Written by Nate Birt on Wed Jan 01 2025.
Bladder leaks caused by incontinence are a common medical condition for millions of people. If you, or a loved one, need help finding products to manage incontinence, Carewell is here to help.
Bladder leaks and incontinence are incredibly common, affecting millions of people. If you or a loved one needs support navigating product choices, Carewell is here to help.
This comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to confidently choose the best incontinence products. We'll cover what these products are, how they work, and highlight our top recommendations. You'll also find a helpful comparison chart, expert tips on selection, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Let's get started so you can manage incontinence with confidence and discretion.
Urinary incontinence is the most common type, and many products are specifically designed to absorb urine, preventing leaks onto skin or clothing. While some incontinence products are reusable, most popular options are disposable for convenience. There are also specialized products with extra capacity for bowel incontinence.
Incontinence products can be worn either as a substitute for regular underwear or as an additional layer of protection over or under other clothing.
Beyond absorbent products, several other items enhance comfort and hygiene for those managing incontinence:
Underpads (chux): These protect beds, furniture, wheelchairs, and other surfaces, keeping them clean and dry.
Specialty washes, wipes, and gloves: These are essential for maintaining personal hygiene, protecting skin, and ensuring caregivers can provide support safely and efficiently.
Our selection of top incontinence products is based on real feedback and reviews from Carewell customers. We've also ensured a diverse range of products to illustrate the many effective solutions available. When used together, these products can help keep you or your loved one clean and comfortable, maintain sanitary environments, and simplify cleanup routines.
Designed for individuals experiencing heavy incontinence and frequent leaks, this unisex adult diaper offers superior moisture lock-in while keeping the wearer dry and comfortable.
Key Benefits & Features:
Unisex design: Suitable for all genders.
High absorbency: Features a highly absorbent core for heavy incontinence needs.
360 Breathable Zones: Promotes airflow for optimal comfort and skin health.
Omni Odor Guard: Helps neutralize odors discreetly.
Refastenable tabs: Allows for easy adjustments and secure fit.
Cloth-like backing: Provides a soft, comfortable feel.
Ideal for daytime use with heavy incontinence.
Our pull-on underwear features an extra-wide and longer absorbent core compared to other leading brands. It's specifically engineered to provide comprehensive protection against leaks for side, back, and stomach sleepers.
Key Benefits & Features:
Overnight protection: Locks away up to 4.5 cups of liquid for all-night comfort.
Full coverage core: Extra-wide design effectively traps liquid before leaks occur, ideal for various sleeping positions.
Pull-on style: Easy to wear, similar to regular underwear.
This versatile pull-up underwear is available in various sizes and is perfect for individuals with heavy incontinence or for reliable bedtime use.
Key Benefits & Features:
Elastic Kuffguards: Direct liquid into the absorbent core, preventing leaks.
Odor control fabric: Limits odor and wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping it dry.
Tear-away seams: Allow for easy and convenient disposal.
Uninterrupted sleep: Designed to keep loved ones dry through the night.
Price: $19.35 - $83.00
These discreet bladder pads offer maximum absorbency to keep individuals with heavy incontinence dry, day or night.
Key Benefits & Features:
Triple protection: Guards against leaks, moisture, and odor.
ProSkin™ Technology: Keeps the body comfortable and dry.
Soft top layer: Ensures comfort against the skin.
Discreet individual wrapping: Convenient for on-the-go use.
Ideal for heavy incontinence, including postpartum incontinence.
Around-the-clock protection.
Specifically designed for men, the cup-shaped design of these guards provides a perfect fit for those with heavy incontinence and large urine surges.
Key Benefits & Features:
Male-specific design: Comfortably fits men, providing targeted protection.
Powerful adhesive: Keeps guards securely in place inside underwear.
Absorbent core: Limits odor and simplifies disposal.
Individually wrapped: Ensures discreet use and portability.
This versatile underpad is essential for protecting bedding and furniture, creating a comfortable and dry environment for individuals managing incontinence.
Key Benefits & Features:
Multipurpose use: Ideal for beds, chairs, wheelchairs, and other surfaces.
Soft top sheet: Ensures comfort for the user.
Highly absorbent core: Provides effective incontinence management.
Odor control: Helps keep odors away even after accidents.
These moistened wipes clean urine and bowel voids off of the skin. They are mild and unscented to keep them gentle on the body.
Key Benefits & Features:
Pre-moistened disposable washcloths soft pack with re-closable lid
pH-balanced cleansing formula and Fresh Touch Moisturizer for a gentle feel against the skin
Premium soft cloths with aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E in every wipe
Free of parabens, latex, and alcohol
This one-step lotion combines mild cleansing agents, a breathable skin barrier and moisturizing ingredients in one gentle, non-irritating formula.
