For this guide, we interviewed sex educators, a urologist, a urogynecologist, two OB/GYNs, a cosmetic-chemistry expert, sex-toy store owners and employees, sex therapists, and the chief science officer of a major lube company. We also spoke with other industry professionals and crowdsourced opinions from various sex-positive communities.

Bianca Alba is a sexual health expert and journalist. Bianca earned a master of public health degree in 2014 from Indiana University, where they assisted research scientist Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, with academic and consumer research related to sex-toy use and worked as a blogger and sex educator at The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. They have been researching and writing Wirecutter’s sexual-health reviews for a decade.

“Sex is a high-contact sport,” said Rachel Rubin, MD, a urologist and sexual-medicine specialist in private practice. “You want to make sure that the wheels are greased, to keep things moving well.” Personal lubricant can be particularly important during anal play, as well as to counteract vaginal dryness, Rubin said. But even when it’s not strictly necessary, supplemental lubrication can reduce friction during just about any form of solo or partnered sex, possibly making the experience more enjoyable overall.

Not all lubes are suitable for use with condoms: In general, you should avoid using oil-based lubes with condoms of any material. If you are trying to conceive, know that many lubes can negatively impact sperm motility, among other things. (Some formulas are compatible with sperm, oocytes, and embryos and therefore are meant for people who are trying to conceive.) And although lube can be helpful for addressing everyday vaginal dryness, some people find a vaginal moisturizer better suited for that purpose. For this guide, we did not evaluate “fertility-friendly” lubes or intimate moisturizers.

To help prevent damage to sensitive tissues, personal lubricants are essential for anal penetration because the anal tissues do not create natural moisture the way a vagina does, as well as for people experiencing vaginal dryness due to changing hormones or medical concerns. Lube can also help prevent genital and anal tissues from becoming dry and irritated, a risk factor for STI transmission (PDF). In addition, they can increase sensation for both partners when condoms are in use, and they can help prevent discomfort when there is a size difference between partners. Lube is especially important when you are using silicone sex toys that are firm and can create a lot of friction.

Using lube isn’t a substitute for getting medical attention if you’re experiencing pain during sex. “For people who have horrible pain, just adding lube is not the answer,” said Rubin. “In fact, it’s really, really important that you see a clinician who can diagnose the problem and fix the problem.”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lube as a Class II medical device, the same class as menstrual cups and tampons. However, the agency considers menstrual cups exempt, meaning their manufacturers need not apply for premarketing clearance. Lube makers, on the other hand, are supposed to apply for FDA 510(k) clearance and demonstrate their products’ safety and efficacy. Some lube makers advertise their products as intimate moisturizers or massage oils rather than personal lubricants; in the absence of specific claims “to treat or prevent disease or otherwise affect the structure or functions of the human body,” these may be considered cosmetics—and therefore, not beholden to the FDA’s clearance requirement.

The line between “lube” and “not lube” isn’t entirely clear. Throughout our research, we encountered many products for sale in the US that people use as personal lubricants but that are not FDA cleared as such. In sorting our thinking on the regulatory requirements versus the market reality, we reached out to four clinicians to ask what they usually recommended to their patients. One strongly recommended the use of only FDA-cleared personal lubricants; three were not insistent on FDA clearance.

“When a lubricant company undertakes the process of 510(k) clearance it sends the consumer a clear and concise message: The company is committed to patient safety and product efficacy,” Michael Krychman, MD, the medical director of Women’s Health Services at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, wrote in an email.

“Some lubricants have FDA clearance, but many great products—including natural options, such olive oil, coconut oil, and apricot kernel oil—don’t,” Sara Cichowski, MD, an associate professor of urogynecology at Oregon Health & Science University, wrote in an email. “I tell my patients that picking a lubricant is about personal preference, often based on skin sensitivity, texture/glide preferences and planned activity.”

You can find four main types of personal lubricants: water-based, silicone, water/silicone hybrid, and oil-based. 

Water-based lubricants are ideal for all types of vaginal use—including intercourse, masturbation, and temporary moisturization—because it is most similar to natural vaginal moisture. Water-based lubricant is also the only type of lubricant that is generally compatible with all types of condoms and sex toys. Water-based lubricants can be used for anal sex as well, but for that purpose it’s important to choose a thicker formula that provides extra cushion.

