The best lubes for using with a partner or your favorite sex toy, tried and tested by us

Finding your perfect pick of the best lubes can be a real game changer in the bedroom by making intimacy a little easier, so you can continue to experience real pleasure. Here, we lay out everything you need to know about finding the right one, with tried and tested recommendations to help along the way. 

When it comes to lube, there really is a gel for everyone. Those who prefer something lightweight and condom-friendly may want a water-based lube, as easy to apply as it is to wash off. Anyone looking to try anal sex or sex in the shower will likely opt for silicone-based, which offers a little more support for intimate areas. And those who've tried both of the above may be looking for an oil-based lube, just to try something different if nothing else.

But not all lubes were created equal; some types will be at odds with your best vibrator and wear down the silicone, others may irritate your skin, and some just won't be suitable for the type of sex you want to have. We've laid out the details of our testing process so you can make the best decision for your body and find the perfect lube for you, whatever variety and brand you're looking for.

The best lubes, tried and tested by us

The Durex Naturals Water-Based Moisture Lubricant Gel is the perfect all-rounder lubricant gel. If you're new to the world of lubricant and wondering, 'what is lube?' then this is an ideal one to start with. It's a water-based formula, meaning you can use it during all types of sex, with or without condoms, and you can use it with sex toys. We loved this lightweight formula the most as just a small amount from the squeezy bottle spread so easily, without being too light on coverage, and it lasted significantly longer than many of the other lubes we tried. 

However, if you're looking for the best lube for anal sex, in particular, the silicone-based lube on our list may be a better option as this is a thicker formula that will last for longer and provide even more glide. 

I didn't experience any problems with the appearance, taste, or smell of the lube, which is all you want when it comes to a bedroom accessory like this. It's a simple, clear gel that's totally free of artificial fragrances too, so you don't have to worry about anything too artificial in sensitive areas. I found it was also super easy to wash away this lube from the body after use. 

The only downside I'd say is the packaging and how quickly it comes out of the bottle. Compared to others [like the Roam water-based flavoured lubricant], the squeezy bottle is harder to open and dispense the right amount from in the heat of the moment. For the price, availability, and for general use though, it's a great starting option and perfect all-rounder, just don't be too heavy-handed with application.

Flavoured lube isn't for everyone but if you want to give it a try, Roam's cucumber and yuzu-flavoured lubricant is our pick of the bunch. It's much more neutral than you'd expect from a flavoured lubricant, tasting like a refreshing summer spritz (yes, really) rather than an artificial sweetener, thanks to the all-natural ingredients. As a result, it doesn't leave an overwhelmingly sweet, tangy taste in your mouth like many others.  

When it came to using this lube, I found it was ideal for vaginal and oral sex, allowing you to switch between the two with easy glide and a fresh taste throughout. As this is a water-based lubricant, it's completely safe for use with condoms and sex toys, regardless of the material, which is a big difference from some of the other lubes on our list and other flavoured lubes out there. 

This is the only flavour Roam offers at the moment but we hope there are more on the way. If you want a flavoured lubricant that doesn't taste super sweet, like berries, cherries, candy floss, or other fruity combinations, this should be the perfect pick. Available in 50ml or 100ml sizes.  

We've whittled down Swede Original's Woman Sensitive Lubricant as the best for vaginal dryness because it's an especially moisturising formula and, importantly, it doesn't contain glycerin. As pharmacist Dhain says, "Avoid glycerin lubes if you're suffering from vaginal dryness as they don't last as long and can increase the risk of yeast infections."

For many people, especially those looking for a singular lube that will stand the test of a sexy session, glycerin will be an ingredient to look out for as it essentially allows lube to stay wet for longer. However, it can also draw moisture out of the cells within the vagina and cause irritation - which is not ideal if you're already prone to dryness.

"This is my new favourite lubricant," says our tester Kelly. "I used this product during sex and with a sex toy and it offered a super easy glide, without that awful dry feeling afterwards. Although it doesn't last for as long as others, it did the job really well and I only needed to top up once during use." 

Compared to others on this list, she notes, the application is an easy process. "The bottle has a disc top cap, so I found I could open it easily with one hand just like you can with a pump bottle - but it takes up less room in your bedside drawer. Plus, the disc top means you get the perfect amount in a small blob with minimal bottle squeezing."

Silicone lube is a game changer in the bedroom, allowing you to try out all of the best sex positions with a little extra glide and helping you take things to the next level with the potential for shower sex. The main reason this particular silicone lube has made it into the top spot on our list, however, is that you may be able to use it with silicone sex toys. The standard line is that silicone vibes should never come into contact with silicone lube and it's always worth doing a patch test before using Überlube on your favorite silicone vibrator. However, we tested the lube ourselves on a 100% silicone vibrator after reading the reviews from other users and found it was absolutely fine - even after a couple of weeks of use.

