Last updated: October 10, 2026
Quick answer: The best menstrual cup is the one that fits your flow and your body, so start with a brand that offers more than one size. The Lena Small + Large set is our top pick because you get both sizes in one box. The Saalt Soft Cup suits people who find firmer cups uncomfortable, and the Flex Reusable Disc is the pick if a cup doesn’t suit you.
Below are six cups and two reusable discs, plus what “holds 5 tampons” means in grams and what the research says about safety.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How we picked: We compared each listing’s sizes, stated capacity, material, included accessories, cleaning instructions and price tier, and we checked Amazon US availability for delivery to New York 10001 on October 10, 2026. We did not test these products ourselves. Capacity figures are the makers’ own claims, and the safety notes come from the NHS, the FDA’s rules and a 2019 research review. This is shopping information, not medical advice.
Best Menstrual Cups at a Glance
| Pick | Best For | Listed Capacity | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lena Small + Large Set | Two sizes in one box | Not stated | Mid (2 cups) |
| Saalt Soft Cup | Firm cups feel uncomfortable | 2 to 4 tampons, by size | Mid |
| DivaCup Model 1 + Shaker Cup | Medium to heavy flow | 5 regular tampons | Higher |
| Lunette Cup | Made in Finland, 2 sizes | Not stated | Mid |
| Flex Cup Size 01 | Fear of a stuck cup | 2 super tampons | Mid |
| AllMatters (OrganiCup) Mini | Teens, smaller fit | 3 tampons | Mid |
| Flex Reusable Disc | Heavy flow, disc style | 6 super tampons (70 ml) | Mid |
| Saalt Disc | Disc with removal notch | Not stated | See listing |
Price tiers are for each listing as sold at our check; the Lena box contains two cups and the DivaCup listing includes a Shaker Cup for cleaning on the go. Check the current price on each listing.
What “Holds 5 Tampons” Means in Grams
“Tampons’ worth” is the maker’s comparison, not a standard cup test. Tampons are labeled by a lab test: under the FDA tampon labeling rule, a “regular” tampon absorbs more than 6 and up to 9 grams of test fluid, and a “super” absorbs more than 9 and up to 12 grams. Applying those ranges to the cup claims gives a rough idea of scale, but it does not verify any brand’s capacity.
- DivaCup Model 1, 5 regular tampons: more than 30 and up to 45 grams on the FDA’s regular range.
- Flex Reusable Disc, 6 super tampons: more than 54 and up to 72 grams; Flex also lists 70 ml.
- Flex Cup Size 01, 2 super tampons: more than 18 and up to 24 grams.
- Saalt Soft Cup and AllMatters Mini: Saalt lists 2 to 3 tampons (Small) and 3 to 4 (Regular), and AllMatters lists 3 tampons for the Mini, without saying regular or super.
- Lena, Lunette and the Saalt Disc: the listings we checked give no number.
Grams of test fluid and millilitres of period blood are not the same measure, so treat these as rough comparisons. Because some brands don’t say whether they mean regular or super tampons, these figures can’t rank every pick, and none of them tells you about fit.
How to Choose a Size
Each brand uses its own size criteria, such as flow, experience, age or vaginal canal width. Read the size notes on the listing you buy rather than assuming one brand’s “small” matches another’s.
- Lena: Small for beginners and regular flow; Large for heavy flow, overnight and experienced users.
- Saalt Soft: Small for light to normal flow; Regular for medium to heavy flow.
- Lunette: Size 1 for teens and beginners with light to medium flow; Size 2 for heavier flow.
- DivaCup: Model 0 is for slim vaginal canals and first-time users, Model 1 for medium to heavy flow, and Model 2 for heavy flow, post-partum, wide vaginal canals and people 35+.
- AllMatters Mini: for teens or anyone who needs a smaller size.
Our suggestion: if you are unsure between two sizes, consider a two-size set such as Lena. At our check, it cost less than buying two of the single-cup listings on this page.
Menstrual Cup vs Menstrual Disc
A cup collects flow in the vagina and is held in place by a seal; a disc sits further back. Flex describes its reusable disc as sitting in the vaginal fornix, just beneath the cervix. Both disc picks here are reusable silicone.
- Removal: Flex Cup has a pull-tab designed to break its seal, Flex’s disc has a non-slip rim, and the Saalt Disc has a removal notch. Follow the removal instructions for your product.
