The best bras for comfort and fit, according to over 100 women (and no, it's not M&S)

Score: 93/100

Next’s Minimiser Full Cup bra is our top pick for those with larger busts who still want an everyday bra. Panellists told us it was true to size, comfortable and supportive. “It genuinely made my bust appear a few cup sizes smaller, without compromising on support,” one tester with larger boobs told us.

Available in three colours and starting at a double D, it has underwiring and flat moulded cups to help minimise the bust, but it doesn’t sacrifice on style. “It has nice lace detailing, yet it still looks smooth under a T-shirt,” one tester told us. It was big on comfort too. “There was no digging in, and it felt genuinely secure all day long,” said another. Next’s bras also washed well, with no shrinkage or colour fading in our lab tests.

Score: 91/100

Next’s bralettes, which come in affordable packs of three and a choice of chic colourways, scored highly for comfort with our panellists. “As someone who hates underwires, I loved these bralettes,” one said. Others raved about the soft cotton feel against their skin and the moulded feel of the bra, despite there being no padding.

Unlike some other bralettes, they have an eye-and-hook fastening and adjustable straps, which helped with fit, giving some of our testers more shape. Others also commented on the wide straps, making the bra even comfier.

At under £30 for three bralettes, we think they’re a bargain – plus, you’ll always have one to hand, even if two of them are in the wash.

Score: 90/100

If you have a smaller chest or just fancy something comfy to wear around the house, Intimissimi’s buttery soft bra scored well, with testers commenting on its lightweight design, breathability and invisible feel.

Available in five colours, it has no underwire and removable padding. Most of our testers said they forgot they were wearing it as it was so comfortable. “It feels like a second skin - the material felt super soft, and the straps were easily adjustable,” said one, while another added: “It looked seamless under tops, which was exactly what I wanted.”

It washed well too, achieving top marks in the GHI lab, with no colour fading. Anyone after more support and a little lift may prefer the brand’s equally soft Sofia Balconette Bra, which scored 77/100.

Score: 87/100

Freya has been a staple in many bra drawers for nearly 30 years, and its T-shirt bra didn't disappoint in our tests. Available in six colours, including classic white and nude, and available up to a HH cup, it was highly rated for fit and comfort.

Panellists liked the moulded balcony bra’s seam-free design and the natural, round shape of the cups. “The bra gave me good coverage and support without feeling bulky, and created a flattering, rounded shape,” said one tester. The sizing was spot on too. “It fitted really well, after a little strap adjustment, and the sizing felt accurate to my usual bra size,” another person told us.

Some found the underwiring a little firm; however, others said it was comfortable to wear for long periods. Although the bra is hand-wash only, most found it easy to wash, and it dried quickly.

Score: 86/100

Our testers loved Uniqlo’s Wireless Bra with 3D Hold, which has contoured cups and a flexible fit. Thanks to the stretch in both the cups and straps, our testers felt supported without feeling constricted.

The streamlined design means it's perfect for wearing under tighter tops, too. “It was very flattering under clothes, but still felt supportive,” said one panellist. There was no discomfort either, and it could be worn all day. “It doesn’t dig into the skin, and there was no irritation,” said another happy tester.

With four rows of eye hooks at the back of the bra and moveable straps, it’s easy to adjust the fit, too. However, one tester did complain about the bra coming up a little big, so we advise sizing down if you’re between sizes or double-checking your size before you buy.

Score: 85/100

Lounge’s T-shirt bra lived up to its name in testing; made with the brand’s PillowSoft fabric, it felt smooth against the skin and sat well under tighter clothes.

With smooth, seamless edges, moulded cups and plastic flexi-wire, it was a big hit when it came to all-day comfort. “I wish all bras were this comfy,” said one tester, adding: “It’s also supportive and can be worn all day long.” One panellist did say the thin shoulder straps occasionally dug in, so make sure to find the right fit and adjust the straps correctly before wearing.

The lightweight bra, which comes in an array of sizes and three shades – Latte, Hazel and Black – performed particularly well in hot weather, helping to keep our panellists cool. However, the sizing was a little on the larger side, so either size down or get properly fitted before buying.

