Choosing continence products for another person is about much more than absorbency. Bladder or bowel leakage can affect confidence, independence, relationships and willingness to leave home. It may also be emotionally difficult for relatives who are supporting someone with increasingly personal care.
The person receiving care may feel embarrassed, frightened or concerned about losing control. Family members may experience worry, sadness, exhaustion or uncertainty about how to help without causing embarrassment.
These feelings should never be dismissed. Discuss continence privately, use respectful language, seek consent and involve the person in every decision they can make. The aim is to protect comfort and dignity while preserving as much independence as possible.
This comparison looks at five leading continence-product ranges available in the UK. Although “pads” is used in the title as a familiar general term, the products considered include small pads, shaped pads, pull-up pants, belted products and all-in-one briefs.
Before choosing a product
Continence products help manage leakage, but they do not diagnose or treat its cause. The NHS advises anyone experiencing urinary incontinence to speak to their GP because assessment may identify the type of incontinence and possible treatment options.
A new or sudden change can sometimes be connected to infection, constipation, medication, mobility problems or another health condition. This is particularly important when supporting someone with dementia. Read the NHS guidance on urinary incontinence diagnosis and supporting someone with dementia.
Ask a GP, community nurse or local bladder and bowel service for an assessment when possible. Some people with severe leakage may qualify for products through the NHS, although eligibility, assessment processes and available products vary locally.
How we ranked the products
This is a desk-based editorial comparison using publicly available information checked on 19 August 2026. The products were not independently laboratory-tested or worn by our reviewers.
We considered:
- Choice of product formats
- Range of sizes and absorbencies
- Guidance on fitting and product selection
- Suitability for different mobility levels
- Skin-health and breathability features
- Practicality for family and professional carers
- Availability of samples or selection tools
- UK availability
Manufacturer absorbency scales are not directly comparable. A rating of eight drops from one company does not necessarily equal eight drops from another.
There is no single best product for everyone. Correct fit, personal preference and individual assessment are more important than the position of a brand in this ranking.
The quick ranking
- TENA ProSkin — best overall product range
- MoliCare Premium — best for specialist and two-piece options
- Attends — best for a clear absorbency system
- ABENA Premium — best for sizing and different body shapes
- iD — best direct-order alternative
1. TENA ProSkin — best overall product range
TENA takes first place because it offers one of the broadest ranges of continence products alongside detailed fitting and selection guidance.
The range includes:
- Small pads and liners
- Pull-up pants
- Shaped pads
- All-in-one briefs with tabs
- Belted products
- Fixation pants
- Bed protection
- Skincare products
TENA ProSkin Pants Plus are available in sizes from extra-small to extra-large and are designed to be worn like underwear for moderate to heavy leakage. This format may suit someone who is mobile, can use the toilet and wants to manage changes independently.
For someone with reduced mobility, TENA ProSkin Slip products have adjustable tabs and can be changed while the person is standing or lying down. The belted TENA Flex range is designed to make assisted changes easier while reducing some of the physical demands on carers.
TENA also provides a product selector and clear advice on measuring and fitting. Its guidance correctly emphasises that choosing a larger size does not provide greater absorbency and may increase leakage if the leg openings are too loose.
Why it ranks first
- Extensive range for different levels of leakage and mobility
- Pull-up, tabbed and belted options
- Broad size selection
- Detailed fitting instructions
- Product selector for families and professionals
- Widely available through UK retailers
What to consider
The large number of options can initially feel confusing. Check the exact size, format and absorbency rather than relying only on the TENA brand name. Buying a small pack or requesting a sample before placing a large order can prevent waste.
2. MoliCare Premium — best for specialist and two-piece options
MoliCare offers a particularly strong selection of shaped pads, pull-up pants, all-in-one products, fixation pants and options designed for specific needs.
MoliCare Premium Form 6 Drops is an anatomically shaped pad designed for use with MoliCare fixation pants. The manufacturer describes it as suitable for moderate to very severe urinary incontinence and some bowel incontinence.
Features include:
- A wetness indicator
- Breathable material
- An absorbent core designed to lock away moisture
- Odour control
- Colour coding for easier identification
- A pH-balanced, skin-friendly surface
MoliCare provides application videos showing how shaped products can be fitted when someone is standing or lying down. It also offers specialist products such as male-shaped pads and MoliCare Premium Form STOOL for bowel incontinence.
The MoliCare Premium Mobile range provides underwear-style pull-ups in several absorbencies, including higher-absorbency options intended for severe leakage or overnight use.
