From gaping cups to digging underwire, the quest to find a comfortable and supportive bra is real. And for fellow members of the itty-bitty committee, it’s even more challenging to find a good bra (with all the boxes checked), no thanks to limited sizing. Yes, even people with small boobs need support and comfort, which is why we’re looking to wireless bras for smaller breasts.

“Wireless bras fit like second skin and support in all the right places, providing both lift and coverage with comfort,” says Jaclyn Fu, the co-founder of Pepper. Contrary to popular assumptions about wireless bras, they’re actually supportive. Instead of wired bras, wireless options rely on alternative materials and design elements to shape and support, and they come with various levels of padding depending on your needs. What’s more? “They are smoothing and sleek for an invisible look that disappears under shirts,” says Fu. But finding the right one can be challenging, so here’s what to look for.

Best wireless bras for smaller breasts, at a glance:

• Best overall: Pepper, Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra, $50
• Best seamless: Calvin Klein, Invisible Comfort Bralette Bra, $33
• Best strapless: Skims, Strapless Bra, $24
• Best lace: Natori, Bliss Perfection Wire-Free T-Shirt Bra, $66
• Best sports bra: Alo Yoga, Airlift Intrigue Bra, $64
• Best pullover: Thirdlove, Organic Cotton Triangle Pullover Bra, $44
• Best bralette: Pepper, Ribbed Knit Triangle Bralette, $27
• Best for nursing: Hatch, Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra, $48

What to look for in a wireless bra for smaller breasts

Fit

The fit of a wireless bra has the same guidelines of a wired bra. The band of the bra should fit snugly and comfortably underneath the breasts. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that your boobs fill the cup without them spilling over the top or sides of the wireless bra.

Fabric

When shopping around for a wireless bra, Fu recommends looking for a single layer of micro-fabric. This will “effortlessly enhance your natural curves, lifting and hugging what you’ve got without any use for excess fabric or bunching,” she says.

Size

According to Kristyn Polin, a bra fit expert and supervisor of the customer service department at Bare Necessities, most women wear the wrong size bra. “Most women are wearing a band too loose and a cup too small,” she says. When this happens, it can give the illusion that the cup fits. But, in reality, everything is loose and doesn’t offer any support. To find the right size, Polin recommends getting fitted in a store by a bra fitting expert.

You can also find your bra size at home with a measuring tape. There are two measurements to take: bra band size and cup size. To determine your bra band size, measure around your torso directly under your bust and round to the nearest whole number (use inches). The measuring tape should be snug. “If you land on an odd number, you round up to an even number,” says Polin. “If you land on an even number, you stay on that number, and then that is your band size.”

To determine your cup size, take the measuring tape and wrap it around the fullest part of your chest. Round up to the nearest whole number. To calculate your cup size, you’ll need to do some math. Subtract your band size from your bust measurement. For example, if you measured 36 inches for the bust and 32 inches for the band, you subtract 36 from 32, which comes out to four. Per this chart, four is equivalent to a D, so your cup size would be a D. Combine your band and cup size, and you get 32D.

The best wireless bras for smaller breasts

Best overall: Pepper, Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra — $50.00

Pepper launched in 2017 with people with smaller boobs in mind. Today, the brand is stocked with best-sellers like Pepper’s Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra. Made of a blend of elastane and polyamide, this bra “fits like a second skin and supports in all the right places,” says Fu. “Think: Your fave pair of stretchy yoga pants in a bra.” The triangle cups lift, support, and hug, while giving your girlies enough stretch to move freely. What’s more, it’s available in sizes XXS (fits 30A and 30B) to XL (fits 40AA and 40A). For these reasons, we named it the best overall. 

Sizes available: XXS-XL

Colors: 14

Pros:

• Designed with small boobs in mind
• Feels like second skin
• Supportive
• Has removable cups

Con:

• Pricey

Best seamless: Calvin Klein, Invisible Comfort Bralette Bra — $33.00

With Calvin Klein’s Comfort Bralette Bra, gone are the days with the awkward silhouette of your bra showing through your shirt. This bra is constructed out of nylon and elastane, giving a buttery-soft texture that doesn’t irritate or dig into the skin. Also a nice touch? The bra is equipped with lightly lined, molded cups that give structural support to your boobs. Comfy, supportive, and itch-free—what’s not to love? 

Sizes available: XS-XL

Colors: 26

Pros:

• Good value
• Doesn’t itch or dig into skin
• Seamless
• Molded cups

Con:

• Nipples may show

Best strapless: Skims, Strapless Bra — $24.00

Whether you’re wearing a strapless dress or tube top, Skims’ Strapless Bra has got you covered no matter what. This lightly-lined bra is lightweight and has foam pads that accentuate your bust without the awkward outline of a bra. And for days when you are wearing straps, throw on the removable, adjustable straps for extra support. Choose between the available sizes: 30A to 46H. 

Sizes available: 30A-46H

Colors: 12

Pros:

• Comes with adjustable straps for additional support
• No awkward outline of bra
• Comes with foam pads

Con:

• Nipples may show

Best lace: Natori, Bliss Perfection Wire-Free T-Shirt Bra — $66.00

This lacey number comes recommended by Polin for its cup design. “The Bliss Perfection has shallow cups, so it makes an easier fit for someone whose breasts are not quite as full,” she says. Other notable features include the sweetheart neckline, which disappears under clothing, and the lace trim, which hides the support band. And with adjustable straps, you can fix the fit to your liking. 

