The Best Lubes for Every Occasion
If you’re not using lube, you’re missing out. The best lubes will make all sex-related activities that much more pleasurable. It's why you should always have lube within reach. Lube is a sexually active person’s best friend. Not only does it help prevent friction during penetration—vaginal and anal—which can lead to micro-tears and chafing, but it can be an incredible asset when giving oral sex or if you need some slippery touches during foreplay. Nipples love lube, FYI.
Be sure to check out our many other sex guides, including the Best Sex Toys, Best Condoms, Best Vibrators, Best Clitoral Suction Toys, and Best Sex Machines.
Updated June 2025: We've added LubeLife's Silky, Head South Slip Serum, Pjur, Bijoux Indiscrets Sex au Natural, and Unbound Jelly.
Lube Types: Silicone, Water, and Natural Oil
There are three kinds of lubes to be aware of: Water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based.
Water-based lubes are by far the most common because of their compatibility with silicone toys and latex condoms. These lubes also tend to be the most affordable—they’re water-based, after all—so you’re going to find them both online and in sex shops easily. High-quality water-based lubes may as well be called aloe-based lubes because Aloe barbadensis leaf gel is the primary thickener in almost all of them. This substance provides a high degree of slickness without leaving behind a sticky residue. (Sometimes a mushroom extract is also used to help achieve a silky-smooth texture.) However, not all water-based lubes are made equal, and some might feel sticky. That's because they have a bad habit of getting absorbed by the skin quickly, so they need to be reapplied more frequently than other lubes. In other words, finding your favorite water-based lube requires a bit of trial and error. Still, they're body-safe, toy-safe, and won’t mess with the integrity of a latex condom, so they're by far the most no-fuss option.
Silicone lubes, on the other hand, are oil-based and they provide a much higher degree of friction reduction and last longer because they're not as readily absorbed by the skin. Because they are oil-based, you have to be careful not to stain your sheets or clothes when using them. Additionally, silicone lubes can degrade silicone toys over time, so it's best to keep most of your toys away from silicone lube (though glass and stainless steel toys and silicone lube get along great).
Natural oil-based lubes are becoming more common, and they typically use plant oils like coconut oil or avocado oil to provide lubrication. The upside of these is that they play nicely with silicone toys and won't degrade them like silicone-based lubes will, and because they're made from natural oils, they usually smell pretty good. The downside is that they're a little more finicky and don't provide as much lubrication as silicone-based lubes. Oil-based lubes also can’t be used with latex condoms and can leave behind one heck of a stain on your sheets.
How to Test a Lube's Consistency
Just about every sex shop has a couple of tester lubes available. Like the makeup testers at Ulta or Sephora, they're there so you can get an idea if it's the right pick for you. The way I usually do this is what I call the thumb test. Squirt a little droplet onto your thumb and rub it between your thumb and index or middle finger. You're trying to get a sense of how the lube feels when it rubs out a bit. If you can feel the texture of your thumbprint, it's a pretty thin lube, which will give you a more tactile feel. If it feels like the lube makes a bit of a cushion between your fingertips, it's a thicker and, in my experience, slicker lube offering less friction. If it gets sticky or dry relatively quickly, then that should be a hard pass. Applying and reapplying lube shouldn’t be the star of the show, so don’t let it be.
Best Water-Based Lube
Without a doubt, the best water-based lube on the market hails from a company that makes many of our favorite sex toys. Like with all of Lelo’s products, you’re going to pay a little bit more, but when we’re talking about something you not only put on your body but in it, the extra few dollars are worth it. From a texture standpoint, Lelo is far superior to many of its fellow water-based lubes, because it stands the test of time. While other personal lubricants of this nature get sticky or tacky fairly quickly, Lelo's formula simply doesn’t.
Instead, it retains its silky smoothness past foreplay and into the main course. It’s also pH-balanced to match your skin and is free of parabens and glycerine, meaning if you or your partner are usually sensitive to lube, Lelo’s Personal Moisturizer might be the one that works for you.
Best Silicone-Based Lube
I don’t use silicone lube often, because the majority of my sex toys are made of silicone. But when it’s just me and my partner and maybe a glass or stainless steel toy, I love this silicone lube. It feels very natural and is free of all those things I don’t want in my body: parabens, glycerin, and alcohol. Since it’s silicone, it lasts and lasts, meaning it’s perfect for an all-afternoon-long romp. It’s the ideal consistency—not too thin or too thick—and feels silky smooth instead of greasy or globby, both of which can be possible shortcomings with silicone lube.
Best Natural Oil-Based Lube
The Coconu oil-based lube uses coconut oil to keep things nice and slick. It's more stabilized than the coconut oil in your pantry, so it doesn't solidify as easily. During testing, I left it outside overnight, and it stayed liquid. Your mileage may vary if you live in a climate colder than the US Pacific Northwest, though.
On the skin, it feels light and never sticky. It just glides right on and never gets thick enough to inhibit sensation. Because it's coconut oil-based, it works great with silicone toys, though it provides slightly less overall slickness than a silicone-based lube. Still, it lasts longer than water-based lubes and leaves you nice and moisturized. You can even use a bit as a moisturizer in a pinch.
Best Lube for Beginners
If ever there was a water-based lube geared toward people who are completely new to the world of lubes, Head South’s Slip Serum is it. When you log onto its site, you can take a quiz to figure out which lube is best for you and your sexual activities. After, you get a discount code for 15 percent off the starter kit.
