Finding decent period underwear can feel impossible.
Everything is either too crinkly, too expensive, or even worse… made with dangerous chemicals right up against your most sensitive body parts.
No thanks.
So we set out to do the impossible, to go where no woman has gone before, and find period underwear that isn’t thick, crinkly chemical garbage.
Did we succeed? Only time will tell… but the answer is yes.
Good period underwear should be easy to make.
Just put absorbent materials inside comfortable undies that look good. What is so complicated about that?
Here’s what we scored each pair on…
Comfort and fit Looking and feeling good is the bare minimum. We don’t want to feel like grannies in diapers. We’re just women with a little blood.
Absorbency Does period underwear actually absorb as much as a pad or tampon? Is it comfortable?
We found a few good options that held enough blood for the whole day. (Our editor has a REALLY heavy flow, though, so only one of the options actually held up for her all day. Sorry, Rachel 😬)
Price & Packaging Putting a trendy logo on an oversized box doesn’t really make the underwear any better, but companies do like to charge more for it.
We found one brand that kept the packaging to a minimum, which reduces their shipping costs so they can save us money. At least that’s what they say… but the price was good, so they’re doing something right.
No Dangerous Chemicals Why do we even have to check for this?
Style and sexiness Your period is not a death sentence for your sex life. (Unless your guy is squeamish.)
So we still wanted to look good, and a lot of brands just looked too much like diapers. We did find some cute options though.
PFAS and other chemicals One of the most popular brands was caught with PFAS in their underwear. Big red flag.
Bulky packaging Packaging adds weight, increases shipping costs, and inflates prices for no good reason.
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
Premium materials (bamboo and cotton) and a seamless design that’s basically invisibleBest pricing with bundle options. Less than $X per pair.Absorbent enough for heavy flows on day 1 (they say 50ml) No crinkles. Not too bulky. Feels like real underwear. Nice, snug fit. Comfortable all day long, even after it gets filled up. Easy to wash, actually gets clean (isn’t permanently stained after the first time you use them).Direct from manufacturer, no extra middle man costs Sold out often. (Had to wait a week for my size to come back in stock)
Only available online, not in stores.Only one option for flow, equal to about 5-10 tamponsREYA is new to the scene, but they’re quickly going viral, and we loved the pairs we tried.
Amazing comfort, great style, and most importantly… super absorbent, even for a heavy flow. The style is especially nice, and it feels like regular underwear (but a little more comfy than most normal underwear, actually).
Some women who really bleed a ton will probably need two pairs by the end of the day (like if you normally need 8+ tampons). But for most of us, it’s absorbent enough for all of day 1.
It’s our favorite period underwear. The other best options were nearly as good, but REYA was the best price, so all told, it was an easy choice.
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
Quick drying synthetic fabric, good for working outNo show design, pretty good fit
Feels light and “normal,” not like a diaper or pad.
Variety of styles and flow options
Their maximum absorbency version is less than other brandsSynthetic materials can be a bit itchy.Knix looks great and are basically invisible most of the time. They have a nice selection of styles, which is our only complaint about REYA.
They’re also really good if you’re working out, because the synthetic nylon is good for moisture wicking, but it’s also a little less comfortable and can be irritating on sensitive skin.
Overall, a great pick and a decent price. It just wasn’t our favorite.
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
Maxi version holds about 10 tampons’ worth
Bamboo and cotton feel nicer than nylonVery good leak protection for overnightChecked for dangerous chemicals and certifiedA little bulky. Still feels like you’re wearing a pad.
Clearly visible under pants. Modibodi’s options are a little more on the “medical” side. They feel heftier, they’re more visible, and they kind of feel like wearing pads.
Good for overnight leak protection, but not ideal for daily underwear.
We do love the bamboo and cotton, though. It feels nice, it’s absorbent, and it’s more natural than the nylon and synthetic options that can sometimes irritate your skin (or come with PFAS).
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
Options with up to 12 tampons worth of absorbency
Easy to find in stores
Mix of cotton and synthetic fabric choices
National brand recognition
Lawsuit over PFASPricier than other brands, but not necessarily betterThe gusset can be a bit thick/inflexible
If you’re in Target and you need to quickly grab some emergency period underwear, Thinx is almost certainly going to be your pick. Well known, easy to find, and very absorbent.
But ever since their lawsuit over PFAS, we’ve never been totally comfortable putting them on, even though it’s probably been resolved now.
The biggest downside is the cost. If you need leak protection overnight for a super heavy flow, and you don’t mind the price tag, go for it.
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
Nice, soft cottonSuper low pricesSustainability missionGood absorption (up to 9 tampons)Stitched seams show through pantsKind of feels like putting a hand towel in your pantsWe love the simplicity of The Period Company. It’s a no-nonsense brand.
But there’s one big downside, which is… the bigness. It’s really thick. It feels a bit like stuffing a towel in your pants. They also don’t look very cute. Basic, functional, but nothing you’re excited to put on.
REYA has the same no-frills approach, but with the added benefit of bamboo, a lightweight feel, and a more fun look.
TOTAL RANKING
OVERALL GRADE
Super, super thin gusset. You could absolutely mistake it for regular underwear.Eco friendly options Great absorptionNo show design Not as absorbent as other brandsHigh price tagSaalt has nailed the “feels like regular underwear” period underwear thing. You could actually mix them up with your regular stuff. (Maybe that’s not a great thing? I dunno.)
But the major downside is the absorbency and price. They probably wouldn’t hold up on day 1 for a lot of women, and at this price, you’d really expect more protection.
The look and feel are great. But they’re not the most practical (or affordable) choice.
If you are tired of ruining your favorite sheets, stressing over toxic chemicals near your most sensitive areas, or feeling like you’re walking around in a crinkly diaper for a week every month, it’s time to upgrade your period protection. However, you shouldn't have to pay massive retail markups for thick, uncomfortable fabrics or risk exposure to "forever chemicals" just to stop a leak.
REYA is the definitive #1 choice for period underwear in 2026. By cutting out the middleman and focusing on premium, natural materials (bamboo and cotton), REYA solves the biggest problems in the period underwear industry. While legacy brands like Thinx are dealing with the fallout of PFAS lawsuits, and brands like Modibodi or The Period Company feel a bit too thick and bulky, REYA delivers the perfect balance.
They provide heavy-duty, 50ml absorbency (equal to 5-10 tampons) in a seamless, lightweight design that actually looks and feels like your normal, everyday underwear. It is the most comfortable, reliable, and affordable way to bleed without the stress.
