Most women have experienced the frustration of trying on a bra in what they think is their correct size, only to find bulges, gaps, digging straps, and other (sometimes painful) annoyances. Bra buyers deserve better. To that end, Cheapism has reviewed online bra retailers, rating them on a scale of 1 to 5 based on factors such as overall shopping experience (including site navigability, bra selection, and size availability), fitting-assistance options, and shipping and return policies. Read on to find out how each retailer scored and which might become your new go-to bra shop.
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Bare Necessities: Best Overall
Shopping score: 4.6
Average bra price: Varies
Sizing:Up to 58J
Shipping: Free for orders $70 and up; otherwise, $5
Returns: Within 60 days, full refund; within 120 days, credit voucher via email
Unlike many of the retailers on this list, Bare Necessities sells bras from a range of major brands, which means there is a massive selection of over 1,000 bras in a range of sizes, including options for full-chested ladies that you won’t find elsewhere. With so many choices, it’s tough to determine an average price, but bras range from sale items around $5 to those priced closer to $200. The site makes it easy to search by style, size, brand, and more. Bare Necessities also offers plenty of options for fit help, including a “Bra Finder” quiz, a toll-free number staffed seven days a week by fit experts, and a live chat option.
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Harper Wilde: Best for Flesh-Colored Bras
Shopping score: 3.9
Average bra price: $40-$45
Sizing: Up to 42F and 3XL
Shipping: Free for orders over $75; otherwise, $5.95
Returns: Full refund within 90 days
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Spanx: Best for Support Bras
Shopping score: 3.8
Average bra price: $48-$68
Sizing: Depends on style, up to 44G
Shipping: Free
Returns and exchanges: Free within 90 days
Cuup: Best for Unpadded and Mesh Bras
Shopping score:3.8
Average bra price: $68
Sizing: Up to 38H
Shipping: Free on orders over $50; otherwise, $2.99
Returns and exchanges: Free within 30 days
If you’ve ever pulled the padding out of a bra cup and tossed it in the trash, then Cuup might become your new go-to bra retailer. All of its five bra styles are made using either a four-way stretch mesh or a microfiber — with no padding — and all of Cuup’s styles are made using a material called flexiwire, which the company says “moves with you, without ever pinching or poking.” The brand, however, scores lower on this list because of its limited sizing options. Like other bra retailers, Cuup wants you to have the right fit, and offers a few ways for you to find it. You can take the online quiz, chat with a sizing specialist online, or even schedule a 20-minute video chat with a “fit therapist.”
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Knix: Best for the Anti-Underwire Crowd
Shopping score: 3.7
Average bra price: $50-$60
Sizing: Up to 42G
Shipping: Free for orders over $75; otherwise, $7
Returns: Full refund within 30 days
Knix carries a small selection of all-wireless bras, sports, maternity, and nursing bras, in addition to other intimates and some clothing and accessories. At Knix, band and cup sizes are grouped under number sizes — for example, a size 5 fits anyone who normally wears a 38C, 40C, 36D, or 38D. For help with fit, the company offers virtual fittings and a size chart to help you discover which Knix size works best for you. Finally, we awarded bonus points for the company’s 30-day “Wash & Wear Guarantee.” Unlike most other sites on this list, which offer refunds only if products are returned unwashed and with tags on, Knix wants you to wear and wash your bra for a few weeks to make sure it works for you. If not, you can still return it.
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Lively: Best for Bra Bundles
Shopping score: 3.7
Average bra price: $35
Sizing: Up to 44DDD
Shipping: Free for orders $40 and up; otherwise, $7.95
Returns: Refund within 30 days
Lively scores points for having a pretty wide selection of bras in addition to other clothing, accessories, and swimwear. Options include bralettes, wireless bras, push-up and T-shirt bras, maternity and sports bras, and more. The brand offers easy-to-shop bundles of bras for a discounted price, too. Lively does have an online fit guide and the ability to schedule a virtual styling session (though we’ll note it’s a tough option to find on the website); it doesn’t offer a chat function or a quiz to help customers in that regard. One note on orders: Lively charges a higher price than most others on this list for shipping, but it also offers free shipping on orders over $40, so you’re incentivized to buy more than one bra.
Related: 11 Most Annoying Things About Shopping for Plus-Size Clothing
ThirdLove: Best Bras for Big Busts
Shopping score:3.6
Average bra price: $30-$80
Sizing: Depends on style, but up to 48I
Shipping: Free on orders over $100; otherwise, $5.99
Returns and exchanges: Free within 60 days
ThirdLove offers its customers plenty of options besides bras, including underwear, sleepwear, and loungewear. As for the bras themselves, ThirdLove has a decent variety of styles, including underwire and wireless, strapless, bralettes, bras that come in sizes DD+, and even half-cup sizes. What really seems to set ThirdLove apart from its competitors, however, is its assistance with finding the right fit. Visit the virtual fitting room and you’ll be asked around 20 or so questions about fit and preference, a process that many reviewers have found surprisingly accurate in gauging their correct size. ThirdLove also scores bonus points for having a section dedicated to fit and sizing education on its site.
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Pepper: Best Bras for Small Busts
Shopping score: 3.4
Average bra price:$50
Sizing: Up to 40B
Shipping: Free for orders over $90; otherwise, $7
Returns: Full refund within 30 days
If you’re looking for a brand that specializes in bras for smaller-chested women, meet Pepper, which has a handful of bras in small sizes that don’t go beyond a B cup. Pepper also has a size quiz designed for the less endowed, a fit guide that will walk you through the sizing process, and the ability to schedule a 15-minute virtual fitting with a fit specialist.
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Truekind: Best for Bra Value
Shopping score: 3.4
Average bra price: $20-$30
Sizing: Depends on style, but generally XS-4XL (no cup sizing)
Shipping: Free on orders over $60; otherwise, $5.95
Returns: Within 60 days; $4.95
While you’re not going to find a huge bra selection at Truekind, what you will find is an easy-to-browse selection of wireless bras, something many women will appreciate. The site offers four styles of bra, and each comes in a few neutral colors without embellishments. The company offers a fit guide to help you figure out which works best for you, plus online chat access to a fit expert.
Savage X Fenty: Best for Sex Appeal
Shopping score: 3.4
- Average bra price:$50
- Sizing: Up to 46DDD and 3XL
- Shipping: $4.95
- Returns: Full refund or exchange within 30 days
If none of the other options on this list have lived up to your va-va-voom standards, this Rihanna-owned brand offers a fairly large selection of bras that offer both style and sex appeal in plenty of sizing options. And, for a celebrity brand, it’s pretty reasonable price-wise. The site does have a fit guide, but no other options for help with finding your ideal bra size.
Adore Me: Best for Bra & Panty Combos
Shopping score: 3.3
- Average price: $50 (for set)
- Sizing: Up to 46DDD and 4XL
- Shipping: Free
- Returns: 30-day window; exchanges are free; refunds subject to $5.95 restocking fee
If you can’t bear the thought of your bra not matching your underwear, then Adore Me could be the online bra retailer for you. The brand offers a fairly large selection of sets, and customers can get deals with a VIP membership. The company, however, doesn’t offer any fit help except for size guides on each product page.
