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The 22 best T-shirts for men, according to extensive wear and wash tests
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T-shirts are quintessential for any wardrobe, regardless of the season. They're a classic top on their own, but are also useful for layering looks, exercising in, or stocking up on with a multipack.
For this guide, I've selected the very best T-shirts for men, including those from the many brands I've personally tested or bought over the years. My top pick is the ultra-comfortable Mott and Bow Classic Crew Driggs Tee, which I've worn for years on a regular basis, and still fits like new. For an affordable option to replace all your T-shirts, I recommend the Fresh Clean Threads Best Sellers 10 Pack.
It's worth noting that while all the T-shirts listed below are in men's sizing, they can suit anyone. Men's T-shirts tend to be boxier, broader, and longer than tees made for women. If you're looking for a simple tee that's shorter and more fitted, check out our guide to the best women's white T-shirts.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches style products.
Our top 5 favorite T-shirts we've tested:
Like Mott & Bow's jeans, the brand's tees are exceptionally soft, hang beautifully, and are built to last.
Staff Pick
You can really feel that the quality of this heavyweight tee sets it apart. It's made of soft cotton that feels great to the touch and, despite its weight, is highly breathable.
Everlane's Essential Organic Crew is sustainably made, soft, sturdy, and comes in more than a dozen colorways.
Uniqlo's Dry Crew tee is under $10 and features the brand's DRY technology, which helps you stay cool in hot weather.
Tommy John has a collar that stays flat, fits closely to your body, and never comes untucked.
How we selected the best T-shirts for men
We use real-world testing, including wearing and washing the shirts multiple times, along with pouring over hundreds of customer comments, in combination with our own years of industry experience to bring you reviews you can trust. Beyond fabrics, cuts, and craftsmanship, we also look at areas like sustainability and value when determining what makes it into our guides.
You're probably more familiar with Mott & Bow for its ridiculously comfortable jeans, but the brand also makes just as soft and supple T-shirts for men. The Driggs Classic Crew is one of its best sellers for good reason. Made from 100% Peruvian cotton, they have a sensuous hand feel and hang really nicely (not too tight, not too boxy).
The Driggs, made in Peru, comes in 21 colors and the brand loves to throw more colors into the rotation pretty regularly. I've had several of the Driggs Tees for more than a year, and wear them all the time. I've run them through many wash cycles and they're still looking fresh with no fading, pilling, or loose threads.
If you follow the washing/drying instructions, they'll last a long time. You can save a few bucks if you bundle them as well (3 and 6 packs are available).
Read more about our experience with the brand in our full Mott & Bow jeans review.
If you're looking for an inexpensive tee for men in various colors that also helps keep you cool in hot weather, then the Uniqlo Dry Crew Neck tee may be for you. It comes in at under $10 and uses the brand's DRY technology that helps keep you feeling cool and dry. This T-shirt has a silky feel with a cotton outer lined in polyester and offers a good bit of stretch. With the price and color range, you can stock up on these tees for everyday wear or to supplement your collection.
Buck Mason, one of our favorite menswear brands, produces high-caliber quality staples that are truly built to last. Good thing the brand is all about timeless style too since you'll be wearing their clothes for years.
Case in point: the Field Spec Heavy Cotton Tee. It's made from rugby-weight cotton for a super-sturdy shirt that drapes nicely and is cut so it's not clingy but not super boxy either. It's the perfect T-shirt for men in transitional weather. Considering its heft, I was surprised at how soft it was, with a lived-in feel straight out of the package.
"I got this T-shirt for my fiancé, but he only wore it once before I immediately claimed it. The cotton feels cool and the weight of it makes it feel substantial and high-quality. Buck Mason has some of the best cotton textiles that I've ever felt — and there is no greater testament to this than the fact that I wear it to sleep because I love the way it feels against my skin." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews.
The Tommy John Second Skin Crewneck Undershirt is designed to stay in place and lay flat against your skin under your dress shirts, but feel free to wear it solo as well. Tommy John founder Tom Patterson couldn't find an undershirt that wouldn't bunch up under his dress shirts, so he set out to create one of the best T-shirts for men himself.
The Second Skin Crewneck Undershirt fits close to the body but isn't constricting, stays tucked into your pants, and lays flat against your skin for a neat and trim appearance under your dress shirts. Just because Tommy John designed it to be worn as an undershirt doesn't mean you can't wear it solo, especially if you want to show off those gains.
Read more about our team's experiences with the brand in our full Tommy John reviews.
Fresh Clean Threads (formerly known as Fresh Clean Tees) is another young direct-to-consumer brand that's becoming one of our go-to sources for men's basics. They offer a ton of colors; the tees are especially soft thanks to the brand's StratuSoft poly-cotton fabric and they're cut to emphasize the positives (arms and shoulders).
You can build your own bundle of five tees and save $10 or choose from 3, 5, and 10 packs. Fresh Clean Threads also often drops limited-edition and mystery packs. You can subscribe and get free shipping and early access when new colors and styles arrive. Choose your 3-pack (you can swap out packs down the road) and how often you want them delivered. You can also cancel anytime.
Learn more about the brand in my Fresh Clean Threads review.
