Need a decent amount of compression but hate the struggle of pulling on your socks? We recommend the Jobst Activewear Compression Socks. Of all the moderate compression socks we tried, these were the easiest to pull on and the most comfortable for all-day wear, thanks to their thick, cotton-like feel. We also love that these socks come in petite and plus sizing — knee-high compression socks for women under 5’5” is a rarity.

However, Jobst socks are expensive. If you buy through Amazon, make sure you purchase through the official Jobst seller platform (and not an independent seller), because you may not be able to return the socks.

What we love: Sockwell uses a blend of merino wool, rayon from bamboo, nylon and spandex to create graduated and comfortable compression. They’re also moisture wicking and therefore less likely to get smelly. We like that they have a little cushioning on the bottom and don’t come up to an uncomfortable point at the knee.

Features you may not like: Sockwell recommends air drying these socks to reduce shrinking. While some buyers say that they still use the dryer without issue, the socks will likely wear down more quickly as a result. Indeed, a few customers found that the heels of the socks become thin after a few months. As with most firm compression socks, these are difficult to pull on and take off.

Compression socks take some time to get used to unless you’re wearing Wellow. We like that these socks come in fun, classy patterns and have a cozy feel. Plus, the material is moisture wicking and antimicrobial, thanks to viscose from bamboo. The other materials — polyester, spandex and nylon add stretch so that the socks aren’t too difficult to pull on.

If you’re below 5’5”, you may find that the socks come up too high and cause discomfort around the knee. A few buyers note that the socks are difficult to pull on and off, and the material feels irritating after prolonged wear.

If you don’t have a medical condition that requires firm compression, light compression may be all that you need. The Dr. Motion Knee-High Compression socks are a great pick because they offer a gentle, graduated squeeze. We like that they are easy to pull on, decently cushioned in the foot and antimicrobial, so they’re less likely to get smelly. The cute patterns are a great plus.

What could be improved: These socks may feel too long if you’re under 5’4”, but the top rim is stretchy enough that folding them down wasn’t a big issue for us. While the material is supportive, it’s also thin and can get cold. The fabric may also wear down over time.

If your legs feel swollen, achy and heavy at the end of a long day, try a pair of Clove Compression Socks. Clove socks are designed for nurses and healthcare workers, so they offer ample compression while still prioritizing comfort. We love that these socks have a cotton feel, thanks to a blend of cotton (42%), elastic, spandex and polyester. Also, they have cushioned bottoms and are relatively easy to pull on. The patterns range from classy to statement, so there is something for everyone.

It’s worth noting that these socks are long and can cut into the back of the knee if you are under 5’4”. We found that folding the tops down wasn’t an ideal solution, because it created an uncomfortable amount of pressure on the wrong part of the calf.

You don’t have to buy the most expensive pair of compression socks to achieve better vascular health. If you’re on a budget, we recommend the CS CELERSPORT Compression Socks for Men and Women. The fabric is moisture wicking and the soles help absorb shock, and the graduated compression is relatively comfortable.

However, these unisex socks run long, so you may find them uncomfortable around the knee if you are under 5’3”. A few buyers have noticed that they wear down after several washes, and we wish that wide calf sizing were available.

Unlike most compression socks, the Bombas Compression Socks don’t come all the way up to the knee, which is a welcome relief if you don’t like the feeling of tight elastic around your knee. Despite their shorter rise, these socks still manage to stay up throughout the day. They offer medium compression and the materials include cotton, polyester, elastane and nylon.

The downsides? There are no wide calf or extra large sizes available, and this product isn’t available at other retailers.

For a no-fuss, relatively affordable pair of socks available on Amazon, we recommend the Go2Socks Compression Socks. They come in a variety of interesting styles and several compression levels (light, moderate and heavy). We like that they’re machine washable and relatively comfortable for a moderate-compression sock.

However, there is some extra material in the toe area (at the seam) that can rub on the interior of your shoes and cause discomfort. Also, the socks pill after several washes and Go2Socks doesn’t offer wide calf or petite sizing.

