Skims vs. Spanx vs. Honey Love: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

While Spanx is the original innovator known for durable, everyday shapewear, Skims offers a more modern, fashion-forward approach with inclusive sizing and seamless fabrics. Honey Love sets itself apart by focusing on high-tech, medical-grade compression for maximum sculpting and targeted shaping.

Let's compare these three leading brands to help you find the perfect shapewear for your body and wardrobe.

Skims: The Modern, Inclusive Choice

Launched by Kim Kardashian in 2019, Skims revolutionized the shapewear conversation with its direct focus on body positivity, comfort, and an extensive range of shades and inclusive sizes. The brand's aesthetic is minimalist, sleek, and often versatile enough to be worn as both innerwear and outerwear, appealing to a younger, fashion-conscious demographic seeking style and function.

• Product mix: A wide array of seamless shapewear, bodysuits, and bras alongside a massive collection of loungewear, sleepwear, and underwear. Many pieces are designed to be seen, not just layered.
• Price point: Generally accessible, with items ranging from about $20 for underwear to $150 for more structured or complex pieces. Frequent collection drops and sales keep prices competitive.
• Quality & Materials: Skims prioritizes a soft, second-skin feel, using lightweight and seamless modal, nylon, and elastane blends. The focus is more on comfort and a smooth silhouette than on extreme durability or high compression.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist, modern, and very trend-aware. Known for its neutral color palette designed to match a wide variety of skin tones, along with seasonal fashion colors.
• Fit & Sizing: A major selling point is its inclusive sizing, which typically runs from XXS to 4X.

Skims is ideal for those who value comfort, aesthetic, and inclusive sizing, offering versatile pieces that feel as good as they look.

Shop Skims: skims.com

Spanx: The Original Shapewear Innovator

Founded by Sara Blakely in 2000, Spanx defined the shapewear category and remains a trusted name for reliable, high-quality garments. Best known for its iconic shaping shorts and bodysuits, Spanx focuses on practical, classic designs that smooth and support without sacrificing comfort. The brand is built on a reputation for durability, consistency, and functionality for everyday confidence.

• Product mix: Specializes in shapewear essentials like footless tights, shaping shorts, and full-body suits. It has also expanded into activewear, denim, and professional apparel with built-in shaping technology.
• Price point: A mid-to-premium brand, with prices ranging from $20 for basic underwear to over $150 for advanced shapewear pieces and apparel.
• Quality & Materials: Renowned for its durable and resilient fabrics, like blends of nylon, spandex, and microfiber. Spanx products are engineered for longevity and to maintain their shaping power through many wears and washes.
• Style & Aesthetic: Timeless, functional, and discreet. The designs are classic and meant to be a reliable foundation under any outfit.
• Fit & Sizing: Offers consistent sizing from XS to 3X. Known for its reliable fit that holds true to its sizing charts for different body types.

Spanx is the go-to for shoppers who prioritize performance, durability, and classic styles from a brand with a long track record of quality.

Shop Spanx: spanx.com

Honey Love: The High-Tech Sculpting Solution

Honey Love entered the market in 2016 with a tech-forward approach, using medical-grade compression and innovative design features to offer serious sculpting power. Praised for its ability to create a defined silhouette without rolling down, the brand appeals to customers looking for high-performance shaping for special events or for a more sculpted everyday look.

• Product mix: Concentrated on high-compression items like sculpting bodysuits, waist trainers, thigh shapers, and shaping bras. Each garment features targeted compression panels to smooth and shape specific areas.
• Price point: Positioned as a premium shapewear brand, with most items priced between $60 and $150. The higher cost reflects the advanced technology and high-performance fabrics.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes medical-grade compression fabrics and proprietary materials like PowerSlim+ to deliver firm, targeted shaping. Breathable mesh panels and thoughtful construction are used to maintain comfort.
• Style & Aesthetic: Modern, sleek, and streamlined. The designs have a clean, functional feel with an emphasis on the technology that powers them.
• Fit & Sizing: Stresses the importance of a precise fit, providing detailed sizing guides and customer support to help shoppers find the perfect size for maximum effectiveness.

Honey Love is the right choice for someone seeking maximum, targeted compression and is willing to invest in high-tech solutions for a powerfully sculpted figure.

Shop Honey Love: honeylove.com

Skims vs. Spanx vs. Honey Love Comparison

Price Comparison: What’s the Value?

In terms of price, Skims often provides the most accessible entry points, with underwear and other basics starting around $20. While its feature pieces cost upwards of $100, its frequent sales and bundles make it a strong value-oriented option.