Why it ranks second
- Strong range of shaped and specialist products
- Clear fitting videos for carers
- Options for urinary and bowel incontinence
- Skin-focused product information
- Wetness indicators on relevant products
- Day, night and gender-specific choices
What to consider
Large shaped pads generally require correctly sized fixation pants. Ordinary loose underwear may not hold them securely enough. A two-piece system can work very well, but poor fitting may cause movement, discomfort or leakage.
Some people may also find a pull-up or belted product easier and less intrusive than a shaped pad with separate fixation pants.
3. Attends — best for a clear absorbency system
Attends uses a numbered absorbency system beginning at zero for its smallest pads and increasing to ten for its highest absorbency level. This makes it comparatively easy to understand the progression within the Attends range.
Its UK selection includes:
- Small body-shaped pads
- Pull-up pants
- Gender-specific products
- Belted briefs
- All-in-one slips
- Fixation pants
- Bed and chair protection
Attends Pull-Ons are worn like ordinary underwear. Different versions cover moderate to heavy urinary leakage, with some higher-absorbency options also described as suitable for bowel incontinence.
Attends also offers a product finder and free samples, allowing someone to check comfort and fit before buying a full supply.
Why it ranks third
- Simple zero-to-ten absorbency scale
- Broad selection of formats
- Products for both independent and assisted use
- Free samples and a product-selection tool
- Breathable options
- Useful fitting and care information
What to consider
The Attends numbering system only helps compare products within its own range. It should not be used to compare absorbency directly with another manufacturer’s drop rating.
Pull-up pants can support independence, but changing them may require trousers and footwear to be removed. For someone with restricted movement or who needs frequent assisted changes, a tabbed or belted product may be more practical.
4. ABENA Premium — best for sizing and different body shapes
ABENA offers products from small pads through to pull-ups, shaped pads, belted products and all-in-one briefs.
Its guidance covers sizes from extra-small to extra-extra-large, with a specialist bariatric line for hip measurements of up to 254 centimetres. This makes ABENA particularly worth considering when standard sizing does not provide a secure and comfortable fit.
ABENA Slip Flexi Fit is a stretchable all-in-one brief intended for moderate to heavy leakage. Its flexible sides are designed to follow body movement and maintain a closer fit around the waist, back and legs.
ABENA uses a drop system to identify absorbency within its range. Its product guidance stresses that absorbency and physical size are different: selecting a larger product does not automatically provide better protection.
Why it ranks fourth
- Particularly broad sizing
- Bariatric products available
- Stretchable options for different body shapes
- Pull-up, belted, shaped and all-in-one formats
- Breathable materials and leakage barriers
- Online product-selection guidance
What to consider
ABENA’s catalogue can appear technical to someone purchasing continence products for the first time. Use its product selector or request professional advice before ordering large quantities.
Its useful principle is to choose a product that is as small as possible but as large as necessary for the person’s actual needs.
5. iD — best direct-order alternative
iD offers small pads, shaped pads, pull-up pants, slips, belted products and bed protection through its UK online shop.
The iD Slip range includes several sizes and absorbencies for people who need an all-in-one product. The manufacturer describes the products as breathable, cotton-feel protection with fast absorption and a dry surface.
The newer iD Sensitive Pants range provides underwear-style protection with different absorbencies. Some older iD product names and packaging have been replaced by “iD Sensitive” branding, so customers may encounter both names while existing stock moves through the supply chain.
Why it ranks fifth
- Broad choice of formats
- Direct online ordering
- Samples available for selected products
- Clear product and pack information
- Several sizes and absorbency levels
- Useful alternative when comparing cost per item
What to consider
Check whether a listing uses the older or newer product name and confirm that the size and absorbency are equivalent before reordering. Packaging or names can change even when a product serves a similar purpose.
Match the format to the person
Before comparing brands, decide which product format is likely to be most appropriate.
Small pads
These may suit light bladder leakage. They are discreet, relatively easy to carry and usually attach to close-fitting underwear.
Pull-up pants
These resemble ordinary underwear and can support independence and confidence for someone who is mobile. The person must be able to pull them up and down or receive appropriate assistance.
Shaped pads with fixation pants
These two-piece systems can provide higher absorbency without covering as much of the body as an all-in-one brief. Correct fixation pants are essential for keeping the pad close to the body.
Belted products
A belted brief may be easier to change without completely removing clothing. It can suit someone with reduced mobility or a person who receives assistance from a carer.
