The 6 best slippers for women: from UGG Tasmans to M&S mules, these styles offer year-round comfort

The best slippers for women aren't just ideal in the winter months: finding the right pair means you can wear them comfortably all year round. We certainly expect a lot from our slippers. We wear them for hours on end every day, and need them to be both stylish and supremely comfortable. They're probably the first thing you put on when you wake up, and the last thing you take off at night!

Making us feel at home as soon as we walk through the door, the best slippers for women are a spring capsule wardrobe essential. The ideal partner to the warmest pyjamas or your favourite loungewear, slippers offer protection from a drop in temperature, as well as added foot support around the house, which is particularly useful if you work from home.

Whether you prefer lightweight, breathable styles or something more structured for indoor-outdoor wear, we've tried and tested some of the best on the high street to make your shopping experience a little bit easier.

The quick list: top 6

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6 best slippers for women, tried and tested

Decision time. After much consideration, here are the very best slippers for women on the market at the moment. If you pushed me to decide on one overall winner, it would have to be the UGG Tasmans, but if you need a hand figuring out what will work for your feet, skip to the how to choose section.

Best indoor-outdoor

woman&home’s Digital Fashion Editor Caroline Parr struggled to get her hands on the UGG Tasman slippers since they keep on selling out, but when she finally did, she wasn’t prepared for them to live up to hype. How wrong she was!

Digital Editor Kerrie Hughes raves about her Tasmans. She says: “as someone who, up to this point, had never worn slippers, what possessed me to spend £80 on a pair is beyond me. But alas, I did, and I would say there’s been few days in the last two years that I haven’t worn them. I wouldn’t be without them.”

Not long after they arrived, Caroline found herself agreeing. Style-wise they’re unrivalled - a real thing of beauty. They slip on and off easily, the embroidery is beautiful, and the thing that really seals the deal is that you can wear them both indoors and outdoors. Which totally justifies the price, right?

They are an investment piece, but if you look after them, they’re going to last years. Caroline said “Support-wise, my feet have been feeling a little achy recently due to long days of running around. The UGG Tasman is like stepping into little clouds. No pain, no rubbing, just complete comfort. Bliss!”

Size up because the fluffy shearling lining does take a while to flatten down, and our best advice is to wear them anywhere and everywhere. Socks are totally acceptable too!

You can read more in the full UGG Tasman slippers review

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Best clogs

Our fabulous Lifestyle Digital Editor Tamara Kelly tried and tested these slippers by mattress brand Simba. She's an avid fan of Birkenstock Boston Clogs, but actually found Simba's reflexology-inspired design to be a much more comfortable pick.

The main takeaway from her review was that the plush design makes them a standout choice. She revealed that the soles are "filled with a specialised gel that gently massages specific pressure points to aid blood circulation, reduce tension, aid pain relief, and promote relaxation." She thought this added design detail made a real difference in the wearing experience.

Tamara also noted the sleek, understated silhouette and shape, which is a fantastic lookalike for the trending Birkenstock Boston clogs. She actually advises that these are a better option, as they provide a stylish, chic look but with extra support and comfort in comparison.

Another thing that she notes is the quality materials used to make these slippers, including premium Merino wool and a soft leather suede. These natural materials mean that they will be breathable in the warmer months, while also being excellent for insulating your feet in the cooler ones.

You can read more in the full Simba Stomur Slipper review here.

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Best sandals

Freelance fashion editor Antonia Kraskowski, is a loyal owner of the Birkenstock Shearling Arizona slippers, and she's already on her third pair!

Her dedication to this slipper style is due to both comfort and style. She highlights the moulded footbed, which offers excellent arch support, and the deep heel cup that adds to the comfy wearing experience, making these sandals a great alternative to traditional slippers.

Not only this, but the soft shearling footbed and straps provide a luxurious feel, and she mentions that they keep your feet warm during colder days - plus the natural shearling works to regulate your temperature so they can be worn through spring and summer too.

A standout feature for Antonia is that you can style them plenty of ways, and the large range of colour options makes them even more versatile. She opted for the tan suede option, which she styled with plenty of outfit options, including some fabulous leopard print jeans.

Importantly, she did comment that they run slightly bigger than other slipper brands, and she sized down from a UK 4 to a 3. Because of this, we would suggest trying a pair on in a local retailer or ordering the size down to be on the safe side.

