19 best undershirts for men that keep your outfit sweat-free and sharp

Best overall: Tommy John Second Skin Modern Fit Crew Neck

We nearly gave up on T-shirt style undershirts. They can be ill-fitting at the collar, the sleeves can become loose over time, and they rarely stay tucked in. But Tommy John's undershirts are the complete opposite. Close-fitting but not tight, they're long enough to stay comfortably tucked into your pants, and they practically disappear underneath your top layer of clothes. 

We especially like Tommy John's undershirts over basic tank tops when wearing dress shirts. They're more comfortable (which is important when you're already wearing not-so-comfortable dress clothes), they help prevent sweat stains on the armpits, and they're a lot less visible if you're wearing a white or light-colored shirt.

Read our full review of Tommy John undergarments.

Best V-neck: Mack Weldon AIRKNITx V-neck Undershirt

Mack Weldon put a lot of thought into its AIRKNITx V-neck Undershirt, to no one's surprise. Everything we've tried from the brand has that extra attention to detail — not just in aesthetic matters, but where it counts. They craft this undershirt with their Airknit fabric, a blend of synthetic fibers as seen in workout gear for a shirt that's both soft and light so you won't mind having it under your button-up shirt for eight hours or more.

 The fabric is stretchy and moves with your body and is extra long in the torso, so it stays tucked in. The tee also has a slim fit, meaning it doesn't add bulk, and is stretchy, wicks away sweat, and fights odor. They finish this V-neck with ladder stitching, a technique known for being hard-wearing. Mack Weldon's clothing holds up well year after year. 

Read our full review of Mack Weldon underwear here.

Best tank top: Hanes Cool Comfort Cotton Tank

While T-shirt style undershirts are best for preventing armpit stains under button-ups and dress shirts, tank top undershirts get the job done if you're only concerned with having a sweaty back and chest. The Hanes Cool Comfort White Tank is a no-frills undershirt, but with no tags, soft preshrunk cotton, and moisture-wicking technology, it has everything you need. In line with all of Hanes' other products, the Cool Comfort tank tops are reasonably priced within everyone's budget. Although we regularly recommend skipping on low-cost underwear for pricier versions that are more durable, we have found no issues with Hanes tank tops that should deter you from buying them.

Best white: Ministry of Supply Atlas Tee

Ministry of Supply is a cutting-edge clothing company that uses engineering to make getting dressed the easiest part of your life. Two MIT students launched Ministry of Supply in 2012 and the brand has continued to push boundaries using innovative materials for its clothing with a timeless aesthetic. From chore coats to dress shirts, their apparel perfectly combines functionality with style. 

The Atlas Tee is a great example of what the brand does so well. Ministry of Supply Combines a balance of matte cotton and cooling nylon that fights odors and is moisture-wicking, so you stay fresh and dry even in the summer heat. The tee is also stretchy, breathable, and lightweight. And since it's made from recycled materials, it's eco-friendly as well. It comes in a bright white that beats cotton versions hands down.

Read our full review of Ministry of Supply dress shirts here.

Best sweatproof: Thompson Tee Sweatproof Undershirt V-neck

Managing sweat while being dressed up is an ever-present challenge (especially in a suit). However, the Thompson Tee is uniquely designed with a second layer — the "sweat pad" — to put some more material and distance between your skin and a nice shirt. The trim cut is form-fitting and long enough to tuck, while the V-neck is suitably deep so it won't be peeking out from under your shirt collar. The slim-fit version is woven from a bamboo-derived rayon and the "sweat pads" are made from a bamboo-derived cotton and Spandex blend for stretch and flexibility.

Best classic: Jockey Made in America Crew Neck

Jockey, an American heritage brand that started in 1876 making wool socks for lumberjacks, knows a thing or two about crafting long-lasting and comfortable undergarments. The brand's Cotton Crew Neck T-shirt is a classic undershirt that's made in the U.S. from American-grown cotton. 

And while this Classic Crew has the traditional look and feel of a cotton tee, Jockey's version has built-in tech that adds longevity and comfort. These shirts stay looking new longer with less fading and piling and are moisture-wicking to help keep you cool and dry.

Best cooling: Twillory Performance Crew

The first thing you notice when you slip on one of Twillory's Performance undershirts is how cool and silky it feels against your skin. It only gets better as the day goes on, since it helps keep you feeling cool and fresh no matter what the weather throws at you. The fabric is a cotton-rayon-spandex blend that's breathable and does a great job wicking sweat. The brand's known for its performance menswear, and they bring the same mindset to their undershirts. 