- Capacity: the Flex Reusable Disc lists 70 ml (6 super tampons). It is the only pick here with a figure in millilitres.
- Learning curve: for cups, the 2019 review below found a familiarisation phase over several periods in all of its qualitative studies. Expect a disc to take practice too.
One caution from that review: help from a professional to remove the product was reported for 47 users of cervical cups and 2 users of vaginal cups. Discs also sit near the cervix, but the review does not say whether modern discs were among the cervical cups it counted. Read the removal instructions before your first try.
The 8 Best Menstrual Cups and Discs for 2026
1. Lena Menstrual Cup Set, Small + Large
- TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF SIZING: Introducing the Lena Menstrual Cups Set – a small menstrual cup designed for beginners…
- PATENTED SHAPE YOU DON’T EVEN FEEL: Lena Cups (US Patent D746,452) are designed for a subtle, barely-there feel. Both Sm…
- LEAK-FREE PROTECTION EVEN ON HEAVY DAYS: Enjoy up to 12 hours of comfortable protection. Lena Cup provides a snug and se…
Why we picked it: You get both sizes in one box, so you can compare Small and Large at home. Lena says the Small is for beginners and regular flow and the Large is for heavy flow, overnight and experienced users. The set includes two cotton storage bags and step-by-step instructions, and the cups are made in the USA from medical-grade silicone.
Lena describes the silicone as firm enough to pop open reliably, and says each cup can last up to 10 years.
Best for: first-time users who don’t know their size yet, or anyone whose flow changes a lot across their period. Who this is NOT for: anyone who already knows they need a very soft cup; Lena sells a separate Sensitive version for that.
Limitation: the listing gives no capacity figure for either size, so you can’t compare it by number with DivaCup or Flex.
2. Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup
- FLEXIBLE FIT FOR LEAK-FREE COMFORT: The soft period cup moves with your body for up to 12 hours of protection, even over…
- ALL-DAY CONFIDENCE: Designed for worry-free wear from morning to night, this reusable menstrual cup provides reliable pr…
- SOFT & SENSITIVE FRIENDLY:This soft menstrual cup is ideal for those with bladder sensitivity, cramping, or discomfort f…
Why we picked it: It is the softer version of Saalt’s cup, aimed at people with bladder sensitivity, cramping or discomfort from firmer cups. Saalt lists the Small for light to normal flow (2 to 3 tampons) and the Regular for medium to heavy flow (3 to 4 tampons). It comes with a carry bag, and Saalt says to sanitize it by boiling or wiping with isopropyl alcohol.
The listing also quotes user percentages on cramping, but it does not say how those figures were collected.
Best for: people who found a firmer cup uncomfortable or have bladder sensitivity, as Saalt markets it. Who this is NOT for: anyone who wants a firmer cup; Saalt sells a standard cup as well.
Limitation: the listing doesn’t say whether its “tampons” are regular or super, so the capacity is hard to compare. At our check, it usually shipped within 4 to 5 days.
3. DivaCup Model 1 with Shaker Cup
- Silicone Cup Size & Capacity: DIVA Cup Model 1 holds the equivalent of 5 regular tampons of flow, making it ideal for me…
- Reliable Silicone Menstrual Cup: DIVA Cup is made from 100% medical grade silicone, ensuring safety and durability for p…
- Reusable Period Care Product: Our DIVA Cup is safe for up to 12 hours of continuous use; then, simply wash thoroughly an…
Why we picked it: DivaCup states both the tampon type and the count: Model 1 holds the equivalent of 5 regular tampons, for medium to heavy flow days. It is made from medical-grade silicone, and this listing adds a Shaker Cup for cleaning on the go.
Best for: medium to heavy flow, if you like a cup with a clear capacity figure. Who this is NOT for: first-time users with a slim fit; DivaCup itself points them to Model 0.
Limitation: this one-cup bundle had the highest price of our single-cup picks at our check. The cup-only Model 1 listing had no Add to Cart button for New York 10001 when we checked.
Pro Tip: Our suggestion: practise at home on a lighter day, not before a long day out, and consider backup such as period underwear while you learn. The 2019 review found a familiarisation phase over several periods in all of its qualitative studies.
