The best period pants, tried and tested for comfort, style and absorbency

The Guardian

09-07-2025

Few relish the monthly bleeding, cramps and scramble to stock up on tampons that come with the menstrual cycle. Periods are usually greeted by a weary sigh and a search in the knicker drawer for the big black pants. However, a new wave of period underwear is revolutionising the monthly cycle for many.
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Period pants act as reusable period protection that absorb blood and can then be put in the washing machine. The general guidance is to change your period pants every four to six hours, but this can vary according to the brand, absorbency rating and the heaviness of your cycle.
Some choose period pants for convenience (no need to carry around tampons or pads), but they're also a sustainable alternative to single-use period products. Disposable sanitary towels contain up to 90% plastic, which ends up – more often than not – as landfill or ocean pollution. In fact, with packaging and adhesive included, each sanitary pad is equivalent to about four plastic bags. So, while energy and water are used to wash period pants, they're still one of the more eco-friendly menstrual products.
'But period pants give me the ick,' said a friend when I mentioned what I'd been testing. Other than the thousand things I could say about the patriarchal shaming of women's bodies, I answered truthfully: they're really not that bad.
Period pants are absorbent and easy to wash, and if you're really freaked out by blood, you can put them straight into a wet bag before they go into the machine. It's recommended to wash period pants on a cool cycle without softener (since softeners inhibit absorbency) and then air dry rather than tumble. My main takeaway from the test? Period pants are easy to use and (relatively) mess-free.
Best period pants overall:Wuka stretch midi briefFrom £15.99 a pair at Wuka
Best budget period pants:
Marks & Spencer period full briefs£16 for three pairs at M&S
Best period pants for zero VPL:Modibodi seamfree full briefFrom £20.99 a pair at Modibodi
Best period pants for overnight:Cheeky Wipes Feeling Cosy bamboo period shorts£16.99 a pair at Cheeky Wipes
I've been testing products professionally for more than four years. My mission is to be firm, fair and thorough in my assessment of any product, and I've tested many things – from kids' SPFs to kitchen appliances. This isn't my first foray into professional period product testing, either: I've tested period pads, and know what I'm looking for. Period pants are my personal period product of choice, having tried pretty much every iteration on the market.
I tested more than 30 different period pants, including high-street retailers' own brands alongside specialist brands. My testing window lasted three cycles, so about three months. I wore the pants for the recommended time during my period, checking for comfort and leaks. Vitally, I then washed and dried them to see how long this process took; period pants can take a while to dry, particularly because you can't tumble dry them. In fact, my washing line rarely had space for anything but period pants during testing.
After washing I checked if the pants were still in good shape – saggy elastic just won't do. I also tested their absorbency thoroughly – during my cycle and by pouring volumes of water on to the pants and observing how they coped (timing this for accurate results). Comfort, fit and price were all taken into consideration too.
From £15.99 a pair at Wuka
Wuka designed these briefs to offer a flexible fit for every body shape. They're multi-size, which is great for those who experience bloating, are postpartum or are a still-growing teenager. They're made from stretchy, soft nylon and elastane on the outer and a mix of polyester, polyamide, TPU (a waterproof fabric), cotton and spandex on the inside. The gusset is suspended into the underwear, so it provides a more flexible fit that can accommodate body shape and an active lifestyle.
Why we love it
I found the heavy-absorbency pair I tested comfortable to wear, soft and flexible. A lot of period pants shrink in the wash and become uncomfortable, but the elastic never started to dig in, even after more than 10 washes. The suspended gusset meant I felt secure during testing and didn't experience any leaks. And despite offering very good absorbency – absorbing 30ml of water in 46 seconds during testing – the Wuka isn't bulky, with a shape and style substantial enough to give you peace of mind without looking like something Bridget Jones would wear. Wuka doesn't use silver or antibacterial treatments in the production of its pants, if you're concerned about the potential health risks.
It's a shame that … they come in only two colours (Wuka claims not to be a fashion brand, so only offers pants in black and beige).
Size range: 6-26 Absorbencies available: medium, heavy, superB Corp: yes
£16 for three pairs at M&S
M&S entered the period pants game in 2021 and now has a wide range. These heavy-absorbency knickers were tested as they're middle of the road in terms of absorbency, cut and price – they're a versatile option and will probably suit most people. A set of three is roughly the same price as one pair of period pants from a specialist brand. There are three colours in the pack I tested: pink, burgundy and beige. They're made from 83% cotton, 9% polyamide and 8% elastane and can be washed at 40C.
Why we love itSwitching to period pants can, initially, be expensive, even though the swap will save you money over time. This set of three from M&S makes the switch more achievable by being a relatively affordable option. A realistic estimate is that disposable period products cost about £10 a month, so £120 a year. If you bought six pairs of these M&S period pants, that would cost you £32, and they should last up to three years. That's a saving of at least £300.
