12 Best Push-Up Bras to Give You That Extra Lift

This Victoria's Secret bra with a deep plunge neckline is ideal for wearing under a low-cut top or dress. It has padding along the sides of the cups for a more natural-looking lift, and you can convert the bra to a racerback style for even more cleavage.

Bra testers said it stayed securely in place throughout the day without shifting or peeking out of their clothes. They also appreciated the smooth and stretchy material, and one 38C tester shared that it was so soft and comfortable that she barely noticed it was on. I haven't tried this particular style, but I love Victoria's Secret's bras for the buttery material lining the inner cups.

Although most testers liked the look of the metal "v" embellishment between the cups, some said it occasionally dug into their chests and felt uncomfortable. When we repeatedly machine-washed this bra in the Textiles Lab, we were impressed by how well the bra held up without major changes in appearance, but the brand recommends hand-washing for longevity.

Band sizes: 32–44 | Cup sizes: A–DDD (F) | Material: Recycled polyamide and elastane blend with recycled polyester lining

A top-performing brand in our most recent round of intimates tests, Maidenform carries a selection of high-quality bras at affordable prices. I recommend this bra for someone looking for a more natural lift and moderate coverage because of the demi-cup design. And if you're really looking for some extra oomph, the bra straps can be converted to a racerback style for added lift and support. Some online reviewers had problems with the convertible straps coming unhooked, but most reviewers said the bra felt secure and supportive.

Several bras from Maidenform have received high scores in our Lab and consumer tests, beating out higher-priced bras from popular retailers. Testers with cup sizes A through D gave the brand's bras top marks for comfort and fit and shared that the bras stayed in place all day without poking, prodding or digging in. I and other GH analysts also appreciate the smooth material of Maidenform's bras, which looks and feels great under clothes.

Band sizes: 32–40 | Cup sizes: A–D | Material: Nylon and spandex blend

The Teardrop Push-Up Bra may be a newer style from Kim Kardashian's well-loved Skims brand, but after going viral on social media, it has quickly become a best-seller. Online reviewers shared feedback like, "It has already boosted my confidence so much!" and "It is the best bra I have ever bought, and it is so worth the money."

One thing I and other GH analysts love about Skims bras is the inclusive range of "nude" shades the brand offers, with 10 colors to choose from for a more natural, camouflaged look under clothing. I was able to try this bra for myself, and I love the silky, smooth feel of the material. It felt breathable, comfortable and didn't cause irritation during my wear tests.

Designed using 3D scans of real women's breasts for a better fit, the bra cups have a unique teardrop shape. The bra also plunges low, meaning it's easy to conceal the bra under even the deepest necklines. There are also wide wings and back band to help prevent bulges.

The bra is designed to lift the chest, so it runs a bit snug, and the brand recommends sizing up if you're in-between sizes. I wear either a 32 or 34 band and opted for a 34 with this bra. When I laundered the bra at home, it held up well without changes in appearance or shrinkage.

Band sizes: 30–44 | Cup sizes: B–H | Material: Nylon and elastane blend

READ OUR REVIEW: Are Skims Bras Worth It? I Tested 4 Styles to Find Out

With band sizes through 46 and cup sizes through H, this push-up style from Curvy Couture is a bra made specifically for those with large chests. Wide-set straps provide the support larger busts need, and the straps are thick, which keeps them from digging into shoulders and causing irritation.

The sides of the bra band are made of a breathable "power mesh" material for a smoothing effect, and the u-shaped design helps prevent the bra from riding up your back. One online reviewer commented, "This bra is actually attractive and comfortable," and added that it keeps "everything up front naturally instead of spilling out on the sides."

This style is a favorite of hundreds of Amazon reviewers who said it has the perfect amount of padding to create cleavage without unwanted bulging or bouncing. Because the bra features lace detailing with rhinestone embellishments, I would note that it may be difficult to conceal the bra completely under clothes, but the brand carries less-embellished options, as well, if you want something more discreet.

