The 10 Best Knee Support Products of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

DonJoy Deluxe Hinged Knee Brace at Amazon

"Designed for athletes and active individuals dealing with ligament instabilities, meniscus injuries, sprains, or osteoarthritis."

Best Strap:

Abco Tech Patella Knee Strap at Amazon

"Fully adjustable, the Abco Tech Patella Knee Strap won't slip or slide down as you run, hike, bike, or do other activities."

Best Brace:

DonJoy Performance Bionic Knee Brace at Amazon

"The brace comes equipped with “anti-migration technology” which keeps it in place as you exercise."

Best Sleeve:

UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve at Amazon

"Can reduce soreness, stiffness, and inflammation, and is suitable for use during just about any activity."

Best Compression:

PowerLix Compression Knee Sleeve at Amazon

"Designed to deliver firm compression for an extended period, providing continuous pain relief for a variety of ailments."

Best Discreet:

ACE Compression Side Stabilizer Knee Brace at Amazon

"An excellent, budget-friendly pick for those who want something discreet that can be easily worn under clothing."

Best Heavy-Duty:

Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace at Amazon

"With hinges supporting your knee on either side, the brace offers maximum stability and support for higher-impact activities"

Best for Hot and Cold Therapy:

Vive Knee Ice Pack Wrap at Amazon

"Designed to alleviate knee pain and swelling with hot and cold therapy, it's a wearable ice pack and compression sleeve all in one."

Best for Running:

TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support at Amazon

"Made to solve many of the problems runners encounter while wearing knee braces, and will not fall down while you clock miles."

Best for Weightlifting:

Iron Bull Strength Knee Sleeves at Amazon

"Specifically made for weightlifters, the brace offers support and stability without sacrificing comfort or range of motion."

Knee pain can be frustrating for anyone, but particularly for those who love being active. Walking, running, hiking, and weightlifting are just a few of the numerous activities knee pain can interrupt or limit. While this can be devastating to fitness devotees, remedies exist. Knee support products—along with the help of a licensed physical therapist and the guidance of a physician—can, in many cases, help treat these issues and get you back to the activities you love.

Knee braces, knee sleeves, and knee straps can help in the short-term by alleviating some of the pain you’re regularly experiencing and making your day-to-day more manageable while you build lasting strength and endurance through a physical therapy program.

The particular knee support product you choose, though, will depend a lot on what kind of knee pain you’re dealing with, why you’re dealing with that pain, and what kind of activities you’re trying to do while wearing the brace, sleeve, or strap.

Here, the best knee support products for every type of athlete.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Donjoyperformance.com

Designed for athletes and active individuals dealing with ligament instabilities, meniscus injuries, sprains, or osteoarthritis, the DonJoy Deluxe Hinged Knee Support brace offers moderate support, so it's fit for daily use as well as more intense activities.

The brace delivers compression to the soft tissue of the knee, offering both comfort and support, and the hinges on either side of the brace provide even more stability. Shoppers can choose between two different styles—a tighter-fitting wraparound option and a more discreet sleeve. Available in both Neoprene and Drytex materials, the brace is even suitable for use in water.

This pick is available in a range of sizes—from extra-small to 3XL—and you can find a detailed size chart and fit guide on the DonJoy website that'll help you select the best brace for you.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

The Abco Tech Patella Knee Strap is crafted from a neoprene and nylon blend, which leaves it feeling light and soft on your knee (rather than heavy or scratchy). Fully adjustable, the strap offers a fit that’s as tight or as loose as you want it to be—simply use the Velcro straps to fasten it over your patellar tendon (just below your kneecap) to get the level of support and compression you’re looking for.

Since you’re in control of the tightness of the strap, you don’t have to worry about it slipping down your leg as you run, hike, bike, or do any of your other favorite activities, making it perfect for active individuals. The breathable strap will also absorb sweat, keeping your knee dry and free from irritation and itching. Plus, it's machine washable so it won't be a pain to clean after workouts.

The strap is one size fits all and comes in four colors.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Dick's Buy on Betterbraces.com

If you’re looking for a knee brace that feels a little high-tech, you’ve found it in DonJoy’s Bionic Knee Brace. This performance product boasts a number of thoughtful features, like stash pockets for storing your keys and reflective details that enhance your visibility in low-light conditions (great for running at night). The brace itself is crafted from a breathable neoprene material, and it boasts adjustable pull tabs you can use to get the tight fit you’re looking for. Even better? It comes equipped with “anti-migration technology,” which promises to keep it in place as you do your thing.

