The 6 most comfortable bras for anyone who hates underwire

As a fashion editor, I have worn and worked with a lot of underwear, but as someone who tends to avoid heavy padding and harsh wires, I was thrilled when I was asked to put the most comfortable bras to the test.

Over the last couple of years, I have tested over 30 bras from a wide range of brands, including a varied mix of shapes and styles. I’m a 36B, so what works for me might not necessarily be a winner for you, but while vetting the most comfortable bras, I considered everything from the fabric to the support and fit, as well as how comfy they felt to wear for a full day.

I have styled women with a wide range of bust sizes over the years too, so I used that knowledge to think about how certain pieces would sit with larger chests and made sure I looked into cup size and extra support details. The way the bra looked was also a big factor for me. In the past, wireless bras could often be a little simplistic, and maybe even a bit frumpy, but these days there's an amazing array of shapes and cuts available that can look great and feel fabulous, so you don't need to compromise.

Whether you find that your boobs can feel sore during times like pregnancy and menopause, or you simply want a break from your structured styles now that cosy season is here, I have rounded up the most comfortable bras below - they all guarantee to give your chest a rest!

The quick list

I have found six hero pieces for day-to-day wear without that dreaded pinch, and my bust has honestly never felt better - these are the styles I'd recommend to friends.

Which bra is best for me?

Most Comfortable Bras: Tried & Tested

You’ll find plenty more details about each bra below. Wondering how we test bras? I wore each bra for a full day, and thought about the design and fabrics, as well as support, but most importantly, how comfortable they were to wear. At W&H, we take our bra testing very seriously and only feature products that we truly love. The items below made it into the best buys because they really were comfy and easy to wear while keeping my boobs in check.

Most comfortable bra for large busts

This piece from the new-to-the-UK brand is cleverly designed to provide support and lift for even the largest of busts without the need for underwire. I tried the Defy bra, and it blew me away. The modern fabric is designed to work with the heat from your body to mould to your natural curves and shape for the perfect fit that doesn’t pinch or dig in. The brand recommends wearing it for three days for it to soften up and adapt to your shape, but I actually found it fitted beautifully after just a few hours - I could pop it on in the morning and forget all about it. It's been a few months since I first discovered this bra and I still regularly reach for it when I'm getting dressed - it's a definite keeper!

It has quite a full amount of coverage and a high back, which isn’t the sexiest look, but it’s super smoothing under clothes and a great choice for anybody looking for the best bras for back fat. It’s a pull-on, so there’s no tricky clasps to deal with, and once on, it added a smooth and pert shape to my chest and offered plenty of hold for even the ultimate test – a session at a busy soft play centre with my toddler! The cups have an innovative design that somehow lifts and supports boobs and all without the need for a wire or stiff, shaped cups.

The clever adaptive fabric means that although the sizing covers S-XXL, each size includes a dozen or so bra sizes, ranging from 30C to 54H. I tried it in a medium in the Himalayan Salt colourway, but it's also available in black and a soft sand shade.

This one is up there with the most expensive bras I've tried (but there are some great Evelyn&Bobbie bra affordable alternatives), and I appreciate that it is a big investment. I honestly think it's worth the money, though, thanks to the science-backed fabrics and clever fit. The design evenly distributes the weight of breasts to ease back pain and straining, too, so if you have an ample bosom, I think this one will really help.

There are matching high-waisted knickers available too, as well as light, longer line shorts which promise to keep the dreaded thigh-chafe at bay.

I expected the modern materials to be delicate to care for, but this one is fine to throw in the washing machine on a cool wash, which is ideal for me! After months of regular wear and repeat washing, it's still looking and feeling perfect too.

You can read my full Evelyn & Bobbie Defy bra review here

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Most comfortable bra overall

I have long been a fan of the underwear range from M&S – in fact, the Contourwear Non-Wired Plunge Bra made it into my round-up of the best bras for back fat, too. I had high hopes for this bra, and I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint. The sumptuous black lace on the underband and at the back gives it a sexier feel, and the fuss-free full cup front was very flattering on my boobs.

The support this one offered was great. I wore it for a very busy day, which included dashing for a train, a long day in the office, and then the school pick-up. This bra saw me through it all, holding my chest in place without feeling too rigid, whilst the soft and silky fabric was such a treat against my skin. I could put it on first thing and not have to think about it later – there was no need for yanking it down or readjusting.

As with most M&S bras, this one works brilliantly for both small and large breasts, but sadly, the cup size only goes up to an E, so not ideal for women looking for the best bras for large busts. If you have a much bigger bust, the Evelyn & Bobbie Defy Wire-Free Bra is probably your best bet.

Even though the fabrics are quite delicate, this one can be washed in the machine at 40 degrees. I found that after cleaning, it dried quickly and fitted just as well as before.

