These Period Cup Reviews Will Make You Want To Ditch Your Tampons

MOST POPULAR Saalt is our favorite menstrual cup of choice, because it offers a worry-free period on all fronts. You don’t have to worry about annoying #PeriodProblems such as leaking or toxic shock syndrome (as menstrual cups haven’t been linked to TSS). And secondly, you don’t have to worry about your impact on the environment. One Saalt cup lasts for up to 10 years and can be left in for 12 hours at a time during an actual cycle (yes, even while you’re sleeping). The Saalt cup collects as much blood as up to four tampons would absorb, and it’s soft and flexible, which makes it easier to insert (and remove!). It’s also leak-free, odor-free, and made without abrasive ridges that could potentially irritate your skin. The Saalt cup is natural and safe, made in the USA with 100% medical-grade silicone. It’s certified hypoallergenic, non-toxic, BPA- and latex-free. It maintains the vagina’s unique pH, doesn’t dry you out, and it won’t leave behind any residue. It’s design ensures zero micro-tearing. Saalt also provides improved period care and educational opportunities from proceeds from each purchase, so you can feel good about your societal impact, too. What’s not to love?!

SMART, SMOOTH, AND SUSTAINABLE You may remember FLEX from their original product: the single-use menstrual disc that could be inserted into the vaginal canal, then worn during swimming and even sex. FLEX still makes the one-of-a-kind menstrual disc, but it also turned down a more sustainable path with the creation of the first-ever pull-string menstrual cup. If you’ve ever used a menstrual cup before, you know how difficult it can sometimes be to get the proper grip on the cup when it’s inside. You know, when you need to pull it out! The thought behind the pull-string is that it makes it easier to pop out the cup. But there’s even more to the design than that. The pull-string FLEX cup was designed with inclusivity in mind. It’s meant to make menstrual cups more accessible for beginners and people with all body types and abilities. According to FLEX, their inspiration for the design was Jane Hartman Adamé, who was unable to remove her menstrual cup due to her loss of mobility in her early 20’s after the onset of a rare, debilitating genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The FLEX cup seeks to make period cups for everyone, no matter what their body type, ability, or cup-removal skill level.

SAY “HELLO” TO YOUR NEW FAVE CUP The Hello Cup features a fun shape and branding right on the cup itself. Made in New Zealand, this cup has a “toggle” bottom rather than the traditional stem that isn’t always grippable for some people. This one-size-fits-most cup is a small/medium, which Hello recommends for most menstruators under the age of 35. It’s supposed to be especially great for physically active people, so you don’t have to worry about leakage or about it slipping out while you’re running, jogging, doing yoga, or working out.

NIX THE WASTE Hate waste? Nix it. The nixit cup is more like a menstrual disc in design and shape, but it offers most of the benefits that traditional silicone cups do. The nixit is also made out of 100% medical-grade, BPA-free silicone, is soft, flexible, and suction-free, but features a unique, circular shape that’s more reminiscent of a disc than a cup. It offers up to 12 hours of protection, and is able to hold up to 4 tampons worth of flow. It’s totally plastic-free and the above cup (or disc) comes with a matching bag, so you can bring it with you on the go in a sanitary fashion.

SIZE IS NO ISSUE The Lily Cup by Intimina comes in two main sizes: A and B. You might notice how different the shape of the Lily Cup is compared to other cups on this list. That thinner, almost shell-like shape is the reason why the Lily Cup is the only cup that can be rolled as thin as a tampon. It has a slanted rim, making it perfect for menstruators with a higher cervix and/or heavier flow. It has the capacity to hold more blood, for up to 12 hours, so you can feel comfortable and protected. Notches at the bottom of the cup’s stem also make it easier to grip and remove when it’s time to take it out.

CLEAR CUP, GREEN INITIATIVE If you’re switching to a menstrual cup for environmental reasons, you’re going to love the look, feel, and sustainable packaging of the OrganiCup. But that’s not the only reason you’ll love the OrganiCup — it’s the winner of the 2019 Allergy Award in the Best Skin-Friendly Product for Body category. To qualify for this award, every ingredient was carefully examined by a toxicologist, who then ruled that the cup contains no known allergens. It’s also certified hypoallergenic, toxin-free with Allergy Certified TM, certified vegan with the Vegan Society, and FDA-approved. With a resume like that, it’s no wonder 700,000 people have already chosen the OrganiCup.

FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT Have a beginner in the family? Or maybe you’re a menstrual cup beginner yourself! Whichever the scenario, the SckoonCup is recognized as one of the best starter cups on the market. It’s extremely flexible — more so than other brands — and very small, so it’s easily insertable into all body types. The Sckoon also features a tapered stem that’s soft and bendy, making it grippable and easier to remove. Made in the USA, the Sckoon cup is FDA-registered.

WORKS WITH YOUR BODY Lena Sensitive claims to be the only cup on the market specifically developed for users with “more sensitive anatomies.” During those first days of your period, Lena Sensitive claims it can help fight against discomfort and cramps. This cup is one of the smallest ones available, and it is particularly beneficial for people with sensitive bladders thanks to softer silicone than the traditional menstrual cup. While it’s specifically designed for people with sensitivity, it’s also still beneficial for all ages and body types.

FOR A BIG FLOW The FUN FACTORY set comes with two large menstrual cups in Size B. These cups are great for days of heavier flow, and have a unique design that allows them a higher capacity (anywhere from 4 to 6 times as a tampon). These cups are washable, reusable, and are ergonomically designed for a comfortable fit and soft-cup feel. The pack also comes with an antimicrobial bag so you can take your cups on the go.

SIMPLE The Cora Cup is no-frills, but all of the benefits of using a reusable, sustainable, and most importantly, comfortable menstrual cup. This cup features an intuitive finger indent that helps guide the cup more easily into the body and also features a tapered, textured base for a slip-free grip. And we all know a slip-free grip = a spill-free removal. #PeriodCupGoals.

THE BEST SELLER This menstrual disc from Softdisc is thee best selling mentrual cup on Amazon. It’s comfortable, works great for both heavy and light periods, and is literally the result of 10 years of research. This company knows their stuff and apparently, everyone agrees. Of the 9,000+ reviews, many of them raved how this is the only menstral cup that allows you to have sex while on your period. “I LOVE these! So convenient, easy, and inexpensive,” said one happy customer. “One box lasts me all year. I don’t even know why women even buy tampons anymore. I feel cleaner and much more comfortable in a cup vs tampons. There is never any funky odor ‘down there’ like sometimes occurs with other products. I never find myself mid-period without the proper menstrual products, because I only have to remove my cup, rinse it out, and reinsert it. One plus is that you can wear this cup during intercourse and your partner will likely not even know you have it in. It stays in place, does not affect sensation, and allows for mess-free relations. You can’t do that with other cups or any other menstrual product. I will NEVER go back to using any other kind of period protection.”  

THE CLASSIC If you’ve researched or used menstrual cups before, then you’ve definitely heard of the DivaCup. “This product saved me so much money [and] so much time as it doesn’t leak before that 12 hour period,” said one Amazon customer. “It makes me feel less worried when I am out and about. I don’t get up anymore during the night to change my tampons. I sleep with it. And again there is no leak. I also done all sorts of exercising at the gym and still absolutely fine.”