When it comes to the best lube for sex, there's a style for every occasion, from solo sessions with sex toys for men to fun and different sex positions (think the Amazon sex position and the Kivin method) and the best sex positions for women.
“Lubrication, once considered taboo, is now a must-have for intimacy,” says Taylor Sparks, holistic erotic educator and founder of Organic Loven.
Today's best lubricants make every effort to stimulate and increase sensitivity for optimal pleasure. There is But according to sex and intimacy coach Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey, there are some basic rules to follow:
- Water-based and pH-balanced lubricants are best for women.
- The best viscous lubricants for anal sex
- Water-based lubricants are best for silicone sex toys because they do not break down the silicone.
With so many lubricants on the market, why not try the one that best suits your needs?
“Lubricant can prolong foreplay, aid in painful friction, help prolong intimacy, and reduce vaginal dryness. The right one can transform a masturbation session into an unexplored self-love adventure. Lubricants, which vary in price, purpose, and formulas, are not all created equal. Read the back of product labels, and if you can't pronounce it, condemn it.”
Below, Sparks and three sex experts reveal the most popular lubricants for every situation, from foreplay and self-pleasure to sex with someone with sensitivities or allergies.
Best Lubricants Overview
- Best Lubricant Overall: Swiss Navy Premium Water Based Lubricant
- Best Lubricant for Men: OH! YES OB – Natural Plant Oil Based Personal Lubricant
- Best Lubricant For Women: Lube Life Coconut Hybrid Lubricant
- Best Water Based Lubricant: Bellesa Water Based Lubricant
- Best Lubricant For Anal Sex: Kids Butter
- Best Lubricant For Sex Toys: LELO F1L Silky Smooth Water Based Lubricant
- Best Lubricant For Masturbation: Cake So-Low Lotion
- Best lubricant for foreplay: Unattached Jolt Gel Bottle
- Best Lubricant for Sensitivities: Wicked Aqua Sensitive Skin
Best Lubricant for Masturbation and Sex
Best Overall Lubricant: Swiss Navy Premium Water-Based Lubricant
Courtesy of Amazon
Using silicone-based lubes with silicone toys can reduce their quality, so when it comes to pleasure with a tool, use a water-based lube. Kenneth Play, author Beyond Satisfaction: A Sex Hacker's Guide to Infinite Orgasms, Mind-Blowing Connections, and Lasting TrustYou can also use coconut oil as an alternative, she says, which is a good solution for women with sensitive pH balances (but oil can break condoms, so avoid anything oil-based if you're using toys with a partner who's wearing a condom).
[$14; amazon.com]
Best Lubricant for Men: OH! YES OB Natural Plant Oil Based Personal Lubricant
Courtesy of Amazon
“Oil-based lubes are great enhancers for male masturbation and body massage because they’re thick, slippery, and easy to apply and spread,” says Natasha Marie, content and sexual health expert at MysteryVibe. Despite these positives, she warns that oil-based lubes are not compatible with latex condoms, can disrupt vaginal pH, and can stain sheets, so stick to one-on-one sessions only.
[$25; amazon.com]
Lube Life 2 in 1 Water and Coconut Oil Based Massage and Lubricant
Courtesy of Amazon
Best Lubricant For Women
Setting the mood is always important. But what you do before and after erotic activity is just as important. Lube Life has a rich and deep catalog with this versatile lube that’s perfect for adding to your arousal arsenal. Their 2-in-1 combo lube starts as a sensual massage oil and doubles as a lube ready for action. It’s the ideal product for smooth, nourishing, and total relaxation to every inch of you and your partner.
[$13; amazon.com]
Bellesa Water Based Lubricant
Courtesy of Bellesa
Best Water Based Lubricant
Bellesa is a company you can trust for both high-quality toys and the high-quality lubes that go with them. A little bit of this beautiful, plain glass bottle definitely goes a long way. As the best water-based lube, it goes on smoothly on your skin like anything in your treasure chest. It’s non-sticky and easy to clean, but you should clean it after each use.
[$24; bboutique.co]
Kids Butter
Courtesy of Amazon
Best Lubricant For Anal Sex
“When you're exploring the back door, you'll definitely need lube, since the anus isn't self-lubricating,” says Daniel Saynt, founder and chief conspirator of The New Society for Wellness (NSFW), a sex- and cannabis-friendly private members' club in NYC. If you need the best lube for anal, this is definitely it. The no-mess lube Boy Butter is, as advertised, buttery for a smooth, long-lasting experience. And honestly, if branding were all that mattered, this would be number one. But it still made the list for a reason—because it actually works.
[$22 (was $24); amazon.com]
Lelo F1L
Courtesy of Amazon
Best Lubricant for Toys
A great all-round choice for a great time, Lelo’s F1L is one of the best lubes to use with your toys. As you’d expect from Lelo, the design of the bottle is great. It’s the kind of thing you could drop in between bottles of cologne and no one would even notice. Inside the sexy and sleek bottle is a silky, high-quality, long-lasting lube. Give what you already have a little boost with this sleek water-based lube.
[$18 (was $25); amazon.com]
Best Lubricant for Masturbation: So-Low Lotion
Courtesy of Hello Cake
Sometimes being a solo aviator is all you need, but hand lotion and Vaseline aren't your allies in this sensual moment. More attuned to what's needed in these areas is this thick coconut oil-based cream that sets into a clear, slick gel. Get the ultimate in relief while moisturizing—a win-win.
[$20; hellocake.com]
Unbound Babes Jolt Gel
Courtesy of Ulta
Best lubricant for foreplay
If you’re looking for a little something extra during play, might we suggest adding a little boost? Unbound Babes’ Jolt Gel gives you the boost you need to get the blood flowing with a rush of warmth to your most sensual spots. This water-based gel is a great ally for you and your partner to use with toys and other lubes. Just a little goes a long way and is a great choice to get things started before the big show.
[$24; ulta.com]
Wicked Aqua Sensitive Skin
Courtesy of Lovers Stores
Best Lubricant for Sensitivities
Wicked is a tried and true provider of sexual wellness products; you can’t go wrong with anything in their range. This is a great option for those with slightly sensitive skin, as the last thing you want to be uncomfortable with is the bedroom. Aqua Sensitive won’t steer you in the wrong direction, it will steer you in the right direction. Clinically tested and hypoallergenic, this is a great addition to your nightstand for those prone to skin irritation.
[$19; loversstores.com]
How to Get the Most Out of Your Lubricant
If you’re looking to amp up the lube—and thus your sex play—Sparks recommends the Lube Launcher. “Usually when we apply lube, we put some on our fingers and either insert it into the vagina, anus, or apply it to the penis,” Sparks explains. “Once it gets past the tight fit, most of the lube is released, but the Lube Launcher allows you to apply a significant amount of lube into the vagina or anus, then work its way down while you’re having sex or masturbating, so there’s very little waste and you don’t have to reapply as often.”