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Spring is officially here, and T-shirts are essential to building a well-rounded wardrobe for warmer weather. They’re a classic top on their own, but they’re also useful for layering looks and workouts.
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:
Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee
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.
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.
Best overall: Mott and Bow Classic Crew Driggs Tee
Kara Thurmond/Business Insider
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).Â
Read more about our experience with the brand in our full Mott & Bow jeans review.
Best budget: Uniqlo Dry Crew Neck Short-Sleeve Color T-Shirt
Uniqlo
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.Â
Best heavyweight: Buck Mason Field Spec Heavy Cotton Tee
Buck Mason
Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee
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.
 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.Â
Best white: Reigning Champ Midweight Jersey OG T-Shirt
Reigning Champ
While many of the best T-shirts for men are available in white, my personal favorite comes from Reigning Champ. The color white is such a versatile color, so it makes sense to choose a T-shirt that’s equally versatile in terms of fit and materials — the Midweight Jersey OG T-Shirt fits the bill.
It’s made of 100% pre-shrunk cotton and features a midweight that’s ideal for layering, and unlike some white tees, it’s not see-through. The fit strikes the perfect balance between oversized and classic fit, ideal for comfort.
Best undershirt: Tommy John Second Skin Crewneck Undershirt
Tommy John
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.Â
Best budget pack: Fresh Clean Threads
Fresh Clean Threads
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.
Best loungewear: Bombas Pima Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt
Bombas
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.
Best black: Unbound Merino Crew Neck T-shirt
Kara Thurmond/Business Insider
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.
Best cotton: The Everlane Organic Cotton Crew Uniform
Everlane
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.
Best Pima cotton: DUER PurePima Tee
DUER
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.Â
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.Â
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Best athletic fit: Public Rec Go To Crew
Public Rec
Public Rec Go-To Crew
Designed for all occasions, the Go-To Crew has the right amount of stretch for day-long comfort.
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.
Best workwear: Carhartt Loose Fit Heavyweight Short-sleeve Pocket T-shirt
Carhartt
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.Â
Best curved hem: Cuts Clothing AO Curve-Hem Tee
Cuts Clothing
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.
Best oversized: Tomorrows Laundry Modern Pocket Tee
Tomorrows Laundry
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.Â
How we considered and tested men’s T-shirts
Some of the main considerations for men’s T-shirts include the quality of the materials used, the overall cut and shape of the shirt, and the price. We used real-world testing, including wearing the shirts in our everyday lives, washing, and drying them. We’ve also recommended shirts from brands we know and love for their quality and style.
Amir Ismael
Editor, Reviews
- Men’s street fashion
- Footwear, including significant release dates, design history, construction, and materials
- Menswear staples, including workwear, casual clothes, underwear, T-shirts, and more
- Brand founder or designer interviews
- Men’s grooming and shaving products
- Prescription eyewear
EducationAmir graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in print journalism and public relations. Outside of workAmir has been a lifelong resident of New Jersey. When he’s not working, he enjoys working on and driving his small collection of classic BMWs.Say hello to Amir at [email protected] or on Instagram @amirjismael.
Andrew Amelinckx
Freelance Reporter, Insider Reviews
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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 [email protected].
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