Key Benefits & Features:
A lotion consistency provides a creamy, gentle application that helps moisturize the skin while cleansing, avoiding the dryness that can sometimes occur with harsher cleansers.
This indicates a specific concentration (likely of an active or beneficial ingredient), suggesting an effective yet carefully formulated solution for gentle cleansing without being overly harsh.
These single-use gloves make incontinence cleanup easy, convenient, and sanitary.
Key Benefits & Features:
Ambidextrous fit: Gloves fit comfortably on either hand.
Smooth texture: Ensures ease of use.
Easy to put on and remove: For efficient cleaning of urine and voids.
Latex-free: Made without natural rubber latex to prevent allergic reactions.
Simplify your nighttime routine and enhance the comfort of the person you care for with Carewell Overnight Underwear, Leak Resistant. This easy-to-use, pull-up style underwear offers up to 12 hours of dependable leak protection, holding up to four cups of liquid to minimize frequent changes. The reliable odor protection and secure, gap-free fit mean fewer worries and more restful nights for both the user and the caregiver. Its breathable, gentle fabrics also promote skin health, reducing the risk of irritation and the need for extra skin care.
Key Benefits & Features:
Pull on style absorbs up to 4 cups of liquid (Small absorbs 3 cups)
Innovative larger body-forming core with rapid-absorption channels
Available in sizes Small through XXL
Made in the USA with U.S. and imported materials
Customer Review of Carewell Overnight Incontinence Pull-Up Underwear, Leak Resistant: “ Great new product! My husband used another brand name overnight pull-up day and night for the past 2 years, which worked well but very expensive. The new Carewell overnight underwear is just as absorbent, but seems easier to put on and gives a more comfortable fit - very soft. You also can't beat the price! Well done Carewell!" - Vern R.
Selecting the right incontinence products involves considering a few key factors:
Who are the products for?
For self-use: Consider pull-ups, bladder pads, or male guards based on your absorbency needs and lifestyle.
For a loved one (caregiver perspective): Briefs with tabs can be more convenient for regular changes. Bladder pads or male guards are also beneficial, especially for heavy incontinence.
What level of absorbency do you need?
Light leaks (less than one full void per day): Bladder pads or male guards are usually sufficient.
At least one elimination per day: Pull-ups are a good choice.
Multiple daily voids or bowel incontinence: Briefs (adult diapers with tabs) are ideal. If only managing bowel incontinence, look for specially designed bowel pads for maximum comfort and protection.
Consider gender-specific designs and features:
Men: Benefit from male guards, pull-ups, and briefs.
Women: Often find bladder pads, pull-ups, and briefs most effective.
Always study product descriptions to ensure the cut, size, and specific features meet your needs for comfort and protection.
Even minor accidents can cause urine to remain against the skin, potentially leading to skin irritation and infections. Maintaining good hygiene is crucial for skin health and overall well-being.
Yes. If an accident occurs, it's important to change the soiled product and underwear as soon as possible. Then, wash and dry the affected area to remove bacteria and prevent skin irritation. Special cleansers designed for incontinence often contain moisturizers and are pH-balanced to reduce irritation and protect delicate skin.
Regular exercise, particularly targeting the pelvic floor muscles, can significantly help. The natural aging process can weaken muscle fibers, making it harder to control urination or bowel movements. Strengthening the pelvic floor can improve muscle control and support internal organs, potentially reducing incontinence symptoms.
Incontinence is a normal and common condition experienced by people of all ages. Understanding your own needs or those of the loved one you care for is key. Use these insights, along with reviews from Carewell customers, to confidently choose the best incontinence products for your unique health and well-being journey.
If you have questions or need personalized guidance, Carewell’s Caregiving Specialists are ready to assist! Call us at (800) 696-CARE, and we’ll be glad to help you find the products that fit your situation best.
Finding the right incontinence products always takes some research, but it can be even more challenging if you or your loved one is over six feet tall or has a waist size greater than 62 inches.
Read More >
When caring for someone with incontinence, using the right adult wipes is crucial for maintaining skin health. Unlike smaller baby wipes, adult wipes are significantly larger, often measuring 8" x 12" or more. This generous size allows for more efficient and thorough cleaning, providing better coverage of the affected area with fewer wipes. Their increased durability and formulations designed for adult skin also help prevent common issues like diaper rash and irritated skin, making them an essential part of effective incontinence care.
Medically Reviewed by Kiera Powell, R.N.
Nate Birt is a healthcare writer with a journalism degree from University of Missouri. He lives with his wife and their four children on a small farm in Missouri.
