The Best Knee Braces, Vetted by Experts

For this story, the product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute relied on our decades of expertise testing athletic wear and gear as well as anything sports- or fitness-related, from the best running sneakers and leggings to activity recommendations like strength training exercises to our favorite workout apps. We tried out several knee braces firsthand and we reviewed popular picks among online consumers for factors like materials, design, price and more.

Most importantly, we interviewed and consulted top experts, including a sports medicine physician, a board-certified orthopedic specialist and several physical therapists, for their recommendations and to learn even more about what to look for in the best knee braces.

There are many reasons that warrant investing in a knee brace, but it's important to get the right one for you. “Increasingly, people get knee braces on their own online. Though you won’t hurt yourself by putting yourself in a knee brace, make sure you need it and are using it properly," says Jordan Metzl, M.D, a sports medicine physician. Here are some tips to help you shop for the best knee brace:

✔️ Purpose: "When shopping for a knee brace, first identify the need or purpose of the brace, whether it’s for injury prevention, rehabilitation or pain relief," Heimann says. She recommends choosing the support level based on the severity of the condition, selecting light support for minor discomfort and heavier duty for more severe injuries. "The brace also needs to correspond to the activity level for which it will be used, making it compatible with lifestyle and physical activity," she says.

✔️ Support: While medical-grade quality knee braces will provide the most, you can still obtain some support from standard knee braces. For instance, “knee braces that have metal on the side, as well as a couple of Velcro straps, are meant to control excessive motion in one of two directions: lateral motion [side to side] and rotational motion," explains Lozada. Braces that do not feature metal pieces or stabilizers, on the other hand, mainly provide compression. "The compression can help either decrease inflammation or provide proprioception, which is the awareness of your brain in relation to where your body is in space. If you put a brace on your knee, communication with the brain is improved because of the sense of touch on the area," he explains.

✔️ Style: Knee braces come in various shapes and styles. “If you’re searching for a brace because you have pain around the knee cap, look for one with an opening in the knee cap," advises Lozada, explaining that if it doesn't feature an opening, the material could put pressure on the knee cap and cause even more pain. “If the brace has a gap then it won’t put pressure on the knee cap; instead, it will support it and keep it in place," he says. You can also consider knee braces that feature a built-in silicone gap that lifts the fabric away from the knee cap.

✔️ Comfort: Your knee brace should feel comfortable. “It’s similar to how you would pick the best running shoes," says Dr. Metzl. "Choose what feels best! For the majority of knee braces, if you can feel comfortable and if your knee feels better, you can use it.”

✔️ Size: Always check the manufacturer's sizing guide before purchasing a knee brace and measure your leg accordingly. Also, keep in mind that the length of the brace matters. According to Lozada, "A brace that is short will provide less support than a brace that is longer." He advises shoppers to look for a knee brace that's at least four inches below their knee and four above.

✔️ Fit: A knee brace is meant to have a secure fit. “The brace should be snug because if it’s not snug enough or feels loose it will slide down the leg eventually," says Lozada. However, "it shouldn’t be so tight that it’s uncomfortable." Dr. Metzl points out that some patients may even get rashes if their knee braces are too tight, so it's important to find one that fits well.

Frayna recommends measuring your knee before shopping and says that the knee brace should be snug but not tight enough to harm your circulation. Amir Majidi, DC, BSc, a sports chiropractor and owner of Push Pounds Sports Medicine, adds, "The fit is important because a brace that is too tight will constrict circulation, while one that is too loose will not provide good support."

✔️ Materials: Look for breathability when shopping for a knee brace. "In general, it’s best if the brace is breathable because you will be sweating," says Lozada. Typically, you'll find knee braces made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon or polyester. According to our textile experts, these materials stand out for their durability and moisture-wicking properties but are not made equal and can vary in their construction. You'll also oftentimes find braces containing neoprene, which is a type of foam featuring a squishy, non-rigid texture that can provide cushioning. Dr. Metzl advises shoppers to “find a material that feels durable and sturdy" and to avoid those where you get a sense that they're cheaply made.

✔️ Price: Price may be an indicator of the quality of your brace. Lozada says that there are knee braces that sell for less than $50 online, but they may not offer the same support or last as long as ones that are priced a little higher.

There are several types of knee braces, each serving a distinct purpose. Something that they share in common, according to Dr. Metzl, is that a knee brace should "give the knee support and make it feel better as well as improve functionality."