"I've been using this lubricant for the last few years for both sex with my partner and on my sex toys. I've never had a problem with it, although I don't use condoms with it so that's something to bear in mind if you do," says our tester Kelly. "I have quite sensitive skin and this lube really worked for me since the lube eventually absorbs rather than lying on top of the toy, etc, and it doesn't feel sticky or tacky after use. However, for the same reasons, I'd say you'll need a little more soap than usual to wash it off. Water on its own won't work."  

Another feature our tester love about the Überlube is its handy pump dispenser, perfectly designed to offer the best amount of lube in a single push, meaning you can be sure (even in the dark) that you're getting what you need without using too much of the 55ml bottle. This is a small bottle size compared to others at a cheaper price, so if you prefer a substantial splash of lube during sex then we suggest opting for the Sensuva lubricant or the Durex Naturals Moisture lubricant. 

While the Swede Original Woman Sensitive Lubricant is our top choice for specific vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause, Fewe's I Touch Myself vaginal serum is a strong contender for that position too. It made our top choice for the specialist lube, however, because it's a water-based serum designed specifically for those experiencing low oestrogen levels, regardless of age. 

Much like in perimenopause, it's common to experience lower oestrogen levels during specific phases in your menstrual cycle. These lower levels lead to many of the same symptoms as perimenopause, such as vaginal dryness, fatigue, and sleep issues, which can be further aggravated by stress. This is where a lube formulated with cannabidiol oil (CBD), such as this one, comes in handy since there are so many established benefits of CBD oil for menopause. It's specially formulated to prevent discomfort caused by hormonal fluctuations during sex, which includes dryness and other irritations. 

Our tester Donna, who used the lubricant regularly over a six-month period, said: "I'm in the early stages of menopause myself and can sometimes struggle with dryness and irritation, even when I'm really aroused. Having this lube has been a game-changer for me. I haven't used CBD products in other areas of my life so it could just be a placebo. But placebo or not, I certainly feel calmer in the ten to 15 minutes after applying this lube. It makes sex and masturbation easier." 

She says the bottle is easy to use in the moment thanks to the pump dispenser and it looks discreet in a bedside drawer, much like Roam's cucumber and yuzu flavoured lube, as it just looks like any other serum you might have in the bathroom cabinet. 

"Compared to some other lubes I've used, this one is also super smooth. You don't need to apply loads for it to work and simply showering with water will wash it off. I wouldn't suggest using it in the shower for the same reason, but for the bedroom, it's my new go-to."

Smile Makers create some of the best sex toys out there (and feature on our list of best bullet vibrators pretty heavily), so it should come as no surprise that they've also made one of the best lubes. 

First of all, the bottle is super stylish and while this isn't one of the main criteria we're looking for, it certainly doesn't hurt to have a sleek and discreet bottle in your bedside drawer. "If someone found this lube in your bedroom, it would take them a moment to figure out exactly what it was as the bottle just looks like a beauty serum," says our tester Ellen. 

She found the Silky lube to be super-skin friendly and didn't experience any reactions after using it during sex and with a vibrator, which is hardly surprising considering that there are seven pharma-grade ingredients in this lube. This means it exceeds 99% purity of the listed active ingredients, making it ideal for those who want something a little more sensitive. Plus, it's fragrance and paraben-free, meaning there are no odd tastes or aromas that come from this lube. 

However, Ellen says, "I did find the gel to be a little runny. Overall, it was fine to use but I did need a couple of applications to get full coverage. And it's much harder to open comparatively to some of the other pump-packaged lubricants I've tried before." 

If you're looking for a lube to use with your best rabbit vibrators or wand vibrators, then Liquid Silk is definitely the one for you. Not only is it completely safe to use with your silicone sex toys, but the tester found the water-based lube to be silky smooth on application and it stayed that way during use. 

"It also didn't dry out easily and lasted for ages, which is often not the case with other water-based lubes. But because it was tested using a vibrator, I don't know how long it lasts during sex with someone else," says Ellen. 

This is a lube designed with sex toys in mind though, evident by its position pride of place on the Lovehoney website and the bottle's dispenser. The pump is so useful as it meant our tester could use it with one hand, holding the toy in the other, rather than having to put the toy down on a surface. 

"The one downside of the Liquid Silk is the colour. There's no identifiable smell or taste to the lubricant, it's a slightly off-putting milky white colour. But despite this, I'd say the positives vastly outweigh the negatives," she says. 

Despite what many people think, you don't always need to use silicone lube if you're having anal sex. Sliquid's Sassy Water-Based Anal Lubricant is an all-purpose lube that contains natural plant cellulose, which makes the formulation extra thick to provide ample cushioning in an area that doesn't produce its own lubrication. 

We found that the formula was thick but it still felt light and it spread out evenly across the surface. Even just a little bit went a long way, which is good as the bottle is significantly smaller than the others at 4.2 ounces per bottle. 

