Best period pants 2026: tested for comfort and absorbency

The best period pants give you peace of mind with no leaks, speedy absorption and a comfortable fit.

10 women tried each pair of pants so we could uncover those that are worth buying. We combine these real-life experiences with independent tests of absorbency, durability and dry time.

Then we go a step further than most and test any period pants we plan to recommend for chemicals of concern. 

Some period pants use silver-based textile treatments (for odour control) or contain forever chemicals with liquid-repellent properties, known as PFAS. 

There are some health concerns about the presence of these chemicals in intimate use products, as well as from a wider environmental perspective.

There's no current UK regulation limiting the use of silver in textile products, but there is for certain types of PFAS. All the period pants we've tested comply with current UK regulations, but we think these don't go far enough.

The good news is that our top-scoring period pants had no detectable silver and passed our PFAS test, which follows stricter EU 'REACH' limits (which we consider best practice).

The biggest brands and the most popular period pants are listed below. Only logged-in Which? members can view the period pants test results. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.

A selection of the period pants we tested is listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best period pants from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Bodyform Essentials Hipster Period Pants with Logo Waistband

Available from Bodyform (£44.99 for a pack of 3)

Sizes available 2XS to 3XL

Washing instructions After use, rinse in cold water, machine wash at 40°C, do not tumble dry, use bleach or fabric softener, hang to dry

Need to know Available in moderate and heavy (tested) absorbencies, other absorbencies available in non-tested styles

Chemical treatments Brand states 'contains silver copper zeolite'

Cheeky Mid-rise Feeling Pretty Lace Topped Period Pants

Available from Cheeky (£14.99 for 1 pair)

Sizes available 4 to 24 

Washing instructions Machine wash at maximum 30°C and then hang dry, do not tumble dry, use bleach or fabric softener

Need to know Available in heavy (tested) absorbency, other absorbencies available in non-tested styles

Chemical treatments Brand claim at time of testing: 'do not contain PFOS, PFOA or 'antimicrobial silver' (as of July 2026, this has now been amended).

Marks and Spencer Heavy Absorbency Full Brief Period Pants

Available from Marks and Spencers (£20) 3-pairs

Sizes available 6 (hip circumference 61cm) to 24 (133cm)

Washing instructions Machine wash at maximum 40°C and then hang dry, do not tumble dry, use bleach or fabric softener, iron at low temperature

Need to know Available in heavy absorbency (tested), other absorbencies available in non-tested styles, other colours available

Chemical treatments Manufacturer states: 'contains silver chloride'

Modibodi Basic Mid-Rise Brief Period Pants

Sizes available 8/XS (hip circumference 89-91cm) to 20/3XL (119-121cm)

Washing instructions Machine wash cold, hang dry, do not tumble dry, use bleach, fabric softener or iron

Need to know Available in light, moderate and super (tested) absorbencies, other colours available

Chemical treatments Manufacturer states: 'do not intentionally use PFAS' and 'do not use nanotechnology or nanoparticles'

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NIXI Body The Polly Period Pants

Available from NIXI Body (£22)

Sizes available 8 to 24 

Washing instructions Machine wash at 30 to 40°C, hang dry, do not tumble dry, use bleach or fabric softener

Need to know Available in heavy (tested) absorbency, other absorbencies available in non-tested styles

Chemical treatments No claims or statements found at the time of testing

Primark Cotton Mini brief Period Pants

Available from Primark (£10 for 3) In-store only, but you can click and collect medium absorbency pack

Sizes available 4 to 20 

Washing instructions Rinse before washing, machine wash maximum 40°C and then hang dry, do not tumble dry, dry-clean, use bleach or iron

Need to know Available in medium and heavy (tested) absorbencies, other absorbencies available in non-tested styles, other colours available

Chemical treatments Brand states: 'contains silver chloride'

Snuggs Classic Period Pants

Available from Snuggs (£29) 1-pair

Sizes available 2XS/6 (hip circumference less than 74cm) to 4XL/22 (more than 122cm)

Washing instructions After use, rinse in cold water, machine wash at maximum 60°C, hang dry, do not tumble dry, use bleach or fabric softener

 Need to know Available in medium and heavy (tested) absorbencies, other absorbencies available in non-tested styles, other colours available

Chemical treatments Brand states: 'contains silver hydrogen zirconium phosphate'

Wuka Ultimate Midi Brief Period Pants

Available from Wuka (£24.99 for 1 pair) Wuka (£58.92 for 3)

Sizes available 4 to 22

Washing instructions After use, rinse in cold water, machine wash at maximum 40°C, hang dry inside out, do not tumble dry, use bleach or fabric softener

Need to know Available in medium, heavy (tested) and super heavy absorbencies; other absorbencies available in non-tested styles

Chemical treatments Brand claim at time of testing: 'We do not use any added chemicals in our products, such as silver treatments and we regularly test our products to ensure they are free from PFAS' (as of July 2026, this has been removed and amended).

Silver and PFAS in period pants: what you need to know

The issue of silver and PFAS in period pants is a complex one. With our testing, we've tried to strike a balance to help you make the right choice for you, based on the currently available research.