Silicone lubricants are wonderful for penile masturbation, anal sex, and vaginal dryness because they do not lose moisture due to evaporation. They are compatible with most condoms, but they can damage silicone toys due to their molecular structure, and they can stain fabric.

Hybrid lubricants are similar to water-based formulas but tend to stay wetter longer due to the addition of a small amount of silicone. They’re compatible with most silicone sex toys.

Oil-based lubricants are similar to silicone lubes in that they do not lose moisture, but they are not safe to use with latex or polyisoprene condoms, and they can damage mechanized sex toys and stain fabric. In general, oil-based lubes are better for anal use than vaginal use.

To find the best water-based, silicone, hybrid, and oil-based lubes, we considered the following factors:

• Minimal ingredients: Personal lubricants sometimes contain ingredients that can trigger allergies, irritation, or vaginal-biome imbalances in some individuals. Examples include glycerin, propylene glycol (which gives lube its slippery texture but can cause an increase in osmolality at higher concentrations), preservatives called parabens, and additives such as botanical extracts, which may be advertised as a selling point.
• Texture and thickness: Some people prefer a thicker, more “cushiony” lube, especially for anal use or vaginal dryness, while others may prefer a thinner, “wetter” formula that is similar to natural vaginal lubrication. Although most water-based lubes become at least a little tacky as they evaporate, we evaluated how long they stayed slippery and smooth with prolonged friction on skin.
• Scent and taste: All of the lubes we tested were unflavored, but we evaluated smell and taste as potential dealbreakers for people who like to alternate oral sex with other activities.
• Toy and condom compatibility: Whereas water-based lubes work well with all types of sex toys and condoms, pure-silicone lubricants can damage silicone sex toys, and oil-based lubricants can damage latex and polyisoprene condoms and mechanized sex toys.
• Osmolality and pH values of water-based lubes: Osmolality, expressed in mOm/kg, relates to the exchange of fluids across a membrane, such as the vagina or rectum, while pH describes the acid/base balance of a fluid. (These values do not apply to silicone- and oil-based lubes.) Research has indicated that lubricants with higher osmolality can damage vaginal tissue. The World Health Organization recommends that personal lubricants have an osmolality of ​​1,200 mOm/kg or lower (PDF) for optimal tissue health. The WHO also suggests that lubes intended for vaginal use should have a pH around 4.5, while anal lubes should have a higher range, of 5.5 to 7. (Menopausal people tend to have a higher vaginal pH of around 5.3, however, and may want to choose a lube to match.) We considered osmolality data when it was available—not all companies conduct such testing—and we used pH test strips to assess the acidities of water-based lubes.
• Packaging and price: Is the container discreet enough to display? Is it travel friendly? Is the dispensing mechanism efficient and hygienic, or does it leak, drip, or—in the case of some tubs—require a spoon? Lubes we considered ranged from $1.24 to $24 per ounce, depending on the size of the container. The more expensive lubricants tend to be made by smaller companies, feature ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts, and have fancier packaging, while some, though not all, of the less-expensive options contain ingredients that people with sensitive vaginal biomes may wish to avoid. On the other hand, if you frequently engage in anal sex—an activity that generally requires a greater quantity of lubricant—and don’t have a vagina, you may want to opt for a less-expensive lube that works great for anal use but not vaginal use.
• FDA’s OK: We considered FDA 510(k) clearance but ultimately did not disqualify from consideration lubes made by companies that have not applied for it and earned it. (Three of our picks are FDA-cleared, one has filed for consideration, and two are not cleared.)

Altogether we tried 29 formulas: 19 water-based, four silicone, two water/silicone hybrid, and four oil-based lubes. We assessed the feel, smell, and taste of each, noting which lubes became sticky with heat and friction, which ones were likely to drip all over, and which ones lost their slip too quickly.

Our recommendations include three water-based formulas, one silicone lube, one hybrid lube, and an oil-based option.

Available for just a bit more than you might spend on a lesser-quality lube from a drugstore, the FDA-cleared Aloe Cadabra Natural Aloe lubricant can work well for a variety of bodies and applications. It is pH balanced with low osmolality for vaginal health while being thick enough for penile masturbation and, in a pinch, anal use. It is compatible with all types of condoms and sex toys, and compared with most water-based lubricants we considered, its slick texture stays wet longer (before eventually becoming a bit sticky).

