There are so many reasons to be on the lookout for a good compression shirt, and they go way beyond just looking slimmer. A compression shirt can totally revolutionize your workout, helping you to burn more fat, stay dry and recover faster. And they are not just for exercise – compression shirts can also shape your figure under your daily wear and help surgery scars to heal.
Whatever your needs, the best compression shirt is out there for you. We have put together a list of 9 of our absolute favorites on the market right now, as well as a handy guide on what to look for before you buy.
How to Choose the Best Compression Shirt
Different Types
A compression shirt can do a lot – recovery, workout, slimming; you name it. But the function of your compression shirt will depend largely on the type you buy.
Compression shirts that will improve your work out generally have a tight fit and are made out of a light, breathable material. They are designed to promote healthy blood flow and help you sweat more, so you burn more fat. But they are also made to wick away moisture, so all of that sweat isn’t noticeable. You will often find athletic compression shirts with long sleeves and a high neck, to cover as much of your core as possible. These kinds of shirts are great as a base layer when you are biking or running.
Other shirts are designed for form over function. Compression shirts designed to slim your figure will often be a little tighter, with thicker material, and come in a tee shirt or tank top fit, so that they can be worn discretely under your ordinary top.
Fit
The fit of your compression shirt will depend on what you are using it for. Again, compression shirts for exercise will generally have long sleeves and high necks, to promote blood flow and fat loss throughout your body.
If you are not a fan of long sleeves, a tee shirt or tank top can also help with fat loss and muscle recovery. Tanks are also great for a discrete, slimming undershirt. Whatever style you choose, make sure the fit is nice and tight, without being too restrictive or uncomfortable.
Material
The material of your compression shirt will make a huge difference. In pretty much all cases, you are going to want something that is stretchy, soft and breathable. Especially if you are planning on being active in the compression shirt, material that wicks away moisture and keeps you dry is super important.
A nylon, spandex or polyester blend is generally the best way to go. Some cotton blends will be a little heavier – and you should definitely avoid 100% cotton. It will only hold in sweat and odor.
Top Compression Tank Tops of 2021
1. DRSKIN Compression Tight Shirt Base Layer
Highlights & Specs
Summary
This compression shirt from DRSKIN is perfect for running, biking, skiing or yoga. It clings tight to your core and will help you to burn more fat, but the light, dry material keeps you cool. It is advertised as a base layer, but with the sleek design and flashy colors, it can easily be worn on its own.
This is a cheaper compression shirt – which is great for your budget, but unfortunately it might wear down or lose its elasticity with time.
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2. SISYAMA Neoprene Women’s Sweat Suit
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Summary
This garment looks a little different from the other options on our list. This is a full body sweat suit – it fits over your legs to the mid-thigh, and covers your core, arms and shoulders, with an open chest. Sounds a little silly, right?
To be honest, for weight loss, there is really nothing better. A sweat suit or sauna suit helps your muscles to work harder, causes you to sweat more and burns more fat than an ordinary compression shirt. This particular model is lightweight and comes with or without a zipper closure, as you prefer. It’s great for losing weight – the only downside is that you aren’t going to wear it anywhere but the gym.
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3. Three Sixty Six Long Sleeve Compression Workout Top
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This is a cute, fashionable compression top that fits a little more loosely than some of the other options on our list. It has extra long sleeves with thumb holes and a woven mesh pattern on the front. It comes in multiple colors and a full range of sizes. The material is breathable and very high-quality – this shirt should last you through plenty of wear and washes.
One thing we don’t love about this shirt is that it doesn’t have as much compression capability as others. The fabric is loose, which makes it more comfortable, but you won’t have that skin-tight fit that promotes blood flow and recovery. It is a great shirt for yoga or jogging, though – or just everyday athleisure wear.
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4. Adidas Training Alphaskin
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When it comes to athletic gear, there is something to be said for brand power. Adidas continuously puts out high quality sport and compression gear. This compression shirt, even though it is simple, lives up to their usual quality. It is a unisex fit, designed to hug your core and help you to burn more fat and recover faster.
This would be a great shirt to use as a base layer on a long run or bike ride, or just for staying warm when you are out and active. The lightweight material will stay dry no matter how much of a sweat you work up. Of course, it is a unisex shirt – so a lot of girls might not find it as flattering as something designed for women. If you care more about function than form, though, this is a solid, practical compression shirt.
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5. Underworks Women's Microfiber Compression Tee Shirt
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Moving away from the athletic gear for a moment, this compression tee from Underworks is a perfect choice for someone who wants to boost their confidence in their daily wear while they are in the process of losing weight. It fits like an ordinary tee shirt, with a light spandex material that clings to your body and will not hold sweat.
The tee shirt fit is discrete enough to be worn under another top, but it can also be worn on its own. The compression is just enough for someone recovering from surgery or childbirth who needs a slightly more secure fit. It will also help your muscles recover if you have been hitting the gym!
One downside here is that it does have a high neck, so your options for what you can wear over it are limited. But it is simple and cute enough, in black or white, to be worn on its own.
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6. TSLA Women's Compression Long Sleeve
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This TeslaGear shirt is a pretty standard long sleeve compression shirt at a fairly affordable price. It is long sleeve and plain, with a simple logo on the breast, and comes in multiple color options. It is advertised as a base layer, helping to keep you warm and promote blood flow while you are exercising.
The lightweight and flexible material will not hold in any moisture, even as you work up a sweat. There are also anti-microbial deodorizing fibers woven into the fabric – not only will the shirt limit the appearance of sweat, but it will stop body odor, too. Shirts of the same material can be purchased in tee shirt form. We highly recommend the tee shirt fit for yoga and warmer weather running.
This is a very affordable compression shirt. The material may wear down with a lot of washes, but at the low price, there is no reason you can’t get two or three.
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7. Lavento Women's Compression Shirts
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This 3-pack from Lavento is perfect for someone who finds themselves wearing their compression shirts all the time. They are all made out of a lightweight, breathable spandex and polyester blend, perfect as a base layer or jogging shirt, and will stay dry throughout your workout.
The shirts come in a variety of colors – you can pick your favorite combination in the pack. Of course, if you don’t want all three shirts, they can be sold separately, too. We just think the combo pack is a great deal, especially if you get a lot of use out of your compression shirts.
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8. Tommie Copper Women's Pro-Grade Shoulder Centric Support Shirt
Highlights & Specs
Summary
The last compression shirt on our list is a high-tech option from Tommie Copper. It is short sleeved and designed to improve your posture, as well as boosting your workout and slimming your figure.
Criss-crossed seams in the back of the shirt help to take the stress off your shoulders, so that you can move, exercise or just walk around more comfortable. One thing we love about this tee is the simple design – it looks great as a base layer or on its own.