By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Best knee supports 2026
Sam – an ex-science teacher – uses his physics degree and five years of experience at Which? to test everything from beard trimmers to electric bikes and trampolines.
How our tests find you the best
Comfort and support
We ask a diverse panel of testers with knee-related ailments to wear each knee support, to uncover the comfiest and most supportive options
Slippage
A knee support’s no good around your ankles. Our testers walk, run, sit and stand to see which braces stay put.
Durability
We subject each knee support to hot temperatures, abrasion tests and stitch strength assessments to see which supports stand the test of time (and repeat wear).
We also test...
How easy each knee support is to get on and off, adjust and how well it regulates heat - so you can avoid sweaty knees.
The best knee supports are easy to get on, firm but not uncomfortable to wear and stay put whether you're sitting down, walking or running.
Our testing doesn't just get one person's opinion. Instead, we recruit a diverse panel of testers (a mix of ages, genders, thigh sizes and most importantly, knee ailments) to test each support thoroughly.
Plus, we subject each knee support to tough durability tests, checking how well they hold up to everyday wear and tear or being accidentally chucked into a high-temperature wash.
Our tests uncovered two knee supports that proved more supportive and comfortable than the rest, earning our Best Buy recommendation. We've also found a couple of Great Value options that are a little cheaper but still give good support.
The knee supports we tested
The biggest brands and the 12 most popular knee supports are listed below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our knee support test results.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| Knee support | Price | Score | Comfort | Resistance to slipping | Support* | Ease of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 88% | |||||
| 88% | ||||||
| 83% | ||||||
| 81% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 77% | ||||||
| 73% | ||||||
| 72% | ||||||
| 70% | ||||||
| 69% | ||||||
| 68% | ||||||
| 64% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Already a member?
Log in
Date tested: April 2026. Page last checked: May 2026. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*As rated by testers with a range of knee issues, based on their experiences wearing the support and walking, jogging, sitting, standing and climbing up and down stairs.
A selection of the knee supports we tested is listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best knee supports from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Aidapt Sleeve Knee Support
Sizes S, M, L, XL (manufacturer doesn't provide a size guide)
Washing instructions Hand-wash only
Bearhug Bamboo Sleeve Knee Support
Sizes S (thigh circumference 27-32cm), M (33-38cm), L (39-44cm), XL (45-50cm), XXL (51-55cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash with cold water only
Bodyprox Patella Tendon Knee Strap
Sizes One size (knee circumference 33-46cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash with cold water only
Boots Everyday Sleeve Knee Support
Sizes S (thigh circumference 30-36.5cm), M (36.5-44.5cm), L (44.5-53.5cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash only
Decathlon Sleeve Knee Support with Side Reinforcements
Sizes 0 (thigh circumference 32-36cm), 1 (36-39cm), 2 (39-43cm), 3 (43-47cm), 4 (47-51cm), 5 (51-55cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash only
LP Sleeve Open Knee Support
Available from LP Support (£21.99)
Sizes XS (knee circumference less than 27.9cm), S (27.9-33cm), M (33-40cm), L (40-47cm), XL (47-54.6cm), XXL (54.6-61.6cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash with cold water only
LP Patella Knee Brace
Sizes One size (knee circumference 26.7 to 43cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash with cold water only
Best running shoes – top picks from our independent tests
Neo-G Open Patella Knee Support
Sizes One size (thigh circumferences up to 56cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash with cold water only
Neo-G Patella Tendon Knee Support Band
Sizes One size (manufacturer doesn't provide a size guide)
Washing instructions Hand-wash with cold water only
Neo-G Stabilised Open Knee Support
Sizes Universal (fits thigh circumferences up to 56cm)
Washing instructions Remove metal stays before washing. Hand-wash with cold water only
Powerlix Knee Compression Sleeve
Sizes S (thigh circumference 29.2-34.2cm), M (34.5-41.9cm), L (42-49.5cm), XL (49.6-59.6cm), XXL (59.9-66cm)
Washing instructions Machine wash, 40°C or less
Vulkan Classic Hinged Knee Support
Sizes S (knee circumference 30-35cm) , M (35-40cm), L (40-45cm), XL (45-50cm)
Washing instructions Hand-wash only, 40°C or less
How we test knee supports
We buy the bestselling knee supports and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We regularly revisit the knee supports on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.
Knee support testing: behind the scenes
1 / 2
A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/supports-and-braces/article/best-knee-supports-a57mB2o4yAOI
To uncover the best knee supports, we recruited a diverse panel of testers, including a mix of ages, genders, thigh sizes and knee problems.
- Comfort Every knee support is worn for a full working day and rated for comfort across various activities, including walking, jogging, climbing stairs and sitting.
- Support Each tester rates the level of support and stability they feel wearing each knee support. The best gave our testers confidence to go for it when walking, running and going about their days, without worrying about their knee issues.
- Slippage The best knee supports barely slipped during a full day of wear, whereas some need to be constantly yanked back up. While a good fit will be part of this, we found some products were consistently better across the board than others.
