7 Best Water Based Lubes For A Good No-Friction Sex! (2024)

While slickness and compatibility with toys and condoms are pretty good reasons to pick a water based lube, they only scratch the surface. The best water-based lubes also last longer and clean up easily for uninterrupted pleasure and added convenience.

Considering the many options available, this guide will highlight the ones that go beyond the basics. Looking at key features like smoothness, ease of cleanup, pH balance, and versatility, we’ve picked out water based lubes that truly understand the assignment.

Key Considerations To Look For In A Water Based Lube

• Base Ingredients: Water based lube typically has three categories of base ingredients. First, there’s hydroxyethylcellulose, which comes from plants, is slick, and is great for sensitive users. Then, there’s aloe vera, known for its soothing vibes and natural moisture. Where it gets problematic is with propylene glycol or synthetic glycerin as they can cause some itching and burning down there.
• Long-lasting Capabilities: In general, water based lubes do not last as long as their silicone- and oil-based counterparts. However, you can look for ingredients that help them stay slick longer without getting sticky or drying out. Some great options are hyaluronic acid (a hydrating ingredient derived from various sources, including plants) and hydroxyethylcellulose. 
• Non-sticky: Besides causing distracting sensations during use, sticky lubes can interrupt the entire moment. So, choose lubes that glide on smoothly without leaving unpleasant residue.  Ingredients like hydroxyethylcellulose or aloe vera are a safe bet as they’re known for their smooth, nonsticky textures.
• pH Balance: Great sex shouldn’t mess with your body’s natural balance. For vagina owners, choose a water based lube with a pH level between 3.8 and 4.5. This helps maintain the right acidity to fend off harmful bacteria.
• Versatility: Based on your personal preferences, look for lubes that do more than lubricate—some also moisturize or act as spermicides. Opt for versatile choices that can multitask, saving you time and money.

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Top 3 Water Based Lubricants

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The Best and Safest Water Based Lubricants in 2024

I’m pretty sure if you spread this stuff out on a wooden floor, you could use it as a skating rink. That’s how loooooooonnggg it lasts. 

That would be a horrible waste, though. Use it for sex, please.

This super-luxurious feeling lubricant is made using coconut water, so it’s nice to your skin while feeling amazing. It even smells good. 

Plus, it’s pH balanced and neutral, so it won’t trigger any allergies, infections, or rashes. 

It seems to NEVER stop being slippery, so you hardly have to use any compared to other lubricants. It feels really lifelike and pleasant, so much so that I have to remind myself it’s not oil-based, and you can use it with a condom. 

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First up, we’ve got fancy Swedish sex toy brand Lelo’s take on lube. Oh, sorry. “Personal moisturizer.” Just call it lube, guys. You’re not fooling anyone. 

Actually… it probably would fool some people. Lelo’s secret trick is that this lube contains moisturizing ingredients that are good for your skin as well as being good for sex. 

It has the perfect consistency for regular sexy times – not too thick or too thin, and so LIGHT! 

Many lubricants feel a bit sticky and cloying as soon as you put them on, but this stuff feels great on skin – like an actual moisturizer. 

If you intend to use it as an actual lube rather than a hand cream, you’ll want to bring a spray bottle with you into the bedroom. Without extra water keeping the ingredients fresh and slippery, it tends to dry and get sticky quite quickly. But with the added water, it lasts for a while. 

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Sliquid H2O feels about as close to natural vaginal lubrication as you can find. Excellent for mimicking that skin-to-skin feeling without any sense of artificial stuff. 

That’s because it’s made from ALL-NATURAL ingredients, without any glycerin or parabens. They use plant cellulose as the thickening agent, which has the added benefit of not leaving a stain or feeling sticky once it dries out. 

Sliquid H2O is probably the best choice for ladies with sensitive skin or a vaginal environment that gets upset easily. There’s basically nothing that could cause a significant reaction, and it’s extremely gentle on the skin.  

Since it’s one of the thinner water based lubricants on this list in terms of consistency, take a bit more care when storing it. If it falls over, it’s likely to spill, which would be a waste of this magic juice. 

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Silicone lube is great – lasts ages, ultra glidey, and usually thick enough not to spill. 

But it doesn’t work with silicone sex toys, unfortunately. Silicone lube will degrade and ruin the surface of your sex toys. 

