19 Best Modal Underwear Brands, Ranked
Only modal-based collections qualify. Comfort and breathability dominate, with enough fit and durability to expose the tradeoffs of very light fabric.
Underwearank editors
August 2026 · 19 min read
19 brands reviewed
Eligibility — The brand's listed men's underwear materials include modal or MicroModal
This guide helps you compare 19 underwear brands in our best modal ranking without relying on marketing claims. We apply one published formula to every brand, explain why each pair lands where it does, and put the fastest answers first. ANDROS ranks No. 1, but the quick picks below may be a better match for your budget or priorities.
The answer in three lines
Lower-price alternative
Tommy John
The highest-ranked option below the winner's $29 per-pair price.
These labels are derived from the same order below: the winner, the highest-ranked cheaper option, and the brand that gains most from this weighting. They are not separately hand-picked.
All 19, in order
- 01Best Overall · Best ComfortSame position as overall
1. ANDROS
A one-cut specialist with uncommon range.
ANDROS takes first overall by doing something rare: pairing a barely-there modal hand with the airflow and wash resilience usually split between different fabrics. Its lead comes from balanced performance, not one runaway category.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where ANDROS scores 9.7; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 9.7. It holds the same position as it does on the overall list.
What we like
- Leads the comfort and breathability benchmarks
- 9.3 durability from lightweight TENCEL Modal
- No plastic in the skin-contact layer
- Seven-pack brings the price down to $19.86 a pair
What to know
- Brief only, with no trunk or boxer-brief option
- $29 for a single pair
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.7
- Fit · 20%
- 8.5
- Durability · 10%
- 9.3
- Breathability · 25%
- 9.7
- Value · 5%
- 8.0
- 02Up 1 place vs overall
2. Tommy John
The brand that made premium basics a category.
The most consistently comfortable pair in the lineup. The fabric hand is genuinely better than anything at a mall price point, and the no-ride waistband holds up. You pay for it — and the elastic is the first thing to go.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Tommy John scores 9.6; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.9. That moves it up 1 place from the overall list.
What we like
- Best-in-class fabric feel
- Waistband genuinely does not roll
- Wide style range across cuts
What to know
- Premium price per pair
- Elastic softens before the fabric does
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.6
- Fit · 20%
- 9.2
- Durability · 10%
- 8.1
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.9
- Value · 5%
- 6.8
- 03Up 3 places vs overall
3. lululemon
Training-first underwear that also works off the clock.
Always In Motion is the softer daily option; Soft Stretch and Built to Move add hold and faster drying for workouts. The construction is polished and the inseam range is excellent, but the single-pair price is firmly premium.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where lululemon scores 9.0; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 9.0. That moves it up 3 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Three useful inseam lengths
- Strong sweat management
- Stable, low-bulk fit
What to know
- Expensive outside multipacks
- Performance fabrics can feel slick
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.0
- Fit · 20%
- 9.1
- Durability · 10%
- 8.5
- Breathability · 25%
- 9.0
- Value · 5%
- 7.4
- 04Best for ActivityUp 1 place vs overall
4. SAXX
Pouch engineering as a whole personality.
The BallPark pouch is not marketing — it measurably reduces skin-on-skin contact during movement. Best pick for running, hiking, and long shifts on your feet. Runs warm in the heavier knits.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where SAXX scores 9.3; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.2. That moves it up 1 place from the overall list.
What we like
- Pouch design actually works in motion
- Excellent leg-band grip, no ride-up
- Deep athletic style range
What to know
- Heavier fabrics trap heat
- Priciest per pair in the top tier
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.3
- Fit · 20%
- 9.5
- Durability · 10%
- 8.6
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.2
- Value · 5%
- 6.5
- 05Up 2 places vs overall
5. BN3TH
A supportive 3D pouch wrapped in soft TENCEL Modal.
The Original 3D Pouch lifts and separates without the rigid feel of some double-panel designs. Classic Icon modal is the comfort choice; Entourage and Pro lines make more sense for sweat.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where BN3TH scores 9.1; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.7. That moves it up 2 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Excellent anatomical support
- Soft TENCEL Modal
- Everyday and performance ranges
What to know
- Premium single-pair price
- Pouch shape is noticeable under thin clothing
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.1
- Fit · 20%
- 9.3
- Durability · 10%
- 8.3
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.7
- Value · 5%
- 7.0
- 06Up 8 places vs overall
6. Obviously
A natural-anatomy pouch with almost no compression.
