The Best Underwear for Women of 2024

An elevated version of the basic brief, this style from Natori features delicate lace trim and a lower waistline for a more feminine flair. Testers gave this pair perfect scores for comfort, highlighting the "buttery soft" and lightweight feel of the material, with one tester raving that she "honestly forgot that they were even there" when wearing them. While testers were skeptical that the lace would feel uncomfy or dig in, they were pleasantly surprised by the smooth and stretchy feel.

Testers also loved the fit, sharing that the underwear stayed in place all day long without bunching or restricting movement, even during workout classes. The briefs also earned high ratings for looking great under clothes, and testers said the underwear offered the "perfect amount of coverage."

When we evaluated stretch recovery in our Textiles Lab tests, the underwear returned to its original shape without sagging, but when we evaluated washability, we noted heavy linting after laundering. The brand recommends hand washing the underwear to keep them in peak shape.

With three pairs in a pack, this underwear from Maidenform is priced at under $7 a piece — a total steal. Despite the low price, the underwear earned top marks in our evaluations, outperforming pairs from popular brands that cost double.

The underwear received high ratings for its attractive design and comfortable feel. Testers loved the cut, describing it as "flattering" and sharing that they felt confident wearing the high-leg style. They also enjoyed the high waistline and appreciated the slightly compressive feel of the underwear, comparing them to a subtler and comfier version of shapewear.

This pair is made of a smooth and stretchy material, so testers loved wearing them for everything from a workout class to working in the office and even said they were comfortable enough to wear to bed. The underwear isn't seamless, though, so testers noted that they had to be mindful of what pants they wore to avoid unwanted underwear lines.

Designed with a traditional bikini cut and fuller coverage back, these underwear from Harper Wilde are ideal for everyday wear, with one tester sharing that they have become "a reliable staple in [her] closet." The underwear is made of a cotton, modal and spandex blend material that testers said felt substantial yet breathable, and they gave it top scores for comfort. One tester commented that her favorite thing about the underwear was the "softness."

Testers also highlighted that the underwear didn't ride up, cause annoying wedgies or roll down, and they loved the waistband, emphasizing that it didn't pinch or cause irritation. While testers said the leg openings were roomy and didn't restrict movement, some said the seams around the legs were thick and more noticeable than other styles they tried. When we tested stretch recovery in Textiles Lab tests, we were impressed by how well the underwear maintained its shape.

This thong from Tommy John with a barely there feel is the perfect pair to sport to the gym. Testers loved wearing the underwear to their workouts and said the minimalistic design was completely hidden under their leggings and yoga pants. Made of a mesh material, the underwear is super breathable and light as a feather, and testers said that they dried almost immediately after getting wet or sweaty.

Testers also appreciated that the underwear stayed in place when they were active and felt comfy while they were relaxing. When we washed the underwear in the Textiles Lab, there was no noticeable shrinkage or major wear, but we did note a few loose threads around the seams. Our testers who laundered their underwear reported no issues with washing and said the underwear looked as good as new after several cycles.

When you're wearing a bodycon dress or a fitted skirt, a pair of seamless underwear like this one from Bombas is the key to avoiding pesky panty lines. This underwear is made of a stretchy nylon and elastane blend that testers say feels smoother and lighter than other pairs they've tried. Our testers also appreciate that the inside of the leg openings and waistband are lined with textured velvet for a gripping effect designed to keep the underwear in place without rolling.

Some testers noted that while the legs and waistband didn't roll or pinch, the underwear rode up in the back, leading to wedgies, but other testers said the underwear stayed put under their clothes. We love that there's a cotton and elastane gusset inside for a more comfortable, breathable feel and that, according to our testers, the fuller coverage hipster cut still looks invisible under clothes. This pair also received high scores for maintaining its shape and looking great during stretch recovery and washability tests.

Knix's leakproof underwear is made of a silky smooth nylon and Lycra material that testers say feels just like a pair of regular underwear but can absorb up to three tampons' worth of fluids during your period. When we tested absorbency in the Textiles Lab by pouring viscous liquid on the gusset from different angles, we were impressed by how much this pair was able to soak up despite it being one of the thinner styles. Our testers also appreciated the lack of bulk, with one sharing, "It was the most comfortable and most discreet period underwear I've tried."

Most testers gave the underwear high scores for fit and comfort, but some said the waistband of the underwear felt loose and shifted down throughout the day, requiring regular re-adjustments. We love that, unlike most styles of period underwear we've tested, these ones are machine washable for easy cleaning. If you have a heavier or lighter flow or prefer underwear with more or less coverage, Knix carries tons of different styles made of the same comfy, easy-care materials.

