Want to switch to a menstrual cup but overwhelmed by the options available?
There are many menstrual cup brands out there, making it difficult to decide which cup works best for you!
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 12 best menstrual cup brands globally to help you decide which menstrual cup to buy.
*please note this is not in order of preference
1) asan cup: best all-rounder cup
The Asan cup is the best all-round menstrual cup for beginners as it has a unique removal ring which makes it super easy to use, no matter how inexperienced you may be.
It is also particularly perfect for anyone with a high cervix as the ring makes it easy to locate no matter how high up the cup travels. The Asan cup has a light/medium and a heavy flow size, so it’s very easy to determine which size is best for you.
Its bell-shaped design, which underwent four-rounds of vigorous user trials while being designed at the Harvard Innovation Lab USA, ensures that the cup will sit comfortably inside you!
Asan which works to eradicate period poverty and provide menstrual health education in rural India through their 1-for-1 donations programme. This makes it a wonderful brand to buy from if you are someone that values the social impact created through your purchase.
2) mooncup: classic option
The Mooncup is made locally in the UK and was founded in 2002, making it one of the first ever reusable menstrual cup brands.
It has a very long stem so that users can cut it to whatever length they feel comfortable with. But it’s very important to try it for a few cycles before trimming the stem.
It is great for someone who has a preference toward a transparent menstrual cup. But do keep in mind that as a result of it being clear it will stain after a few period cycles.
3) divacup: best user materials
The Divacup has been around for a long time and is probably the best known menstrual cup brand worldwide. It comes with extensive training materials which are very useful for first-time users.
The Divacup is in the higher price range - there are many newer brands that produce more affordable menstrual cups of equally high quality.
4) saalt regular: best for high capacity
Whilst most cups have a capacity of 20-30ml, Saalt’s regular cup holds up to 50ml of menstrual fluid - making it the best cup if you are looking for a cup with the highest capacity to collect your flow.
While this is a great option for a heavy flow we don’t recommend it as your first cup because it’s much larger to fit and can be daunting to try as a beginner. You might want to try it once you are already experienced with menstrual cups.
Also do keep in mind that while the Saalt cup is large, it is very soft compared to some other large cups, which can make it difficult to maintain suction inside your vagina if you have extremely heavy flow.
5) lunette large: best for those who like a firm cup
When choosing which size menstrual cup to go for, we recommend beginning with your flow. If you have heavy flow, you may need to opt for a firmer cup to ensure that the menstrual cup maintains suction and doesn’t leak when you experience heavy bleeding.
The Lunette large cup is very firm, which means it will stay in place no matter how heavy your flow is.
While this cup is great for heavy flow, it can take some time to get used to a firm cup. We don’t recommend using a firm cup if you are a beginner as it can be difficult and painful to insert and remove while you are practising.
6) totm: best for those with a silicone allergy
The TOTM cup is the best option for someone with a silicone allergy as it is made out of medical-grade TPE - which is a type of plastic.
Silicone allergies are extremely rare and you might have a localised reaction which can include experiencing tenderness or a rash when you use a menstrual cup.
A study published by the Lancet Review found that only 0.18% of their sample size of 3000+ people showed symptoms of a silicone allergy.
If you are one of the rare few with a silicone allergy, TOTM is a great option for you as its menstrual hygiene products are not silicone based.
7) ruby cup: great for social impact
The comfort of using a high-quality menstrual cup should be experienced by everyone that has a period. If you are someone that values the brand's social impact vision, then Ruby Cup is a wonderful option.
Similar to Asan’s 1-for-1 donation programme, Ruby cup donates one cup for every cup sold across countries in Africa.
Hey Girls is also a great brand for their social impact. They actively donate menstrual cups and conduct menstrual health and education programmes across the UK.
8) all matters, formerly organicup: best low-waste packaging
Are you someone that is environmentally conscious and trying to switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle?
Then All Matters is a great brand for you because of its extremely eco-friendly packaging. They have a variety of organic menstrual products but are best known for their menstrual cups.
The low-waste packaging made from recycled paper and/or cardboard is designed to be able to unfold the box and read the user guide that is printed inside it.
9) me luna: best for variety
If you are someone that likes to have a wide range of options to choose from, Me Luna is perfect for you.
It comes in various shapes and sizes - ranging from short and tall cups, a cup designed specifically for sport, and the classic cup in four different sizes.
It also comes in 10 different colours so you can have fun customising your own Me Luna cup.
10) nixit: best for having sex on your period
Much like continuing with your everyday activities while menstruating, it is completely normal to want to have sex while on your period - and in fact often recommended as it is known to to reduce period cramps.
The Nixit menstrual cup is the best cup for mess-free sex while you are on your period.
It is designed sit at the top of your cervix and collect blood, ensuring that it does not get in the way of sex.
The Nixit menstrual cup can be more difficult to remove than other cups as it sits higher up in your vaginal canal and doesn’t have a removal stem or ring.
11) intimina: best for unique designs
Looking for something unique and fun? Intimina has a variety of very creative and original menstrual cup designs.
Their Lily cup range includes a collapsible cup that can be flattened. It comes with a pocket-sized compact case, making it a great cup for portability.
