After nearly a week of testing, we found the best compression socks on the market using the following standards: high-quality material, elasticity, comfort, compression, performance, and durability. We eliminated roughly a dozen pairs that didn’t meet our standards.
Our top pick is the PowerLix compression socks for men and women. They’re made of a soft, lightweight, and flexible fabric that gives you exceptional support, comfort, and a full range of motion. You can use them for sports, recovery, or relaxation. Even after multiple washes, their compression was never compromised. Keep on reading to learn more about PowerLix and the rest of our picks. Also, take a look at our review of the best clothing & apparel.
Top 7 Best Compression Socks
#1 PowerLix Compression Socks
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This pick is our best compression socks because of their performance and durability. Made of soft, breathable high-quality cotton, they support recovery for swelling, fatigue, blood clots, shin splits, and other injuries without compromising comfort or mobility.
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- High-quality firm compression
- Fits men and women
- 1-year replacement guarantee
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- Focus is on calf pressure
- Could use stronger relief for heel pain
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Powerlix compression socks are made with 80% nylon and 20% spandex, a soft, breathable blend that’s comfortable to wear all day or night. With non-slip cuffs, you don’t have to worry about them during prolonged physical activities. They’re easy to wear as they’re made of stretchable fabric, which also means you can take them off with ease.
Offering 20 to 30 mmHg compression levels, you can use them for various athletic activities such as running, hiking, and cycling. These socks are even therapeutic for pregnant ladies. They offer great support without restricting your movements, providing relief for fatigue, swelling, shin splints, varicose veins, and other injuries. No matter how many times you wash them, you won’t compromise their compression level. These will be perfect the next time you go to hit the best ab machine.
#2 Double Couple Compression Socks
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Recommended for those always on-the-go, this pick is the best compression socks for travel. They’re made of a breathable, form-fitting, and washable material with a thick ankle fabric area and a compressed weave that reduces fatigue and muscle vibration.
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- High-quality firm pressure
- Fits men and women
- 1-year replacement guarantee
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- Focus is on calf pressure
- Could use stronger relief for heel pain
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Frequent travelers, as well as anyone who’s always on the move, can benefit greatly from using Double Couple’s compression socks. They offer 20 to 30 mmHg compression, which should improve blood circulation, support recovery, relieve swelling and pain, and protect your feet. They’re made with high-quality Lycra fabric. It keeps you comfortable, fashionable, and clean as they’re very easy to wash. Speaking of fashionable, check out our guide to the 32 top geeky, yet sexy Halloween costumes.
Compared to our top pick, these socks offer reinforced heel and toe support. They feature non-slip cuffs and extra cushioning between the toes, making them the best compression socks for standing all day or for when you’re on long trips. These socks keep you comfortable all day long, no matter what activity you plan to do. Grab your best squat workout equipment, because these socks will have you motivated to hit your daily workout.
#3 CEP 3.0 Precise Compression Socks
Award: BEST FOR MEN
WHY WE LIKE IT: This pick is our best compression socks for men and for shin splints. The new high-performance socks boast a form-fitting design, moisture management, and asymmetrical toe box, keeping you comfortable and dry throughout any activity.
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- Smart cooling function
- Highly breathable fabric
- Padded cushioning and seamless toe closures
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- Made only for men
- Might be a bit short for some
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CEP makes their all new and improved compression socks with 85% polyamide and 15% spandex, which give you exceptional support but keep you light on your feet. You can put on the socks with ease and take them off just as quickly and easily. Like other socks on our list, they’re made of soft, breathable fabric with ribbed patterns to keep you cool throughout rigorous exercises. And with its HeiQ smart temp technology, the fabric can respond to your body temperature, keeping you cool when you’re hot and sweaty from a workout.
The socks have high-compression fibers, ensuring maximum comfort and durability. At the same time, they prevent micro-tears in tissues, which cause shin splints. They also provide precise compression and pressure down to the millimeter. To round out your home workout, you may want to also consider the best door anchor.
#4 Sockwell Firm Graduated Compression Socks
Award: BEST FOR WOMEN
WHY WE LIKE IT: These are the most ideal compression socks for women on the market. They’re made with high-performance yarns, featuring 20 to 30 mmHg graduated compression, Accu-fit technology, and moisture management that make them suitable for all-day wear.
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- Excellent for prolonged standing
- Made in the USA
- Highly accurate fit
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- Needs careful handling during washing
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Sockwell’s compression socks for women are made with merino wool blend yarns that manage moisture from workouts and minimize odor. With 20 to 30 mmHg graduated compression, the socks can also provide relief from swelling, fatigue, and plantar fasciitis. Offering exceptional comfort, you’ll remain comfortable in both warm and cool temperatures using these socks. The same way you feel comfortable after using the best fabric markers for your arts and crafts projects.
