Shoulder injuries can really be cumbersome, and not so much because of the pain, but because of the impact, they can have on your life. Our shoulders are one of the busiest joints on our bodies, and you may not fully appreciate this until you’ve injured yourself. Now ice and painkillers may help but to ensure your shoulder fully recovers you need shoulder braces.
These braces will provide the support your shoulder needs and will help prevent further injuries. We’ve provided a review of the best shoulder braces to buy to help make your first time shopping for one less daunting.
List of the Best Shoulder Braces of 2023
9. Anoopsyche Shoulder Brace
This shoulder brace from Anoopsyche is ideal for users of all genders with sprains, dislocated joints, a frozen shoulder, and soreness as well as Tendinitis. It prevents wounds from splitting after surgery and hence an accelerator of healing. The brace supports users with these dimensions: 9.8”-17.7″ on the arm and 31″ to 51″ for chest circumference. The maker uses high-quality neoprene for breathability and elasticity to make this brace ideal and a comfortable wear for different sizes. It has vented holes inside to promote air circulation and a gel pack for therapy. Apart from helping with recovery, this brace can be worn during workouts to tighten or relax muscles.
Pros
- Breathable material
- Can be used for various shoulder injuries
- Gel pack for hot/cold therapy
Cons
- Limited sizes
8. UswellCare Shoulder Support Brace
This Uswellcare shoulder support brace made of cotton, polyester, and nylon makes it easy to recover from an injury and keep working the muscles during recovery. Even though it is labeled for men, this brace that can be used for both left and right shoulders is unisex. The material, breathable neoprene, is great for comfort as well as longevity. Its adjustable straps and buckles make it flexible fir various sizes. It is only available in black and comes with a lifetime guarantee. To speed up recovery, you get to choose the right amount or compression and add a cold or hot therapy pack when you are injured.
Pros
- Breathable material for comfort
- Can be won on both left and right shoulders
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Only available in black
7. Branfit Men and Women Shoulder Brace
Branfit offers a solution for your rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder syndrome, shoulder dislocation, tendonitis and back strain. The solution is in the form of this shoulder brace. We must note that Branfit are confident about their products and that’s why they’re offering a full refund for any unsatisfied customers, no questions asked. These shoulder braces work by compressing the shoulder to help correct bad posture, relieve inflammation and keep the shoulder elevated which helps increase blood flow.
Branfit used Neoprene to make this brace, and it is a high-quality material because of how breathable it is. As you were your brace, you won’t feel stuffy and neither will you sweat it in. In fact, because of how light Neoprene is, you’ll barely remember you’re wearing a shoulder brace.
Both the arm strap and the chest strap are adjustable, thus providing a snug fit. The brace uses strong Velcro that helps secure everything together.
Pros
- Made from high-quality material
- Suitable for both men and women
- Comes with a full refund warranty
Cons
- Some users complained of it having a strong smell
6. Arctic Flex Shoulder Brace
If you sprain or strain your shoulder or are in need of post-surgery support, this brace from Arctic Flex is just perfect for a number of reasons. The material is sturdy enough to accommodate a large person yet comfortable enough to wear all day. An inner gel pack makes it possible for hot and cold therapy as it remains frozen when you insert it in that state. This nontoxic gel cannot leak since the package is stitched right, and so when easing discomfort and accelerating healing it helps a great deal. While most of these braces come in black, this brand is gray for a unique touch. It is easy to hook and unhook and can fit up to 57 inches.
Pros
- Has a nontoxic gel insert for hot and cold therapy
- Adjustable Velcro strap to accommodate different sizes
- Accelerates recovery from shoulder injury
Cons
- Only available in gray
5. FIGHTECH Shoulder Brace Unisex
Yet another product from FIGHTECH finds its way onto our list of shoulder braces. Designed to apply firm pressure on your shoulder, this brace offers pain relief, support and stability. The brace has a pocket you can use for either hot or cold treatment.