All-in-one briefs with tabs
These can provide secure protection for moderate to very heavy leakage and may be practical when changing someone in bed. The tabs should allow adjustment without making the product excessively tight.
Make dignity part of the decision
The best continence product is not simply the one that holds the most liquid. It should also support the person’s privacy, comfort, choices and daily routine.
When discussing products:
- Speak privately and calmly
- Ask what words the person prefers
- Explain why a product may help
- Offer choices rather than issuing instructions
- Ask permission before measuring or assisting
- Keep the person covered as much as possible during changes
- Avoid discussing their continence in front of unnecessary people
- Store products discreetly but within easy reach
- Never use childish or shaming language
A respectful opening might be: “I have noticed that getting to the toilet in time has become more difficult. Would you like us to look at something that could help you feel more comfortable and confident?”
If the person has dementia, use short explanations, maintain a familiar toileting routine and avoid arguing if they become distressed. The NHS acknowledges that continence problems can be upsetting for both the person and their carer.
Measure before buying
Measure the waist and hips according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If two measurements fall into different sizes, follow the specific brand’s fitting guide or request a sample.
A correctly fitted product should:
- Sit securely and comfortably
- Be snug around the groin
- Have no large gaps around the legs
- Avoid digging into the skin
- Stay in position during movement
- Allow the person to sit and move comfortably
Bigger does not mean more absorbent. An oversized product may leak, feel bulky and reduce the person’s confidence.
Do not automatically choose maximum absorbency
Select absorbency according to the amount and pattern of leakage, not simply because a stronger product sounds safer.
Consider:
- Whether leakage is light, moderate or heavy
- Whether it happens during the day, night or both
- Whether the bladder empties suddenly
- Whether bowel incontinence is also present
- How frequently the person can use the toilet
- How often products can be checked and changed
- Whether diuretic medication affects urine production
A product that is unnecessarily absorbent may be bulky, expensive and uncomfortable. Different products may be appropriate during the day and overnight.
Do not place one absorbent pad inside another. NHS continence guidance warns that double padding can interfere with absorption, increase leakage and leave moisture against the skin.
Protect the person’s skin
Continence-associated skin damage can be painful and may increase the risk of infection or pressure damage.
Good care includes:
- Checking the skin during each change
- Cleaning gently after leakage
- Patting rather than rubbing the skin dry
- Changing immediately after bowel incontinence
- Using the correct product size and absorbency
- Following the person’s care plan
- Seeking professional advice about suitable cleansers or barrier products
Some oily creams can interfere with pad absorption. Ask a nurse, pharmacist or other healthcare professional which skin product is compatible with the continence product being used.
Report persistent redness, broken skin, pain, swelling, discharge or worsening irritation to an appropriate healthcare professional.
Continence products should not replace toileting
A product must never be used simply to reduce the number of times someone receives help to use the toilet.
Continue supporting:
- Regular and requested toilet visits
- Easy access to the bathroom
- Clothing that can be removed quickly
- Appropriate grab rails, raised seats or commodes
- Adequate hydration unless medically restricted
- Privacy and enough time to use the toilet
- Recording of changes in bladder or bowel habits
The person’s care plan should reflect their abilities and preferences. A continence product is a support tool, not a reason to remove independence.
Getting NHS help
The NHS explains that continence products can make life easier while someone is waiting for diagnosis or treatment. Local continence or bladder and bowel services may provide assessment, treatment advice and products according to clinical need.
Start by contacting the person’s GP surgery. Ask whether the area accepts direct referrals to its bladder and bowel service and what eligibility criteria apply.
Seek medical advice if incontinence is new, worsening or unexplained. Contact an urgent GP service or NHS 111 if there is blood in the urine, a high temperature with lower-abdominal or back pain, or another concerning change. Severe pain and an inability to pass urine require urgent assessment.
Final verdict
TENA ProSkin is the strongest overall range because it offers extensive formats, sizes and fitting guidance for both independent and assisted care.
MoliCare Premium is particularly useful when shaped pads, specialist products or detailed application guidance are needed.
Attends provides the clearest absorbency progression within a single brand, while ABENA Premium stands out for its sizing and body shape options. iD is a practical direct-order alternative with a broad selection of products.
However, the final decision should belong to the person receiving care wherever possible. Start with an assessment, take accurate measurements, request samples and monitor comfort, leakage and skin condition.
The right product should help someone feel secure—not controlled, infantilised or excluded from decisions about their own body.
This article provides general consumer and care information and is not a substitute for personalised medical or continence advice. Product ranges and availability were checked on 19 August 2026 and may change.