It’s specifically formulated to support vaginal health. Aloe Cadabra lubricant has a pH of 4.2 and osmolality of 172 mOsm/kg, well under the WHO recommendation of 1,200 mOsm/kg maximum. “I always recommend Aloe Cadabra for people with dry or sensitive vulvovaginal tissue,” said Helen Being, educational consultant for the Eugene, Oregon–based As You Like It sex-toy shop. The recipe is formulated to support the hydration of mucosal membranes, Being said, and does not contain the glycols and parabens that may upset the vaginal biome in some people.

It’s uniquely versatile among water-based lubes. While experts generally recommend a hybrid, silicone-based, or oil-based lube for penile masturbation and anal use, Aloe Cadabra’s creamy gel formula is thick enough that it is an acceptable option for those applications, unlike some of the thinner water-based lubes that we tried.

Those who like to alternate oral sex with other activities should note that we found the Natural Aloe version to be slightly sour tasting. But the company also offers 18 flavored varieties; Being recommends the Tahitian vanilla, strawberry, and peppermint flavors. “Their flavoring is never overwhelming. I think it adds a level of delicious aroma to the whole sexual experience.”

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The largest bottle of this formula, 5.5 ounces of Natural Aloe, is less widely available than the 2.5-ounce bottle, which is commonly found online and in some specialty stores.

Silicone lubes don’t lose moisture, so they stay wetter, longer. Überlube is the most expensive silicone lubricant we tested—and by far the best. It’s the only FDA-cleared formula we considered that lists dimethicone, the “oldest and most extensively used” silicone polymer, as its first ingredient.

Most silicone lubes feel generally the same. Überlube feels better. It can be useful for anal sex, penile masturbation, and vaginal dryness. And it’s packaged in a glass pump bottle that neatly dispenses the right amount for most uses.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The glass Überlube bottle may be easily dropped by slippery hands.

The addition of silicone to a water-based formula gives hybrid lubes lasting wetness. Sliquid Silk is a non-staining hybrid formula that’s safe for use with condoms and silicone toys. It does not have FDA clearance.

It’s an especially creamy fluid that offers lasting smoothness with minimal stickiness. It is pH-balanced for vaginas, and it contains none of the most common potential irritants (propylene glycol and parabens) found in some similar formulas.

The plastic bottle has a snap-close top. It’s easy to use and keeps the lube from leaking. This formula comes in several sizes, from a 2-ounce travel bottle ($5.50 per ounce) to an 8.5-ounce bottle ($2.82 per ounce).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Beyond a lack of FDA clearance, Sliquid Silk has one additional drawback: It tastes especially bitter, and therefore it isn’t great for use with oral sex.

Oil-based lubricants are polarizing: Not all oils work well in the vaginal biome, and oil can damage latex condoms and mechanized sex toys, as well as stain fabric. However, like silicone lubes, oil-based lubes don’t lose moisture due to evaporation and therefore work great for anal use, penile masturbation, and vaginal dryness. Coconu Oil Based is the best oil-based lube we’ve considered.

Unlike most coconut-oil-based lubes, this one is not a solid at room temperature. That makes it much easier to dispense. It contains a blend of coconut and other oils that give it a pliable texture similar to petroleum jelly. With body heat, it melts to a slippery liquid. It works equally well for vaginal and anal sex, and it’s especially good for people experiencing vaginal dryness.

It comes in a convenient squeeze tube. Many oil-based lubricants are sold in tubs or jars due to their thick textures. That presents a dilemma as to how to hygienically dispense the lube. Dig it out with a spoon? Risk introducing bacteria with fingers? This lube’s squeeze tube eliminates those concerns.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

At $25 for a 3-ounce bottle, Coconu Oil Based is the most expensive of the oil-based lubricants we evaluated.

It contains ingredients (coconut and almond oil) that may be allergens for some people.

A runnier—and edible—option, Coconu Water Based feels great and tastes a lot like coconut water. Similar to Aloe Cadabra, it has a simple ingredient list that is unlikely to cause vaginal irritation (unless you have a coconut allergy) and has a pH of around 4.5 to 5. It is also FDA-cleared.

