We test regular and super pads. Pads that are labelled as super, overnights or maternity have all been tested as super pads. Only products within each type are directly comparable to one another.

How the manufacturer describes the product on the packaging.

Wings are the extra material on the sides of the pad that fold over the sides of your underwear.

We recommend sanitary pads with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 80%, at least 60% for wet feeling and velcro strength and no leakages observed in our test.

This overall score is made up of 60% absorbency, 20% wet feeling, and 20% velcro strength. Note: Only products within each type are directly comparable to one another, so use our filter tool to sort by type.

Each product is tested for its absorbency speed. A specific amount of saline solution is dosed into the centre of the sanitary pad using the dosage pump. The amount of time it takes for the liquid to disappear is recorded and the process is repeated once more after waiting for three minutes. The total time for both gushes to absorb is taken as the absorption speed.

We test the wet feeling (or rewet) five minutes after the last gush from the absorbency test. We place six pre-weighed dry filter papers on the sanitary pad and hold them down for 30 seconds. The filter paper is then removed and immediately weighed. Ideally, the filter paper should remain relatively dry.

We measure the force required to pull the pad from a cotton surface.

Velcro strength is rated as very weak, weak, moderate, strong or very strong depending on the force required to pull the pad from the cotton surface.

We look for any leakages during testing and note if a leak was observed. This isn't scored.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

Does the product claim to be PEFC, FSC or Sustainable Forest Initiative certified?

Does the product claim to be biodegradable?

Price paid for the pack size we tested.

The cost per pad is the price we paid divided by the pack size tested.

Does the product claim to have odour control?

Does the product claim to be suitable for sensitive skin?

Does the product claim to be unscented?