Looking for a lubricant that both you and your partner can enjoy? It’s not as easy as it seems.
There are dozens of types of personal lubricants for sale, and each one has its own unique properties and ingredients.
There are warming lubes, flavored lubes, desensitizing lubes, and lubes made from oil, water, and silicone.
Choosing a lube that’s safe and slippery for both of you isn’t like taste-testing flavors of ice cream. If you choose the wrong one, it can negatively affect your health.
For example, did you know that some types of lube are not safe to use with condoms? Others can cause UTIs and yeast infections in people with vaginas.
So, taking 5 minutes to read about sex lube is worth it—for your pleasure and health.
Below, we’ll tell you how to choose the right personal lubricant for him, her, and the couple. And, we’ll recommend some of our favorite products.
A Quick Guide to Sex Lube
Before we lube up, you’ve got to get acquainted with the three main types of lube. Each has its pros and cons.
Water-Based Lube
This all-purpose lube is safe to use in nearly any situation.
Water-based lube is made of water, so you can use it for masturbation, oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, sex toys, and other kinky acts you can dream up.
Water-based lube is not as slick or long-lasting as the other lubes on this list, but it’s the most versatile.
Oil-Based Lube
Super slick and long-lasting, oil-based lube is excellent for your skin and doesn’t disrupt the delicate pH balance inside the vagina (as long as it’s a natural oil).
It’s the choice of porn stars who have to lube up often, but it’s not safe to use with latex condoms.
Silicone-Based Lube
Silicone-based lube is super gooey and creamy.
It’s considered the most luxurious lube for its ultra-silky feel and long-lasting slipperiness. It’s safe to use for all types of sex, but it can get a bit messy.
Silicone lube is also the most expensive lube, and it’s not safe to use with silicone sex toys.
You can also buy hybrid lube. These are usually a blend of water and silicone or water and oil.
These lubricants are slicker and longer-lasting than water-based lube, and they don’t stain your sheets like oil and silicone lubes tend to do.
As a general rule, you should always keep a standard water-based lube on hand because it’s safe for every type of sex.
Depending on the person you’re with and the type of sex you’re having, you can explore some additional lube options. Keep reading to find out more.
Top Water-based Personal Lubricants
These are the water-based lubricants you should never be without.
Pjur "Basic" Water-Based Lubricant | 100ml (3.4oz)
$16.99
$21.99
Pjur "Basic" Water-Based Lube Sometimes the simplest lubricants work the best. Pjur Basic Water-Based is an affordable lubricant with a gentle and effective formula. It's free from oils, fragrances, and parabens, and the dermatologically tested formula leaves your skin feeling moisturized… Read More
Fuck Water Original Water & Silicone-Based Lubricant
$11.99
$13.99
Fuck Water Personal Lubricant Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce you to the ultimate wingman in the world of lubricants: FuckWater Original Water & Silicone-Based Lubricant. This is your partner-in-crime for all your solo missions or when you're out… Read More
ID Free Lubricant for Sensitive Skin
$14.99
$17.99
Finally, a long-lasting lubricant that is good for you. ID Free lubricant is specially formulated to heighten personal pleasure and comfort for a memorable intimate experience. Whether you're using it alone or with or without condoms, ID Free Lubricant is designed to… Read More
Choosing a Personal Lubricant for Him
Those with penises have it easy when choosing a personal lubricant. This is because lube is applied to the shaft or to the condom. It doesn’t enter the body as it does for women.
So, when guys choose a lube for masturbation, they can choose whatever feels good.
If you masturbate regularly, an oil-based lube is a great option. It won’t dry out your skin and lasts long without feeling gooey or messy.
If you like a silkier sensation, silicone-based lube is for you. Thanks to its silky texture, we recommend silicone lube if you use a sex toy for men like a stroker or masturbator.
Warming and tingling lubricants are also excellent choices to use with sex toys. When using a warming lube to masturbate, it’s hard to tell the difference between a sex toy and the real thing.
Remember, you should always keep some water-based lube nearby, even if you prefer other types of lube. If a partner comes to spend the night, water-based lube will keep everyone happy, safe, and clean.
Top Personal Lubricants for Him
The following are some of the top-rated personal lubricants for those with penises.
