quoted statistic that 80% of British women are wearing the wrong bra size, but self-measurement is just one step in finding your fit," says Ghigi. "So it makes sense to ensure that returning items is as easy as possible."

FAQs

How do I know if a bra fits properly?

So you've found the best bra, but you're still unsure about how a bra should fit. We totally get it - finding a bra that fits like a glove takes time and a lot of trying on, but according to Priya Downes, CEO and co-founder of fit-first lingerie brand Nudea, there are a number of tell-tale signs that will indicate whether or not your bra fits as it should.

• Your bust is bulging out of cups and is showing through your top - giving the double boob effect.
• The centre front of the bra is not sitting against your sternum and is lifting away
• The cups are now empty and wrinkling.
• The underband is riding up at the back, and you have to tighten the straps
• A previously comfortable bra is now uncomfortable.

But it's also important to remember that the size of your boobs is likely to fluctuate throughout the month. While knowing how to measure bra size is extremely important, it's also important to take into consideration when you should measure your bra size.

"We wear bras every day of the month, so it's good to always be well-fitted," says Priya. "At the time of lowest hormonal activity, about seven days into the cycle, the breast will be at its smallest size, as well as on the last day of the cycle. It would be ideal to measure at both times."

Though she adds, "Usually one or two bigger bras for your biggest days will do, but we should also make sure that your smaller size is suitable for every day."

It's important to measure your bra size or get measured regularly, usually every six months, regardless of whether or not your bras still fit. This is because wearing the right bra is very important both to bust health and how our clothes fit. Your bra will naturally stretch as you wear it, so regularly keeping check of your size will always ensure you're getting the best lift possible.

What is the best bra to wear every day?

There is no definitive 'best bra' to wear every day, as the choice is subjective and depends on your shape and size, how much support you're looking for and what kind of comfort level you want. But these are some of the more common everyday bras for most people:

• T-shirt: Probably the most common choice for everyday wear, thanks to its moulded cups and smooth fabrics that look seamless under clothes.
• Full cup: Maximum coverage means secure support that reduces bulges and jiggling.
• Non-wired: Always a top pick for those looking for comfort.
• Balcony: One of the most flattering styles, as they support the breasts from underneath and lifts them upwards.
• Bralettes: Easy to throw on without awkward fastenings and generally don't use any wiring or much padding, so these are a common pick for everyday wear.
• Sports: The best sports bras and best high-impact sports bras are for those who need extra secure support for busy days.

When should I replace my bra?

As with a pair of the best jeans, you probably have a few favourite bras in your underwear drawer that you turn to again and again. But if you're wondering how often you should change your bra, it's probably more regularly than you think.

"A bra that you wear every other day should be washed every four wears, and if hand-washed, this bra will last you one year. But as bodies change, it is recommended that you have a bra fitting every 6 months to check your size and ensure maximum comfort," says Katie.

But when your bra no longer feels supportive - whether that's because your bra has lost its stretch, its fabric is wearing thin from over-washing, or your size has changed- it's time to seek out a replacement. But proper care of a bra can prolong its life.

Here are a few tips for making your favourite bra go the distance:

• Machine wash your bra in a garment bag and on a delicate cycle to keep it from getting twisted among your other clothes
• Line your bras up in your underwear drawer as they do in shops. Folding your bra one cup inside the other can shift the padding and compromise its shape.
• Invest in a special detergent to keep your bra in mint condition for as long as possible.

Georgina Bibby

Georgina Bibby is Senior Lingerie & Swimwear Technologist at Next. A branded lingerie technical designer with over 20 years experience, Georgina thrives on helping women find perfect fitting lingerie, swimwear & shapewear.

Katie Weir

Katie is a renowned bra expert and lingerie stylist with over 16 years experience in the lingerie and swimwear industry. With a specialist focus on fuller bust fittings, she has worked alongside leading brands such as Curvy Kate, Freya and Panache, shaping the conversation around support, body confidence and inclusive sizing. Her expertise has been featured in top publications including Stylist, Grazia and The Telegraph, where she's recognised for her ability to combine technical fit knowledge with a warm, uplifting approach. Through her virtual bra fitting sessions she empowers women to rediscover comfort and confidence in their own skin.