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Don't listen to anyone who tells you that doing it the right way in the bedroom means never needing to reach for the best sex lubes to move things along. On the contrary: applying a high-quality personal lubricant is a great way to prioritize everyone's comfort. No matter what type of sex you’re having, a little less friction goes a long way.
The Best Lubes, at a Glance
Just want to get straight to our top picks? Don't worry—we got you.
- The Best Lube, Overall: Sutil Rich, $17
- The Best Silicone-Based Lube: Maude Shine, $25
- The Best Hydrating Lube: Goodparts Hydrating Organic Lube, $28
- The Best Lube for Sensitive Skin:: Sliquid H20, $18
- The Best Lube for Sex Toys: Unbound Jelly, $18
- The Best Luxe Lube: Uberlube, $25
- The Best Spray Lube: Astroglide x Spray 'n Glide, $18
- The Best Hybrid Lube: Sliquid Silk, $20
- The Best Lube for Anal Play: Pjur Back Door, $36
Planting your flag on missionary island? Get some lube to grease the ol' wheels ahead of time. Hand job? Way better with lube than without. Heading for the backdoor? It's the only way to go. Teeing up a sex toy? Even for solo playtime, squeezing a little oil or silicone on a sex toy (or on your bod) is miles away from spitting in your hand. To help you find the best ones for every occasion, we've cooked up a guide to some of the very best sex lubes, organized by types below.
Your Shopping-Related FAQs, Answered
→ What Types of Lubes Are Out There?
The Best Lube, Overall: Sutil Rich
This is basically the holy grail of lubes and also, in my humble opinion, simply the best water-based lube around for a number of reasons. For starters, it’s compatible with all sex toys and condoms, but it also has the cushiony thickness of a silicone-based lube, making it comfortable and long-lasting enough for rough sex and even anal play. To top it off, you won't find any parabens here (more on that below), which can increase your chances of acquiring a yeast infection.
What the reviewers are saying: “While I would love to write many scrolls of praise for Sutil Rich, my feelings could be quickly summarized by saying that I think this lube is perfect. Sutil should sponsor me. Buy this lube. Mic drop.” —a Babeland reviewer
Pros: Thick consistency means less dripping/mess; longer lasting than most other water-based lubes; compatible with all condoms and sex toys; cushiony enough to use for anal play; sleek branding
Cons: Squeeze-bottle nozzle sometimes gets clogged; will eventually need to be reapplied during longer sessions
The Best Silicone-Based Lube: Maude Shine
Shower sex is as steamy as the movies make it out to be until you realize that water is weirdly sticky. Don’t ruin a fantasy because you can’t get it in. Maude Shine is a paraben-free, silicone-based lubricant that works in the shower and underwater to keep things friction-free.
What the reviewers are saying: “This is the absolute best lube in existence! Lasts forever and does not get sticky.” —a Maude reviewer
Pros: Very long-lasting; smooth and slippery; compatible with condoms and non-silicone sex toys; convenient locking pump-top bottle; hypoallergenic; vegan
Cons: May stain sheets; thin, runny, and prone to dripping; can’t be used with silicone toys
The Best Lube for Sensitive Skin: Sliquid H20
With just six ingredients, this is one of the simplest lubes out there, so it's great for people with sensitive skin. It's vegan, non-flavored, unscented, hypoallergenic, and plays well with all toys and condoms. Then there’s the fact that it’s designed to mimic one’s natural lubrication. What's not to love?
What the reviewers are saying: “As someone with very sensitive skin, I was looking for the cleanest ingredient list I could find while still offering high-quality performance, and this is absolutely the winner.” —an Amazon reviewer
Pros: Good consistency—not too thick and not too thin; hypoallergenic; vegan
Cons: Will eventually dry out and need to be reapplied; nozzle sometimes gets clogged
The Best Organic Lube: Goodparts
This water-based lube comes in a gorgeous bottle that makes it look especially sophisticated on your nightstand. And this is one case where you can judge a book (or a lube) by its cover: It contains skin-soothing ingredients like organic aloe vera, cannabis sativa seed extract, and oat kernel extract.
