The 8 Best Menstrual Cups & Reusable Discs—Period.
Zero-Waste Period Products
Over the span of a lifetime, people with periods will throw away hundreds of pounds of menstrual products. Today, though, there are sustainable tampon and pad alternatives, particularly period cups and menstrual discs, that we can use (and reuse) instead.
Unsure of the difference between cups and discs? A menstrual cup sits in the vaginal canal below the cervix, while most discs fit into the fornix (where the canal and cervix meet). While the menstrual disc can be single-use (though we’ve found a reusable option!), it typically holds more fluids, thereby reducing the need for other products by 60 percent. Both come with an array of sizes and shapes, but all are easy to insert, remove, and clean—a true win-win.
Want to learn more about what it’s like to use these products? Check out our editor’s experience with using a menstrual cup for the first time! If you’re not ready to start with menstrual cups, head over to our roundup of the best period underwear or our organic tampons guide.
1. Nixit
Standout Feature | 100% medical-grade BPA-free silicone
Shipping Options | Worldwide & in stores
Price | $42
Started by Rachael Newton after witnessing sheer amounts of waste in the Caribbean, Nixit was made with both people and Mother Nature in mind. FDA-registered with 100 percent medical-grade, BPA-free silicone, this menstrual cup rests on the bottom of one’s cervix and lasts up to 12 hours. It’s a sustainable, mess-free option that lasts—so you can nix the worry and the stress.
What Customers Are Saying | “Nixit has revolutionized my periods! It never leaks and it doesn't increase my cramps the way all other products have done.”
Shop Nixit
2. Diva Cup
Standout Feature | Sizes available for teens
Shipping Options | Worldwide and in stores
Price | $39.99
For almost two decades, Diva Cup has made periods easier with its effective and easy-to-use cup. We love this company for its inclusive sizes for teens through those who’ve given vaginal birth. As a certified B Corp that prioritizes people, profit, and the planet, this brand boasts the perfect tampon and pad alternative. (And it’s one of the only brands with a plant-based cleanser to wash your cup.)
What Customers Are Saying | “Such a cost-efficient solution to a problem we can't avoid, and the best part is I can't even feel it.”
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3. The Honey Pot
Standout Feature | Two cup sizes
Shipping Options | Worldwide and in stores
Price | $21.99–$22.99
Bea Dixon, founder of The Honey Pot, wanted to create eco-friendly alternatives for those who couldn’t use traditional tampons or pads. This menstrual cup is available in two sizes; the larger cup (Size 2) can hold up to 30mL of menstrual fluids lasting up to 12 hours. The Honey Pot also gives back by partnering with Happy Period, providing menstrual kits to those in need.
What Customers Are Saying | “I needed a new menstrual cup… and I was pleased to find [this] Black-owned business! Comfortable, sufficient capacity, easy to use, easy to clean.”
Shop The Honey Pot
4. Cora
Standout Feature | 10-year lifespan
Shipping Options | Worldwide & in stores
Price | $39
Cora, a fearless leader in the menstrual care space, has done it again with this beloved menstrual cup that can last for up to a decade! Engineered with an intuitive finger indent for easy placement and a tapered, textured base for easier removal, the brand has options available for every kind of size, flow, and anatomy. Plus, Cora gives back by providing menstrual needs to girls in India, Kenya, and the US. Cleverly designed, this cup makes a social and sustainable impact.
What Customers Are Saying | “It’s so easy to use because of the grip and lasts for much of the day, even during the heaviest part of my cycle.”
Shop Cora
5. Saalt
Standout Feature | Options for sensitive bladders & cervixes
Shipping Options | Worldwide & in stores
Price | $29
Saalt, a certified B Corp, offers an exclusive line of menstrual cups, including ones for sensitive bladders. They’re super-soft, flexible, and gentle and can hold up to four tampons’ worth of fluids for up 12 hours. They age well too; Saalt has tested its cups and found that, after 10+ years, they remain as soft and functional as first use. Made in the USA but available worldwide.
What Customers Are Saying | “The softer silicone is truly perfect for someone that is prone to cramps. I’m also really happy to support a company that is a certified B Corp, uses minimal packaging, and actively works towards achieving period equality.”
Shop Saalt
6. Flex
Standout Feature | Offers menstrual cups & discs
Shipping Options | USA & Europe and in stores
Price | $12.99–$34.99
Flex is committed to choice and freedom: the company offers reusable menstrual cups in two sizes (made with an adjustable pull tab for less mess!) and single-use discs that last longer than other period alternatives. Best of all, the disc starter kit offers the option to refill your supply on a recurring basis. We find it’s optimal for those living with endometriosis, PCOS, or suffering from heavier periods.
What Customers Are Saying | “My period ruled my life... I used to plan my life around it. The Flex Cup was a game changer. Now I forget that I’m on my period!”
Shop Flex
7. Lena Cup
Standout Feature | Voted #1 best beginner cup
Shipping Options | Worldwide & in stores
Price | $24.90
Intrigued by menstrual cups but unsure where to start? Lena’s Menstrual Cup was named the number one best beginner cup, known for its tampon-like insertion and flexible fit. Used by people of all ages, it sits sealed between the vaginal walls to stop leakage. This period cup is even shipped to you in sustainable packaging made from recyclable paper and vegetable-based inks.
What Customers Are Saying | “This cup is honestly the best cup I’ve used so far... I enjoy how flexible the stem is and it sits comfortably as well!”
Shop Lena Cup
8. Lumma
Standout Feature | Reusable menstrual disc
Shipping Options | Worldwide shipping
Price | $45
While most menstrual discs are for single-use, Lumma’s UNIQUE Disc (alongside their menstrual cup) is a reusable option available in three sizes, based on your flow and cervix height. Equipped with a silicone string and a completely round rim, the disc is simple to use—it can even be worn during sex. This disc also got a shoutout on Put A Cup In It, a popular publication dedicated to menstrual education.
What Customers Are Saying | “Perfect material, great price, and the only company to offer different disc sizes.”
Shop Lumma
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