There are so many lubes to pick from and so many things that can go wrong with your toys and sensitive bits.
This is why I’ve made a list of the best lubes for every possible situation & sex toy material. Hopefully, thanks to this guide, you won’t have to worry about chemical reactions and balancing PHs and just focus on getting frisky instead!
There’s a lot to digest in this post, so bookmark it, print it, and stick it next to your bed if you have to!
Coming up is the dos and don’ts followed with the top lubes that will never leave you high and dry again. We have something for every situation, may it be for casual vaginal or anal sex to big insertions!
So let’s slide right into it.
TL;DR
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Best water-based lube for vaginal sex |
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Best water-based lube for anal sex |
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Best silicone lube for vaginal sex |
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Best silicone lube for anal sex ( with relaxing jojoba oil ) |
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Best thick, long-lasting, and “waterproof” silicone lube |
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Best oil-based lube for vaginal sex |
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Best oil-based lube for anal sex |
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Tastiest water-based flavored lube |
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Best hybrid ( water & silicone ) & “cum lube” |
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Best realistic lube for Fleshlight, Tenga, and other strokers |
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Best bulk lube/lube for big insertions |
Water-Based Lubes
Water-Based lubes are great all-around lubes.
For one, you can use them with condoms and pretty much any toy there is. They also usually have a thicker consistency than most lubes, which helps a lot with friction. Another big plus is that you can also be as sloppy as you want when applying because water-based lubes do not stain fabrics.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should always stay clear of the cheap brands, especially for vaginal sex, since some low-quality ingredients can cause irritations.
The most common ingredients to avoid are parabens and glycerin. So, if you spot these in the ingredient list and you consider yourself prone to reactions, avoid buying at all costs.
The only real downside is that these are the least long-lasting types of lubes there is. Meaning that they might become sticky over time and you will need to reapply as you go, especially during extended play.
It’s worth noting that these lubes only really become sticky when our body absorbs all the water in the lubricant, and a bit of moisture ( i.e.: spit & natural lubrification ) can reactivate the lube.
Pros:
- Compatible with all toys
- Has a nice natural thickness to it
- Condom compatible
- Doesn’t stain sheets
- Cheap
Cons:
- Dries up fast
- Usually not hypoallergenic so test on less sensitive skin before use
- Cheap brands include parabens and glycerin which can be an irritant for a lot of vaginas
Best Water-Based Lube for Vaginal Sex:
SLiquid H2O
Sliquid’s line is 100% Vegan, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced.
On top of being one of the longer-lasting water lubes on the market, it is free of any irritants, making it the best lube for a sensitive woman ( or any vagina owners really ).
This lube isn’t especially on the thick side but still works great for friction. The consistency merges itself seamlessly with your own personal lubrication, making the experience feel as natural as possible.
Even if all the ingredients used in their lubes are natural, they still offer a parallel line of organic versions of their products( Canada /U.K. / Australia ) as well.
The company also offers delicious flavored lubes ( Canada / U.K. / Australia) and much more.
Sliquid is definitively my favorite lube brand today. They have succeeded in making me absolutely love water-based lubes, and coming from a silicone lube snob like me, this is no small feat!
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Best Water-Based Lube for Anal Sex:
Sliquid Sassy
I’ve already expressed my love for Sliquid’s H20, but if you need something a bit thicker & long-lasting for anal sex ( butts don’t auto lubricate ), Sliquid’s Sassy is definitely the way to go.
The extra thickness makes it perfect for anal play since it removes friction beautifully as well. It also takes much more effort to fully absorb through the skin. This means it stays slick for longer periods of time, especially compared to your basic water lube.
Sliquid’s Sassy is definitively a must for any anal enthusiast, especially if you plan on using silicone-based toys!.
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Silicone Based Lubes
This probably would be the best overall lube option if only it was compatible with Silicone toys.
It requires very little amounts and lasts forever. This way you can focus on the fun and not on keeping everything well oiled up. Silicone is also our favorite purse and backpack lube since a small bottle can go a very long way.
It also doubles great as a long-lasting massage oil and will leave your skin baby-soft after wiping off.
The main complaint with these lubes is that, like oil, they can really stain your sheets. It is still something that a traditional grease-removing detergent will easily fix but it is still better to be careful when applying if you want to avoid some headaches. But if used properly, messes shouldn’t be really happening at all.
You see, all you really need is just a few drops. Just put 2 to 3 drops in your hand and apply directly to your genitalia/toys. It is easy to put too much so go gradually. If anything, if it isn’t enough you can always easily re-apply following the same process.
It’s worth noting that the claims you will hear online and in sex stores about silicone lube’s incompatibility with silicone toys are a bit blown out of proportion.