Period pants may contain silver-based textile treatments and/or 'forever chemicals' such as PFAS and PFCAs.

But it isn't always obvious from packaging or marketing if they do or don't. Here, we explain why they are sometimes included and why there are some concerns about them.

Silver in period pants

Silver compounds, such as silver copper zeolite, are typically added for their antimicrobial properties. The idea is that they help to combat bacterial growth and potential odour from longer wear.

Does it work?

Not really. In our tests, we found no correlation between whether our testers noticed odour during wear and whether the pants stated they contained silver treatments.

And other consumer tests have shown it doesn't tend to stick around long anyway. A 2013 study by Italian consumer organisation AltroConsumo of 20 products containing silver found only one third of these were effective at being anti-microbial, and many samples lost their silver content after just two washes. 

This also has potential environmental impact, as silver ions and nano silver are very toxic to aquatic life, depending on concentration.

Is silver in period pants safe?

There are different silver treatments used in period pants (all of which are distinct from inert silver, such as the kind used in jewellery). These can be nano silver (very small particles) or silver ions, such as various silver zeolites.

There's not a lot of data on the impact of nano silver on the human body. But a 2018 study by the US Food and Drug Administration found evidence that nano silver can kill lactobacillus, the healthy bacteria in your vagina which help fight off infection.

A 2023 report from the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety review into Silver Zinc Zeolite found dermal absorption (physical contact between skin and the substance) of the Silver and Zinc ions in Silver Zinc Zeolite may occur.

The ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) states that silver zinc zeolite is suspected of having reproductive toxicity.

Why does this matter? Vulvar and vaginal tissue are known to have unique properties and to be especially absorbent. 

While it washing out after a couple of washes means you're unlikely to be exposed to high levels of silver from period pants, it does beg the question, why bother including it in the first place?

Since a Which? 2023 investigation into period pants found notable levels of silver in some period pants, some brands have started removing silver treatments from their products, and in March 2026 the EU banned a specific form, silver zeolite, from use in textiles.  

Our view is that, while the risk is minimal, there's no need for it to be included, and brands should be transparent about what treatments are on their products, so consumers can make an informed choice.

PFAS in period pants

Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of thousands of chemicals. It includes PFOs, PFCAs and PFOAs. 

They are commonly known as 'forever chemicals' due to the fact that they don't break down in the environment and so can accumulate over time.

They are very widely used across many products and industrial processes, mainly due to their durability, non-stick properties and anti-grease properties.

They also have water-repellent and leakproof properties, which is why they may be used in period pants. 

But, there have been increasing environmental and health concerns around them in recent years as more has become known about their potential impacts.

Why are there concerns about PFAS?

PFAs have been linked to a number of serious health issues, including thyroid disease, liver damage, fertility issues and cancer.

A recent 2024 study from the University of Birmingham  has demonstrated that some PFAS can even be absorbed by human skin. 

And it's worth pointing out PFAS's are still used in a wide range of consumer products, from dental floss to non-stick pans.

The UK does already have some restrictions on certain types of PFAS’s, but others - such as the PFCA C9-C14 related substances we detected - don't.

The UK government announced its PFAS Plan earlier this year, which aims to identify the sources of PFAS, how they spread and how to reduce exposure. 

It started a consultation about adding certain PFAS's, including the C9-14 related substances we found in some period pants, to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, which would lead to them being banned or quantity being strictly limited. 

Should you be concerned?

All the period pants we've tested, including ones where we detected trace silver or C9-C14 related substances, comply with current UK regulation. 

But after looking into the research, and much discussion between our scientists, analysts and researchers, we think it's perfectly possible to get great period pants without PFAS's or silver. Given the concerns around both based on the available information, that should be the gold standard to aim for.

That's why we've decided to only give our Best Buy recommendation to period pants that:

• Score highly in our tests That's an 80% or higher test score 
• Pass our chemical analysis That means no detectable levels of silver (less than 0.1mg per kg) and the 140+ PFAS and heavy metals we've tested for being below the limits set out by the EU's REACH regulation

These EU regulations are stricter than current UK ones, but we consider them best practice (and look forward to the UK also adopting a stricter approach following the UK review).

But PFAS are a very large class of chemicals and not all of them are regulated.

So while we can't categorically say that no PFAS are present in the pants tested, our analysis goes further than other reviews to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Dr Steph Kipling, Which? Science Team Leader says:

'Two of the three high-scoring brands we sent for chemical testing had detectable levels of silver and PFAS's. 

'The silver was in trace amounts, in-line with contamination during the manufacturing process, rather than deliberate inclusion, so is less of a concern.

'However, our testing revealed notable levels of C9-C14 related substances - 7,176 parts per billion (ppb) and 35,902ppb. The EU REACH regulations limit C9-C14 related substances to 260ppb.

'These substances belong to the broader group of PFAS chemicals, and break down or transform into C9-C14 PFCAs (Perflourocarboxylic Acids).

'While they are a by-product of the manufacturing of other PFAS's, they can be used in their own right for various purposes.