These tees have plenty of stretch and are thin enough to even go under a polo without added bulk. The Performance tee has plenty of length in the torso, so it stays tucked in, and it doesn't show through a white cotton dress shirt. You can choose between a crew neck or V-neck. The brand also offers a tonal version that you can't detect even under white summer-weight linen shirts. 

Read our full review of Twillory's performance dress shirts here.

Best versatile: Gildan Heavy Cotton Tee

Gildan's got the cheap T-shirt game locked up on Amazon. Their Crew Tees are the number one seller in the men's T-shirt category, since they're comfortable, durable, 100% cotton, come in a wide range of sizes, and dirt cheap.

But if you're looking for a bit more versatility, the brand's Heavy Cotton Tee offers all the benefits of the regular crew tee with a touch more weight to the fabric so they look great on their own, yet are still thin enough to work as an undershirt. They come in a ridiculous amount of colors, making them perfect under whatever casual button-up or dress shirt you own. They're also available in multipacks, so you save even more cash. 

Best deep V-neck: All Citizen AirWeight Undershirt Deep V

V-neck undershirts serve a purpose other than style: When sporting a button-up shirt, you can leave the top button undone while still hiding the shirt underneath. And if you're going for a super casual look with two or three buttons undone, you're going to need an even deeper V-neck. 

All Citizens' AirWeight Undershirt is a solid choice because it offers the option of a standard V-neck or a deep V-neck. The shirt also features mesh zones on the sides for breathability, a stay-tucked length, and a soft microfiber feel on the skin.

Best budget: Hanes Ultimate Comfort Crewneck

What would a list of undershirts be without Hanes? In short, incomplete. As one of the most popular underwear brands, if not the most popular, Hanes has a huge assortment of all types of undergarments, including undershirts. If you're going for a classic T-shirt style rather than a tank top, the Ultimate Comfort Crewneck is what you'll want to buy, especially if you're on a budget. 

Each pack comes with four undershirts, making it the best bang for your buck. Made from 95% cotton and 5% Spandex, these Hanes undershirts are tagless, have lay-flat collars, and are available in sizes up to 2XL.

Best slimming: SPANX Zoned Performance Compression V-neck

You probably know SPANX for its women's shapewear, but the Atlanta-based company also makes undergarments for men, in sizes from small to XXL. The SPANX Zoned Performance Compression V-neck helps give men a more toned look under their dress shirts by targeting the torso and abs, toning the chest, and helping with your posture. 

They make the undershirt out of a nylon-spandex blend fabric that gives you ease of movement, wicks sweat, and dries quickly. It also features mesh zones at the pits and back to help keep you cool. If you've been slacking at the gym or just need a boost of confidence, SPANX has you covered.

Best high-end: Tommy John Second Skin Stay-Tucked Tank

There's nothing wrong with affordable multi-pack tank tops, but with the overall lifespan of the garment, you typically get what you pay for. And Tommy John's Second Skin Tanks are well worth the splurge. The Second Skin fabric is made from a blend of 90% non-pilling micro modal and 10% Spandex, which gives it a silky-smooth feeling against the skin and helps keep the material looking new after repeated wears and washes. 

Besides featuring Tommy John's luxe materials, these undershirts lay flat, stay tucked into your pants, and never lose their shape. You'll be able to avoid having your undershirts bunched up and bulging around your midsection. While they're not cheap, you'll get your money's worth in terms of longevity and its high level of comfort.

Best to avoid sweat stains: Ejis Sweat Proof V-neck

If you are apt to sweat a lot, Ejis has you covered with the brand's Sweat Proof V-neck, specifically designed to keep your dress shirts dry and sweat-stain free. They make the undershirt from a soft micro-modal that's light and breathable. The tees' secret weapons are ultra-absorbent underarm pads that are waterproof and prevent any sweat from getting through to your dress shirts. 

The tee also has anti-odor properties using silver nanotechnology that fights scent at the source. And besides the sweat-proof properties, it's tagless, has a collar that lays flat, and is cut long enough to stay tucked in. The V-neck allows you to leave one button undone on your collared shirt. It's not a cheap product, but it will help save your expensive dress shirts from getting sweat stains and ending up in a landfill.

Best multi-pack: David Archy Soft Micro Modal V-neck

David Archy undershirts are made of a soft micro-modal fabric with a touch of Spandex. Modal, which is a semi-synthetic material made from beech tree cellulose, is more eco-friendly than cotton because it requires less water to produce, is light and breathable, dries quickly, and is extremely soft against the skin. 

The V-neck is suitably deep and the David Archy shirts are slimmer fitting than most other multi-pack undershirts from popular brands like Hanes, which tend to be a bit boxier. You may want to consider sizing down if you're between sizes. The sleeves are slim-fitting so the material doesn't bunch up around your arms under your dress shirt.

