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The best bras can also be the most affordable ones in your drawer, if you know what to look for.
Expensive lingerie is great and certainly deserves its place in every undergarment wardrobe. But, when it comes to your everyday bras, you don’t need to spend a lot to find high-quality, comfortable and well-fitting basics. The best affordable bras are designed to fit a variety of body types, bust sizes and clothing needs, from strapless and convertible bras that can be worn with backless dresses to featherlight t-shirt bras and wireless styles that feel like second skin and won’t show under fitted tops.
The lingerie market is nothing if not crowded with options, though. To narrow down the best affordable bras, we looked to both newer and established brands, such as Hanes and Olga by Warner, which conduct extensive fit tests, tap into years of design know-how and utilize innovative fabrics to create top-notch bras at competitive prices. Everything on our list is under $40, and many are even less than $20. Read on for 9 budget-friendly bras that we highly recommend.
Sizes: 32A-34D | Colors: Light beige, white, black | Materials: 85% polyamide, 15% spandex | Closure: Hook-and-eye | Cups: Padded | Construction: Underwire wire with detachable, adjustable shoulder straps.
Best For: Those who want a strapless bra that also provides a lifting effect. This can also be worn with straps and convert to a traditional bra, depending on the situation or your outfit.
Sizes: 32A-40D | Colors: Beige, black, burgundy, light pink, rose gold | Materials: 72% Polyester, 28% Elastane | Closure: Adjustable back closure | Cups: Padded | Construction: Underwire with adjustable shoulder straps
Best for: Those who want a medium support bra without the discomfort of a typical underwire bra. This top-rated pick has soft wire set in foam for a cushioned feel and lightly padded cups.
Sizes: 32A-38DD | Colors: Black, beige | Materials: 67% Nylon, 33% Spandex | Closure: Hook-and-eye closure | Cups: Padded | Construction: Underwire with adjustable shoulder straps
Best For: Those who want a classic t-shirt bra without the markup. This one has smooth padded cups to minimize any creases or bulges under tees and thin tops, and it comes in a size inclusive range.
Sizes: Small-3X | Colors: Beige, burgundy, black, white, mauve and more (16 in total)| Materials: 94% nylon, 6% elastane | Closure: Hook-and-eye | Construction: Wireless with extra side-coverage panels
Best For: Those who want additional coverage on the sides of their bra to prevent any bulging, especially for sleeveless tops and thin, silky dresses. This has built-in perimeter panels and elastic seams to hold you in securely.
Sizes: Small-3X | Colors: Black, grey, nude, white, light blue | Materials: 84% nylon, 16% spandex | Closure: Hook-and-eye | Construction: Wireless with adjustable shoulder straps
Best For: Those who want a featherlight bra that’s wire-free but has flexible foam cups to still provide support. This one is especially great on hot days since it has a venting panel in front to prevent any sweat from being trapped next to your skin.
Sizes: 36C-42H | Colors: White, nude, dark brown, navy, pink and more (13 in total) | Materials: 4-way stretch fabric | Closure: Hook-and-eye | Cups: Not padded | Construction: Underwire with adjustable shoulder straps
Best For: Those with larger chests who want a smoothing effect that’s still comfortable. This one has a wider band at the back and built-in stretch to prevent any bulges.
Sizes: 34B-40D | Colors: Black heather, nude, black, white, burgundy and prints (26 in total) | Materials: 90% nylon, 10% spandex | Closure: Hook-and-eye | Cups: Padded | Construction: Underwire with convertible crisscross straps in back
Best For: Those who want a t-shirt bra with medium support that’s cut low in front for plunging necklines. The straps convert to crisscross in back, so you can pair this with more revealing tops and dresses.
Sizes: 38E-46G | Color: Lilac | Material: 93% polyamide, 5% elastane, 2% polyester | Closure: Hook-and-eye | Cups: Mesh, not padded | Construction: Underwire with adjustable straps
Best For: Those with fuller busts who want underwire support and a beautiful balcony-style bra that lifts. This one is cut from soft, sheer mesh material for added breathability and comfort.
Sizes: XXS-4X | Colors: Onyx, multiple nude tones, plus seasonal colors (16 in total) | Materials: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane | Closure: Pullover without any closure | Construction: Wireless
Best For: Those who want a bandeau-style bra to wear with strapless dresses or on its own as a top. This highly-rated pick comes in an inclusive range that extends up to size 4X and is cut from a soft, stretchy fabric that holds you in.