4. Lunette Menstrual Cup
- UP TO 12 HOURS OF PROTECTION: Soft menstrual cup for long-lasting wear with a secure, comfortable fit through day and ni…
- REUSABLE & DURABLE: Lunette period cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone and reusable up to 10 years, offering a …
- BODY-SAFE MATERIALS: Lunette period cup is vegan, BPA-free, latex-free, with no harmful chemicals, made in Finland with …
Why we picked it: Lunette is made in Finland. The listing says Size 1 suits teens and beginners with light to medium flow and Size 2 suits heavier flow. It has a bell shape with a flexible stem, a linen storage pouch, and comes in six colors.
Best for: readers who prefer an EU-made cup, or a beginner who wants Size 1. Who this is NOT for: anyone who wants a capacity number before buying; the listing doesn’t give one.
Limitation: the listing opens on Size 1, so check that you pick the right size before you buy.
5. Flex Cup Starter Kit, Size 01
Why we picked it: Flex’s patented pull-tab stem is designed to break the seal as you pull; Flex compares removal to pulling a tampon string. The starter kit includes two disposable Flex Discs and a carrying pouch. Flex says Size 01 holds as much as 2 super tampons.
Best for: beginners whose main worry is getting a cup out. Who this is NOT for: heavy days without a backup; Size 01 lists 2 super tampons, a smaller figure than DivaCup Model 1 or the Flex Disc.
Limitation: the listing says Flex cups “have not been linked with TSS,” but the NHS says TSS can happen with menstrual cups, and the 2019 review found five reported cases. We hid this card’s bullet list for that reason. The Amazon title says “Slim Fit – Size 01” while the card title says “Full Fit – Size 01,” so go by the size number.
6. AllMatters (formerly OrganiCup) Menstrual Cup, Mini
- ALLERGY CERTIFIED – AllMatters menstrual cups (formerly OrganiCup) are Allergy Certified and do not contain any known al…
- AWARD-WINNING – Our period cups have been awarded product of the year twice and received the Excellence Award from BuyMe…
- POPULAR – 2 million + have already chosen to improve their periods by changing to our award-winning menstrual cup
Why we picked it: The Mini is the size AllMatters makes for teens and anyone who needs a smaller cup. It lists 3 tampons’ worth, comes in an unbleached organic cotton pouch, and the brand says it is Allergy Certified after review by a toxicologist.
Best for: teens, or anyone who wants a smaller cup, as AllMatters describes it. Who this is NOT for: anyone who wants a clear capacity comparison; “3 tampons” doesn’t say regular or super.
Limitation: “Allergy Certified” is the brand’s claim on the listing. Separately, the 2019 review recorded six reports of allergies or rashes with menstrual cups, without naming a cause in its summary.
7. Flex Reusable Disc
- SAFE FOR YOUR BODY. Flex Reusable Disc is made with medical-grade silicone that won’t disrupt your natural vaginal pH. F…
- EASY TO USE. Designed for beginners, the patented notch on the disc’s rim creates a narrow point for perfect placement d…
- 12-HOUR PROTECTION. You’ll love the ultra-soft silicone catch, which holds up to 6 super tampons-worth of fluid (70 mL)….
Why we picked it: It lists 6 super tampons, or 70 ml, the only capacity on this page given in millilitres. Flex says a notch on the rim narrows it for insertion, and the non-slip rim helps with removal. It comes with a carrying pouch and two disposable discs.
Best for: heavy days, or anyone who tried a cup and didn’t get on with the seal. Who this is NOT for: someone who wants two sizes to choose from; this listing offered no size choice at our check.
Limitation: “6 super tampons” and “70 ml” are the maker’s figures. Our suggestion: practise removal at home the first few times and follow Flex’s instructions.
8. Saalt Menstrual Disc
- ALL-DAY CONFIDENCE: Designed for worry-free wear from morning to night, our reusable period disc offers reliable protect…
- 12-HOUR PROTECTION: Enjoy up to 12 hours of continuous leak protection that moves with you through every activity. Work,…
- SOFT & SENSITIVE FRIENDLY: To insert, this reusable period disc folds in half into a figure eight shape with an insertio…
Why we picked it: At our check, the listing offered Small, Regular, and a Regular/Small set. It folds into a figure eight for insertion, has a removal notch, and Saalt says it lasts up to 10 years. Saalt says to sanitize it by boiling or wiping with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Best for: anyone who wants a disc with a choice of size. Who this is NOT for: anyone who wants a stated capacity; the listing doesn’t give one.
Limitation: like the Saalt cup, the listing quotes user percentages on cramping and “better periods” without saying how they were collected. The card showed no price at our check, so open the listing to see it.