Many period pants are slippery nylon, while these feel refreshingly like standard cotton briefs. They offered a decent level of coverage without reaching up over my tummy button (no shade to big-pants fans, but they're not for everyone). M&S rates these as heavy absorbency, but I found they were best for mid-flow days – I had two slight leaks on heavier days. However, they were comfy without much bulk, washed well and retained their colour. I also enjoyed that they came in colours other than black and beige (yawn).
It's a shame that … they shrank slightly after a few washes at 40C.
Size range: 8-24 Absorbencies available: heavyB Corp: no
From £20.99 a pair at Modibodi£24.99 a pair at John Lewis
Modibodi's comfortable, seamless period pants are a little more bouji than your average, with a top layer of merino wool on the gusset, a material renowned for its soft, moisture-wicking and breathable properties. Underneath this layer is a towel of polyester and polyamide, then a third layer of polyester. Shape-wise, there's a low-leg and high-waist cut for comfort.
Why we love itThese are good if you're worried about bulky period pants and want to wear something close-fitting. They're seamfree and are glued instead of sewn. Plus, the absorbent gusset is relatively small – it doesn't stretch up to the waistband at the front or back, reducing thickness significantly.
I found the moderate-absorbency pair comfortable to wear (although I suggest you cut out the huge, chunky and very itchy label). The silky recycled nylon and elastane on the outer gave a good amount of stretch on bloated days, and this elasticity didn't seem to dissolve after the first five washes. I also found the pants dried quickly, on the washing line and heated airer. Modibodi claims the merino wool helps reduce odours – I certainly felt fresh and clean wearing them, even on heavy-flow days.
It's a shame that … you need to wash them on a cold cycle, which means you can't throw them in with your standard laundry.
Size range: 8-26 Absorbencies available: moderate, superB Corp: yes
£16.99 a pair at Cheeky Wipes
For maximum coverage and comfort while sleeping, these Cheeky Wipes period shorts are up there with the best. With a high waistline, comfortable low leg that doesn't cut off the blood supply and ultra-soft, breathable bamboo fabric, these shorts are a triple threat. The absorbency coverage is front to back, with a generous four-layered gusset to ensure you can sleep in every position with peace of mind.
Why we love itEasily the most comfortable period pants I tried, these were a joy to sleep in. Even on the heaviest flow, I suffered no leaks and felt dry and fresh all night long. The long absorbency area is doing its job here. I upped the ante and tested 30ml of water poured out over 10 seconds, and the period pants absorbed all the liquid within 40 seconds. I found the bamboo soft against my skin, and breathable – perfect for those liable to overheating during the night.
Washing and drying were fuss-free, too. The care instructions suggest 30C or lower, and they came out fresh with the colour still vibrant. These Cheeky Wipes products don't contain perfluorooctane sulfonate (Pfos), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or silver.
It's a shame that … they're not more aesthetically pleasing (it's comfort over style here).
Size range: 2-30 Absorbencies available: heavy B Corp: application pending
£13.32 a pair at Bodyform
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Best for: lighter flows
Bodyform has added period pants to its product range. The light-absorbency pair I tested were pretty bog-standard, but a decent option for lighter-flow days. I wouldn't trust them with a heavy flow, however, and I don't fancy their chances with clots. That said, they're lightweight and flexible, and the most like wearing a pair of normal cotton knickers of all the period pants I tried.
The main part of the pants is 95% cotton, which makes them feel soft. I also liked how breathable they were. The gusset itself is less breathable – two layers made up of polyester, elastane and polyamide. Full disclosure: these pants are infused with silver copper zeolite for keeping bacteria at bay.
They didn't make the cut because … I felt there were better period pants out there for the same price.
Size range: 4-22; absorbencies available: light, moderate, heavy; B Corp: no
£22 a pair at Nixi Body£22 a pair at Boots
Best for: gym bunnies and the fashion-conscious
I was immediately struck by how lightweight these period pants are: they're some of the most flimsy I tried, but I was still impressed with the absorbency of the light-flow pair I tested. There are four layers of polyester, elastane, nylon and cotton in the absorbency zone. While the Coni is definitely best once your heaviest flow is over – the gusset has a relatively scant surface area – I was able to wear them on mid-flow days and forget I was on my period.
These period pants are designed for zero VPL and have a feminine cut with scalloped edging that lies flat against your bum. This means they stay close to your body, and can't be seen under tight gym leggings and cycling shorts.
They didn't make the final cut because … they're not super breathable (and could be rather sweaty at the gym).
