The Best Sex Lubes for Every Level of Freakiness

Every guy should own sex lubes. A proper lubricant isn’t just for a nice handy (which, by the way, are totally underrated). If you’re heading for the backdoor, it's the only way you'll get in—anal sex and lube go hand in hand. But you'll want a bottle of lube in your nightstand even if you never leave missionary island: Lube makes vanilla P-in-V sex even more fantastic—not least because your partner will appreciate your thoughtfulness and consideration. 

No matter what type of sex you’re having—even just solo sex—lube can make it better. While it's not exactly a sex toy, tell that to all the pleasure you're going to have when you have the right lube by your side. It lends a smooth glide to handjobs and fingering, makes penetration a whole lot comfier and easier, and the flavored kind can make oral sex even more mouthwatering. Whatever you’ve got on the menu, lube can kick it up a notch—and we have the best sex lubes for every situation.

The Best Lubes, at a Glance

Just want to get straight to the picks? Don't worry—we got you.

Different types of lube

If you're overwhelmed by the sheer number of lube options there are, let us help you make an informed decision by breaking down the various types of lube that exist. 

Water-based lube: Typically the most widely available kind of lube, which is usually also the cheapest. Most water-based lubes dry out pretty quickly, which means you'll have to apply more—and more often, but it's compatible with all kinds of sex toys.

Silicone-based lube: Because of its silicone composition, these types of lube last longer and don't dry out as fast as water-based lubes. However, they're usually more expensive and it may have a tendency to stain your bed sheets. This is a great lube for anal sex, but do not use it with silicone sex toys, because it can cause the toy's material to break down, increasing the risk of bacteria entering the toy.

Hybrid lube: Hybrid lubes are usually a water-based lube with a bit of silicone-based lube mixed in. This combo makes it cheaper than a silicone-based lube but with more longevity than a water-based lube. It's also safe to used with silicone sex toys, due to the low silicone percentage, but we advice a quick spot test to make sure the lube doesn't affect the toy's material.

Oil-based lube: Due to its slick and sleek feel, oil-based lubes are great for playing with yourself, but do not use this with a condom. The combination of an oil-based lube with a condom can cause the condom to rip.

Flavored lube: To make oral sex taste better, one might employ some flavored lube. These water-based lubricants are A-OK for penetrative sex, but just make sure you or your partner aren't prone to vaginal infections.

The Best Overall Lube: Sutil Rich

This lube is basically the holy grail: it's water-based, so it's compatible with all sex toys and condoms, but it has the cushiony thickness of a silicone-based lube, making it comfortable and long-lasting enough for rough sex and even anal stuff. It also doesn’t contain potentially harmful parabens or irritating glycerin, which increases the changes of getting yeast infections.

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 Lube for When You Need It Now: Astroglide Liquid

There’s a reason that Astroglide is a household name: the stuff works, it’s cheap as hell, and it's sold everywhere. Think of it as the Budweiser of lubes. And much like the king of beers, this unscented personal lube is water-based (which means it won't ruin silicone sex toys), and Astroglide assures that it’s good to use with latex condoms. It’s guaranteed to offer the natural feel of bodily fluids, and it acts as a sort of moisturizer for those with vaginal dryness. You can use it for backdoor BDSM sex in a dungeon or missionary with the lights off.

Pros: Widely available, including in drugstores; very slippery; safe to use with condoms and sex toys
Cons: Thin and runny; will eventually dry out/get sticky and need to be reapplied; contains glycerin, which may cause yeast infections for people who are prone to them

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 (even if you only use this with your hand in the shower before work).

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-Looking Lube: Goodparts Hydrating Organic Lube

This water-based lube's gorgeous bottle makes it look unusually 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. It’s also pH-balanced to keep things as they should down there for your sexual wellness.

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 Simple, Straightforward Lube: 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, non-scented, 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?

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 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 such as Unbound Jelly to keep all of your options open.

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 Lube for Monogamous Relationships: Woo Coconut Love Oil

If you’re using condoms, you should always avoid oil-based lubricants, as they’re not latex friendly. (There’s nothing like a broken rubber to ruin the mood.) However, if you’re in a monogamous and fluid-bonded relationship in which all partners have been tested, you can reach for a long-lasting and great feeling oil-based product. (It'll do double-duty as massage oil.) We like Woo's Coconut Love Oil, which works on all bodies and is so organic that you can eat it (we'll let you fill in the blanks there). This oil-based lube is made up of coconut oil (hence its name), which Woo says is rich in “antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.”

Pros: Long-lasting; very slippery; organic and natural ingredients; doubles as a massage oil
Cons: Can’t be used with condoms (except for polyurethane condoms); may solidify and/or get gritty in colder temperatures; scent and taste may be too strong for some people; can cause yeast infections for those prone to them; only comes in one (small) bottle size

The Best Flavored Lube: Sliquid Swirl

Flavored lubes can be used to mask the taste of latex if you use condoms or dental dams during oral sex; they're also just a fun novelty to try once in a while, and they help boost saliva production for wetter, hotter head. Most flavored lubes use sweetening agents that make them risky for people prone to vaginal infections, but this one is sweetened with aspartame so it doesn't cause nearly as much irritation. The pink lemonade flavor is surprisingly tasty!