TENGA Hole Lotion "Wild" Lubricant
$15.30
$17.99
If you haven't tried a TENGA toy... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Well, anyway, TENGA Hole Lotion Wild isn't a TENGA sex toy, but it is a specially formulated water-based lubricant to help you slide into your toy with ease.… Read More
GUN OIL Silicone Lubricant
$20.99
$22.99
Gun Oil Silicone Lubricant Attention, private! At ease. Designed to meet the needs of the most hardcore bedroom soldiers, Gun Oil Silicone provides slick, long-lasting lubrication thanks to its proprietary three-molecule silicone blend. You won't find a lube with the same texture… Read More
SPUNK Hybrid Lubricant
$8.99
$10.99
SPUNK Lube Hybrid SPUNK Lube Hybrid is a water-based silicone lubricant that resembles the look and feel of natural body lubrication (ie: cum). It lets you feel the sensation of skin-to-skin contact. Why we LOVE SPUNK Hybrid SPUNK… Read More
Swiss Navy Premium Warming Lubricant
$9.99
$12.99
Add some HEAT to your sex life with Swiss Navy Warming Lube Add some heat to your lovemaking with the Swiss Navy's Warming water-based lubricant. This slick liquid creates an intense warmth as soon as it contacts your skin. It's… Read More
Choosing a Personal Lubricant for Her
If you have a vagina, choosing a personal lubricant is a bit trickier. The inside of your body will be exposed to the lubricant, so you must be careful about what ingredients you’re putting in there.
Water-based lube is safe for vaginas, but you must be careful because many water-based lubes include additional ingredients like sugar, flavors, warming or cooling agents, and stimulating agents.
These additives can sometimes irritate the vagina and cause health issues.
So, stick with a standard water-based lube. To be extra careful, choose a vegan or organic lube made with natural ingredients.
Some water-based lube products are made specifically for women, suck as Pink Water. These products were formulated for women’s bodies inside and out.
For a more luxurious experience, oil-based and silicone-based lubes are also safe for women—but not all of them.
Women should only use oil-based lubes made with natural oil, such as coconut oil. Synthetic oils like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or mineral oil can irritate the vagina.
Silicone lube is vulva-safe, as it can’t absorb into the body or affect the pH of the vagina. But you can’t use it with most female sex toys like vibrators because they are usually made with silicone.
You can use silicone lube with non-silicone toys like glass dildos.
To sum up:
- Water-based lube without any additional ingredients is safe for women
- Oil-based lube made with natural oil is safe for women
- Silicone lube is safe for women’s bodies but not safe when using silicone sex toys.
Top Personal Lubricants for Her
If you’ve got a vagina, these personal lubricants are some of the highest-rated for you.
Pjur Woman Nude Water-Based Lubricant | 100ml (3.4oz)
$18.99
$22.99
Pjur Woman NUDE Personal Lubricant In the world of fashion and cosmetics, “nude” goes hand-in-hand with “natural” and “pure.” Naturally, Pjur Woman Nude contains no glycerin, paraben, oil, fat, perfume, or preservatives! Developed especially for many women's more sensitive… Read More
Sliquid SILK Non-Staining Silicone & Water-Based Lubricant
$8.99
$13.99
Sliquid Silk Non-Staining Silicone & Water Lubricant Sliquid Naturals Silk Lubricant is a unique blend of H2O water-based lubricant, 12% silicone, and creamy emollient esters for an even longer-lasting lubricant. Unlike pure silicone lubricants, this formula is non-staining. Sugar-free (glycerin and glycol),… Read More
Encounter "Lasting" Silicone Lubricant | 2oz
$14.99
$16.99
Encounter Lasting Silicone Lubricant Lasting Encounter Silicone Personal Lubricant is made using paraben-free ingredients and non-glycerin-based formulations. Encounter Female Lubricants offer women a range of personal care products specifically designed to enhance pleasure with comfort and ease. Does not contain… Read More
Choosing a Personal Lubricant for Couples
There are dozens of personal lubricants for couples to enjoy together.
The rule is: the better you know your partner, the more lube options you will have.
For one-night stands, it’s best to stick with a water-based lube. It’s condom-safe, body-safe, and clean.
If you and your partner don’t use condoms, oil-based lube is a top pick. It’s perfect for giving sexy oil massages before transitioning to the real deal.
Oil-based lube will keep you both slick all night, and it’s great for your skin.
If you use latex condoms, you can’t use oil-based lube. But you can use silicone-based lube for a longer-lasting slickness.
Then, there are the specialty lubricants.
Warming and tingling lube can be great for foreplay.
It has a warming effect anywhere you put it on the body—inner thighs, nipples, feet…. But, be careful when applying it to sensitive areas like the testicles or clitoris. Start small to avoid overstimulation.
Flavored lube makes oral sex much more enjoyable for both partners.
Choose from tasty flavors like chocolate chip cookies, tangerine peach, and frosted cupcakes. This lube is edible, so drizzle it anywhere your tongue can reach.
