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

Looking for the best water-based lube? We tested out the safest and most long-lasting water-based lubricants to make your buying experience as frictionless as possible. Read on:

best water based lube

When it comes to enhancing intimacy, lubricants have become an essential part of the equation, offering enhanced sensations and heightened pleasure. Among the vast array of options available, the search for the best water-based lube is a common quest for those seeking a reliable and versatile choice.

However, in the world of sexual wellness, there are various other articles to consider, such as the quest for the best sex lube, the pursuit of a cum-like lube, and the desire for the best warming lube.

In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into the realm of lubricants and shed light on each of these distinct categories, providing you with valuable insights to help elevate your intimate experiences such as using fuck machines and realistic fleshlights.

Let’s slide right in with the TOP 3. 

SexualAlpha Top Pick

Best of the lot is LELO Personal Moisturizer. It has sensitive, natural ingredients and feels light and delicate but stays slippery for more than long enough to get the job done. 

Safest Water-Based Lube

Sliquid H2O is the best choice for delicate skin that gets upset easily. It’s so neutral and inoffensive, you won’t even notice it’s there, which is high praise for any lube. 

Best Long-Lasting Water-Based Lube

Coconu Water-Based Lubricant has a natural formula, it enhances pleasure while nourishing and hydrating your skin. Free from harmful chemicals, it offers long-lasting lubrication and is safe to use with toys.


Top 6 Water Based Lubricants

Safest Water-Based Lube

water based lube

Sliquid H2O

SexualAlpha Top Pick

water based lube

LELO Personal Moisturizer

Best Long-Lasting Water-Based Lube

Coconu Water-Based Lubricant

SIZE:
4.2 fl oz
2.5 fl oz, 5 fl oz
3 fl oz
FEATURES:
Natural feeling, non-staining
Moisturizes, contains aloe
Long-lasting, good for skin
PRICE:
$
$$$
$$$

BEST ALL-NATURAL LUBE

 Good Clean Love Almost Naked

BEST WATER-BASED LUBE FOR ANAL

sliquid sassy lube

Sliquid Sassy

BEST WATER-BASED LUBE FOR SILICONE TOYS

SUTIL Luxe Body Glide

SIZE:
4 fl oz
4.2 fl oz
4 fl oz
FEATURES:
Moisturizes, hypoallergenic
Extra thick
Long-lasting, hypoallergenic
PRICE:
$
$
$$

The Best and Safest Water-Based Lubricants in 2024

water based lubricant

SexualAlpha Top Pick

1. LELO Personal Moisturizer

SIZE:
2.5 fl oz, 5 fl oz
FEATURES:
Moisturizes, contains aloe 
PRICE:
$$$
  • Doubles as a skin moisturizer 
  • Great consistency
  • Light, silky feel
  • Expensive 
  • Have to remember a spray bottle 

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. 


water based lubricants

Safest Water-Based Lube 

2. Sliquid H2O 

SIZE:
4.2 fl oz
FEATURES:
Natural feeling, non-staining  
PRICE:
$
  • Feels like your natural lubrication 
  • Great for sensitive skin
  • Doesn’t stain fabrics
  • A little thin and fast-drying

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. 


water lube

Best Long-Lasting Water-Based Lube

3. Coconu Water-Based Lubricant

SIZE:
3 fl oz
FEATURES:
Long-lasting, good for skin 
PRICE:
$$$
  • Lasts almost forever
  • pH balanced
  • Smells good
  • Pricey

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. 


best water based lubricants

Best Water-Based Lube for Silicone Toys

4. SUTIL Luxe Body Glide

SIZE:
4 fl oz
FEATURES:
Long-lasting, hypoallergenic
PRICE:
$$
  • Feels like silicone lube without silicone
  • Very long-lasting
  • Good for the skin
  • Bitter taste

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. 

One thing to note:

If you need something to accompany oral, you might want something else as it tastes quite bitter. 

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


water based lube cvs

Best All-Natural Lube

5. Good Clean Love Almost Naked 

SIZE:
4 fl oz
FEATURES:
Moisturizes, hypoallergenic
PRICE:
$
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Kind to skin 
  • Long-lasting with water
  • Sticky residue

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.  


silicone vs water based lube

Best Water-Based Lube For Anal 

6. Sliquid Sassy 

SIZE:
4.2 fl oz
FEATURES:
Extra thick 
PRICE:
$
  • Super thick and cushiony
  • Bottle lasts longer
  • Not the best for pH sensitivity

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. 


water based anal lube

Best Water-Based Lube Fortified With Special Botanicals 

7. Gun Oil H2O

SIZE:
8 fl oz
FEATURES:
Special botanicals
PRICE:
$
  • Feels invigorating
  • Easy to clean
  • Quite natural feeling
  • Not the best for sensitive skin

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. 


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.


