Best Overall

Nike Indy V-Neck Sports Bra

$46 at Amazon

$38

$26 at Pgatoursuperstore.com

$38

$37 at Academy.com

Key Specs

Sizes: XS-2XL (Band: 30-42 inches, Cups: A-E) Materials: Polyester, spandex Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Low-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Hand wash, lay flat to dry Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for most low- to high-impact activities, including running, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and weight training.

Why We Love It

Nike’s Dri-FIT Indy Sports Bra is our top overall pick for smaller breasts because it has the ideal amount of compression, but still fits our rib cages well. We love that the straps are adjustable from the front—plus, the V-neck design offers just enough coverage without feeling restrictive. 

When we tested this bra, we liked that the soft fabric provided the right amount of support (no bouncing or chafing) and had a snug, comfortable fit. Even though the brand says it provides light support, our 34A tester found the support adequate even for high-impact workouts. Breathable mesh panels in the front and on the sides stopped sweat from building up, even during a 15-mile run. 

The Indy Sports Bra does have some light padding for modesty, but we like that it’s removable. Another bonus? Unlike with many other bras we’ve tested, the padding stays in place and won’t roll or slip out in the wash. Plus, it comes in a range of bright colors you can wear alone or underneath your favorite tank top.

Potential Flaws

• Although the straps are on the thinner side, it’s worth noting that they didn’t dig into our shoulders during testing.

Best Budget

RUNNING GIRL Sports Bra

$22 at Amazon

$33

$22 at Runninggirl.us

Key Specs

Sizes: XS-3XL (Band: 32-42 inches, Cups: A-DD)  Materials: Nylon, spandex Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Medium-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Machine wash and dry

Who It’s For

Best if you’ve had issues finding a compressive sports bra that doesn’t squish your chest or cause “uniboob.”

Why We Love It

For a budget-friendly sports bra that still pulls its weight, we recommend Running Girl’s Sports Bra. While running, lifting weights, stretching, and doing boot camp workouts, we were pleasantly surprised by how well it kept our chests in place without feeling uncomfortable or restrictive. The band sat comfortably on our rib cages and didn’t ride up—even during MMA-style sweat sessions. 

The thick fabric (a blend of nylon and spandex) is soft and smooth, and we love the strappy details in the back. This sports bra is easy to slip on and off overhead—plus, it fit us perfectly. Even after weeks of wears and washes, the color stayed vivid (it comes in 35 colors) and we didn’t find any pilling, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to find high-quality sports bras.

Potential Flaws

• We didn’t have any issues with the way this bra fits, but we still wish the straps or band were adjustable. 
• The removable cups may twist up in the wash, so you might need to adjust them occasionally.

Most Stylish

Alo Yoga Wild Thing Bra

$78 at Alo

Key Specs

Sizes: XS-XL (Band: 28-38 inches, Cups: A-D) Materials: Nylon, elastane Padding: Only in light colors, removable Support Level: Low-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for low-impact workouts, like yoga, Pilates, or walking. 

Why We Love It

Alo Yoga’s Wild Thing Bra boasts ​​ruching down the front, a deep neckline, and a V-cut band for a flattering fit that’ll get you compliments from Pilates to brunch. We love the four-way stretch material that moved with us during weight training sessions and outdoor hikes. Plus, it lifts small chests without overly compressing or flattening your breasts. 

This versatile studio-to-street top is a go-to for Alexis Sweeney, founder of the Silhouette by Alexis App and online fitness platform. It’s supportive and very well-made, she explains—and, as a B cup, it’s the only plunge bra she can wear while teaching dance cardio classes. Choose from a range of neutral and bright colors (just note that only the lightest shades include additional padding).

Potential Flaws 

• We don’t recommend this bra for medium- or high-impact workouts because it isn’t as compressive as some of our other top picks. 
• The straps and band aren't adjustable, although we found that the stretchy material fits true to size.
  

Best for Training

Gymshark Sweat Seamless Sports Bra

$46 at Gymshark.com

Key Specs

Sizes: XS-XXL (Specific band and cup sizes not listed) Materials: Nylon, polyester, elastane Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Low-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, air dry Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for sweaty workouts, from strength training to hot yoga.