What the reviewers are saying: “To say that I'm super pleased is an understatement.” —a Goodparts reviewer
Pros: Contains skin-soothing aloe; organic and vegan; compatible with all kinds of condoms and sex toys; convenient locking pump-top bottle
Cons: Will eventually dry out and need to be reapplied; only available in one size
The Best Lube for Sex Toys: Unbound Jelly
After the right lubricant, sex toys are the best thing you can use to keep your sex life interesting. But you've got to make sure those accessories are going to play well together. Silicone lube is popular because it lasts a long time, but it can degrade silicone toys, which limits your options. When you’re bringing something new into bed, opt for a durable water-based lubricant like this one to keep all of your options open.
What the reviewers are saying: “A simple lube with a nice subtly sweet scent. Doesn't taste bad and doesn't need to be reapplied every two seconds unlike other lubes I've tried.” —an Unbound reviewer
Pros: Can be used with all kinds of condoms and sex toys; contains skin-soothing aloe
Cons: Scent may be irritating to some; only available in one bottle size (and it’s small); dries out after a few minutes and needs to be reapplied
The Best Luxe Lube: Uberlube
With its elegant bottle and silky texture, this silicone-based lube will make you feel like a million bucks. You can use it anywhere on your body, but it's particularly well-suited for handjobs or masturbation because it stays slick for far longer than water-based lubes.
What the reviewers are saying: “I didn't know sex could be so SMOOTH…It's amazing and I don’t want anything to do with any other silicone lubes, thank you very much.” —a Babeland reviewer
Pros: Very slippery; long-lasting; compatible with all condoms and non-silicone sex toys; contains skin-moisturizing vitamin E; elegant-looking glass bottle with a convenient pump-top (and also available in a smaller, travel-friendly bottle)
Cons: May stain sheets; can’t be used with silicone sex toys
The Best Hybrid Lube: Sliquid Silk
A hybrid lube—i.e. a water-based lube with a touch of silicone mixed in—is the best of both worlds: you get the slipperiness of a water-based formula, with the longevity of a silicone one. It's condom-safe and non-irritating, so you can use it for anything you want (except on silicone toys).
What the reviewers are saying: “This stuff is awesome, has always been my favorite. Has a super silky feeling to it and does not dry out during much friction haha.” —an Amazon reviewer
Pros: Longer-lasting than water-based lubes; cushiony enough for anal; safe to use with condoms and non-silicone sex toys; hypoallergenic; vegan
Cons: May damage silicone sex toys; will eventually get sticky and need to be reapplied
The Best Lube for Anal Play: Pjur Back Door
This silicone-based lube was developed specifically for anal sex, so it's thick and long-lasting. It also contains jojoba, a botanical ingredient with soothing and antibacterial properties that may help your sphincter relax more for easier penetration.
What the reviewers are saying: “This lube by far is great for backdoor play. It lasts a considerably long time, and the jojoba oil really helps ease things in during foreplay.” —an Amazon reviewer
Pros: Thick and cushiony enough for anal play; a little goes a long way; contains skin-soothing jojoba; can be used with condoms and non-silicone sex toys
Cons: Expensive; not compatible with silicone toys; only available in one (small) bottle size; may stain sheets
The Best Fragrance-Free Lube: Nécessaire Sex Gel
This lube is apparently a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow's, as she's sent bottles to Kim Kardashian and Demi Lovato, among others. Celebrity cult status aside, though, this impeccably well-branded lube is fragrance-free, vegan, and pH-optimized, so it'd be a good pick if you're prone to irritation or just can't stand fragrances.
What the reviewers are saying: “I like it quite a bit. It's a good lubricant and its ingredients are great for your skin. It strikes a strong perfect balance between slippery and moisturizing, and it doesn't irritate my skin at all.” —an Amazon reviewer
Pros: Compatible with all condoms and sex toys; gel-like consistency doesn’t drip much; contains skin-soothing ingredients; sleek branding; convenient pump-top
Cons: Will eventually need to be reapplied during longer sessions; expensive for a water-based lube
The Best Lube for Vaginal Dryness: Wicked Sensual Care Simply Timeless Hybrid
This lube was specifically formulated for menopausal and perimenopausal people, but anyone who suffers from vaginal dryness for any reason should find it helpful. Ultra-moisturizing ingredients like aloe and squalane help bring some hydration to the area, whether you use this lube during sex, masturbation, or just to alleviate dryness in everyday life. The pump-top bottle makes it easy to apply, while the thicker, gel-like formula helps makes this lube longer-lasting and less prone to messy drippage.