It has a thin, slippery texture that feels similar to natural vaginal moisture. This lube is not a good choice for anal use, which requires a thicker texture. However, if you’re looking for a lube that doesn’t dramatically change the feel, taste, or smell of sex beyond adding wetness, Coconu Water Based is your best bet.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Because Coconu Water Based is runnier than our other water-based lube picks, it can drip from an open tube even when you’re not applying pressure. Take care when holding the tube open, and try to keep it upright.

At $8.33 per ounce, this is one of the pricier lubes we recommend. If you want to spend less, we recommend Sliquid H2O or Sutil Luxe as similar but less expensive options.

Water-based lubricants designed for anal use tend to not work well for vaginal use, and vice versa, and even some of the thicker lubes we tested are considered too acidic for vaginal use per WHO standards. With a pH of 6, Sutil Rich is in range for both anal and vaginal use, making it a versatile choice for people who do both. It has not been cleared by the FDA.

It has a thick, “cushiony” gel-like texture that’s ideal for protecting delicate anal tissues. We found the glide to be long-lasting with relatively little stickiness. Sex therapist Venessa Farn, LPC-SASD, CTS, NCC, recommended this formula for menopausal people, who may prefer its higher pH and thicker texture.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Sutil Rich has not been cleared by the FDA. For shipping to the US, this lube is available only through a handful of specialty retailers.

This formula contains a “pleasure tonic” including ginseng and horny goat weed, which may be a dealbreaker for people who have sensitive tissues.

At  $7.25 per ounce for a 4-ounce tube, Sutil Rich is expensive. You can find more affordable options if you desire a water-based lube strictly for anal use, such as Sliquid Sassy, Boy Butter H2O, or Slippery Stuff Gel.

If you want an aloe-forward, water-based lube in a convenient pump bottle: Maude Shine is FDA-cleared and has a lovely slick texture. It’s a bit more expensive than our top pick from Aloe Cadabra, though, and it contains a number of botanical extracts that may be irritants for some people.

If you’re looking for other serviceable Aloe Cadabra alternatives: Sexual-health experts we consulted frequently recommended the water-based lubes Sliquid H2O and Sliquid Sassy. Both are affordably priced, and the two contain the same allergy-friendly ingredients, though neither has earned clearance from the FDA. While H2O is more fluid, Sassy is thicker and more cushiony, with a slightly higher but still vagina-friendly pH, making it a good choice for anal sex.

If you are allergic to coconut and prefer a runnier lube: Sutil Luxe has a “watery” consistency similar to that of Coconu Water Based and is available for a similar price. It contains moisture-preserving hyaluronic acid. It is not cleared by the FDA.

If you want the thickest and creamiest of all the water-based lubes we considered: Boy Butter H2O applies almost like body lotion. Although it is an excellent, cost-effective choice for condom- and toy-friendly anal use, it isn’t the best option for vaginal use. It is not cleared by the FDA.

If you’re looking for a lower-cost oil-based anal lube: Consider Boy Butter Original. This formula is thick and long-lasting. Its unique creamy formula of hydrogenated vegetable oils, glycerin, and silicone is water soluble and therefore non-staining, unlike other oil-based lubes. This lube is not vagina-friendly and should not be used with latex condoms. It does not have clearance from the FDA. Compared with the more-economical 16-ounce tub, the 9-ounce squeeze bottle provides an easier and potentially more-hygienic way to dispense the product.

Water-based personal lubricants

Astroglide Liquid contains both glycerin and propylene glycol—two common irritants. Astroglide Gel contains glycerin and a paraben. As you might guess, Astroglide Glycerin & Paraben Free Liquid contains neither glycerin nor parabens, but it still has propylene glycol, which many people choose to avoid. We didn’t include this FDA-cleared formula in our testing.

Exsens Pure Aqua, an FDA-cleared water-based formula, contains glycerin yet has a low-enough osmolality (600 mOsm/kg, the company reports) and pH appropriate for vaginal use. Thick with a very mild flavor, it’s great for people who desire a “cushiony” lube, but it can become a bit sticky as it dries.

Fuck Water Original is technically not a hybrid lube due to its percentage of dimethicone, but it looks and performs like one. Like other hybrid-type lubes, it stays wetter longer than any water-based lube. The company reports a higher osmolality (2,300 to 3,400 mOsm/kg) than the WHO recommends (1,200 mOsm/kg or less). It is FDA cleared.