Why We Love It

For deadlifts, chest presses, lunges, and everything in between, we recommend Gymshark's Sweat Seamless Bra. The soft fabric contains nylon, polyester, and elastane, so it stays breathable even during hot yoga classes. We love the amount of coverage, which kept us feeling secure during workouts and never needed to be adjusted. We were also surprised by the construction of the removable cups—they’re thicker and more padded than others we tried, with tapered edges that are almost undetectable. 

The straps never dug into our skin, and the thin width makes them easy to hide underneath a tank top. The brand notes that the Sweat Seamless bra is designed to offer low support, although our 34A tester enjoyed wearing it for everything from cardio to tennis matches, thanks to the compressive band. No matter what your weekly training schedule brings, this sports bra is built to help you power through it. 

Potential Flaws

• This bra runs small, according to Gymshark—we ordered up one size from our usual for the right fit.

Best for Yoga

lululemon Flow Y Nulu Longline Bra Light Support

View on Lululemon

Key Specs

Sizes: 2-14 (Band: 26-42 inches, Cups: Not listed) Materials: Nylon, Lycra elastane Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Low-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for everyday wear, especially if your workout routine is mostly low-impact. 

Why We Love It

When you’re moving through yoga poses, you need a sports bra that’s ultra-soft and supportive, but never restrictive—like lululemon’s Flow Y Nulu Longline Bra, designed specifically for A to C cups. We tested this sports bra during yoga classes, indoor and outdoor walks, Pilates, and low-impact strength training. As we wore it, we found that the fit was on the compressive side, and the comfortable band stayed snug around our ribcages. It doesn’t dig in or ride up, and it stayed in place during every workout. 

Made with lululemon’s signature Align fabric (a silky blend of nylon and Lycra elastane), we love how well this bra holds up through multiple wears and washes. Whether we paired it with leggings on the weekends or bike shorts in the gym, the flattering fit never let us down. 

Potential Flaws

• The band and straps aren't adjustable, but we were still able to find the right fit. We also liked that the bra never shifted around as we wore it.

Best Low-Impact

lululemon Free to Be Wild Bra

View on Lululemon

Key Specs

Sizes: 2-14 (Band: 26-42 inches, Cups: Not listed) Materials: Polyester, Lycra elastane Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Low-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for wearing on its own or underneath a low- or open-back workout top. 

Why We Love It

lululemon’s Free to Be Bra was made for A to B cups and offers light support that'll keep you comfortable during low-impact activities. During testing, we loved the fit—our tester, who has a wide rib cage, noted that the band felt snug and lay completely flat without budging. Even with a slight V-neck, we liked the coverage this bra provided, without any gapping or spillage that would have distracted us during workouts. 

The slight padding offers a little extra coverage and shaping without feeling too thick or bulky. And after wearing this bra for a few days each week and washing it after each workout, it didn’t pill, stretch, or fade. Breathable and sweat-wicking, it’s made from the brand’s signature four-way stretch Luxtreme fabric—also used in some of lululemon's best leggings—that stays cool to the touch, even as you start to feel the heat.

Potential Flaws

• Like some of our other top picks, we wish this bra was adjustable.
• It’s worth noting that our tester (a 36B) noticed slight marks on her shoulders from the bra’s straps. If you’re between two sizes, you may want to choose the larger option for a more comfortable fit.

Best Medium-Impact

Goal Five Pionxr Bra Top

$79 at Amazon

$79

$60 at Goalfive.com

Key Specs

Sizes: 0-16 (Band: 32-42.5 inches, Cups: Not listed) Materials: Polyester, spandex Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Medium-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Hand wash cold, air dry Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best if you like high-coverage styles with enough support for most activities.

Why We Love It

Our favorite medium-impact sports bra by far is the Pionxr Bra Top from Goal Five, a soccer-inspired brand. We like that it’s double-lined, with removable pads for additional support and opacity. And it fit perfectly—snug enough to feel secure, it wasn’t so tight to the point of causing spillage. From walking to mat workouts, the Pionxr Top stayed comfortable and kept us cool, thanks to the breathable polyester and Spandex blend. 