Band sizes: 32–46 | Cup sizes: C–H | Material: Nylon and spandex blend with nylon, spandex and polyester blend embellishments

RELATED: The Best Bras for Large Busts, According to Expert Testing

Pepper designs its bras exclusively for small chests, including those with AA, A and B cups with band sizes 30 to 42. Our testers who tried bras from Pepper were happy to find a style that fit their chests without gapping or slippage. They were also blown away by how great their chests looked in Pepper's fan-favorite T-shirt bra, which finally provided the support they needed, even without the extra-padded push-up of this featured style. One tester explained, "The cups make my breasts look rounder and fuller at the top."

A few testers struggled to find their proper size because they weren't used to shopping for properly fitted bras, so be sure to review the size guide before buying instead of just sticking with your typical size.

The bras performed well in our stretch recovery test and washability test. While we thought the bras looked great with no major signs of wear, some testers noted issues with the material fraying after laundering. If you prefer a bra without an underwire like me, Pepper recently launched a wireless version with push-up padding that online reviewers loved and I recommend.

Band sizes: 30–42 | Cup sizes: AA–B | Material: Polyamide and elastane blend

RELATED: The Best Bras for Small Busts, Tested by Experts

If you're searching for maximum lift and a total bombshell effect, look no further than this Victoria's Secret bra. This ultra-padded push-up bra adds up to two cup sizes of fullness to your chest for a more extreme boost. I and several other GH analysts who have said the bra lives up to its boosting claims, highly recommend it. One expert who has owned several models of the style shared, "I'm so impressed by the amount of lift I get from this bra," and added, "I was surprised by how supportive and comfortable it is."

We also appreciate the silky, smooth material that doesn't cling to your clothes and the plunging neckline, which looks great under low-cut tops. I do want to point out that the bra is designed with thinner straps and a narrow band that could dig into your shoulders and back, especially if you have a large chest.

Band sizes: 32–38 | Cup sizes: A–DDD (additional sizes on the brand's site) | Material: Polyamide and elastane blend

Not all padded push-up bras have to be structured with an underwire. Take, for instance, this wire-free style from Aerie's Sunnie collection. The bra has molded cups, a four-row hook-and-eye closure and adjustable straps, so it's still supportive but doesn't dig in.

When I buy bras, I exclusively shop from the Sunnie collection, and this particular style is one of my favorite bras across categories. I've never owned a more comfortable bra, push-up or otherwise, and I barely notice it's on, thanks to the buttery smooth material.

When we've evaluated other bras from the brand in the Textiles Lab, the wireless styles and bralettes have stood out in our assessments, and testers have given them high scores for comfort, appearance and overall satisfaction. I've laundered mine dozens of times and feel as though it holds its shape well overall. However, the edges of the cup start to curl out with extended use and washing, so the outline of the bra becomes more noticeable under clothes with time.

Band sizes: 30–40 | Cup sizes: AA–DDD | Material: Recycled nylon and spandex blend

RELATED: The Best Bralettes for Every Cup Size

Strapless bras are notorious for sitting lower on the chest and not providing the boost wearers want, but this push-up strapless bra from Victoria's Secret Pink fights sagging. The padded cups provide extra lift, and testers said the structured underwire gave them the support they needed.

Our testers also appreciated the silicone-lined band, which has a gripping effect to keep the bra securely in place without slipping down or shifting around. This is a detail that I consider a must-have with all strapless bras, but it's especially important for a strapless push-up bra to help you achieve the lift you want.

According to one 34D tester, this strapless style has beat out all of the others she's tried over the years, emphasizing that the bra is "both comfortable and supportive." This tester also highlighted the versatility of the removable straps, which allow you to customize the bra to be worn as a strapless, one-shoulder, racerback, standard or halter style.

Some of our testers said the bra ran a bit small and recommended sizing up, but through years of testing, we've found that strapless bras should feel a little snug for the best lift and support. This style recovered nicely in Textiles Lab stretch tests and only experienced minor shrinkage in washability tests.