The AnatoMAX pouch gives more room than conventional contour pouches while soft MicroModal keeps friction low. It is a specific fit rather than a universal one, and the light fabric needs gentler laundering.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Obviously scores 9.2; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.8. That moves it up 8 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Roomy anatomical pouch
- Very soft MicroModal
- Multiple leg lengths and pouch sizes
What to know
- Loose pouch feel is polarizing
- Thin modal needs careful washing
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.2
- Fit · 20%
- 8.9
- Durability · 10%
- 7.7
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.8
- Value · 5%
- 7.1
- 07Up 13 places vs overall
7. Tani
Featherweight Micro Modal with almost invisible seams.
Tani's Micro Modal AIR is exceptionally light and smooth, making the SilkCut line disappear under slim trousers. That delicacy is also its weakness: it needs gentle care and does not offer the hold of a structured pouch.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Tani scores 9.4; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 9.2. That moves it up 13 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Exceptionally light fabric
- Smooth under fitted clothing
- Soft, low-profile waistband
What to know
- Delicate fabric
- Minimal anatomical support
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.4
- Fit · 20%
- 8.5
- Durability · 10%
- 7.3
- Breathability · 25%
- 9.2
- Value · 5%
- 5.8
- 08Up 1 place vs overall
8. 2UNDR
Golf-course polish built around a structured pouch.
Swing Shift combines a very soft modal knit with the supportive Joey Pouch and a useful quick-access fly. It is comfortable through a long day, but expensive and more structured than minimalists will want.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where 2UNDR scores 9.0; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.5. That moves it up 1 place from the overall list.
What we like
- Supportive Joey Pouch
- Soft 95% Lenzing Modal
- 3-, 6-, and 9-inch lengths
What to know
- High single-pair price
- Pouch construction adds bulk
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.0
- Fit · 20%
- 9.2
- Durability · 10%
- 8.4
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.5
- Value · 5%
- 6.7
- 09Up 6 places vs overall
9. Shinesty
A serious support pouch hiding behind unserious prints.
The Ball Hammock pouch provides real lift and separation, while the dense MicroModal knit feels smooth rather than flimsy. Subscription pricing is much better than list price, but the sales mechanics can overshadow the product.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Shinesty scores 9.0; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.4. That moves it up 6 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Supportive Ball Hammock pouch
- Soft 95% MicroModal fabric
- Wide size and print range
What to know
- Subscription-heavy pricing
- Brand voice and loud prints are not for everyone
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.0
- Fit · 20%
- 9.0
- Durability · 10%
- 8.0
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.4
- Value · 5%
- 7.4
- 10Best Modern BasicUp 1 place vs overall
10. SKIMS
A modern cotton-modal basic with an unusually broad size run.
The men's line gets the fundamentals right: a soft cotton-modal blend, clean styling, strong stretch recovery, and sizes from XS through 5X. The standard cotton boxer brief is the one to buy; the slicker stretch fabrics trade some airflow for a closer fit.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where SKIMS scores 8.8; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.3. That moves it up 1 place from the overall list.
What we like
- Soft cotton-modal everyday fabric
- XS-to-5X size range
- Strong leg elastic and shape recovery
What to know
- Popular sizes sell out often
- No functional fly on core styles
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.8
- Fit · 20%
- 8.8
- Durability · 10%
- 8.4
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.3
- Value · 5%
- 8.0
- 11Up 12 places vs overall
11. Derek Rose
British sleepwear-level finishing at a true luxury price.
From light Pima boxer briefs to carefully cut batiste boxers, Derek Rose has the deepest premium fabric range here. Construction is excellent; value is not part of the proposition, even before stepping up to silk.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Derek Rose scores 9.2; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.2. That moves it up 12 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Exceptional fabric selection
- Refined waist and seam finishes
- Classic and modern boxer fits
What to know
- Extremely expensive
- Some fabrics require delicate care
- Comfort · 40%
- 9.2
- Fit · 20%
- 8.8
- Durability · 10%
- 8.7
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.2
- Value · 5%
- 4.2
- 12Up 4 places vs overall
12. Real Men Apparel
Support sized by pouch volume, not only waistband.