It exceeded my expectations in terms of style and general support, while being incredibly soft to wear. I found myself reaching for it again and again.

You can read my full M&S Body Soft Non-Wired Bra review here

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Most Comfortable Bra for loungewear

For a low-key day at home, I always prefer much lighter support. This gorgeous bralette does just that and helps create a smooth shape without feeling at all restrictive. The soft and stretchy lace material was easy to move around in, yet held up well even after hours of wear without feeling loose. It’s wire-free and has removable pads for an even softer feel; it’s a pull-on, so there are no clasps to worry about, and you can adjust the shoulder straps to find a better fit for your shape.

While it doesn't provide enough support for my boobs while running for the bus or a busy day of errands, it was great for a little lift and hold while I’m at home in my favourite sweatshirt and leggings. The sizing does go up to XXL, but I don’t think this would be a great choice if you have very large boobs and need a higher level of hold - you might prefer another comfy bra alternative like the M&S Body Soft Non Wired Full Cup Bra.

The design gets a big thumbs up from me as I love the unusual turquoise colour and pretty lace fabric. It’s also available in other colour options, including bright pink and classic white. The lacy fabric is surprisingly easy to care for too - you can pop it in the wash without any worries - no shrinking, bobbling or loss of shape.

This super soft bralette-style bra has fast become one of my favourites for a cosy sofa day at home - it’s such a treat to wear.

Read my full Sloggi Zero Feel bra review here

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Most comfortable bra for lift

Of course, the support and comfort of a bra is the most important thing, but an unusual or bright design can definitely make it feel a little more special, and that's exactly what drew me towards this cheerfully coloured bra. I was excited to give it a go, and after a couple of days of wear, I can confirm that this piece does far more than just look good.

As with the whole Stripe & Stare range, it's wire-free and made of seriously soft modal fabric. It's easy to move around in, and the flexible padding in the cups smoothed and lifted my bust brilliantly to create some cleavage, without being too much or feeling overly structured and rigid. It has a slightly fuller bralette-style front that offers coverage without covering up my chest completely, and while it's not a plunge or push-up bra, it still creates a great shape and offers better lift than I expected. It adds just the right amount of oomph for day-to-day.

I wore this bra for a busy day at work, which involved a hectic commute and a mad dash to the office, as well as a calmer day at home in my loungewear and found that it offered the perfect level of support the whole time and really did feel great. I popped it on in the morning and didn't have to think about it later - it was stretchy and supple enough to wear while on the sofa, but also kept my boobs in check while in work-mode. It looked after my bust well, and I imagine it'll work well with much larger boobs as the sizing goes up to a XXXXL.

The brand describes it as 'cloud soft', and I genuinely agree - it was wonderfully comfortable, and the fabric is very gentle on skin. I also like the clever details, like printing the care instructions inside the back straps rather than a silky label that might be scratchy. The bra is made from 89% polyamide and 11% elastane, and has been created thoughtfully as the fabrics are produced with 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption than standard modal materials.

Another plus point is that this one is machine washable, which makes a nice change from my heavily structured and delicate bras that often need to be hand-washed.

I have tried dozens and dozens of bras over the years, and this one really stands out for me. It's the perfect mix of everyday support with some lift as well as easy comfort, and all with a bright and bold design that sparks joy every time I wear it.

Read my full Stripe & Stare Smooth Sculpt padded bra review here.

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Most breathable comfortable bra

I really struggled with the heatwaves in summer, and spent time and effort finding clothes that felt as cool as possible - including my underwear. Thankfully, I discovered the Uniqlo Wireless Relax Bra, which was wonderfully breathable during even the warmest weather and felt much easier to wear than most of my other bras.

This well-considered bra is part of the Japanese brand’s AIRism range, which means it's made from a technical fabric that's moisture-wicking, odour-fighting, and cooling against the skin - plus it has a good amount of stretch to it, so it's easy to move around in.

The wire-free design looks very much like a simple bralette, but it has neat integrated cups and built-in mesh detailing, so it offers a good level of lift and hold without any rigidity. It has a very straightforward crop top silhouette, which pulls on over my head, and it's free from clasps, bows, or any other embellishment, so it sits sleekly and neatly even under very clingy clothes. The stretchy fabric has a wonderful smoothing finish to it that cancels out any lumpy areas around my sides and back.

While this one doesn't offer as much general lift and support as the M&S Soft Non-Wired Full Cup bra, it does keep my chest in check over a busy weekend or for a day at home. If I had to use one word to describe the bra, it would be comfortable, as it pulls on well (and a little easier than some other one-piece styles like the slightly firmer Evelyn & Bobbie Defy Wire-Free bra) and then sits snugly in position without feeling tight.