Best fitted: Mr. Davis Comfort Fit V-neck

Mr. Davis' Comfort Fit Tailored V-neck ticks the boxes for a premium undershirt. They make this tee from a bamboo viscose and Spandex blend fabric that's soft, stretchy, and sits close to the body without being constrictive. It's also breathable and naturally wicks away sweat. 

The tee is built to hug your body at the torso but offers a bit more width at the hips for ease of movement and is cut long enough to stay tucked in. The V-neck is deep enough to allow you to leave two buttons on your dress shirt undone. The brand also offers a cut with a more relaxed style, if that's your thing. This undershirt comes in a wide range of sizes from X-small to XX-large.

Best casual: J. Crew Broken-In Short-Sleeve V-neck

Undershirts are typically designed to be worn under collared shirts, but they're still essentially just T-shirts. If they're styled right, there's no reason you can't pop on an "undershirt" with a pair of jeans for a simple, basic outfit. As one of the premier brands of casual men's style, it should come as no surprise that J. Crew made it into our list. 

This heather gray V-neck tee lives up to the brand's simple-yet-stylish design ethos. It features a tailored cut that's not baggy or restricting. It's slim enough to be an undershirt and made of soft combed cotton, too.

The V-neck is also deep enough that you can safely undo a button on your collared shirt, but it's not so low as to be unsuitable for casual wear. It's a no-nonsense, well-made, nicely-styled staple tee that'll get a lot of play in your rotation whether you're wearing it under a dress shirt or just pairing it with jeans or chinos.

Best thermal: Patagonia Men's Capilene Midweight Crew

Besides being one of one of our go-to brands for outdoor clothing, Patagonia's also great for everyday lifestyle needs. Patagonia goes farther than many brands by not only crafting exceptional products that are super durable and timelessly stylish, they also continue to be at the head of the pack with sustainability issues. 

They make the Capililene Midweight Crew from 100% recycled polyester, which is more eco-friendly than most options. The fabric is smooth on the skin, thin enough to layer without adding a ton of bulk, and features a diamond-grid pattern on the inside that helps keep you warm while wicking away sweat for better temperature regulation. It's also built to let you move with fully gusseted underarms and raglan shoulder seams. The Midweight Crew has built-in odor control, so whether you're out on the slopes or on your commute, you'll stay warm, dry, and stink free.

Best curved hem: Legends Aviation Curved Hem Tee

Legends, a young performance menswear brand, has been racking up accolades and fans since it officially launched in 2018. The brand's Aviation Curved Hem Tee features a tri-blend fabric that has a ton of stretch and is cool and smooth against your skin. It sits close to your body but isn't at all constricting. The curved hem makes for an even more comfortable wearing experience. This tee does triple duty as an undershirt on its own, and is also perfect for light workouts paired with their Luka Short.

Best black: Ribbed Tee Coolwear V-neck

Ribbed Tee launched back in 2008 with the goal of creating the perfect T-shirt. They may have achieved their goal. The brand starts with American grown Supima cotton, known for its longevity, softness, and color retention, for the Coolwear V-neck. And that's just the start. They produce this undershirt in the U.S. and add everything you'd want from a great tee — extra length in the torso so it stays put, a soft handfeel, no itchy tags, and a decent price, especially for an American product that's built to last. It comes in a rich black that's perfect under your darker-colored dress shirts and also looks great on its own.

How to choose an undershirt

Choose a fitted undershirt with a dress shirt to help maintain a trim, put-together appearance. Modern fit button-ups tend to be more tailored, so your undershirt should be, too. You could even consider a compression undershirt for an even more streamlined look. Also, make sure your undershirt is long enough to easily tuck into your pants to prevent bunching around the midsection. For layered looks or with a more casual unbuttoned collared shirt, a less fitted undershirt is fine. 

While white undershirts are the standard color, a darker hued undershirt is the way to go with lighter colored dress shirts, especially if they're summer-weight, like a thin cotton or a linen. Colors like gray or black are much less visible than traditional white undershirts under thinner light-colored fabrics. 

If you're wearing a tie or are buttoning your dress shirt all the way up, a crew neck undershirt is your best bet. But if you, like so many others these days, are going for a more casual look with your dress shirt unbuttoned at the neck, a V-neck should be your go to. This style of undershirt stays under wraps for a cleaner, more elegant appearance. 

As with a lot of things, you often get what you pay for. High-quality undershirts will last longer. They have stronger seams, are often pre-shrunk so they don't shrink further, and keep their stretch. Whether it's a budget version or a top-of-the-line product, if you want your undershirt to last longer and give you the best performance, follow the manufacturer's laundering instructions.

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