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The Best Knee Brace

Last updated on January 27, 2021

We looked at the top 13 Knee Braces and dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Knee Braces.

Best Knee Brace

Our Review Process

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You don’t have time for knee pain. But if you’re active, your hard work is inevitably going to catch up with you in the form of an injury. When your knee is sore, a knee brace can be just what the doctor ordered to give you support so you can get back out there again.

But what features are important in a knee brace? A knee brace’s effectiveness actually starts with its material. Thicker neoprene can improve blood circulation and help keep everything in place. Some braces also use straps or strategically-placed openings to support the knee and keep the brace in the same position.

Slippage is actually a common complaint with knee braces. If it doesn’t stay in place while you’re moving around, it won’t be of much help. Some materials also tend to bunch behind the knee, making the brace less than comfortable. Neoprene tends to slip less than other fabrics, making it a popular material for knee braces.

In addition to staying in place, it’s also important to find a brace made from material with plenty of breathability. Whether you’re playing sports or just having fun with friends and family, you won’t want sweat to pool beneath the brace. Breathable fabric keeps moisture out so that you can enjoy many hours of wear.

Care instructions are also important since chances are you’ll be cleaning your knee brace after each wear. You’ll usually need to hand wash your brace, then set it out to dry. There are some braces you can buy that are machine washable in cold water on the gentle cycle, but they’ll still need to air dry. For that reason, if you plan to wear your knee brace on a daily basis, you may want to consider buying two. That way, you won’t have to wait for your brace to dry before wearing again.

Our Picks For The Top Knee Braces

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

PowerLix Compression Knee Brace Sleeve

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

PowerLix

Compression Knee Brace Sleeve

Whether you need a little extra support when weightlifting or playing basketball, this knee brace is the way to go. It's designed using a high-performance fabric that provides just the right amount of compression to increase blood flow and reduce aches and pains. You won't have any trouble finding the right size either, as this model comes in a sma...

Overall Take

Excellent Multi-Purpose BraceNot only is this knee brace sweat-proof, but it's also able to eliminate odors.

Pros
" This is specifically helpful wen you are suffering from a meniscus tear, stiffness, soreness, tendonitis, and arthritis."
 Choose Your Color

CAMBIVO Compression Knee Brace Sleeve, 2-Pack

CAMBIVO

Compression Knee Brace Sleeve, 2-Pack

You won't find any irritating sewing lines on this knee brace. It's made using a unique 3D knitting technology for your ultimate comfort and improved performance on the court. The included double silicone gel waves also ensure the brace doesn't slip out of place during rigorous activity.

Overall Take

Multiple Colors AvailableYou'll find this knee brace comes in a choice of black, steel blue, slate blue, purple, pink, orange and green.

 Ventilated Pick

Bracoo KS10 Compression Knee Support Brace

Bracoo

KS10 Compression Knee Support Brace

Three velcro belts help you find your ideal fit with this knee brace. An extra thick neoprene fabric helps bolster circulation while you're wearing it, which can keep pain at a minimum. You'll also get perforated vents to avoid moisture building up between the fabric and your skin.

Overall Take

Boosts CirculationThick neoprene fabric and three velcro belts boost circulation while you're wearing it.

Pros
" The soft neoprene material and three-strap attachment system of the Bracoo brace are very comfortable, placing one strap behind the leg and one each directly above and below the knee cap for excellent support."
Cons
"Just note that this knee brace must never be dry cleaned."
 Designed to Stay Put

Bodyprox Side Stabilizer Knee Brace

Bodyprox

Side Stabilizer Knee Brace

This knee brace is skillfully designed for both men and women. The user-friendly design, ultra flexibility and superior compression support all make this brace a top choice. In fact, the brace is designed to stay put, whether you're simply out for a walk or playing an intense game of soccer.

Overall Take

Universal FitIncluded with this knee brace are two side stabilizers and a patella gel pad.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
20

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the knee braces available to purchase.
13

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

59

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Review Lab, My Access Health, Verywell Fit, The Top Pro, Top 7 Reviews.

57,240

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 13 Knee Braces and also dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Knee Braces.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Bracoo KS10 Compression Knee Support Brace

Our Expert Score

8.9
9 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

7.8
3,259 user reviews

Our Take

Three velcro belts help you find your ideal fit with this knee brace. An extra thick neoprene fabric helps bolster circulation while you're wearing it, which can keep pain at a minimum. You'll also get perforated vents to avoid moisture building up between the fabric and your skin.

