10 best sleep bras for support and comfort through the night

Getting a great night's sleep is essential for maintaining good health and anything that can improve the quality of my sleep is worth investigating! Wearing a soft, comfortable bra to bed will give support thoughout the night and can alleviate the discomfort of breast pain. The best sleep bras are ideal for women who require additional support and like to feel contained while they sleep, without obstructing movement.

Can you sleep in a bra? It's a question you might be asking yourself if you are experiencing breast pain at night or simply want to feel lightly supported while you sleep. While the need for purchasing the best bras to support your bust in the daytime is obvious, you may not have considered the benefits of best bras to wear at night.

Just because we are laying horizontally, it doesn't mean we want to feel unsupported, or keep our breasts in the best position. In particular, if you have big boobs and usually wear best bras for large busts you may find a lightweight bra helpful to aid in a comfortable night's sleep. "Wearing a bra to bed is a personal choice" says Emma Woodrow, Lingerie Buyer for Pour Moi. "From a comfort and fit perspective, wearing a non-wired bra to bed can be beneficial to some people, particularly nursing mothers, individuals with larger breasts or people seeking extra comfort."

Feeling comfortable is key when deciding what bra to wear in bed and non-wired styles are preferable, along with natural fabrics and simple designs. Here's our round-up of tried and tested non-wired styles to consider when shopping for a sleep bra.

The best sleep bras as selected by our fashion team

1. Best sleep bra for large busts

This soft and comfortable non-wired bra is made from a jersey fabric that's supportive while being stretchy to allow for movement. Available in back sizes 30 - 40 and cup sizes DD - K, it's the best option for women looking for best bras for large busts. It fastens at the back with regular bra hooks, making it as easy to put on as your daytime bra with light padding over the clasp to prevent discomfort, which is essential if you like to sleep on your back. With a soft under band and inner mesh cups that are designed to give light support to the breasts, it has adjustable padded straps to get the perfect fit on the shoulders too.

2. Best sleep bra for all body types

Offering light support without wires, this crop top feels like a second skin and benefits from M&S Flexifit™ technology, with 360-degree stretch for the ultimate flexibility. Available in sizes 8-22 this style is incredibly stretchy making it ideal for all sizes and one of the most comfortable bras to wear. It has a gel underband that doesn't dig into the skin but ensures the bra stays in place throughout the night. This bra has removable padding which gives you the option to take it out for sleeping but wear with the padding as a daytime bra. Available in 7 shades including white, black and five different skin tones.

3. Most sustainable sleep bra

Nudea is a certified B corporation, making them one of the most planet-friendly lingerie brands. This bra is their most sustainable design, made from 85% lyocell Tencel™, a fibre created in a closed-loop process from bio-degradable wood pulp. The seamless construction offers light support and the multiway straps are adjustable. The removable pads make it an option for both night and day making this bra perfect for sleeping, lounging or yoga. Available in 3 colours including this rose pink hue which would look great teamed with printed pyjama trousers.

4. Best seam free sleep bra

Made from an incredibly lightweight fabric this bra lives up to it's invisible name. Emma Woodrow, Pour Moi's Lingerie Buyer says " A beautiful bralette shape, this super soft, supportive and smooth style will be virtually undetectable while you sleep. Our customers love that it works for all sizes; it’s comfortable and supportive. One of our customers says, “Wow it's so comfortable I don't like going without a bra so have to wear one in bed as well. I bought a sort of lounge-about bra from another company which wasn't very comfortable, but this one is fantastic and my boobs stay where they should. This bra offers gentle support, reduces discomfort and helps to maintain a more restful sleep."

5. Best organic sleep bra

Royce Lingerie is a British family-run business with over 30 years' experience designing and making wire free bras. Chantelle Garrood, a lingerie expert and trained bra fitter says "I believe that a sleep bra should be soft (so no wires) and should ideally be made of a natural and breathable fabric to help keep you cool. We're not looking for structural engineering here, it's more about comfort and a bit of security. Royce Lingerie design bras that are really soft and very comfortable." The Mia bra is designed without any fastenings for extra comfort and the cross-over style makes it suitable for night-time breast feeding. The high percentage of natural fibres will keep you cooler, ideal if you suffer from night sweats, making this a suitable bra for mature women.

6. Best front-fastening sleep bra

If you have limited mobility and experience shoulder or arm pain you may find a front-fastening bra beneficial and easier to get into. This bra is secured at the front with four hooks and eyes and also benefits from being made from 95% cotton making it a natural, breathable design, ideal to wear in bed. The wire free construction means you can machine wash on a delicate cycle. Offering medium support this bra can also be worn during the day and it's smooth, extra deep sides make it an option if you are looking for the best bras for back fat.

7. Best sleep bra for nursing

If you are looking for a feeding bra that is feminine and stylish but with the drop-down function needed for quick and easy access, this style ticks all the boxes. Emma says "Nursing mothers often look for bras that offer easy access for breastfeeding while providing the necessary support and comfort during the night. This bra is specifically designed for nursing mothers. It is non-wired, lightly supported to prevent discomfort, and has adjustable straps to accommodate changes in body position during sleep."

8. Best value for money sleep bra

This pack of two bras enables you to have one on and one in the wash! At less than £10 per bra this is a great deal if you are on a limited budget. Made from super soft and stretchy fabric (including the pretty lace trim) this bra is ideal if you are looking for minimal support at night. With lots of five star reviews one customer commented "Love these bras, I bought them for sleeping in. So comfortable! So soft! Will definitely be buying again."

