CNN
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Swimsuits are one of those things that either makes you lose $ 100 on an adorable suit that you want to wear for the next few years or someone who loves to buy $ 20 suits that … OK, we guess? But what about a cheap swimsuit that is high quality, actually cute, and doesn’t crumble the first time you wear it?
Amazon, of course, has a ton of options for inexpensive, very popular (we’re talking tens of thousands of reviews, folks) swimsuits that buyers swear by. But since Amazon reviews cannot be trusted, we decided to test these swimsuits for ourselves. Did they all hold? No. But the following definitely did.
Kiana Murden / CNN
Smismivo Swimwear Black Halter One-Piece
I feel super trapped in this one-piece that soaks you in, accentuates your curves and feels really safe. I found the halter neck paired with the square neckline to be incredibly flattering and add a feminine touch to this suit compared to other one-piece options on the market. There are so many colors to choose from too. – Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor
Rachel Lubitz / CNN
Cocoship Vintage Sailor Pinup Swimsuit
Skirted swimsuits can either look matronly or costumed, and I’m happy to say that it is neither. With horizontal stripes across the chest and a black skirt with matching shorts underneath, this is one of those swimsuits that will keep you comfortable when you go to the beach and maybe even to a sandwich shop or grocery store afterwards (well, if you already in Florida like me). The silhouette flatters your curves and covers your hips and is an excellent choice if for any reason you want to be more modest. The quality is also first class, because the white stripes never become transparent when wet. – Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor
Rachel Lubitz / CNN
Hilor swimsuit for women
A one-piece that is deceptively sexy? Include us in it. With multiband accents on the shoulders and waist, with mesh between the bands, this was one of the most comfortable swimsuits I’ve tried. It turned out a little big too, so make sure you choose a size smaller here. Overall, I felt like a Bond girl, which I never would have thought possible with a $ 20 swimsuit. The only problem I encountered was that I was a little scared that it would leave weird looking tan / sunburn lines around our bodies, but luckily I always wore enough sunscreen so that wasn’t a problem. – Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor
Stephanie Griffin / CNN
Ruuhee Crisscross high waisted two-piece swimsuit
At first I was very excited to try this suit because it has so many positive reviews from women who claim it “fits like a glove” and is “the highest quality swimsuit on Amazon” – but since swimsuits aren’t one size – everything, you know never really, especially when it comes to Amazon. However, I can attest that it’s worth the hype and more! I ordered this suit on a Monday and it got delivered to my doorstep on a Tuesday morning (I have to love Prime!). It is indeed true to size and the high-waisted pants really soak up everything and offer so much protection. The top comes with padding, adjustable straps AND straps that you can maneuver to add a little extra sassy to the top, if that’s your vibe. And if you haven’t added this suit to your shopping cart yet, it is also available in more than 20 different colors and patterns. – Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist
Kai Burkhardt / CNN
Maamgic men’s swimming trunks
These were definitely my favorite pants with a stylish 7 inch inseam. It has three pockets (two on the side, one on the back) and a fine mesh lining, which makes them feel much more comfortable than the other two swimsuits I tried. – Kai Burkhardt, co-editor
Rosanne Salvatore / CNN
Cupshe women swimsuit wrap
I’ve seen this suit all over my Instagram and I know why. For only $ 32.99, this suit is a bargain. It looks similar in design to swimsuits that cost over $ 100. It is true to size and was comfortable. The back has just as much protection as the front of the suit, so you can feel safe and comfortable all day. This is a plus for those with bigger breasts! I ordered the orange / white version and luckily the white top wasn’t see-through even when it was wet. Two of my friends have already ordered this suit after spending a day with me! – Rosanne Salvatore, assistant editor
Kiana Murden / CNN
Omkagi two-piece bandeau bikini
There’s something so simple about a bandeau bikini. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that you can get delivered quickly, I would definitely recommend this one. The top feels supportive, a necessity for a strapless bikini, and the bottoms are high-waisted and not particularly sassy – although they sit below the belly button. My only downside is that I ordered the dark blue color which is certainly more of a deep teal, but I would still reach for it on my next pool day. – Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor
