Top Pick
- Available in five sizes.
- Respected manufacturer.
- Available in five sizes.
If you suffer from the dreaded tennis elbow, are recovering from an injury, or require further support in your training, elbow compression sleeves can be an excellent solution.
This article brings you the best elbow compression sleeve available—and a useful buying guide.
The Best Elbow Compression Sleeves for Weight lifters
Here are our picks of the best elbow compression sleeves currently available.
1. Nordic Lifting Elbow Compression Sleeve
In my opinion, this is the best elbow compression sleeve on the market—it covers all the bases. Nordic Lifting is a company known for producing impressive products for the bodybuilding market. So you can be sure this is a training aid that can stand up to the extreme pressures that pumping iron can exert.
It achieves this through its substantial construction—being made of woven nylon yarn for strength and enhanced by breathable latex and spandex for some serious compression.
However, don’t think that it’s tough construction is going to render it impractical for daily wear. At just 2mm thick and available in five different sizes, this sleeve will be pleasant to use and fit the arm perfectly.
- Pros
- Suitable for all.
- Modern finish—attractive for those seeking “gym-style.”
- Available in five sizes.
- Respected manufacturer.
- 1-year warranty.
- Cons
- Could include more effective internal grips.
2. Copper Compression Recovery Elbow Sleeve
This product could be the best elbow compression sleeve on the market for the slightly more mature generation.
It’s manufactured from 88 percent nylon and 12 percent spandex with a smooth finish. This enables the sleeve to be extremely unobtrusive, allowing it to be easily worn beneath daily clothing, without announcing its presence.
This sleeve also has a secret. It’s been infused with copper—an element thought to alleviate arthritis pain and other inflammatory conditions. A factor which again I think would appeal to seniors who need additional support during the day to assist with lifting tasks.
- Pros
- Comfortable from day one—the breathable and lightweight fabric doesn’t need to be “broken in.”
- Copper content and smooth finish may appeal to seniors.
- Reserved in appearance for daily wear.
- Latex free.
- Available in five different sizes.
- Cons
- May not provide sufficient support for extreme weightlifters.
- Lacks internal adhesion properties.
3. Venom Elbow Brace Compression Sleeve
I personally consider this to be the best elbow compression sleeve for those people requiring elbow stability during sporting activities.
With a slightly elongated lower section, this sleeve provides strong support for much of the forearm—not just the elbow. Hence, I believe this would suit those using the product in conjunction with arm-based sports such as tennis, golf, football, or baseball.
A combination of breathable nylon, latex, and spandex means it provides stability while remaining comfortable. Most essentially, it’s been constructed with a non-slip internal coating, so—even during the most frenetic arm movements—it should remain securely in place.
- Pros
- Excellent forearm support.
- Non-slip coating.
- Available in five sizes
- Maybe the best elbow sleeve for tendonitis.
- Designed for maximum heat retention—keeping the joints and muscles warm to prevent injury.
- Cons
- A little tight around the bicep—lifters experiencing major “pumps” may find it uncomfortable.
4. Kunto Fitness Elbow Brace Compression
If you’re the type of person who requires stability for demanding weightlifting activities, this could be the best elbow compression sleeve for you.
It’s one hardcore product. The nylon, spandex, and rubber components have been designed to provide maximum support. This is achieved by its own “four-way” compression design—ensuring that every movement of the elbow is reinforced to prevent injury.
What’s more, this sleeve has wicking properties—ensuring that even when pushing yourself to the limits of exertion, any perspiration will be taken away from the skin. Additionally, its “true-fit” design means that, even under extreme workloads, this product will not slip.
- Pros
- Possibly the ideal compression sleeve for weight lifters.
- Powerful compression ability.
- Available in four sizes.
- Unlikely to slip.
- Cons
- May restrict rotational movement, therefore unsuitable for sports such as tennis or golf.
5. Bucwild Sports Compression Arm Sleeve
If you like to stand out from the crowd—this could be the best elbow compression sleeve for you.
Available in an incredible 30 bright colors and patterns (including camouflage, flags, and flames)—I’d suggest this isn’t a sleeve for the reserved person.
Unlike the other sleeves in this best list, this isn’t designed just for elbow compression, but the whole arm—extending from the wrist to the upper bicep. I’d say this makes it appealing to those involved in full-arm sports, such as basketball, bowling, or tennis.