Sizes available: 30A-38DDD

Colors: 16

Pros:

• Shallow cups
• Adjustable straps
• Stylish

Con:

• Pricey

Best sports bra: Alo Yoga, Airlift Intrigue Bra — $64.00

Itty bitties need support during movement, too, and Alo Yoga’s Intrigue bra is here to lift you up. The high-compression elastane and polyester blend fits snug so that your girlies don’t bounce during runs, walks, and other workouts. And if you need extra support, just tighten the adjustable crisscross straps. The simple cut and scoop neck design are nice touches that accentuate your boobs and look cute with leggings or skirts. And since it’s wireless, you don’t have to worry about it digging into your skin. This bra is so darn comfy, stylish, and supportive that you’ll want one in just about every color. 

Sizes available: XS-XL

Colors: 17

Pros:

• Compressive
• Ideal for low- and high-impact workouts
• Scoop neck design
• Adjustable straps

Con:

• Pricey

Best pullover: Thirdlove, Organic Cotton Triangle Pullover Bra — $44.00

This pullover bra doesn’t compromise comfort or style. The deep V-neck accentuates smaller busts, and the bra comes with adjustable straps that taper your bust closer to your body. Tag- and clasp-free, you don’t have to fret about irritation. The bra does come with a J-hook in the back, so you can style the bra four ways: regular, crisscross, racerback, and halter. This bra really does pull out all the stops for the price and makes for the perfect loungewear piece. 

Sizes available: XS-L

Colors: 4

Pros:

• Comes with J-hook that can be styled four different ways
• Perfect for lounging
• Clasp- and tag-free

Cons:

• Pullover style may be hard to put on for some
• Not ideal for movement

Best bralette: Pepper, Ribbed Knit Triangle Bralette — $27.00

Originally $45, now $27

For something a little more lax, Pepper’s triangle bralette is a good option. It’s made from ultra-soft fibers extracted from Austrian beech trees—which are eco-friendly and renders the bra breathable and cooling—and delivers on comfort and stretch, so you can chill during movie nights or with guests at home. Just sit back, relax, and unwind for the day in this easy-going bralette. 

Sizes available: XXS-XL

Colors: 3

Pros:

• Compressive
• Ideal for low- and high-impact workouts
• Scoop neck design
• Adjustable straps

Con:

• Pricey

Best for nursing: Hatch, Dream Feed Nursing Bra and Sleep Bra — $48.00

If you’re breastfeeding and need an easy-to-wear bra that’s functional and comfy, may we suggest Hatch’s Dream Feed Nursing Bra? The Dream bra was designed with a crossover front design that’s easy to pull down during feeds. That way, you can be comfy and feed your little one whenever they get hungry. 

Sizes available: S-XL

Colors: 7

Pros:

• Crossover front design
• Pull-down capability to breastfeed
• Comfortable

Con:

• May lack support

Frequently asked questions

How does a wired bra differ from a wireless bra?

Wireless bras are more of a comfort style, says Polin, adding,“[an underwire bra] is a bra that has the channel that’ll help uplift and support your breasts, but without the additional support of the underwire.”

What are the different types of wireless bras?

There are five main types of wireless bras, including, but not limited to:

Wireless bralettes

The first type is wireless bralettes. Polin says this style is more for everyday comfort and lounging.

Wireless bras

There are also plain and straightforward wireless bras. These are “going to give you more structure, contoured shape, and more separation and encapsulation per breast,” says Polin. Wireless bras or padded wireless options are great for all people who want more comfort from their undergarments, especially those who have experienced life occurrences like birth or breastfeeding.

“Many women lose volume in their breasts after breastfeeding, so if you’re looking to give a more full look to yourself, you’ll want to look for something that has some graduated padding in the cup or a bump pad at the bottom to give you that appearance of a more full breast,” she says.

Wireless sports bras

Wireless sports bras use a combination of straps and fabrics like polyester, elastane, spandex, and elastane to offer support and compression during exercise. Since they’re wire-free, you don’t have to worry about irritation or the bra digging into your skin during exercise.

Wireless strapless bras

Unlike the previous options, wireless strapless bras do not have any structural integrity, so they aren’t as supportive. Instead, these bras are mainly worn for fashion purposes—they are ideal for off-shoulder or strapless outfits.

Nursing wireless bras

For people who are breastfeeding, nursing wireless bras can come in handy. These bras are designed with comfort and functionality, with easy pull-down capabilities that allow a mother to breastfeed with ease.

Do I still need a bra if I have small boobs?

A common misconception is that people with small boobs don’t need to wear a bra. That’s far from the truth. It “doesn’t matter how small you are, you can get a little sag,” says Polin. “Our tissue loosens up as we get older, so gravity starts to take its toll on you.” Ultimately, though, it all depends on how you feel, so Polin encourages doing what makes you most comfortable, whether it’s wearing or not wearing a bra.