Just make sure it’s made with vulva-safe ingredients. Flavored lube containing sugar can upset the pH balance of the vagina and cause an infection.
Finally, there are stimulating lubricants. These are usually used on the clitoris to boost sensation.
Take a measured approach when trying these lubes, as they can be intense and may be irritating for some women.
Top Personal Lubricants for Men and Women
Don’t be stingy! Share one of these sex lubricants with your partner next time you’re under the covers.
Sliquid Naturals Silver Silicone Lubricant
$18.99
$23.99
Sliquid Naturals Silver Silicone Lubricant Gold's nice, but sometimes silver is better. Sliquid Naturals Silver is a premium silicone lubricant that stays incredibly slick; whether or not you've tried silicone lubes before, the excellent quality of this product will blow you away. Ultra-concentrated… Read More
Trojan H2O Closer - Water-Based Lubricant | 5.5oz
$10.99
$12.99
Elevate intimacy and take the experience to new heights with TROJAN H2O Closer Personal Lubricant. This advanced water-based formula takes intercourse to an irresistible intensity. TROJAN H2O Closer Personal Lubricant has hyaluronic moisturizers that hold 1,000 times their weight in… Read More
ID Silk Long-Lasting Hybrid Lubricant
$15.99
$20.99
Silk Natural Feel Lubricant by ID Lubes There's nothing softer than silk, and if you're looking for a long-lasting lubricant with an unbelievably soft texture, ID's Silk hits the mark. This lube uses a unique blend of silicone, water, and glycerin into a… Read More
What about Anal?
You MUST use lube when having anal sex, and choosing the right kind is essential.
Water-based lubes are safe for anal sex but don’t last very long. This is why most prefer an oil-based or silicone-based lube for anal sex.
Due to the nature of anal sex, it’s highly recommended to do it with a condom. For that reason, we recommend silicone-based or hybrid lube for anal sex. Oil-based lube is not condom-safe.
There are also anal desensitizing lubricants to make the act a bit easier. We don’t recommend these lubes to anal amateurs.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can hurt yourself without knowing it when you’re numbed up down there.
If you’ve got more back door experience, anal desensitizing lube can help relax your muscles and prepare you for the main attraction.
Top Personal Lubricants for Anal Sex
Don’t enter the back door without a bit of elbow grease. Try one of these personal lubricants for anal sex.
Sliquid Sassy Ultra-Thick Lubricant
$8.99
$11.99
Sliquid Sassy Ultra-Thick Lube Sliquid Sassy Lubricant is a long-lasting and water-based anal gel. 💦 Ultra-thick water-based gel Latex, rubber, plastic & silicone toy friendly Non-staining, unflavored and unscented Uniquely blended to emulate your body’s own natural lubrication Sliquid Sassy is… Read More
Boy Butter Original Lubricant with Coconut Oil
$10.99
$14.00
Boy Butter Original Lubricant Boy Butter Original is an oil-based lubricant consisting of two powerful yet gentle ingredients: coconut oil and an organic silicone blend. The ingredients are homogenized like real butter. The result is a personal lubricant… Read More
Pjur Backdoor Relaxing Silicone Anal Glide
$23.99
$29.99
Pjur Backdoor Silicone Anal Lubricant Before you knock on the back door, make sure that you're prepared. Pjur Backdoor Anal Glide is a premium anal lubricant with a thick consistency and a slippery texture. It's designed for anal play, and… Read More
Ride Bodyworx Silicone Lubricant
$12.99
$15.99
Ride Bodyworx Silicone Sex Lube When you're ready for a smoother ride, you're ready for Ride Bodyworx Silicone. This lubricant conditions sensitive skin with an exceptionally pure formula. Ultra-concentrated silicone blend Designed to last without reapplying Glycerine free and Paraben free Hypoallergenic and… Read More
Where to Buy Personal Lubricant for Men and Women
The best place to shop for personal lubricants for men and women is Condomania. At Condomania, you’ll find the largest selection of personal lubricants anywhere on the web.
We make it easy to search for lubricants in every category—water-based, warming, flavored, anal, and many more.
We know that finding the right lube isn’t just about pleasure. It’s also crucial for safe sex. That’s why we only sell medically tested and FDA-approved sex lubricants.
Every lube on our shelves is personally chosen for its safe ingredients and exceptional quality.
Condomania is America’s first-ever condoms shop. We’ve been around for over 30 years, so you can trust count on us to deliver quality lube by brands you can trust.
Find your new favorite personal lubricant now.
Want to read up on more lube?
We’ve only scratched the surface in this article. Take a deeper dive into lube's wet and wild world in our Ultimate Guide to Sexual Lubricant.