Table of Contents
Welcome to the wet, wild, and wonderful world of sexual lubricants.
In this ultimate guide, you will learn the secrets of the slippery solution that should live on every bedside table.
Lube isn't just for quickies and dryness issues. Lube is the literal oil that turns the gears of great sex.
Remember: WETTER is always BETTER. Lube increases the wetness, slickness, and sensation for both partners.
Lube also makes sex SAFER by reducing friction, which can cause discomfort and damage condoms.
In this complete guide, you'll learn:
👉 How lube can up your game in bed
👉 Why lube is so important
👉 How to find your lube's pH level (SUPER IMPORTANT)
👉 The various types of sexual lubricants
👉 How to choose the right lube for your sex life
👉 Our favorite lubes for masturbation, sex, anal, and more
What is Sex Lube? What You Need to Know (in 30 Seconds)
👉 Sexual lubricant is a liquid gel solution that reduces friction during sex and masturbation.
👉 The most common types are water-based lube, silicone lube, hybrid lube (water + silicone), and oil-based lube.
👉 Not all sex lube is body-safe. Avoid lubes containing parabens, glycerin, and petroleum.
👉 When using lube internally, it should match the pH level of your vagina or butt — mismatched pH can cause irritation and increase infection risk.
👉 Using the wrong lube may break your condom or cause irritation.
TL;DR: Buy This Lube Now
Don't have time to read everything? Here are the best sexual lubricants to buy right now:
Sliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant
$10.99
$11.99
Sliquid H2O: The Premier Water-Based Lube Looking for a lubricant that's long-lasting and safe for your body? Look no further than Sliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant. This adult lubricant is formulated with purified water and plant cellulose to provide a natural,… Read More
Sliquid H2O is a minimalistic water-based lube made from pure ingredients. Perfect for vaginal sex, masturbation, and all toys. Optimal pH and osmolality for vaginal health.
For butt play and anal sex, go with Gun Oil Silicone — much slicker and longer-lasting than water-based. Safe with condoms, but NOT with silicone toys.
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
Our Top Sex Lube for Better and Safer Sex
| Category | Sex Lube |
|---|---|
| Overall Best Sex Lube | Sliquid H2O |
| Best Water-based Lube | Sliquid H2O |
| Best Silicone Lube | Gun Oil Silicone |
| Best Oil-based Lube | SPUNK Natural |
| Best Hybrid Lube | SPUNK Hybrid |
| Best for Vaginal Play | Sliquid H2O |
| Best for Anal Play | Gun Oil (silicone) or SPUNK Natural (oil) |
| Best for Oral/Foreplay | Sliquid Swirl (flavored) |
| Best for Masturbation | TENGA Hole Lotion |
Types of Sexual Lubricants
Basic Sex Lubricants
Water-based Lube
The most versatile lube — safe for all types of sex, all toys (including silicone), and all condom types. Easy to clean, doesn't stain, dries clean.
Top Water-based Lubricants:
Sliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant
$10.99
$11.99
Sliquid H2O: The Premier Water-Based Lube Looking for a lubricant that's long-lasting and safe for your body? Look no further than Sliquid H2O Water-Based Lubricant. This adult lubricant is formulated with purified water and plant cellulose to provide a natural,… Read More
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
Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricant with Aloe
$9.60
$14.99
Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricant: Smooth, Clean, and Oh-So-Green Say hello to a lubricant that’s as natural as your desire. Sliquid Organics Natural is a water-based formula designed with simplicity and purity in mind. Infused with organic ingredients and powered by… Read More
Silicone Lube
Much slicker and longer-lasting than water-based lube. Doesn't absorb into skin — stays slippery for much longer. Safe with condoms, but NOT safe with silicone toys. See best lube for toys here.
Top Silicone Lubricants:
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
Oil-based Lube
Super slick and long-lasting — great for anal and safe with silicone toys. NOT safe with latex condoms. Can stain sheets.
This is why oil-based lube (particularly coconut oil) is the preferred lube of porn stars.
Top Oil-based Lubricants:
SPUNK Natural Coconut and Avocado Oil Lubricant
$10.99
$12.99
SPUNK NATURAL Lubricant SPUNK Lube Natural is a unique blend of edible, virgin coconut oil and organic avocado oil that locks in moisture for amazing natural personal lubrication. This vegan-friendly adult lubricant is free from silicone, glycerin, and parabens, as… 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
Hybrid Lube
Water + silicone blend — best of both worlds. Slicker than water-based, easier cleanup than pure silicone. Sweet spot for cleanliness, comfort, and versatility.
Top Hybrid Lubricants:
SPUNK Hybrid Lubricant
$7.99
$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
Specialty Lube
Specialty lube contains extra ingredients that deliver tantalizing sensations — tingling, cooling, warming, and sensitivity-enhancing effects.
WARNING: Specialty lubes are not always pH-balanced for anal and vaginal sex — always check pH before use.
