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CHARMKING
CHARMKING Compression Socks (8-Pack)
An 8-pack of cushioned 15-20 mmHg everyday socks — one of the most popular on Amazon.
- 15-20 mmHg graduated
- Moisture-wicking, odor-free
- Cushioned, machine washable
15-20 vs. 20-30 mmHg Compression Socks: Which Strength?
15-20 mmHg socks give mild everyday support; 20-30 mmHg is firmer and usually doctor-directed. Compare strength, uses, fit, and who should ask first.
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The short answer
Start with 15-20 mmHg if the goal is everyday comfort for tired or mildly swollen legs and no doctor has set a level. Choose 20-30 mmHg when a doctor recommends it, for example for varicose veins or more swelling. Cleveland Clinic lists stockings of 20 mmHg and up as needing a prescription.
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4.5(88,926)on Amazon
CHARMKING Compression Socks (8-Pack): Best for everyday comfort, long sitting, travel, and mild end-of-day swelling.
Best Overall
Physix Gear
Physix Gear Compression Socks (20-30 mmHg)
The most-reviewed medical-grade compression sock on Amazon: firm graduated support with a seamless toe.
- Firm 20-30 mmHg graduated
- Seamless toe
- Moisture-wicking
Physix Gear Compression Socks (20-30 mmHg): Best when a doctor has recommended firmer compression for a specific condition.
Head-to-head comparison
Pressure level
- 15-20 mmHg (mild)
- Mild; Cleveland Clinic classes under 20 mmHg as low compression
- 20-30 mmHg (firm)
- Moderate; Cleveland Clinic classes 20 to 30 mmHg as medium compression
Prescription
- 15-20 mmHg (mild)
- Sold over the counter, though Cleveland Clinic advises asking a provider first
- 20-30 mmHg (firm)
- Cleveland Clinic lists 20 mmHg and up as needing a prescription, though many are sold online without one
Swelling
- 15-20 mmHg (mild)
- In a 2018 study of 58 working adults, less end-of-day leg swelling than with no stockings
- 20-30 mmHg (firm)
- The same study found a larger reduction, most of all in people who sat most of the day
Putting them on
- 15-20 mmHg (mild)
- Easier to pull on with stiff hands or limited reach
- 20-30 mmHg (firm)
- Firmer, so usually harder to pull on; a donning aid or helper may be needed
Example
- 15-20 mmHg (mild)
- CHARMKING knee-high, cushioned, 15-20 mmHg, 8 pairs
- 20-30 mmHg (firm)
- Physix Gear knee-high with seamless toe, 20-30 mmHg
Ask a doctor first
- 15-20 mmHg (mild)
- Yes, with heart failure, peripheral artery disease, or a current blood clot
- 20-30 mmHg (firm)
- Yes, before starting, and especially with heart failure, peripheral artery disease, or a current blood clot
Frequently Asked Questions
Tap a question to see the answer.
The number is the pressure the sock applies, in millimeters of mercury. Cleveland Clinic classes compression under 20 mmHg as low and 20 to 30 mmHg as medium. 15-20 mmHg socks are mild everyday support for tired legs, while 20-30 mmHg socks are firmer and are usually worn because a doctor recommended them for a condition such as varicose veins or swelling.
Cleveland Clinic states that stockings rated 20 mmHg or higher require a prescription, even though many 20-30 mmHg compression socks are sold online without one. The practical point is that a doctor should confirm the level is right before an older adult wears 20-30 mmHg socks every day, because firmer compression is not safe for everyone.
A 2018 study of 58 working adults found that both 15-20 and 20-30 mmHg stockings reduced end-of-day leg swelling, with 20-30 mmHg reducing it more, especially in people who sat most of the day. Ankle swelling in an older adult can also signal a heart, kidney, or vein problem, so new, sudden, or one-sided swelling needs a doctor before any compression sock.
Cleveland Clinic advises that, unless a provider says otherwise, people with heart failure, peripheral artery disease, or an active deep vein thrombosis should not wear compression socks. Anyone with those conditions, or with numbness, fragile skin, or open sores on the legs, should get a doctor's recommendation on whether to use compression and at what mmHg level.
Generally no. A Cleveland Clinic cardiologist notes there is no reason to wear compression socks while lying down or sleeping, though short periods such as a nap are not necessarily harmful. Taking 15-20 or 20-30 mmHg socks off at night gives the skin a break. People with vein disease and open sores may be told otherwise by their care team.
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