What other experts liked

The soft neoprene material and three-strap attachment system of the Bracoo brace are very comfortable, placing one strap behind the leg and one each directly above and below the knee cap for excellent support.
- Review Lab
This one isn’t expensive at all, plus it comes in several different stylish colors.
- My Access Health
The brace is made of a neoprene-blend material that has perforated vents for cooling, a reinforced knee cap support ring for combatting patellar instability, and a three-strap attachment system for personal comfort and topnotch support.
- Verywell Fit
February 26, 2019 | Full review
The fabric breathes well to provide great comfort, especially during high action sports.
- The Top Pro
It also comes with 3 adjustable straps so you can find the perfect fit for your knees and thicker Neoprene layers for maximum protection.
- Top 7 Reviews
March 30, 2017 | Full review
The brace is made of extra-thick neoprene for improved blood circulation and additional injury protection. Moreover, its design allows breathability for moisture dissipation and longer comfort.
- Savant Magazine
The Bracoo Knee Support KS10 will not only relieve your joint pains but also help you recover quickly from strains and injuries.
- Camping Rail
June 30, 2018 | Full review
It's open patella design can help relieve pressure on the kneecap and the added patella stabilizer helps to hold the patella in the correct position even during the most demanding of sports.
- The Modern Runner

What other experts didn't like

Some users, particularly those with thinner legs, noted that the Bracoo wraparound support is not as secure on the knee as they would have liked.
- Review Lab
Just note that this knee brace must never be dry cleaned.
- Top 7 Reviews
March 30, 2017 | Full review

What to Look For

  • If you’re suffering from pain, some braces are better than others at keeping that under control. Look for a brace that uses strong seams built with a 5-needle stitch. This also helps with keeping your knee in place, which minimizes pain and helps prevent further injury. The Bracoo Knee Support has an open patella design that reduces the pressure placed on the kneecap while also keeping it in position.
  • Blood circulation is also essential to both healing promotion and pain reduction. The Bracoo Knee Support is built with extra-thick neoprene that boosts circulation.
  • Inflammation can exacerbate knee pain. Some knee braces can help keep inflammation under control while also reducing strain on the knee.
  • A knee brace is only helpful if it’s covering the right space on your leg. Unfortunately, knee braces are prone to slipping. This seems to be a problem with some models as they lack the grip tape and specialized design that other knee braces have, causing them to roll down more than others. The Bracoo Knee Support uses three Velcro belts to hold the brace in place, no matter what you’re doing.
  • If you’re looking for a comfortable knee brace to wear all day long, look for a brace that is made from a mix of latex-free neoprene and nylon for a stretchy type of comfort. However, it is important to note that the material can be itchy at times.
  • Breathability is also important since moisture buildup can make even the most comfortable knee brace unbearable. The Bracoo Knee Support has perforated vents built in, as well as material that promotes moisture dissipation.
  • Your knee brace will likely need to be washed fairly often. With the Bracoo Knee Support, you’ll have to hand wash in cold water only, then lay it flat or hang it to dry.  Since it takes a while to dry the type of material found in various knee braces, it might be wise to purchase two so that you’ll have one to wear while the other is drying.
  • Fit can be a challenge with a knee brace since some follow the “one size fits most” manufacturing method. Some models come in sizes from XS to XXL. With the Bracoo Knee Support, there’s only one size, and it fits knees from 12.5 to 18 inches in circumference. However, the Velcro straps let you tighten it up to find the perfect fit.
  • Knee braces vary widely in price, but you’re sure to find one that fits within your budget.

Knee Brace Rankings

1. PowerLix Compression Knee Brace Sleeve

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 10

2. CAMBIVO Compression Knee Brace Sleeve, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 1

3. Bracoo KS10 Compression Knee Support Brace

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 12

4. Bodyprox Side Stabilizer Knee Brace

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 1

5. McDavid 401 Compression Knee Support Brace

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 6

6. Futuro Comfort Lift Knee Support

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 6

7. Bauerfeind GenuTrain Stabilizing Knee Brace

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 10

8. Shock Doctor Maximum Support Compression Knee Brace

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 13

9. Neo G Closed Knee Brace

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 6

10. Shock Doctor Knee Brace

Overall Score: 7.9
Reviews Included: 6

11. Shock Doctor Maximum Support Compression Knee Brace

Overall Score: 7.8
Reviews Included: 1

12. McDavid Knee Brace w/ Cross Straps

Overall Score: 7.6
Reviews Included: 10

13. DonJoy Reaction WEB Knee Support Brace

Overall Score: 7.0
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

Knee braces can be used for both minimizing pain and preventing injury. But it’s important to find the right kind of brace since the build can provide completely different functionality. A functional brace stabilizes the knee to prevent further injury and promote healing. A rehabilitative brace is meant to be worn after surgery to stabilize the knee and limit movement.

There are also unloader braces, designed for arthritis sufferers, and prophylactic braces for preventing injury. Unfortunately, the jury’s still out on whether prophylactic braces actually work. The most common type of knee brace is a knee sleeve, which compresses the knee to support it and keep swelling at a minimum.

More to explore