Although these designs are very fun, some users have complained of leaks (especially with the collapsible cups) so it’s important to do your research before selecting one.
12) lena sensitive small: best for sensitive anatomies
Using a menstrual cup can be particularly uncomfortable if you have a sensitive bladder, as the cup can put pressure on your bladder whilst you’re on your period.
While not many brands have a special sensitive size, we’ve found the perfect cup for you if you experience this discomfort.
The Lena sensitive small is a small and flexible cup that is good for someone that experiences sensitivity in your vagina. It is a great cup for teens and users with a sensitive bladder.
Please keep in mind that while it’s great for sensitive anatomy, you may face leaks if you have heavy period flow.
Ready to buy the best menstrual cup for 2023? Shop now.
do you need some information about menstrual cups? below are some frequently asked questions!
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is an insertable and reusable bell-shaped period product that collects your period flow inside your vagina.
How does a menstrual cup work?
When a menstrual cup is inserted correctly, it forms a seal in your vaginal wall, preventing leaks while collecting your menstrual fluid.
A good quality menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time depending on your period flow. To change it you simply need to remove, empty, rinse and reinsert it.
How to use, insert and remove a menstrual cup?
Inserting a menstrual cup involves folding and gently sliding the cup into your vagina. See this blog about insertion to learn more about the different folds.
To remove a menstrual cup, you need to gently insert a finger in and locate the stem or ring. Once that has been located, bring the cup down to the entrance of your vagina and pinch the base of the cup to break the seal. Then you can slowly pull the cup out.
You can also read our detailed blog on everything you need to know about menstrual cups.
What are the benefits of a menstrual cup?
There are many benefits to using a menstrual cup, which include:
- Affordable: one good quality menstrual cup can be used for 10 years, reducing the need for purchasing disposable sanitary products every period cycle.
- Environmentally friendly: using a menstrual cup significantly reduces the waste you produce and your carbon footprint
- Comfort: once you’ve inserted a menstrual cup, you won’t even feel it inside you - making it much more comfortable in comparison to the itchiness and discomfort of sanitary pads
- Convenience: You should be able to wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours, making it much easier to go about your day without having to worry about changing your pad every few hours
- Health and safety: A good quality menstrual cup made with Medical Grade Silicone is much safer for your body as it reduces your chances of developing potential infections that can occur from sanitary pads or tampons
Who should use menstrual cups?
Anyone with a period can use menstrual cups!
In fact, we have many users that have been using the Asan cup since aged-12 onwards. Read this blog about Kaashvi, a 15-year-old teen that is loving the Asan cup.
What should I check before buying a menstrual cup?
Before buying a menstrual cup, there are a few things you should consider to ensure that you get a product that is the right fit for you:
- Design: There are many menstrual cup options out there so it can be overwhelming to know which one is the best for you. It’s important to consider whether the cup has been designed for easy insertion and removal.
- Material: ensure that the menstrual cup is made with medical grade silicone
- Size: menstrual cups come in different sizes as everyone’s bodies are different. The Asan cup sizing is simply based on your period flow and how many pads you change in a day. To learn more, read our detailed sizing guide.
Which is better: menstrual cup or sanitary pad?
The choice between using a menstrual cup or sanitary pads depends on many factors - including comfort, affordability, ecological footprint, and lifestyle.
While sanitary pads are easy to use and come in different shapes and sizes, they can cause itchiness, odour and discomfort, and are very harmful for the environment.
In comparison, while using a menstrual cup for the first time is a learning curve, it is super economical over a long term, more comfortable and can be reused for 10 years.
How to clean a menstrual cup properly?
To clean a menstrual cup you need to boil it in water for 10-15 minutes at the start and the end of your period cycle.
During your cycle you can just remove it, empty the fluid, rinse it with tap water and then reinsert it.
You can also use Asan’s One Drop cleanser, which is super convenient when you’re travelling or don’t have access to boiling water.
Read this blog to learn more about how to clean a menstrual cup.
Which menstrual cup is best for beginners?
If you are new to menstrual cups, one of the most daunting things can be the fear that you won't be able to remove the cup and it can get stuck inside you. So the best menstrual cup for beginners should be one that makes the process of insertion and removal super easy for you, and is designed to not leak.
That’s why the Asan menstrual cup ring is designed with a unique removal ring. It helps you locate the cup no matter how high your cervix is and easily remove it. You can learn more about the Asan cup’s special features here.
Which menstrual cup lasts the longest?
A high quality menstrual cup made with medical grade silicone will last up to 10 years.
It’s important to keep it sterilised and clean to ensure the durability of your menstrual cup.
What is the safest material for a menstrual cup?
The safest material for a menstrual cup is medical grade silicone. This material does not contain any harmful chemicals and is hypoallergenic. Medical grade silicone is also durable and can be boiled for sterilisation - which is important for maintaining the cleanliness of the cup.
The Asan cup is made from Class 6 medical grade silicone, which is the highest quality of silicone available for menstrual cups. It’s the same material used in breast implants and heart stents, so it’s super safe to sit inside you.
