Which Incontinence Underwear Is Most Absorbent?

Maybe sneezes catch you off-guard. Or you know that lunging for a ball on the tennis court is going to come with consequences.

No matter the damage, incontinence underwear can clean up the mess—keeping you prepared, confident and, most importantly, dry.

With reusable period panties rising in popularity, many brands also offer incontinence underwear specifically designed for bladder leaks. 

Period underwear works for bladder leaks, too, but only to an extent: A regular tampon absorbs less than 2 teaspoons of menstrual fluid, while the average urine void is 1 to 2 cups of liquid.

Compared with period panties, incontinence underwear comes in a wider range of absorbency levels: Light options can handle a few drops from a little sneeze-and-pee, while underwear with heavy absorbency absorbs streams and gushes.

Leakproof underwear can be a reusable and comfortable alternative to incontinence pads that some women find bulky and awkward—or a second layer of protection so you can wear light-colored leggings with confidence.

Incontinence underwear looks like regular underwear, coming in styles including bikinis and even thongs.

Light absorbency options might even feel normal, too, while heavy absorbency underwear feels like a pad—but with less shifting, bunching and hassle. 

So which incontinence underwear holds the most liquid—and which options are right for you?

We compare more than a dozen brands of incontinence underwear below.

Incontinence Underwear with Light Absorbency

1-2 teaspoons

• Knix light absorbency: 1 teaspoon
• Saalt lace hipster and thong, comfort thong: 1 teaspoon
• Modibodi light/moderate: 1-2 teaspoons
• Knix medium asborbency: 1-3 teaspoons
• Dear Kate mini underwear: 2 teaspoons

3 teaspoons

• Dear Kate full: 3 teaspoons
• Modibodi moderate/heavy: 3 teaspoons
• Saalt mesh hipster, bikini, high waist brief and french cut or comfort bikini: 2-3 teaspoons
• Saalt comfort brief and boyshort: 3-4 teaspoons
• Thinx bikini: 3 teaspoons
• Thinx high-waist: 3 teaspoons

Incontinence Underwear with Moderate Absorbency

4-6 teaspoons

• Jockey moderate: 4 teaspoons
• Modibodi heavy/overnight: 4 teaspoons
• Aisle: 4 teaspoons (8 teaspoons with added booster)
• Contifex Everyday: 4.5 teaspoons
• Knix high absorbency: 4-6 teaspoons
• Cora leakproof underwear: 5 teaspoons
• Mommy Matters 2-in-1 HEAL Postpartum Panty: 5 teaspoons
• Proof leakproof thong or brief: 6 teaspoons

Incontinence Underwear with Heavy Absorbency

8-10 teaspoons

• Knix super leakproof: 8-12 teaspoons
• Thinx heavy absorbency: 8 teaspoons
• Jockey heavy absorbency: 8 teaspoons
• Proof bikini: 8 teaspoons
• Proof hipster: 10 teaspoons
• Contifex extra absorbency: 10 teaspoons
• Modibodi sensual high waist: 10 teaspoons

30+ teaspoons

• The Period Company underwear: 30 teaspoons
• Modibodi Ultra: 50 teaspoons (1 cup)

Incontinence Clothing

Add another layer of protection—or go comfortably commando—with leakproof clothing like shorts and leggings with built-in absorbent pads.

2-4 teaspoons

• Dear Kate leggings: 2 teaspoons
• Knix skorts: 3 teaspoons
• Modibodi moderate-heavy leggings: 3 teaspoons
• Modibodi leggings: 3 teaspoons
• Thinx cycle shorts: 3.7 teaspoons

5+ teaspoons

• Thinx leggings: 5.5 teaspoons
• Knix leggings and shorts: 6 teaspoons
• Prickly Pear shorts and leggings: 8 teaspoons
• Cora sleep shorts: 14 teaspoons