Band sizes: 32–40 | Cup sizes: A–DD (additional sizes on the brand's site) | Material: Recycled nylon and spandex blend

One of our top lingerie brands, Cosabella is known for its lacy underwear, bralettes and bras. Our testers tried this balconette bra without the push-up padding and loved the feminine look. Many of them shared that they felt "confident" and "sexy" while wearing the bra and others gushed over details like the delicate scalloped trim. You're able to remove the padding from the inner cups for a subtler lift, as well. And it comes in 15 flirty shades including pink, purple and neutrals like black and beige (some colors have limited stock).

The underwire of this bra is stiff, which some testers found to be uncomfortable, explaining that it dug into their underarms, but other testers appreciated the structured support. I've worn the balconette style without padding and did find it to be a bit stiff. I recommend sizing up in the band for a more comfortable fit.

The other bras from the Never Say Never line that we've tried have performed well. In tests for washability, we didn't note any major changes in appearance after laundering one bra for five cycles, and it returned to its original shape in stretch recovery tests.

Band sizes: 28–38 | Cup sizes: A–DD (E) | Material: Cotton and elastane blend cup with polyamide and elastane blend lining and lace

ThirdLove's bras are some of the most searched-for bras on the internet and for good reason. The high-quality bras, including this style with a plunge design, regularly perform well in Textiles Lab evaluations and are favorites of our consumer testers. I love that this bra features removable memory foam padding for a customizable lift: Leave the inserts in for a more pronounced look, or take them out for an easy everyday style. According to our testers, the material is smooth and lightweight, with one describing it as "airy."

It received near-perfect scores for appearance, thanks to the cleavage-enhancing neckline and mesh detail. Referring to the mesh material, one tester shared, "It made it more than just your average everyday full-coverage bra and felt a little sexy!" Testers also gave it high ratings for support, noting that the straps stayed put without sliding down and that the band wasn't restrictive.

When we washed and dried this bra in the Textiles Lab, we reported noticeable shrinkage, so it's important to follow the brand's recommendations of handwashing the bra and laying it out to dry to keep it in tip-top shape.

Band sizes: 32–44 | Cup sizes: AA–H | Material: Nylon and spandex blend

READ OUR REVIEW: Are ThirdLove Bras Worth It? We Put Them to the Test

This bra from Wacoal's Shape Revelation collection is specifically designed for those with shallow breasts and is meant to restore fullness. Even if you don't have shallow breasts (rounder at the bottom with less volume up top), you can still try this bra for a more natural lift. Padding placed along the sides and bottom of the cups acts as a shelf to push the breasts up and slightly toward the center of the chest for subtle cleavage.

Several GH analysts who own this bra, including myself, say it's one of their favorites. It offers superior support and is works wonders on my low-sitting breasts. The amount of cleavage and lift is perfect for everyday wear.

A mesh overlay fully covers the cups and extends to the bra band for a breathable, comfortable feel that we love. I have washed the bra myself without noticing major changes in appearance, and we have evaluated many other styles from the brand in the Textiles Lab that have withstood shrinkage and wear from laundering. However, online reviewers and some GH analysts said the straps on this bra are prone to sliding down and need regular re-adjustment for a secure fit.

Band sizes: 32–40 | Cup sizes: B–G | Material: Polyamide and elastane blend

Natori has received the top spot as our best bra brand for its comfortable, high-quality styles that earn high scores in Textiles Lab evaluations and with consumer testers, including myself. Balconette bras like this one are designed with wider-set straps to provide more lift, resulting in additional fullness, and Natori's version has padded cups for even more noticeable cleavage.

We love the unique straps, which can be adjusted from the front, so you don't have to reach behind your back or take your bra off to achieve the perfect fit. Plus, the bra can be converted to a racerback style for extra support and boost.

We have evaluated many balconette styles, and one common complaint from testers with large cup sizes is slippage and bouncing. However, testers with small cup sizes gave balconette styles higher ratings for support, and the shallow cups prevent the bra from peeking out of scoop or square-neck tops.

Band sizes: 30–36 | Cup sizes: A–DDD | Material: Nylon and elastane blend with polyester lining