Everyone loves a bit of action, don’t they? It’s just that sometimes the action gets a bit too intense, and the odd bump and scrape is to be expected.
Whether you’re a keen athlete or just a bit accident prone (it happens to the best of us!), damaging your rotator cuff can be one of the most uncomfortable injuries possible.
You don’t realise it until it happens but when you can’t move your arm because of a shoulder injury, everyday tasks can become a lot more frustrating.
In fact, without the proper equipment, a lot of people end up making their injury worse by moving their arm too much!
Thankfully, the internet is full of brilliant bits of kit to help speed up the road to recovery.
Wearing a shoulder brace limits the range of motion in your shoulder and applies pressure to the injured muscles. This can drastically reduce the risk of making the injury worse and can even help you recover more quickly!
With so much variety available online, it can be easy to buy a brace that doesn’t fit or gets uncomfortable after a couple of hours.
To help you out, we’ve taken a look at some of the best shoulder braces for rotator cuff injuries.
Here are our top 10 picks:
DonJoy Sully Shoulder Support
This DonJoy Sully shoulder brace certainly sets itself apart from the competition with its unique design and reliability.
The majority of shoulder braces on the market consist of a large, padded area around the shoulder and a thinner strap that goes across your chest. This means that if the strap doesn’t sit quite right, it can be very uncomfortable.
DonJoy Sully eliminates this issue by extending the padded area across the whole chest. Whilst this can restrict your range of movement when wearing the brace, you can’t beat the high level of support and compression it provides.
Another feature of this brace that you’ll always want to have is the breathable, skin-friendly, neoprene fabric. This fabric is essential, as it makes wearing the brace for long periods much more comfortable.
One of the only downsides to this brace are that some users found it difficult to follow the instructions for putting it on. This is likely because its unique design is so much different to other braces that it may take some figuring out at first.
Also, weighing around 590g, this brace isn’t the lightest. This means you might notice it wearing your arm out after a long period of time.
Pros:
- Wide range of sizes – With five sizes to choose from, everyone should be able to find one that fits them
- Versatile design – Designed to be worn on either shoulder, so can be reused easily
- Neoprene fabric – No need to worry about skin irritation or sweating!
Cons:
- Unclear instructions – Can be difficult to figure out at first
- Weighs around 590g – We recommend a brace that weighs less than 500g
NatraCure Hot or Cold Compression Shoulder Support
With this shoulder brace, we move into some more high-tech recovery techniques.
NatraCare’s hot or cold compression shoulder support comes with a gel pack that can be worn inside the brace to provide hot or cold therapy.
Applying heat or cold to an injury can help to reduce pain. With the easily microwaveable and freezable gel pack, this brace offers both!
As well as this, the brace comes with a special air pump system to provide even better compression therapy.
With a rotator cuff injury, you’ll want to apply pressure to help speed up the recovery process and reduce pain. This brace allows you to adjust the level of compression to whatever is most comfortable for you.
However, with all these gadgets, there are a couple of drawbacks. Mainly, with all the equipment attached, this brace can weigh around 1kg! That’s definitely something you’ll notice after wearing it for a while.
Also, some customers found it difficult to follow the instructions provided, meaning this brace (like the last one) might also take some getting used to at first.
Pros:
- Versatile design- Can be worn on either shoulder
- Hot and cold gel pack- Provides some high-tech pain relief
- Air pump- Provides compression therapy
Cons:
- Unclear instructions- Not as easy to wear as other braces
- Weighs around 1kg- Could be a bit of a workout!
EVS Sports SB04 Shoulder Brace
The EVS Sports SB04 offers a sleek and sophisticated-looking design that’s sure to draw some curious looks from other gym-goers. The ‘X-strap’ not only looks cool, but it also provides an additional level of stability.
Another addition to this brace is the heavy-duty molded EVA shoulder cup that you can attach to the exterior. This feature basically gives you more compression and support, which reduces muscle pain.
However, whilst the brace is easy enough to put on, adjusting it can be very difficult with just one hand. You’ll probably need help from someone else to adjust the straps while you’re wearing it.
The biggest drawback of this brace is definitely its weight, clocking in at around 4.5kg with all the attachments! This makes it one of the heaviest braces on the market, but thankfully the X-strap and shoulder cup can be removed to reduce weight.
Pros:
- Full range of sizes- You should be able to find a size that fits you
- Heavy duty molded EVA shoulder cup- Provides greater compression and support to reduce pain
- Versatile design- Can be worn on either shoulder
- Sleek and sophisticated design- Doesn’t inhibit shoulder mobility
Cons:
- Difficult to adjust- Requires additional help to adjust while wearing
- Weighs around 4.5kg- Not ideal for those who don’t have great upper body strength
- Nylon material- Not as breathable or skin-friendly as neoprene
Unishare Shoulder Brace with Pressure Pad
A lot of manufacturers struggle to combine all the best features and gadgets of a shoulder brace neatly into one. However, the Unishare shoulder brace manages to do a pretty good job of it.
