We tested a ton of swimsuits for women to find the very best ones — here are the 11 we recommend

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Discovering the best swimsuit for your preferences can be tricky. Whether you're looking for a functional one-piece that'll stay in place while you surf or a sexy bikini for your next romantic vacation, we're here to help you in your search.

I've personally tested nearly all of the suits on this list (with help from my professional reviewer colleagues), and there's been a range of special features I never would've imagined. I've tried suits with waist-snatching corset straps, ultra-stretchy "one-size-fits-all" crinkle fabric, and confidence-boosting underwire support. It's incredible how much the right suit can help you achieve the best beach Instagram photos you'll ever take. 

We've rounded up suits for every preference — from the best high-waisted bikinis to the best one-piece swimsuits, with features that range from cut-outs to compression.

Best one-piece overall: TA3 Plungey

TA3 is one of the best swimsuit brands we've ever tested. The brand is famous for its signature corseted back, which allows you to cinch your waist to create a jaw-dropping hourglass effect. But one of our favorite features is how you can tighten or loosen the back depending if you're prioritizing comfort or posing for cute beach pics. 

Plus, TA3 is one of the most size-inclusive bathing suit brands we've found. You can get the Plungey in sizes XXS-4XL, and it's available in short, regular, or long torso lengths. Personally, I got a medium in the short torso since I'm five-foot-two — and it fit me perfectly. I wore it all around Positano (boating, swimming, and lunching at beach clubs) before declaring it the best suit ever. Executive Editor and veteran product reviewer Sally Kaplan also agrees:

"I opted for the regular plunge version of the suit in sapphire blue (there's also a high-cut version here). I have a DDD cup size so I specifically wanted to see if the low-cut suit could handle larger cup sizes. I was honestly amazed by how secure I felt while swimming and snorkeling during my vacation to Mexico! The suit kept everything in place and I felt really confident doing lots of activities in it" —Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews.

See our full review of TA3 here to see how it looks on different body types. 

Best bikini overall: Andie Maui Top and Bikini Bottom

Andie is a great place to pick the best bikinis for practicality and quality. They're famous for their simple cuts, and thoughtfully-designed pieces. The Maui Top and Bikini Bottom are excellent options for people all about beach volleyball, kayaking, and hopping on a board.

"For years I've either purchased heavy-duty underwire tops or cheap bikinis from sketchy sites where the fabric never felt super comfortable. This one felt like a second skin. With swimsuits known for support and coverage, I either look like a grandma or a wannabe aquatic athlete, but this one actually made me feel good. Dare I say, even a bit sexy? 

"This Andie swimsuit fits into my life really well. It's perfect for doing sporting activities while looking cute and boosting confidence. On long kayaking trips, I usually wear a sports bra that either constricts my chest into oblivion. This set was so comfortable I forgot I had it on and it dried super quickly" — Abby Narishkin, senior producer, Business Insider.

Andie's bathing suits are available in sizes XS-3XL. Read our full review of Andie swimwear here to find out which picks we tested and loved. 

Best for large busts: TA3 Lifty

The TA3 Plungey got our best pick overall, but the Lifty is another one of our absolute favorites from the brand.

"I love all of my TA3 swimsuits, but the Lifty suit is my favorite because the underwire is so supportive and prevents the dreaded uniboob that some one-piece bathing suits can cause. The way the sizing works is nothing short of a miracle. You get to choose your bodice length (short or regular/long), your usual swimsuit size (from XS-4X), and your cup size (from A-J/K,) to get the absolute perfect fit, plus there are a bunch of color options. I've truly never had a one-piece fit me better!

"The thick shoulder straps are comfy and adjustable, and the cups cradle me perfectly with no digging. It even looks super cute as a bodysuit, so you could theoretically wear it with jeans or flowy linen pants and no one would be the wiser. But I know you're all here to find out whether it actually does what it promises to do, which is give you a snatched waist. The short answer is: yes!" —Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews.

This suit was our top pick for the best swimsuits for large busts.

