Lubricant is one of those things that seems simple until you actually try to buy one. Suddenly you are choosing between water-based, silicone, oil, hybrid, warming, cooling and strawberry cheesecake flavour. Okay, maybe not always cheesecake — but you get the idea.
The good news: choosing the right lube is actually pretty easy once you know the basics.
If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this: water-based lubricant is the best all-round choice for most people, especially when using sex toys.
Why use lubricant?
Lube reduces friction, which usually means more comfort, smoother movement and a better experience overall.
It can be useful for sex, masturbation, anal play and almost every kind of sex toy. And no, using lube does not mean something is “wrong”. Sometimes more slippery is simply more fun.
Water-based lubricant: the easy all-rounder
Water-based lubricant is the easiest option for most situations. It feels natural, washes off easily and works well with almost every type of sex toy.
That makes it the best starting point if you are not sure what to choose.
Water-based lube is great for:
- Sex toys
- Vaginal sex
- Anal play
- Masturbation
- Condoms
- Everyday use
The only downside is that it can dry out faster than silicone or oil-based lube. If that happens, just add a little more. Problem solved.
Our simple recommendation: if you use toys and only want to buy one type of lubricant, choose water-based.
Silicone lubricant: extra slippery and long lasting
Silicone-based lubricant lasts much longer than water-based lube and stays slippery without needing to be reapplied as often.
It is especially popular for anal sex, longer sessions and shower or bath play because water does not wash it away as quickly.
Silicone lube is great for:
- Anal sex
- Longer sessions
- Shower or bath play
- People who do not want to keep reapplying lube
For sex toys, we still prefer water-based lubricant as the simple choice. Silicone lube can sometimes be less suitable for silicone toys, so water-based keeps things nice and easy.
Oil-based lubricant: smooth, rich and long lasting
Oil-based lubricants feel very smooth and tend to last a long time. They are popular for massage, masturbation and external play.
Oil-based lube is great for:
- Massage
- Masturbation
- External play
- Long-lasting glide
The big thing to remember is that oil-based lubricant should not be used with latex condoms, because oil can weaken latex.
It can also be a little messier to clean up. Great for slippery fun, slightly less great for your favourite white bedsheets.
Hybrid lubricant: the best of both worlds?
Hybrid lubricant usually combines water-based lube with a small amount of silicone.
The result is a lube that feels lighter than full silicone but usually lasts longer than a standard water-based formula.
Hybrid lube is great for:
- People who like water-based lube but want it to last longer
- Longer sessions
- General sex and masturbation
It is a nice middle ground if you want something a little more luxurious without going fully silicone-based.
What about flavoured lubricant?
Flavoured lubricants are designed to make oral play a little more fun. They come in all kinds of flavours, from strawberry and cherry to vanilla and more adventurous options.
They are especially popular for oral sex, couple play and anyone who likes the idea of making things taste a little less… clinical.
Flavoured lube is great for:
- Oral sex
- Couples
- Playful sessions
- Anyone who wants something a bit more fun than plain lube
Most flavoured lubricants are water-based, which makes them easy to use and easy to clean.
If you are sensitive to certain ingredients, it can be worth choosing a simple formula and avoiding very sweet or heavily scented products.
Which lubricant is best for sex toys?
For sex toys, the answer is simple: water-based lubricant is usually the best choice.
It works with almost every common toy material, washes off easily and means you do not have to think too hard about compatibility.
So if you have a vibrator, dildo, anal plug or masturbator and are wondering which lube to grab, water-based is the easy answer.
Which lubricant is best for anal sex?
Anal play usually benefits from a thicker, longer-lasting lubricant because the body does not naturally lubricate the area.
A thicker water-based anal lube is a great option, especially if you are using toys. Silicone lubricant is also popular if you want maximum glide and something that lasts for a long time.
And yes, this is one of those situations where “just a tiny drop” is usually not the winning strategy.
Which lubricant works with condoms?
Water-based and silicone-based lubricants are generally good choices with latex condoms.
Oil-based lubricant should not be used with latex condoms because it can weaken the material.
Quick lubricant comparison
| Type | Best for | Sex toys | Long lasting | Easy to clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water-based | Almost everything | Excellent choice | Medium | Very easy |
| Silicone-based | Anal & long sessions | Water-based is simpler for toys | Very long | Moderate |
| Oil-based | Massage & masturbation | Depends on use | Very long | More difficult |
| Hybrid | Longer-lasting everyday use | Usually fine, but water-based is easiest | Long | Easy |
| Flavoured | Oral & playful use | Usually water-based | Medium | Easy |
So, which lube should you buy?
Still not sure? Here is the short version:
- For sex toys: choose water-based lubricant.
- For anal play: choose a thicker water-based lube or silicone lube.
- For long sessions: silicone or hybrid lubricant.
- For massage: oil-based lubricant.
- For oral play: flavoured lubricant.
- If you just want one bottle that does almost everything: water-based.
That is really all you need to know. Lube does not need to be complicated — it just needs to make things smoother.
Ready to find your favourite? Explore our lubricant collection and choose the one that fits your toys, plans and mood.