This brace comes with a gel pack that can be microwaved or frozen and then tucked neatly onto the exterior of the brace. This means you won’t have a freezing cold or boiling hot gel pack directly touching your skin.
The design of the adjustable pressure pad provides great compression therapy to help ease muscular pain by providing more support.
Not to mention, this brace is made of a breathable, neoprene fabric- ideal for any shoulder brace.
Unfortunately, this brace does fall victim to the ‘one size fits all’ pitfall. We’re not saying that it won’t fit most body types, but there is a greater chance it won’t fit as perfectly as other braces.
Pros:
- Reusable hot/cold pack- Brilliant for pain relief
- Neoprene fabric- Makes the brace more comfortable to wear for long periods
- Adjustable pressure pad- Improves effects of compression therapy
Cons:
- One size fits all- May not fit some body types
ZEE.R0 Shoulder Brace with Ice Pack
As the title suggests, the best feature of this brace is the ice pack that comes included. As we’ve established, applying a hot or cold gel pack to an injured muscle can help to reduce pain.
Don’t be fooled by the name though; this ‘ice pack’ can be placed in a microwave to give you the option of applying heat or cold to your injury.
This brace is pretty simple in its design and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Weighing around 230g, it’s one of the lightest shoulder braces on the market. This means you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to wear it for more than a couple of hours!
Other customers have also said that the neoprene material is strong and durable, as well as being breathable.
If simplicity is what you’re after, there’s a good chance this is the shoulder brace for you!
Pros:
- Ice pack- Can be made hot or cold
- Weighs around 230g- Super lightweight
- Comfortable design- You can comfortably wear this brace while you
- Neoprene material- Strong and breathable
Cons:
- One size fits all- May not fit some body types
DOACT Compression Shoulder Support Brace
With this shoulder support brace, DOACT have mastered the balance of a comfortable, breathable design with all the basic features you want to see on any brace.
It doesn’t contain any of the fancy gadgetry we’ve seen in other products. So, if you were hoping for a hot/cold gel pack or a removable shoulder pad, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
However, what this brace does have going for it is a remarkably lightweight, comfortable design. It only weighs roughly 150g, making it one of the lightest on the market. You could wear this brace all day without noticing it’s there!
Of course, it also features the supreme neoprene fabric material which makes it even more comfortable over long periods.
If you’re worried about adjusting your brace while wearing it, this features easily adjustable hook and loop straps. You shouldn’t need any help from mates getting this brace on or adjusting it.
Pros:
- Neoprene- Breathable, skin-friendly material
- Easily adjustable- You only need one hand to operate this brace
- Weighs around 150g- You’ll hardly even know it’s there
Cons:
- One size fits all- May not fit some body types
- Slippery straps- Some users complained of straps sliding up and down their body whilst exercising
Manup Sports Rotator Cuff Brace
If you’re an athlete who’s been sidelined by a rotator cuff injury, this brace might be the best one for you. Manup Sports advertise this brace as ideal for pain relief and fast recovery, so it really is designed for you to get back into training as quickly and painlessly as possible.
The compression sleeve allows you to stay active while still keeping your shoulder in place. However, whilst it does allow you to maintain a good range of movement, you won’t be able to exert yourself so much that the injury will get worse.
This brace also comes with a hot/cold gel pack that tucks away neatly on the shoulder. If you’re an athlete, you’ll understand the importance of heat or cold on muscle injuries, so this feature is a must for you.
As well as the sport-inspired design, this brace offers easily adjustable straps and a supreme neoprene material which makes it comfortable and easy to use.
The only downsides to this product are the classic ‘one size fits all’ issue and the fact that it won’t provide as much support for more serious injuries. This brace is definitely recommended for minor injuries or people already well on the road to recovery.
Pros:
- Neoprene- No need to worry about sweating or irritation
- Comfortable design- You can easily wear while sleeping
- Easily adjustable- You won’t need a friend to help you with the straps
Cons:
- One size fits all- May not fit some body types
Cleviss Brace Shoulder Brace
A lot of shoulder braces we’ve looked at so far are designed to target specific muscles in the shoulder (like the rotator cuff). However, this brace is versatile enough to cover a wide range of shoulder pain and injuries.
One of the unique features this brace boasts is a design that stimulates blood circulation. This is great for all kinds of injuries, not only by helping the body to recover quicker but also to relieve pain.
This brace is comfortable and has straps that are easy to operate with one hand. It weighs only 200g and uses a neoprene fabric which makes it nice and easy to wear without much discomfort.
Whilst this brace does offer some well-made, basic features, it lacks some of the high-tech gadgetry of other products. You won’t find any hot/cold therapy here, nor any extra pads that you can take on or off depending on your needs.
