Finding the best knee braces for osteoarthritis can be challenging because of the sheer amount of options available to you. Worry not because our team of physical therapists decided to make things a little easier.
We tested dozens of the market’s knee braces and knee sleeves and wrote our own reviews for what we think are the best of the best. Of course, we took into account their value for money, comfort, and how effective they can be at managing the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Oh, and we included a short buyer’s guide at the end, too! So, without further ado…
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Cocoon Knee Flex Pro Hot & Cold Compression Sleeve
This is hands-down the best knee sleeve for osteoarthritis because it combines weighted compression and thermotherapy – all while being the most comfortable knee brace in the market.
Best Compression Sleeve: ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
360 degrees of compression for pain and swelling relief, as well as improved circulation. Given its practical price, this compression sleeve is your safest bet for everyday use.
Best For Plus-Sized OA sufferers: Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
This brace goes all the way up from S to 4XL, so you’ll definitely find one that fits! Not to mention, it offers reinforced support while optimizing your knee cap’s movements.
IN THIS ARTICLE
The 6 Best Knee Braces for Osteoarthritis
1. Cocoon Knee Flex Pro Hot and Cold Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Hot and cold therapy with all the benefits of a compression sleeve
- Superbly comfortable
- Lycra, double-stitching, and leakproof hydrogels ensure durability
- Multiple size options (w/ the option to use them on other parts)
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited color option
Wearing a Cocoon is as close as you’ll get to a portable physio.
This sleeve is filled with hydrogel, a material that retains temperatures. Meaning your knee joint will have 360° of hot or cold, whatever soothes your symptoms the best.
The material is also antimicrobial and way more durable than other braces. This makes for the ideal and hassle-free home treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
- Material: Lycra, hydrogel.
- Size: S, M, L.
- Color options: Blue.
Learn more: Our complete review of the Cocoon Knee Flex Pro.
2. ArmaJoint Compression Sleeve
Pros
- Uniform compression.
- Breathable and thin.
- Doesn’t restrict movement.
- Stays in place.
- Doesn’t bunch up.
Cons
- Few color options.
- No other features.
The ArmaJoint sleeve is all you need for the daily management of knee OA symptoms.
See, it works by compressing the knee joint. This in turn boosts blood flow and helps with pain and swelling.
But unlike neoprene sleeves, this one is breathable and thin – the best combination for daily wear. Also, it fits under pants without a problem. You’ll forget you have it on.
- Material: 80% nylon, 20% spandex.
- Size: S-XL.
- Color options: Black
Learn more: Here’s our experience with the ArmaJoint Knee Sleeve.
3. Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace
Pros
- Compression like a sleeve.
- Side stays for extra stability.
- Open kneecap for pain management.
- Velcro straps for customization.
- Neoprene and latex-free.
Cons
- Bulky.
- Takes a while to put on.
With a size range that goes from S to 4XL, the Braceability Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace is a godsend for plus-sized people.
There’s no argument that it’s harder to find clothing that fits larger people but it’s even harder to find the knee brace. Enter: Braceability’s Patella Stabilizing Knee Brace.
Going from S-4XL, it doesn’t just fit the petite, average, and slightly heavier than average persons, it fits those of us that are really heavy.
But, beyond just the size range, this is a hybrid that provides the compression of a knee sleeve while also giving your knees a level of support that’s closer to hinged knee braces for arthritis.
It is, however, quite bulky and cumbersome to put on.
- Material: Neoprene alternative, velcro, aluminum spiral stays.
- Size: S-4XL.
- Color options: Black.
4. Braceit K2 ComfortLine Knee Brace
Pros
- Stainless-steel hinges
- High-performance design
- The frame is lined with silicone coated neoprene
- Available in 23 different sizes
Cons
- Straps aren’t sturdy
The Braceit K2 ComfortLine Knee Brace is as close as you can get to custom-fit
Knee braces for arthritis, particularly those that require a tremendous amount of stability for pain relief, work best when they’re custom-built. But they’re crazy expensive. This is a more affordable alternative that offers sizes that are nearly custom.
The BraceIt ComfortLine Knee Brace comes in 23 (yes, 23) different size options that cater to varying thigh and calf sizes – just as a custom-made knee brace would. It’s also lightweight and supportive, so it’s great for moderate to severe OA and you want to walk around more.
It is, however, not the most durable and definitely not discreet.
- Material: Plastic, neoprene
- Size: S1-S23
- Color options: Black neoprene with orange frame
5. TechWare Pro Knee Brace
Pros
- Made of lightweight and breathable neoprene
- Comes in 4 sizes
- Flexible and easy to move around in
Cons
- Slides down the knee
The TechWare Pro comes with a unique bidirectional support system that adapts to your knee’s anatomy
This knee brace from TechWare Pro comes with a unique bidirectional support and is made of breathable neoprene.
