We Spent 4 Months Living in These Nursing Bras to Find the Very Best

Best Overall: Hatch The Everyday Nursing Bra

4.8

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When it comes to all of the best features of a nursing bra, the Hatch Everyday Nursing Bra is truly the gold standard. Made of breathable and buttery soft and stretchy Pima cotton and spandex blend, your breasts will feel supported, not suffocated. Our tester, a mom of two little ones, felt like the super-soft material was outstanding and lent to the easy, adjustable fit and rated it a 5 for both attributes. She described the material of the cups as soft and flexible, an essential feature as breasts fluctuate in size throughout your breastfeeding journey. 

The intentional design features straps that are adjustable in the front so you won’t have to twist and turn the bra to figure out the right positioning. Our tester appreciated the one-handed clasps that made unhooking the cup of the bra a fumble-free experience. While this bra is not designed to accommodate a traditional pump flange for a hands-free pumping session, Ashleigh was able to comfortably slide in her Elvie milk catchers. Despite it being wire-free, the bra is pretty supportive—an important feature if you plan on wearing it every day. 

We clearly love this bra, but the only downside is that it is an investment when compared to the other options on our list. 

Best Nursing and Pumping Bra: Bodily The Do Anything Bra

4.9

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Moving between nursing and pumping is much easier with a bra that can easily accommodate both. To accomplish both tasks seamlessly, we like the Do Anything Bra. Like the other Bodily bra on our list, the Do Anything bra was created in partnership with a lactation consultant to ensure your breasts have a healthy place to hang out while you’re nursing and pumping. The single-clip design doesn’t require you to remove the front panel to insert your pump for a hands-free, leak-free milk-expressing experience.

Between nursing and pumping, our tester used this bra for eight months and raved about the silky, stretchy fabric and incredibly comfortable fit that made her breasts feel secure while keeping mastitis at bay. We rated the overall fit for this bra a 5, because our tester was able to wear it from the day her baby was born to the day she was ready to wean. Through all of the physical post-partum changes, the Do Anything bra was able to keep up.

While our tester loved the material of this bra, she noted that the silky texture could be problematic when it comes to absorbing a sudden let down or leaking drops of milk. Also, the convenient pumping slits aren’t hidden and the outlines can be seen through a thinner shirt.

Best Everyday: Motherhood Maternity Seamless Clip-Down Nursing Bra

4.7

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For an everyday bra that meets your needs—and your budget—we love the Motherhood Average Busted Seamless Maternity and Nursing Bra. The seamless, stretchy bra offers full coverage for nursing and pregnant people that need no-fuss support. With minimal lining and removable pads, this bra was the most comfortable of the whole bunch for one of our testers. She wore this bra while running errands, lounging, and just walking with her baby. She really likes how the discreet design allows you to unclip and feed your baby while maintaining a sufficient amount of coverage.

Through it all, this bra did its job and was basically invisible underneath her clothes. Rating it a 5 for value, our tester noted that this nursing bra was so comfortable that she would wear it even after she is done nursing. 

Best Budget: Auden Seamless Nursing Bra

4.5

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Comfort doesn’t have to come at a high price with this seamless nursing bra by Auden. This extra-smooth bra skips the poking underwire but still offers snug support that makes you feel secure. With six sizing options on the hook back closure, you can easily slide between sizes as your bust fluctuates throughout nursing. Our tester, a mom of two, rated this bra a 4.5 for comfort, thanks to the padded cups that are actually sewn in place, which eliminates the well-known unsightly bunching and the constant need to readjust post-feeding. 

While the tester definitely felt that this bra was totally worth the hype circulating through her mommy groups, especially for the price point, the lower-quality material was a telltale sign of a budget pick. After wearing it for over eight hours, the signs of wear and tear were obvious. For short-term use, however, we still love this one for its stretch and seamless comfortable fit and think it’s inexpensive enough to stock up on a few to have on hand.

Best for Sleeping: Bodily The Everything Bra

4

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Sleeping in a bra may sound like a backwards idea, but when you are nursing, a comfortable bra to snooze in is far more enjoyable than it sounds. Our tester thought the Bodily The Everything Bra was a perfect fit for sleeping, lounging, and hanging out at home. Created in partnership with a lactation consultant, the bra is made to prioritize breast health and prevent mastitis and clogged ducts. The soft and stretchy material is able to accommodate your changing bust size from pregnancy through your breastfeeding journey. 

