Knee Brace Guide

Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board

Find the right knee brace for you

There are hundreds of different knee brace options out there and here we will help you work out what is the best for you.

Knee braces provide different levels of support and fix to the knee in a number of different ways. They also come in different materials and vary enormously in price. 

There are so many different shapes, styles, manufacturers and materials that it can be hard to choose.

Here you will find everything you need to help you choose the right brace for you, whatever your problem. You can search by:

  1. Support Level: Basic, Advanced, Elite, Knee Pads
  2. Braces for Specific Conditions: Arthritis, ACL injuries
  3. Style of Knee Brace: Pull Ups, Wrap Arounds, Hinged Braces, Knee Straps, Magnetic Braces, Neoprene braces
  4. Manufacturer: Ace, Donjoy, McDavid, Mueller, Neo G, Thermoskin

In each section you can find a range of appropriate braces, find out how they work, what conditions they are suitable for and read reviews of each brace so you can find the best knee brace for you.

Braces By Support Level

Basic Level

Basic Level Knee Supports

Perfect for ongoing knee conditions that require a low level of support.
Low cost, easy to put on & provide some support

Advanced Level

Advanced Level Knee Braces

Perfect for moderate levels of support & for reducing forces through the knee.
Long lasting & adjustable for good fit & comfort

Elite Level

Elte Level Knee Braces

Provide maximum stability to prevent giving way.
Perfect for the knee that repeatedly buckles or following knee surgery

Knee Pads

Knee Pads

Perfect for reducing pain & providing protection when kneeling.
A must for anyone who spends lots of time on their knees

Basic Level Knee Supports

Basic Level

Perfect for ongoing knee conditions that require a low level of support.
Low cost, easy to put on & provide some support

Advanced Level Knee Braces

Advanced Level

Perfect for moderate levels of support & for reducing forces through the knee.
Long lasting & adjustable for good fit & comfort

Elte Level Knee Braces

Elite Level

Provide maximum stability to prevent giving way.
Perfect for the knee that repeatedly buckles or following knee surgery

Knee Pads

Knee Pads

Perfect for reducing pain & providing protection when kneeling.
A must for anyone who spends lots of time on their knees

Braces for Specific Conditions

Arthritis Knee Braces

Arthritis Braces

Reduce the forces going through the arthritic parts of the knee, provide support, improve stability, reduce pain. Can delay need for surgery

ACL Knee Braces

ACL Braces

Provide the ultimate stability & protection. Perfect for use after ligament tears, reconstruction surgery or to prevent injury

Arthritis Braces

Arthritis Knee Braces

Reduce the forces going through the arthritic parts of the knee, provide support, improve stability, reduce pain. Can delay need for surgery

ACL Braces

ACL Knee Braces

Provide the ultimate stability & protection. Perfect for use after ligament tears, reconstruction surgery or to prevent injury

Knee Braces by Style

Pull Up Sleeves

Pull Up Knee Sleeves

Simple pull up supports that provide warmth, compression and basic support. Great for minor injuries and pain

Wrap Arounds

Wrap Around Velcro knee supports. Compare products and read reviews.

Adjustable with velcro straps allowing a perfect fit to your knee. Especially good if swelling comes and goes.

Pull Up Knee Sleeves

Pull Up Sleeves

Simple pull up supports that provide warmth, compression and basic support. Great for minor injuries and pain

Wrap Around Velcro knee supports. Compare products and read reviews.

Wrap Arounds

Adjustable with velcro straps allowing a perfect fit to your knee. Especially good if swelling comes and goes.

Hinged Knee Braces

Hinged Braces

Provide good support to the knee using a range of hinges to support & offload the knee joint. Perfect for moderate/severe instability & pain

Knee Straps

Knee Straps

Double or single straps to relieve pressure on the knee tendons.  Perfect for conditions like Jumpers Knee, ITBS & anterior knee pain

Hinged Braces

Hinged Knee Braces

Provide good support to the knee using a range of hinges to support & offload the knee joint. Perfect for moderate/severe instability & pain

Knee Straps

Knee Straps

Double or single straps to relieve pressure on the knee tendons.  Perfect for conditions like Jumpers Knee, ITBS & anterior knee pain

Magnetic Knee Braces

Magnetic Braces

Braces with inbuilt magnets designed to improve healing, reduce pain & promote general well-being

Neoprene Knee Braces

Neoprene Braces

Neoprene is the best material for retaining heat which helps promote healing & reduces pain and swelling

Magnetic Braces

Magnetic Knee Braces

Braces with inbuilt magnets designed to improve healing, reduce pain & promote general well-being

Neoprene Braces

Neoprene Knee Braces

Neoprene is the best material for retaining heat which helps promote healing & reduces pain and swelling

Braces By Manufacturer

Ace Knee Braces

Ace

Ace stands for All Cotton Elastic and they have been making braces for nearly 100 years. Provide mild-moderate support at low cost

Donjoy Knee Braces

Donjoy

Top of the range braces for everyday to elite athlete use. Pioneering, innovative designs. Particularly good for ACL instability and arthritis.

Ace

Ace Knee Braces

Ace stands for All Cotton Elastic and they have been making braces for nearly 100 years. Provide mild-moderate support at low cost

Donjoy

Donjoy Knee Braces

Top of the range braces for everyday to elite athlete use. Pioneering, innovative designs. Particularly good for ACL instability and arthritis.

McDavid Knee Braces

McDavid

Well trusted brand that offer a whole range of products that receive great reviews. Effective, durable, easy to use & good value for money

Mueller Knee Braces

Mueller

Another well respected brand that have been making braces for a whole range of knee problems for over 50 years

McDavid

McDavid Knee Braces

Well trusted brand that offer a whole range of products that receive great reviews. Effective, durable, easy to use & good value for money

Mueller

Mueller Knee Braces

Another well respected brand that have been making braces for a whole range of knee problems for over 50 years

Neo G Knee Braces

Neo G

Relatively new boy on the block, these braces are quickly taking the market by storm. They receive excellent user reviews for comfort, support and value

Thermoskin arthritis knee brace

Thermoskin

Thermoskin supports are made of specially designed material to raise temperature below the skin for pain relief and healing, especially for arthritis

Neo G

Neo G Knee Braces

Relatively new boy on the block, these braces are quickly taking the market by storm. They receive excellent user reviews for comfort, support and value

Thermoskin

Thermoskin arthritis knee brace

Thermoskin supports are made of specially designed material to raise temperature below the skin for pain relief and healing, especially for arthritis


Choosing The Right Brace

If you are feeling a bit lost, start by thinking about what level of support you are looking for from a knee brace. If you aren't sure, have a look at the basic braces and see if they sound about right. If not, move onto the advanced and then the elite level braces. That way you are sure to come across a brace that is right for you.

Where knee braces come in more than one size, it is important to get the right one otherwise they won’t work effectively and may be very uncomfortable. If your knee size falls between two sizes, it is usually best to go for the larger size for a better fit. You can find size guides for all the braces we review at the bottom of each page.


Related Articles

Knee Swelling: Causes and treatment options for a swollen knee

Knee Swelling
March 12, 2023

Knee Pain Diagnosis Chart: Find out what is causing your knee pain and how best to treat it

Diagnosis Chart
July 5, 2023

Theraband exercises for legs

Resistance Band Exs
January 18, 2023


  1. Knee Pain Guide
  2.  ›
  3. Braces

Page Last Updated: 05/07/23
Next Review Due: 05/07/25