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The Best Tampons on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers

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While we’ve written about lots of feminine-hygiene products before — including one writer’s favorite “probiotic tampons” and menstrual cups, as recommended by experts and one Strategist writer — here, we’ve rounded up the best tampons as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon. We’ve chosen to omit some of the bigger names in the tampon industry, focusing instead on organic options and lesser-known brands, to help you find some other options beyond the obvious.

Related Article | Best Menstrual Cups on Amazon

Best-rated (and least expensive) tampons

o.b. Original Non-Applicator Tampons
$8 for 40

Over 450 five-star reviewers recommend this multipack of applicator-free tampons, with many describing them as reliable and absorbent. This multipack come with 40 tampons — 18 regular, 12 super, and 10 super plus — that one reviewer appreciates because, “It’s nice to have a variety for the different needs of the days.” Putting convenience aside, one reviewer says, “Nothing else even comes close to the level of absorbency” of these o.b. tampons, and now, she can go a couple of hours before needing to swap her tampon on heavy-flow days. (Using other brands, she has to switch it out every 45 minutes). Some reviewers note that they were a little scared at first about having no applicator, but one reviewer — who has been using this brand for “30-plus years” — eases the mind of any first-timers: “It may take some getting used to, but they are better for the environment with less plastic waste.” Plus, one more customer thinks they’re “so much easier to use” and ultimately, “They work better than any other type of tampon. You will have no embarrassing failure moments.”

Most comfortable applicator-free tampons

$22 for 40

Though these are also o.b. tampons, like our best-rated pick, these are “Pro Comfort,” designed to be easier to insert because the tip is smaller and smoother. That also makes them slightly less absorbent than the original o.b. tampons, according to information from the brand, but reviewers seem to think they still work as well as the original. “God bless my mother who introduced me to o.b. tampons when that lovely first visit from Aunt Flo occurred, and 16 years later, I still haven’t found a tampon that compares,” writes one customer. She says that she learned how to use tampons without an applicator, so it’s second-nature to her, but it’s easy enough — and it creates a lot less waste. “Think of all the garbage this world would be spared if women would move away from feeling like they NEED applicators.” But aside from the applicator debate, she thinks these are far more absorbent than most other tampons. “I never, EVER leak,” she adds. Another long-time user thinks what makes these superior to other tampons is their “pro comfort” design, explaining, “The wrapping around the outside of the cotton makes insertion and removal very smooth and very easy, no matter the lubrication level.” She recommends these mostly for those who “have issues with dryness or a light flow” because this feature prevents any “pinching, pulling, or trying to fit something where it’s dry,” therefore causing less pain.

Best applicator-free organic cotton tampons

From $15 for 54

These organic cotton tampons are also applicator-free, and many reviewers compare them to o.b’s best-rated product. “I’ve been a loyal o.b. customer for years, but wanting to get better about what’s going into my body (literally) I found these Cora tampons and I couldn’t be happier,” says one customer, who describes them as having “good protection.” Another reviewer, who switched to these tampons after using the non-applicator tampons from o.b. for 20 years, says she wears them “for my work days and for when I am doing high-impact workouts.” Lots of other customers note that these tampons are absorbent and leak-free, including one who says they “fit perfectly. Also, how cool is it that these are biodegradable AND they donate sanitary products to women in need?!” In fact, according to the product description, Cora provides pads and health education to girls worldwide with every purchase, and many five-star reviewers appreciate this mission, including one who says that buying the product is an “all-around win” since they’re “organic and reducing landfill waste, all while helping girls and women in need.”

Best organic cotton tampons with cardboard applicator

Natracare Tampons
$16 for 32

Those who want organic cotton tampons with a cardboard applicator leaned toward these ones from Natracare. “I don’t want to use any more plastic than I have to,” says one reviewer, adding that these tampons don’t cause “irritation” on sensitive skin. Another appreciates that they have a “ biodegradable applicator and that the applicator is not cardboardlike but feels more like plastic.” Despite the perception that it’s harder to insert cardboard applicators, dozens of reviewers describe these tampons as “comfortable,” including one customer who feared cardboard applicators in the past but says these are “really easy to use!” Another even uses these on “ultrasensitive days” and says that she (thankfully) doesn’t have to worry about “gritting my teeth while cramming an applicator-free hunk of compressed cotton into an angry orifice,” because the applicators have a “soft tip for easy insertion.”