I've been wearing Rhone's products for about four years, mostly for running and workouts. I typically run several miles three times a week as well as work out with weights so their gear gets a steady amount of use and laundering and still looks impeccable with no loose threads, holes, pilling, or color fading.
I typically use the brand's purpose-designed products that, not surprisingly, look like they're made for exercising. Their Reign T-shirt for men nicely blends the best of the brand's hardcore workout gear, like odor-resistant ColdFusion technology, moisture-wicking fabric, built-in UPF 50+ for extra sun protection, and a lot of stretch with a style that works well as an everyday tee. It's the best of both worlds and comes in 20 different colorways.
For a deeper dive into the brand, check out our full Rhone review.
Bombas has rightfully earned its reputation for always being comfortable. You might know the brand for making the best socks we've ever tested, but they also make other wardrobe basics like underwear and T-shirts.
The Bombas Pima Cotton T-Shirt, in particular, is one of my favorites for lounging because it's incredibly soft, has a comfortable, relaxed fit when ordered true to size, and holds up well in the wash. Whet
What's more to love about Bombas is that with any purchase, one item gets donated to those in need.
We've been singing the praises of Merino wool for a while now. It's naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, making it a versatile fiber for a variety of uses. Unbound Merino takes this fabulous material and creates a handsome crew neck tee with amazing hand feel, a beautiful drape, and a fit that's neither too loose nor too tight.
It comes in a rich black (along with eight other colorways) that, in combination with the material and style, earns Unbound Merino our top spot for best black T-shirt. Pair it with the brand's Merino Travel Pants for the ultimate travel outfit. Note: moths love wool, so I store all my Merino clothing in a container when not in use.
Everlane's Organic Cotton Crew, part of the brand's Uniform Collection, is appropriately named since T-shirts and jeans have become the go-to outfit for many of us. Everlane ups the game with a big dose of sustainability by using organic cotton and ethically sourcing its production.
Another big part of the sustainability puzzle is longevity. Cheaply made garments quickly end up in landfills. When designing their best T-shirt for men, the brand ran it through more than two dozen washes and other tests to make sure this tee would last. Plus. it's a soft, super comfortable T-shirt that's available in more than a dozen core and seasonal colorways and comes in at $35.
Read more about the Uniform Collection in our full Everlane menswear review.
For me, Alex Crane really shines with its lightweight summer wear, that's not to say that the brand doesn't also do an amazing job with colder-weather clothing. But Alex Crane's use of lighter fabrics, especially among the best linen shirts, is truly exceptional when combined with its timeless but never fussy style.
The name says it all. The Sun Tee in the Rio colorway will be your go-to warm-weather T-shirt with its classic yarn-dye striped linen fabric. They sustainably produce the linen in France and knit it in Portugal. The shirt throws off heavy seaside vibes and, like all the brand's clothing, it's meticulously crafted to last for years. Pair it with my favorite summer trousers, the Cham Pants, and a linen Kite jacket for the perfect summer look.
Psycho Bunny neatly combines the best of streetwear — a coolly casual style that doesn't take itself too seriously, strong graphics, and daring colors — and classic men's wear with elevated tailoring, razor-sharp attention to detail, and real craftsmanship.
While the brand is best known for its bold, in-your-face polos, Psycho Bunny also makes some singular T-shirts for men that fall squarely on the streetwear side of the fence, but keep the kind of elevated details you expect from the brand. They produce the Classic Crew Neck Tee in Peru from super soft Pima cotton. It has a relaxed fit and features the brand's iconic stitched bunny and crossbones logo.
Walter Sky, a young direct-to-consumer clothing brand, creates timeless, technical, well-made clothes that can take you from a night out in the city to a strenuous mountain hike. I know, because I've done both wearing the brand's clothes. I've had the WS-T02 — a pocket tee like no other I've owned — for more than three years. It's among the best T-shirts for men I own, and still looks brand-new after tons of hard-wearing.
The technical aspects are wildly impressive. The storied Japanese company Toray Industries, known for its innovative fabrics, designed the shirt's fabric. It's synthetic but feels and hangs like a natural fabric. They sew the shirt using another Toray first, a patented odor-eliminating thread. Pair this tee with the brand's WS-B01 pants and WS-J02 jacket and you'll be ready for any adventure, whether in the urban jungle or an actual one.
Everything I've gotten from True Classic is ultra soft and stretchy. It's kind of the brand's thing. They make their V-neck from a cotton-poly blend for extra softness and stretch in a cut that emphasizes your arms and shoulders while de-emphasizing the midsection to help give us ordinary mortals that classic inverted triangle shape without having to do planks for hours.
With an extensive 27 colorways to choose from, you'll probably have a hard time just getting one of their best T-shirts for men. And yep, they offer bundles so you can save money when you pick up a bunch in a rainbow of colors.
With a name like HNLY (pronounced henley), you'd hope the brand would deliver a great henley-style T-shirt for men, and indeed it does. Actually, it goes beyond. The Bourdain Henley combines style, comfort, and sustainability in a long-sleeve shirt that feels like you've been wearing it for years straight out of the box.
