Best Tennis Elbow Brace
[amazon table=”2955″]As with any sport, repetitive stress injuries are a common problem in tennis.
Each time you swing the racquet at the ball with incorrect form, you could be further damaging ligaments and tendons in the elbow which can lead to nasty RSIs such as tennis elbow or tendonitis.
Wearing a specifically designed tennis elbow strap or brace is one way to support your elbow when dealing with an RSI, or to help prevent it from getting there in the first place.
Here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
[amazon box=”B00QY0EFJM” title=”Simien Tennis Elbow Brace” description=”The Simien tennis elbow brace comes as a packet of 2, as well as some neat extras, including an informative ebook about elbow pain.”]⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Tennis Elbow Braces
- Best of the Best: Simien Tennis Elbow Brace
- Runner Up: Dashsport Tennis Elbow Brace
- Best on a Budget: Sleeve Stars Tennis Elbow Brace
- Best for tendonitis: SENTEQ Tennis Elbow Brace B01GY7AIRW
Best Tennis Elbow Brace Reviews
Simien Tennis Elbow Brace (👑 Best of the Best)
The best tennis elbow brace as far as we’re concerned is the Simien tennis elbow brace.
This tennis elbow brace is unassuming upon first glance, it looks like a simple strip of fabric which makes it hard to imagine how effective it could be for alleviating nagging elbow pain. However, we’re here to say that it is a very competent elbow brace, and you’ll find many satisfied customers willing to say the same thing about this elbow support from Simien.
When you buy this product, you actually get two tennis elbow braces, just in case you want to switch them out after playing sport or have them in different places for different activities. They are mainly touted to treat both tennis and golfer’s elbow, although the 2 terms are used interchangeably at times to refer to a general RSI injury. As a result, this brace can also be useful for a whole array of other RSI injuries pertaining to the elbow, spanning everything from mouse elbow to fishing elbow.
But that’s not all you get, when you invest in Simien’s tennis elbow brace you also get a complimentary wrist band and an e-book called ‘addressing tennis elbow pain.’ This is a great way to brush up on your elbow knowledge and find out exactly why you might have this injury and what you can do to prevent it from happening again in future.
This is a one size fits all tennis elbow brace, so you don’t have to worry about measurements or what size to buy. There’s an adjustable strap that can ensure the brace accommodates your elbow, and the manufacturer guarantees that it won’t cut off circulation. This should come as welcome news to those with huge forearms who might see the band and wonder if it will fit them well. It’s made from a combination of synthetic materials, specifically neoprene (65%) and nylon (35%), and Simien offers a generous money back guarantee if your brace breaks or wears out.
Features:
- 2 braces
- Includes sweat band and ebook
- Made from 65% neoprene and 35% nylon
- Universal size
- Money-back guarantee
Dashsport Tennis Elbow Brace (🥈 Runner Up)
Our runner up pick for the best tennis elbow brace is this brace and compression sleeve set from Dashsport.
This is a great set to buy if you’re interested in trying out both an elbow compression sleeve and a brace to help with your elbow pain. While a brace alone should be enough to combat the symptoms of tennis elbow, having the compression sleeve as well will promote better circulation through the arm which should speed up the recovery process.
There are five different sizes available with this brace and sleeve combo, from extra small to extra large. This should satisfy all forearm sizes, so you’re bound to find a brace that fits snugly and provides the necessary compression. There’s also an instructional manual in the box and an e-book PDF so you’ll find out everything you need to know about using a brace and compression sleeve to alleviate tennis elbow symptoms.
The use of copper nylon in both the brace and sleeve provides proven benefits for the arm and elbow, and if you do find that they aren’t working for you, there’s a 100% money back guarantee.
Features:
- Includes compression sleeve and brace
- Comes with an ebook PDF
- Both items are made with copper nylon
- 100% money back guarantee
Sleeve Stars Tennis Elbow Brace (💰 Best on a Budget)
If you’re looking to spend a little less on a tennis elbow brace, then Sleeve Stars’ elbow brace is an excellent option.
With this product from Sleeve Stars you’ll get as many as 3 different elbow braces, which is more than the most expensive options provide. On top of this, there are hordes of satisfied customers who have used this tennis elbow brace and have nothing but positive things to say about it.
As part of the design of this tennis elbow brace, there are 2 fully adjustable hook and loop straps, so you can get the perfect fit for your arm. This brace is ideal for any forearm within the range of 9-23 inches, and is suitable for both men and women. It’s made from nylon (35%) and neoprene (65%) and should last you a long time. It’s both breathable and flexible, so it’s perfect for wearing while doing anything from weightlifting to playing your favorite sports.
