“It’s dangerous to go alone, take this,” is one of those lines from popular culture ingrained in our heads (Thanks, The Legend of Zelda). It’s good advice, especially when picking the best lube for masturbation.
We’ve scoured the ever-expanding lube market to pick the 12 best lubes to keep on hand for self-pleasure. No, we didn’t just throw darts at a wall curating this list. We asked the experts what lube they would recommend for masturbation, and they offered a near deluge of knowledge on the subject.
“Whether during solo or partner play, lube is your bestie,” says Global Protection Corp Sex Expert Milla Impola. “Lube helps reduce friction, enhances pleasure, and adds to your body’s natural moisture.”
The products in this article are our own editorial recommendations, but we may receive a commission if you click on any of the links.
Best Lubes for Masturbation
- Best Overall Lube for Masturbation: Hello Cake So Low Lotion
- Best Water-based Lube for Masturbation: Sliquid H20
- Best Silicone Lube for Masturbation: pjur Original Premium Lube for Men
- Best Cheap Lube for Masturbation: Passion Natural Water-Based Lube
- Best Drugstore Lube for Masturbation: K-Y Lube
- Best Organic Lube for Masturbation: Maude Shine Organic
- Best CBD Lube for Masturbation: Foria Intimacy Sex Oil with CBD
- Best Lube for Masturbation on Amazon: Lube Life Water-Based Lubricant
- Best Lube for Masturbation With a Fleshlight: Fleshlube Water-Based Lubricant
- Best Warming Lube for Masturbation: Trojan Arouses & Releases Personal Lubricant
- Best Cooling Lube for Masturbation: JO H2O Cooling Lubricant
- Best Waterproof Lube for Masturbation: Astroglide X Personal Silicone Lubricant
Hello Cake So Low Lotion, $20
Best Overall Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Coconut oil-based
- Features: Fragrance free, easy cleanup, moisturizes with every use, doubles as massage lotion
- Five-Star Review: “Long lasting and wonderful product. My new favorite personal lube. Great feeling and easy clean up.” -James L.
So Low Lotion has an almost magical quality, the way it transforms as you use it. It comes out of the bottle like a thick cream, but after a few strokes, it becomes a slick lotion. It’s coconut oil-based, so there’s no cleanup involved. It naturally absorbs into your skin as you use it, leaving your skin moisturized. With more than 1,100 five-star reviews on Amazon and 1,000 on Hello Cake’s site, this one is clearly popular.
Sliquid H20, $18
Best Water-based Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Water-based
- Features: Fragrance free, paraben free, toy friendly, hormone free, sulfate free, condom friendly
- Five-Star Review: “I’ll spare you the details and just recommend you get this product lol.” –Wesley
There are countless Water-based lubes on the market, but certified sex therapist and writer Emily May, PhD, LPC, CST, recommends Sliquid H20. “It’s gentle, non-sticky, and perfect for those who want a no-fuss experience. Plus, it’s toy-friendly and easy to clean up,” she says. Sliquid H20 packs a completely hypoallergenic punch with a pH balance of about 4.0, so it will maintain the natural acidic balances of your area.
pjur Original Premium Lube for Men, $9
Best Silicone Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Silicone-based
- Features: Fragrance free, paraben free, toy friendly, sulfate free
- Five-Star Review: “All I’m saying is, it worked. Really REALLY well. I will never buy another lube again.” –Dana
If you’re looking for a product that’s great for longer sessions, you’ll want to opt for a silicone lube. “These are more like those sturdy boots you wear when you mean business,” says Dr. May. The original pjur is also great for men with sensitive skin, since it’s free of parabens, phthalates, and BPAs. “It’s silky smooth and stays slick, making it perfect for longer playtime,” says Dr. May.
Passion Natural Water-Based Lube, $9
Best Cheap Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Water-based
- Features: Fragrance free, petrochemical free, natural, toy friendly, condom friendly
- Five-Star Review: “This stuff is like the Ferrari of lubricants — smooth, sleek, and ready to take you on a wild ride!” –G. A. Arce
When it comes to water-based lubricants, few are as dependable as Passion Natural Water-Based Lube. It’s free of glycerin, parabens, and other chemical additives. Because it’s natural, it makes cleanup a breeze. Even if things get a little out of hand, you can rest easy considering it won’t stain or leave funky smells. While it’s a great lube for masturbation, it’s also great for toys and condom play.
K-Y Lube, $12
Best Drugstore Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Water-based
- Features: Fragrance free, sulfate free, paraben free, hormone free, toy friendly, condom friendly
- Five-Star Review: “I have not been able to find anything that compares. High-quality not watered down water-based lubricant. Definitely recommend.” -Dino
If there’s a lube brand that has household name recognition, it’s K-Y. There’s a reason: It just gets the job done. This premium water-based lube is great for masturbation, but it’s also great for toys and couples play. The bestseller is free of chemical additives, and its time-honored formula has improved sex of all kinds since 1904.
Maude Shine Organic, $25
Best Organic Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Aloe-based
- Features: Organic, moisturizes, cruelty-free, hormone-free, glycerin-free, paraben-free
- Five-Star Review: “It works so well, it’s now a staple in the bedroom. And the thoughtful and safe ingredients are why I purchased them in the first place.” -Caleb K.
If you’re incredibly picky about the quality of ingredients in self-care products, you could do worse than Maude Shine Organic. The brand’s organic lube is made from aloe vera, which is known far and wide for its medicinal properties. Aloe moisturizes your skin with every use, so this lube does double duty, so to speak.
