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These sustainable sanitary products provide hours of protection and comfort, all tested by the GHI Geotextile Machine
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If you’re trying to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, one of the biggest (and easiest) switches you can make is with your choice of sanitary products — specifically, swapping disposables in favour of reusable options.
On average, 28,114 tonnes of menstrual waste is landfilled each year in the UK, so a simple switch can help reduce this figure, and will save you money in the long run. Win, win.
Not sure where to start? The Good Housekeeping Institute tried a range of reusable pads and period pants to find the best on the market. Here are the ones we recommend you try:
Our panel of over 350 testers trialled 22 brands of period underwear in a range of sizes, styles and absorbencies for the duration of their period. They gave feedback on the comfort of the pants — considering the softness and breathability of the fabric — and crucially, the level of absorbency and protection against leakages. Testers were also asked how active and flexible the underwear allowed them to be and how easy it was to wash. In the GHI lab, our experts measured the absorption rate of the underwear, as well as examining surface wetness, re-wetting (using a weight and paper towel to see if the paper is damp after two minutes when under pressure, to replicate sitting down) and shrinkage after washing.
Over 160 testers tried nine brands of sanitary pads and liners, including a mix of reusable pads and sustainably made or biodegradable disposables. Testers assessed absorbency levels, how protected they felt from leakage, and how comfortable they were to wear. In the lab, we did the same absorbency test as we did with the period pants.
Our joint winning pair absorbed fluid instantly and dried quickly in our lab test. One tester thought they looked “as seamless as regular underwear” under clothing and almost everyone found them soft and comfortable to wear.
They kept most panellists leak-free and also avoided any odours. No one experienced any irritation and all found them a doddle to wash. They don’t come in a range of absorbencies, but they do claim to hold as much fluid as a Bodyform Ultra Normal sanitary pad. Say no more.
Claiming to hold up to seven times more blood than a normal disposable tampon, these pants had a lot to prove. And that they did – in the lab analysis, the material was “very effective” at absorbing fluids and caused minimal re-wetting (see ‘how we test’ for a definition). There was also minimal shrinkage after washing.
Our testers loved how discreet the shape of the pant was “even under tight-fitting jeans” and some said the snug but stretchy fit provided comfort for period bloating. Note that 1% of revenue from every purchase also goes to YoungMinds charity for mental health support, so you can feel good about your purchase in more ways than one.
The only downside was that some of our panel would have preferred more than one pair per pack, and the instructions could have been clearer, but once they worked out when best to change them, our testers rated them their joint favourites.
Female-founded brand Ohne aims to remove the stigma surrounding periods by producing shame-free, plastic-free products that can be worn with confidence.
These colourful pants will glam up your knicker drawer and help to lift your mood during that time of the month, all while protecting you from leakage.
All our panel found them stretchy, soft and comfortable, even on bloated days. Almost all of our testers liked how breathable and unrestrictive these felt when on the go, too.
Leakage is common at various stages of life, and these stretchy WUKA pants are perfect for pregnancy, post-pregnancy or just the general bloating and shape-shifting our bellies do around that time of the month and beyond.
Our panel testified to the super-stretchy, seamless nature of these knickers, telling us they were “more comfortable than a normal pair”, with one saying they'd bought another pair “they were so good!” The only thing to note was that one of our testers felt the sizing ran a bit small so they’d rather size up next time.
ModiBodi has been making waves with its period pants since the technology first appeared. Made from breathable fabrics to protect against any sweaty tossing and turning or sleepless nights, these full briefs had a lot to offer.
Our panel picked up this key selling point, claiming they felt “confident” about not leaking overnight and saying they “wished they'd been around at the start of [their] periods.” Some testers who usually had to get up during the night were able to sleep through, which made a difference to their mood and wellbeing the next day.
Some with heavier periods found these pants gave more coverage at the back than the front, though, so they may work best as overnight solutions for those with a more moderate flow.
Made from sustainably-sourced, breathable fabric, these stretchy pants can absorb around two to three tampons’ worth of fluid.
Our testers said they were comfortable to wear and didn't cause irritation, and most said they felt secure and supported. No leakage was reported either, and they scored full marks in our absorbency lab tests.
If you’re worried about the design of flow-friendly underwear cramping your style, these trendy tampon substitutes should be top of your list. Testers were taken with the polka dot high-waist design, which made them feel like they could “still wear attractive pants while on [their] period.”
