Periods are a natural part of life for millions of people, but the products we use to manage them often come with an environmental cost. Most single-use pads and tampons contain plastic, and when you add up how many are used over a lifetime, the waste is staggering. So it’s starting to raise serious concerns about sustainability.
Those who have periods will typically use more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime. Each year, more than 3 billion single-use products are used by the UK’s menstruating population alone. The resulting disposal equates to some 200,000 tonnes of waste a year. Single-use menstrual pads are among the worst offenders, as these can contain up to 90 per cent plastic, thanks to a leak-proof base, synthetics that absorb moisture and, of course, packaging.
There are, however, reusable alternatives that pad devotees can use, and the good news is they will remain reliable for many years. The even better news is they are designed for comfort, too. Case in point: reusable sanitary pads. Worn on the inner side of underwear and, typically, secured with poppers, they come in different sizes and absorbency levels. And the best bit is they can be washed and reused on repeat.
Besides the obvious benefits for the environment, they could also help you save hundreds of pounds, with the one-time cost of reusable products whittling down the estimated £18,000 people spend on periods over a lifetime.
When it comes to feeling confident and comfortable with a reusable period product, there are other avenues to try, including reusable and biodegradable tampon applicators, menstrual cups – which collect period blood inside the vagina and can last up to 10 years (or longer) – and period pants, which can be found in lots of different styles.
It’s time to ditch those single-use period products and opt for the more-sustainable, reusable alternatives. Here’s my guide to help you make the switch.
How I tested
I rounded up the best reusable sanitary pads and tested each over a cycle. Comfort is queen, so I rated each on a number of qualities:
- Comfort: I paid attention to how the pads felt against my skin during the day, checking if they stayed soft or caused any irritation.
- How confident I felt wearing them: I paid attention to whether I felt secure going about daily activities, and if I ever worried about leaks or shifting.
- Absorbency: I tested how well the pads managed different flow levels, and whether they held up overnight as well as during the day.
- Design: I looked at how discreet they were under clothes, how well they stayed in place, and if the overall fit worked for my body.
- Material: I considered the fabrics used, how breathable they felt, and how easy they were to wash and dry.
- Extra accessories: I noted if the kit came with anything extra to make my period more bearable, like a storage bag, wet bag, or even a little bonus comfort item.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Emily Goddard has reviewed a wide range of products for IndyBest, from probiotics and alcohol-free spirits to self help books and vitamin D supplements. As is always with our tried and tested reviews, everything in Emily’s final edit have been used as the brands intended, and as you will use them at home, to assess how well they worked and, ultimately, whether they’re worth buying.
The best reusable sanitary pads for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Dame reusable pad set with dry bag: £35, Ocado.com
- Best for a light flow – Bloom & Nora bloomers single reusable pads: £8.50, Peacewiththewild.co.uk
- Best for a heavy flow – Regn reusable sanitary pads, six pack, heavy flow: £18.90, Regn.co.uk
- Best for working out – Imse small black workout period pads, five pack: £37.50, Ecco-verde.co.uk
Dame reusable pad set with dry bag
Best: Overall reusable sanitary pad
Sizes: Liner, regular, night
Made from: Lyocell, organic cotton, polyamide, polyester, lycra, bamboo and polyurethane
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 40C, air dry
Why we love it
- Thin and discreet
- Stay in place
- Comes with a dry bag
Dame is to the reusable period products world what Tampax is to the single-use tampons space: almost synonymous and incredibly popular.
The pads are surprisingly thin and discreet, and I found they stayed in place after being secured using the poppers. Meanwhie, the absorbency wowed me for a day-long fresh feeling.
This set comes with three sizes – liner, regular and night – so every base is covered. I especially liked that this kit came with the dry bag included, meaning it is ideal for when out of the house from day to night. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that one kit won’t see you through your whole period, so, you’ll need to buy some extra pads separately. However, I’m sure you’ll be glad you changed from your usual single-use products to these Dame alternatives.
Buy now £28.00, Ocado.com
Bloom & Nora bloomers single reusable pads
Best: Reusable sanitary pad for a light flow
Size: Mini
Made from: Bamboo and cotton fleece, polyester microfibre and polyester with polyurethane laminate
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 40C
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Secure
- Washes well
This dainty little pad, which features a pretty floral print and blue lining, is ideal for light-flow days. It might be small, but it can hold up to 65ml and has a waterproof layer to protect against leaks. It feels comfortable to wear, thanks to the bamboo fleece lining, and it secures easily with poppers. It also washed well after and is designed for a decade of use, making it a good value for money and truly sustainable option.
Buy now £8.50, Peacewiththewild.co.uk
Nora moderate reusable pad, three pack
Best: Reusable sanitary pad for a medium flow
Size: Liner, light, moderate, heavy, maxi
Made from: Polyester, including recycled polyester
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 30C
Why we love it
- Slim and light
- Secure
At 25cm long, Nora’s moderate pads offer trustworthy protection on medium-flow days. They can absorb twice as much blood as a disposable tampon yet are surprisingly slim and light, giving me a lot of confidence. The design is sleek and features poppers that secure the pad to your underwear. I also liked the honeycomb textured stay-dry lining. These pads are also designed to last 10 years, or 150 washes, for ample plastic-free periods. For extra feel-good vibes, Nora donates 1 per cent of its turnover to charity each year.