Good Clean Love Almost Naked is a popular, FDA-cleared aloe-vera-based formula. We found that it was stickier than Aloe Cadabra, and some people might find the strong vanilla fragrance unpleasant.

Head South Slip Serum is a simple water-based lube with an elegant glass pump bottle that you can replenish with refill tubes. It’s an enjoyable formula, watery and not sticky, and nearly flavorless. It’s on the pricier side among lubes made with similar ingredients, however, and it does not have FDA clearance.

The FDA-cleared K-Y Jelly Water Based Personal Lubricant contains propylene glycol as its second ingredient. In 2020, the manufacturer of K-Y reported to the FDA an osmolality range of 780-1,180 mOsm/kg—higher than our top pick water-based lube’s, but lower than the WHO’s recommended maximum.

Priced at $1.24 per ounce in its largest bottle, the FDA-cleared Lube Life Water Based Lubricant—which also includes propylene glycol as its second ingredient—is the best value water-based lube of quality that we’ve found. However, we discovered that it gets a little stickier than most upon drying.

Personal Fav Whet—a water-based lube with a variety of botanical extracts—is the most expensive lube we tested, at $24 for a single ounce. Although the glass pump bottle is lovely, and the lube is high-quality, you can spend much less on a good lube; Coconu Water Based and Sutil Luxe, for example, provide a similar experience. It is not cleared by the FDA.

The water-based lube Pink Water includes propylene glycol, a potential cause of higher osmolality, as its second ingredient. We found that its pH is higher than ideal for vaginal use, and the manufacturer says this formula is not compatible with latex condoms. It has earned FDA clearance.

The water-based Pjur Back Door Moisturizing lube, an FDA-cleared formula, stays slippery with friction. It’s marketed for anal sex and offers a good thickness, but our measurements showed it to be in a better pH range for use as a vaginal lubricant.

The water-based lube Slippery Stuff Gel is another economical choice for anal use, especially when purchased in a 32-ounce pump bottle. It is very thick—almost stringy—and it stays wet a long time. Its pH is higher than ideal for vaginal use. It does not have FDA clearance.

Sliquid Organics Natural is another good aloe-based, water-based lube similar to Aloe Cadabra but without FDA clearance. Its added botanical extracts may be a dealbreaker for people with sensitive tissues.

Wicked Simply Timeless Aqua is a thinner water-based lube that has low osmolality (170 mOsm/kg, the company reports) and is pH balanced specifically for menopausal people. It includes a derivative of hyaluronic acid for added moisture and comes in a convenient pump bottle. It is also available in a thicker gel form. Neither formula is FDA cleared.

Silicone personal lubricants

The packaging for Gun Oil—bullet shaped with a snap top and removable cap—is a bit macho and fussy, but it’s a good silicone lube with FDA clearance and added aloe and Vitamin E.

The makers of Pjur Original claim that this was the first silicone lubricant, introduced in 1995. It has earned FDA clearance. Overall it’s a nice lube, but the squeeze-bottle design makes dispensing a precise amount difficult.

Replens Silky Smooth Personal Lubricant is a two-ingredient formula that many buyer reviews say is overly sticky, creating a film on the skin. This specific formula has not earned FDA clearance.

Swiss Navy Silicone Lubricant has FDA clearance and is available in bulk formats, including a gallon jug with a convenient locking pump cap.

Hybrid personal lubricants

The hybrid lubricant Wicked Simply Hybrid Jelle is much thicker than Sliquid Silk, making it a good condom- and toy-friendly option for anal use. However, it has relatively high osmolality (2,350 mOsm/kg, the company reports) and lacks FDA clearance.

Oil-based personal lubricants

We found The Butters Aloe x Shea Original Lube oil-based formula to be a bit grainy at room temperature, and the flavor was off-puttingly salty. It is not cleared by the FDA.

Sensuous Beauty Love Balm is an oil-based lube available in a variety of flavors. It does not have FDA clearance. The non-flavored version is simply solid coconut oil with added Vitamin E. You may prefer to purchase a jar of coconut oil for a fraction of the price.

This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Kalee Thompson.