While I love all of Head South’s products—I use its Oasis Oil after the shower because it’s so hydrating—when it comes to partnered sex or masturbation, I turn to its water-based lube. It never gets tacky, is pH-balanced, so I don’t have to worry about running into a yeast infection, and it's a great complement to oral sex. It’s also gluten-free for that very reason.
Best Grocery Store Water-Based Lube
When it comes to lube, accessibility is everything. That’s where Pjur's water-based lube comes into play. You can order it online from various retailers, but you can also get a bottle at brick-and-mortar stores like Walmart. Considering the latter is the biggest retail store in the US, that’s great news. This particular lube is a little more expensive than some other water-based lubes, but it’s worth it. Not only does the slickness stay for a while, needing minimal reapplications—unusually great for water-based lubes—but it also feels natural and even luxurious to the touch. Bonus: It has a pump, making it easy to get more lube without creating a messy, slippery situation.
Best for Bath Time or Shower
Uberlube is a premium lube widely available online and in sex shops. It's also a luxurious little thing; it comes in a crystal-clear borosilicate glass bottle that feels like you're treating yourself or your partners to an elevated experience.
It's a great silicone lube, but where it shines is in the bathtub or during shower sex. As much as having sex in the water always seems like a good idea, the water washes away the vagina’s natural lubrication, leading to vaginal dryness, which can make penetration feel uncomfortable. Not only are silicone lubes pretty water resistant, making them great for use underwater, but they can also be a great substitute when natural lubrication takes its leave. If you squirt some on your hand and submerge your hand, it stays put. It doesn't float away and doesn't get diluted—important criteria when combining self-pleasure or partnered sex with water.
An Upgraded Silicone Lube
Sliquid is a tried-and-true brand you'll find on the shelves of just about every sex shop in the world (yep, it's a global brand!), and Sliquid Silver is one of the best silicone lubes we've tested. Honestly, someone you know probably has some Sliquid lube sitting in a nightstand drawer somewhere. It's ubiquitous and for good reason. Sliquid Silver lasts a long time, rubs to a smooth, tactile finish, and washes off clean with soap and water. It’s also great for anal play because it’s thick enough to prevent unwanted friction, but thin enough to feel natural.
For a More Tactile Feel
As much as I love a cushiony lube, when I want something more tactile, meaning a bit thinner so there’s the right amount of friction, Sex au Natural has become my go-to water-based lube for just that. It offers a hydrating, silky sensation and also promotes natural lubrication. It even works with the body, helping to prevent bacterial and fungal infections, while not disrupting the pH balance of the vagina. It’s completely fragrance-free, making it ideal for anyone sensitive to smells.
Most Viscous Silicone Lube
Despite the name, this really is a lube for sex. It's a silicone lube with a reputation and a lot of die-hard fans in the queer community. After spending some time with it, I can confirm that, per drop, it lasts a little longer than most of the other silicone lubes I've tried. It also comes out of the bottle in thicker drops than other lubes—it's closer in viscosity to a water-based lube, which was a pleasant surprise. Silicone lubes can sometimes feel a little thin, but Gun Oil maintains a slick, frictionless texture no matter how long you use it.
Best for Oral Sex
I tend to stay away from any lube that has a smell or taste, but something about Pillow Talk forces my saliva glands into overdrive with just a quick whiff. This ultra-silky lube has the faintest hint of rose and cream, which makes getting it on the sheets or pillows—hence the name, I’m assuming—a delight instead of a hassle. It’s this essence that makes it a great complement to any oral sex session. Not everyone is a fan of giving (or receiving, for that matter) oral sex, and that’s more than OK. But if you have something within reach that enhances the experience for both involved in different ways, then that’s what they call a win-win.
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Other Good Lubes
Over the years, we've tested dozens of different lubes, and some of them are pretty good if not exactly the best in any particular category. For those, we have this section.
Unbound Jelly Water-Based Lube for $18: As someone who’s been a longtime fan of Unbound products, it would be remiss not to mention its water-based lube. It has a wonderful pillowy texture that never gets sticky or tacky. It also smells amazing with a subtle hint of vanilla that, to be honest, immediately makes me think of cookies. It’s safe to use with toys, condoms, and is free of sugars like glycerin and glycol. Whether you’re looking to make penetration more pleasurable or need a little flavor to take your oral sex game to new heights, Jelly is the ideal lube for both.
Dame Arousal Serum for $30: I'm not a huge fan of warming or tingling lubes and have yet to try one that makes me a true believer. But Dame's Arousal Serum comes close. This is a warming, tingling, water-based lube that uses peppermint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, and ginger oil to provide some extra sensation during sex. If you have sensitive skin, I'd leave these products alone, but if you don't and want to try a stimulating lube, this is the one I'd recommend. Try it on a non-genital area first to ensure you know how your skin will react.
Coconu Water-Based Lube for $27: This is a great water-based lube that provides lasting lubrication without leaving you sticky. Plus, it's made from coconut water, so it has a nice, mild fragrance.
Maude Shine Water-Based Lube for $25: This used to be our top pick. It offers a silky-smooth texture, though it's on the thicker side for a water-based lube. Thicker water-based lubes typically last longer between applications. Using the thumb test, this lube gives you a slick but smooth cushion between your fingertips, which is a good indicator that it's going to keep things nice and slick.
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