While it's great for anal and vaginal sex because of the cellulose thickening agent, meaning that yeast infections are much less likely, the thicker texture did taste and feel a little strange so it's best avoided if you're looking for a lube to use during oral sex. Instead, opt for the cucumber-flavoured Roam lubricant or something a little lighter like the Durex Naturals Moisture. 

Any downsides? Our tester found it a little hard to open during the heat of the moment so a pump dispenser would make it a lot easier to get the lube out of the bottle - much like many of the other lubes on our list. Plus, it's not exactly discreet. It's pretty hard to miss the striking pink logo and "Sassy" name tag. But aside from having a home in your bedside drawer rather than the bedside table, it's really the best lube for anal sex on our list. 

How we tested and selected the best lubes

To bring you the round-up of the best lubes, I asked the experts to reveal what makes a safe and effective lubricant. Then a testing panel assembled by woman&home's health team put a range of products to the test from the likes of Durex and Smile Makers, alongside some newcomers to the sexual wellness market, to find out which ones are worth buying. 

"There are different types of lubricant couples can try and it's common to try different lubricants until you find the one that suits you together. Whether it's your first time or you're looking to expand your collection, there will be one that will suit you and your partner," says Sunny Dhain, superintendent pharmacist at The Family Clinic, and one of the experts we consulted before trialling the lubes ourselves. 

"Everyone is individual when it comes to sexual health though, so it's important to consider key safety factors and personal preference," he adds. With this in mind, we got down to the finer details of each lube, testing and reviewing each of them to ensure the ones we recommend will help reduce chafing, dryness, and sensitivity and really heighten your sexual experience. And that's regardless of whether you're flying solo, experimenting with sex toys, or having sex with a partner. 

All the lubricants featured on this list have been tried and tested in the last six months, following the initial review. We can confirm these are still the very best lubes to buy online and from stores in 2023. 

To test the best lubes, we considered:

• Effectiveness: We tested whether each lube actually offered the glide it promised. Whether you're using the lubricant with a partner or on your own with a sex toy, you want your lube to be long-lasting. 
• Base: Water-based, oil, or silicone? We noted the base of each of the lubes so you know whether they're suited for use during vaginal, anal, and/or oral sex and whether you can use them with condoms or sex toys. 
• Appearance, taste, and smell: While these may not impact how well the lube works, they're certainly very important factors that'll contribute to your overall enjoyment. We noted whether the lubes had an odd appearance, taste, and/or smell either before or during use. 
• Dispensing method: You don't want to be stuck trying to open a bottle of lubricant during the throws of passion, so we tested how easy each of the lubes was to open and what kind of bottle it came in. 
• Compatibility with sex toys: Was the lube compatible with silicone and glass sex toys? Many people use their best lubes with their favourite sex toys but not all lubes are suitable for these, and some of them definitely work better than others.  

How to choose the best lube for you

• Consider how you'll be using it: If you're planning to bring a vibrator into the mix more often than not, as noted, be sure to opt for a water-based one wherever possible. And if you're using it during sex with a partner, you've got the choice between water or silicone-based but your partner may prefer to use one over the other, so it's worth asking them about their preferences too.
• And how much you want to spend: Much like everything in the world of sex toys, you can spend anywhere between a few dollars and hundreds on lubricant. Yes, really. So consider your budget and if you want more for your money, you'll probably find lube in one of the many sex toy kits available online, so it's worth buying these. 
• Watch out for ingredients: "Avoid ingredients which may contain glycerin, parabens, nonoxynol-9, propylene glycol, chlorhexidine gluconate, or petroleum-based ingredients as they can all increase irritation, sensitivity, and risk of infections. Also, look out for lubricants that contain spermicide if you're looking to conceive."
• Reduce the risk of irritation: "Choose lubricants that contain hypoallergenic on their packaging to help reduce the risk of irritation. Try limiting the use of lubricants with flavor or fragrance as these can also increase the risk of vaginal irritation."
• Consider where you'll be using your lube: "Look out for silicone-based lubricants if you want to have steamy sex in a shower, hot tub, swimming pool, or the sea," says Dhain.

Can you use lube with condoms? 

Yes, you can use water-based and silicone lube with condoms but never oil-based lubricant, as studies by the Mariposa Foundation have shown that oil can degrade latex in as little as 60 seconds. This can lead to breakages, tears, and holes, which will render the condom ineffective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

"Water-based lubricants are the most commonly used lubricants and provide short-term relief from vaginal dryness. They're generally well priced, easy to use, and they can also be applied to a condom," confirms pharmacist Dhain. "While many silicone-based lubricants aren't to be used with silicone sex toys, they can be used with latex condoms. Avoid using oil-based lubricants on condoms as they can damage the condom and make it ineffective."