Most comfortable: YouSwim Aplomb Suit

If you want to spend your time lounging, snacking on poolside treats, and taking a quick nap on a chaise lounge, then this is the set for you. Youswim's suits only come in two sizes — meant to fit sizes 2-14 and then 14-24. These ultra-stretchy suits are the most comfortable we've tried and can fit small busts or fuller band sizes.

"Youswim's suits are lightweight, unlined, and seamless. The fabric is made from a flexible Oeko-Tex-certified nylon yarn and elastane blend that has a plush, puckered texture. Its fabric is notably stretchy — so much so that when I pull the bottoms halfway across my wingspan, it still snaps back to its original shape. The only drawback is that the material is slow-drying.

"I tried both the Poise and Aplomb and in the end, the Aplomb was my favorite because its scoop neck feels more secure than the Poise's stringy straps." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews.

See our full review of YouSwim to hear about our other favorite styles from the brand.

Best reversible bikini: KYA Swim Coco Top & Camilia Bottom

This bikini is incredibly versatile. First of all, it's reversible — so you can turn the top and bottom inside out. For example, the Martini/Peach color is a neutral light brown on one side and baby pink on the other. Some options have the two-toned look (seen above) on both sides, while others can be turned into a solid color suit.

Plus, you can change the neckline. You can wear the straps crossed or uncrossed in the front, which really changes the suit's aesthetics. Here's what our writer Rebecca Stong had to say about the suit when she named it the best bikini overall.

"I first bought this bikini in 2019 — and it's still in great shape, despite countless wears and washes. But that's not the only reason it's my top favorite. It's also reversible, and since you can mix and match which side you wear the top and bottom on, it's basically four different bikinis in one. This is super helpful when I'm trying to pack light for a vacation.

"Did I mention how flattering this swimsuit is? The Coco Bikini Top offers plenty of coverage for my DD-cup bust, while the cross-front straps lend some subtle lift. The high-waisted bottom, meanwhile, boasts a thick waistband for some added shaping and support, and the back side is cut just cheeky enough without making me feel self-conscious."

Best for long torsos: Andie Mykonos LT

Style writer Talia Ergas always searches for long-torso swimsuits since they're great for taller folks and won't ride up. Her favorite is the Andie Mykonos Long-Torso suit.

"With a deeply plunging neckline, thick straps, and good bum coverage, this suit has a silhouette that's highly becoming on a variety of body types. The Mykonos suit is my go-to because it's super cute, but it also offers decent coverage to keep me secure during the day's activities. The eco-nylon one-piece comes in nine solid colors, with both smooth and ribbed variations, and it's available in sizes XS-XXL. I love that when you top it with a sheer beach skirt or a pair of denim cutoffs, it looks just like a cute top that's perfect for a beach bar.

"See our full Andie swim review to find out more about why we love the brand and see how the suits look on real people. You can also check out more of the brand's long-torso suits." — Talia Ergas, freelance style writer.

For more of Talia's favorite long-torso suits, see our article on the best long-torso swimsuits.

Best modest: Hermoza Becca Top and Lauren Bottom

Hermoza is the perfect brand for swimsuits that are relatively modest, yet still stylish. They have vintage-inspired picks like belted one-pieces, high-waisted bottoms, and halters with waist ties. Personally, I love wearing this brand for family-centric events in the summer where I don't want to be showing too much skin, even if I'm in a bikini. But the pieces are so cute that I wear them to beach days with friends.

As a person with a larger bust size and smaller band size, I really appreciated how the suit fit me.  Their suits come in sizes 2-14 with a lining is both taut and comfortable, so it holds you in but you still feel comfortable sitting and lounging. Plus, they have a whole section for DD+ cup sizes.

Best plus-size: Nomads Swim Isle One-Piece

We're huge fans of Nomads, a swimwear brand that makes fun swimsuits in both straight and extended sizes. The Isle One-Piece is reversible, so it's like you're getting two suits in one. Plus, you can cross and uncross the neckline for two very different looks.

Our style writer, Sarah Chiwaya, pictured above on the left, is a huge fan of both brands. Here's what she had to say about it in her guide to the best plus-size swimsuits, where she named this suit the best overall.