They make it in Los Angeles from 100% organic cotton jersey. The shirt has an athletic cut that's not constricting and offers a bit of natural stretch. Nice touches include the slight drop hem for ease of movement, the metal buttons on the placket, and subtle distressing at the neck. HNLY garment-dyes the Bourdain for a soft finish with beautiful color depth.
The olive colorway is a particular favorite. The shirt is preshrunk, so you're less likely to ruin it in the wash (tip: follow the recommended laundering instructions if you want to get the longest life out of your clothes).
Burberry, the legendary British label best known for its outerwear, especially trench coats, offers an upscale take on the tee featuring a bold logo across the front. Made with organic cotton jersey, their best T-shirt for men comes in seven colorways, including an eye-catching vivid blue, and is cut with a relaxed fit for a super-stylish upgrade to any casual outfit.
The Malibu-based brand Bleusalt offers elevated basics you'll never want to take off. They make their High-T in the U.S. using sustainable Tencel Modal and spandex for a shirt that's incredibly soft, breathable, and stretchy. The Unbleached colorway is a warm white that's truly elegant. Wear it with the brand's Tide Trouser and you'll look smart but feel like you're still in your pajamas. Their inclusive sizing system is atypical, so be sure to check out their sizing guide to find your perfect fit of the best T-shirt for men.
Vancouver-based DUER takes performance and style to the next level with eco-friendly fabrics and cuts that are flattering and fashionable but never faddish and ultra-comfortable. This shirt, made out of 100% Pima cotton, is a standout pick because of the high-quality fabric. Pima cotton has longer fibers and a softer feel than traditional cotton. Plus, you can definitely tell the difference in durability and texture.
Pair it with their No Sweat Pant, and this long-sleeve tee will become your go-to T-shirt for men in cooler temps.
Read about another of their cold-weather men's wardrobe staples in our full DUER jeans review.
We've written about Public Rec a good bit and for good reason. The brand has become beloved for its innovative and stylish athleisure wear that combines technical properties with impeccable minimalist silhouettes. Their Go to Crew has an athletic fit that's not too clingy but moves nicely with the body.
They use a custom blend fabric made from Pima cotton, spandex, and Tencel, for an impressive combination of softness, stretch, and durability. Public Red also uses flatlock seams for this tee in which they butt together the fabric ends and stitch them so there are no rough edges (a practice more common to outdoor gear) for durability, a sleeker design, and extra comfort without chafing. The tee comes in eight outstanding colors.
Read more in our full Public Rec Go-To Tee review.
Long before the fashion world co-opted the style, the American heritage brand Carhartt was making hard-wearing workwear, and 100+ years on, it continues to excel at its trade. The brand introduced its loose-fit heavyweight short-sleeve pocket T-shirt back in 1992 and it continues to be a bestseller.
They make it from a durable but soft heavy-weight 100% cotton jersey cut for a looser fit so you don't feel constricted while you work. That being said, just because it's billed as a work shirt for men doesn't mean it can't be for play too. And with 21 colors to choose from, everything from Pale Apricot to Brite Orange, you can let your wild side show if you want. The shirt also features a left-chest pocket with the iconic Carhartt patch logo and comes in a vast range of sizes.
Curved-hem tees offer certain advantages over the classic straight-hemmed style. They draw the eye upwards to emphasize the vertical for a slimmer appearance. The curved hem also elongates the leg so you appear taller. And in the name of practicality, it's easier to access your pants' pockets with this type of tee.
California-based Cuts Clothing takes the curved hem style and elevates it with its AO Curve-Hem Tee. The brand uses a proprietary cotton/spandex/polyester blend fabric that's soft, stretchy, and wrinkle-resistant.
They also engineer the shirt to prevent shrinkage and retain its color. This top T-shirt for men comes in two different fits — signature, which is an athletic cut that's fitted around the chest and arms and tapers towards the waist, and classic, which is roomier — and 10 contemporary colors.
Since its founding in the 1960s, Nike has pushed boundaries with its innovative athletic gear. The Nike Dri-FIT Primary Top incorporates the brand's Dri-FIT technology, a unique polyester microfiber fabric that draws sweat away from the body to keep you cool and dry when you're working out.
Vent holes in the pits also help keep your body temperature regulated while you work out. The Nike Primary Top incorporates some sustainable elements (organic cotton and recycled polyester) but at only 10% of each of these materials, it's not the most eco-friendly shirt on the list, though at least a start.
Tomorrow's Laundry is a young subscription box service for lovers of high-quality T-shirts for men and other basics. The brand offers a $75-per-month plan in which you'll receive T-shirts or one hoodie. You can skip months and cancel anytime. You don't have to be a member to shop at the site. The tees start at $55, but with the plan, you save about 35% on all orders, and the shipping's free.
The brand's Modern Pocket Tee is a handsome oversized T-shirt (1.5 inches longer than the standard) that's cut for a modern boxy fit and features a single chest pocket. A high stitch count for longer life, sustainable production practices, and ultra-touchable cotton fabric from Peru that comes in some unusual colors make this the perfect oversized tee.
Read more from Amir Ismael on the brand's T-shirts in our full Tomorrows Laundry review.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.