The absolute best sports bras for every type of exercise, tested and reviewed
Just because a sports bra is fashionable doesn't mean it’s functional — we found options that give you the best of both worlds.
On Performance Flex Bra
$undefined
$75.00
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While shopping for sports bras, experts suggest considering the following factors, all of which I kept in mind while choosing models to include in our final list of favorites.
To compile this list, NBC Select staff and I tested dozens of sports bras ranging in style, construction, support level and price point. We exercised in each one multiple times, doing low, medium and high impact activities like running, HIIT workouts, barre, Pilates, yoga and walking. We cleaned each sports bra according to the brand’s directions to evaluate how well they maintained their shape and feel pre- and post- workout — often, that meant machine-washing the bras with cold water and gentle laundry detergent, and air-drying them. Brands sent us sports bras as courtesy samples.
All of the sports bras I recommend below align with expert guidance and are options testers found to be the most supportive during a variety of workouts. Many come in various colors and patterns, so if you’re looking for something specific, browse the full selections online. And remember, no sport bra is perfect for all wearers, so it might take some trial-and-error to find the right one for you.
This bra’s molded, padded cups help separate my breasts to evenly distribute their weight across my chest, and they’re lined with a moisture-wicking material to keep me cool and dry while working out. Its compressive fabric also reduces bounce during high impact activities like running, boxing, dancing and HIIT. The bra’s sturdy, wide, adjustable underband unclasps at the back, making it easy to take off. Plus, the adjustable X-shaped straps lay flat against my skin.
Sizes: XS to L+ | Adjustability: band and straps | Construction: combination | Support level: high | Material: nylon, spandex, mesh
Spanx’s medium impact sports bra has more structure than a low impact bra thanks to its padded, molded cups, but less motion control than a high impact bra since it’s not super compressive. I mostly wear it on the elliptical machine and during strength-focused HIIT classes, but it would also work well for cycling and rowing. The bra’s soft band and wide, crisscross straps lay flat against my skin, so they stay in place while I’m moving. Its fabric is lightweight and breathable, plus it dries pretty quickly, so I often wear it during hot yoga and Pilates.
As someone with a larger bust size, I find that this bra almost fully covers my chest — its lower neckline creates some cleavage, but I feel secure overall. The sides of the sports bra are high, so they extend upward toward my armpit and help prevent spillage.
Sizes: XS to 3X | Adjustability: band and straps | Construction: combination | Support level: medium | Material: nylon, elastane
“When I say I’ve worn this sports bra to every workout class imaginable, I mean it,” says Bianca Alvarez, NBC Select associate reporter. “I normally put a top over it, but sometimes I just wear the sports bra, and I’ve never worried about spilling out of it. The best part is that it’s genuinely comfortable because the crisscross straps and the band don’t dig into my skin.” Alvarez also throws on the sports bra while lounging around at home and for long flights. It has a scoop neck and a keyhole cutout on the back.
Sizes: XXS to XL | Adjustability: straps | Construction: compression | Support level: low | Material: polyester, elastane
I experience no bounce or movement whatsoever while running in this sports bra, which is exactly what I look for whether I’m sprinting, jogging or doing a race. It has a full-coverage high neckline and compressive, molded, padded cups that secure my chest in place, as well as give it a round shape.
Since I can adjust the racerback straps, I can make sure they don’t slip down while I’m moving, so I never get distracted by them. The back of On’s sports bra has a mesh panel that lets air circulate through it, keeping me cool and drying sweat as I’m working out. The only downside I found is that when I’m sweaty after a run, it can be challenging to pull off this sports bra since the band doesn’t unclasp. However, that’s a small inconvenience considering how supported I feel while wearing it.
Sizes: XS to XL D-DD | Adjustability: straps | Construction: combination | Support level: medium to high | Material: recycled polyester and polyamide, elastane
When experts told me to look for simple, straightforward sports bras that allow me to focus on my workout rather than what I’m wearing, Girlfriend Collective’s Paloma racerback bra is the first one that came to mind. It gently compresses my chest to hold it in place during low to medium intensity workouts like yoga and strength training — I experienced some bounce while wearing it during high intensity workouts like running. The bra has a longline silhouette, so it can double as a crop top, and it’s soft and flexible, allowing me to move freely. It’s comfortable enough to wear while I’m lounging at home or doing errands. Its fabric also has UPF 45+ protection, so it blocks sunlight to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. My favorite part of this full-coverage bra is the thick, wide support band that lifts me up and holds everything in.
Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Adjustability: none | Construction: compression | Support level: medium | Material: recycled plastic bottles, spandex
You can buy Nike’s Non-Padded Adjustable Sports Bra in light, medium and high support levels, but my favorite style by far is the high support option because it has an adjustable band. I make it tighter or looser using the Velcro strap, which I can reach behind my back and pull into position while wearing the bra. Being able to adjust the band’s tightness when it’s on my body helps me perfect its fit, and I can completely loosen the band before taking the bra off. Nike’s racerback sports bra has compressive, sweat-wicking fabric that holds my chest in place and dries very quickly.
Sizes: XS to 3X | Adjustability: band | Construction: compression | Support level: high | Material: polyester, spandex, mesh
The straps on Brooks’ sports bra have adjustable hook-and-ladder mechanisms built in, which solve the biggest problem I’ve experienced with traditional sliders — they tend to slip down while I’m exercising, causing the bra’s fit to become loose. The hook-and-ladder adjusters let me lock in a tightness level, and I can count how many loops up from the bottom I place the hook in to ensure that the straps are even on both sides. The strap adjusters also face outward, so the metal pieces don’t touch my skin. Beyond the innovative adjustable straps, this bra has molded cups and the back panel has mesh elements so air can flow through.
Sizes: 30 to 40 band, AB to FFF cups | Adjustability: band and straps | Construction: combination | Support level: high | Material: not specified
Out of all the sports bras in my closet, I wear this one most frequently because it’s suitable for every type of exercise I do. It holds me in and reduces bounce while I’m running, yet is flexible, semi-stretchy, soft and non-restrictive, which is ideal for activities like yoga. You can wear the wide straps crisscross or straight — I find that the straps give me the most lift and don’t move around in the crisscross position. The bra’s thick elastic band adds extra support, and it anchors the compressive fabric in place.
Sizes: XS to 4XL | Adjustability: straps | Construction: compression | Support level: medium | Material: nylon, lycra
I wouldn’t normally workout in a strappy back sports bra — when the straps get twisted or tangled, I find it distracting and uncomfortable.
But this bra’s four crisscross straps are wide and flat, which helps prevent them from shifting while I’m moving. They’re also adjustable so I can customize the bra’s fit. Lululemon’s Energy Bra is made with molded foam cups, a sturdy underband, full coverage and compressive fabric. Overall, its high level of support and adjustability outweighs a potential twisted strap or two.
Sizes: 32B to 40D | Adjustability: band and straps | Construction: combination | Support level: high | Material: nylon, elastane
Third Love’s sports bra comes in one of the most extensive size ranges I’ve found — it’s available in eight cup sizes and seven underband sizes. The bra is convertible, so I can move the wide, adjustable straps into straight or crisscross positions, and it has semi-full to full coverage on the top and sides. The underband and highly padded cups shape breasts while evenly distributing their weight across my chest. I also appreciate that the band doesn’t have a tag by its closure, which often makes me itchy even when I cut it off before my first wear.
Sizes: 32 to 44 band, A to H cups | Adjustability: band and straps | Construction: combination | Support level: medium to high | Material: polyester, spandex
“This sports bra is supportive, stylish and provides a good amount of coverage,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “As someone with atrocious posture, I appreciate that it pulls my shoulders back and immediately makes me straighten my spine, preventing my back from feeling painful or sore after a workout. Plus, I always get compliments when I wear it.”
Forme’s Power Bra is a posture corrector that uses tension fabrics and various panels to encourage proper upper body alignment while you’re wearing it, according to the brand. Its wide straps support your chest while evenly distributing weight across your shoulders, and the mesh fabric on the back of the bra increases airflow. The posture correcting bra doesn’t restrict my movement at all when I wear it.
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Adjustability: none | Construction: compression | Support level: medium | Material: not specified
“As someone with a larger chest, I have a lot of opinions about sports bras and their support — or lack thereof,” says Rosalie Sparaco, NBC commerce senior social media editor. “This is one of the most supportive bras I’ve ever worn, period. Every single aspect of it, from the straps to the band, is adjustable, making it easy to be sure everything stays where it should and isn’t bouncing around too much. Plus, it doesn’t chafe or feel extra sweaty at the end of a workout, which is a big deal for me.” SheFit’s sports bra has a front-zip closure and removable cups, as well as 15 inches of lift in the wide shoulder straps and 8 inches of cinch in the rib band. The straps are also convertible, so you can wear them crisscross or straight.