Your silicone toys won’t melt or explode if they come in contact with silicone lubes. In reality, what happens is that, over time, the toy will absorb the lube, slightly swelling, and deforming your toy in the process.
Still, this takes quite a bit of time for it to happen. So if you still want to use silicone lubes & toys together, you should simply thoroughly wash your toys right after use and there shouldn’t be any issues.
Just make sure you are using genuine silicone toys and lubes as there is plenty of unstable and unsafe mislabeled materials out there.
Pros:
- Condom compatible
- Lasts forever
- Hypoallergenic
- Requires very little amounts
- Odorless
- Leaves skin smooth once wiped off
- Doubles as a massage oil
Cons:
- Not compatible with silicone toys
- Stains fabrics
- Requires soap and water to fully remove
Best Silicone Lube for Vaginal Sex:
Sliquid Silver
Sliquid has done it again. Even if the market is flooded with perfectly good silicone lubes, the company still succeeds in making a product that is pretty much on par with the higher-end silicone lubes ( like Pjur ) at a fraction of the price. The only real big difference is that the bottles may not be as pretty.
So if you want something that will look beautiful on your nightstand you should go with Pjur Original.
Otherwise, if you’re looking for something that’s just as good at a fraction of the price, you should definitely go with Sliquid’s take on silicone lube.
WHERE TO BUY
Best Silicone Lube for Anal Sex:
Analyse me by Pjur
Being the most high-end lube company to grace this slippery world, it is only normal they’ve come up with the perfect silicone option for anal sex.
They have mixed their classic pure silicone with Jojoba oil. A blend that successfully relaxes the anal muscles making penetration easier and as pain-free as possible.
It is great for both beginner & experienced asses.
The jojoba oil does not only helps with penetration but works very well on tense muscles as well, so it doubles as an awesome massage oil as well. Something that might come in handy for the following pains you might experience after all that sweet, sweet action.
If you don’t care much about the relaxing capabilities of this lube, you can always go with the previous option. Otherwise, what are you waiting for? Treat your ass with something nice!
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Honorable mention:
Wet Platinum
I just couldn’t let this one out of our list.
What sets Wet’s Platinum apart is that it has a thicker consistency than most silicone lubes available today. A feature that makes this lube even more long-lasting than its counterparts.
Wet Platinum is also surprisingly water-resistant, so it is perfect for shower sex as well. It also comes to no surprise that the thickness makes it great for anal sex also.
The only downside is that it is a bit harder to clean than your standard silicone lube.
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Oil-Based Lubes
Oil-based lubes are best suited for committed couples who are both tested for sexually transmitted diseases & with sex toys.
This is because oil-based lubes can’t be used with condoms.
Aside from that, they have a lot in common with their silicone counterparts, feeling even more natural and retaining heat in a strangely natural way.
Another big win over silicone is that they can even be used with silicone toys as well without any risks of deforming your toys over time.
This makes oil great for solo play as well because who needs a condom for that!
Vagina owners beware: Most oil-based lubes won’t work for vaginal play, so stick to our suggestion below and nothing else!
Pros:
- Lasts Long
- Feels natural
- Retains heat with friction
- Compatible with all sex toys
- Doubles as massage oils
Cons:
- Stains Sheets
- Not Condom Compatible
- Not Hypoallergenic so test on less sensitive skin before using
Best Oil-Based Lube for Vaginal Sex:
Coconut Oil
If you thought the above list of Pros were short, Coconut Oil extends it greatly:
It is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Coconut oil also tastes and smells great and not only does it prevent you from getting yeast infections, it also helps with vaginal dryness thanks to its moisturizing capabilities.
It is easy and not too messy to apply since it comes in a semi-solid form that melts at body temperature.
The applications do not stop at the bedroom either:
Coconut oil is great for cooking, massages, it leaves your hair shiny and healthy and works well as a general moisturizer as well. We could go on forever about the many benefits of coconut oil but this isn’t what this article is about!
Still, since coconut oil has many uses, I still advise you to keep a separate bottle for sex to avoid cross-contamination.
If your room temperature is particularly low or high, you might have some issues with the application.
If it’s particularly cold, coconut oil will become very rigid and difficult to scrape out of the pot.
In contrast, in very warm temperatures, the oil becomes completely liquid making it easy to drop it all over the place and stain your sheets.
So if you live in a warm country, we suggest transferring your oil in a clean squeeze or pump bottle and apply like any other lube.
Also, keep in mind that coconut oil isn’t hypoallergenic, so test the oil on your skin before applying. If you have particularly sensitive lady bits, I would also avoid coconut oil altogether.
