It’s not every day you find your office conference room table stacked with dozens of bottles of lube. Except at Cosmo, well, it kind of is. Because if there’s one thing we know, it’s sex. Good sex. Great sex. Holy-effing-sh*t sex. You get it. But to *actually* get it, you’re gonna need lube.
Lucky for you, we’re in a unique position to know what’s really worth the hype—and worth your money. Every lube you can possibly imagine has made its way to our desks at one point or another. And as your friendly neighborhood sex and relationships editors…we can’t *not* try them. I mean, right? It would be a disservice—to you! To our bosses! To our legacy. To ourselves. (Remember: We know sex.)
So what did we do with our encyclopedic knowledge of all things lube? We called in some more, and spent three months vigorously testing, discussing, and debating the pros and cons to each one. We poured over ingredients lists, gathered insights from certified sexperts, and got our hands dirty (er, literally). Because hi, we know you’re saturated with options and language (wth is an adaptogen?!) that can make picking the right one confusing as hell. That’s why we can conclusively say we’re extremely pleased to present the absolute best kinds for whatever you’re into—the 15 best-performing, longest-lasting, best-for-your-bod lubes we stand behind.
You’re very, very welcome.
Best Aloe-Based
Hims & Hers Glide Aloe Vera Lubricant
Aloe-based lubes are ultra hydrating and safe for sensitive skin. This one is pH balanced to support vaginal health and safe to use with both toys and condoms (except polyurethane ones).
Best Water-Based
Playground Love Sesh Water-Based Personal Lubricant
Water-based lubes should be your go-to if you want something non-messy that’s also safe on skin, toys, and condoms. This is stacked with adaptogens (aka herbs with health benefits) that can help enhance pleasure, like ashwagandha and black cohosh. Also, it’s so darn cute.
Best Silicone-Based
Silicone’s claim to fame? It’s long-lasting, so a little goes a very long way. Wisp’s is hypoallergenic (love) and condom-safe (also love), but the best part is that it’s perfectly slippery rather than obnoxiously sticky like a lot of other silicone lubes can be.
Best for Travel
This product is a win- win: The lube itself stays wet for what seems like forever, and its genius mini packaging makes it easy to take on your romantic vacations. As in, “Oh, hi, TSA, this is just another beauty product....”
Best Value
Free from dyes, parabens, and fragrances, this water-based lube contains hyaluronic moisturizers that make it extra hydrating and slick. It’s also readily available on drugstore shelves, which is good because sometimes you just need lube RTFN, you know?
Best Multitasker
Okay, so this is technically a serum, not a lube, meaning it’s not meant to go inside you. But its natural oils and extracts smell and feel divine on all of those very important external erogenous zones and work wonders on dry skin and cuticles too.
Best Flavored
Woo More Play Coconut Love Oil
A lot of flavored lubes are made with fake sugars that can cause infections, but not this one. It smells and tastes like a literal vanilla cupcake thanks to natural ingredients that make it safe for both oral sex and medical-grade silicone toys. (Just clean ’em after, and avoid latex condoms.)
Best Worth-the-Hype
You know your one friend who everyone wants to be BFFs with because she’s that genuinely cool? This is her in lube form. The aloe-based formula is organic, natural, and hydrating. Everything you want (to brag about)...and nothing you don’t.
Best for Hand Jobs
If you’ve retired handies from your sexual repertoire, it’s likely because you’ve never given one with this one-of-a-kind masturbation cream. Its shape-shifting cream-to-lotion formula was designed with penis-having solo play in mind. Translation: The hand job renaissance awaits.
Best for Anal
Lube Life Water-Based Anal Lubricant
Yes, butt stuff needs its own product—it’s a whole different orifice that isn’t equipped with the same self-lubricating properties as its counterparts. This pick is long-lasting, never sticky, and safe for use with condoms (except polyurethane ones) and other back-door sexcessories.
Best With CBD
Great news: Blow job lube is a thing, and this one happens to boast the ultra-soothing, ultra-sensual properties of CBD and CBG to enhance sensation and help you chill out and ~lose yourself~ in the moment.
Best Bottle
While this little number obviously deserves a front-and-center display on your nightstand, it’s more than just a pretty face. The luxe, multi-use product does double duty as a skincare staple, adding a little elegance to your beauty routine and your most intimate moments.
Best Luxury
Pulse Personal Lube and Massage Oil Warming Dispenser
Literally who needs a lube warmer? It’s you—you do. Trust us on this: A high-tech warming lube dispenser (complete with Pulse’s A+ lubes and massage oils) is the ultimate nightstand flex.
Best With Toys
Slippery stuff that’s sleek, chic, *and* fully sex-toy-friendly? Believe it. Whether you’ve invited your favorite vibrators to a party of one or they’re the guests of honor at your next partnered hookup, this water-based formula will keep your toys in tip-top shape.
Best Organic
Like a lot of things, lube is often unnecessarily gendered, but Goodparts is changing that, starting with this organic, aloe-based formula. It was created with inclusion in mind and truly can be used by anyone in almost any situation.
Kayla Kibbe (she/her) is the Associate Sex and Relationships Editor at Cosmopolitan US, where she covers all things sex, love, dating and relationships. She lives in Astoria, Queens and probably won’t stop talking about how great it is if you bring it up. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