Score: 84/100

Another Lounge design, with a traditional balconette design and lace trims, this is a great option to have in your bra drawer, especially for special nights out or, well, special nights in. If you’re looking for a little boost, it also has lightly padded cups, which gave some of our testers a ‘nice lift’.

Made with a lightweight microfibre fabric, it also scored well on comfort and fit. “The material felt smooth and very supportive, which I was surprised about, considering the cut”, one panellist told us. Some did note that the bra came up a little small, so you may want to size up.

Available in four colours, it caters for a large range of sizes, from an A cup through to a G cup. Although it’s hand wash only, our testers said the bra held its shape, even after several washes. It was also machine-washed in the GHI lab and performed well.

We also tested the Lounge bralette, which scored 82/100.

Score: 84/100

You can always rely on M&S for a good-quality bra – and this T-shirt design is no different, with many of our panellists commenting on the well-thought-out construction and quality of the fabric.

With a seamless, ‘invisible’ stretchy design, many were happy with the look and feel. One person told us: “It was very comfortable to wear”, while another added: “The bra was smooth on the outside, so didn’t show under clothes.” Many also said that it felt lightweight and was easy to wear all day.

Available in six colours, including two shades of brown and a pink, one panellist was so happy with the bra she told us: “It was an all-round positive experience to wear this bra.”

Score: 83/100

Stripe & Stare came out on top in the GHI’s best knickers roundup, so we were expecting good things from its equally chic bra range, and it didn’t disappoint.

The brand’s pretty lace plunge bra was our panellists’ favourite pick. It’s available in a wide selection of stylish colourways and doesn’t include any padding or wires. The medium-level support comes from the adjustable straps and three different hook-and-eye options, which many testers felt gave the bra a flexible fit.

The bras are made from Tencel fabric, which was soft against the skin and very breathable, with one tester telling us: “I appreciated the lightweight, barely-there feel during the summer heatwave.”

However, this is a bralette style, which is built for comfort, rather than maximum support. Try the Smooth Sculpt Padded Bra below (score: 82/100) if you love the brand’s chic designs and colours but want a bit more scaffolding.

Score: 83/100

Many compared Boux Avenue’s top-performing style to a sports bra, as it has an over-the-head design, rather than adjustable straps and an eye and hook fastening. However, it scored well for fit and comfort. “The fit of this bra is true to size, and you even forget you’re wearing it, as it’s so comfortable,” said one tester.

Made with stretchy material for better movement and with removable padding, most liked the design. “The ruching and the bow at the front were pretty details,” one panellist told us. However, another said its design left them with a flat-chested look. If you’re looking for more of a lift, we also tested Boux Avenue’s Mollie Padded Plunge Bra (75/100), which goes up to a G cup, has an underwired design and helped to lift and sculpt for better cleavage.

Overall, the bras washed well in the lab, with no signs of shrinkage. However, some said the bralette’s removable pads folded in half during washing, so we advise hand-washing it gently or being prepared to do some unfolding afterwards!

Score: 82/100

Another Freya bra, this time an underwired design, which scored highly for comfort and support, even in the bigger sizes. “The plunge shape was really comfortable. The fit, which included stretchy padded cups, also felt supportive, even in my 38F size,” one tester said.

Panellists loved the look of the bra, too. Available in three colours, including black and pink, it features mesh panels, a satin bow and lace around the cups. The plunge shape also meant it was ideal for lower-cut dresses and tops. “It was perfect to wear with a lower V-neck wrap dress,” one tester told us.

A few noted that the straps were quite thin, but this will come down to personal preference, as others liked that they could wear it with strappy tops. The bra impressed in our lab tests too, retaining its shape well after washing. We also tested the Freya Love Crush Plunge Bra, which scored 82/100.

Score: 82/100

Another Stripe & Stare favourite with our panel, thanks to its sculpting, wire-free design. The Sculpt Bra has some light padding and sat well under clothes. “The soft, seamless cups look good under dresses and T-shirts,” confirmed one panellist.

