The 6 Best Knee Compression Sleeves of 2023
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- Editor’s choice:UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve | Skip to Review
- Best budget knee sleeve:Cambivo Knee Compression Sleeve | Skip to Review
- Best knee sleeve with built-in patellar pad:Bauerfeind Sports Knee Support| Skip to Review
- Best knee sleeve for light support:BLITZU Flex Professional Knee Sleeve | Skip to Review
- Best knee sleeve for moderate support:Shock Doctor Knee Compression Sleeve | Skip to Review
- Best knee sleeve for heavy-duty support:NEENCA Knee Compression Sleeve | Skip to Review
If you have knee pain, you, like many others, may be looking for relief and a way to improve your mobility. One possible method for both supporting the kneecap during activity and reducing pain is a knee compression sleeve, which is a stretchy band of fabric worn over the knee.
Knee sleeves’ low profile also makes them easier to wear than traditional knee braces, according to Dr. Greg Minnis, a physical therapist at Excel Physical Therapy in New Jersey.
Long wait times are often cited as a downfall of universal healthcare systems, but wait times in America have reached a new high, too. The average time to make a physician appointment as a new patient in 15 major U.S. cities is now 24 days, up 30% in just 3 years (2014 to 2018) according to physician recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins.
“Knee sleeves are ideal for someone who has a minor knee injury or mild pain with activity and is looking for increased support of the joint without the bulkiness and limited mobility found with traditional knee braces,” he says.
When selecting the top knee sleeves available, we considered a range of priorities, including:
- Functionality: Style over substance isn’t usually what you want when it comes to supportive workout accessories. We made sure our knee sleeve selections checked all the boxes for support, flexibility, and durability.
- Sustainability: Making a short-term investment is fine in some cases, but you want to make sure your workout gear will last through multiple sessions over time. Our picks are proven to hold up to a range of exercise expectations.
- Affordability: Budget is key when planning how you’re going to support your activity. If you’re looking for a quality sleeve, it helps to have choices at various price points.
Interested in more details on our selection process? Here’s how we choose products and vet brands.
Taking our top priorities into consideration, we compiled a list of products that could work within several different budgets and varying levels of physical intensity.
We also chose products based on the quality of the materials and their performance features. Here’s our list of the best knee compression sleeves to help get you comfortably and confidently back on your feet.
Pricing guide
We’ve selected products with a wide a range of prices using the following guide:
Editor’s choice
UFlex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve
- Price: $
- Materials: nylon, elastodiene fiber, spandex
With 4.4 stars out of over 27,000 reviews on Amazon, the UFlex Athletics knee sleeve is a popular choice.
The knit design allows for four-way stretch, which makes this sleeve more comfortable during workouts. It’s made of a blend of spandex, nylon, and latex, which allows for breathability — especially crucial during workouts. It also has a silicone strip woven in to prevent slippage.
This unisex sleeve comes in sizes small through extra large.
Best budget knee sleeve
Cambivo Knee Compression Sleeve
This sleeve comes in a two-pack and is made of materials that can help wick away sweat (65% nylon, 20% latex, and 15% spandex).
This sleeve features a 3D knitting technology that provides moderate pressure. The thick fabric provides extra reinforcement, and the no-slip silicone “waves” help keep the sleeve in place. It’s the best budget sleeve because it comes in a two-pack, bringing each sleeve to under $10 each.
This sleeve is unisex and comes in sizes small through extra large.
Best knee sleeve with built-in patellar pad
Bauerfeind Sports Knee Support
- Price: $$$
- Materials: polyamide, spring steel wire, elastane
This knee sleeve comes with a built-in patellar pad, which most don’t have. The padding surrounds the kneecap, helping to keep the kneecap in place and distribute the pressure evenly throughout — especially helpful if you’re doing a sporty activity for a long period. The breathable materials are designed to be lightweight and comfortable to wear.
At $150, it’s the most expensive knee sleeve on the list. However, if you’re focused on working out for longer periods, this one might be worth the money for you.
Best knee sleeve for light support
BLITZU Flex Professional Knee Sleeve
- Price: $$
- Materials: elastic, silicone gel strips
This sleeve can help you keep it moving, whether that’s on the trail, in the gym, or working around the house. It’s designed to be comfortable enough to wear daily for a wide variety of activities, using a four-way compression fabric that supports the joint without restricting movement. It also features two silicone gel strips to prevent slippage.
It comes in unisex sizes from small through extra large. The fabric is breathable and washable but must be air-dried.
Best knee sleeve for moderate support
Shock Doctor Knee Compression Sleeve
The design features of this sleeve make it a particularly good option for those in need of a moderate amount of support during activity. It offers contoured compression around the knee and a special knit design to avoid bunching at the back of the knee. For an extra boost of support, it also has integrated full patella gel inlays that provide targeted compression.
