Best Rated Menstrual Cups: 7 Picks, Sizing and First-Timer Tips

If you are shopping for the best rated menstrual cup, the short answer is that the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup is the safest first choice for most people, and the Intimina Lily Cup One is the runner-up for anyone who wants the smallest, most beginner-friendly fold. Saalt earns the top slot because it comes in two clearly labelled sizes, is made from medical-grade silicone, and ships with a carry bag. The Lily Cup One earns second place because it is compact and collapsible, which is exactly what makes a first insertion less intimidating. The rest of this guide covers five more reusable cups, a sizing method that works for the best menstrual cup for beginners, and the mistakes that make first-time users give up too early.

A quick note on how this article was built. This is a research-based guide. We did not personally use these products, and we are not medical professionals. Everything below comes from manufacturer product pages, the listing details for each cup, and independent reviewers who document fit and capacity. Menstrual cups sit inside the body, so if you have pain, an IUD, a recent pregnancy, or any health condition, ask a doctor or gynecologist before switching products.

Our top picks

Top pickSaalt Menstrual Cup

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Also greatSaalt Soft Menstrual Cup

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Also greatSaalt Soft Menstrual Cup

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Also greatSaalt Menstrual Cup

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Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup, with Small and Regular sizes, a soft feel, and a carry bag.
• Best for Beginners: Intimina Lily Cup One, a short collapsible cup with a removal loop.
• Best Value: SHORDY Menstrual Cups (Small and Large set), two sizes in one purchase so you can find your fit.
• Best Established Brand: DivaCup Model 1, a long-running cup with age and birth-history sizing guidance.
• Best for Sensitive Users: Lena Menstrual Cup, a soft US-made cup in small and large sizes.
• Best Starter Kit: Flex Cup Starter Kit, a pull-tab cup that also includes two menstrual discs.
• Best Brand Story: Pixie Cup, a soft cup sold with a printed or digital guide and a give-back program.

Menstrual Cup Comparison Table

1. Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup: Best Overall

• Sizes: Small and Regular, with a separate Teen size from the same maker.
• Capacity listed by Saalt: about 25 ml (Small) and about 30 ml (Regular) to the rim.
• Material: medical-grade silicone, made in the USA, FDA registered according to the maker.
• Wear time: up to 12 hours, which is the standard upper limit for cups.
• Extras: carry bag included; the cup is designed to be reused for years.

Best for: first-time and returning users who want a mainstream cup with clear sizing. Skip if: you want a firmer cup that opens on its own very quickly; Saalt also sells a firmer original cup with the same shape.

Saalt Soft is the pick we would point most people toward because the decision it asks you to make is simple. Small is described for lighter flow and for people with a lower cervix, and Regular is for normal to heavier flow or after childbirth. Both are 70 mm long, so the difference is mostly diameter and capacity. That makes a sizing mistake easy to correct: if your first cup leaks or feels crowded, you move one size and the shape stays familiar.

The soft feel matters for comfort. A softer wall squeezes more easily during insertion and is less noticeable once in place, which is why it is the version we would recommend to anyone who has felt pressure with firmer cups. The trade-off is that softer silicone can take a moment longer to unfold, so you may need to rotate the base or run a finger around the rim to confirm it opened. Independent reviewers describe the original and Soft as identical in shape, which is useful if you want to switch firmness later.

In practice, capacity numbers are the least important part of the spec sheet. A cup holding 25 ml is plenty for many people, since most periods produce much less fluid than people expect. Leaks are usually caused by the cup not opening fully or sitting at the wrong angle, not by the cup being too small. Think of capacity as a tie-breaker for heavy days, not a primary filter.

Pros: clear two-size system, soft wall, carry bag, long wear window, simple to clean. Cons: may need a moment to fully open; stem length may need trimming for some bodies; price is above the budget sets.

2. Intimina Lily Cup One: Best for Beginners

• Size: one size, aimed at first-time users and teens.
• Capacity: about 20 ml according to the maker blog; retailer pages vary slightly.
• Dimensions: about 47 mm long without the removal loop, one of the shortest cups in the Intimina lineup.
• Design: collapsible, with a double rim and a removal loop instead of a stem.
• Wear time: sources disagree between 8 and 12 hours, so read the pack insert and use the shorter figure if unsure.

