Rochelle Collins, DO, is board-certified in family medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Quinnipiac University and works in private practice in Hartford, Connecticut.

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Incontinence is the loss of bladder control and results in the inability to control urination. For many, incontinence can result in leakages throughout the day, the intense urge to use the restroom, and disrupted daily activities. Luckily, "there are some very good non-medication, non-surgical approaches to incontinence," including incontinence pads, says Catherine DuBeau, MD, a specialist in general internal medicine at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

We picked the Abrena Abri-Form's Premium Incontinence Briefs as the top pick because it holds up to 135 ounces of fluid. For heavy leakage, we recommend Cardinal Health's Reusable Bed Pads.

When looking for incontinence pads, choose ones that are absorbent and comfortable to wear. We researched dozens of incontinence pads and evaluated them based on the following attributes: absorbency, comfort, and price.

Here are the best incontinence pads on the market today.

These powerful briefs earned a spot as our top pick because they can absorb up to 4,000ml, or 135 ounces of fluid, which is six times more than the standard bladder capacity of 400 to 600ml. Featuring non-woven side panels made of a soft and breathable material, these briefs are incredibly comfortable to wear and move around in. It features a wetness indicator that changes color when it’s time for a change. Its top dry acquisition layer works immediately to wick away moisture on contact to keep you dry and worry-free. Customers rave that these briefs are comfortable, fast-absorbing, and aren’t too bulky or noisy, making them easy to wear discreetly while going about your daily routine.

Medline’s Heavy Absorbency Underpads are one of the best on the market, as well as the biggest—measuring 36 inches by 36 inches. These disposable pads have a super absorbent core that provides incontinence protection for any part of your day.

These pads are designed to be soft and comfortable with a quilted top sheet that’s gentle on sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the powerful polymer and fluff quickly absorb fluid and odor, so you won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable, wet, or having undesirable smells. These mats are made with polypropylene backing, which keeps the pad in place and prevents leakage.

There’s a slew of protective pads designed for women with incontinence that are comfortable, made to be invisible under clothing, or at times are built into underwear. While experts stress that these pads aren’t a long-term solution, they can help you get back to your active lifestyle without fear of leaks. “It’s great that the industry is catching up and making pads that are not only easier to use, but you don’t feel like you’re going to stick out as if you’re wearing a diaper,” Dr. DuBeau said. She says for women it’s important to make sure that incontinence pads don’t lead to irritation or yeast infections.

These TENA pads are heavy-duty and designed to protect against moderate to heavy bladder leakage. They’re 16 inches long and have a wide back design to make sure you stay covered while laying down and are thin so they won’t be bulky and noticeable. These pads have a pH-balanced system to prevent odors and super-absorbent microbeads to suck in moisture, all while being topped with a skin-soft sheet to keep you fresh. This brand offers a variety of pads with different absorbency levels, and these have the greatest absorbency power.

Both men and women can choose from a variety of pads and underwear designed to help with urine leaks. Depend’s incontinence briefs are a great option for men with bladder control problems as they’re designed for the male body to look and feel like normal underwear, are comfortable, and boast maximum absorbency power compared to the brand’s pads and guards, so you can strut with confidence knowing you’re protected.  These briefs offer a slim side profile, so they’re discreet and won’t appear bulky or unflattering. 

These briefs come in multiple colors, are breathable, and are made of a premium cotton-like fabric to be soft and comfortable to the touch. One pack comes with 10 briefs.

These hospital-grade incontinence pads are a great option for people with heavy leakage who want to rest easily without worrying about ruining their bedding. These pads feature a waterproof moisture barrier to keep the bed and other surfaces dry while the absorbent padded core draws in liquid and locks it away. These pads are a great way to protect bedding and sheets for men, women, kids, or the elderly with urinary problems.

The best part is that these pads are washable and will work time and time again with multiple washes. They also feature a non-slip bottom layer to keep the pad in place throughout the night. This pad is latex-free, lead-free, and made with composite and polyester fabric—which assures it’s safe to use on sensitive skin and comfortable for a peaceful sleep.