Are Menstrual Cups Safe? What the Research Says
A 2019 systematic review in The Lancet Public Health concluded that menstrual cups are a safe option, and it also recorded reports of problems. It covered 43 studies with 3,319 participants. In four studies that compared cups directly with pads or tampons, leakage was similar or lower with cups, and 73% of participants in 13 studies wanted to keep using the cup.
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS): the review found five reported cases after cup use. The NHS says TSS is rare, that you can get it from tampons or menstrual cups, and that you should follow the product’s instructions. The NHS lists symptoms such as a high temperature, muscle aches, a raised rash that feels like sandpaper and flu-like symptoms; if you are using a cup and get these, remove it and get urgent medical help.
- IUDs: the review recorded 13 cases of an IUD being dislodged in cup users. The summary doesn’t give guidance for specific products, so our suggestion is to ask the clinician who fitted your IUD before using a cup or disc.
- Other reports: five people reported severe pain or vaginal wounds, six allergies or rashes, and nine urinary tract complaints.
“FDA registered” is not “FDA approved”
In the US, a menstrual cup is a Class II medical device exempt from premarket notification, subject to limits set in the rule. Some listings say “FDA registered,” but under a federal rule, registration does not mean approval, and suggesting otherwise counts as misbranding. Judge a cup by its material, sizes and instructions, not by that phrase.
How to Clean a Menstrual Cup
Follow the instructions for the cup you buy; they differ. Every pick here is silicone, and these are the methods the listings give:
- During your period: Flex says to rinse with cool water, wash with a mild soap or cleanser, then rinse with warm water. Lena describes a rinse with water or gentle soap. DivaCup’s Shaker Cup is for cleaning on the go.
- Sanitizing: Saalt’s cup listing says to boil or wipe with isopropyl alcohol, and its disc listing specifies 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Before first use: Flex notes that paper fibers from the packaging can stick to the cup, so wash it before the first use.
- Storage: Lena includes cotton bags, Lunette a linen pouch and AllMatters an organic cotton pouch. Flex says to let the cup air dry and store it in its pouch.
Notes for UK and EU Readers
The product links on this page go to Amazon US, and we checked availability only for New York 10001. Lunette is made in Finland. Check delivery options to your country on each listing. For more options, see our organic period products guide.
Deal Tip: If you shop around Black Friday, compare what’s in the box (one cup, two sizes, or a cleaning cup) rather than the size of the discount. If you are not sure of your size yet, a two-size set may suit you better than one cup.
Related Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are menstrual cups safe?
A 2019 systematic review in The Lancet Public Health concluded that menstrual cups are a safe option, with leakage similar to or lower than pads and tampons in direct comparisons. It also recorded five reported cases of toxic shock syndrome and 13 cases of IUD dislodgement, so follow the instructions, and our suggestion is to talk to your clinician first if you have an IUD.
How long can you leave a menstrual cup in?
Follow the maker’s instructions. Every cup and disc on this page lists up to 12 hours, and you may need to empty it sooner on heavy days.
What size menstrual cup should I get?
Each brand sizes differently. Most offer a smaller size for beginners, teens or lighter flow and a larger one for heavier flow; DivaCup also mentions vaginal canal width, post-partum and age. If you are unsure, a two-size set such as Lena lets you try both.
Is a menstrual cup or a disc better?
Neither is better for everyone. A cup is held in place by a seal; Flex describes its disc as sitting further back, just beneath the cervix. The Flex Reusable Disc lists 70 ml, while Flex Cup uses a pull-tab to break its seal.
Can teens use a menstrual cup?
Some brands make sizes for teens: the AllMatters Mini and Lunette Size 1 are both listed for teens. Our suggestion is to learn at home on a lighter day and follow the product’s instructions.
Can you use a menstrual cup with an IUD?
The 2019 review recorded 13 cases of IUD dislodgement in menstrual cup users, so our suggestion is to ask the clinician who fitted your IUD before you start.
The Bottom Line
For a first cup, the Lena Small + Large set is our top pick because you get both sizes to compare. If firm cups bother you, try the Saalt Soft Cup; for heavy flow, the DivaCup Model 1 or the Flex Reusable Disc; and for teens, the AllMatters Mini. Whatever you choose, follow the instructions, give yourself a few periods to learn, and check with your clinician first if you have an IUD.
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