- Ease of use Our testers rate every knee support for how easy it was to get on and off and achieve a firm, but comfortable fit.
- Heat regulation Knee supports that trap heat can cause sweaty skin, irritation or discomfort, especially during intense activity. Our testers rate each support for how well it regulates heat.
- Durability We test durability by checking resistance to abrasion – simulating the frequent rubbing that knee supports may endure with sandpaper blocks. We also check how well they stand up to a hot wash, submerging each knee support in hot water to see how it stands up to heat. We also test the strength of stitches and straps to check for early signs of failure.
We test multiple sizes of each knee support (if it isn't a universal size). If a manufacturer doesn't provide a size guide, testers wore the most common size they fitted for other knee supports tested.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
What's the best type of knee support?
If you have knee pain, it's important to seek advice from a health professional so you know what's wrong and the best treatment or support options.
If you know you need a knee support, our reviews can help you find a supportive and comfy option.
We spoke to Rej Bhumbra, a consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon at The London Orthopaedic Clinic, for advice on choosing the right knee support. He said:
'Knee supports fall into two main groups – the sleeve variety that tends to be made of an elastic material that surrounds the knee, or a strap/band that supports the knee-cap or the patella tendon.
'A support can be reinforced with stiffer components that then change the mode of action of the device by controlling or restricting the movements and forces the knee joint is subjected to.
'Every patient is different, and injury patterns vary considerably. Benefits from knee support use are widely reported, but it's important to obtain an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional, especially if symptoms are not resolving.'
Sleeves
Sleeve designs come in different sizes, so use the manufacturer's size guide to find the one that is right for you. Size up if you're on the border between two sizes.
Sleeves apply pressure to the knee and are often thinner than adjustable supports, so ideal if you want to wear them under clothes. They can be closed or open patella (a hole in the sleeve for the knee).
Our testers' views on this type of support varied from product to product. It was testers who fell on the border between sizes who typically found the sleeves either too tight or experienced more frequent slipping when sizing up.
Overall, testers tended to prefer sleeves when their knee size sat comfortably within the measurements for a given size.
Adjustable supports
Some knee supports are one 'universal' size, which you fit to your leg with adjustable straps.
They're more adjustable and therefore easier to get a comfy fit. But they tend to be bulkier and more noticeable when worn under clothes.
Our testers with larger thigh circumferences (> 55cm) tended to find these more comfortable.
Testers with smaller thighs didn't say these sleeve types were uncomfortable. But they often noted that material would bunch up behind the knee when sitting or walking, though this was more common with some brands than others.
Patella tendon braces
Usually marketed towards runners, these supports compress the patella tendon to spread the load across it.
They're lightweight and less imposing than a full support. But if your knee issue isn't related to the patella tendon, the effectiveness of this type of support may be limited.
Some of our testers were surprised by the level of support and easing of their knee ailments when testing patella tendon braces. Others said they didn't feel as supported or confident wearing them compared with full-sized support.
Reinforced supports
These can be sleeves or adjustable supports with a rigid component (usually metal or plastic rods/hinge mechanisms) in the sides.
They can restrict joint movement and provide more side-to-side stabilisation.
Our testers generally liked the extra support and didn't feel their movements were too restricted.
Best massage guns - soothe sore muscles with our top picks
How to get the right fit with a knee support
A good fit is important to ensure you get the best from a knee support, so don't skip this step.
Most brands will have instructions on how to measure your knee to get the right size in their range. Typically, you'll need to measure your thigh and/or knee circumference with a flexible tape measure.
- Thigh circumference Measure around your thigh, approximately 10 to 12cm above the middle of your knee.
- Knee circumference Measure around the middle of your knee while standing upright.
Rej Bhumbra, consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon from The London Orthopaedic Clinic, adds:
'There are two key elements to ensure that the support is sized properly from both a length and circumference perspective. If it's too short, not enough of the knee will be supported. Too long makes it cumbersome and causes excessive heating, compression and sweating.
'In terms of circumference, a support that is too loose will not function properly, and a support that's too tight can be dangerous.'
What's the best knee support for running?
Lisa Galliers, Which? principal researcher/writer is part of our expert panel for knee supports, and has shared her experience testing them.
She's been running for more than 20 years, completing many half-marathons and running the London marathon three times.
'I injured my knee back in 2010, and it can niggle from time to time. Recently, training for three back-to-back marathons and my first trail events pushed my legs to the limit – so I put my tired knees to work, and volunteered to help test a range of knee supports on the market.
'The golden rule (it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway) is, if you have knee pain, seek advice from a physio or trained health professional first. Self-diagnosing may turn a niggle into something worse.
Log in to see which knee supports were Lisa's favourite.
'For my training, I found the knee sleeves worked best for providing a balance between support, comfort and practicality.
'The patella straps didn't cover much of my leg, so there was no risk of my knee overheating while training, but I found how supportive they felt to be hit and miss.
'The knee supports with reinforced sides or hinges gave me maximum stability.
'But ultimately, every situation is personal. The best knee supports for running will be the ones that work for you, your training schedule and your injury history. Take advice from a professional who knows this and go from there.'