This unisex sleeve comes in a range of sizes from extra small to extra large. It’s made of an elastic knit neoprene material that repels sweat and oil.
Best knee sleeve for heavy-duty support
NEENCA Knee Compression Sleeve
This knee sleeve is for those who want extra support during their activities. It comes with a contoured patella gel pad, which surrounds the kneecap, and double-sided metal spring stabilizers to offer a tighter fit around the knee. Its breathable, nonslip fabric is designed to help keep it in place comfortably.
Because of the added support, this sleeve could work well for high intensity activities, recovery from minor injuries, or support for chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis. The unisex sizes range from small to XXX large.
The primary feature of a knee compression sleeve, or knee sleeve for short, is its ability to stretch over the knee and provide support and protection to the joint. It’s made of stretchy material that can compress the knee, resulting in an increase in blood flow that helps reduce pain and swelling.
This is why knee sleeves are often used during periods of physical activity, when the knee joint is overworked and in need of extra support. This is particularly the case for those taking part in load-bearing or knee-centric activities, such as weightlifting, running, or jumping.
There are two types of knee sleeves:
- Open compression sleeves: These have a hole in the center that the patella, or kneecap, fits into.
- Closed compression sleeves: These have no hole. Some have a pad stitched in that surrounds the patella and limits unwanted movement.
Knee sleeves designed to provide compression and support during activities like squatting and lunging are made with thicker material. Neoprene, polyester, cotton, nylon, and spandex are materials commonly used in knee sleeves for their elastic and moisture-wicking properties.
You can use a knee sleeve when compression of your knee joint is necessary to improve stability and reduce pain with activity, Minnis says.
One thing to keep in mind: “They are not good at providing a high level of stability or restricting mobility, which may be necessary with a more serious injury,” he says.
So, if you’re looking to help reduce swelling and inflammation or add a little extra stability while in motion, knee sleeves are a worthwhile option. However, if you’re recovering from a major knee surgery, injury to the knee, or experience severe arthritis, you may need a stronger, more supportive brace.
The main difference between a knee sleeve and a knee brace is in their function.
A brace is designed to heal injured ligaments by restricting movement and protecting the injured area by offering extra structural support and helping manage the stress and load applied to the knee.
A knee sleeve doesn’t limit the joint’s natural range of motion but protects the knee from damage through compression.
If you’re recently recovering from knee surgery, for example, a knee sleeve won’t limit movement enough to ensure proper healing. However, if you experience knee pain after workouts, a knee sleeve may be a good way to reduce pain and swelling and prevent future injury.
Knee sleeves are generally safe. The most common issue Minnis sees in his practice is skin irritation due to poor fit.
“You want to make sure that the sleeve is tight but not so tight that it drastically limits movement or causes discomfort,” he says. “On the flip side, you don’t want the brace to be so loose that it slides around when you’re moving.”
Minnis’ tip for purchasing online is to buy two sizes and keep whichever one feels more comfortable while you’re walking or performing the activity you intend to use the sleeve for.
A knee brace is a more supportive alternative to a knee sleeve. Taping, which involves wrapping the knee in special tape to limit unwanted movement and support the joint, is another alternative, Minnis says.
However, keep in mind that tape has to be applied each time before the activity, while “a sleeve simply needs to be pulled up and you’re ready to go,” he says.
Do knee compression sleeves really work?
A 2017 study found that this type of support is an effective and immediate way to reduce pain, improve knee stability, and improve confidence during activity. If you’re experiencing pain while doing exercises that involve significant motion at your knees, you may benefit from wearing a knee sleeve.
How long do knee sleeves last?
According to Minnis, the life of a knee sleeve will depend on how much use it gets. With regular use, a compression sleeve may last 6 months to a year, he says.
“The material is made to stretch slightly, so after time, the elastic properties may wear out or the stitching may begin to come apart,” Minnis says.
Most knee sleeves are washable, which Minnis says is important because they are worn mostly during exercise and activity.
Can a knee sleeve give me enough support after a serious knee injury?
Knee sleeves provide only minor support, Minnis says, compared with knee braces, which offer a wider range of support. A rigid, hinged brace provides the highest level of support and can be used after surgery or after a more serious knee injury.
You should use a knee sleeve only in an attempt to reduce mild or moderate pain and improve stability during activity.
If you have minor knee issues and are looking to reduce some knee pain and support your mobility, a knee sleeve could be a great option. The guide above can help you find one with the right level of support for your particular knee issue and activity level.
However, if you’re finding that a knee sleeve isn’t showing you the results you had hoped for, or you continue to experience significant pain, consider meeting with your doctor or a specialist to discuss your options. They can better evaluate your situation and recommend next steps, quality knee braces, or possible treatment plans and therapies.
Last medically reviewed on March 23, 2023