Thankfully, now you don’t have to miss out on the slippery silicone feel, thanks to this SUTIL Luxe lube. 

It’s THICK and as glidey as an eel on a waterslide. 

It’s even good for your skin, thanks to the hyaluronic acid. So it won’t dry out your skin or leave an unpleasant sticky residue, which is the drawback of real silicone lube. 

But it’s great for most situations, won’t ruin sex toys, and lasts for ages. 

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All-natural as a term gets thrown around a lot these days, even in situations where it makes no sense. I saw an all-natural phone screen cleaner the other day. Just… why.

But one place where it definitely makes sense to have all-natural ingredients is sex lube. The fewer harsh chemicals getting shoved in your lady parts, the BETTER. 

Good Clean Love Almost Naked is made from entirely natural ingredients, so it’s awesome for sensitive skin and horny nature-lovers alike. 

Like with the Lelo Personal Moisturizer, just bring a spray bottle to add a little water, and it should last for a good length of time, allowing you and your partner to enjoy the sensations without worrying about infection or skin damage.

It even tastes good, so you don’t have to take a trip to the shower just to get some head.  

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If you want one lube that’s good for every hole, Sliquid Sassy could be your go-to. It’s water based, very slippery, but extra thick. That means it works for anal play as well as vaginal intercourse and toys. 

The thickness of it gives a nice pillowy feeling that really eases the pressure during anal play. It stays in place, too, so you don’t have to stop to awkwardly reapply all the time. 

If you’re very sensitive to pH changes, then you might want to use this one sparingly or give it a miss. It’s not bad for skin but not as neutral as some of the other options on this list. 

One added bonus of having an extra-thick lube is that since you don’t have to reapply it much, one bottle will last longer. So even though it’s not cheap per purchase, you get a lot of smooth banging for your buck. 

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Finally, in case the men are feeling left out, I present this ridiculously macho lube complete with military-style branding. It’s even shaped like a bullet. 

I was expecting this to feel kinda gross, but it’s actually a really nice quality. The substance has a pretty natural feeling, slippery and not too thick or thin. 

And when used during sex, it does make the whole affair feel more stimulating than usual, thanks to the ginseng and guarana extracts. It’s not a big dramatic effect, but there’s a noticeable difference that some people will go crazy for. 

If you have a sensitive vagina, then you might not get along so well with Gun Oil because of those extra botanical ingredients, but it doesn’t normally cause dry skin or irritation. 

And yes, it’s perfectly safe for use with condoms and sex toys. It’s water based, despite the name. I guess Gun Water just sounds weird. 

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Why Use A Water Based Lubricant?

There are plenty of great reasons to use water based lubricant over other types of lubricant. The biggest reason is that it’s guaranteed safe to use with silicone toys and condoms. Where other lubricants might degrade these materials, water based lubricant is 100% safe.

It’s also effortless to clean and won’t leave a sticky or oily residue on you or your toys, and won’t stain your sheets. If it spills, it’s easy to clean up.

And the best water based lubricant won’t have a smell or taste, so you’ll forget you’re using them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is water based lube safe to use with condoms?

Yes, as long as it doesn’t contain oils or silicone. Both of those will damage latex condoms. 

So as long as a lube is completely water based, it’s SAFE to use with any condoms. Just make sure you reapply every so often as the residue can be sticky, which makes condoms more likely to break due to friction. 

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Is water based lube safe to use with my sex toys?

Generally yes. If you have silicone sex toys, water based lube is safe to use with them. It’s only silicone-based lubes that you should avoid with your sex toys. 

If you have wood or jelly rubber sex toys, then lubes aren’t that safe. Always put a condom over those toys before doing anything else, and don’t expect them to last forever. 

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Should I use lube before or during sex?

Yes, and yes. You should use lube whenever you feel like you need or want some. For best results, apply some to yourself and your partner before penetration, and then reapply as necessary. 

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How do you store your lube?

Generally, it’s best to store bottles of lube upright to prevent spilling. Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from sex toys or any fabrics. 

And definitely don’t leave a bottle of lube on the edge of your desk directly above your favorite sweater while owning a cat. I’m still mad about that. 

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Final Thoughts

No more dryness! No more irritation! Get the right lubricant and glide on!