Once a niche item, period pants are now mainstream. Something of a revolution, they join a growing list of reusable menstrual care options, including sanitary pads and menstrual cups. According to the Women’s Environmental Network, a pair of period pants can replace 100 or more disposable pads or tampons.
While absorbency varies between brands, a pair of period pants can hold around two to five tampons’ worth of blood. With several absorbent layers, along with moisture-wicking materials and reliable leak-proofing, the best period pants give you peace of mind. But finding the perfect pair can be tricky, which is where I come in.
I’ve spent months testing a range of options – both on and off my flow, on lighter and heavier days, and overnight, too – to find the best period pants. For me, Wuka’s briefs (£15.99, Wuka.co.uk) were the standouts. They’re seamless under clothing, come in a range of absorbencies, and they look great, too. But I’ve found cheaper options, pairs you can wear swimming, options for when you’re on heavy flow, and so much more. Keep reading for the designs that made the final cut.
How I tested
I tested a large range of period pants to find the best of the best. I wore each pair for months, evaluating how well they performed while I was on and off my flow. I chose a variety of designs and absorbency levels, and assessed them for comfort (no one wants uncomfortable pants), style, cost, effectiveness, aftercare, and durability. You can read a full, detailed breakdown of my testing criteria at the end of the review.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Amy Sedghi specialises in writing about health, beauty, and sustainability. As well as testing the best menstrual cups for IndyBest, Amy has done a deep dive into period pants from Thinx, Love Luna, Pretty Polly, and Wuka. So, when it comes to period pants, she knows what she’s talking about. Every pair has been worn by Amy, and only those she genuinely recommends have made this list.
The best period pants for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Wuka perform seamless midi brief medium flow: £15.99, Wuka.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Love Luna black period bikini knickers: £9, Argos.co.uk
- Best for heavy flow days – Fluxies high waist heavy flow: £24, Fluxundies.com
- Best for overnight use – Modibodi sensual hi-waist bikini: £12.59, Modibodi.co.uk
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Wuka seamless midi brief medium flow
Best: Period pants overall
Size range: XS - 3XL
Underwear style: Midi brief
Absorbency: Up to three tampons
Machine washable: Yes, rinse in cold water, wash at 40 degrees and air dry inside out.
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Seamless
- Stretchy for post-pregnancy or when you’re feeling bloated
- One pair fits up to four sizes
Take note
- High-rise design on waist
- Approach to sizing might not suit everyone
Wuka’s range of period pants looks fab and feels great. While there are lots of excellent options in its offering, its seamless midi brief is the real standout piece. Silky smooth, they hug your body without digging in, and offer the security you’re after in a period product.
What’s really great is they are seamless and don’t show under clothing, even under tight-fitting options, such as skinny jeans or a satin slip skirt. The pants, which fit up to four sizes, come in four flow absorbencies: light (up to two tampons’ worth), medium (up to three tampons’ worth), heavy (up to four tampons’ worth) or super heavy (up to 12 tampons’ worth). Crucially, they’re extremely comfortable.
Founder Ruby Raut, an environmental scientist who grew up in Nepal, is also hugely passionate about eradicating menstrual shame, period poverty and looking after the planet. As well as partnering with charities such as Surfers Against Sewage, Days for Girls and the Hygiene Bank, Wuka and Ruby campaigned to end the 20 per cent VAT charge on period underwear (which was scrapped on 1 January 2024).
Buy now £15.99, Wuka.co.uk
Love Luna black period bikini knickers
Best: Budget period pants
Size range: 8/10 - 14/16
Underwear style: Bikini
Absorbency: Two to three regular tampons
Machine washable: Yes, on a cold, delicate wash and line dry
Why we love it
- Budget-friendly
- Everyday basic
One of the cheapest reusable period pant brands on the market, Love Luna has a simple but effective range of products.
Instead of using disposable menstrual products that will outlive your great-grandchildren (an ordinary sanitary towel or tampon could take 300 to 500 years to decompose), Love Luna urges those with periods to embrace the reusable options it has on offer. As well as bikini, midi and full brief options, the brand has breathable bamboo and cotton mix briefs. The bikini knickers are a great basic option to have in your underwear drawer. Plus, the brand also has a range for teenagers, and has expanded into period swimwear too.
There are also four layers of protection in the gusset, a soft microfibre finish, and these hold the equivalent of two to three regular tampons. At less than £10, they’re a great budget buy, but there are limited colours and sizes, and they may not work for heavier flows.