A pair of athletic compression socks will not only prevent blood from pooling in your lower extremities but also help you recover more quickly after your workout. We like that The Run socks from CEP Compression have excellent cushioning in the footbeds and the socks are labeled “left” and “right,” so they offer customized, contoured arch support for each foot. The material is also cooling and designed to prevent blisters.

However, these socks were difficult to take on and off and not comfortable to wear all day long. They’re also not available in petite or wide calf sizing, and they are one of our priciest recommendations.

Need socks that will help reduce varicose veins and still feel comfortable? Consider the Comrad Knee High Compression Socks. They come in a variety of cute, modern styles and colors, and the nylon and spandex blend feels stretchy and supportive. They also fare well in the washer and dryer.

On the other hand, most buyers agree that these are hard to pull on and off. A few buyers wish these socks had some cushioning (they are thin and have none). We wish these socks came in petite sizes.

Air travel requires you to sit for long periods with little leg room, which makes you more susceptible to blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). To reduce your risk, try Away Travel’s Compression Socks. They can be worn more than once without getting smelly, thanks to anti-odor technology, and they dry quickly after machine washing. We love that the material is 45% organic cotton, which increases comfort on a long flight.

However, Away doesn’t offer petite or wide-calf sizing, so women who fall into either category may find that the socks rise too high on the leg. These socks also aren’t available at other retailers, and they’re pricey.

While most compression socks will work for a road trip, the ideal pair should be as comfortable as possible so you won’t take them off mid-ride. For this reason, we recommend the Dr. Segal Multi Energy Socks for long car rides. The 15-20 mmHg (light compression) socks are easy to take on and off but still offer good support and compression. We like that the footbed has extra cushioning and that the material is anti-odor.

The downsides: These socks don’t come in petite or wide-calf sizing, so some women will have a hard time finding the perfect fit. In addition, Dr. Segal’s products are expensive and not available at other retailers.

Need the support of compression socks to get you through your pregnancy? Consider Bluemaple’s socks. They are sold in a six pack on Amazon (affordable!) and come in a variety of colors. We like that they contain copper which may help alleviate pain, and buyers note that they effectively reduce swelling.

On the other hand, these socks don’t come in petite, tall or wide-calf sizing. A few buyers have experienced quality issues (such as some socks having a strange fit) and noticed that you can see wear and tear on after several washes.

For a pair of socks that will help you recover from exercise more quickly, try CEP Compression’s Infrared Recovery Socks. In addition to having graduated compression, these socks contain tiny ceramic particles that capture infrared heat emitted by your legs and reflect it back onto them, which helps further improve circulation and hasten recovery. We like that each sock is labeled “left” and “right” and contoured to fit each foot, and the footbed padding is generous.

The downsides: CEP Compression products are expensive, and the Infrared Recovery socks aren’t available at most retailers. They also tend to run long, don’t come in wide-calf sizing and are difficult to get on and off.

If you’re in the mood for fun patterns and light compression, opt for Muk Luks’ Compression Socks. The 8 to 12 mmHG of graduated compression means these socks are easy to get on and off and still provide gentle support and promote better circulation. The nylon fabric stays up on the calf and doesn’t roll down, and these are comfortable enough for all-day wear.

However, these socks don’t offer enough compression for serious conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We like that they come in wide-calf sizing but wish they also came in petite sizing.

If you don’t like wearing knee-high socks but need some level of compression for your feet and calves, consider a mid-calf sock like the Dr. Motion Mid Crew. These socks offer light compression to add support and reduce minor swelling. We love that they don’t cut into the calf but still stay up, and the light cushioning in the heel and toe helps absorb some shock.

However, it isn’t clear how much compression exactly these socks provide, though we could feel it. A few buyers had negative customer service experiences, though the majority did not.

If you only need pain relief and swelling reduction in your feet, consider an ankle sock like Dr. Motion’s Ankle Compression Socks. They have light compression to gently increase blood flow and decrease minor swelling, breathable mesh material and anti-slip tops so they won’t fall down off your heels.

On the other hand, we wish Dr. Motion explained how much compression these socks provide (the exact mmHg isn’t clear). A few buyers noted that they still slip around a bit, rather than staying in place, and others wish they had more compression throughout the sock — the “squeeze” is concentrated in the arch.