It offers flexibility in that you can wear this brace on both your left or right shoulder. It is also unisex, making it suitable for both men and women. It does come in two adjustable sizes; small to medium and large to extra-large. Furthermore, if you don’t everyone to know you’re wearing a shoulder brace, you can wear it underneath your clothes and it is next to undetectable. We also love that it comes with a warranty. In case you purchase it and anything is missing, or it is not functioning as it is supposed to, then you can have it exchanged or even get a full refund!
Pros
- Flexible design, worn on both left and right shoulder
- Comes with a warranty
- Suitable for both hot and cold treatment
Cons
- Not suitable for medical purposes
4. FIGHTECH Unisex Left/Right Shoulder Brace
This shoulder brace from FIGHTECH offers medium to strong shoulder support for injuries, sprains and even post-surgery needs. For your shoulder to recovery quicker, you need to apply consistent pressure on it, which this brace does. It also helps protect your shoulder from additional injuries.
Most shoulder braces offer an adjustable fit, and this one is no different. It comes in two adjustable sizes, small to medium and large to extra-large. Ideally, most women would need the small to medium fit, while men can choose the large to extra-large fit.
It is highly versatile as you can wear it on both your left or right shoulder. In case you want the brace to remain inconspicuous you can opt to wear it under your clothes, instead of over it. FIGHTECH uses high-quality materials to make this shoulder brace as it is very durable, machine washable and is breathable for additional comfort. Another nifty feature this brace has is a small pressure pocket where you can apply either hot or cold therapy.
Pros
- Suitable for both left or right shoulders
- Unisex design
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Some users complained of inaccurate sizing system
3. EVS Sports Shoulder Brace
This shoulder brace from EVS Sports has an easy application – loop and hook. Only available in black, users of shoulder sizes between 36 – 40 inches can use it to accelerate recovery after injury. Its closure system that eliminates underarm chaffing makes it comfortable to stay in all day. Made of high-quality material that does not irritate the skin, this brace is ideal for all genders. Its breathable air mesh construction increases comfort so that one can keep it on all day long. It is supportive and easy to hook or remove, and so arthritic people will find it a relief when pain strikes. It is unisex and reasonably priced. The maker uses X-strap technology system to make this brace even more supportive.
Pros
- Light and breathable
- Easy to hook and loop
- Utilizes X-strap technology system for better support
Cons
- Limited to 36 and 40 inches on the shoulder
2. Vive Stabilizer Sleeve Wrap Shoulder Brace
As with most shoulder braces, this one offers customizable compression, prevent jerky movements, prevents further injuries and promotes quicker healing post-surgery.
It features a simplistic design that you can wear both over and under the shirt. We like that it is a reversible sleeve meaning you can wear it on either the left or the right shoulder, and it will still function the same. These shoulder braces from Vive caters to both men and women. You can adjust the sleeve to fit biceps from 8 inches up to 32 inches in circumference. You can also adjust the chest strap to fit chests from 27 inches up to 50 inches.
After purchasing a product, you may end up not liking it, or it fails to live up to the expectation. In most cases, you would end up counting your loses, but not so with Vive as it offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you’re picky about colors, Vive offers this shoulder brace in neutral colors beige, black and grey.
Pros
- Reversible design
- Adjustable straps
- Breathable material
Cons
- Inaccurate sizing system
1. Shoulder Brace by TherX
TherX makes this loop and hook shoulder brace that can be used on either shoulder to accelerate recovery. The package includes a reusable hot and cold gel insert for therapy during injury for both men and women. This insert is flexible inside the brace since the gel takes up any shape you want. Made of neoprene and only weighing 1.15 Pounds, this product is the ideal partner when recovering from a shoulder injury. Since the strap is adjustable and flexible, this brace is ideal for people of different sizes. It is also easy to hook and remove even without assistance. It is only available in black. Anyone with rotator cuff, a frozen or dislocated shoulder or arthritis can use this brace for muscle support and quick recovery.
Pros
Small and light
Has a gel insert for hot/cold therapy
Cons
- A little pricier than most in its category
Conclusion
Having a shoulder injury sucks as it is, but we hope that with our selection of the best shoulder braces on the market, you will find some relief once you purchase one. Remember that wearing shoulder braces do not fully prevent your shoulder from further injury, so you still need to be careful.