Made from 80 percent polyester and 20 percent latex, this wicking sleeve will provide warmth and some overall compression—helpful to prevent or alleviate injury. An upper silicone band will avoid “roll” issues.
- Pros
- Ideal for sportspersons wanting to stand out from the crowd.
- Full arm compression.
- Numerous colors and patterns available.
- Wicking material.
- Excellent for warmth.
- Available in six sizes—including for children.
- Cons
- Not suitable for extreme weight lifting.
A Buying guide to Elbow Compression Sleeves
How Does an Elbow Compression Sleeve Work?
These one-piece training accessories fit tightly around the elbow area—extending partway down the forearm and up the upper arm. Made from a variety of elastic materials, their tight-fitting nature means they apply compression.
It’s this feature that makes them attractive to both sports people and those recovering from injury (either from training or just everyday life).
Two of the simplest functions of the best elbow compression sleeve are to provide heat and support to the elbow area. You’re probably already aware that warming up the muscles prior to exercise is vital to prevent injury.
What’s more, providing stability around the elbow protects the tendons, ligaments, and bones—especially in sports where this area of the body is placed under stress. For example, the well-known tennis elbow (tendonitis or lateral epicondylitis) occurs when the tendons extending from the wrist to the elbow are overstretched.
However, there’s more to the best elbow compression sleeve than just support and warmth.
The gentle pressure exerted by these products has important physiological benefits, explored in the next section.
What Are the Benefits of the Best Elbow Compression Sleeve?
There are many positives to be gained from using the best elbow compression sleeve—whether you’re a hardcore athlete or just looking to protect your elbow in normal day-to-day life.
They include:
- Reducing the chance of edema: The buildup of fluid around the joints.
- Diminishing pain: A 2013 study indicated that elbow sleeves reduce the discomfort associated with tendonitis (both tennis and golfer’s elbow).
- Lowering the chance of injury: Research indicates that compression improves muscle repair and limits damage during exercise.
- Elevating sporting performance:Experts have shown that using compression products reduces energy expenditure and oxygen requirement, therefore making training more efficient—thought to be due to increased blood flow.
- Inhibits DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness):Scientists in 2017 discovered that using an elbow compression sleeve lowered the well-known post-training pain suffered by athletes.
Bear in mind that these are the benefits of the best elbow compression sleeve—not to be confused with the best elbow brace (a totally different product category) which works in a different way.
What to Look for in the Best Elbow Compression Sleeve
Selecting the correct best elbow compression sleeve from the outset means you will reap the largest rewards—and not need to replace it soon after purchase.
Here are what I consider to be the most important factors.
Material
The best elbow compression sleeve should be manufactured from materials that are breathable and comfortable to wear. This is especially important if it’s to be used during exercise, as the buildup of sweat can become an irritant and make training unpleasant.
Additionally, look for products that contain latex and/or spandex, which provide effective yet gentle compression on the joint. It’s also worth bearing in mind the thickness—too substantial and it may restrict movement, or be visibly apparent if you are using it for day-to-day wear beneath normal clothing.
Size
Selecting the perfect size is a key factor in choosing the best elbow compression sleeve—too tight and it could restrict movement and blood supply, too loose and you’ll lack support.
The best compression sleeves are available in several size options—allowing you to choose the ideal product for your physique.
Additional Features
Some compression sleeves can have specific characteristics not found in all products—such as being constructed with copper (thought to alleviate arthritis symptoms).
Adhesion
Even with a well-fitting product, the openings at both ends of the sleeve have the tendency to “roll” towards the elbow during use—especially during intense exercise.
It’s useful to select a sleeve which has interior grips, such as silicone, rubber, or bands. These can improve adhesion to the arm and prevent the sleeve moving.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the best elbow compression sleeve is that made by Nordic Lifting—it has it all. For me, its greatest appeal is that it can be used by anyone—athletes, weightlifters, or those just wanting a little more support in daily life.
This is due to the fact that its nylon, spandex, and latex construction is strong enough to take the pressure that training can provide—yet, at 2mm thick, it’s thin enough to be flexible, comfortable, and worn beneath clothing if required.
What’s more, with five different size choices, finding the perfect fit will not be difficult.
Make no mistake—there are some awesome products here too, from the copper compression for the mature generation through to the Kunto for the serious lifter.
But, for overall appeal, effectiveness, and versatility—my choice of the best elbow compression sleeve is that from Nordic Lifting.