Testers also loved the soft Tencel fabric of the bra, with the sculpted cups feeling supportive yet comfortable. The sizing was consistent, and while some noted that the underband and straps were quite narrow, they still provided support and comfort throughout the day.

While it's a little more of an investment, our testers felt the quality construction and premium materials made it worth the price.

We also tested the Stripe and Stare triangle bralette, which scored 81/100.

Score: 79/100

Wacoal’s top scorer was its pretty bralette, which comes in a pink or black sparkly design. The stretchy, wire-free design meant it performed well for wearability. “It’s one of the comfiest bras I've worn in a while. It was very flexible, and there was no digging,” one tester told us. Despite being a bralette, it still felt moderately supportive and goes up to an E cup, which meant there was no spillage.

One panellist said it was fiddly to adjust the straps, while another felt the cup sizing was on the smaller side, so we advise sizing up. The lab results were strong, though, with the bras retaining their shape after being washed multiple times.

Score: 78/100

We tested two bras from Kim Kardashian’s lingerie brand, Skims, which is known for its shapewear and extremely comfortable underwear sets. This everyday bralette does exactly what it promises; with a closed back and adjustable straps, it was easy to pull on and makes a great, everyday bra.

It is particularly suited to those with smaller busts, who enjoyed wearing it. “The material was very comfortable and soft against my skin,” said one happy tester. Another added: “It didn’t ride up and was comfy all day.”

However, if you’re looking for more support but like the brand’s mix of colourways and pared-back styling, opt for Skim’s Teardrop T-shirt Bra, which gives a flattering look under clothes.

Score: 77/100

While the brand’s Charm Bralette scored the highest of the three styles tested with 79/100, thanks to the blend of comfort and style, it’s not one of the top-performing bralettes on our list. So, we’re here to talk about the multitasking T-shirt bra instead. In testing, many of our panellists raved about how true to size it was. “It fitted really well and felt supportive without being restrictive,” one commented.

Available in two classic colours – black and beige – it has light padding and a seamless design. “The smooth finish meant it worked really well under most of my clothes without showing through,” one tester told us. The straps were comfortable and easy to adjust; however, some complained of irritation around the underwire, so make sure you check your size before ordering.

The best part about this bra? You can detach the straps, making it ideal for wearing with strapless dresses and tops. The bras washed and dried easily, and there were no changes to their shape after multiple washes. If you prefer a lacier design, the brand’s Amourette Wired Bra was rated 78/100.

Score: 77/100

This was another brand where the bralette led the way, with its Scoop Neck Bralette earning a solid 80/100. However, for something a little more supportive for everyday wear, try the brand’s underwired bra, which testers rated for its attractive lace design and fit.

The support and comfort come from the tulle-lined cups and adjustable straps. “I was amazed by the comfort of this bra; it doesn’t pinch anywhere,” said one tester, although another found the underwire rubbed. This is common with underwired designs, but make sure you get the correct size, and it shouldn’t be an issue.

Available in six colours and going up to a double G cup, the design was also a hit with our testers. “The floral lace detail is very flattering”, one said, while another added: “It was comfortable with a nice soft fabric.” That said, there were issues with breathability, as some said they felt quite sweaty while wearing it.

At £55, it's also one of the most expensive on our list, but it's a durable bra that could be a worthy investment if you get the fit just right.

Score: 77/100

If you’re on a budget, George offers great value for money, with bralettes costing just £15 for a pack of three - and you can pick them up on your weekly shop! Our panellists rated the design too. “The fit is perfect, and it’s very comfortable,” said one.

The round neck, seam-free, wireless bralette comes with removable padding and offers sufficient support for those with smaller boobs. This could also be down to the thick nylon design, which another tester said made her feel ‘secure’ all day long.

However, some found the bralette lacked breathability, while those with larger busts felt it wasn’t supportive enough. If you’re after better support on a budget, opt for the Entice Non Padded Bra (£14), which has an underwired design and scored 72/100 for fit and comfort.