Whether you have arthritis, knee pain, or are recovering from an injury, a good knee brace can be a great tool to maintain mobility while decreasing pain and instability. But buying a knee brace can be hard work – there are so many options to choose from, especially on Amazon. So, to take some of the guesswork out of it for you, we’ve found the best knee braces on Amazon to suit a variety of needs, all based on their overall functionality, price range, and comfort level.
Top Picks
If you want to cut to the chase, here are our top picks for the best knee braces on Amazon. You can read more about each brace in our overview below.
- Best Soft Brace: DOUFURT Knee Brace Stabilizers
- Best For Sports and high-intensity exercise: NEENCA Professional Compression Knee Brace
- Best Compression Brace: MODVEL 2 Pack Compression Knee Brace
- Best Rigid/Hinged Brace: Shock Doctor Ultra Hinged Knee Brace
- Best Affordable: ABYON Adjustable Knee Stabilizer
- Best For Arthritis: EXOUS BODYGEAR Knee Brace Support
- Best For Everyday Wear: Sparthos Knee Compression Sleeve
What is a Knee Brace For?
Knee braces are used as supports for those suffering from a variety of knee-related issues such as:
- Knee pain (acute or chronic)
- Arthritis
- ACL Injuries
- Meniscus Injuries/Tears
- Tendon/Ligament injuries & issues
- Instability
Knee braces will provide stability, ease pressure and help promote blood flow and healing to an injury or issue and can even be used as a preventative tool for those with a history of knee issues or while doing activities that put a lot of weight or pressure on the knees.
Types of Knee Braces
There are a few types of knee braces and it’s important to know the difference before purchasing one for yourself. Ideally, you should ask your doctor or specialist what type of brace is right for your particular issue to ensure you’re getting the correct support.
Rigid/hinged
Rigid/hinged knee braces provide maximum support and limit movements the most of the braces we will discuss. These braces are often used to aid in recovery from injuries to the ACL, meniscus, or other injuries that have required surgical intervention.
Rigid braces help limit movement of the knee and surrounding area while still allowing you to perform basic mobility and exercise. With this type of brace, the knee is typically stabilized using metal hinges on one or both sides of the brace and additional supports above and below the knee.
Compression
Compression braces typically come in the form of a sleeve that you step into and pull up into position over your lower thigh, knee and upper calf. This type of brace works and feels similar to compression workout gear such as leggings.
Compression braces provide light support, increase blood flow, and allow a full range of movement for those with minor injuries or knee complaints such as pain or arthritis. These can also be used preventatively, as they allow the wearer to perform their full range of mobility and participate in most physical activities, including running, cycling and sports.
Soft Braces
Soft knee braces fall somewhere in between the rigid/hinged brace and a compression brace/sleeve. They provide mild to moderate support and are a great everyday option for those with chronic knee issues, instability, minor injuries, etc.
When Should You Wear a Knee Brace?
When you wear your knee brace will depend on the symptoms or condition your knee brace is being used for and your doctor’s recommendations. However, there are a few common reasons you should wear a knee brace:
- Knee pain
- Arthritis & flare-ups
- Prevent re-injury in those with a history
- To aid in injury or surgical recover
- To stabilize and support the knee during high impact activity
- To help with instability, pain and/or inflammation during normal activity/aid mobility
It’s always best to follow the direction of your doctor or specialist when it comes to when or if you should be wearing a knee brace as improper use can exacerbate symptoms or cause dysfunction and injury.
What to Look for in a Knee Brace
So, you know you would benefit from a knee brace and/or your doctor has told you that a knee brace may help manage your symptoms or injury. Great! But what should you look for in a knee brace? How do you pick the right one?
Material
The knee is an area of the body that requires a fair amount of freedom in order to move properly, and it is also an area that can quickly become hot or sweaty. Therefore, the material is important when shopping for a knee brace.
Ideally, you want to be looking for breathable, sweat-proof and flexible materials, such as neoprene; if your brace has anti-slip components, gel pads, or any other material that touches the skin, you want to ensure that it is silicon-especially if you are allergic to latex or easily get rashes and irritation.
