6 brands making the best active swimsuits for women in 2023

Size range: XXS-XL for swim suits, XXS-3X for sun shirts

Athleta is known for producing high-quality workout gear that is equal parts functional and stylish, so it's no surprise its active swimsuits would hit that same sweet spot to look as good as they feel whether you're swimming, playing beach volleyball, or turning cartwheels on the shore.

The swimsuits range from sexy to functional to high coverage in every design from bikinis to tankinis to one-piece suits to rash guards, so there's truly something for everyone. While its designs are great for curves, unfortunately, its swimsuits only go up to an XL; however, Athleta is known for running large, so that should fit more like a traditional XXL (small consolation).

Much of the collection is made from sustainable materials like recycled nylon and many of the suits also have UPF sun protection, which protects the fabric and your skin from the sun's rays.

Athleta's swimwear is perfect for water sports including swimming, surfing, and paddle-boarding, thanks to the stretchy, breathable fabric that moves with you.

Athleta's swimwear is priced on the mid-to-high end ($55-75 for a bikini top; $95-120 for a one-piece), but splurging on one of the best active swimsuits for women is better than multiple ill-fitting cheaper options. 

Size range: XXS-XXL

Considering Patagonia is a leading B corp brand with clothes designed to stand up to the elements and movement of the outdoors, it's no surprise that their women's active swimwear lives up to its reputation.

The swimsuits range from rash guards and long-sleeved one-pieces to bikinis, tankinis, and board shorts. In our opinion, the brand really excels on cute one-pieces that will stay put. In fact, when a few Insider Reviews editors tried Patagonia's active swimsuits, they found them to be comfortable, supportive (including for DD cups), and reliable for playing in the surf.

We were all impressed by how comfortable the suits were and how well they stayed in place. Women's swimsuits are often designed more for style than substance, so Patagonia's collection stood out as a great choice for women who like to actually move around in the water in their swimsuits.

All the swimsuits are made of recycled nylon or polyester that has UPF sun protection and is non-slip. Patagonia also states that these suits are Fair Trade Certified-sewn, so you know you're buying eco-friendly, ethical swimwear.

The biggest downsides are that sizing is limited (XS to XL) and the suits are pricey, around $120 to $180. — Malarie Gokey, Director of Editorial Training, Insider

Read our full Patagonia swimsuit reviews.

Size range: XXS-XXL

Sweaty Betty is known for its high-end activewear and applies that same ethos to its swim line. The founder and creative director of SB surfs and paddleboards, and she brings this first-hand knowledge of needing to focus more on movement and less on staying covered into its designs.

The brand truly excels in its well-designed one-pieces which are made with swimming laps in mind. The one-pieces are always surprisingly cute and flattering for the category, with small details like a chest zipper or open back to elevate your basic one-piece without losing the swimming-efficient shape. They usually have chlorine-resistant fabric and are designed for performance with a high neck and supportive straps.

When it comes to its bikinis and rash guards, most pieces have 50+ UV protection as well as quick-drying properties to help avoid chafing. 

You'll definitely pay for the silky, well-fortified fabric, but the higher quality also means these are the best active swimsuits for women to last you many seasons.

Size range: XS-XL, 4-42

There's a reason Speedo has been a go-to source for professional swimmers for years. The brand makes  the best active simsuits for women that are high-quality, durable, supportive, and comfortable.

Its classic one-pieces still hold strong with compression in all the right places and a design built for improved performance and faster recovery time. The quick-drying suits feature wide straps for added support and durability, while the smooth and soft fabric is chlorine-resistant.

Speedo also makes very cute and very functional bikinis, albeit only for the small-chested. In general, its suits run small, so the biggest downside is that these suits won't fit the majority of American women (although Speedo does have a limited plus-size line).

However, if you are smaller and looking for functional, flattering active swimsuits for women that won't cost you too much, the majority of Speedo's suits can be nabbed for $28-35 for bikinis, $50-88 for one-pieces, and $48-98 for rash guards. 

Size range: 4-40

Swimsuits for All makes some of the best swimsuits for women period, but we particularly love how well their bikinis, tankinis, one-pieces, and swim dresses stay put as your chasing after kids on the beach or popping up on a surfboard.

Swimsuits for All also has a ridiculously robust catalog of styles including collaborations with awesome body-positive advocates like Ashley Graham, and really cool offerings like chlorine-resistant Lycra bike shorts and swim skirts, in case the traditional active swimsuits for women aren't your jam.

Five of our editors who wear sizes 8 through 20 tried different styles from the brand and said all the styles fit shockingly well and no one reported any mid-swim malfunctions.

Read our full Swimsuits for All reviews. 

Size range: XXS-XL with Tall options

Born out of a surf trip in Mexico, this women-owned business started out selling rash guards and boardshorts for women. As women's style evolved in surfing to be more accepting of bikinis, the founders shifted their focus to also crafting two pieces that would actually stay put while paddling, popping, and carving — and in designs women would actually want to wear.

A decade-and-a-half later, its line of the best active swimsuits for women features every kind of bikini cut, including more modest high-neck designs and swim skirts to fully cover your booty if that's where you gravitate. But what we love about Carve is it also makes cheeky bottoms that make you feel empowered on the beach but won't slip off when you go underwater. 

Also worth noting: The brand also recently launched a recycled swim line with suits made from plastic bottles collected out of the ocean.

The main downside, like many brands on this list, are that the suits don't fit a huge range of body types or sizes.