Buy now £9.00, Ocado.com
Regn reusable sanitary pads, six pack, heavy flow
Best: Reusable sanitary pad for a heavy flow
Size: Pantyliner, light flow, medium flow, heavy flow
Made from: Microfibre, bamboo charcoal fleece and waterproof PUL fabric
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 40C, air or line dry
Why we love it
- Thick and great for night use
- Comfortable
Heavy period days call for an ultra-reliable sanitary pad that won’t let you down, and I found I could trust these to deliver. The high-absorbency pads are 30cm long and hold as much blood as four regular tampons, which also means they are excellent for use at night.
They are admittedly thicker than some of the other pads in this round-up, but they were still comfortable and gave me that added confidence that I would stay leak-free. This pack is also excellent value for money and, besides the six well-made pads, includes a storage bag and washbag to keep them together in the machine when washing. I think this set is extremely affordable, and one that saves plenty of money over time.
Buy now £18.99, Regn.co.uk
Kiki & Green mixed set
Best: Reusable sanitary pad for design
Size: Pantyliner, regular, heavy
Made from: Bamboo charcoal fleece, microfibre waterproof PUL fabric
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 40C, air or line dry
Why we love it
- Stylish
- Good starter kit
If the look of your sanitary pads is as important as their performance, Kiki & Green is the brand for you. The designs, including dare to zebra and midnight rainforest, are gorgeous and inject style into a time when we so often opt for dull underwear reserved for that time of the month. This set is also a fantastic starter set for those making their first foray into reusable pads.
It comes with three regular-flow and three heavy-flow pads, drying straps and a travel bag, which is handy for when you’re on the go, as it features two compartments: one for used pads and another for clean. The inclusion of two types of pads meant I was covered for different flow days, and I felt confident and comfortable when using them. I also love that Kiki & Green is partnered with the Eden Reforestation Projects, and one tree is planted for every product sold.
Buy now £40.99, Kikiandgreen.com
Eco Femme make your own kit
Best: Reusable sanitary pad to make your own design
Size: Pantyliner, day, day plus, night
Made from: Organic cotton flannel, organic cotton and waterproof PUL fabric
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 40C, air or line dry
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Reliable
Now for something I had never seen before, which is also fantastic if you’re feeling creative: a make-your-own reusable pad kit. Inside the fully recyclable packaging is everything you need to make three pads, including pre-cut materials, poppers and even a needle and thread.
I followed the instructional video linked on the shop webpage (clear written instructions are also included) and easily handstitched the pieces together to create some seriously good pads that felt comfortable and reliable to wear - I was feeling a little impressed with myself, to say the least. The job would be easier for sewing machine owners, but it wasn’t especially arduous to complete by hand. There is something really lovely about wearing pads that you know you have made yourself.
Buy now £18.99, Earthwisegirls.co.uk
Mama Designs teen light, three pack
Best: Reusable sanitary pad for teens
Size: Teen light, teen regular
Made from: Cotton, polyester microfibre and waterproof PUL fabric
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 40C, air or line dry
Why we love it
- Super slim
- Soft
Designed especially for teens, these pads are super slim, soft and feature a fun leopard-print design. The 100 per cent cotton lining makes them comfortable to wear and actually makes them feel a lot nicer than disposable pads, while the poppers kept them secured in place throughout use. Our teen tester felt dry and confident they were protected against leaks when trying these – essential for those still getting used to having a period.
Buy now £13.00, Ecobeecambridge.co.uk
Imse small black workout period pads, five pack
Best: Reusable sanitary pad for working out
Size: Mini and small in workout pads, wider range for general use
Made from: Organic cotton jersey and waterproof PUL fabric
Care: Rinse in cold water, wash at 60C, air or line dry
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Flexible
Those who work out when on their period will know the importance of a 100 per cent reliable sanitary pad. Stretching, combined with different movements and paces can make leaks feel like a terrifyingly real possibility. But, when I tested these pads, I knew I had found the solution to those worries. The pads are seriously light, slim and flexible – you almost forget you’re wearing them while being active. Each pad can hold 15ml, so I would suggest changing them regularly, but I was kept dry and leak-free throughout a long workout.
Buy now £34.48, Eco-verde.co.uk
Your questions about reusable sanitary pads answered
What is the best reusable sanitary pad?
The Dame reusable pad set with dry bag might be among the most expensive in my round-up, but I did consider it the best after testing every product. The pads and bag are exceptionally well made, strong and have outstanding absorption qualities for a comfortable and confident period. I also loved the top-quality kit from Kiki & Green, which made me feel a little fancy during my period. Meanwhile, my younger tester loved the Mama Designs teen light, three pack for the design, fit and comfort.
How to clean a reusable sanitary pad
Rinse your reusable pad in cold water soon after use. Wash it by hand or in the machine on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, avoiding fabric softeners. Hang or lay flat to air dry, and avoid direct heat to keep the fabric and absorbency in good condition. It’s worth remembering that some brands may have their own specific instructions for cleaning, so always check the care guide.
Looking for more recommendations? Save money and the planet with our review of the best menstrual cups