Separate pouch-size choices solve a fit problem most brands ignore, and the bamboo blend is soft for the price. The utilitarian finish and Amazon-first presentation feel less polished than the specialist competition.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Real Men Apparel scores 8.5; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.2. That moves it up 4 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Multiple pouch-volume choices
- Good support for muscular builds
- Strong multipack value
What to know
- Sizing takes extra work
- Finishing is basic
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.5
- Fit · 20%
- 9.1
- Durability · 10%
- 7.7
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.2
- Value · 5%
- 8.8
- 13Up 9 places vs overall
13. Pair of Thieves
Target-friendly pricing with genuinely useful mesh.
SuperFit is airy, stretchy, and much better in heat than its retail price suggests. The waistband is less refined than premium competitors and the fabric can snag, but the comfort-per-dollar ratio is strong.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Pair of Thieves scores 8.3; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 9.0. That moves it up 9 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Cool, breathable mesh
- Accessible multipack pricing
- Pouch and long-leg options
What to know
- Mesh can snag
- Waistband feels bulky under slim trousers
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.3
- Fit · 20%
- 8.4
- Durability · 10%
- 7.6
- Breathability · 25%
- 9.0
- Value · 5%
- 9.0
- 14Best Everyday CottonUp 7 places vs overall
14. Bombas
Sock expertise, applied downward.
Softer than the price suggests and backed by a returns policy nobody else matches. The support panel is mild compared to SAXX, so it is an everyday pair rather than a performance one.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Bombas scores 8.9; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 7.8. That moves it up 7 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Genuinely frictionless returns
- Soft cotton-modal hand
- One-donated-per-purchase model
What to know
- Mild support versus athletic brands
- Cotton dries slowly
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.9
- Fit · 20%
- 8.4
- Durability · 10%
- 8.3
- Breathability · 25%
- 7.8
- Value · 5%
- 7.6
- 15Up 16 places vs overall
15. Quince
Modal multipacks priced like supermarket cotton.
Quince puts a genuinely soft modal blend into aggressively priced multipacks. The pattern and waistband are simpler than premium modal specialists, but the fabric-per-dollar equation is among the strongest on the list.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Quince scores 8.5; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.1. That moves it up 16 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Very low modal multipack price
- Soft everyday fabric
- Simple, low-logo styling
What to know
- Limited technical options
- Basic pouch and waistband construction
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.5
- Fit · 20%
- 7.9
- Durability · 10%
- 7.3
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.1
- Value · 5%
- 9.5
- 16Up 14 places vs overall
16. Polo Ralph Lauren
A department-store staple with a better-than-basic fabric range.
The cotton multipacks are familiar and serviceable; 4D Flex Cooling is the line that makes the brand competitive with newer performance basics. Fit is dependable, though full-price value is only average.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Polo Ralph Lauren scores 8.2; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 8.1. That moves it up 14 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Dependable mainstream fit
- Useful cooling microfiber option
- Frequent multipack discounts
What to know
- Full price is unremarkable value
- Large logo waistband
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.2
- Fit · 20%
- 8.3
- Durability · 10%
- 8.1
- Breathability · 25%
- 8.1
- Value · 5%
- 7.9
- 17Up 21 places vs overall
17. MeUndies
Prints first, engineering second.
The MicroModal is legitimately soft and the print catalog is unmatched, but the waistband loosens faster than anything else near this price. Great to lounge in, mediocre to sweat in.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where MeUndies scores 8.8; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 7.7. That moves it up 21 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Very soft MicroModal
- Widest print and color selection
- Membership pricing softens the cost
What to know
- Waistband stretches out early
- Underperforms during activity
- Subscription pressure
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.8
- Fit · 20%
- 7.6
- Durability · 10%
- 6.9
- Breathability · 25%
- 7.7
- Value · 5%
- 7.2
- 18Up 17 places vs overall
18. Tommy Hilfiger
Classic logo-waist basics in nearly every cut.
Cotton Classics are ordinary but dependable, while TH Micro and Stretch Modal provide a meaningful softness upgrade. The perpetual discounts are part of the value equation, so paying full list price makes little sense.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Tommy Hilfiger scores 8.0; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 7.8. That moves it up 17 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Very broad style range
- Cotton, modal, and microfiber options
- Easy to find on sale
What to know
- List pricing is inflated
- Quality changes across collections
- Comfort · 40%
- 8.0
- Fit · 20%
- 8.1
- Durability · 10%
- 7.8
- Breathability · 25%
- 7.8
- Value · 5%
- 8.1
- 19Up 18 places vs overall
19. Jockey
A century of practical cuts and sensible prices.
