10 best reusable sanitary pads, tried and tested

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.

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.

At the moment, these fun, patterned sanipads are out of stock, but you can sign up to receive an email notification when the pads are available again.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.