She also notes that you can wear them both indoors and outdoors, and that by adding cosy cashmere socks, you can even wear them outdoors in the winter months.

You can read more in the full Birkenstock Arizona Shearling Slippers

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Most supportive

I tried the FitFlop Shuv Two-Bar Shearling Slides, and I would definitely recommend this style if you're looking for more comfort and support in your slippers. Also, the real shearling material is ridiculously soft and cosy, but what really sold me was the hidden support.

FitFlop’s Microwobbleboard sole genuinely makes such a difference in easing pressure on my feet and adding a subtle bounce to every step; it also gives me some extra height. FitFlop confirms that this footbed technology actually "helps absorb shock but can also diffuse underfoot pressure by instantly increasing the contact area of the foot to the midsole."

The two-strap design keeps your feet secure, and the sole has great grip, so I never feel like I’m shuffling around. I also love that they don’t scream “house slippers” due to their stylish design. However, the open-toe style might not be for everyone, especially if you like full coverage, and the shearling does need a bit of care to stay fluffy.

They do have a rubber sole; however, I probably wouldn't wear them outdoors for long periods of time, only maybe to pop to the shop or out in the garden in them.

Overall this is a brilliant investment if you're looking for a supportive, cosy indoor style.

You can read more in the full Fitflop Shuv Two-Bar Shearling Slides

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Best booties

Caroline also tried these, and she really was swayed by the boot style. She says: “until now I preferred open toe slippers that more closely resemble sandals, but the Sloane slipper booties really changed my mind.”

Hush Puppies is one of those brands that you might forget to look at when searching for shoes or slippers, but they make some amazing styles that are so comfortable. Caroline found these to be super lightweight, and the embroidered detailing adds a touch of luxury. The black suede option was really practical too.

They’re made from real suede and shearling, and we would recommend going up a size due to the plush lining. The one thing Caroline did point out as a potential downside is they’re not a slip-on style - they do require a little effort to put them on, which might be difficult for anyone with mobility issues, or anyone who prefers backless slippers.

They offer cloud soft cushioning and a level of warmth you can’t get from sandal designs, that Caroline even went so far as to say she’s choosing her Hush Puppies slippers for a night in at home over an evening out in any of her designer shoes - high praise indeed.

You can read more in the full Hush Puppies Sloane Bootie Slippers review

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Most affordable

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much of the M&S Mule Slippers for £19.50 - but they’ve seriously impressed me, and these have quickly become my indoor go-to.

From the moment I slipped them on, the soft faux-fur lining felt instantly cosy, and the hidden support is definitely noticeable if you compare them to a lot of budget slippers. Often high street mule slippers can feel completely flat or hard on the soles, but these have just enough structure to keep my feet comfortable all day, which is a massive bonus.

The simple, neutral design is another win, making them feel understated and chic. The best part, however, is that they are also machine washable. So you can throw them in the wash, and they will come out looking fresh, which is great because I’m not exactly careful about keeping slippers spotless!

If I had to say one drawback, it would be that they don’t have a super cushioned insole, so if you love an ultra-plush feel, these might not be for you.

Overall for the price, they’re a brilliant everyday option. Warm, comfy, and supportive enough that I don’t get sore feet from wearing them all day. For under £20, they’re an absolute steal!

You can read more in the full M&S Mule Slippers review

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How we tested the best slippers for women

We kicked things off by doing our research: we looked at which models are most popular at the moment, which do customers rate highly, and which offer good value for money. As well as adding new options into the mix, we also thought about the slippers we already own ourselves, and whether we would genuinely recommend them.

We then narrowed it down, and five members of the woman&home team tested a variety of the very best slippers on the market, ranging from mules to clogs in order to find the top options.

We evaluated them in terms of comfort and support (including warmth), style, and cleaning and care. We weighted these parameters equally, and divided up the slippers amongst testers, trying to avoid bias by embracing styles we wouldn't necessarily have chosen before.

Testing times ranged from two weeks for some of the newer styles like the Hush Puppies booties and M&S mules to several years for favourite styles like the Birkenstocks and UGGs. Kerrie has had her UGG Tasmans for two years, and Antonia has three pairs of Birkenstock Arizona shearling sandals in her collection! For the newer styles, we'll continue to put them through their paces, and report back on any changes or problems in the coming weeks and months.

We tested each pair of slippers plenty of ways, wearing them for long days of working from home, testing them on hard floors and carpets, and even braving the occasional trip outside to see how they work on different terrains beyond the sofa.