Read the full Love Luna period bikini knickers review
Buy now £9.00, Argos.co.uk
Boux Avenue medium flow modal period pants
Best: Period pants for style
Size range: XS - XXL
Underwear style: Brief
Absorbency: Up to five tampons
Machine washable: Yes, but air dry them afterwards
Why we love it
- Stylish design
- Comfortable
- High absorbency
Take note
- Limited range of styles and absorbencies
Lingerie brand Boux Avenue period pants come in a double pack of either medium or heavy flow options. This medium flow modal pair won’t look out of place next to your regular lace knickers, the design being the perfect combination of delicate sheer lace with a modal cotton gusset and back. They look good, as well as providing a secure, comfortable wear during your period. With four layers of protection, the pants hold up to three tampons’ worth of liquid.
I liked that they weren’t bulky and could be worn on light to medium flow days as well as at other times of the month. Despite some lacy knicker options being more about style than comfort, I didn’t find that to be the case with these – in fact, I have happily added them to my underwear drawer rotation.
Buy now £30.00, Bouxavenue.com
Thinx hiphugger lace and stretch-organic cotton period briefs
Best: Period pants for heavy flow days
Size range: XS - 4XL
Underwear style: Full-coverage hip hugger
Absorbency: Up to 12 regular tampons’ worth
Machine washable: Yes, on a cold wash and line dry
Why we love it
- Comfortable
Thinx is a big player in the reusable period underwear market. The brand’s products include a line with more accessible pricing and period-proof activewear. As such, there is an awful lot to choose from when it comes to Thinx’s collections.
I was impressed with the comfort and ease of its hip hugger lace and stretch-organic cotton period briefs, though. With a silky soft fabric (plus elastane in the body fabric for stretch), they make for a pair of really comfortable, smooth-feeling period pants that are moisture-wicking and absorbent, holding up to 12 tampons’ worth. The high waist and elasticated mesh waistband mean they stay nicely in place, too, without digging in or rolling.
Read the full Thinx hiphugger review
Buy now £35.00, Shethinx.com
Cheeky Wipes period swimwear bikini brief
Best: Period pants for swimming
Size range: UK4 - UK24
Underwear style: Bikini brief
Absorbency: Up to two tampons’ worth
Machine washable: Yes, machine wash up to 30C but air dry them afterwards
Why we love it
- Practical
- Comfortable
- Good coverage
- Great value for money
Take note
- Only available in black
Sometimes when you’re on your period, the feeling of floating through water is so soothing. The faff of dealing with regular swimwear and non-reusable menstrual products is not such a calming experience, however. Luckily, a fair few period pant brands have dipped a toe into period swimwear.
Cheeky Wipes has three styles of bikini bottoms and swimsuits for adults and for teenagers, which are suitable for use during your period. They’re easy to wash and line dry, and for less than £20, they’re great value for money.
I opted to try the bikini brief – a classic style which can be mixed and matched with bikini tops and tankinis. I loved that the pants felt smooth and comfortable with a good level of coverage to make me feel secure. Cheeky Wipes also has a higher-waisted period pant and high-leg string bottom in its swimwear selection.
The pants all feature mesh fabric that absorbs your flow quickly, and have waterproof wrapped edges to lock it in. It’s worth noting, though, that they only hold up to two tampons’ worth of menstrual blood, so they are more suited for lighter flow days or those last few days of your period.
Buy now £16.99, Cheekywipes.com
Modibodi sensual hi-waist bikini
Best: Period pants for overnight use
Size range: XS - 6XL
Underwear style: High-waist bikini
Absorbency: Three to four tampons
Machine washable: Yes, on a gentle, cold machine wash and then hang to dry
Why we love it
- Breathable
- Brand has extensive and inclusive range of products
These high-waist bikini period pants by Aussie brand Modibodi have been raved about by thousands of the brand’s fans. They’re loved for their absorbency, dry feel, and for delivering on the promise of no leaks. Their heavy, overnight absorbency means they can hold the equivalent of up to 10 tampons’ worth, while the comfortable feel of the merino wool top layer means they’re just the ticket for a restful sleep.
I liked how, even after wearing overnight and on heavy flow days, I was left feeling comfortable and leak-free, thanks to the quick-drying microfibre lining and its leakproof liner running from front to back waistband.
I also like that Modibodi has an extensive and inclusive range of products, from a maxi 24-hour option, which is great for shift workers, to detachable boyleg (£13.95, Modibodi.co.uk) that are highly useful for those who struggle to change regular underwear.
Read the full Modibodi’s period activewear review
Buy now £12.59, Modibodi.co.uk
Wuka stretch seamless thong
Best: Thong-style period pant
Size range: XS - 3XL
Underwear style: Thong
Absorbency: Two to three tampons’ worth
Machine washable: Yes, rinse first then wash at 40C and air dry
Why we love it
- Prevents VPL
- Lightweight
- Comfortable (doesn’t chafe)
Take note
- They're cut high at the front
- Sit high on the waist
Period pants and a skimpy, thong cut might not seem compatible, but Wuka has proven that the two can happily combine. I was dubious as to how comfortable a thong-style period pants could be, but thanks to the brand’s patented stretchy and seamless fabric, I was pleasantly surprised. They didn’t dig in, chafe or roll.