"When I put this suit on, I was blown away by how perfectly it fit (true to size!), giving shape and a shocking amount of support for a wire-free halter. Paired with the matching full-length pareo, gold-accented sunglasses, and gold hoops, I felt utterly chic and ready for a trip to the Italian coast, which is the vibe this Expressivo collection evokes for me.

"I also really appreciate that the material is more breathable than typical swim fabric, so this style can be worn as a bodysuit as well. I am even more of a fan of Nomads after trying this suit, and I am in excellent company: None other than the Serena Williams recently posted a vacation snap wearing a full look from the Nomads Pothos collection!"

Best one-shoulder: Summersalt Sidestroke

If you've seen everyone on your Instagram feed wearing a one-shoulder, color-blocked one-piece, there's a good chance that it's the iconic Sidestroke swimsuit from Summersalt.

"A simple detail like a one-strap design can transform a solid black swimsuit from forgettable to memorable. Or, if you want even more pizzazz, this recycled polyamide-and-elastane-swimsuit (in sizes 2-24) comes in nine color-blocked and patterned versions to suit every style. It offers full boob support without cups or padding, and it has soft compression in the form of diagonal seaming, which holds everything in place.

"Better yet: The Sidestroke from Summersalt is crafted from post-consumer materials and nylon waste—like old fishing nets—that's pulled from the ocean." — Talia Ergas, freelance style writer.

See more of our favorite suits from the brand in our full Summersalt swimsuit review.

Best high-cut: Rumored Baywatch One-Piece 

This one-piece is called the Baywatch One-Piece since the silhouette is reminiscent of the iconic piece. The legs are high-cut, the back is low, and there is absolutely room for some tasteful sideboob if you have a larger chest. It definitely shows some skin despite it being a one-piece, so keep that in mind.

Instead of opting for red like the classic Baywatch suit, I got it in black with white piping. This classic combo makes me feel like Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap — and truthfully, I did order a big hat to complete the look. 

When it comes to fit, I liked the comfortably compressive lining on this suit. But it isn't super supportive and doesn't have any chest support since the back is so low.

Best wrap: Summersalt Perfect Wrap One-Piece

"Summersalt had exactly what I was looking for: cute, size-inclusive, full-coverage swimsuits that don't look like they belong in my grandma's closet. You can tell Summersalt really cares about high-quality fabric construction. The first thing I do with a new suit is toss out the padded breast cups, but Summersalt actually sews theirs into place so there's no worrying about them sliding around or folding.

"I loved wearing it to the beach because I didn't need an extra top for exploring the boardwalk or going into a restaurant. I wore it with a skirt and it looked like a regular top. It wins in the tummy support department, too. The wrap detail adds fun while accentuating my waist to create an hourglass shape.

"I readjusted my top throughout the day because the fabric flattened my chest rather than lift and support. When you have a large chest, like I do, the constant flattening can make your underboob sweat almost unbearable. As a plus-sized woman with a large chest, I take "Boob Support" very seriously and Summersalt doesn't quite check that box." —  MoMo Lamping, culture & employee experience manager

Best one-piece overall: TA3 Plungey

TA3 is one of the best swimsuit brands we've ever tested. The brand is famous for its signature corseted back, which allows you to cinch your waist to create a jaw-dropping hourglass effect. But one of our favorite features is how you can tighten or loosen the back depending if you're prioritizing comfort or posing for cute beach pics. 

Plus, TA3 is one of the most size-inclusive bathing suit brands we've found. You can get the Plungey in sizes XXS-4XL, and it's available in short, regular, or long torso lengths. Personally, I got a medium in the short torso since I'm five-foot-two — and it fit me perfectly. I wore it all around Positano (boating, swimming, and lunching at beach clubs) before declaring it the best suit ever. Executive Editor and veteran product reviewer Sally Kaplan also agrees:

"I opted for the regular plunge version of the suit in sapphire blue (there's also a high-cut version here). I have a DDD cup size so I specifically wanted to see if the low-cut suit could handle larger cup sizes. I was honestly amazed by how secure I felt while swimming and snorkeling during my vacation to Mexico! The suit kept everything in place and I felt really confident doing lots of activities in it" —Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews.

See our full review of TA3 here to see how it looks on different body types.