Best for: people who are nervous about insertion or who want a short cup. Skip if: you have a very heavy flow and want to go many hours between empties.

The Lily Cup One makes sense for beginners because it removes the size question. There is one size and it is on the compact side. The collapsible silicone body folds flat, which sounds like a small detail until you try to fold a stiffer cup for the first time. It also uses a loop rather than a stem, so there is nothing to trim. Some people find a loop easier to grip, and others prefer a stem, so this is a personal call.

The compact size has a cost. A shorter, narrower cup has less capacity, and the maker positions it for lighter flow. On heavy days you may need to empty more often, which is manageable at home but less convenient at work. The narrower profile can also be a poor match if your cervix sits low, so if a short cup rides uncomfortably, a different shape may be better than a different size.

Because wear time is stated differently across sources, treat this as a reminder to read the instructions in your own box. Whatever the cup, do not wear it longer than the maker allows, and stop and speak with a doctor if you notice fever, rash, or unusual discomfort.

Pros: short body, simple one-size choice, loop for removal, beginner-oriented. Cons: smaller capacity, one fit only, wear-time information varies by source.

3. Lena Menstrual Cup: Best for Sensitive Users

• Sizes: small and large, sold singly or as a two-size set.
• Material: medical-grade silicone, made in the USA according to the listing.
• Wear time: up to 12 hours per the listing.
• Variants: an original soft cup and a Sensitive version that is softer still.
• Care: the maker sells a plant-based cup wash, though plain mild soap is commonly recommended.

Best for: people who found other cups too firm. Skip if: you want a stem or loop with a very specific grip.

Lena is a good example of why firmness is a real buying factor. The Sensitive version is marketed for people who feel pressure from firmer cups, which is common for those with sensitive pelvic floor muscles or who are new to inserting anything internal. Softer cups tend to be gentler on insertion and removal, but they can require a technique, such as a punch-down or c-fold, to open reliably.

Because Lena sells two-size sets, it also suits anyone who is unsure of sizing. Buying both sizes costs more up front than a single cup but less than buying a wrong cup twice. If you choose a set, plan to try the smaller one first on a lighter day and keep the other for heavier days or after your body adjusts.

One more detail from the listing is the heavy-flow wording. As with any cup, heavy flow works best if the cup is placed correctly and emptied on a regular schedule, so use the larger size for volume rather than leaving a small cup in too long.

Pros: soft options, two sizes, made in the USA, choice of single cup or set. Cons: soft walls need technique to open, which can frustrate beginners.

4. DivaCup Model 1: Best Established Brand

• Model: Model 1, which the brand positions for users under 30 who have not given birth vaginally. Model 2 is positioned for 30 and over or after vaginal birth.
• Material: BPA-free silicone according to the listing.
• Extras: this listing includes a shaker cup for cleaning.
• Capacity and wear time: not listed in the product title, so check the maker page.

Best for: shoppers who prefer a long-established brand and a straightforward model system. Skip if: you want the shortest possible cup or a cup with a loop.

DivaCup is one of the best-known names in reusable period products, and that familiarity is its main selling point. The model system is easy to follow, and the brand publishes fit guidance. The caution is that age and birth history are only rough proxies. Some people under 30 fit better in the larger model, and some people over 30 fit fine in Model 1. If the first cup feels wrong, that is a data point, not a failure.

The stem is part of the design, so you will want to feel whether it protrudes. Many users trim the stem after confirming fit, but trimming is permanent, so insert and wear the cup once before cutting anything. The shaker cup included with this listing is a small convenience for rinsing between cycles.

Because the product title does not state capacity, we are not going to guess. If capacity is a deciding factor, compare the maker figures for Model 1 and Model 2 before buying.

Pros: well-known brand, clear model system, includes a shaker cup. Cons: capacity not in the listing, stem may need trimming, premium price.

5. Flex Cup Starter Kit: Best Starter Kit

• Fit options: Slim Fit (Size 01) and Full Fit (Size 02) are sold as separate starter kits.
• Included: a reusable cup plus two menstrual discs, per the listing.
• Removal: a pull-tab instead of a long stem.
• Material and capacity: check the maker page; not stated in the title.

Best for: people who want to try both a cup and a disc without buying separately. Skip if: you only want a cup and do not plan to try discs.