We also like that the bra is longer, making it a great option to wear alone if you enjoy outdoor workouts in warm weather. And we love that it washes well, without losing its shape or fading.

Potential Flaws

• The straps and band aren't adjustable. However, our tester noted that this bra fit her better than other adjustable bras she's worn. 
• The removable cups tend to move around during workouts, but we found that they're easy to readjust.
  

Best High-Impact

Reebok High-Impact Sports Bra

$28 at Amazon

Key Specs

Sizes: XXS-XL (Band: 29-44.5 inches, Cups: Not listed) Materials: Recycled polyester, elastane interlock Padding: No Support Level: High-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Hand wash cold, air dry Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for running, jogging, cycling, or other intense movement.

Why We Love It

Don’t let your sports bra slow you down during high-impact workouts. Reebok’s Running Essentials High-Impact Sports Bra carried us through runs, hikes, and days spent mountain biking with ease. The soft, stretchy band is one of the most comfortable ones we’ve found—and, even after weeks of wear, it never stretched out or lost its shape. 

This budget-friendly bra stays in place, won’t ride up, and holds everything in without putting too much pressure on your ribcage. We also like that it comes up higher on the sides, for better coverage that prevents frustrating spillage. Another bonus? We noticed that it cuts down on bouncing and doesn’t chafe, even when you sweat. 

Potential Flaws

• While the straps are comfortable, the neckline may be too high for some.
  

Best Padded

Lemedy Padded Sports Bra

$26

$22 at Amazon

Key Specs

Sizes: S-XXL (Band: 26.8-40.1 inches, Cups: A-DD) Materials: Nylon, spandex Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Low-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Hand wash, air dry Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best if you want coverage and opacity, plus some added shape and fullness in the bust area.

Why We Love It

Lots of sports bras on our list are padded, but Lemedy’s Padded Sports Bra does double duty. Not only does it provide added coverage, but we also found that the pads shaped our busts in a subtle, flattering way. Blurring the lines between a longline sports bra and a crop top, it offers sculpting and support for studio workouts or everyday wear.

Made with nylon and spandex, the opaque material marries stretch and shape retention, with a lightweight feel. We found ourselves reaching for it often because it’s comfortable for lounging, but also supportive enough for exercising. During testing, it held up well for a variety of low- to high-impact activities, including barre classes, weight training, and running. Perfect for layering or mixing and matching with your favorite leggings, it’s an easy, no-fuss top we can’t get enough of.

Potential Flaws

• Even though the brand suggests hand-washing only for care, we didn't experience any issues. However, we noticed that the pads pop out in the wash, but they're easy to put back in compared to other bras we've tested. 
• The thick pads in this bra may trap air, making you feel warmer and sweatier, says LaJean Lawson, PhD, sports bra researcher and movement expert.
  

Best Sweat-Wicking

Athleta Solace Bra

$49

$30 at Athleta

Key Specs

Sizes: XXS-XL (Band: 30-40 inches, Cups: A-C) Materials: Nylon, spandex Padding: Yes, removable Support Level: Medium-impact Closure: None Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Who It’s For

Best for studio classes (think yoga, barre, Pilates), especially in a heated room. 

Why We Love It

Athleta's Solace Bra is the most breathable option we tested, with a lightweight lining for superior ventilation and a nylon and spandex exterior that wicks away sweat. We love that the design compresses your bust to minimize movement and distribute the weight of your chest evenly. And the removable pads are relatively thin, tapered, and naturally shaped so you can actually recognize your boobs, says Julia Breitwieser, former bra designer at Athleta and lululemon. While the straps are narrow, the placement and interlacing allow for optimal support, she adds. 

When testing this bra, we loved how high-end the smooth fabric feels—perfect for sweaty workouts in a heated studio. We especially loved it for weightlifting and HIIT classes as it offered solid support, even though the brand lists it as low-impact.

Potential Flaws 

• This bra doesn’t have an adjustable band or straps.
• We found that the band runs tight and digs into our shoulders a bit, so you may want to size up.