Features:
- Includes 3 braces
- Fits forearms of 9-23 inches
- Has 2 fully adjustable hook and loop straps
- Made from 35% nylon and 65% neoprene
SENTEQ Tennis Elbow Brace (Best for tendonitis)
This tennis elbow brace from SENTEQ is our top pick for dealing with tendonitis.
The support strap features hook and loop closure, and is made from durable neoprene. It offers great compression support for significant forearm pain relief, which can help alleviate discomfort from issues such as tendonitis and of course, tennis elbow. Whether you’re suffering from an elbow injury you picked up playing golf, or your forearm feels sore after a match of tennis, this brace from SENTEQ could be just what you need to ease the pain.
The support strap has a high degree of stability, due to its wide profile, and the dual support layer design ensures that your arm feels well-supported and comfortable in any position. What’s more, the inner gel compression pad targets the affected area and provides the necessary support to relieve pain that radiates from the elbow or forearm as seen with issues such as tennis elbow and tendonitis. As a medical-grade brace, there are no harsh chemicals used, so you don’t have to worry about nasty rashes or skin irritation while wearing it.
Perhaps the best feature of this tennis elbow brace, though, is that it allows you to maintain an active lifestyle. If you’re worried about not being able to return to your beloved sport soon enough, this brace can help you speed up the process so that you can get back on the court, pitch, or course as soon as possible and start playing. Not only is the brace incredibly supportive, but it’s also made from a breathable material which means you can wear it while you play and you don’t have to worry about excessively sweating while you wear it.
Features:
- Wide support strap
- 15.5 inches x 3.25 inches
- Dual layer design
- Inner gel pad
- Velcro strap
- Medical grade
- Hook and loop closure
- Hand washable
Ultimate Guide
If you’re suffering with tennis elbow, or a similarly named RSI from another sport, then a brace can be a wise investment to make.
However, there are many tennis elbow braces out there so you’ll need to consider what is important to you in a brace and which one best suits your lifestyle.
If you want to continue playing sports with your brace then you’ll need a different brace than if you just want to rest and wait for your elbow to heal.
In this guide we’ll briefly go over what exactly tennis elbow is, why a brace can be useful, and what kind of support or features you should be looking for.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, which is also known by the scientific name lateral epicondylitis, is a relatively common RSI (repetitive stress injury) or tendinitis.
Essentially what happens with tennis elbow is the tendons in the surrounding area will become swollen and cause pain to radiate around the elbow and forearm.
The tendons, which connect the arm to the bone, are damaged due to repetitive swinging motions and the gripping of the racquet in the case of tennis elbow.
However, this form of tendinitis in the elbow isn’t reserved for those playing tennis, and in fact can go by many different names such as rowing or mouse elbow. Any activity or sport which requires long periods of time spent gripping an object can cause this injury.
As a result, investing in a brace is not only a good idea in the short term, but can come in handy in future if you develop a similar injury from working at a computer or engaging in activities like weightlifting.
It’s often the case that pain and discomfort caused by tennis elbow are worse when playing the sport or gripping objects such as a computer mouse or even just a door knob.
If you have severe pain in the elbow even when you’re resting, then it might be time to go to your doctor or physiotherapist for a diagnosis and potential treatment plan.
Tennis elbow can often be diagnosed with a physical exam, but if it’s especially painful you may have to get an X-ray or MRI.
Why Wear a Brace?
The main reason you’d want to wear a brace for tennis elbow is to support the healing of the tendons around the elbow and accelerate the recovery process.
If you feel like your elbow pain is preventing you from working out, playing sports, or even just using a computer, then you could probably stand to benefit from wearing a brace.
In many cases, the elbow pain should dissipate soon after you start wearing the brace, so it’s worth it just to relieve the discomfort at the very least.
The brace works by taking some of the pressure off the tender area, and supporting your arm so you don’t inadvertently bend it in ways which causes further pain.
You can typically go back to doing everything you were doing before you developed the injury, if you’re wearing the brace.
You simply have to wrap the brace around your upper forearm close to the elbow, for the amount of time you need to feel 100% again.
If you find that wearing a brace doesn’t help with the pain, then there’s a good chance you’ll need to get your elbow checked out by a physiotherapist as it might be more severe an injury than you initially thought.
Support
Support is something you need to prioritise if you want to make sure you get an elbow brace that will do the job it’s intended for.
If you invest in a brace that sits loose on your forearm, then how can you expect it to support the elbow for adequate recovery?
The best way to find an elbow brace that provides sufficient support is to measure the circumference of your forearm near the elbow, and write down this measurement.
With this number written down, you can take a look at the different elbow braces on offer and figure out which ones are most likely to fit your arm.