Flex is the odd one in this list because it blurs the line between cup and disc. A cup sits low in the vaginal canal and creates a seal, while a disc sits higher, around the cervix, and tucks behind the pubic bone. Some people who struggle with cups find discs more comfortable, and the reverse is also true. A kit with both gives you the chance to find out without a second order.

The pull-tab is the other distinguishing feature. It makes removal less awkward than a short loop for some hands. The two fit options are meant to cover different body shapes, so read the maker guidance on which to choose before you add to cart.

Pros: cup plus discs in one kit, pull-tab, two fit choices. Cons: discs are a separate learning curve, some specs are not listed in the title.

6. Pixie Cup: Best Brand Story

• Type: soft menstrual cup, sold as a single cup, a kit, and a two-cup version with an applicator.
• Extras: the soft cup listing mentions an included guide, and the brand runs a buy-one-give-one program.
• Material and capacity: check the maker page; the listings do not state them.

Best for: shoppers who like a mission-driven brand and want written guidance with the cup. Skip if: you want fully published specs in the title.

Pixie leans on comfort and on buying with a purpose. The give-back program is a genuine differentiator, but it does not tell you whether the cup fits your body, so judge it on comfort and size like any other. The multiple product variants are the main trap here. There are single cups, kits, applicator versions, and discs under the same name, so read the title carefully before ordering.

The printed or digital guide is useful for beginners, since many first-cup failures come from technique rather than the cup itself. If you like having step-by-step instructions on hand, this is a point in its favour.

Pros: soft feel, guide included, give-back program. Cons: many variants under one name, some specs not in the listing, premium price.

7. SHORDY Small and Large Set: Best Value

• Sizes: Small and Large cups in a single set.
• Positioning: light to heavy flow range, with the small marketed for beginners and teens.
• Material: reusable soft silicone described as medical grade.
• Single-size and beginner-kit versions with a sterilizer are also sold.

Best for: trying two sizes cheaply. Skip if: you want detailed independent documentation from the manufacturer.

A two-cup set is the lowest-risk way to find your fit if budget is your priority. You can try the small on a light day, the large on a heavy day, and keep whichever works. The cost is that budget brands typically publish fewer details than established ones, so you rely more on the listing and less on a maker guide.

If you choose a budget set, inspect the cups on arrival for any odd smell, residue, or rough edges, and wash them well before first use. Silicone should be clean, flexible, and free of strong odours. If something seems off, do not use it.

Pros: two sizes in one purchase, low entry cost, beginner-friendly small. Cons: less documentation, brand support is limited compared with larger makers.

Also Consider

• EcoBlossom Menstrual Cups: a budget small and large set with a medical-grade silicone description; a decent alternative to SHORDY if it is in stock.
• Ginalaia Menstrual Cup with Collapsible Storage Cup: a low-cost cup that includes a collapsible case for sterilizing and carrying; a small version exists for beginners.
• Saalt Menstrual Disc: a disc option from the top pick brand, with a removal notch, for people who want to try a disc rather than a cup.
• Flex Reusable Disc: a disc positioned as a tampon, pad, and cup alternative, for people who do not get on with cups.

How We Chose

We began with the cups sold in the site’s product store and removed anything that was a cleaning product, accessory, or unrelated item. We then compared each remaining cup on size options, material, capacity where stated, wear time, and the type of removal aid (stem, loop, or tab). We checked specifications against manufacturer product pages and independent reviewers who document dimensions, and we flagged any figure where sources disagree. Where a spec was not stated, we wrote “not listed” rather than guess.

We did not personally use these products, and nothing here is medical advice. This guide is research-based and focuses on fit factors, materials, and clear use instructions. We limited each brand to two entries and avoided quoting prices, since they change often; we use Budget, Mid-range, and Premium tiers instead.

Buying Guide

Start with cervix height, not age

Cervix height changes through your cycle and between people. A simple check is to wash your hands, insert a clean finger while squatting, and see how far you reach. If you reach it with the first knuckle or so, you have a lower cervix and a shorter cup, such as the Lily Cup One or a Small size, is usually more comfortable. If you have to reach much deeper, longer cups work well. This check is rough, and the maker fit guides are the better reference.

