Quick Summary: After doing some research and exploring the various challenges faced by athletes, we compiled a list of the 10 best knee braces for basketball options on the market today. In our quest for discovering the best knee brace, we determined that the POWERLIX Knee Compression Sleeve deserved the number one spot on the roster. We chose it for numerous reasons. The brace helps reduce pain and increase blood flow throughout the knee and surrounding joints. Players with bursitis, meniscus tears, tendonitis, or an arthritic condition can get natural relief in comfort with this breathable brace from it. Take a look at our other top knee brace for basketball picks and learn how to choose the right one for you.
Knee braces are so hot right now.Just take a look at any professional basketball game (for example, any NBA game), and you will notice that very few knees are naked. All the best players in the world wear something to cover their knees, whether it’s a knee brace, sleeve or pad –and there’s a good reason for that.
These players think long-term, and they try to reduce wear and tear to a minimum, which is why they cover their knees with the best knee braces for basketball. But don’t worry, the very same knee braces are available for everyone else, and now you too can use the same protection, just like these pro players. Whether you are playing once in a blue moon or you have a burning passion for playing basketball, it’s essential for you to have the proper equipment.
Knee braces are an excellent way to protect your knees from bruises and even more severe injuries (such as an ACL tear) caused by falls and collisions, and also to take some pressure off your knees and prevent possible chronic pain. So keep reading and discover the best knee braces for basketball that will keep your knees safe.
Quick Navigation
- Comparison Of 10 Best Knee Braces For Basketball
- Reviews of Top 10 Knee Braces For Basketball
- How to Choose the Best Knee Brace For Basketball
- FAQs
- Our Recommendation
Comparison Of 10 Best Knee Braces For Basketball
 | 1. POWERLIX Knee Compression Sleeve (Best Overall)The POWERLIX sleeve offers ample support and superior knee stabilization with a unique mesh-style breathable material design that is slip-resistant. Available in different sizes for optimal comfort on or off the court. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3xqpOLa"]Read Our Review |
 | 2. Bracoo Knee Support Open-Patella Brace (Best Budget)Crafted of breathable premium neoprene material that increases circulation in increases healing time while offering plenty of support, absorbing sweat. Wears discreetly under clothing. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3oT9Q8h"]Read Our Review |
 | 3. Shock Doctor Hinged Knee BraceCount on maximum support with plenty of flexibility with adjustable hinges and mid-range compression that provides protection and support for ACL/PCL injuries, sprains and more. Breathable design offers therapeutic heat to increase blood flow and relieve pain. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3oSrKYZ"]Read Our Review |
 | 4. ACE Adjustable Knee SupportThis easy care, wash and wear knee brace from ACE is simple to put on and adjust for optimal comfort. Breathable material prevents odors and itching, and one size fits most. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3oSszB3"]Read Our Review |
 | 5. Vive Hinged Knee BraceSturdy compression materials along with removable aluminum hinges allow for faster healing of existing injuries while preventing recurrence or onset of new ones. Directs heat towards injuries to accelerate healing. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3cF0rf0"]Read Our Review |
 | 6. Sable Stable Knee Brace CompressionOne of the few top knee brace for basketball options that comes in a pair, the sleeves fit tightly to prevent injuries and slippage. Available in multiple sizes, these are highly breathable and comfortable. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3cF0rf0"]Read Our Review |
 | 7. EXOUS Knee Brace SupportOffers a unique 4-way compression for optimal knee and patella support with 4 adjustable straps for comfort and breathability. Excellent for active players with jumper’s knee or tendon pain seeking greater stability and faster healing. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3FYUKVZ"]Read Our Review |
 | 8. Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve SupportHugs and supports the knee with a slim profile that provides light to medium support for those seeking to prevent injuries or go easy on strained muscles. Offers 4-way compression and impressive stability. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3CTGWtW"]Read Our Review |
 | 9. TechWare Pro Knee Brace SupportThis professional brace offers maximum support with non-slip neoprene 4-way support with bi-directional adjustment straps. Lightweight and comfortable, it offers cull kneecap protection and comes in four sizes to ensure optimal fit. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3cFhNIJ"]Read Our Review |
 | 10. Shock Doctor Knee Brace Compression Sleeve SupportThe pre-curved, tapered design fits smoothly across the knee and offers superior kneecap protection with four-way compression. Comfortable and supportive lightweight lycra materials allow it to breathe to prevent odors and itching. | [button url="https://amzn.to/3xiGUdB"]Read Our Review |
Reviews of Top 10 Knee Braces For Basketball
Here’s a list of the top 10 knee braces for basketball available today:
Best Overall
1. POWERLIX Compression Knee Sleeve
What You Will Love: It offers plenty of support without compromising comfort. “Breathable” materials and design prevents itching. It has a special knitted technical that design prevents slipping even if you running all the time.