You have to be a little careful when you see a brace that claims to have a universal size, because while that may well be the case, it isn’t always. Some products that make this claim won’t provide good enough support for every arm size, so it’s worth checking the past users reviews on Amazon to get a good idea of the exact fit.
Other than that, keep an eye out for braces with adjustable straps. If you have adjustable straps, there’s a greater chance that you’ll be able to adjust it to fit your specific arm.
Alternatively, if the brand offers various size options, you can use the measurement you’ve taken of your forearm to pick the size that will work best for you.
Extras
When it comes to features, we aren’t talking about sophisticated technology or colorful designs, since at the end of the day an elbow brace should be an affordable investment that’s functional more than anything else.
So what we’re referring to when we say features are things like the material the brace is made of, the adjustability of it, and anything else that comes with it in the box.
We can all appreciate a good deal, so why not opt for the elbow brace that offers up the best value for money proposition?
You’ll find that more often than not elbow brace manufacturers will throw in a few extras in the box, in order to make you choose their product over the competition.
Sometimes these extras are worthless, but other times they can increase the value of the investment and make your life easier.
Here are some of the extras that you might want to keep an eye out for.
Extra Brace
There’s only one thing better than buying an elbow brace that works, and that’s buying an elbow brace that works that comes with a spare or two.
It’s quite common for brands to sell their elbow braces in a packet of 2, or even 3 braces for the price of a single one.
This is great for a number of reasons.
First, it means you can easily switch out your sweaty brace for a clean one if you’ve just got done with some form of physical activity.
Second, it gives you the ability to have an elbow brace wherever you are. It can be a good idea to have one in your gym bag, and one at home. That way you don’t have to constantly remember to bring it with you.
Lastly, if for some reason it ever wears down or breaks on you, then you have a replacement waiting to be used.
Compression Sleeve
Some elbow braces, like the one by DashSport, come with a compression sleeve that’s meant to be used with the brace.
This is handy as it gives you extra support, and the compression of your arm allows for improved blood circulation which can lead to faster healing.
If you feel like a brace alone won’t cut it, then look out for these sets of braces and sleeves so you can guarantee your elbow will recover as quickly as possible.
E-book or PDF
Some braces will come with an instructional e-book or PDF, which can be more useful than it initially seems.
While you might think that an instruction manual is all you need, having access to an e-book which lays out the reasons behind tennis elbow and how to alleviate symptoms can be invaluable.
It’s so easy to just buy an elbow brace and start wearing it without fully understanding how you came to injure yourself in the first place and what you should be doing to prevent it happening again in future.
As such, a handy little e-book can be a great way to inform yourself about the issue without needing to watch lengthy videos or read dense articles on the subject.
It’s definitely not a must-have when you invest in an elbow brace, but an informative e-book or PDF will certainly add some value to the investment if you are at all curious about what tennis elbow is and what measures you can take to alleviate symptoms quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Elbow Braces
Do tennis elbow braces really work?
There is evidence to suggest that tennis elbow braces do indeed help those who suffer with the condition.
A tennis elbow brace can support the elbow as it heals, and alleviate any pain you may be feeling.
By taking the pressure off the joint, you can be free to go about your life as normal when you wear a tennis elbow brace.
How long should you wear a brace for tennis elbow?
Some say that it’s a good idea to wear a brace for tennis elbow for a few weeks, as this will give your elbow enough time to show an improvement in its condition.
Others will tell you that wearing some kind of brace like this for a prolonged period of time isn’t good for the body, as your body can adapt to this new brace which makes it hard to go without.
Generally, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor or physiotherapist first, this way you’ll know whether it’s something you should be wearing for a few hours, a few days, or a matter of weeks.
Do compression sleeves help with tennis elbow?
Yes, a compression sleeve can be just as effective a form of treatment for tennis elbow as a tennis elbow brace.
Compression sleeves can help speed up the recovery process by promoting better blood circulation in the arm and protecting it too.
You can even find compression sleeves that have a built-in brace, if you’re looking for the ultimate elbow support.
What helps tennis elbow pain fast?
Usually you’ll find that tennis elbow pain will subside on its own, but there are ways you can accelerate the healing process.
Some of the tried-and-tested methods for recovering quickly from tennis elbow pain include icing the elbow, using a brace or compression sleeve, and getting physical therapy to strengthen the muscles.
All of these approaches are known to be effective for alleviating symptoms of tennis elbow, so a combination of them should help you get over the pain as quickly as possible.
A Final Word From Wellness Nova
Choosing the right tennis elbow brace is a matter of finding what works for you and your lifestyle.
This may end up being something that you have to use from time to time, so make sure you get the best brace for your needs the first time around.
