Gel Knee Pads

Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board

Gel Knee Pads: A great tool with knee pain and swelling

Gel knee pads can be a tremendous help if you are suffering from knee pain, have injured your knee or recently had knee surgery.

They are great if you are having knee pain kneeling down and can be used to provide padding and protection to the knee joint from impact injuries.

Protecting your knees with these pads can reduce your pain, speed up healing and enable you to keep doing the activities you love.

Gel knee pads are a must for anyone who spends time on their knees whether it's gardening, housework or manual labour, such as roofing and carpet laying. 

They are particularly useful for conditions such as Osgood Schlatters, Arthritis, Housemaids Knee, Chondromalacia Patella and anterior knee pain as they provide a soft cushioned surface to kneel on and reduce the pressure through the knee. 

Knee pads also help spread out the force going through the knee, rather than it all going through one point.

Why Use Gel Knee Pads?

Gel knee pads are designed with a specific purpose – to provide superior cushioning and protection to your knees through:

  • Shock Absorption: The gel material excels at absorbing and dispersing impact forces, reducing stress on your knee joints.

  • Comfortable Fit: Unlike traditional knee pads, gel pads often conform to the shape of your knee, offering a personalized and comfortable fit.

  • Versatility: Whether you're into gardening, sports, or any activity that puts strain on your knees, gel knee pads are versatile and can be a game-changer.

Benefits of Using Gel Knee Pads

There are a number of benefits associated with wearing gel knee pads:

  • Pain Prevention: By absorbing shocks and distributing pressure, gel knee pads help prevent knee pain and discomfort, especially during repetitive movements.

  • Injury Protection: Whether you're an athlete or someone tackling home improvement projects, the added protection can reduce the risk of knee injuries.

  • Extended Wear Comfort: The gel's ability to adapt to your knee's contours ensures that you can wear these pads for extended periods without sacrificing comfort.

How To Choose the Right Ones

There are loads of different gel filled knee pads out there, made of different materials, in different styles so it can be hard to know which ones are right for you. When choosing gel knee pads it is important to think about:

  • Size Matters: Ensure you select the right size for a snug fit without compromising blood circulation.
  • Durability: Look for durable materials to ensure your gel knee pads withstand the test of time.
  • Activity-Specific Designs: Some gel knee pads are tailored for specific activities, so choose accordingly based on your needs.

Best Gel Knee Pads

Let's have a look at some of the best gel knee pads on the market right now. We're split them into groups:

  • Standard Knee Pads
  • Long Cap Knee Pads: extra long for greater protection
  • Professional Gel Knee Pads: heavy duty for extra protection
  • Budget Gel Knee Pads: great value for money
  • Ultra Flex Knee Pads: super flexible
  • Foam Knee Pads: cheap and lightweight

1. Standard Gel Knee Pads

Standard Gel Knee Pads

Overview: Standard gel knee pads usually have hard plastic caps to protect against rough surfaces and gel padding for comfort. They may have single or double adjustable straps on each pad to ensure a good fit. 

Our Verdict: Standard gel knee pads are perfect DIY and home improvement enthusiasts or for use in the garden. They provide moderate support and cushioning and are usually very comfortable. Find Out More >

Read: User Reviews    Browse: ON SALE (guide price $30/£20)

Gel knee pads available in these countries

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2. Long Cap Gel Pads

Long Cap Gel Knee Pads

Overview: These long cap gel filled knee pads reduce harmful, painful pressure on the front of the knee and redistribute body weight evenly. They are extremely comfortable, even when worn all day.

Their long cap design provides greater protection and optimises comfort and stability. The upper and lower elastic sleeves ensure the pad stays in place and there is an extra elastic strap with a hook and loop closure towards the bottom of the pad.

Our Verdict: Top of the range, suitable for garden work, construction, roofing etc. These are extremely comfortable gel knee pads – one person stated they felt like kneeling on soft clouds or pillows! Comes in pairs. Find Out More >

Read: User Reviews    Browse: ON SALE (guide price $35/£25)

Gel knee pads available in these countries

3. Professional Gel Knee Pads

Top of the Range: Professional Gel Knee Pads

Overview: Professional gel knee pads are heavy duty and designed to put maximum protection where it is needed most. The built-in flexibility provides long-lasting comfort and the embedded inserts provides maximum impact resistance.

They often have non-marking caps so will not damage surfaces. They are made of non-slip material to avoid sliding around on hard surfaces. Our favourite brands are NoCry and Thunderbolt.

Our Verdict: These are perfect for people working in construction as they provide exceptional protection ad cushioning. They might be slightly more cumbersome but they are still comfy to wear and stay in place well. Find Out More >

Read: User Reviews    Browse: ON SALE (guide price $32/£30)

Gel knee pads available in these countries

4. Budget Gel Knee Pads

Budget Option Gel Knee Pads

Overview: Budget knee pads contain a gel foam core for excellent comfort. They also have plastic cups for extra protection.

They may be a pull-on style sleeve or come with elasticated straps with Velcro fastenings to ensure a perfect fit. They are comfortable and easy to wear, and are designed for prolonged use.

Our Verdict: Great value for money. Comfortable even when worn all day. Find Out More >

Read: User Reviews    Browse: ON SALE (guide price $18/£20)

Gel knee pads available in these countries

5. Ultra-Flex Kneepads

Ultra-Flex Gel Knee Pads

Overview: Ultraflex knee pads are perfect for people who are moving around a lot and are constrantly up and down as they are super flexible.

Gel knee pads like these have a special "comfort zone" gel centre which provides great cushioning for your knee. Surrounding this is a thick, high density foam and a soft, flexible outer shell. The pads grip well to most surfaces without scratching. Flexible straps ensure a great fit.

Our Verdict: Great mid-range option. These work well either over clothes or against skin. They stay in place well and are extremely comfy - people forget they have them on. Find Out More >

Read: User Reviews    Browse: ON SALE (guide price $30/£30)

Gel Knee Pads available in these countries

6. Foam Kneeler Pads

Foam Knee Pads: Budget Options

Overview: Foam knee pads are perfect for using around the house and in the garden. Comfortable to wear, extremely lightweight yet durable design and an easy to use adjustment strap. Sold as a pair.

Our Verdict: Great super budget option. Comfy, easy to move around in, and provide good cushioning, even though they aren't gel. Find Out More >

Read: User Reviews    Browse: ON SALE (guide price $12/£10)

Gel knee pads available in these countries

What Else Can Help?

Gel knee pads are a great way to reduce pain when kneeling. If you are also having problems with pain and weakness in the knee when doing activities, have a look at the brace guide. Or if you are wanting help working out what is causing your pain, go to the Diagnose your Pain section.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

Page Last Updated: 05/06/24
Next Review Due: 05/06/26

*Prices correct as of June 2024.  All prices are subject to change.  Please note we do not stock products directly and therefore have no control over price changes.  See advertising policy for more information.

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