According to DonJoy, the Bionic Knee Brace is particularly suited for those with mild or moderate ligament sprains, mild or moderate tendon strains, hyperextension, or meniscus injuries. It also offers patella support and stability.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Uflexathletics.com

Sleek, affordable, and decidedly discreet, the UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve offers all-over compression without any clunk. It's crafted from a breathable, quick-dry fabric, making it a good pick for sweaty situations. And no need to worry about slippage—the sleeve boats “silicone grip gel” panels, which promise to keep it firmly in place, no matter what you’re doing.

According to UFlex Athletics, the Knee Compression Sleeve can reduce soreness, stiffness, and inflammation, and it’s suitable for use during just about any activity—from low-impact exercises like yoga to high-impact sports like skiing and running. It even has heating capabilities to aid in post-workout muscular recovery.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Power-lix.com

The PowerLix Compression Knee Sleeve is designed to deliver firm compression for an extended period, which the manufacturer says can provide pain relief from a variety of ailments, including arthritis, swelling, tendonitis, meniscus tear, soreness, stiffness, ACL, PCL, MCL, and other knee pain. Crafted from a soft, breathable fabric, the sleeve promises to absorb moisture—keeping your leg sweat- and odor-free for extended periods of time.

Like many sleeves, the PowerLix Compression Knee Sleeve comes equipped with silicone gel support strips that promise to hold the product in place during physical activity. According to PowerLix, the sleeve is good for daily use, for recovery between workouts, and for most sports. It comes in a range of sizes and in three different colors, and you can find detailed instructions for measuring for fit and size on PowerLix's website.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Home Depot Buy on Riteaid.com

Sleek, tight, and veritably budget-friendly, the ACE Compression Side Stabilizer Knee Brace is an excellent pick for those who want something discreet that can be easily worn under clothing. The brace’s low-profile design promises to contour to your knee, offering you the tight fit and all-over compression you need in a sleeve.

Ideal for stiff, weak, sore, or injured knees, it comes equipped with a behind-the-knee comfort panel, which keeps it from bunching up or falling down. And the side stabilizers running along both sides of the brace provide lateral support without limiting your range of motion. It comes in a range of sizes, from small to extra-large.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Dick's Buy on Shockdoctor.com

There’s no doubt about it—the Shock Doctor Ultra Knee Support Brace is one heavy-duty knee brace, offering maximum stability and support for higher-impact activities. The brace’s pre-curved design is crafted with the contours of your knee in mind, delivering comfort and compression in equal measure. The hinges on either side of the brace offer additional support, while its stretchy textile lets you move around with ease.

Even though the brace is thick and padded, it’s vented for breathability, allowing you to cut down on nuisances like odor, bacteria, and moisture. According to Shock Doctor, it's designed to help with medial and lateral instability, minor patella instability, meniscus injuries, minor ligament sprains, hypertension, and arthritis.

It comes in six sizes, from adult small to adult 3XL, with a convenient size chart to help you find the perfect fit.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Vivehealth.com

Designed to alleviate knee pain and swelling, Vive’s Knee Ice Wrap is essentially a wearable ice pack and a compression sleeve all in one. The brace comes with three removable (and reusable) gel packs you can use for hot and cold therapy. Each pack conveniently slips into one of the brace’s pockets, allowing you to target pain points as they arise.

You can use the brace’s four adjustable straps to keep your gel packs firmly in place or use them to deliver all-over compression to your knee. What’s nice? The wrap is crafted from a light Neoprene blend that’s soft, breathable, and machine washable. Plus, the non-slip material will keep it from bunching or twisting while you use it.

Buy on Amazon

The TechWare Pro Knee Brace promises to offer maximum support for runner’s knee and is designed to solve many of the problems runners encounter while wearing knee braces. For starters, the brace’s wraparound design and adjustable straps combine to offer a tight-enough fit that won’t slip out of place while clock miles. The brace’s fabric is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking, allowing you to run long distances without it becoming too wet or heavy.

What's more, the brace's open-kneecap design promises to offer relief and compression in equal measure without limiting your range of motion while you run.It comes in four sizes, medium, large, extra-large, and 2XL, and is also suitable for youth.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ironbullstrength.com

Ironbull’s Strength 7MM Knee Sleeves were designed with all weightlifters in mind—from CrossFitters to powerlifters to regular gym rats—offering support and stability without sacrificing comfort or range of motion. The sleeves are lined with silicone gel strips that promise to hold them firmly in place while you work out, and they’re crafted from a flexible compression fabric fit for reducing swelling during activity and promoting recovery after it.

The brace comes in various stylish colors and a range of sizes, from small to 2XL, with a detailed size chart and instructions for measuring your knee to find the perfect fit.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a seasoned health writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. Her goal is to recommend products that are genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them, and that adhere to basic guidelines laid out by licensed medical experts.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What are your concerns?

Article Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.