While thongs have gotten a bad rap for being uncomfy, this one from trendy intimates brand Skims is seriously soft, stretchy and lightweight for a next-to-nothing feel that GH experts and testers love. One tester emphasized, "This is the first thong where I even forget I am wearing it." The underwear is cut to sit on the hip without digging in, and testers say it stays in place throughout the day without falling down.

It comes in an inclusive range of ten "nude" shades, making it easier to find a pair that matches your skin tone for a camouflaged look under your clothing. Some testers said the seams were noticeable under tight pants or dresses, but most testers rated the underwear highly for looking great under clothes. While we haven't evaluated washability in the Textiles Lab, GH experts and testers who have washed their pairs at home say they come out of the wash looking "like new" with no snags or shrinkage.

The Aerie Smoothez underwear line is popular among GH Institute analysts because the material is so "buttery soft and smooth." One analyst shared that she exclusively buys underwear from this line and says, "They're the most comfortable underwear I've ever worn." The brand carries other styles like thongs, cheeky panties and boyshorts made of the same material, but our testers especially love the boybrief style and describe the cut and crossover waist as "super flattering."

While the material doesn't dig in or cause irritation, some testers had issues with it rolling down or bunching on the hips and said the pair becomes more noticeable under clothing when that happens. We haven't formally evaluated this style for washability in the Textiles Lab, but we have laundered other underwear from the brand, and they have held up well without major shrinkage or changes in appearance.

If you're looking for something a little more feminine and flirty but don't want to sacrifice comfort, Hanky Panky has you covered. The brand's lace underwear is a favorite of GH analysts and testers who love the delicate look and soft feel. In our evaluations, we've found that lace underwear can sometimes be scratchy and stiff, but that's not the case with this pair. The underwear received perfect scores for comfort, with multiple testers emphasizing that this lacy style is more comfortable than any other thongs they have worn.

Testers were a bit skeptical of the one-size-fits-all sizing, but our testers of various sizes were impressed by how well it hugged their curves without feeling saggy or restrictive. The underwear performed well in Textiles Lab stretch recovery tests, returning to its initial shape after being stretched, but we did note considerable wrinkling in our washability evaluations. When our testers laundered the underwear at home, they said it held up well and looked great.

While most thongs sit lower on the hips for minimal coverage, this one from Evelyn & Bobbie is designed with a high waistline for a more substantial look and feel. Testers loved the high rise of the thong and appreciated the wider cut of the cotton-lined gusset, sharing that they felt supported and secure when wearing this pair.

When our testers were asked to rate the appearance of the underwear, they gave it perfect scores and said it looked seamless under clothing, but if you do wear a pair of lower-rise pants, the waistband may peek out. This style is available in just two sizes — one meant to fit 0-14 and another for 16-24 — but our size small and medium testers who tried the 0-14 size were impressed by how well it conformed to their shape. According to testers, the underwear also sits comfortably on the hips without rolling or riding up.

Testers loved the classic yet sexy look of this string bikini from Victoria's Secret. It's made of a smooth synthetic material that testers said felt lightweight and breathable, and we love that there's a 100% cotton gusset for comfort. When we washed the underwear in the Lab and evaluated them for stretch recovery, they maintained their shape without shrinking or stretching out, and testers agreed that the underwear looked great after laundering them at home.

According to testers, the underwear is "cheeky" with moderate coverage in the front and back — somewhere between a thong and a typical bikini style. The strings are thin but comfortable without digging in, and testers loved that they could adjust them with the metal slides to achieve the perfect fit. Several testers did note that the metal hardware was visible under some styles of clothing, especially formfitting and light-colored bottoms.

Woxers are boxer-brief-style underwear that are designed to fit a woman's body better than boxer briefs made exclusively for men. The medium-rise underwear has a more streamlined fit with no fly opening and a secure waistband that, according to testers, doesn't pinch, dig in or roll down. Testers said the underwear stretched nicely over their curves and stayed in place all day long, but they did find the leg openings to feel a bit snug.

The boxers are made of an ultra-thin and lightweight material that impressed GH analysts and testers who shared sentiments like, "The fabric was breathable and just the right thickness," and, "It barely feels like I'm wearing underwear." When we washed this pair in the Lab, there were no major changes in appearance or shrinkage, and testers agreed that the underwear held up well and felt just as soft and smooth after laundering. If you love your Woxers as much as our testers did, there's even a subscription option so you'll never be without a fresh pair.