These briefs are a go-to option among experts for seniors with bladder issues as they offer both daytime and overnight protection. They offer up to eight hours of odor protection, strong leak protection, and re-fastenable tape tabs so they can be adjusted for the perfect fit. They will make sure you stay dry and comfortable thanks to the "SmartCool Breathability" that allows air to circulate. 

These briefs are strong in absorbency power but slim and designed to be discreet. They're strong enough to last you overnight and feature a Dry-Lock Containment Core that wicks away moisture, allowing you to get back to your friends, family, and daily life without worrying about leaks. They’re also designed to be soft and non-abrasive on the skin, which is important for more delicate, elderly patients.

Incontinence can make sleeping uncomfortable for both you and your partner, but a solution shouldn't have to impact you both. If you regularly have leakage while sleeping, Poise Overnight Incontinence Pads are a great solution. These odor-controlling pads help wick away moisture and absorb wetness for up to 12 hours, so you can sleep in knowing you don't have to worry about leakage.

There are many factors that can cause incontinence, and there is similarly a wide range of treatments. Experts say that urinary pads, briefs, and diapers are meant to be used as an adjunct treatment with other methods such as exercise, bladder training, medication, or surgery to control the bladder. If you're looking for a pair that will check all of your boxes, start with Abena Abri-Form Premium Incontinence Briefs Level 4 Absorbency (view at Amazon). If you're looking for a pair that are targeted specifically towards seniors, opt for the Attends Premier Adult Incontinence Care Unisex Briefs (view at Amazon) for thorough coverage.

There are a series of pads and briefs designed with different levels of absorption, depending on the severity of your bladder issues. For those who can’t make it to the bathroom in time, feel more urges, and suffer more leakages, look for more absorbent pads or briefs. These may be a bit larger but will help retain the full amount of leakage.

People tend to prefer lighter coverage for the daytime and more absorbent options for the night. When it comes to nighttime protection, bed pads are a great option to allow you peace of mind while sleeping without worrying about soiling your sheets.

Whether you’re interested in pads, liners, diapers, or underwear, there are options that can either be washed and re-worn or disposed of after a single use. Bed pads can be either washable or disposable, and depending on the frequency of your flow, you may want to opt for a washable option. When it comes to wearable protection, take into consideration how often you will need to use your incontinence products and the time of day you need them most. This will help guide you to the best option for your condition.

“Incontinence is never normal at any age. Women especially should not accept this as part of their lives. We don’t want people to miss the opportunity to get this addressed. There are some very good non-medication, non-surgical approaches to incontinence,”—Catherine DuBeau, M.D., a specialist in general internal medicine at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

You should always change an incontinence pad when it is wet. Most brands will recommend regular changes to protect your skin. This means changing your pad around 4-6 times a day.

The absorbent layers in incontinence pads are specifically designed for the rapid flow of urine, while menstrual pads feature an open design for thick liquids. Incontinence pads are designed to absorb and hold much more fluid than menstrual pads, which means you will have fewer leaks.

There are many alternative options for incontinence pads that you can discuss with your physician. Options for men include:

Incontinence pads are made up of a mixture of textiles and superabsorbent

polymers. The superabsorbent polymers expand and turn into a gel as fluid touches them. This allows the pad to absorb fluid more quickly and efficiently. 

As a health writer, Marlene Lenthang knows just how important it is to find the right product for your body and mind. Over the years, she has written about health crises, vaccines, and product guides. She takes careful note of doctor recommendations, medical research, and customer reviews in every product review to assure readers can choose quality products and understand the science behind them.

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Khandelwal C, Kistler C. Diagnosis of urinary incontinence. Am Fam Physician. 87(8):543-50.

National Institutes of Health. Urinary incontinence.

Medlineplus Medical Encyclopedia. Urinary incontinence products.

Yimin Qin. Superabsorbent Polymers and Their Medical Applications. Woodhead Publishing.

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