If you’re looking for the best knee brace for basketball overall, we may have just what you need: the POWERLIX Compression Knee Sleeve.
For male and female athletes alike, this superior knee support provides stable pressure for your whole knee joint.
It supports your muscles between workouts, too. Whether you’re into sports, CrossFit, hiking, or running, you can enjoy peak performance and range of motion with this top-notch sleeve knee brace for basketball.
It’s form-fitting enough to stabilize the joint, yet “breathable” enough to be comfortable.
If you’ve been injured before and had to wear a brace, you may have experienced itching and chafing over time. The POWERLIX absorbs sweat to keep your leg dry, so you don’t have to deal with itching and odors.
With its special knitted design, you can be sure that the brace stays in place, even when you’re really active.
Pros:
- Prevents itching
- Stays in place
- Offers support and comfort
- Comes in different sizes
Cons:
- A few complaints about braces fitting poorly or not staying in place
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Best Budget
2. Bracoo KS10 Knee Support with Open-Patella Stabiliser & Fully-Adjustable Neoprene Brace
What You Will Love: It evenly supports knee ligaments. Tiny perforations in the fabric absorb sweat. The brace can be worn discreetly under clothing without anybody noticing.
If you’re looking for the best knee brace for playing basketball, but don’t have a lot of cash to shell out, the Bracoo Knee Support Brace may be your go-to for joint support.
With its open-patella design, it alleviates pressure and stress on your knees during intense exercise. This brace is effective for relieving chronic knee pain caused by overuse, arthritis, and strains.
To keep the kneecap correctly aligned, this support device features a reinforced stabilizer ring.
That way, stress is distributed evenly across the ligaments in your knee– ACL, LCL, PCL, and MCL. By guiding the kneecap into position, the structure of this brace reduces your risk of subsequent knee injuries.
You can attach the fully-customizable straps at just about any point to prevent the knee support from slipping.
With its extra-thick neoprene sleeve, the brace protects your knee while improving circulation and absorbing perspiration.
It fits discreetly under your clothing so you don’t have to advertise that you’re wearing it. You can wear this knee brace for basketball after ACL surgery or to prevent other sports injuries.
Pros:
- Offers plenty of support
- Absorbs sweat
- Distributes pressure evenly across ligaments
Cons:
- Doesn’t always stay in place or provide support as expected.
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3. Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace For Basketball
What You Will Love: The brace fits either knee. Antimicrobial and absorbs sweat to prevent odors and itching, so you can wear it for long hours. It is useful for a variety of painful conditions. The brace can be used for compression with hypertension.
Another knee brace for sore knees in basketball that we highly recommend is the Shock Doctor Hinged Knee Brace.
It’s designed to help people recover from medial and lateral instability, meniscus injuries, minor patella instability and ligament sprains, arthritis, and more.
It also serves as a compression device for hypertension. With heavy-duty bilateral hinges, you can expect adequate support while moving comfortably. Four-way stretch elastic and the curved design can fit either the left or right knee.
This brace lifts the soft tissues and encourages circulation to speed the healing process. It’s close-fitting and comes in multiple sizes.
To prevent itching, the knee brace for both knees or one knee uses antimicrobial air-vented technology to absorb sweat and allow your knees to “breathe” for maximum comfort.
If you’re allergic to latex, you will be relieved to know that this support is latex-free.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Offers plenty of support
- Works with either knee
- Made of “breathable” material
Cons:
- Some people did not like the overall design and thought the straps did not fit securely enough
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4. Ace Brand Knee Brace For Basketball
What You Will Love: This one is easy to put on and adjust. It has breathable materials and designed for maximum comfort. You can wear it on either knee, and one size fits almost everybody.
If you’re looking for a product stamped with America’s most trusted name in muscle and joint support, look no further than the Ace Brand Knee Brace. With its comfort sleeve, it’s easier to put on and adjust.
This brace can give you the support you need for stiff, sore, or weak muscles and injured joints. Since it has a flexible, contoured design, it won’t restrict your range of motion, and you can customize the fit according to your comfort level.
To keep odors and moisture at bay, the brace features a soft, neoprene-blend “breathable” material to prevent itching and chafing. One size fits most, and you can wear the knee brace for both knees or one knee.
Pros:
- Adjusts for your comfort level
- Absorbs sweat
- Fits either knee
- Stabilizes injured knees
Cons:
- A bit bulky, may not work for plus-sized legs
- Some reports that the inner sleeve led to too much rigidity and perspiration
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5. Vive Hinged Knee Brace for Running, Athletic Tear and Arthritis Joint
What You Will Love: This customizable brace will fit your knees perfectly. It has breathable material for comfort. You can add or remove aluminum hinges as needed for support.
