The 6 Best Knee Sleeves of 2020

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Our Top Picks

Best Compression: Mauwi Knee Sleeve at Amazon

"A snug, supportive fit that can help with minor knee injuries."

Best for Arthritis: Mava Sports Knee Support Sleeves at Amazon

"Designed for arthritis and joint pain relief but can also be used for cross training, weight lifting, gym workouts, and other physical activities."

Best for Basketball: McDavid 6446 Leg Sleeves at Amazon

"A padded sleeve can provide the knee with some protection against stray elbows or a fall onto the court."

Best for Squats: Bear KompleX Knee Sleeves at Amazon

"Help take pressure off your joints when doing squats."

Best for Lifting: Nordic Lifting Knee Sleeves at Amazon

"If you’re looking to keep your joints safe in the weights room, consider trying the Nordic Lifting Knee Sleeves."

Best for Running: Ultra Flex Knee Compression Sleeve at Amazon

"Reduce inflammation and swelling and aid in recovery from runner’s knee as well as arthritis and tendonitis."

Our Top Picks

Best Compression: Mauwi Knee Sleeve

Knee sleeves that use compression fabrics may increase blood flow and aid recovery after exercise. The Mauwi Knee Sleeve is made from spandex, nylon, and latex to give a snug, supportive fit that can help with minor knee injuries and complications such as tendonitis, arthritis, and ACL and meniscus tears.

Reviewers say that the sleeve has helped keep them moving after knee surgery with one user saying that the product allowed them to climb stairs and drive during the recovery phase. And thanks to a supportive, ergonomic design, these sleeves won’t slide down, eliminating the frustration of having to yank slipped sleeves back into place.

Best for Arthritis: Mava Sports Knee Support Sleeves

If arthritis inflammation and joint stiffness slow you down—especially when you climb stairs, kneel or stand up after sitting—knee sleeves could be the answer. The Mava Sports product is designed for arthritis and joint pain relief but can also be used for cross training, weight lifting, gym workouts, and other physical activities.

Comfort is key for regular sleeve wearers, and one reviewer says that they wear the Mava Sports Knee Support Sleeves all day and hardly even notice that they are on. And for those with sensitive skin, the bamboo charcoal fiber material makes for an irritation-free product.

Best for Basketball: McDavid 6446 Hex Padded Compression Leg Sleeves

A padded sleeve can provide the knee with some protection against stray elbows or a fall onto the court, which is why you’ll see many basketball players in the McDavid sleeves. They feature cell foam padding and are made from moisture wicking fabric, which keeps the pads dry, cool, and stink-free. The longer length protects even more of the leg from cuts or scratches.

One reviewer of the McDavid padded knee sleeves say that the extra protection helps them feel more confident on the basketball court. However, many people do say that the sleeves run a tad small, so you might want to consider sizing up.

Best for Squats: Bear KompleX Knee Sleeves

Squats can take a toll on the knees, especially if you perform them with weights. Made from Neoprene, the Bear KompleX knee sleeves help take pressure off your joints when doing squats as well as power cleans, snatches, box jumps, lunges, and more by stimulating and supporting the muscles. They come in multiple colors and patterns—from solid black to a patriotic stars and stripes design—and some colorways are even reversible to reveal a whole new look.

Reviewers say that the Bear KompleX sleeves don’t budge at all at the bottom of squats and that the light compression keeps the knee joints warm, helping to avoid injury. When purchasing, you’ll have the option to choose between a 5mm or 7mm thickness. People who use the sleeves say that the thicker version may be better for weight training while the 5mm version is best for cardio.

Best for Lifting: Nordic Lifting Knee Sleeves

The right set of sleeves could help you take lifting to the next level. If you’re looking to keep your joints safe in the weights room, consider trying the Nordic Lifting Knee Sleeves. Made from a compression fabric, they can also be used for CrossFit training.

People who own the Nordic sleeves say that they like how thick the material is and that the sleeves are very comfortable to wear as well as durable (something that’s important if you hit the gym frequently). As a bonus, the Nordic Lifting sleeves come with a free one-year replacement guarantee.

Best for Running: Ultra Flex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve Support

Knee pain and injuries can put the brakes on your pace—or cause you to stop running altogether—but knee sleeves, like the Ultra Flex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve Support, may keep you on your feet. A silicon grip gel helps the sleeves stay in place during exercise and a fabric made from spandex, nylon, and latex guarantees a long lifespan.

The Ultra Flex Athletics sleeves promise to reduce inflammation and swelling and aid in recovery from runner’s knee as well as arthritis and tendonitis. So, if you're recovering from knee problems or often going on long runs, go with these sleeves.

What to Look for in a Knee Sleeve

Thickness: The thickness of the knee sleeves determines how much mobility and support they provide. Often, thinner sleeves are used for running and other activities where greater mobility is required, while thicker products are best for weightlifting and other more stationary exercises.

Purpose: Many knee sleeves are specially designed for a particular activity. You’ll find products marketed toward weightlifting, running, and certain sports. You may want one of these specialized products or you could opt for a multi-purpose sleeve that can be used in a variety of situations.

Padding: Depending on how you plan to use your knee sleeves, you may want extra padding in the knee area. This padding can help protect your joints if you’re playing sports like basketball or volleyball. However, extra padding can be cumbersome if you’re just running or lifting weights.