Pros:
- Good range of sizes- You’ve got a good chance of finding the right size for you
- Weighs around 200g- Light and comfortable
- Neoprene- The best fabric on the market
- Easily adjustable- You can change the lengths of straps to suit your body with ease
Cons:
- No heat or cold therapy- Not as effective for pain relief
AireSupport Shoulder Support Brace
Most of the shoulder braces you can buy on the internet boast about how their design aids recovery and pain relief. The AireSupport shoulder support brace is one of the few that can say its design has been doctor approved for orthopedic care.
Basically, this means that AireSupport have worked with medical professionals to ensure this brace is as good as it can be for relieving muscle pain.
Similar to the Cleviss brace (see above), this one can be used for a variety of muscular pains and isn’t just limited to rotator cuff injuries.
This product has a hot/cold gel pack that can be placed into a removable strap on the outside of the brace. This is perfect for a higher level of pain relief!
It’s also made with a breathable neoprene fabric and a ‘hook and loop’ strap to make it easy and comfortable to use.
Unfortunately, with all the attachments, this brace weighs about 500g (a little bit heavier than you’d want). Not to mention, some customers have claimed it doesn’t fit as well around smaller biceps.
Pros:
- Hot and cold gel pack- Great for pain relief
- Neoprene- The perfect fabric for comfort
- Easily adjustable- You can’t go wrong with straps like these!
Cons:
- Lack of versatility- Might take a bit more adjustment for those with smaller biceps
- Weighs around 500g- A bit heavier than you want for your ideal brace
Babo Care Shoulder Stability Brace
Babo Care is one of the most popular brands on the internet for muscular injury relief and with this product, it’s easy to see why.
It has all the basics you’d expect like neoprene fabric and straps that are easy to operate with one hand.
Whilst this particular product doesn’t come with a hot/cold gel pack, there is still a pouch for the exterior of the brace that’s designed to hold one.
Without a gel pack, this brace weighs around 160g. Therefore, if you don’t want to use one, this product is super lightweight and easy to wear for long periods.
Some customers have noticed that the straps can come loose during exercise (not ideal for athletes getting back into training).
Also, some have complained about this brace rolling their shoulder forwards instead of backwards. This can increase the risk of dislocating your shoulder, so obviously it’s not ideal.
However, this is likely something you can solve by adjusting the straps carefully and it might take a bit of playing around with to get it just right.
Pros:
- Easily adjustable- No problem changing the straps with one hand
- Neoprene- Keeps the brace breathable and comfortable
- Weighs around 160g- Without a gel pack, it’s a super light brace
Cons:
- Rolls shoulders forward- This isn’t ideal, but can probably be helped by adjusting straps
- Straps can come loose during exercise- Not great for getting back into exercise
Buyer’s Guide
Pretty much all of the shoulder braces you’ll see online boast about the benefits of compression and support for shoulder injuries. In general, they’re all very good at achieving this.
However, there are a few more factors that set some products apart from others.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, easy-to-use and effective shoulder brace, these are the things you should be looking out for:
Neoprene Fabric
This is a thick, rubbery fabric that we recommend as the ideal material for any shoulder brace. It allows airflow to the skin under your brace and avoids chafing and irritating the shoulder.
It’s also said to promote blood flow due to its thickness. This can be especially good for speeding up the recovery process.
Weight
It might seem obvious, but you want to look for a lightweight shoulder brace over a heavy one.
If you’re wearing a shoulder brace for a long period of time, a heavy brace might wear out your injured muscle (which could end up doing more damage than good!).
Hot/Cold Gel Pack
This is a feature you can buy separate from your shoulder brace but is definitely something you should consider to help reduce muscle pain.
If you’re not doing too much exercise while recovering, a gel pack is perfect for making your life more comfortable.
Versatility
If you’re a sporty person, there’s a chance you could fall victim to the same rotator cuff injury on both shoulders.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to buy a shoulder brace that can be worn on either shoulder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Shoulder Braces Help Rotator Cuff Injuries?
The best treatment for a muscular shoulder injury, like a rotator cuff, is to rest. However, the recovery process can be sped up with a shoulder brace.
It works by restricting shoulder movement and allowing your body to repair itself naturally. Shoulder braces can also reduce pain caused by muscular injuries by applying pressure to the affected area.
Can I Wear A Shoulder Brace During Exercise?
Yes, you can! If you feel comfortable enough with a shoulder injury to get back into exercising, a shoulder brace is great for keeping you safe.
Can I Wear A Shoulder Brace While Sleeping?
There’s nothing wrong with wearing a shoulder brace in bed, especially if it’s light and comfortable to wear. However, it’s not recommended to wear one with a hot/cold gel pack overnight.
It’s also not a good idea to wear one if you move around a lot in your sleep, as you can end up sleeping in an awkward position that could make the injury worse.
Is A Shoulder Brace Worth It?
Depending on the severity of your injury, shoulder braces can massively help to reduce pain and make a muscular injury more comfortable to live with.
Also, if you’re looking to get back into exercise after a rotator cuff injury, shoulder braces can be extremely valuable for aiding that transition.