What the reviewers are saying: “It's liquid enough to easily spread/smear, thick enough to not run or drip everywhere, lasts for hours, and cleans up/off easily with just water! Everything you need out of a good lube.” –an Amazon reviewer
Pros: Longer-lasting than water-based lubes; full of moisturizing ingredients to alleviate dryness; safe to use with condoms and non-silicone sex toys
Cons: May damage silicone sex toys; will eventually get sticky and need to be reapplied
What Kinds of Lubricants Are Out There?
Water-based lube: The most widely available kind of lube, and also usually the cheapest variety. Most water-based lubes dry out within a few minutes, as the water in their formula evaporates or gets absorbed into your skin, which means you'll have to apply more—and more often. But on the plus side, it's versatile because it’s compatible with all kinds of sex toys and condoms, and easy to clean up.
Silicone-based lube: These lubes last longer and don't dry out as fast as water-based lubes. However, they're usually more expensive, and may stain your bed sheets if any lube drips or spills (which it probably will). Silicone-based lubes are great for anal sex, but do not use them with silicone sex toys, because the silicone can cause the toy's material to break down, changing the surface texture of the toy and increasing the risk of bacteria entering it.
Hybrid lube: Hybrid lubes are usually a water-based lube with a bit of silicone-based lube mixed in. This combo makes them cheaper than silicone-based formulas, and gives them more longevity than a water-based lube, so it's the best of both worlds. Hybrid lubes are generally safe to use with silicone sex toys, due to the low silicone percentage, but we advise a quick spot test to make sure the lube doesn't affect the toy's material.
Oil-based lube: Due to their slick feel, oil-based lubricants are great for masturbation and external massage of hotspots like the clitoris, nipples, or perineum. But keep in mind that these will weaken latex condoms, possibly causing them to rip, so we don't recommend ever using the two together. These also have a tendency to stain your sheets, and would be best avoided by anyone prone to vaginal infections, as oils can sometimes disrupt the natural vaginal flora.
Flavored lube: To make oral sex taste better, try adding something with flavor. These typically water-based lubricants are okay to use for penetrative sex in a pinch, but the flavored additives may make you more susceptible to vaginal infections, so generally it’s best to only use them externally.
What to Look For in a Good Lube
Aside from the lube’s base (explained in detail above), here are a few key criteria to keep in mind when shopping for lube:
The Ingredient List: Certain lube ingredients are known to cause vaginal irritation and/or infections—including glycerin and nonoxynol-9—so these are best avoided. You’ll also want to stay away from parabens (i.e. any ingredient with a name ending in -paraben), which have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system. Finally, steer clear of any lube containing sugar or sucralose, unless you want a hell of a yeast infection.
Consistency: Thicker lubes are generally better than thinner ones, because they tend to last longer and won’t drip all over your bed during the application process. Thick lubes also give you more “cushion,” so they might feel more comfortable, especially during activities that require a lot of lube, like anal sex or using large sex toys. That being said, some people prefer the texture of thinner lubes, which can feel more similar to natural vaginal lubrication. Ultimately it comes down to what you and your partner like best; you may need to try a few different options, Goldilocks-style, before landing on your perfect lube.
Packaging: You can’t fully judge a lube by its bottle—plenty of good lubes come in bad packaging, and vice-versa— but good bottle design can make a big difference in the heat of the moment. Look for lubes with convenient pump-tops or flip-tops. Ideally, you want to be able to apply lube one-handed, in a hurry, and/or in the dark, with minimal spillage.
Bearing all these things in mind, we've tried to hone in on lubes that have the safest ingredients for avoiding irritation and infections (i.e. primarily water-based and silicone-based varieties that don't contain common irritants and fragrances). If you're hankering for a specific type of lube, though, we've also catalogued the best anal lubes and the best flavored lubes.
How We Chose These Lubes
As a sex toy writer for years who has published books and articles on all things intimacy-related, I've had countless experiences testing out the best lubes. To ensure we're only recommending the best ones, we looked at ingredient lists, value, and specific sexual needs to make sure we could recommend a lubricant for every kind of person. A big part of choosing the best lubes also had to do with consistency of the product, as well as compatibility for various needs—whether someone needed a lube specifically for vaginal dryness or wanted something to use with all of their sex toys.