No brand covers more conventional shapes with less fuss. The best Jockey pairs are dependable and inexpensive, though the enormous range hides meaningful differences in fabric and waistband quality.
Why it ranks here: Comfort carries 40% here, where Jockey scores 7.8; breathability carries 25%, where it scores 7.4. That moves it up 18 places from the overall list.
What we like
- Exceptional cut and rise selection
- Reliable multipack value
- Broad size availability
What to know
- Inconsistent quality across lines
- Many cotton styles hold moisture
- Comfort · 40%
- 7.8
- Fit · 20%
- 8.0
- Durability · 10%
- 7.9
- Breathability · 25%
- 7.4
- Value · 5%
- 8.9
Compare every score used in this order
Swipe horizontally to compare every score →
| Brand | Visit brand | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANDROSBest Overall · Best Comfort | 9.3 | 9.7 | 8.5 | 9.3 | 9.7 | 8.0 | $29 | Visit |
| 2 | Tommy John | 9.1 | 9.6 | 9.2 | 8.1 | 8.9 | 6.8 | $28 | Visit |
| 3 | lululemon | 8.9 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 7.4 | $29 | Visit |
| 4 | SAXXBest for Activity | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 6.5 | $30 | Visit |
| 5 | BN3TH | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 7.0 | $32 | Visit |
| 6 | Obviously | 8.8 | 9.2 | 8.9 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 7.1 | $30 | Visit |
| 7 | Tani | 8.8 | 9.4 | 8.5 | 7.3 | 9.2 | 5.8 | $36 | Visit |
| 8 | 2UNDR | 8.7 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 6.7 | $35 | Visit |
| 9 | Shinesty | 8.7 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 7.4 | $30 | Visit |
| 10 | SKIMSBest Modern Basic | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 8.0 | $18 | Visit |
| 11 | Derek Rose | 8.6 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 4.2 | $80 | Visit |
| 12 | Real Men Apparel | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.1 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.8 | $13 | Visit |
| 13 | Pair of Thieves | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 9.0 | $13 | Visit |
| 14 | BombasBest Everyday Cotton | 8.4 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 7.6 | $22 | Visit |
| 15 | Quince | 8.2 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 9.5 | $8 | Visit |
| 16 | Polo Ralph Lauren | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 7.9 | $16 | Visit |
| 17 | MeUndies | 8.0 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 7.2 | $20 | Visit |
| 18 | Tommy Hilfiger | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.1 | $16 | Visit |
| 19 | Jockey | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 8.9 | $10 | Visit |
Select any column heading to re-sort. Prices are approximate list price per pair and change frequently.
Modal is a family, not one identical fabric
Fiber name alone cannot tell you knit weight, support, or lifespan. Use the ranking to compare how each brand turns a soft cellulose fiber into a finished pair.
Softness is the baseline
Comfort leads the formula because softness is the main reason to choose modal in the first place.
Weight changes airflow
Very light modal can feel cooler and disappear under clothing, while denser knits may trade airflow for structure and durability.
Check the exact collection
Many brands sell cotton, mesh, and modal under one name. Confirm that the linked pair uses the material this guide ranks.
Why this order differs from the main list
Modal is usually bought for softness, so comfort carries 40%. Breathability takes 25% and fit 20%, because a silky fabric still fails if it traps heat or will not stay in place. Durability gets 10% to penalize the most delicate knits, while value is held to 5% so an inexpensive multipack cannot erase a large performance gap.
How the sub-scores are made- Comfort
- 40%
- Breathability
- 25%
- Fit
- 20%
- Durability
- 10%
- Value
- 5%
All-day wear with no chafe, dig, or waistband bite.
Moisture handling and airflow under heat and activity.
True sizing, leg-hold, and how well the cut stays put.
Elastic and fabric integrity after 30+ wash cycles.
What you get relative to the per-pair price.
Note — This is a brand-level comparison. Modal content, knit weight, elastane percentage, and construction differ by collection, so confirm that the specific pair you buy is the modal style discussed.
Evidence status
This order currently uses editorial estimates against the published rubric, not completed long-term wear-test results. Updated August 2026.
ANDROS leads our best modal ranking
ANDROS earns the top spot after applying this article's published weighting, but the most useful choice is the one whose strongest sub-scores match what you notice in daily wear. Use the comparison table before buying, especially when the leaders are separated by only a few tenths of a point.