Quality
A quality knee brace is important, as a poorly built, low-quality product can end up doing more harm than good. When buying a knee brace, look for popular brand names often recommended by doctors or physiotherapists or read Amazon reviews and do your research before committing to a product.
In general, you will know when a knee brace is well built based on materials, the feel of the brace when it’s on (stability, nothing feels out of place, the brace sits right against leg and knee, etc.) and fit.
Right size
For similar reasons to quality, you need your brace to fit properly. To properly fit your brace, you need to measure your leg at the exact spots indicated on the braces’ size chart – typically lower thigh, knee and upper calf.
A properly sized knee brace ensures that you get the right compression and support and that all parts of the brace support the leg’s correct area. For example, an incorrectly sized rigid brace may mean that the hinges don’t properly line up with your knee, further reducing mobility and likely increasing pain.
Warranty
All braces on Amazon are backed by their 30-day return policy; this allows you to return the product within 30 days if you have an issue with sizing, defects, etc. This means you can try out a brace to make sure it fits and feels right for you.
Additionally, some braces offer a money-back or happiness guarantee, which means you can return the product with no questions asked and get your money back. Whether or not further warranty is necessary will depend on your own preferences.
Type
Before buying a knee brace, make sure you know the best type of brace for your specific needs; this often means talking to your doctor or specialist to make sure that the brace you buy will help you with your concerns and not cause more harm. This is particularly important in the case of rigid braces and some soft braces, which contain stability bars and hinges that impact overall mobility.
Best Knee Braces on Amazon
If you’re looking for the best knee braces on Amazon, you may be overwhelmed by the number of choices. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the top picks!
DOUFURT Knee Brace Stabilizers
Best Soft Brace
The DOUFURT Knee Brace Stabilizer is a great soft brace for those who require support during exercise or wish to prevent injury or re-injury to their meniscus and surrounding structures of the knee.
- Type of Brace: Soft
- Warranty: 30-day free returns
- Features: Adjustable, gel pad and spring strip
The adjustable design allows you to control the compression of the brace to suit your needs and type of exercise—a great way to exercise and maintain mobility in those with knee issues safely.
Pros
- Variety of sizes – unisex sizing
- Adjustable
- A soft brace with a gel pad and spring strip allows for stability and protection during exercise and movement.
- Breathable, quick-dry fabric
Cons
- May roll down or slip during vigorous exercise such as running.
NEENCA Professional Compression Knee Brace
Best for Sports and High-intensity Exercise
For those that prefer the feel of a compression sleeve but require a bit of extra stability and support, the NEENCA Professional Compression Knee Brace combines both.
- Type of Brace: Compression Sleeve
- Warranty: 30-day free returns
- Features: Non-slip seam, Silicon knee protection pad and metal spring stabilizers
A comfortable and flexible sleeve with a non-slip seam gives you the freedom to perform even your high-intensity exercise like running or basketball while providing support with a silicon knee pad and metal side stabilizers.
Pros
- Non-slip seam
- Silicone knee protection pad and metal spring stabilizers for stability
- Lightweight and breathable fabric
- Flexible, with additional support, making it comfortable but practical for high-intensity sports and exercise like running, soccer, basketball, etc.
- Various sizes available – unisex sizing
Cons
- It can be difficult to find the perfect size – a combination of compression and comfort/stability.
- The non-slip strip should be avoided for those with a latex allergy
MODVEL 2 Pack Compression Knee Brace
Best Compression Brace
The MODVEL Compression Knee Brace is great for those recovering from injury, or with functional knee pain such as arthritis.
- Type of Brace: Compression sleeve
- Warranty: 30-day free returns & 100% money-back guarantee
- Features: Non-slip silicone strips
The soft, flexible material provides snug compression, which helps with blood flow and feelings of stability to keep you doing the things you love, such as running, walking, or other physical activities that typically cause you pain.
Pros
- Medium thickness for comfortable movement and support
- Compression helps improve circulation
- Non-slip silicone strip
- Variety of sizes – unisex sizing
Cons
- Brace slips if sizing is even a little bit off.
- May not form to all leg shapes impacting compression
Shock Doctor Ultra Hinged Knee Brace
Best Rigid/Hinged Brace
The Shock Doctor Ultra Hinged Knee Brace provides maximum support for those that require more stability, such as ACL injuries, hyperextension, instability, strains and tears.