'Detecting them isn't an indication of deliberate use, they could be an unintentional by-product. But intentional or not, our tests found them in quantities tens or hundreds of times greater than EU regulation limits.'

For context, PFAS’s can be found in numerous consumer products, not just reusable period pants, so it's not a reason to avoid them altogether. But with growing concerns around their impact, and some period pant brands making claims around their contents, we think it's fair that you know what you're getting and can make an informed choice.

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How we test period pants

We buy the bestselling period pants and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers.

We recruit a panel of women with different hip sizes to test out the pants, as well as putting them through tough absorbency and durability tests.

To keep it comparative, we test the 'heavy' absorbency (or 'moderate' if no 'heavy' absorbency is available) and brief-style pants in each range.

We regularly revisit the period pants on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do. 

• Fit and comfort Each tester wears every pair of pants for a full day during their period, rating them for how well they fit and how comfortable they are to wear while going about their day. The best period pants were liked by the majority of the panel, and remained comfortable all day.
• Absorbency We saturate the gusset of each pant multiple times with water, before and after our durability tests, to see how much liquid they absorb. We also time how long it takes to absorb a 5ml drop of water, to see how they handle gushes.  
• Leakage Testers regularly checked for and recorded any leaks. The best period pants had no leaks reported by any of our testers. The worst had one or two testers spot leaks after four hours of wear onwards.
• Odour Our testers noted how well pants controlled odour. None of our testers noticed any odour after a full day of wear with the best pants. With some lower scorers, a few testers noticed a slight smell from five hours of wear onwards.
• Ease of washing and drying Each tester rates every pair of pants on how easy they are to wash after use. We also assess how quickly they dry after a machine wash. All were touch dry after 24 hours hanging on an airer.
• Durability We put the pants through 12 machine washes, simulating around 6 to 12 months of use, depending on how many times you reuse them in a cycle. We see if the pants have stretched and if they will absorb the same amount of liquids as when they were new.
• Chemical analysis Any pants that score above 80% in our tests, and where the brand doesn't provide information on textile treatments - or claims its products don't contain silver and/or PFAS - are sent to an independent lab for targeted chemical tests. We check for silver, heavy metals including lead and arsenic, and for more than 140 'forever chemicals' (including PFAs, PFOs, PFCAs and PFOAs). Only products which pass these tests and meet the EU REACH regulations get our Best Buy recommendation.

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

How do period pants work?

Unlike disposable sanitary products such as tampons and pads, which are one-time-use only, period pants are reusable, lasting years rather than hours. 

This dramatically reduces the frequency of disposal, a step in the right direction as City to Sea says 200,000 tonnes of menstrual products are landfilled in the UK every year. 

Period pants look and feel like regular pants (with a bit of extra padding), but they have an absorbent washable pad in the gusset. After use, you can simply wash them and re-use.

While the exact design of the absorbing pad is different with each product, they are typically made up of:

• Wicking top-layer To quickly pull liquid away from your skin, keeping you feeling dry
• Absorbent core(s) To trap the liquid. The amount of liquid it can hold depends on the absorbency level you choose, but 'heavy' absorbency levels typically hold between four to 12 regular tampon equivalents of liquid.
• Leak-proof barrier A waterproof outer layer to prevent blood soaking through to your clothes during the day, or bedsheets in the night.

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Do period pants smell?

This is a common concern. The short answer is, yes, they can develop a slight odour due to the build-up of heat and moisture during wear. But this is normal and nothing to worry about.

To minimise the possibility, make sure you wear the appropriate absorbency level for your flow, and avoid wearing pants for longer than advised. After use, rinse in cold water before washing as directed.

We don't think silver treatments (designed to inhibit the bacterial growth that may cause odours) are necessary, and in our tests, there was no correlation between pants where users noticed odour and those that did or didn't have silver treatments.

How long can you wear period pants?

Most suggest a maximum wear time of around eight hours, which can sometimes present practicality issues. 

Matching the right absorbency to your flow is key, and figuring out what works for you. If you have a heavier flow, you'll likely need to swap out pairs more frequently than on lighter days.

But you'll want to change if you feel wetness against your skin (this suggests the pants are close to saturated), or if you notice any smells or leaks. 

For general hygiene, don't wear a single pair of pants for more than 12 hours. 

How do you wash period pants?

Most period pants have similar washing instructions, and you should follow them to maximise the life of your pants:

1. Rinse them in cold water after use. Avoid hot water as it can set in stains. Gently squeeze the gusset until the water runs clear.
2. Wash your period pants in the washing machine on a cool wash. Most brands recommend a maximum of 30 or 40ºC. Use your normal detergent but avoid fabric softener. They can reduce the absorbency of your pants over time. 
3. Leave the pants to air dry. Hang them with the gusset facing out to dry quicker. 

Can you tumble dry period pants?

It's best not to. The high heat of a tumble dryer can damage the absorbent and leak-proof layers in the gusset.

Most of the pants we've tested air dried in 24 hours or less, so you won't have to wait too long.