These are great for professions that require prolonged standing – which is why they’re the best compression socks for nurses, those in retail, construction, and healthcare to name a few. They’re also helpful for recovery and exercise. Much like our top pick, even pregnant women can use these socks to relieve their aching legs. With ultra-light cushioned soles and seamless toe closures, you can stay comfortable all day long. Instead of collapsing after a long work day, you’ll be ready to grab your best lifting wrist straps for your at home workout.
#5 Bluemaple Copper Compression Socks
Award: BEST FOR RUNNING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This pick is the best compression socks for running. Offering a full 360-degree stretch, these breathable, high-performance socks keep your feet comfortable, safe, and dry for long hours of sitting and standing up.
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- Anti-odor tech
- Lightweight, breathable fabric
- High-performance design
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- Needs careful handling during washes
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Made of a lightweight, breathable fabric, Bluemaple’s compression socks can keep your feet moist-free even with long hours of physical activity – running, hiking, cycling, and fitness training. It also has anti-odor and anti-static features that deodorize your feet with longer use. With 20 to 30 mmHg compression, these socks offer relief for those with varicose veins and diabetes.
Bluemaple uses a high-performance design that supports athletic performance and faster recovery. It can make your workouts last longer while keeping you safer. As these copper-infused socks improve blood circulation, you can reduce your risk of injuries. And similar to our third pick, they also respond to your body temperature, keeping you warm when the temperature rises. If you’re looking for new workout equipment, you may want to also consider the best medicine ball.
#6 Double Couple Copper Compression Socks
Award: BEST FOR SWELLING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This pick is the best compression socks for sitting all day, whether it’s at work or on a plane. They have a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric with 20 to 30 mmHg compression that improves blood circulation and keeps your feet warm.
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- Excellent for those that sit all day
- Comfortable, firm compression
- Breathable, moisture-wicking fabric
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- No variation in design
- Needs careful handling during washes
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Double Couple’s copper socks offer 20 to 30 mmHg compression. They offer relief from shin splints, calf cramps, pulled muscles, plantar fasciitis, and other injuries. Since they can improve blood circulation in your legs, they can also enhance your athletic performance and support recovery.
These socks have a form-fitting design, which won’t slip easily as you work out. With quick-drying fabric, your feet can stay dry and comfortable all day. Like our second pick, the socks offer maximum comfort with thicker ankle fabrics and cushioned heel and toe support. You can also use these socks all day or night. Another great product is the Physix Gear Sport Compression Socks. Wearing these compression socks provides support during physical activity to help promote oxygen blood flow and prevent swelling.
#7 SB SOX Lite Compression Socks
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for the best budget compression socks, this is just the pair for you. These are breathable, anti-odor, and anti-static socks with a reinforced heel and toe support for maximum comfort at a lower price than similar socks.
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- Moderate & graduated compression
- Anti-odor and anti-static fabric
- Reinforced heel and toe support
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- Has thread loops
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SB Sox has lightweight, breathable compression socks that won’t break the bank. They’re made with anti-odor and anti-static material that prevent the growth of bacteria or fungi. It even deodorizes your feet, keeping them fresh and dry after rigorous workouts.
Compared to most socks on our list, SB Sox’s budget-friendly alternative only offers mild compression levels at 15 to 20 mmHg. The socks can still improve blood circulation and aid muscle recovery, but they shouldn’t be used for relief for severe injuries. Since the socks have mild compression levels, you can use them for daily wear. This pair comes with a free ebook that contains tips on maintaining healthier lifestyles.
How We Decided
We spent nearly a week testing and reviewing more than a dozen pairs of compression socks. We narrowed down our search by eliminating short socks. We selected pairs that were knee-high or close enough to the knee as they can cover a wider leg area, which should help you recover faster.
More importantly, we chose socks with moderate to firm compression levels, which means you can use them for different purposes – running, recovery from injuries, and recreation to name a few.
Since compression socks are made of varying fabrics, we carefully selected pairs that had soft, lightweight, breathable yet durable materials. We picked pairs that maximized comfort without compromising movement. Bonus points were given to pairs that had incredible flexibility, which both men and women could wear.
Last but not the least, we also tested for the durability of the socks. We made sure to select those with good compression features that wouldn’t wear off after multiple washes.
Best Compression Socks Buyer’s Guide
Top Factors to Consider
- Length
Compression socks come in various sizes and lengths. If, for instance, you intend to use them for recovery, you need to make sure that they’re long enough to cover affected areas. - Compression levels
The amount of pressure that’s applied to your legs is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). If you want socks for recreational purposes, you should stick to a pair with a lower compression level. The lightest compression level is 8 to 15 mmHg, which is good for offering relief after an exhausting day of standing. Mild compression ranges from 15 to 20 mmHg, while moderate compression ranges from 20 to 30 mmHg. - Design
Like ordinary socks, compression socks have varying designs for aesthetic and functional purposes. You can choose socks depending on the color and prints you like. You can also select pairs based on the extra features they offer such as arch support, no-slip cuffs, and ankle protection.
