We sell reusable pads, so take our picks with that in mind. We’ll also tell you where they stop being the right answer. Most of what makes an incontinence pad “best” comes down to one thing: how much you leak. A pad built for a few drops is the wrong pad for a full bladder, and the reverse is true too.

So this guide starts with your leaks, then gets to the pads. Already sure you want washable ones? Our reusable incontinence pads page has the full range.

Start with how much you leak

Doctors split bladder leaks into a few types. Stress incontinence is the leak that comes with a cough, a sneeze, a laugh or lifting something. Urge incontinence is a sudden, strong need to go, and the leak happens before you get there. Some women have both. The NIDDK has a clear write-up of each.

For choosing a pad, the amount matters more than the label:

How much you leak	What to look for	Our pick
A few drops with a cough or laugh	A thin liner you can wear all day	Liner or Extended Liner
Light to moderate leaks, or several in a row	A longer pad that holds more	Maxi Pad or Super Pad
Overnight	The longest pad, with coverage at the back	Super Pad
A full bladder letting go, or bowel leaks	Heavy-incontinence disposables or briefs, and a doctor’s advice	None of ours

That last row matters. Our pads aren’t built for it, and we’d rather say so here than in a return.

Our picks for bladder leaks

Every one of these has a soft bamboo terry top, a waterproof backing and wing snaps that fasten around your underwear. Each lasts 5+ years.

Liner: for a few drops

The 7 × 7 inch Liner holds about 2 tampons’ or disposable pads’ worth. It’s the one for everyday drops. Its absorbent side is light, so you can see when it’s time to change. It comes in the Liners Set, five liners and a free carry bag.

Extended Liner: drops, with a dark side

Longer, not bigger: it holds the same as the Liner, about 2, in a 6.3 × 8.7 inch shape. Its absorbent side is dark, so marks don’t show. Rather not see anything when you check? This is the liner.

Super Pad: bigger leaks and nights

At 7.5 × 12 inches, the Super Pad is our biggest. It holds about 4 tampons’ or disposable pads’ worth, the waterproof backing runs through the wings, and the dark side hides stains. Leaks that come in a rush? Nights? That’s its job. In between, at about 3, sits the Maxi Pad.

Which incontinence pads hold the most urine?

Disposable pads made for heavy incontinence hold far more than any cloth pad, ours included. Brands print a level or a drop scale on the pack, and the top levels are built for large volumes. Our Super Pad holds about 4 tampons’ or disposable pads’ worth, which suits light to moderate leaks. If you regularly soak through a pad that size, a heavy-incontinence disposable or a brief is the better tool, and it’s worth telling your doctor.

Poise or Always?

Two disposable lines, both sold by level, from liners for drops up to overnight pads. We haven’t tested them against each other, so we won’t crown one. Match the level on the pack to your leaks and try a small pack first. If the plastic top sheet on disposables bothers your skin, that’s when a cloth pad is worth a try.

Will a reusable pad feel bulky?

Mostly it comes down to size. Pick the smallest one that holds your leaks. A Liner is 7 inches square, while the Super Pad runs 12 inches, which is a lot of pad for a few drops. Wing snaps hold each one in place, so it doesn’t creep. Easiest way to find out: try a single pad or liner before you buy a set.

What about smell?

We don’t claim our pads stop smell. What keeps it down is the routine: change when you feel wet, rinse in cold water straight after, keep used pads in a wet bag, then wash them with your normal laundry. A splash of white vinegar in the wash usually sorts out a smell that lingers. Our guide to getting smell out of reusable pads has more.

What do urologists recommend for incontinence?

Pads handle leaks. They don’t treat the cause, and a doctor can help with that. The NIDDK reports that women who did pelvic floor muscle training had fewer leaks a day than women who didn’t, and a pelvic floor physical therapist can coach you through it. The NHS puts it plainly: see a GP for any kind of urinary incontinence, and don’t be embarrassed to bring it up. Even after treatment you may still leak now and then, the NIDDK notes, and that’s where a pad or liner earns its place.

What can I use instead of disposable pads?

For drops and light to moderate leaks, washable pads and liners like ours. Period underwear is another option, though we don’t sell it. And for many women the biggest change comes from pelvic floor training, so it’s worth asking your doctor about that alongside whatever you wear.

If they don’t suit you

You’ve got 60 days to send them back for a full refund, even if you’ve worn and washed them. Shipping is free on every order. That’s why we suggest starting with one pad or liner: you find out whether it suits your leaks before you spend on a set.

Incontinence pad FAQ