- Type of Brace: Rigid/Hinged
- Warranty: 30-day free returns
- Features: Bilateral hinges, X-Fit strap system
With bilateral hinging, the snug fit brace keeps the knee supported while allowing for moderate movement.
Pros
- X-Fit straps for extra security and stability.
- Bilateral hinges
- Variety of sizes – unisex sizing
- Moisture-wicking material and spandex back-of-knee mesh for function and breathability
Cons
- Difficult to get sizing right
ABYON Adjustable Knee Stabilizer
Best Affordable Option
The ABYON Adjustable Knee Stabilizer is great for stabilizing minor knee injuries, instability issues and supporting your knee during regular exercise.
- Type of Brace: Soft brace
- Warranty: 30-day free returns
- Features: Side stabilizers, adjustable tabs, non-slip strips
With its great design and ease of use, this bargain option is a great choice for just about anyone.
Pros
- Non-slip silicone strips
- Adjustable straps for perfect fit and stability
- Side stabilizers
- Variety of sizes – unisex sizing
- Breathable, no-sweat material
- Compression
Cons
- It may not be true to size; measure before buying
EXOUS BODYGEAR Knee Brace Support
Best For Arthritis
The EXOUS BODYGEAR Knee Brace is a lightweight, supportive brace that easily fits under clothes.
- Type of Brace: Soft Brace
- Warranty: 30-day free returns
- Features: Comfort gap, 4-way strap design, anti-slip grips
The anti-slip grips keep the brace in place during regular activity and it features a comfort gap at the back of the knee that reduces bunching and allows for more breathability.
Pros
- Anti-slip grips
- Variety of sizes – unisex sizing
- Comfort gap for breathability and anti-bunching
- 4-Way strap for better stability and adjustability
Cons
- Velcro straps tend to wear out quickly
Sparthos Knee Compression Sleeve
Best For Everyday Wear
If you’re looking for a bit of relief from functioning knee issues like pain, arthritis, etc., or have an injury that requires light support and compression to help with stability and swelling, the Sparthos Knee Compression Sleeve may be for you.
- Type of Brace: Compression Sleeve
- Warranty: 30-day free returns and 100% happiness guarantee
- Features: Targeted compression, anti-slip system, seamless
Due to its flexible fabric, it’s great for running, hiking, cycling as you maintain a full range of motion.
Pros
- Breathable fabric
- Variety of sizes – unisex sizing
- Anti-slip silicone strip
- Targeted compression design
- Fits under clothing
Cons
- Sizing may be difficult
- Fabric may bunch at the back of the knee
FAQs
Answer: Knee braces are used to help with a variety of knee issues ranging from pain to injury. A knee brace helps provide pain relief, creates stability, and supports the knee allowing the wearer to participate in regular exercise and activities with decreased pain and risk of injury/re-injury.
Answer: Yes, knee braces can help with knee pain. Depending on the source of the pain, different types of braces may help ease pain in different ways. Compression braces improve blood flow and help take some of the pressure off of an inflamed or painful area, soft and rigid braces can help keep the knee stable which may decrease discomfort caused by injury, instability, etc.
Answer: While it’s best to consult your doctor or specialist about what is right for you and your particular knee issue, yes, in general, it is okay to wear a knee brace all day. However, it’s often recommended that you give your knee/leg a break by loosening or removing the brace when you have a chance to sit for an extended period of time.
Answer: What knee brace your doctor recommends will depend on the type of issue you’re having. Compression and soft braces may be good for minor issues, while more rigid/hinged braces are often recommended for those recovering from certain injuries or surgeries. It’s always best to talk to your doctor about what is right for your individual needs.
The Final Say
Overall, if you’re suffering from knee pain or injury, a knee brace can be a great tool to help you relieve symptoms and get back to exercise and movement. Finding the best knee brace for you will depend on your particular concerns, but if you’re looking for a great brace for minor concerns and prevention, the MODVEL 2 Pack Compression Knee Brace is a great choice.
As always, if you liked this article, leave a comment down below and for more tips and helpful suggestions, check out our guide to the best hip braces!
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