The Very Best Lube for Masturbation, According to Sex Experts & Testers
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There’s no way to show yourself some love quite like some good old-fashioned me time—and the best lube for masturbation can take any self-pleasure to the next level. Whether you’re sticking with your hands or bringing G-spot vibrators, suction toys, or butt plugs into the mix, personal lubricant keeps things frictionless and fun.
We turned to sex experts and chatted with our dedicated Glamour testers to find the absolute best lube for masturbation, no matter your gender or proclivities. From water-based lube that you can use with the best vibrators in your collection to oil-based options that make skin-on-skin contact feel incredible, there’s an option for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know about mixing lube and masturbation, according to the pros, plus top-rated picks to keep by your bed. Now clear your calendar and settle in for some well-earned me time.
The best lube for masturbation, at a glance
- Best Overall Lube for Masturbation: Überlube, $20
- Best Lube for Vulvas: Sliquid H2O, $16
- Best Lube for Penises: Coconu Hemp-Infused Body Oil, $40
- Best Lube for Sex Toys: Lelo Personal Moisturizer, $21
- Best Anal Lube for Masturbation: Pjur Back Door Silicone Anal Lubricant, $22
How to find the right lube for masturbation
Best Overall Lube for Masturbation: Überlube
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Courtesy of brand1/14Überlube
Just about the fanciest option you’ll find anywhere, Überlube is ideal for masturbation. It’s a silicone-based lubricant, so you shouldn’t use it with silicone sex toys, but skin is fair game. The rich formula is infused with vitamin E to moisturize your skin while you play, and despite being slick enough to use in the shower, it won’t stain sheets. Plus, the pump top dispenses the perfect amount of lube for solo play—or partnered sex, if you happen to have company.
Type: Silicone-based / Dispenser: Pump / Size: 1.9 oz.
Pros: Elegant design; easy-to-use pump top
Cons: Not for use with silicone toysSave on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes.
Best Lube for Vulvas: Sliquid H2O
Courtesy of brand2/14Sliquid H2O
Janielle Bryan, MPH, CHES, a Philadelphia-based sex educator and professor who focuses on health equity, recommends Sliquid lubricants because the brand doesn’t use glycerin, sugar, or sugar derivatives—ingredients that thicken lube and make it taste better but can lead to yeast infections. This water-based bestseller is also hypoallergenic, toy-safe, and pH-balanced specifically for vaginas. It’s the total package.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Squeeze cap / Size: 8.5 oz.
Pros: Unscented; great for sensitive skin
Cons: Squeeze bottle can be annoying to use during sex.Save on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes.
Best Lube for Penises: Coconu Hemp-Infused Body Oil
Courtesy of brand3/14Coconu Hemp-Infused Body Oil
Looking for a truly luxurious lube? Coconu’s edible body oil is up to the task. No matter what kind of sexual activity you’re getting up to with or without a partner—massage, low and slow masturbation, oral sex—the lightweight formula will keep things frictionless. “When I’m in the mood for some foreplay or alone time, I always reach for Coconu’s long-lasting coconut oil,” one Glamour tester says. “A little of this oil-based lubricant goes a long way, and it’s so luxuriously slippery.”
Type: Oil-based / Dispenser: Squeeze cap / Size: 3 oz.
Pros: Lasts a long time; only a drop is necessary
Cons: Can stain fabricSave on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes.
Best Lube for Sex Toys: Lelo Personal Moisturizer
Courtesy of brand4/14Lelo Personal Moisturizer
Any water-based lubricant will work with silicone sex toys, but Lelo’s silky option is superior. (Fitting, since it’s the same brand behind some of our favorite vibrators for women.) The unscented, nonstaining formulation features hydrating aloe vera and is slippery without feeling greasy or tacky. And the bottle is so sleek that you might be tempted to leave it out for the world to see.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Pump / Size: 5 oz.
Pros: Easy-to-use pump; moisturizing formula
Cons: Might get tacky after a whileSave on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes and Lelo promo codes.
Best Water-Based Lube for Maturbation: Pjur Infinity Water-Based Personal Lubricant
Courtesy of brand5/14Pjur Infinity Water Based Personal Lubricant
“When it comes to lube for masturbation Pjur Infinity is one of my favorites,” says sex educator and Lovehoney sex expert Javay Frye-Nekrasova, MEd. “It has a pretty slick consistency compared to [other water-based options] and lasts for a good amount of time.” The slick, perfume-like bottle is just a bonus.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Pump / Size: 1.7 oz.
Pros: Long-lasting slip; premium packaging
Cons: PriceySave on the best lube for masturbation with these Lovehoney promo codes and Walmart promo codes.
Best Silicone-Based Lube for Masturbation: Maude Shine Silicone
Courtesy of brand6/14Maude Shine Silicone-Based Lube
Although this odorless silicone lube surprisingly won’t work with Maude’s own sex toys, it’s a worthwhile trade-off: The formula stays slippery for as long as you’re willing to play, and it’s even good to use underwater. The pump top also prevents messy application.
Type: Silicone-based / Dispenser: Pump / Size: 8 oz.
Pros: Convenient dispenser; waterproof slip
Cons: Might stain some fabricBest Anal Lube for Masturbation: Pjur Back Door Silicone Anal Lubricant
Courtesy of brand7/14Pjur Back Door Silicone Anal Lubricant
“For anal play, Pjur Back Door is a top-tier choice,” Frye-Nekrasova says. “The silicone has jojoba, which is known for helping with relaxation.” We also love that this anal lube silicone-based, which means that it’ll last forever without needing to be reapplied.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Squeeze top / Size: 3.4 oz.