Pros: Great variety of flavors; hypoallergenic and non-irritating; compatible with all condoms and sex toys
Cons: Some users may find the flavors too artificial-tasting; nozzle sometimes gets clogged

The Most 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.

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 Most Convenient Lube: Astroglide x Spray 'n Glide

Long-lasting silicone lubes can get a little messy during application, which is why it's genius that Astroglide decided to make a spray-on version. You can apply it without even getting any lube on your hands. Hold the bottle about six inches away from your skin when you spritz for best results.

Pros: Very long-lasting; convenient targeted aerosol spray application that works at any angle and only requires one hand to use; relatively affordable for a silicone lube; thick enough to barely drip/run; hypoallergenic; vegan
Cons: May stain sheets; can’t be used with silicone toys; dispenses deceptively small amounts so you may need to apply more often

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).

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 Bulk-Buy Lube: Slippery Stuff Gel

Don't want to have to buy more lube for a very long time? Get this giant bottle of Slippery Stuff. It's got a great water-based formula that lives up to the brand's name, and the pump top makes application quick and easy, even in the dark.

Pros: Massive bottle size at a reasonable price; convenient pump-top bottle; relatively long-lasting for a water-based lube; thick enough to usually avoid dripping/running; non-irritating, as it was developed for use in the medical community
Cons: Will eventually dry up and need to be reapplied

The Best CBD Lube: Foria Awaken

The increasing availability of CBD is upgrading a lot of people's sex lives; if you're curious, you might as well jump on the bandwagon! This coconut oil-based lube contains broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD which can enhance your sensitivity while reducing tension, genital pain and vaginal dryness. You need to massage it onto the clitoris and vulva for about 15 minutes before it'll take effect (CBD doesn't absorb as readily into penises because of the lack of mucous membranes), but a 15-minute rubdown can be a fun way to get things started anyway.

Pros: Potentially enhances sensitivity and arousal and reduces sexual pain and irritation; safe to use with non-latex sex toys; all natural and organic ingredients; vegan
Cons: Expensive; requires about 15 minutes to take effect; doesn’t generally work on penises, only vulvas/vaginas; only comes in one (small) bottle size, although a little goes a long way; some people may find the scent and/or taste irritating; can’t safely be used with condoms (except polyurethane condoms)

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.

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 Warming Lube: Wicked Ultra Heat

The cinnamon and clove oil in this lube's formula create an exciting sensation of warmth wherever it's applied, so it works well for getting into the mood or heating things up on cold nights. You might want to test a small amount where you're planning to use it, though, to get a sense for how your anatomy will respond—as with eating hot wings, it's easy to go overboard!

Pros: Warming ingredients promote bloodflow, arousal and sensitivity; very slippery; very long-lasting; vegan
Cons: Not compatible with silicone toys; may stain sheets; only comes in one (small) bottle size; warming sensation, scent, and/or taste may be too irritating for some users

The Best Tingling Lube: Dame Arousal Serum

Meant to be applied to the clitoris and surrounding area, this serum contains tingly ingredients like peppermint oil to jumpstart arousal and bloodflow. Massaging it into sensitive spots is half the fun.

Pros: Tingly sensation boosts sensitivity, bloodflow and arousal; compatible with all non-latex sex toys; convenient pump-top bottle; long-lasting
Cons: Incompatible with condoms (except polyurethane condoms); sensations may be too intense/irritating for some users

The Best Lube Sampler Pack: Sliquid Essentials Lube Cube

If you're overwhelmed by the many lube options on the market, this sampler pack is a great way to try a range of different kinds. It contains two sample packs of each of Sliquid's bestselling water-based, silicone-based, and hybrid lubes, so you can give each one a whirl before committing to a full bottle of anything.

Pros: Contains two samples each of six different types of lube; conveniently packaged in a small travel-friendly box; hypoallergenic
Cons: Sample sizes may not be big enough, depending on how much you want to use

The Best Organic Lube: Good Clean Love Almost Naked

There should be no junk in (or around) your, uh, junk. This super-slick lube from Good Clean Love is certified to be made of 95% organic ingredients, while being free of any nasty stuff—like parabens or petrochemicals—you wouldn't want anywhere near your privates. The aloe-based lube is meant to last a long time and not dry out during the heat of the moment, while a light citrusy vanilla scent rounds out the overall excellent personal lubricant.

Pros: Moisturizing thanks to aloe; mostly organic; hypoallergenic; safe to use with condoms and non-silicone sex toys
Cons: Lightly scented but might not bode well for those who don't want a scented lube; water-based so might need to be reapplied

The Best Unscented Lube: Lelo Personal Moisturizer

With its reputation for being a great sex toy brand, Lelo better make a damn good lube to use with all those little gadgets. It came through with its unscented “Personal Moisturizer,” which is glycerin- and paraben-free. It features a bit of aloe to avoid any greasiness, and yes, it's obviously safe to use with your sex toys because it is a water-based lube.

Pros: Unscented for those who are sensitive to fragrances; uses body-safe ingredients; compatible with silicone sex toys
Cons: Sits on the pricier end of the spectrum, dries out somewhat quickly; doesn't taste good