It was tricky to narrow it down to just six, and there were some - like The White Company borg ballet slippers - that only very narrowly missed a spot on the list.

We know that slippers aren't a one-size-fits-all purchase, so we considered many factors, including the following:

• Comfort & fit: we considered how easy they are to slip on and off, whether they rub anywhere or make your feet ache, and what kind of arch and footbed support they offer. We also take into account the materials used, and how they impact the wearing experience.
• Style: even though you may only wear your slippers indoors, how they look is just as important as how comfortable they are. Slippers should feel just as stylish as the rest of your wardrobe, and this is certainly something we take into account.
• Care & cleaning: a good pair of slippers can last for years if you take good care of them properly. Whether they are real shearling or faux fur we look for styles that can be cared for and cleaned properly so you don't have to.
• Longevity: your slippers should stand the test of time with sturdy footbeds and thoughtful designs that are made to last. Two of the more expensive styles we included in our list have been worn and loved by testers for several years, so we can confidently attest to the fact they last.

As slippers have gained in popularity, both designer and straight-to-market brands are awash with directional pairs but it's important to not get swayed on style alone. Our selection of the best slippers looked for luxe fabrications both for the body and lining of the shoe. From faux fur to shearling, slippers need to offer your feet plenty of comfort.

We also chose slippers with thicker or more hardwearing soles and footbeds, to ensure your chosen slippers will last. While your slippers will be worn inside, you will on occasion need to nip outside in them, so we generally tried to select slippers that could have potential wear outside too (although we still recommend this is kept to a minimum).

When it came to aesthetics, we sourced a range of colours and cuts, and ensured there were both plain and embellished styles, displaying an array of the latest trends.

We've also considered what features matter to a wide variety of people. From those with mobility issues who need easy on-and-off designs, to those who need extra foot support with cushioned insoles.

How to choose the best slippers

• Price: Consider how much of an investment you want to make. If your budget can stretch, it might be worth investing in higher quality pieces that last longer than more affordable options. With an RRP of £135, the Birkenstock Arizona shearling sandals were the priciest on our shortlist, but in terms of star rating the £100 UGG Tasmans came out top. The UGGs should last for years so it's worth spending that bit more if you can, however, there are some great slippers that don't cost a fortune so perhaps it's worth weighing up your options. At £19.50, the M&S mules were our most affordable option, and they scored an impressive four and a half stars out of five.
• Size: Most websites have a handy size guides that are well worth taking the time to look at. It's also good to think about where you will wear your slippers the most, and whether you'll be pairing them with socks or wearing them solo. If you're going to wear socks it's worth sizing up.
• Care instructions: Machine washable slippers like the M&S mules might be lower maintenance if you find yourself regularly needing to freshen up your slippers. Suede styles can also be cleaned, so check out our guide on how to wash slippers for expert tips and advice.
• Support: Much like choosing the most comfortable trainers, think about what you need from your slippers. Do you require arch support? In which case the Birkenstock or M&S options are you for you. If you're on your feet for most of the day, Simba's reflexology sole will feel like a massage.

FAQS

What type of slipper should I get?

When looking for the best slippers, you'll want to consider practicality, comfort and aesthetics, as fashion and beauty writer Amelia Yeomans explains, "I'm a very devoted slippers wearer and one thing I've learned over the years is that you really need to invest in a pair that has a strong, sturdy sole. Anything too thin will wear through very quickly. I love the UGG Tasman style for everyday and I have a pair of the UGG Disco Slides which are perfect for lounging when I want to feel a bit more put together. For more affordable alternatives, M&S has lots of stylish thick-soled options."

Are Uggs Tasman slippers indoor or outdoor?

Ugg Tasman slippers work for any occasions, they feature a durable outsole, which means that you can wear them both indoors and out. This style look great with casual daytime outfits, pair with the best wide leg jeans and a cosy jumper for a warm winter look.

Are sheepskin slippers worth it?

Not only is sheepskin a natural insulator, it's also extremely durable, hypoallergenic and the eco-friendly choice too. Plus this material provides the most comfortable, soft fit that it's very stylish.

Is it better to walk barefoot or with slippers at home?

The best slippers will provide cushioning if you're walking on hard surfaces at home, but if your home is carpeted that might not be a problem. Slippers will of course keep your feet warm and protected, but ultimately it's personal preferance.