Pros: Formulated for anal play; long-lasting slip
Cons: Application can be messy.Save on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes and Lovehoney promo codes.
Best Thick Lube for Masturbation: LubeLife Water-Based Anal Lubricant
Courtesy of brand8/14LubeLife Water-Based Anal Lubricant
Thicker lubricants are great for anal play and anyone experiencing vaginal dryness, and LubeLife’s silky-smooth offering is an especially great (and cost-effective) pick that won’t have you reapplying every five minutes. “This is one of the thickest lubes I own, meaning it takes longer to dry out than other water-based options,” one Glamour tester says. “I don’t love that it’s in a squeeze bottle, but it’s so cost-effective that I’m willing to overlook a little inconvenience.” Because it’s water-based, it’s compatible with silicone toys—anal vibrators, prostate massagers, you name it—and cleanup is a breeze.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Squeeze top / Size: 12 oz.
Pros: Thick formula; ideal for anal play
Cons: Might have to be reapplied during longer sessionsSave on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes.
Most Discreet Lube for Masturbation: Isabel Fay Water-Based Lubricant
Courtesy of brand9/14Isabel Fay Water-Based Lubricant
Isabel Fay’s water-based lube is perfectly slick and formulated without irritating glycerin or parabens. But its best feature, in our estimation, is that gorgeous bottle, which looks more like fancy lotion or hand sanitizer than personal lubricant. Go ahead and leave it on your nightstand—no one will be the wiser.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Pump / Size: 8 oz.
Pros: Mess-free dispenser; cute, discreet packaging
Cons: Might need to be reapplied during useSave on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes.
Best Stimulating Lube for Masturbation: System JO H2O Warming Water-Based Lubricant
Courtesy of brand10/14System JO H2O Warming Water-Based Lubricant
“System JO warming lube is a good choice if you want to use a stimulating lube with toys because it is water-based and [therefore] safe for all toy materials,” Frye-Nekrasova says. It uses peppermint extract to keep things interesting down there—perfect for anyone who’s ready for a new experience. (You can even mix it into another lube to get started.) But if you’re not sold on the sensation, no worries—stick to another option with less intense ingredients.
Type: Water-based / Dispenser: Squeeze top / Size: 2 oz.
Pros: Formulated for anal play; long-lasting slip
Cons: Application can be messy.Save on the best lube for masturbation with these Amazon promo codes and Lovehoney promo codes.
11/14Why should you use lube for masturbation?
Yes, you can totally get by with nothing but your body’s natural lubrication, which we all produce in different amounts. But even if you’re very much in the mood, it might not be enough on its own, Bryan says. “Without lube, masturbation can cause skin irritation due to repeated friction,” she says. “Lube allows you to masturbate longer and use different techniques that would be difficult with dry skin.” It’s a win-win.
Another thing to keep in mind is your masturbation technique, says Justin Lehmiller, PhD, a research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, author of Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life, and Lovehoney scientific adviser. “For example, if you are inserting a toy into your body as part of masturbation, lube will likely make that feel a heck of a lot more comfortable,” he says. “The same goes for masturbating via long or vigorous strokes of the penis.”
12/14What kinds of lube are there?
In case you haven’t heard, we’re in the golden age of lube; everywhere you look, there are high-quality options designed for every body, desire, and activity. And while any old personal lubricant can absolutely work for self-pleasure, this newfound wealth of options—and nightstand-friendly designs—means you can home in on exactly the right formula for your needs. (Adieu, crusty bottle of lotion under your bed.)
There are three main options for lube: water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based, all of which have their own pros and cons. Water-based options are popular because they’re easy to clean, usually don’t stain sheets, and play nice with every kind of sex toy, but they also become tacky more quickly than other formulas. Silicone options are silkier and longer-lasting (they don't evaporate as quickly), but they can’t be used with the majority of sex toys (more on that later). Oil-based lube, meanwhile, is similarly slick and long-lasting, but it can stain fabric and isn’t safe to use with latex condoms.
13/14How should you choose the right lube for masturbation?
To pick the right type of lube, consider what your masturbation routine looks like, Frye-Nekrasova recommends. Prefer classic skin-on-skin contact? You can choose from any of the three. If any silicone toys will be involved—and it’s likely, considering the material is widely used in everything from wand vibrators to sex toys for men—you should always stick to water-based lube: “The silicone in the lubricant will break down and deteriorate toys made from silicone,” Bryan explains. “[Those] toys, especially softer ones, could be ruined.”
“If your concern is easy cleanup, a water-based lube is probably going to be your best bet,” Lehmiller says. “However, if you want a long-lasting lube or want to use it in the shower, then a silicone-based lube is likely to be a better fit.” Again, lube containing glycerin isn’t ideal, Frye-Nekrasova says, so pay attention to ingredients.
Beyond material, you can also experiment with texture and sensation. Thicker formulas make great anal lubes, since they take longer to dry out and make up for the fact that your anus doesn’t self-lubricate; just make sure you’re using something water-based if anal sex toys are involved. (High-viscosity picks are also great if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness.)
Some options even offer tingling or warming sensations, and they’re “absolutely safe for masturbation,” Frye-Nekrasova says. “I do recommend starting small with stimulating lubes; try a little to see how it feels before generously applying. Since every body is different, your body may not like all stimulating lubes the same.” Lehmiller notes that they can cause irritation for people with sensitive skin, so don’t forget to spot-test before diving in.
14/14Meet our experts
Janielle Bryan, MPH, CHES, a Philadelphia-based sex educator and professor
Justin Lehmiller, PhD, a Kinsey Institute research fellow, author, and Lovehoney scientific adviser
Javay Frye-Nekrasova, MEd, a sex educator and Lovehoney sex expert