One reason we ranked the Vive Hinged Knee Brace as the best knee pads for basketball is because it’s so well-designed.
It comes with aluminum hinges on both sides of the knee for optimal support, but you can remove the hinges if you don’t need that much support.
For strains, sprains, and other soft-tissue instabilities, the compression material on this device assists with recovery while minimizing the likelihood of subsequent injuries.
With its neoprene lining, the brace is breathable enough that you can wear it all day without itching and other issues. The neoprene also helps direct heat toward the injury to accelerate healing.
And it’s latex-free. Extra-strength fasteners hold the brace in place, so you’re not always having to readjust or reposition it. Plus, with top and bottom straps, you can easily customize the fit.
Pros:
- You can customize the fit
- Material is breathable
- Helps with recovery while preventing additional injury
Cons:
- Problems securing Velcro straps or getting the brace to fit
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6. Sable FDA Registered Wraps Pads for Running, Pain Relief, Injury Recovery, Basketball and More Sports
What You Will Love: This brace comes in pairs. It will fit your knees tightly so don’t worry about sliding. If you have suffered an injury it can help you recover and allows you to remain active in sports.
Hands down, the Sable Stable Knee Brace Compression is one of the best knee pads for basketball because it actually comes with two knee supports.
They fit tightly to prevent them from slipping, and they provide protection when you’re playing sports.
This is also one of the best knee brace basketball for running. What really sets it apart from some other knee braces is that this long knee brace for basketball covers a wide area of the legs to more evenly distribute pressure.
This knee brace for both knees or one knee reduces stress and swelling. These compression braces come in more than one size, too.
Pros:
- Reduces stress and swelling
- You can wear it for all types of activity
- Even intense exercise
- They come in pairs to support both knees
Cons:
- Some people had allergic reactions to the non-slip strips
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7. Knee Brace by EXOUS for Painful Joints, to Aid Injury Recovery and to Stay Active
What You Will Love: The 4-strap of this Knee brace system keeps it in place. The comfortable design and Side Stabilizers offer support for the total patella and Knee.
What’s unique about the Exous EX-701 Knee Brace Support Protector is its 4-way compression system that “hugs” the knee from all angles to provide maximum stability.
Two patella straps secure the device to give injured athletes relief from patella tendon issues and jumper’s knee pain.
Plus, the brace stabilizes the kneecap. With its specialized design, the support stays in place so you can move around confidently without worrying about whether it’s going to slip or how many times you will have to adjust it.
The 4-point strap system, which prevents slipping, fits maximum calf sizes of 16–18″ and maximum upper thigh circumference of 20″. A gap in the back of the knee allows for less sweating and more comfort.
Whether you’re running a 5K, playing tennis, or climbing stairs, this brace provides long-lasting support. It’s designed for men and women of all ages.
Pros:
- Provides lots of support
- 4-strap system keeps it in place
- You can wear it during intense exercise and casual daily activities
Cons:
- Velcro may give out after a short time
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8. Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve Support for Men & Women
What You Will Love: Provides plenty of support while allowing you to enjoy full physical activity. It draws warmth to injured sites to stimulate recovery. Comes in different sizes to ensure the best possible fit for your knee.
The Uflex Athletics Knee Compression Sleeve Support isn’t just a knee brace for sore knees in basketball, it supports your knee during a host of other athletic activities, such as running, cycling, skiing– anything that puts a lot of stress on your joints.
To help your muscles recover faster, the brace has a heating effect that reduces swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and soreness.
It also helps with runner’s and jumper’s knee, arthritis, and tendonitis. This compression device improves circulation, an essential component of the healing process, and muscle endurance.
With anti-slip silicone, you can expect this brace to stay in place and provide stable support during your time at the gym.
Suitable for men, women, and kids, the brace comes in different sizes, so you can select the one that will be the best fit.
Pros:
- Provides moderate support for injuries (and injury-prevention)
- Has a heating effect
- Allows you to stay active
Cons:
- No major shortcomings reported
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9. TechWare Pro Knee Brace for Basketball
What You Will Love: The brace provides adequate support while you engage in intense physical activity. It also alleviates inflammation, stiffness, and other issues.
While some knee pads provide uneven support, the TechWare Pro Knee Brace Support comes with one-of-a-kind adjustable bi-directional support. Alternating strong closures hold up both sides of the knee to alleviate pain.
Designed for men, women, and youth, this brace comes in 4 different sizes: Medium, Large, Extra-Large, and XXLarge. (A size chart helps you pick the one that best fits your body).