Size range: 8-30; absorbencies available: light, medium; B Corp: no
£12.99 a pair at Cheeky Wipes
Best for: teens
Cheeky Wipes says it has designed these period pants with teens in mind, and they certainly felt like the most teen-friendly to me during testing. They come in a cheery leopard print – easy to find in the laundry and knicker drawer. And even more importantly, they offer great coverage without being bulky. The cut is similar to the pants younger teens are used to, and they should be absorbent enough to last them a whole school day.
The pants have a front-to-back absorbency zone with three layers – super-absorbent microfibre is doing most of the work here. During testing they performed brilliantly – I tried them with 15ml of water poured on them over five seconds, and all the liquid had been absorbed within seven seconds. They also washed well without dulling the colours.
The cut, a low-rise boy brief, is comfortable and will give peace of mind to teens getting to grips with their monthly cycle. I was really impressed by the quality of these period pants for the price – encouragingly affordable for the parents of still-growing teenagers.
They didn't make the final cut because … as fun as they are, the bright print might not be for everyone.
Size range: 4-24; absorbencies available: medium; B Corp: application pending
From £22.99 a pair at Wuka
Best for: heavy periods
The super-absorbency Wuka period pants are the pair I reached for on the heaviest days of my period during testing, and they did me proud – even overnight. Wuka claims they can be worn for up to 24 hours. My own internal ick factor prevented me from testing them for quite this long, but I felt reasonably fresh after a day of wear. As these are Wuka's belt-and-braces offering, the pad inside the gusset is thicker than on the cheaper medium version, with two layers of absorbent fabric and waterproofing. The absorbency zone stretches front to back, too. Despite all this coverage, I didn't find them noticeably bulky – if you like to wear tight clothing, they might show a little, but I found them fine in jeans.
They washed well, too. I had to unravel the absorbency layer a bit after washing, but it quickly returned to its shape. Despite being washed about nine times during testing, they still look as good as new, with springy elastic. Be warned, though: they do take a long time to dry, so don't rely on them being clean and ready to use again in a 24-hour time frame.
They didn't make the final cut because … at full price, they're quite pricey compared with the other period pants here, and they take a while to dry.
Size range: 4-26; absorbencies available: medium, heavy, super, overnight; B Corp: yes
An immediate switch to using only period pants can be a hit to your bank balance: many period pants cost about £15 a pair (although you can get cheaper packs, such as the M&S set reviewed above) and you'll need to change pants every four to six hours (depending on the brand, absorbency and flow). A phased switchover is more manageable: invest in enough for a few days of your period, and make sure you're organised about washing and drying them. Bear in mind that a high price point doesn't necessarily mean a better product, however.
The main things to consider are shape and absorbency level. Many of us want good, secure coverage during our period – but some of us want pants that look good too. Go for a style that suits you and your flow. You can often get the same style with different levels of absorbency.
Typically, you can wear period pants for four to six hours, but you're going to know your flow and comfort levels the best. Overnight period pants are designed to be worn longer. Most period pants have an absorbency rating listed on the product (which I've provided above), although there's no universal standard so your idea of a heavy flow may be different to others'.
You'll know when to change your period pants when they start to feel a bit heavy, or you can feel dampness. A sure sign is when you get spotting on your clothes – but ideally you'd change your period pants before this.
If you're out and about, you might want to take a dedicated wet bag (a waterproof fabric bag) with you – they're made for the job, and are discreet. Pop your period pants into one until you can get to a washing machine. You might want to rinse them under the cold tap until the water runs clear before chucking them in the washing machine, but if that's not possible just make sure to wash them as soon as you can.
Yes, period pants are thought to be more eco-friendly than disposable period products overall. 'The most up-to-date evidence – including a life-cycle assessment of menstrual products – suggests that when it comes to environmental impact, the menstrual cup comes out on top, followed by period underwear and then reusable pads,' says Helen Lynn, senior consultant and research fellow at the Women's Environmental Network. 'This major international study comparing different period products across eight environmental indicators found that menstrual cups – which are small, reusable and can last up to 10 years – had the lowest impact across the board. Period underwear came in second, then reusable pads. Single-use pads and tampons came in last.'
It's worth pointing out that while menstrual cups have the least impact, knowing how to properly insert a menstrual cup is essential, as is regular sterilising.
Some period pants use 'antimicrobial silver' woven into the fibre to reduce odour and bacteria. And as the Guardian reported, one study has found that silver in period pants may pose a health risk. If you're concerned by this, opt for period pants that are silver-free – there are plenty on the market.
Zoë Phillimore is a journalist with 20 years of experience. She's tested everything from mattresses to makeup, and she's slightly obsessed with finding small new businesses to spotlight. Aside from this niche interest, Zoë loves travel, being outside – especially on the beach – and finding things to keep her three very active children busy