While our tester rated this bra highly for its comfort and lounge-worthy material, it doesn’t offer much in the support department, which is why we rated a 2.5 for that attribute. But when it comes to sleeping, the more relaxed fit gives your breasts the space to move and shift while you toss and turn between feedings.

Best T-Shirt Bra: Kindred Bravely Ultra Comfort Smooth Classic Nursing Bra

4

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Some days call for an outfit that doesn’t have a permanent spit-up stain on it and the Kindred Bravely Ultra Comfort Smooth Classic Nursing Bra is a great undergarment to accompany your casual but put-together look. Smooth, seamless, and wireless, this bra will basically melt onto your bust and disappear under your favorite T-shirt to create a sleek silhouette. Our tester appreciated the bulk-free padded design that made her bust feel supported but not compressed. Made of a polyamide and spandex blend, this bra earned a 4.5 for the material that offer just enough thickness with minimal lining.

The adjustable straps can convert into a racerback style, making a perfect bra to wear under tank tops. While the material is smooth overall, our tester noticed that the cups started to rise and move throughout the day, and the pads shifted and needed to be readjusted after nursing.

We love that this everyday bra is available in sizes that can fit busts from 30B to 44I, and each bra comes with an expander, making it a size-inclusive option.

Best With Underwire: On Gossamer Mesh Convertible Nursing Bra

4.3

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We know that an underwire can be a plus for some and a red flag for others. According to Donna Murray, RN, BSN, underwires have the potential to lead to problems, like clogged ducts, which can lead to mastitis, due to “pressure on the tissue at the base of your breast.” On the flip side, wearing an underwire bra can lift, shape, and support your bust, which may look better under certain outfits. The On Gossamer Mesh Convertible Nursing Bra is made of breathable mesh material that contours to your breast for a snug and secure feel.

Our tester said the underwire worked for her and gave her a perky, lifted look that was attractive underneath her clothing. We rated this bra 5 out of 5 for fit and comfort, as our tester noted that her breasts sat comfortably in the cups without creating a gap or bunching. The smooth mesh also covered the underwire to prevent quintessential underwire poking. While she loved wearing this bra underneath blouses and dresses, it is hand-wash only, which is not very convenient for busy parents.

Best Sports Bra: Ingrid + Isabel Seamless Nursing Sports Bra

4.8

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Staying active during and after pregnancy is usually both safe and encouraged (within the bounds set by your doctor). Whether you like a brisk walk in the park with your baby in tow or an hour to yourself in the gym, a quality nursing sports bra like this one from Ingrid and Isabel will support your breasts while allowing easy feeding access for your tot. Made of supremely stretchy, ribbed fabric, this full-coverage sports bra has a one-handed clasp that allows you to pause your workout and easily feed your sweetie. 

The Ingrid and Isabel nursing sports bra was the most comfortable out of all of the bras that our tester tried out for us. After testing this one for over three weeks, Hanna found herself wearing this bra during activities like going for walks and running, but she even found it comfortable enough to sleep in. One of the highest-rated bras in our test, it earned a 5 for comfort, material, and support. While testing this bra, she noted that the full coverage could be a negative for those who are likely to breastfeed in public. The entire front panel pulls down to allow for nursing access, which may feel like too much exposure for some. 

Best Bralette: Cosabella Never Say Never Maternity Mommie Nursing Bralette

4.7

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Lacey and stretchy, with just enough style, the Cosabella Never Say Never Maternity Mommie Nursing Bralette takes your run-of-the-mill nursing bra to another level. Made of delicate Italian lace, this pull-on style bra is available in a wide range of inclusive sizes—up to 40H. Our tester instantly fell in love with the classy, chic bralette design and appreciated that the padding was removable for a more customizable fit. With adjustable straps and a one-handed opening for quick and easy access, you won’t have to swap out style for convenience and functionality. 

While the adjustable straps, removable padding, and stretchy lace help to create an overall supportive fit, we rated this bra a 3 for the support attribute, because our tester noted that the plastic adjuster piece would slide down the strap by the end of the day. This bra should only be hand-washed and hung to dry, which can be a big ask for nursing parents.