Sizes: XS to 6Luxe | Adjustability: band and straps | Construction: compression | Support level: high | Material: nylon, spandex, polyester
Anyone who runs long-distance knows how many supplies you need to bring on your route: energy gels, electrolytes, a sunscreen stick, your phone, sunglasses and an extra hair tie. Bandit’s Stamina bra can fit all of that (and more) in its three pockets — there’s one under each arm and one on the back, each of which I can easily access while I’m running. The bra is made from highly compressive, stretchy fabric that keeps my chest in place, as well as prevents everything I stuff inside its pockets from bouncing around as I move. It has racerback straps and a crop top style, so I pair it with high-waisted leggings or shorts and layer shirts over it in the chilly weather.
Sizes: XS to XL | Adjustability: none | Construction: compression | Support level: high | Material: polyester, spandex
To make sure you buy a comfortable sports bra that fits well, experts recommend keeping the following in mind.
Many sports bras are sold in alpha sizes, meaning small, medium, large and so on. While shopping, some people assume that since they wear a medium shirt, for example, they’ll fit into a medium bra. But your bra size doesn’t always match your clothing size, and if you assume incorrectly, you’ll end up bringing home an ill-fitting sports bra. That’s why it’s so important to read the sizing information on a brand’s website or, better yet, buy a sports bra that’s sold in bra sizing, which means you can choose your size based on band size and cup size, like a 32B or 40D, for example.
Beyond sizing, the key to finding a sports bra that fits well is buying one with adjustable elements. “Look for styles with adjustable shoulder straps and an underband adjustment like a hook-and-eye closure,” says Tempesta. “That’s how the bra is going to feel like it’s custom made for you.”
Sports bras also stretch out over time, so you want to be able to tighten the straps and band as needed. There should be no more than a half inch to one inch of space between your skin and the shoulder strap when you pull up on it, and no more than two to three inches of space between the skin and the underband if you pull it out, says Tempesta. Anything tighter may cause your skin to chafe, while anything looser can cause the bra to move around a lot while you’re exercising and leave you feeling unsupported.
One of the ways to ensure you’re wearing a well-fitting sports bra is to do a bounce test. Before taking the tags off your sports bra, try it on, stand in front of a mirror and jump up and down. How much bounce do you feel and see? A lot of bounce can be distracting and painful while working out, so this is a good sign you should get a more supportive sports bra, says Sena.
There are three types of sports bras you should know about while shopping:
Typically, compression sports bras are best for those with smaller chests — compression alone can keep smaller busts in place while you’re moving, says Tempesta. Those with larger chests tend to favor encapsulation sports bras because they tend to be more adjustable and structured, and don’t squeeze dense breast tissue against your chest. That said, combination sports bras are the absolute best option for those with larger chests — compression holds breasts close to your chest to minimize bounce, while molded cups keep each breast fixed in space.
Shoulder strap design is the number one most ignored part of sports bra fit, says Tempesta. Because most people have narrow or sloped shoulders, straight straps that are not adjustable — like those on a tank top — often fall down while you’re working out. Racerback or crossback straps are better options for most people.
Some bras are designed with a lot of straps that stretch across your back, which can make them seem more fashionable and stylish. But strappy-back sports bras have a few downsides you should be aware of: Straps can tangle or twist in the washing machine, they can make bras hard to put on and take off, and they may leave unattractive tan lines (or a sunburn) if you’re exercising outside.
Overall, simpler is better when it comes to sports bra straps, and wide, stiff, adjustable straps lift you up the best. Narrow, stretchy straps won’t do much for you as far as movement control or lift goes, says Tempesta.
If you’re looking for a sports bra with cups, Sena recommends opting for molded or sewn-in cups instead of removable pads. Removable pads can move around while you’re working out and cause you to become uncomfortable or distracted. And if removable pads fall out in the wash, you can easily lose them.
Some people, however, prefer removable pads despite their flaws, because they help create a rounded shape on your chest. One benefit is that you can remove them if you want a little extra room in the bra for your breasts — for example, if you find your breast size increases while menstruating, experts say.
It’s important to think about what activities you’ll be doing while wearing the sports bra when deciding how much support is right for you. There are three levels of support:
Keep in mind that there’s no industry standard for what each level of support means, and every brand defines it differently, says Tempesta. If you’re unsure about a bra and how much support it offers, experts recommend reading reviews to learn what types of activities shoppers do while wearing the bra and compare it to how you plan to wear it.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered fitness apparel for five years, including topics like women’s walking shoes, women’s running shoes and training shoes. To write this article, I interviewed two experts about sports bras and how to shop for them. I, along with other members of the NBC Select staff, also tested every single sports bra on our list.
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