The best knee braces of 2024

Best for: Meniscus Tear, ACL/PCL Injury, Sprain, Pain Relief | Material: ‎61% SBR 19% Polyester 10% Nylon 5% Rubber 5% PU | Adjustable? Finger-grab tabs for adjustment

The Shock Doctor 872 Knee Brace is a lightweight, comfortable brace that simultaneously offers high support. It has dual hinges to provide support and protection while still allowing movement. Made from neoprene, it’s moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, so you can feel confident working out without worrying about odor. On top of that, it has grip tabs to make it easier to get on and off.

While this brace is best for sprains, meniscus tears and injury prevention, it offers enough compression and support so that those with arthritis will benefit as well. For those who need maximum support though, Shock Doctor makes another knee brace with more compression that’s worth considering.

Best for: Meniscus Tear, Arthritis, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Post-Surgery Recovery, Exercise | Material: 70% nylon, 15% spandex and 15% latex | Adjustable? No, purchase by size

Compression sleeves are typically the least restrictive type of knee support, making them far more comfortable for all-day wear. But this particular sleeve from TechWare Pro has the added benefit of being highly supportive, too. It’s a compression sleeve made with breathable, soft-knit fabric, so it’s comfortable enough for everyday use. On top of that, it has spring stabilizers on both sides and a patella gel pad, so it offers more support than most other knee sleeves. However, most other sleeves are sold as a pair while this one is sold individually, so if you have pain in both knees, you’ll need to buy two.

Best for: Meniscus tear, ACL, Arthritis, and Post-surgery | Material: ‎Spandex, Nylon, Latex Fiber | Adjustable? No, purchase by size

While athletes or those recovering from a knee injury might need a brace with a high degree of rigidity, that can be too restrictive for seniors enduring regular bouts of daily knee pain. That’s why Modvel knee braces are often a better choice.

Unlike the previous picks, the Modvel knee braces are sold as a pair rather than a single brace, which is perfect for people with arthritis, gout, or who are just dealing with age-related joint pain. Compression sleeves work by improving blood flow, which can help increase circulation, reduce swelling, and minimize pain. However, since there aren’t any rigid side stabilizers, it doesn’t provide much support.

Best for: Meniscus Tears, ACL and MCL Injury | Material: Nylon, latex-free neoprene | Adjustable? Adjustable straps

McDavid’s 429X knee brace offers maximum support thanks to its bilateral hinges and crossing straps. It also has an open patella design with a padded buttress, providing extra support to the meniscus while still being breathable. There are multiple different straps, all of which give this brace even more benefit. The elastic cross straps add an element of compression, while the top and bottom straps make it fully adjustable.

Best for: Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Cartilage defect, Avascular Necrosis, Bone on Bone, and Degeneration | Material: Silicone grip liners | Adjustable? 13 adjustable dials

Because knee osteoarthritis is commonly unicompartmental (meaning only one part of the joint is affected), unloader braces are a good choice. According to orthopedic physical therapist Dr. Dave Candy, knee unloader braces work by shifting – i.e., “unloading” – pressure off the affected side, thus minimizing pain and maximizing mobility.

Even though it’s slightly pricier than other unloader options, the Orthomen Unloader Knee Brace is my favorite because it is lightweight and low-profile. It’s completely adjustable and features flexion and extension stops as well as a valgus/varus correction so you can tailor it to your knee perfectly. And it has quick snaps, which makes it one of the easier unloader braces to put on.

Best for: Arthritis, Meniscus tear, ACL, PCL, MCL, Joint pain | Material: Air woven fabric, elastic webbing stitched inside and non-slip gel strips | Adjustable? No, purchase by size

These knee braces from NEENCA offer the best of both worlds. It’s a compression knee sleeve, so it can help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling, but it also has spring stabilizers on both sides, providing more support than most compression sleeves. It also has contoured patella gel pads to help keep the kneecap in place during movement. Because of that, it’s great for folks with arthritis, but it’s equally useful for exercise. The air-knit fabric is breathable, lightweight, and quick-drying and can be comfortably worn throughout the day.

It's worth noting that there is a large price range between the regular brace (around $25) and the upgraded version (closer to $50). The version you choose will depend on your specific need, but the biggest difference is that the upgraded brace offers more ventilation, so it may be better for those who plan on using it for working out or playing sports.

Best for: Meniscus Tear, Arthritis, Hyperextension, Tendonitis, Injuries | Material: Neoprene | Adjustable? Adjustable straps, purchase by size

Finding the right knee brace can be a pain for plus-sized individuals. That’s because most commercial braces run from small to XXL. But the bariatric knee wrap from BraceAbility goes all the way up to 9XL. The front closure makes it quick and easy to put on and it can be worn on both the right and left knee. Featuring heavy-duty dual-axis hinges, it provides a ton of support, too. But what I love best is that the hinges are removable so that they can be used for either more or less stability. It also features an open patella and a behind-the-knee cutout, making it breathable and flexible for all-day use.

It's worth noting that the sizing can run small according to the company, so make sure to take your measurements to ensure the proper fit.

Best for: Arthritis, Post-Surgery | Material: Bamboo | Adjustable? No, purchase by size

If you’re looking for nighttime support, knee sleeves are the most comfortable option. The ProFitness Bamboo knee sleeves are a great option because they provide compression and warmth and are soft, lightweight and breathable. It’s worth noting that they do run a bit small, which is especially important if you plan to wear them overnight. Compression sleeves should never be too tight that they cut off your circulation, so if in doubt, size up.

Best for: Exercise, Injury recovery, Arthritis | Material: Nylon and spandex | Adjustable? No, purchase by size

Staying active is essential to a healthy lifestyle, especially as we age. Exercise can also help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis. Ironically, these same symptoms typically prevent people with arthritic knees from hitting the gym.

That’s where the Crucial Compression Knee Sleeve can help. They’re supportive and durable while still allowing you free range of motion. Plus, the non-slip grips ensure they are firmly in place during your entire workout. They are a little bit thicker than some other compression sleeves, so they’re probably not comfortable enough for all-day wear. That said, compression sleeves are best worn during sports or exercise, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Best for: Arthritis, Meniscus Tear, Sports Injury | Material: Neoprene | Adjustable? Adjustable Velcro wraps

If you’re looking for a supportive knee brace for under $20, the Doufurt one is top-notch. It features adjustable straps that wrap around the back and cross under the knee for a snug, supportive fit. There are also side stabilizers and a patella gel pad for extra joint support and injury prevention. Some reviewers noted that it can become uncomfortable or itchy after long stretches of time, but for those looking for a supportive, easy-to-use brace to recover from an injury or prevent further damage during exercise, this one is a great choice.