Kai Burkhardt / CNN
Canoe Surf men’s Barracuda swim trunks
These cases are available in over 40 colors, some of which are less attractive than others. I’ve overdone the Fiji Coral design, but aside from its bold look, this swimsuit is a solid choice for your next trip to the beach. With two large pockets, a cargo pocket on the right leg and an additional small inside pocket (really only big enough for a key) there are many options for stowing essentials when you go from the car to the water. The fit was perfect around the waist, although the legs are a bit long for my taste with an 11 ” inseam. The mesh inner lining also felt a bit tighter than I would have liked, but it definitely wasn’t a deal breaker. – Kai Burkhardt, co-editor
Rachel Lubitz / CNN Underlined
Cupshe women’s Falbala bikini set with high waist
Finding a bikini that fits my bigger chest (I’m 32H) is one of the biggest difficulties of my life. Ninety-nine percent of the ones I’ve tried are either too small for my chest or big enough to fit my chest and nothing else. It’s a grueling ordeal and that’s exactly why I love this cupshe suit so much. Due to the puffy fabric, the top miraculously covers everything and fits everything. I have a medium both upstairs and downstairs and I’ve never worried about jumping out. (Mind you, that hasn’t happened since I got my first bikini from Cupup this year, which really fit me, which runs for a whopping $ 200 for the set.)
This obviously much cheaper model is extremely comfortable, and the high-waisted trousers go straight to my waist, which gives them a curvaceous and appreciative feel. I want this bikini top in all available colors, it is that good. – Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor
Rachel Lubitz / CNN
Ekouaer women’s swimsuit
Speaking of Bond girl, this one gives you that bombshell feeling too. The bustline on me was a little lower than expected so I showed some cleavage, but once I got the straps properly adjusted I felt a lot more comfortable. The bottoms weren’t cut too high either, so I didn’t feel too va-va-voom for the neighborhood pool. Overall, it gave me a nice shape and was so incredibly comfortable to wear for a couple of hours, and the cute tropical print was a nice touch. The quality was even after washing! – Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor
Rosanne Salvatore / CNN
Pretty garden one piece
This suit is frankly exactly as advertised. It’s definitely a more daring cut for a swimsuit as it has no back, shows side breasts, and is cut high on the legs. It is true to size and the big one fitted me well, was comfortable and even had enough coverage for larger breasts. The suit withstood the laundry. If you are looking for a modern yet classic one piece suit, this is the one for you. – Rosanne Salvatore, assistant editor
Kiana Murden / CNN
Pink Queen bikini set
I would definitely say this suit was exactly what I was expecting, especially for only $ 25. I love the color army green and the suit feels pretty safe which is huge. The bottoms are pretty high waisted so they offer a lot of protection if you’re looking for a bikini that doesn’t show too much. – Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor
Kai Burkhardt / CNN
Amazon Essentials quick-drying 9-inch swim trunks for men
Slightly shorter than the canoe trunks, these 9-inch shorts from Amazon Essentials were also super stylish and fit perfectly. This pair also comes with two side pockets, a small key pocket and a back pocket. The texture of the suit itself feels a bit more matte than the traditional swimsuit material, making it look more like board shorts. – Kai Burkhardt, co-editor
Rachel Lubitz / CNN
Tempt Me ladies vintage swimsuit two-piece retro halter
This is one of those suits that if your body is not the same size on the top and bottom you might run into some problems. Although the pants fit me perfectly, the medium-sized top didn’t fit my chest as well and made me leak more than I would like. If you’re not particularly busty though, it’s sure to be fine as the halter is fully adjustable and has two straps at the back that you can tie one yourself, which makes it feel extra secure. It’s actually a shame that I didn’t like this one because the quality seemed great and it held up perfectly even after a few washes and a lap in the pool. – Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor
Rosanne Salvatore / CNN
SouqFone Volant Tankini Set
I was pretty disappointed with the look of this suit. Amazon has a ton of prints and options to buy, but the quality of the print is pretty low and the palms looked pixelated and fake in person. The suit itself fits comfortably if you’re looking for a tankini option. The straps are adjustable and the bottom has some ruffles at the front that help it adapt to a variety of shapes and sizes. – Rosanne Salvatore, assistant editor