I love the design too - I tried it in a glossy navy which felt like a nice change from standard black and beige, but there are four other wearable colours to choose from, and there are matching briefs available in the same breezy fabric.

Despite being made from very technical materials, this one is super easy to care for - it can be thrown in the wash on a 40degree, gentle cycle. I've washed it a dozen times over the last few weeks, and it's dried quickly and held its shape and colour perfectly.

I got this during high summer, and the AIRism fabric really did feel dreamy to wear during scorching temperatures, but now that autumn is here, I'll continue to wear it. It's super comfy and makes a great (non-sweaty!) base layer under my chunky knits and winter coats. This one felt like a second skin on day one, and I have had zero complaints since.

Most comfortable bras - best front fastening

There's a lot about this bra that I really like. The main thing for me was that the stylish design looks good while having lots of clever technical details that make it fit better too. It pulls on a bit like a waistcoat, with a flattering crossover front that fastens under each boob. It's the perfect bra if you struggle with awkward fastenings at the back.

The front fastenings have three rows of hook-and-eyes, so you can adjust each side to suit your shape and easily make it a little looser or tighter without too much effort. The wider straps also have hidden, thinner straps inside that can be removed for a softer feel or added in for extra support. These extra details give this bra a customisable feel, which I really enjoyed, and I wore it a little looser for lounging around, before switching to a firmer setting on busier days.

The cups themselves are soft and made from a silky smooth fabric like a classic bralette, but the crossover design seems to pull the material over the boobs to feel taut and secure, providing plenty of hold.

I liked the peachy pink colour-way and the subtle jacquard print fabric, plus the elasticated underband has a very contemporary and sporty feel to it while still being very feminine.

The delicate fabric needs to be hand-washed, so avoid the machine with this one. Once cleaned, it dried very quickly and felt like new.

This one is up there with the comfiest I’ve tried. As well as being stretchy and easy to wear, the fine fabric adds a gentle hold that would suit smaller and medium-sized boobs well, and I love how flattering the crossover front is. While it wouldn’t be enough lift and hold for a very busy day, this light level of support is perfect at home or for a quick pop to the shops. It's unlike any bra I've worn before - and I’ve been wearing it on repeat.

You can read my full Fantasie Fusion Leisure Bra review here

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How we tested the most comfortable bras

While looking for the most comfortable bras, I tested over 30 different styles. I wore each one for at least a full day, and while wearing them, I considered the fit, style and fabrics, as well as how comfy they were to wear. I was searching for comfortable pieces, but it was important to think about every aspect of the bras to make sure it's a good all-rounder that I would happily recommend to others.

I tried a wide range of styles, shapes and designs from different brands that cater for a range of sizes and budgets. I tested a few classic triangle-shaped bralettes but found that they didn't offer any real support, and are probably best for those with smaller busts or as a sleep bra. I found anything with a wire to be a no-go for this round-up, as even those styles that promised a comfy fit still felt a little too stiff with hard underwire in the cups.

The fit is up there as the key part of finding a good bra, in addition to how well it supported boobs and how comfortable it felt to wear all day. I wanted to be able to pop it on and not have to worry about it for the rest of the day. I also thought about the shape it created on my bust and how neatly it sat under clothes.

I considered how soft and breathable the fabrics were. I looked at how well materials held up after being washed and dried. While not as influential as the technical aspects of each bra, I still thought about the colour, pattern, and shapes of each piece of lingerie I tried. In the past, I have found wireless bras to be a little simple and less wow-worthy, but these days they can be just as stylish as traditional bras, so I factored in how they looked, too.

Other styles to try

Wacoal has some great styles too, and the Back Appeal bra was a strong contender due to the supple fabrics and impressive hold, but I found the design and fit weren't as wow-worthy as some of the others on my list, so it narrowly missed a spot in my best buys.

How to choose the most comfortable bra for you

When it comes to selecting the best bras for comfort, it's all down to personal preference, but as a general guide, there are a few key features that you should always look for to find an easy-to-wear bra:

• Comfy materials: When you’re looking for a soft and wearable piece, the fabric can make a big difference. Look for silky and microfibre fabrics that are gentle against skin while being breathable, and avoid anything too thick as this can feel a little more rigid and tight, and may be too hot during summer.
• Wide straps and underband: The underband is where most of the support and lift come from for a bra. Wide straps make them less likely to dig into your shoulders, giving greater comfort overall. The wide underband should help to hold your bust and stop overspill, while feeling much more comfortable around your sides and back than a skinnier band.
• Sleek and simple designs: I found that pull-on styles minus any embellishment or bold seams tended to be comfier because there was no tricky clasp to deal with or any worry about the fastenings rubbing against or digging into skin. A smooth and sleek design will sit neatly under clothes and will be easier to forget about when you’re wearing it than something overly fussy
• Minimal padding: Padding is great for a little extra oomph, but it can feel very stiff and structured, and will take away from the comfiness. When it comes to easy-to-wear bras, opt for softer cups with minimal or no padding. You can still get plenty of shape and definition from a non-padded bra, and they feel much more supple to wear.
• Good fit: You want the back band to stay where it is all day without riding up, and the shoulder straps shouldn’t feel harsh or dig in. You should be filling the cup without overspilling, and your breasts should still sit in the correct position, although, as there tends to be less lift and sculpt, they might not be quite as high as usual.
• How it looks: Whatever you're wearing, you want it to look good and make you feel great. Whether you want something a little sexy or pretty, taking time to find a style that suits you and your capsule wardrobe can make it feel extra special to wear.

FAQs

What kind of bra is most comfortable for all day wear?

Bras are a very personal thing, so the answer to this will vary from woman to woman, but for me, I’d say that a wire-free design with softer cups will always be more comfortable than a traditional structured piece.

In the past, we had to choose between bras vs bralettes as they offered very different things, but these days the high street is packed with stretchy and supple staples that come with clever designs and technical fabrics to keep your boobs under control in the most comfortable way.

It’s always best to try on different styles to find the perfect fit for you, and to get the right level of support for your bust and your lifestyle. Whichever you go for, you want to be able to wear it without having to think about it - it should sit neatly under clothes and feel great.

Can wireless bras still provide support for larger busts?

If you have a fuller bust, you can still feel comfy in a wire-free bra. Look for stretchy yet firm fabrics that will move with your body while still having enough hold to stop your bust from bouncing all over the place. Moving around a lot and even short bursts of exercise like dashing for the bus can all put strain on the tissue and ligaments in your boobs, which can lead to discomfort, so it is important to find a bra that offers the right level of support for everyday.

I’d recommend looking for pieces that have extra supportive details like wider straps and fuller back panels to lift and hold better. I spoke to Wacoal Europe Fit Specialist, Paulene Leese, who explained: “Whilst wired bras can give a better shape as they separate the bust, as long as the wireless bra gives the support on the band, you can still experience a good level of lift and they can still take the weight of the bust away from the neck and shoulders.”

Are wire-free bras better for your breasts?

While comfort may be the reason most women opt for softer bras, some shoppers buy them because they worry about doing damage to their breasts with harsh wires. I asked Paulene her thoughts, and she told me: “As long as a wired bra isn’t digging into breast tissue and fits well, both wired and non-wired bras can have equal benefits. It is important you are wearing the right size for maximum comfort and to avoid any painful pinching.”

Alexandra Thrower, Brand Manager at bra brand Chantelle, explained to woman&home: “Your bra has a very important role, and that is to protect and bear the weight of your bust. Most women don’t realise how heavy their bust is (anything between about 500g for B/C cups, to 2+ kg for G+ cups). They need to be supported. You may also find that not wearing a bra will worsen back, shoulders, or neck pains and give you headaches."

Non-wired options can make for more comfortable bras for anyone who suffers from tenderness, especially during different times of the menstrual cycle or in the various stages of menopause.

Why the fit of your bra can impact comfort

One of the biggest factors that can mean a bra doesn't feel comfy is that it fits incorrectly. Even the softest of styles might feel uncomfortable if it's too big or too tight.

Use our expert guide on how to measure bra size with just a tape measure at home. If you're not confident going through the process on your own, you can look up advice and tips online from brands like Victoria's Secret and Triumph, or book an appointment to visit your local lingerie store. Most brands, including M&S and John Lewis, offer free measuring services.

How often should I replace my bras for optimal support and comfort?

It can be hard to say goodbye to a favourite bra - especially if you've owned it for a while and it seems to feel perfectly comfortable every time you wear it. It is important to replace your underwear, though, as over time the elastic and stretch can start to deteriorate, which means that the general hold, firmness and shape of your underwear will start to lessen, and it won't look after your bust as well as it did.

If you wear a bra regularly and wash it in a machine, you can expect it to last for around 6-12 months before it starts to lose its shine, and even sooner if you use a tumble dryer, as the heat can affect the fabrics. Avoid wearing the same bra every single day and try hand-washing your lingerie to keep it going for longer.

It's also important to look out for signs that your bra is already on its way out - things like an underwire poking through, curled-over edges of cups, lumpy padding, or very loose straps, even when you've tightened them all the way, can be red flags when it comes to your underwear and mean your chest won't be cared for properly.

Paulene Leese

Paulene Leese is a trusted underwear expert with over forty years of industry experience. Paulene has worked for the luxury lingerie brand Wacoal since 2014, and is one of their Europe Fit Specialists, working with women to help them find their perfect bra size and fit.