10 best reusable sanitary pads for a more sustainable period

Periods are a healthy and normal part of life for countless people across the globe, but something has got to go: the plastic waste often associated with them.

Those who have periods will typically use more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime. Each year, more than 3 billion single-use products are used by the UK’s menstruating population alone. The resulting disposal equates to some 200,000 tonnes of waste a year.

Among the worst offenders of waste are single-use menstrual pads, which can contain up to 90 per cent plastic, thanks to the leak-proof base, synthetics that absorb moisture and the packaging.

There are, however, reusable alternatives that pad devotees can use, and the good news is that they will remain reliable for many years. The even better news is they are designed for comfort, too.

Besides the obvious benefits for the environment, they could also help you save hundreds of pounds, with the one-time cost of reusable products whittling down the estimated £18,000 people spend on periods over a lifetime. It’s time to ditch those single-use period products and opt for the more-sustainable, reusable alternatives. Here’s our guide to help you make the switch.

How we tested

We rounded up the best reusable sanitary pads and tested each over a cycle. Comfort is queen, so we rated each on how comfortable they were and how confident we felt wearing them. We also paid particular attention to absorbency, design, the materials each is made with and any extra accessories that were available to make each period a little easier.

The best reusable sanitary pads for 2022 are:

• Best overall reusable sanitary pad ­– Dame reusable pad set with dry bag: £34.99, Wearedame.co

• Best reusable sanitary pad for light flow – Bloom & Nora bloomers single reusable pads: £5.25, Greenbaysupermarket.co.uk

• Best reusable sanitary pad for medium flow – Nora moderate reusable pad, three pack: £23.95, Livebynora.com

• Best reusable sanitary pad for heavy flow – Regn reusable sanitary pads, six pack, heavy flow: £17.99, Regn.co.uk

• Best slim reusable sanitary pad – Fern x Babipur regular menstrual pad, planty babipurian: £6.50, Babipur.co.uk

• Best reusable sanitary pad for design – Kiki & Green mixed set: £24.99, Kikiandgreen.com

• Best make-your-own reusable sanitary pad kit – Eco Femme make your own kit: £18, Earthwisegirls.co.uk

• Best reusable sanitary pad for teens – Mama Designs teen light, three pack: £13, Thefutureimage.co.uk

• Best reusable sanitary pad for working out – Imse small black workout period pads, three pack: £22.95, Babipur.co.uk

• Best reusable sanitary pad for doing good – Earthwise pads medium, buy three give one: £13.50, Earthwisegirls.co.uk

Dame reusable pad set with dry bag

Dame is to the reusable period products world what Tampax is to the single-use tampons space: almost synonymous and incredibly popular. And our testing showed us why they are chosen by so many women looking for reusable sanitary products. The pads were surprisingly thin, discreet and stayed in place after being secured using the poppers, plus the absorbency wowed us for a day-long fresh feeling. This set comes with three sizes – liner, regular and night – so every base is covered. We especially liked that this kit came with the dry bag included, meaning it is ideal for when out of the house from day, to night. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that one kit won’t see you through your whole period, so you’ll need to buy some extra pads separately. But we’re sure you’ll be glad you changed from your usual single-use products to these Dame alternatives.

Buy now £34.99, Wearedame.co

Bloom & Nora bloomers single reusable pads

This dainty little pad, which features a pretty floral print and blue lining, is ideal for light-flow days. It might be small, but it can hold up to 65ml and has a waterproof layer to protect against leaks. It feels comfortable to wear, thanks to the bamboo fleece lining, and it secures easily with poppers. It also washed well after and is designed for a decade of use, making it a good value for money and truly sustainable option.

Buy now £5.25, Greenbaysupermarket.co.uk

Nora moderate reusable pad, three pack

At 25cm long, Nora’s moderate pads offer trustworthy protection on medium-flow days. They can absorb twice as much blood as a disposable tampon yet are surprisingly slim and light, giving us a lot of confidence. The design is sleek and features poppers that secure the pad to your underwear. We also liked the honeycomb textured stay-dry lining. These pads are also designed to last 10 years, or 150 washes, for ample plastic-free periods. For extra feel-good vibes, Nora donates one per cent of its turnover to charity each year.