Choose a size by flow and history

Most makers split sizes by flow and by whether you have given birth vaginally. A common pattern is the smaller size for lighter flow, teens, or people who have not given birth, and the larger size for heavier flow or after childbirth. Because these are guidelines, a two-size set is a sensible hedge if you are unsure. Remember that capacity is secondary, since proper seal and placement matter more than a few extra millilitres.

Match firmness to your comfort

Firmer cups pop open more reliably and hold a seal well, but some people feel them as pressure. Softer cups are gentler but need technique to open. If you have a sensitive pelvic floor, start soft. If you have strong pelvic floor muscles or a very active lifestyle, a firmer cup may stay in place better.

Check the material and the care instructions

Look for medical-grade silicone and a clear statement of what the cup is free from. Wash your hands, rinse the cup with cool water first, then wash with mild, unscented soap or the maker’s cleaner. Boil only as the maker advises, usually for a few minutes between cycles. Avoid oil-based products and harsh disinfectants unless the maker says otherwise. Replace a cup if it becomes sticky, cracked, discoloured with a strong smell, or if the maker’s replacement schedule has passed.

Know when a disc might suit you better

If you cannot get a cup to sit comfortably after a few cycles, a disc may help. Discs sit higher and do not rely on suction in the same way, so they can feel different. They also take their own practice. The Flex kit and the Saalt disc are two ways to try one.

Wear time and emptying

Most makers state a maximum of 12 hours, and some state less. Empty earlier on heavy days. Never exceed the maker’s limit, and if you feel unwell while using a cup, remove it and contact a healthcare provider.

Common First-Timer Mistakes

• Giving up after one attempt. Most guides suggest allowing two or three cycles to learn the fold, angle, and removal.
• Not checking the seal. Run a finger around the base to confirm the cup has unfolded, and rotate gently if needed.
• Pulling by the stem. Pinch the base to release suction before pulling, otherwise removal is uncomfortable.
• Trimming the stem too early. Wear the cup first, then trim in small steps if needed.
• Choosing by brand fame. A well-known cup can still be the wrong shape for you; use the fit guide.
• Ignoring pain. A cup should not hurt. If it does, remove it and ask a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best menstrual cup for beginners?

The Saalt Soft and the Intimina Lily Cup One are the two we would start with, because they combine clear sizing or a one-size design with a comfortable, soft body. If you are unsure of size, a two-size set such as SHORDY or Lena lets you try both.

How do I know which size to buy?

Use the maker fit guide first. It usually asks about flow, age, cervix height, and whether you have given birth vaginally. If you fall between sizes, choose the smaller cup for comfort and consider a set so you can switch.

How long can I wear a menstrual cup?

Many makers state up to 12 hours, and some state 8. Follow the instructions that come with your cup, and empty more often on heavy days.

Are menstrual cups safe?

Most people use them without problems when they follow the instructions, but they are not right for everyone. If you have an IUD, a recent pregnancy, a medical condition, or any symptoms of concern, speak with a doctor or gynecologist before using one. Seek medical help if you feel unwell while wearing a cup.

Can I use a cup with an IUD?

Some people do, but you should ask your healthcare provider first. Suction and removal technique can matter, and they can advise you on what to avoid.

How do I clean a menstrual cup?

Wash your hands, rinse the cup with cool water, and clean it with mild unscented soap or the maker’s cup wash. Between cycles, follow the maker’s sterilizing instructions, which often involve boiling for a few minutes. Let the cup dry fully before storing it in a breathable bag.

How long does a menstrual cup last?

Makers commonly state a lifespan of up to several years with correct care, and some say up to 10. Replace the cup sooner if it changes texture, smell, or colour, or if the maker’s schedule says so.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the simplest choice, buy the Saalt Soft in the size recommended by Saalt’s fit guide. If you are nervous or have a low cervix, the Intimina Lily Cup One is the gentler starting point. If you are unsure about size and want to spend less, choose a two-size set from SHORDY or Lena. If you want to explore a disc as well, the Flex Cup Starter Kit is the most efficient way to try both. Pick a cup, give it two or three cycles, and use the maker’s guide and a healthcare provider if anything feels wrong.

Sources

• Saalt product pages and fit guide
• Intimina product pages and blog
• Lena maker product information
• DivaCup model guide
• Put A Cup In It independent reviews
• Period Nirvana cup reviews

Last updated: October 2026