Dr. Metzl explains that one common type of knee brace includes those that provide structural support to a knee that is having structural support problems. This could be due to a torn ligament, which causes the knee to feel loose or unstable, as well as conditions such as arthritic knees, dislocated kneecaps and more.

"This particular type of brace is used for those with a previous ligament injury or instability. These braces have external support, primarily in the form of plastic or metal posting," says Zach Meineke, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, the clinic director at Texas Physical Therapy Specialists. He adds that stability braces can be very effective for people with a previous history of ligament sprain in their knee or a history of ACL injury.

There are also knee braces that are medically prescribed and fitted to an individual for a specific reason, for instance, to support the knee post-surgery.

Lastly, you'll find traditional over-the-counter knee braces, including knee sleeves or compression sleeves, that are meant to give a sense of proprioception or help reduce any pain, inflammation or other symptoms. Dr. Meineke explains that one way knee braces with a compression sleeve help reduce knee pain is by improving muscle warmth. "The increased warmth allows the muscles to fire more quickly and efficiently, allowing for better knee function and alignment," he says.

If you have arthritis in your knee, Dr. Meineke says to consider a knee unloader brace, which works by offloading the painful space in the knee (known as a "compartment") so that the weight is more evenly distributed across the full joint.

Typically, anyone experiencing pain, inflammation or other symptoms around the knee may want to wear a knee brace. "They can be very useful for everyone, from athletes recovering from injuries to people suffering from chronic conditions like arthritis," Dr. Majidi says. Lozada breaks it down into two distinct categories: “There are the people who want to use a knee brace to prevent injuries [such as athletes] and those who need it because they already have an injury," he says. Additionally, patients who are post-surgery will oftentimes use a medically prescribed knee brace to restrict motion or provide support and protection to the knee as it heals.

According to medical experts, there's no simple answer when it comes to the benefits of a knee brace. "There is a lot of conflicting data from research," explains Lozada, and it's different for every individual. "The general understanding is that there is some benefit to simple braces without stabilizers, which can help with swelling reduction and proprioception," he says.

For those who have experienced an injury, Lozada explains that a knee brace may also be somewhat helpful with the healing process; likewise, athletes can benefit. "Wearing a knee brace [with stabilizers] may help prevent injury for people who are participating in activities that involve jumping, such as volleyball, basketball, etc. There's enough evidence to suggest that wearing a brace has a protective function to the ALC specifically," which is a key ligament that stabilizes the knee joint. Because the anatomy of the knee is so complex, our pros suggest discussing the benefits of knee braces with a professional who can evaluate you firsthand.

"Depending on the injury or condition, braces can be used temporarily or more long-term," Heimann says. She says that for acute injuries, a brace can be used to limit mobility and prevent further injury during recovery, which can last a few weeks to a month. With chronic conditions, Heimann says a brace can be used for certain activities to help the wearer feel more comfortable, both mentally and physically.

Knee braces are not meant to be worn all the time. You should always start off slow and only wear your knee brace while moving. “You should not wear a knee brace if you’re not active," suggests Lozada. "If you’re sitting down or watching TV you should not have the brace on as it doesn’t do anything for you and has the potential of putting pressure on blood vessels on the back of your knee.” If you’re flying on an airplane or worried about blood clots and swelling, our pros suggest purchasing compression tights that cover your entire leg and not just your knee.

Dr. Metzl also warns against relying on a knee brace for an extended period of time. "The best knee brace we have are the muscles around the knee," he shares. "If you become dependent on the brace, the muscles around the knee can start to atrophy and the natural knee brace diminishes. I suggest using knee braces for short periods of time and always working the muscles around the knee, hips, glutes, quads, etc.”

Good Housekeeping Institute Product Analyst Olivia Lipski covers gadgets, health and fitness, home, travel and more. She regularly collaborates with GH’s Wellness Lab to test and review the best fitness gear and wearables, including products like the Apple Watch Ultra, the Oura Ring, barefoot shoes and more. Though she hasn’t yet tested each knee brace on this list, she’s road-tested several while recovering from ACL surgery and knows firsthand what's most important to look for.

For this story, we also spoke to Jordan Metzl, M.D., a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and Hector Lozada, PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT, NCPT a board-certified orthopedic specialist and physical therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Additional experts interviewed for this guide include:

• Physical therapist Lara Heimann, PT
• Zach Meineke, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, the clinic director at Texas Physical Therapy Specialists
• Sandra Gail Frayna, PT, a physical therapist and the owner of Hudson Premier PR & Sports
• Amir Majidi, DC, BSc, a sports chiropractor and owner of Push Pounds Sports Medicine