Our panel said they preferred these pants to pads and tampons and many said they’d continue using them after the trial, as the design and functionality makes them stand out from other plain black competitors. They also performed best in our lab tests for preventing leakage, avoiding shrinkage when washed and absorption rate.
These pants didn’t let our testers down when exercising, remaining comfortable for everyone and staying completely leakproof for almost all testers. They didn’t restrict movement either and provided a close fit, meaning you won’t notice them under leggings.
Everybody found them soft, with praise for their “silky feeling” and how “supportive and secure” they felt to wear.
If you’re worried about leaking onto your bedsheets, try these reassuringly secure undies. Keeping you protected for an impressive 12 hours, the majority of our testers found them leakproof and comfortable all night.
One tester described feeling “fresh and dry” and our lab test showed they absorbed fluid speedily before drying quickly.
Coming in a variety of styles and sizes, from bikini to high waist, these period pants are not only stylish but for every one you buy, one will be donated to a person in need.
Our testers liked how secure these felt when on, even during exercise, and appreciated their comfortable fit at night. They also scored almost full marks in our absorbency lab tests.
Designed for sportswomen, by sportswomen, most testers found these comfortable to wear during both exercise and sleep, making them the perfect multi-taskers.
They kept leaks at bay for most of our panel, with many finding them suitably stretchy and breathable enough to keep using after the trial has ended.
Add a bit of interest to your period underwear collection with this plaited design, which comes in a range of styles and colours.
They absorb 2.5 tampons’ worth of liquid and feel stretchy and secure, making them a good option for more active days. Our testers gave these pants their seal of approval too, saying they’d continue to use them after the trial.
Claiming to hold up to five tampons’ worth of fluid, these are a great match for heavier days. They absorbed and dried in a flash during our lab test, with most of our testers enjoying a leak-free period.
They proved comfortable overnight and everyone loved the soft stretchiness of the 90% sustainably-sourced (according to the brand) cotton.
The second entry from this brand on our list, Modibodi claims its pants can soak up to an impressive 10 tampons’ worth of fluid and the lining prevents stains and odours. Our panel agreed, reporting excellent absorbency, and they scored almost full marks in the GHI lab.
Although not as breathable as other pants featured on our list — so perhaps not one to exercise in — they are comfortable. We think they're a top choice for nighttime wear or sofa days.
Acing our lab test for absorbency and drying quickly, these also kept most of our panel leak-free. They proved comfortable enough to sleep in and sufficiently freeing to move about in for many of those who tried them.
Testers appreciated the pretty shades and variety of style options on offer, and almost all trusted them enough to wear them in public.
Another entry from Hey Girls, but this time in the shape of reusable and machine-washable pads, which use absorbent bamboo microfibres to eliminate leakage.
Our testers said they were comfortable to wear and fitted neatly into existing underwear, secured by wings and a popper seal. Three quarters said they performed better than disposable pads too, making them a reliable investment.
This brand's mantra is “wear 'em out” rather than throw them out, with the goal of eliminating unnecessary menstrual waste.
Testers were impressed with the absorbency of its pads, with most saying they performed well on heavier days. Some said the pads were too bulky, but overall the majority felt they were comfy to wear, even during exercise.
DAME is focused on finding solutions to the plastic pollution problem surrounding our menstrual cycles – from its reusable tampon applicator to its period pants, its aim is to cut down waste for good.
Made from natural materials such as bamboo and organic cotton, these reusable pads are machine washable and can absorb as much fluid as a super-plus-sized tampon. Our testers were pleased with their overall performance, praising how comfortable and soft they were to wear.
Roughly 2.5 million tampons, 1.4 million pads and 700,000 panty liners are flushed every single day in the UK, so making the change to a reusable option really can make a difference. The most popular reusable sanitary product is the menstrual cup, but if you find these too invasive, pants and pads are a great alternative.
Depending on how diligent you are with caring for them, and how often you wear them, the lifecycle for a reusable pair of pants or a sanitary pad is up to five years — saving countless disposables from ending up in landfills.
The upfront costs are higher (roughly up to £35 for a pair of period pants), but with the average woman spending around £200 per year on sanitary products and inflation only making things worse, you’ll make a significant saving in the long run.
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones. Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills. You can follow Priyankaa on Twitter @_priyankaajoshi and on Instagram @priyankaajoshi
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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