It comes with improvements like the ability to adapt to your knee frame and it really supports your knee with its unloading feature.
It’s also very lightweight and has a low-profile design that feels comfortable. Also, it’s super easy to put it on and take it off with its 4 flexible spring stabilizers that offer protection and stability to your knee cap
Not only that, but this brace won’t show or bunch up when you wear it underneath your clothes and it’s really ergonomic as well.
- Material: Neoprene
- Size: M-3XL
- Color options: Black
6. EzyFit Knee Brace Support
Pros
- Offers superior support
- Open patella design
- Comes with non-slip silicone strips
- Features a knee stabilizer
- Comfortable
Cons
- Can be challenging to put on.
The EzyFit Knee Brace is fiddly to put on but when it’s properly worn, it’s secure, comfortable, and supportive.
It’s hard to be fully comfortable when you’re suffering from osteoarthritis, what with all the pain, stiffness, and instability. But, the EzyFit knee brace does a wonderful job… if you manage to put it on properly.
It comes with a rather unconventional design with 3 straps, each with different lengths. These straps are arranged in alternate directions to help ensure that your entire knee joint is well supported and compressed.
EzyFit also designed this to be an open patella brace to help keep your knee cap in place while you walk. Not to mention, there are side stabilizers that help steady your knee joint when you do lateral movement.
- Material: Neoprene, nylon
- Size: M-3XL
- Color options: Black
Factors you should consider before buying a knee brace for arthritis pain relief (Buyer’s Guide)
Comfort and Stability
Because of the nature of OA, arthritis pain and it’s other symptoms are likely something you’ll have to learn to live with. The knee pain is constant, gets worse with activity, and can even stiffen up your joints.
That being said, the best knee braces for osteoarthritis shouldn’t add to this discomfort. Otherwise, the pain relief you feel will be minimal, if not entirely null.
In this regard, the Cocoon Knee Flex Pros are king while the ArmaJoint Knee Compression Sleeves follow soon after.
They don’t offer much stability, however, but Braceability’s Knee Brace does – and you will definitely want to consider that especially if you have moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.
Durability and Quality
Going back to how knee pain from arthritis is a constant battle, the best knee braces for arthritis are those that can withstand the toll of everyday use. Or, at the very least, those that can stand up to the wear and tear of your physical activities.
Now, that can mean different for everyday. If you still live a highly active lifestyle in spite of knee arthritis (good for you, by the way), then you’d most likely need a knee brace that’s more durable than average.
That’s not to say that you won’t want a durable knee brace if you don’t do intense physical activity, though. Of course you should. After all, the whole point of this is that knee braces for arthritis should help you move more instead of succumbing to knee pain.
But, like anything else, a knee brace that isn’t often pushed to its limits will likely also last longer.
Value for money
Last and probably the most important for many, you should aim to get as much for you money as possible. That’s what the best knee braces for arthritis give you.
When you finally get to experience your newly bought knee brace, you should be able to say “oh, this was well worth it.” Whether that be from its features, a lengthy warranty, brand reputation, or whatever else that comes with your purchase is really all subjective.
For example, we think the Cocoon Knee Flex Pros are pricey but we also think its worth every penny because it’s super comfortable and unique. ArmaJoint’s blend of practicality and versatility is also hard to beat.
Why you should trust Knee Force
Kris is a physical therapist who specializes in sports rehab and sustainable fitness. His expertise has led him to treat athletes from a wide variety of sports with an even wider array of joint injuries and diseases.
He also has his fair share of knee joint ailments – from full-grade ACL tears, torn menisci, and sprains on other knee ligaments. He’s also had to use a knee brace during his recovery from knee surgery and when he was getting back into his sport.
Hence, he draws his medical opinions from both evidence-based knowledge of physical therapy and experience.
For this article, he and our team of physical therapists tested dozens of knee braces, knee sleeves, and supports, took note of important features, and compared his own findings with other people’s experiences. Finally, he chose what he found were the best ones.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis usually develops as a result of common wear and tear in the joints, due to old age.
The result is typically a misalignment in your knee which causes you to look bowlegged or even knock-kneed.
Putting on a knee brace can help to relieve pressure and pain caused by osteoarthritis in the affected joint. It also eliminates that “buckling” sensation you get so that you can move around freely once again.
Keep reading: Our foolproof guide to knee osteoarthritis.
Conclusion: The best knee braces for osteoarthritis pain relief
The best knee braces for osteoarthritis pain are those that help you move more without regretting the money you spent. To pass these criteria, they should be adequately comfortable, durable, supportive, and of course, effective.
Full disclaimer, though: Severe cases of osteoarthritis might need a custom knee brace from their doctors (i.e. unloader brace) but there are a few over-the-counter options available.
If you’re not at the bone-on-bone stage of this disease, however, then I hope our list helps you find the right knee brace for you. If neither of our top picks suits you, you can also go back to our buyer’s guide for reference.