Buy now £23.95, Livebynora.com

Regn reusable sanitary pads, six pack, heavy flow

Heavy period days call for an ultra-reliable sanitary pad that won’t let you down, and we found we could trust these from Regn to deliver. The high-absorbency pads are 30cm long and hold as much blood as four regular tampons, which also means they are excellent for use at night. They are admittedly thicker than some of the other pads in this round-up, but they were still comfortable and gave us that added confidence that we would stay leak free. This pack is also excellent value for money and, besides the six well-made pads, includes a storage bag and washbag to keep them together in the machine when washing with other clothing. We think this set is extremely affordable, and one that saves plenty of money over time.

Buy now £17.99, Regn.co.uk

Fern x Babipur regular menstrual pad, planty babipurian

A collaboration between Babipur and Fern period products brings us this pad, which we found had the softest lining fabric of all those we tested. It is incredibly comfortable to wear and perfectly slim. We worried a bit about stains when we first saw that the lining was white, but rinsing it in cold water before washing meant that no trace was left behind. We also loved the cute houseplant print design on the outer fabric. This pad measures 25cm for confidence when sitting or lying down, but it is still discreet and has a barely-there feel, thanks to its slimness. Investing in this pad can also help others because one per cent of sales go to charities supporting people experiencing period poverty.

Buy now £6.50, Babipur.co.uk

Kiki & Green mixed set

If the look of your sanitary pads is as important as their performance, Kiki & Green is the brand for you. The designs, including dare to zebra and midnight rainforest, are gorgeous and inject style into a time when we so often opt for the dull underwear reserved only for that time of the month. This set is also a fantastic starter set for those making their first foray into reusable pads. It comes with three regular flow and three heavy flow pads, drying straps and a travel bag, which is handy for when you’re on the go because it features two compartments: one for used pads and another for clean. The inclusion of two types of pads meant we were covered for different flow days, and we felt confident and comfortable when using them. We also love that Kiki & Green is partnered with the Eden Reforestation Projects, and one tree is planted with every product sold.

Buy now £24.99, Kikiandgreen.com

Eco Femme make your own kit

Now for something we had never seen before, which is also fantastic if you’re feeling creative: a make-your-own reusable pad kit. Inside the fully recyclable packaging is everything you need to make three pads, including pre-cut materials, poppers and even a needle and thread. We followed the instructional video linked on the shop webpage (clear written instructions are also included) and easily handstitched the pieces together to create some seriously good pads that felt comfortable and reliable to wear – we were feeling a little impressed with ourselves, to say the least. The job would be easier for sewing machine owners but wasn’t especially arduous to complete by hand. There is something really lovely about wearing pads that you know you have made yourself.

Buy now £18.00, Earthwisegirls.co.uk

Mama Designs teen light, three pack

Designed especially for teens, these pads are super slim, soft and feature a fun leopard print design. The 100 per cent cotton lining makes them comfortable to wear and actually makes them feel a lot nicer than disposable pads, while the poppers kept them secured in place throughout use. Our teen tester felt dry and confident they were protected against leaks when trying these out – essential for those still getting used to having a period.

Buy now £13.00, Thefutureimage.co.uk

Imse small black workout period pads, three pack

Those who work out when on their period will know the importance of a 100 per cent reliable sanitary pad. Stretching, combined with different movements and paces can make leaks feel like a terrifyingly real possibility. But when we tested these pads out, we knew we had found the solution to those worries. They are seriously light, slim and flexible, so you almost forget you’re wearing them while being active. Each pad can hold 15ml, so we would suggest changing them regularly, but we were kept dry and leak-free throughout a long workout.

Buy now £22.95, Babipur.co.uk

Earthwise pads medium, buy three give one

Being able to buy period products is not something everyone can afford, but these pads are here to at least help some. Earthwise Girls donates a reusable pack to an orphaned girl in Kenya through the Nasio Trust for every pack sold. And these are the kinds of pads we’d like others to be able to use because they are comfortable and excellent at keeping you feeling dry and protected from leaks. They washed well, and we also love the range of patterns available.

Buy now £13.50, Earthwisegirls.co.uk

The verdict: Reusable sanitary pads

The Dame reusable pad set with dry bag might be the most expensive in our round-up, but we did consider it the best after testing every product. The pads and bag are exceptionally well made, strong and have outstanding absorption qualities for a comfortable and confident period. A more-affordable yet top-quality kit is the Kiki & Green mixed set for feeling a little fancy during your period, and our younger tester loved the Mama Designs teen light, three pack for the design, fit and comfort.

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