It’s definitely worth noting that they’re designed for lighter flow days, which is how I used them, and they can hold two to three tampons’ worth of fluid. But for either the early or light days of your period, or even if bladder leaks are more your concern, these make for a great addition to any reusable period underwear selection.
Buy now £14.99, Wuka.co.uk
Fluxies high waist heavy flow
Best: High-waisted period pants
Size range: XXS - 4XL
Underwear style: High-waisted
Absorbency: Up to four tampons’ worth
Machine washable: Machine wash on 30C to 40C and line dry
Why we love it
- Heavy duty
- Eco-friendly materials
If you think periods require unflattering baggy knickers, consider these pants from Fluxies. The popular high waist heavy flow option holds up to four tampons’ worth and ticks a lot of boxes in terms of comfort, style and support. I love the high-waisted design with the mesh side panels, which give a nice bit of va-va-voom to the knickers. I’m also a big fan of the super-soft micro-modal fabric on the inside, and how fresh these kept me, even on my heaviest days.
Flux is also dedicated to being as sustainable and ethical as possible: it uses Oeko-tex certified materials in its pants, recycled cardboard in its packaging, is vegan-friendly and doesn’t test on animals. It also gives back to someone in need with every purchase and has donated to some great charities, including Mermaids, the Independent Domestic Abuse Services and Freedom 4 Girls.
Buy now £24.00, Fluxundies.com
Hey Girls super soft red cherry period pants
Best: Period pants for bloating
Size range: XS - 4XL
Underwear style: High-waisted
Absorbency: Four to five tampons
Machine washable: Yes, but air dry them afterwards
Why we love it
- High absorbency
- Charity ties
- Fun, vibrant colour
- Compostable or recyclable packaging
Take note
- Show above jeans
Sometimes, you just need a big old pair of pants when you’re on your period and ones that’ll sit comfortably over your bloat. Enter: a UK brand dedicated to helping tackle period poverty, Hey Girls.
The brand’s super-soft red cherry period pants were like a gentle hug when I was bloated. They’re a high-waisted design, so I preferred to wear them at home, either for bed or in loungewear, as they peeked out of my jeans (yes, even the high-waisted ones), but these are the pair I’d reach for on those days when the cramps and water retention are getting you down. They also have a high absorbency and can hold up to five tampons’ worth. Plus, they’re a joyful cherry red colour, in what is often a sea of black, navy and grey period pants. I also liked that they were pretty quick to air dry once washed.
Founded by a mother and her two daughters, Hey Girls is a business with a charitable mission, too: for every product sold, it gives one away to girls and women in the UK from low-income families.
Buy now £17.35, Heygirls.co.uk
Snuggs Sunday briefs in cherry
Best: Period pants for a cool aesthetic
Size range: XS - XXL
Underwear style: Brief
Absorbency: Up to five tampons
Machine washable: Yes, but air dry them afterwards
Why we love it
- Stylish design
- Comfortable
- High absorbency
Take note
- Pricey
Proving how far period pants have come over recent years, Snuggs embodies a cool aesthetic that has made the brand a trendy favourite. Its partnership with Manchester City women’s football team cements this reputation. I like that the range includes classic styles and colours as well as vibrant shades and lace options.
Its Sunday briefs in cherry, crafted from a seamless knitted fabric, are soft and stylish as well as being practical and absorbent. The medium brief holds up to five tampons’ worth of blood, but the hugger and boxer styles have a higher absorption level. For me, they were a well-used pair on days when I wanted to feel snug, comfortable and secure, yet still have a joyous pop of colour. Plus, they were an option I was more than happy to wear on non-flow days.
Buy now £34.00, Anuggs.uk
Your questions about period pants answered
What are the best period pants?
I love my Wuka seamless midi briefs and highly recommend them for their silky soft feel, absorbency, and how they eradicate any fears of VPL. After lots of testing, in my opinion, these are the best period pants, and definitely a staple option as they wear well under a variety of clothing items and materials. Snuggs’ range of period pants, especially its Sunday pair in the beautiful cherry red colour, is another favourite of mine, thanks to their combination of stylish design, comfort and durability. And I commend Love Luna for making a budget-friendly pair of period pants to make reusable menstrual products more accessible.
How I tested the best period pants
I’ve been using period pants since they first became popular. But when testing to find the best, I considered the following:
For more kind-to-planet period products, try our best reusable sanitary pads