Best natural cotton tampons with plastic applicator

Though these tampons are not organic, they’re made with all-natural, 100 percent cotton and have a plastic applicator in lieu of cardboard. Some reviewers were a bit wary about Veeda’s plastic applicator, but the brand says it’s derived from plant-based materials, and most five-star reviewers don’t seem to mind. “A healthy plastic tampon applicator was a must for me. I trust the brand, so I am not so worried about it,” writes one customer who does not like cardboard applicators or applicator-free tampons. She even thinks these are better than some name-brand tampons because they have “better quality cotton” and “great absorbency.” She appreciates that Veeda “put [her] mind at ease, knowing that these tampons are pure and better for [her] body.” Another also loves the plastic applicator, but she loves “the cotton inside that’s free of pesticides and chemicals even more.” She goes on to say, “It’s nice to be able to use this product knowing my body is not absorbing a bunch of crap from commercially available brands.”

Best organic cotton tampons with plastic applicator

$30 for 36

While Veeda provides 100 percent cotton tampons, they don’t label themselves as “organic,” only natural, and some reviewers weren’t willing to settle for less-than-organic. In fact, nearly half of all five-star reviewers appreciate that these Seventh Generation tampons are certified organic by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, a private certification organization. But beyond the material, these tampons are actually nice to use, unlike other organic tampons. One experienced reviewer explains, “Most used cardboard applicators and the absorbency and function was just not good.” But these were a big improvement, thanks to the plant-based applicator. Plus, they did “NOT cost an arm and a leg.” She says she’s “officially a convert” because they work well and, as she puts it, “I feel great about knowing that I am putting a natural plant fiber in my body and nothing that could harm.” And one more customer feels like she “hit the mother lode” of tampons and writes, “Holy friggin’ happiness. I am beyond happy with this product.” Her doctor recommended she try natural or organic tampons, and now she says she’ll never go back, especially because she thinks these are better than the name-brands. She continues, “Absorption is great and there’s no dryness or pain upon removal.”

Best organic cotton tampons with compact plastic applicator

Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Tampons
$8 for 16
$8 for 16

These Organyc tampons have an applicator, but are still described by dozens of reviewers as “compact.” And many report that the smaller size makes for an easier application and comfortable fit. One customer calls these tampons “super comfy” and she appreciates that the size makes them “easy to slip in your purse and use when needed.” She does warn that the compact size makes applying the tampon a bit different: “When you open it to use, just do not pull the longer plastic part out too fast because you won’t be able to get that part of the applicator in to use the tampon. Just a heads up.” She says that’s the only thing to be aware of, “otherwise, so easy!” Another reviewer appreciates that “the applicator is biodegradable,” so they’re also environmentally-friendly as well as supposedly better for your body.

Best organic cotton tampons with slim plastic applicator

Rael Organic Cotton Unscented Tampons
$19 for 32
$19 for 32

Many reviewers say that these slim-applicator tampons from Rael are easy to insert. “I always look for tampons that are easy to insert with a good grip. These were perfect and I love that they are organic cotton with no scent,” says one customer, who adds that they “absorbed really well.” Another, who also says that this tampon’s “nice grip” makes for easy insertion, writes, “I think this tampon [was] designed with the ease of use in mind,” and they appreciate that these tampons don’t irritate their “sensitive skin.” This package comes with 16 regular and 16 supersize tampons, and reviewers even say that the larger applicators are easy to insert. “The supersize applicator is so much smaller than other brands, and my flow is a little heavy at times, so I was amazed that the super tampon expanded the way it did. No leaks!” says one pleased customer.

Best multipack of tampons with plastic applicator

Solimo Plastic Applicator Tampons
$6 for 36
$6 for 36

This pack contains eight light, 20 regular, and eight super absorbent tampons — and they all have a plastic applicator. And for what one reviewer considers an “off-brand” tampon pack, she says these Amazon brand tampons actually work very well, describing them as “just as good if not better than major tampon brands,” and she tends to have “a hard time with absorbency when it comes to tampons.” Another reviewers describes them as a less-expensive dupe for Tampax Pearl, which are branded as the most comfortable tampon from Tampax, because these apply the same, fit comfortably, and are just as absorbent. And one more customer begs everyone to “listen up” because these tampons “changed [her] life.” She wanted a multipack because, “My period is heavier the first two days and then gets lighter towards the end.” Plus, she felt like the name-brand options were a rip off, and these “are basically the exact same … I don’t have to change them any more than usual or any less.”

[Editor’s note: This variety pack is currently out of stock, but Solimo’s Super Absorbency 36-Pack is available for the same price.]

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The Best Tampons on Amazon, According to Reviewers