Spanx operates in a similar mid-to-premium range, with foundational items priced from $20 to $40 and core shapewear costing between $60 and $150. Its value is rooted in durability and reliable performance over time. Honey Love is the most premium of the three, with most pieces starting at $60. The price point reflects its advanced compression technology and high-performance fabrics, offering value for those who need a serious shaping solution.

Quality & Materials: Comfort vs. Durability vs. Tech

Each brand prioritizes different material qualities. Skims is an expert in softness and seamless construction. Its buttery, lightweight fabrics provide a comfortable, second-skin feel that lays flat under clothing, making it excellent for all-day wear.

Spanx built its reputation on durability. Its high-quality nylon and spandex blend fabrics are engineered to withstand regular use and washing while maintaining their shape and compression level, making them a long-lasting investment. Honey Love stands out with its technical, medical-grade compression fabrics. These materials offer targeted sculpting and breathability, engineered for high-intensity shaping without sacrificing comfort.

Style & Product Selection

Skims clearly leads in style and trendiness. Its minimalist aesthetic, broad range of skin-toned neutrals, and fashion-forward designs make many of its pieces wearable as clothing. In addition to shapewear, its extensive loungewear and sleepwear collections broaden its appeal far beyond just shapewear.

Spanx has a more classic and functional catalog focusing on discreet, reliable underpinnings designed to create a smooth canvas for any outfit. Honey Love's selection is modern and streamlined, showcasing its sculpting technology through minimalist designs that focus on pure function and performance.

Fit & Sizing

Skims is the leader in inclusivity, offering an unmatched range of sizes from XXS to 4X and a wide variety of "nude" shades to suit different skin tones. While its fit can vary between collections, the breadth of options is a key differentiator.

Spanx is known for its consistent and reliable sizing (XS-3X). Customers can generally trust its sizing charts to deliver the expected fit, making it a dependable choice. Honey Love prioritizes a precise, sculpted fit. Its sizing is very specific to achieve targeted compression, and the company provides extensive guidance to help customers choose the correct size for the best results.

Which One Should You Choose?

The best brand really comes down to your primary goal, whether it’s everyday comfort, foundational reliability, or high-intensity shaping.

Choose Skims if:

• You prioritize comfort and a lightweight, seamless feel.
• You need an extensive range of sizes and skin-tone shades.
• You want versatile pieces that can be worn for both shaping and lounging.
• You follow fashion trends and prefer a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Choose Spanx if:

• You're looking for durable, reliable shapewear for everyday use.
• You value a brand with a long history of quality and consistent fit.
• You prefer classic styles that provide smooth support under any clothing.
• You want a proven product you can find easily online and in major department stores.

Choose Honey Love if:

• You need maximum compression and targeted body sculpting.
• You're looking for a solution for a special event or a specific outfit.
• You appreciate high-tech fabrics and innovative design, such as anti-rolling technology.
• You are willing to invest more for a premium, high-performance garment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand is the cheapest?

Skims generally offers the most budget-friendly options, especially for basics like bras and underwear, which can start around $20. However, all three brands have items in the $60-$150 range, putting their core shapewear collections at a similar price point.

Which brand offers the most compression?

Honey Love provides the highest level of compression. The brand uses medical-grade fabrics and targeted panels specifically designed for maximum shaping and sculpting.

Is Skims good quality?

Skims quality is great for its priority: comfort and a seamless look. The materials are extremely soft and lightweight. However, for sheer durability and longevity under heavy use, Spanx's more robust fabrics might have a slight edge.

Are Spanx still the best shapewear brand?

Spanx remains a top competitor known for creating high-quality, durable, and reliable shapewear. While brands like Skims and Honey Love offer different benefits, Spanx is still considered one of the best for classic, everyday shaping needs.

Which brand is best for plus-size?

Skims stands out for its inclusive sizing, which typically goes up to 4X. Spanx also offers plus-size options up to 3X and is praised for its consistent fit in that range.

Does Honey Love shapewear roll down?

Honey Love garments are specifically designed to prevent rolling down, which is a common complaint with other shapewear. They use flexible boning on the sides (called SoftFlex structures) to help the garment stay in place all day.

Can you wear Skims as regular clothing?

Yes, many Skims bodysuits, tops, and loungewear pieces are designed with a minimalist aesthetic that makes them easy to style as outerwear. This versatility is a major part of the brand's appeal to fashion-forward customers.

What are the return policies like?

All three brands generally offer free returns on qualifying orders within a specified window, typically 30-60 days for unworn items with tags attached. Be sure to check each brand's specific policy, as details on final sale items or international shipping can vary.