Warming Lube — boost sensation with warming ingredients. Recommended for use with sex toys.
Top Warming Lubricant:
Desensitizing Lube — reduce sensation to last longer or for very sensitive areas. Our favorite:
Mandelay Climax Control Gel | 1 Oz
$8.99
$10.99
Worried about your performance? Mandelay Climax Control Gel is the perfect choice for every man who wants a stamina enhancer, whether for preventing premature ejaculation or just for extending intimacy and enjoyment. Boost your endurance Mandelay is a benzocaine genital… Read More
Flavored Lube — for foreplay and oral sex only. Not safe inside the butt or vagina. Always buy organic-flavored lube with listed ingredients. Our favorites:
Sliquid Naturals Swirl Pina Colada Flavored Lube | 4.2oz
$14.99
$16.99
Pina Colada Flavored Lube Sliquid Naturals Swirl Pina Colada is a flavored water-based lubricant that's glycerin and paraben-free. The Swirl formulation starts with their original Naturals H2O water-based lubricant and adds flavoring and a hint of aspartame to sweeten.… Read More
Want more info on the best edible lubes? Click here.
Organic/Vegan Lube — natural plant-based ingredients, cruelty-free, gentler on skin:
SPUNK Natural Coconut and Avocado Oil Lubricant
$10.99
$12.99
SPUNK NATURAL Lubricant SPUNK Lube Natural is a unique blend of edible, virgin coconut oil and organic avocado oil that locks in moisture for amazing natural personal lubrication. This vegan-friendly adult lubricant is free from silicone, glycerin, and parabens, as… Read More
Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricant with Aloe
$9.60
$14.99
Sliquid Organics Natural Lubricant: Smooth, Clean, and Oh-So-Green Say hello to a lubricant that’s as natural as your desire. Sliquid Organics Natural is a water-based formula designed with simplicity and purity in mind. Infused with organic ingredients and powered by… Read More
P.S. Organic Aloe + Plant Based Lube
$19.99
$21.99
Meet Your Intimate Superhero: P.S. Organic Aloe + Plant-Based Lube Embark on an adventure with our superhero lube, ready to rescue your most sensitive parts. P.S. Organic Aloe + Plant-Based Lube is not just a lubricant; it's your intimate sidekick,… Read More
Spermicidal Lube — kills sperm to prevent pregnancy (~70% effective). Always use with a condom for better protection. We don't sell spermicidal lube at Condomania — we recommend using condoms instead.
How to Find the Right Lube (in 3 Easy Steps)
1. Pick your Pleasure
👉 Lube for vaginal sex: Choose a lube with balanced pH and osmolality. Top picks: Sliquid H2O (water-based), SPUNK Hybrid, Gun Oil (silicone).
👉 Lube for anal sex: Extra slick and long-lasting. SPUNK Natural (oil) and Gun Oil (silicone) are top picks. See our full anal lube guide.
👉 Lube for masturbation: Men can use SPUNK Hybrid or TENGA Hole Lotion (with a stroker toy). For women, stay with water-based: Sliquid H2O. See our best shower lube guide.
👉 Lube for foreplay: Try specialty lubes on non-invasive areas. Break out some Sliquid Swirl Piña Colada flavored lube or a warming lube. Yum!
2. Check the pH Level
VERY IMPORTANT. Wrong pH = yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or damaged anal tissue.
👉 Lube for vaginal sex: pH 3.8–4.5. Best picks include Sliquid H2O and SPUNK Hybrid.
👉 Lube for anal sex: pH 6–8. Best picks include SPUNK Natural (oil) and Gun Oil (silicone).
👉 Many water-based lubes do NOT have vagina-safe pH levels.
👉 Flavored and specialty lubricants are more likely to have unsafe pH levels.
3. Check the Ingredients
Lube for vaginal sex should NOT contain:
👉 Parabens — can cause vaginal irritation
👉 Glycerin — can cause yeast levels to skyrocket
👉 Chlorhexidine Gluconate — kills healthy bacteria
👉 Cyclomethicone and similar silicones — potential carcinogens in some silicone lubes
If the ingredients just say "flavoring" or "aroma" without specifics, choose another lube. Buy organic flavored lube like Sliquid Swirl for oral/foreplay.
Is Lube Really that Important?
YES! Lube ensures that each partner feels comfortable and stays safe. Without it, friction can break condoms, cause micro-tears, and increase STI transmission risk. Always use lube with a condom too.
When Should You Use Lube?
Always. For sex, masturbation, foreplay, toys — whatever you're into. Wetter is better. Your partner can tell the difference.
Sexual Lube is Wetter and Better at Condomania
Condomania has one of the largest lube selections on the web — 30+ years educating the public about safer sex. FREE shipping over $50, FREE discreet packaging, FREE condoms with orders.
Shop sex lube now at Condomania!
Want to explore more? Check out our guides to anal lube, flavored lube, and silicone lube.