When you need a knee brace for playing basketball, kneecap protection is a must; 4 flexible spring stabilizers and a gel pad on this brace provide compression around the kneecap and tendons to encourage healing.
Lightweight neoprene and non-slip silicone hold the brace in place while absorbing sweat.
Pros:
- Provides support and compression so sore muscles can recover
- Includes kneecap protection
- Lightweight and designed to stay in place
Cons:
- No consistent flaws reported
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10. Shock Doctor Knee Brace Compression Sleeve Support For Basketball, Football, Running and Most Sports
What you will love: The brace is ideal for basketball and also used by many sports enthusiasts who play other than basketball. Users love the integrated side stabilizer with flexible sides that boost support without sacrificing comfort.
This impressive knee compression brace for basketball players helps relieve pain and promotes healing from ailments common to the sport.
Some wearers reduce pain for injuries such as tendonitis, arthritis, meniscus tears, jumper’s knee, muscle strains and others.
The Unisex Shock Doctor brace can be used on either knee and is available in multiple sizes and boasts a curved design for optimal fit.
Padded Patella Buttress
Helps protect the kneecap and stabilize the area with consistent compression. Crafted of lycra mesh, the buttress and brace offer four-way flexibility and generous breathability.
Anatomical Fitting
The brace boasts conical straps above and below the leg tapers for a better fit. It features a unique pre-curved design that provides complete knee support that prevents injuries and fosters healing.
Innovative Materials
Comfort is pivotal and players can enjoy the unique and seamless feel of N-Tex neoprene in this latex-free knee brace. The placement of a stretchable mesh behind the knee prevents excessive sweat build up.
Pros:
- Integrated flexible stabilizer on sides
- Latex free
- Durable N-Tex neoprene materials
- 100% money back guarantee
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons:
- May not be ideal for wearing all day
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How To Choose The Right Knee Brace For Basketball?
Although they may look similar, there are considerable variations from one knee brace to another.
Padding
Not all knee braces come with padding, but the extra cushion protects your knees from further injury while you’re playing sports. Sleeves or braces without padding are more for compression from muscle injuries like ACL tears.
Function
There are a few different types of knee braces. Functional braces support knees that are already injured. Similar to a cast, rehabilitative braces restrict knee movement to prevent subsequent tearing or sprains. Patellofemoral braces keep the kneecap properly aligned.
Comfort
Since you’re going to be wearing the brace a lot, make sure it’s comfortable. It shouldn’t be so comfortable that it doesn’t provide support, but it shouldn’t be so restrictive that you can’t move around normally.
Support
Read the manufacturer’s statement and look at customer reviews to get an idea of whether the brace provides adequate support.
Size
Since they’re not always one-size-fits-all, size really does matter when looking for knee pads for playing basketball. A brace that’s too tight can restrict circulation, causing your leg to “fall asleep.” A brace that is too loose doesn’t support the normal knee movement that is a key part of rehabilitation.
Material
Most knee braces are made of several materials that keep the knee in alignment: elastic, foam, plastic, metal, and silicone. Make sure you’re not allergic to the material. Whatever materials you choose, make sure the knee brace has enough elasticity that you can move around comfortably.
Application
Consider whether you’re playing basketball indoors or out and select a knee brace that provides support. If playing outdoors, you may want a knee sleeve that covers a large area of your leg and provides sun protection.
Related Reading: Best Indoor Basketball Hoops
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Is Better For Basketball, A Knee Sleeve Or A Knee Brace?
You can wear a knee brace if you already have an injury, whereas a knee sleeve provides compression and support to reduce the likelihood of muscle strains and sprains in the first place.
Why Do You Need A Knee Brace?
A knee brace can help you avoid missing games and practices, either by providing support for an existing injury, or helping to prevent further injury if you’re already sidelined by one.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Knee Brace?
The cost of a knee brace depends on what kind you want. The more expensive devices have additional features, such as extra padding or sophisticated systems to support muscles and joints.
Which Brand Makes The Best Knee Brace?
In our quest for the best knee brace, we discovered several trusted brands that make a quality product– Ace, Shock Doctor, and Powerlix, to name a few.
Our Recommendation for the Best Knee Brace for Basketball
When you’re sidelined by a knee injury (or trying to prevent one in the first place), the best knee brace for basketball can keep you on the court. There are so many knee braces for playing basketball to choose from, it’s difficult to know which ones offer the best value for your money.
We considered the features of each brace, and what customers especially liked (or didn’t like). We also wanted to ensure that they were getting the best value for their money.
In our search, we discovered that the best one is POWERLIX Knee Compression Sleeve. It offers plenty of support and comfort, while still allowing you to move freely.
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