A definitive list of the 9 best sweaters for women, according to a team that has tested nearly every brand on the market

Best overall: Alex Mill Button-Back Crewneck

Yes, you heard that right. This sweater doubles as a cardigan and a crewneck pullover. This extreme versatility is one of the reasons Alex Mill's Button-Back Crewneck Sweater gets top billing as our best sweater overall. It's also very fun to watch your friends ooh and ahh when you tell them that you can wear it both backward and forward.

But perhaps our favorite part about this sweater is the quality of the knit. Alex Mill's chunky cotton yarn is soft to the touch, tightly woven, and not prone to pilling. I also love that, since it's made of cotton, I don't have to baby it in the laundry the way you need to with materials like wool.

This one is slightly pricey at $150, but it feels worth it since the two-in-one feature really brings the cost per wear down. Plus, the sweater also comes in a striped version for those who want a little more visual interest.

Best fisherman: L.L.Bean Men's Cotton Fisherman Sweater

This sweater is the crème de la crème of women's sweaters — even if it's labeled as a men's sweater. I knew I had to write about the L.L.Bean Men's Cotton Fisherman Sweater when I hopped on a video call with Sally Kaplan, the executive editor of Insider Reviews, and I immediately recognized the sweater she was wearing. We gushed about how it's the best for a good ten minutes before starting our meeting.

It's made of a heavyweight cotton yarn, which means that it manages to be both breathable and pleasantly chunky. And because it's a men's style, the fit is oversized — but not so much so that it will swallow you.

"I love the way this sweater hangs on me. I got a men's XL (for reference, I'm 5-foot-2 and usually wear a 12 or 14) and it hits me just below my hips for a perfectly oversized look," says Sally.

For our full thoughts (and outfit ideas), see our L.L.Bean Cotton Fisherman Sweater review.

Best cashmere: Naadam Original Cashmere Sweater

There are few better additions to your fall wardrobe than a cashmere sweater. And while you may think that such a purchase will cost you a significant proportion of your paycheck, Naadam wants you to think again.

Naadam is our favorite place to find high-quality, reasonably priced cashmere. Associate Editor Gabrielle Chase made it her mission to find the best cashmere sweater and, after testing tons of brands, Nadaam came out on top. More specifically, she swears by Naadam's Original Cashmere Sweater. The piece is just under $100, which is a fantastic price for fine-spun cashmere.

Here's what Gabi had to say in her Naadam Cashmere Sweater review: "I even sleep in mine, it's that soft. The knit is breathable and insulating all at once, which is unique to cashmere. Another thing I love — this one sweater is unisex (just size up for a looser fit) and comes in dozens of colors, from versatile neutrals to vibrant pastels."

Best cardigan: Alex Mill

Alex Mill started as a tiny shop with a cult following in NYC's SoHo neighborhood. But now, it's a national brand with a reputation for high-quality fabrics in practical cuts.

We can't say enough good things about Alex Mill and the quality of their knits. The Nico Chunky Cardigan is made of thick-knit, heavy-weight cotton yarn. The cable stitching makes it look both cozy and stylish, with lots more visual interest than a plain beige cardigan.

You can wear this open over a shirt or as a top in and of itself. I sometimes have issues with wearing the cardigan-as-a-top trend because I have a larger bust, but this sweater is just oversized enough that I never have issues with gaping between the buttons.

Because it is made of cotton, it's a fantastic all-season pick. I can definitely see myself wearing it over dresses on chilly summer evenings or pairing it with a wool coat and scarf during the winter.

Best luxury cashmere: Guest in Residence Oversized Crew

If you've ever wanted to dress like Gigi Hadid, now you can. Guest in Residence is the model's line of luxury cashmere sweaters and accessories. And this oversized cut is one of their best sellers.

"I love the super soft handfeel of this slouchy sweater, and from my experience with testing this luxury knit, I'm willing to bet that Guest in Residence bid high on premium-grade cashmere to create it. It barely pills, even after a lot of regular wear, and it's both lightweight and cozy," says Gabrielle Chase.

If you're wondering why this sweater is more expensive than other kinds of cashmere sweaters, check out Gabi's Guest in Residence review, where she digs into details about the gauge and quality to explain the cost.

Best budget cashmere sweater: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck

Here are our thoughts on the sweater from our full Quince review.

"The super soft Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater feels more expensive than it is, and it's obvious why it's such a hit. It's main difference from Naadam's ($98) is that it's slightly thinner and not as smooth. I tested the newest Cashmere 2.0 version, which costs the same and felt slightly thicker than the original, but it still trails Naadam in terms of softness.

"Of course, the price tag on Quince's 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere is attractive when you see that it's practically identical to Naadam's. The patterns are the exact same (unless I'm really nitpicking — Quince's neckline is bound with a seam that looks slightly more unfinished and liable to fray). But the quality is acceptable and consistent with other Quince cashmere pieces I've tested." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews

Read more in Gabi's full Naadam vs. Quince cashmere sweater review.

Best mockneck: Frank & Oak Compact Mockneck Sweater

I love the look of turtleneck and mockneck sweaters, but I often find that the high neck is more cute than functional. Having material constricting your neck during a workday can get very annoying very quickly. And it often leads to overheating once you've settled into a heated room for the day.

But the Compact Mockneck Sweater manages to be both cute and avoid the hot-around-the-collar feeling. We often avoid recommending knits that aren't made from organic materials, but this one is made of recycled nylon and polyester yarn. I was originally skeptical of the material, but it passes our tests of being soft, breathable, and easy to launder.

I also love how the fit is just the tiniest bit cropped. It hits your body in a flattering way and avoids looking schleppy like some sweaters. I also got the matching Compact Mini Skirt, and the set has become my new go-to winter outfit.

Best oversized cardigan: Quince 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan

Here's what Executive Editor Sally Kaplan said about this sweater in our Quince review.

I'm allergic to wool, so every time I find an oversized cotton sweater or cardigan, I get extra excited. After testing this one from Quince, I consider the brand a top selection for the best sweaters for women and am definitely planning to buy it in more colors! I love the swingy, oversized fit, and the weight of it is substantial enough that I don't worry about it stretching or shrinking. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews

Best waffle-knit: Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Crewneck Sweater

You may recognize Buck Mason as the viral menswear brand birthed on Shark Tank, but it has since expanded its selection to women's clothing. Above all, the company is focused on using the highest-quality fabrics around. They have their own knitting mills, controlling the entire manufacturing process from start to finish. This results in textiles that are a cut above the rest.

The Seafarer Crewneck is one of the best sweaters for women because it's made from seven gauge cotton yarn. This breathable knit is so soft that I keep reaching for it over and over again. I love the slight balloon sleeves, the Goldilocks fit, and of course, the feel of the fabric.

How we tested for the best sweaters for women

We determine the best sweaters for women by doing long-term testing. This means that we wear the sweaters multiple times, launder them according to instructions, and update our articles if we begin to see signs of wear and tear.

We evaluate the quality of the material by noting whether it pills, whether washing changes the shape of the garment, and whether it is worth the initial cost.