Just make sure to get unrefined extra virgin coconut oil to avoid any complications.
WHERE TO BUY
Best Oil-Based Lube for Anal Sex:
Boy Butter
Boy Butter comes with many of the advantages of coconut oil since it is one of its main ingredients. This time though. the added ingredients make this lube thicker, non-staining, and, more importantly, not dependant on the room temperature.
It doesn’t melt or harden so you can apply as much as you want and it lasts forever.
We also love that it cleans right off of you with a bit of water. Otherwise, if left on you, it will get absorbed by your skin, moisturizing it in the process.
Contrary to its hilarious name, the texture of boy butter is more akin to soft margarine. The tub it comes in is also hysterical, so extra points for that!
Boy butter is also well suited for more extreme practices like fisting or other big insertions, but it might get a bit expensive due to the amounts required. If you’re in for something cheaper for that purpose keep on reading!
Our only complaint is that it doesn’t taste all that great so I suggest doing any type of oral before applying.
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Other great mentions
Tastiest Flavored Lube:
Wicked’s Flavored Lubes
Back in my old sex shop days, I’ve probably tasted gallons’ worth of flavored lubes, and pretty much every one of them had an unpleasant “luby” aftertaste. And believe me, this can quickly become quite sickening after a while.
So when we received Wicked’s line of lubes my life was changed forever ( as well as the lives of the people in charge of restocking the demos ).
They are water-based like most flavored lubes. They come in a ridiculous amount of delicious flavors like salted caramel, mocha java, vanilla bean, cinnamon bun, candy apple, and more with no weird aftertaste at all.
So if you like mixing tasty with sexy I highly suggest you try this collection of flavored lubes.
And even though these are amazing for oral sex, you should avoid using them for vaginal penetration if you are on the sensitive side.
This is because the more you add ingredients the more you put yourself at risk of irritations.
WHERE TO BUY
Best Hybrid Lube:
Sliquid Silk
Sliquid’s take on hybrids ( a blend of water-based and silicone lube ) is a favorite for the price and quality of their ingredients.
It has all the features of silicone but its thicker, silkier, and doesn’t stain sheets. And like always, Sliquid’s products are perfect for sensitive vaginas as well.
So if you can’t stand the thinness of silicone lubes and the stains they leave but still crave a long-lasting lube your search is over!
Just remember that like any other silicone lubes, it isn’t entirely compatible with silicone toys.
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Best realistic lube for Fleshlight, Tenga, & other strokers:
Sutil Lube
Now, what if you’re looking for a lube that isn’t only compatible with strokers ( remember, silicone lubes, oil-based lubes and hybrid lubes will damage most if not all male masturbators ) but also feels very close to natural female lubrification?
The best Fleshlight lube ( or any realistic stroker lube really ) in my opinion is definitely Sutil! It was made to match a woman’s lubrification, not to satisfy men, but to blend more naturally and consistently with women’s lubrification… so it’s basically a near-perfect facsimile!
It’s stringy and has an almost identical consistency to female lubrification!
All this without risks of damaging your toys, plus if you have a woman in your life, the lube is going to work wonderfully with her vaginal flora as well!
Of course, this lube is a touch pricey, and if you’d like a more affordable alternative, I’m also a big fan of Sliquid Sea.
It has a similar goal to Sutil though it doesn’t quite reach the exact same level of realism as Sutil!
WHERE TO BUY
Best Lube for Fisting and Other Big Insertions:
J-lube
Originally intended for veterinary purposes, J-lube has made a name for itself in the “fisting community”.
And if you think this is strange, keep in mind that the other popular choice is straight-up Crisco.
J-lube is a concentrated powder that you mix with your preferred amount of water to achieve the consistency that you like, may it be almost solid to completely runny.
A 10 oz bottle of J-lube powder costs about 20 USD and can be mixed into 6 to 8 Gallons of lube depending on your preferred consistency. It’s pretty much as cheap as lube gets.
It is also condom safe and if you get yourself empty pump bottles you can make yourself a big collection of different types of lubes for every situation.
Sadly it isn’t the healthiest lube for vaginal use, especially if you’re on the sensitive side.
So you’re better off using the more expensive and classier Japanese-Style Nuru gel for vaginal sex.
It’s also a ton of fun to smear it all over the place during a hot and heavy Nuru massage.
The classic affordable choice is Mr. Nori’s concentrated tub. Water it down to your liking and fist away folks!
These options are not only good for the kinkier stuff but also for someone who needs to keep their expenses to a minimum.
Also, make sure to take a look at our list of the best big sex toys, huge strap-on dildos, and fisting toys to use along with these lubes!
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