9. Best sleep bra for smaller busts

Made from 87% sustainable carded-bamboo, a fibre that's highly breathable with great moisture-wicking properties, this bra is soft and comfortable to wear. The double layer construction provides very light support, making this bralette the perfect choice for women with smaller boobs, up to a D cup. Fashion Editor Julie Player says "I've recently discovered this new, female-founded brand and I'm seriously impressed with the design of their lingerie and sleepwear and the commitment they are showing to make everyday beautiful products that are ethically produced, long-lived, versatile and considered. They have plans to extend their size offering in the future so more women can enjoy wearing their designs."

10. Best post-surgery sleep bra

Developed by Cancer Research UK, along side breast cancer patients, this bra has been specifically designed for women who have undergone breast surgery. A tubular seamless design, this bra can be worn for both daytime support and at night, with wide fully adjustable straps and front hook and eye fastenings to ensure a comfortable fit. A lined pocket, with removable pads also provides space to add a prothesis, if required. 100% of net profits fund future breast cancer research projects.

FAQs

What is a sleep bra?

A sleep bra is one that has been designed specifically for sleeping in. Additionally any bra that offers minimal support, without underwires or bulky trimmings is considered suitable for wearing as a sleep bra, even if it isn't specifically labelled as such. These styles do not provide the level of support that you would expect from your regular bra. Sleep bras do not use under wiring to provide uplift, instead they support the breasts using light compression which comes from the level of stretch and construction of the fabric used. Unlike your regular bra, which is designed for uplift under clothes, a sleep bra is worn to stop discomfort during the night. Bras for the day are likely to be tighter around the band for support and shape, whereas a sleep bra will be closer to a bralette, in terms of fit and more like something you might own already simply for lounging in. This is because anything too tight or with an underwire will not only dig in but could affect circulation.

What are the benefits of a sleep bra?

While there is no evidence that sleeping in a bra will keep your breasts perky and no proven medical benefits to wearing one, women often choose to do so to aid a more comfortable night's sleep. Chantelle says, "As a bra fitter, I don't believe that a sleep bra is 100% necessary as bras are designed to help fight the effects of gravity and movement on your boobs, and when you are laid down this isn't as much of an issue. That being said, there is definitely a time and a place for a sleep bra." These are the most common reasons that women decide to wear a sleep bra:

• Alleviate back pain: if you find that your breasts hurt your back, then you'll already have invested in some of the best bras for the daytime. For some women, particularly those with larger busts, a bad back from the result of a heavy bust can also impact their sleep. If that sounds like an issue you're experiencing, try a sleep bra to improve the position and support your breasts get at bedtime. Any continued issues should be discussed with your doctor.
• Help with sensitivity: for those with particularly sensitive breasts or nipples, a smooth sleep bra can help to diminish some of these symptoms, particularly if you find the way that you sleep or your pyjamas are irritating you. If sensitivity is an issue, however, consult a medical professional as well.
• Support: Mainly an issue for those with a larger bust, or if you toss and turn a lot in your sleep. The ligaments in the breast can strain during the night if your bust isn't supported. A sleep bra will help to position and hold your bust as you enjoy a good night's sleep.
• Aid breastfeeding: Mothers who are lactating will benefit from wearing a sleep bra to alleviate the weight of the breasts and to help keep breast pads in place.
• Post-operative: A sleep bra can ease discomfort when recovering from mastectomy, lumpectomy, lymph node removal or breast reconstruction.

What should you look for when choosing a sleep bra?

Not all bras that are good for sleeping in are marked specifically as 'sleep bras'. Bras that work for this activity hold certain characteristics or are constructed in a particular way to ensure they are comfortable and non-restrictive, offering the right support for a restful night. Knowing what to look for will help widen your options. Emma says, "When choosing a sleep bra, it's important to consider several key factors to ensure maximum comfort and suitability for overnight wear". Here are the important elements to look out for:

• Wire-free: A non-wired design is crucial for a sleep bra to prevent any poking or digging into the skin, which will be uncomfortable while lying down.
• Seam-free: Bulky seams will cause discomfort and irritate the skin. Look out for a seam-free construction, or a style with minimal flat seams that won't dig in or leave marks.
• Stretch: Look out for styles made with added stretch fibres to ensure you feel comfortably contained without feeling restricted. The level of stretch will determine the amount of support given.
• Free from padding, or removable padding: Padding will add extra bulk to the bra, making it uncomfortable, and can also make you feel warmer too, which is a disadvantage if you suffer from over-heating or night sweats.
• Breathable: Look for natural, breathable fabrics, or high-tech fabrics that list breathable as a quality, that will keep you cool, are gentle on the skin and help to prevent irritation.
• Sweat-wicking: Opt for fabrics with moisture-wicking properties that will help to keep you dry and cool during the night.

Who is a sleep bra for?

Anyone can invest in a sleep bra, but those with a larger bust will find a sleep bra most useful. If you have bigger boobs and they are uncomfortable, sore or simply getting in your way when you toss and turn, you may find that sleeping in a bra helps to alleviate these problems. Breast-feeding mothers find it practical to sleep in a bra and similarly women recovering from breast surgery will wear one to restrict movement while healing.

What is the best sleep bra for me?

Deciding which sleep bra is the most suitable will depend on your personal choice and what benefits you are looking to achieve by wearing one. Our top ten sleep bras contain all the necessary elements that make them ideal for every type of person and circumstance.

Our experts:

Emma Woodrow

Emma Woodrow is the lingerie buyer for Brighton based lingerie brand, Pour Moi. Having worked for Pour Moi for nearly 4 years, Emma is responsible for keeping the product range exciting, meeting customer's needs, whilst balancing trends, and commerciality. Working closely with garment technologists, Emma has a wealth of knowledge across different lingerie styles and what makes them a good fit.

Chantelle Garrood

Chantelle is a lingerie expert and trained bra fitter who has worked in the lingerie industry for over 10 years. She shares her bra fitting tips, lingerie reviews and body positive posts on her Instagram account @thebraexpert