The Best Water-Based Lubricant Buying Guide: How To Get The Best Match 

water based lubericant buying guide

Size

You’ll want to start small and go big later when trying lube out. That means getting a little bit to sample and trying it out for yourself, using fingers or a toy. Once you’re sure you’re satisfied, you can then graduate to a bigger bottle for more fun at a lower cost. 

Bottles of lube range in size from about 2.5 fl oz (75 ml) all the way to a liter or more. But you’ll want to be sure that you’re getting the right lubricant before investing in a liter of the stuff! 


Ingredients

water based lube ingredients

Most lube ingredients are safe for use because that’s how they were designed. That goes unless you’re allergic to some of the ingredients.

For example, a few people are allergic to aloe, so it’s best to avoid any lubricant containing that if you’re sensitive to it. 

There are a few ingredients used in some lubes that aren’t great for skin in general. Petroleum derivatives are commonly used in cheaper lubes, producing a chemical smell and irritating sensitive skin. 

Propylene glycol and glycerin are often used too as thickening agents. They work fine, but if you’re sensitive or prone to yeast infections, you’ll want to avoid those ingredients. 

Parabens are something to steer clear of when choosing a lube. They’re used to prevent mold and bacteria, but some research shows they could disrupt hormones, brain function, and blood sugar levels. They’ve also been linked to cancer, so better play it safe.


Features

Many water-based lubes have additional features besides being slippery. 

Some are extra thick, which makes them more suited for anal sex. Others have moisturizing ingredients so you can make your skin pretty while you get messy. 

There are also flavored lubes primarily for oral sex and long-lasting lubes that do exactly what you would expect. 


Compatibility

water based lubricant compatibility

Water-based lubricant is pretty much the SAFEST you can use when it comes to compatibility. 

Most water-based lubricants are suitable for pretty much every use, whether it’s vaginal sex with or without a condom, anal sex, or silicone sex toys. 

Some water-based lubricants, especially those with a stronger scent or flavors, are not suitable for penetrative sex. 


Taste & Odor

Most water-based lubes have either a very mild taste and smell or essentially none. That makes them very neutral. 

An exception is lubes with petroleum-based products inside, which tend to smell quite strong and chemically – always reminds me of a dentist’s office. And NO ONE wants to be reminded of the dentist when they’re having sex. 

Citrussy smell is the most common for water-based lubes if any. It’s normally quite pleasant. 

There are also flavored variants designed to make oral sex more fun. But bear in mind these usually have flavoring ingredients in them that make them unsuitable for vaginal or anal sex. 


Budget

water based lube budget

Lube can be found at a variety of prices, but there’s a hidden factor.

Many of the more expensive lubes actually last much longer than cheaper ones, so you don’t need to reapply them as much. And if a $20 bottle of lube lasts twice as long as a $10 bottle, then it’s not really more expensive, is it


pH Levels

The vaginal and anal walls are very sensitive to changes in pH and a pH level too far out of balance can cause yeast infections or irritation. Finding a pH-balanced lube is the best way to ensure you don’t have any nasty surprises after getting it on.


FDA Approved

water based lube fda approved

All water-based personal lubricants made by US companies must be approved by the FDA. If, somehow, you find one that’s not FDA-approved, run in the other direction (and maybe report it, while you’re at it).


Osmolality

Without getting too deep into the science behind it, you want to make sure your lube’s osmolality is matched to the osmolality of your body. If your lube’s osmolality is too high, it will pull water from your vaginal or anal walls – too low, and your body will pull water from the lube. 

What you want is a lube that’s iso-osmotic, that is, around 290 mOsm/kg (the same as your vagina and anus). The World Health Organisation recommends lubes below 380 mOsm/kg but that’s hard to find. Anything below 1200 mOsm/kg is deemed acceptable but the lower, the better.


Performance

water based lube performance

Depending on your preferences and what you’re planning on using the lube for, the way a lube performs will differ from person to person. 

However, as a rule of thumb, water-based lube tends to more closely mimic the vagina’s natural lubricant. While you can find it in a variety of consistencies, water-based lubes tend to be more liquidy when compared to silicone or oil-based lubes. That means they’re not ideal for anal sex.

You might also find they dry out faster than other lubes and need to be ‘revived’ with a little water or saliva.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is water-based lube safe to use with condoms?

water based lubricant 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. 


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

water based lubricant safety with 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. 


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. 


How do you store your lube?

how to store water based 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. 


Final Thoughts

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

Aliyah Moore

Aliyah Moore

Aliyah Moore (she/her) is our resident sex expert at SexualAlpha. She’s a certified sex therapist with a Ph.D. in Gender & Sexuality Studies. Aliyah is a proud Black, bi-sexual femme passionate about empowering minority voices to embrace their sexuality and identity. She loves to write about everything sexual wellness and gives no-nonsense sex and relationship advice.

Got Questions? Ping me on Twitter.