Foria Intimacy Sex Oil with CBD, $33
Best CBD Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Coconut oil-based
- Features: Gluten-free, sugar-free, hormone-free, glycerin-free, paraben-free, CBD-infused
- Five-Star Review: “Everything always feels amazing… Overall this product gets a 100/10 and is now a holy grail product for me. It’s completely changed the game.” -Aisteach
According to research, CBD products have the power to pack soothing properties. Not only can CBD relieve pain, but studies have found that it may also improve blood flow. This makes a great CBD lube like Foria perfect for self-pleasure. It’s strong stuff, so a little dab’ll do ya. Foria is perfect for guys with sensitive skin that deserves a little extra care. “It’s an all-natural option that’s safe for internal and external use,” says certified sex educator Kiana Reeves, who heartily recommends it.
Lube Life Water-Based Lubricant, $10
Best Lube for Masturbation on Amazon
- Type: Water-based
- Features: Affordable, hormone-free, glycerin-free, paraben-free, vegan
- Five-Star Review: “Lube Life Water-Based Personal Lubricant has revolutionized my intimate experiences, elevating pleasure to new heights.” –Fadi
What’s better than a great lube? A great lube at an unbeatable price with two-day shipping. Lube Life is not just great: The no.1 bestseller has got more than 112,000 five-star ratings to its name on Amazon alone. Aside from its great price, it’s also dependable, easy to clean, and 100 percent condom-friendly. There are no nasty additives here, and it’s even vegan.
Fleshlube Water-Based Lubricant, $15
Best Lube for Masturbation With a Fleshlight
- Type: Water-based
- Features: Great with Fleshlight, hormone-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic
- Five-Star Review: “I have tried many lubes over the years, but for the Fleshlights that I have, this is THE lube to use.” -Crypto1976
Not all lubes pair well with toys, especially the most iconic onahole on the market: the Fleshlight. Adam & Eve devised a lube made to amplify all Fleshlight experiences without damaging the toy. This lube is super slippery, long-lasting, and even gentle on sensitive skin. Aside from being great with Fleshlight, it’s friendly with plenty of other silicone-based toys as well. “Unlike many other water-based lubricants, Fleshlube lasts long and it doesn’t feel so watery and thin,” says sexologist and sexual health expert Sofie Roos.
Trojan Arouses & Releases Personal Lubricant, $16
Best Warming Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Silicone-based
- Features: Warming effect, fragrance-free, hormone-free, easy clean-up
- Five-Star Review: “I never knew personal lubricant could be so transformative until I tried the Trojan Arouses & Releases. This stuff is like the Swiss Army knife of lubes.” –Jeff J.
A great warming lube like Trojan Arouses can truly amplify a masturbation session. As your speed heats up, so does the lube, providing a slow burn that may make it difficult to go back to non-warming lubes. This one’s silicone-based formula makes it extra slippery without any sketchy additives.
JO H20 Cooling Gel, $16
Best Cooling Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Water-based
- Features: Cooling-effect, paraben free, petrochemical free, silky smooth, toy-friendly
- Five-Star Review: “When I first used this lubricant, I swear I heard a heavenly choir singing. I was ready for an epic adventure!” –Kevin
If warm sensations aren’t your thing, you could always opt for a cooling lube. We recommend JO H20 Cooling Lubricant, which cools as you use it while also providing a tingling sensation. Not only is this a great lube for masturbation but one that may also leave you feeling refreshed afterwards. There are no crazy chemicals here; the natural cooling effect comes from peppermint extract.
Astroglide X Personal Silicone Lubricant, $12
Best Waterproof Lube for Masturbation
- Type: Silicone-based
- Features: Waterproof, hormone-free, hypoallergenic, long-lasting, fragrance-free
- Five-Star Review: “Stays on good, but you do have to reapply. Very nice, and feels slick, works great!” -Pop
Occasionally, when you’re getting clean, you also want to get a little dirty. Using just any old lube in the shower, bath, or hot tub won’t cut it here. For wet and wild situations, we recommend Astroglide X. This waterproof lube is perfect for masturbating in wet locations that typically make for trickier stroking. Its small size is great for stashing deep in your bathroom drawers, and is great for frequent travelers too.
FAQ
What is lube?
Lubricant, or “lube,” is a product meant to reduce friction between surfaces, “preventing discomfort and irritation during sexual activity,” says says Deborah Gillman, PhD, a licensed psychologist.
Personal lubricant is an excellent tool that you can use to enhance your masturbation sessions. It helps by making everything a little bit more slippery. Most lubes made for couples play and sex toys are also great for masturbation.
What are the differences between water-based and silicone-based lubes?
“Water-based lubricants offer a natural feel and are compatible with most condoms, making them a convenient option for many,” says Gillman, “However, they may dry out quickly, requiring frequent reapplication.”
Conversely, Gillman says, “silicone-based lubricants are known for their long-lasting properties and are often gentle on the skin, making them suitable for individuals with sensitivities.”
Both water-based and silicone-based lubricants have their place. At the end of the day, it depends a lot on personal preference. Our favorite water-based lube, Sliquid H20, is a great no-fuss, no-muss lube. It simply gets the job done.
If you want to opt for a silicone-based lube, you could go with the pjur Original Premium Lube for Men. It’s a time-honored lube brand for a reason: It’s dependable and worth the modest investment.
There are other lube categories that fall under both water- and silicone-based lube umbrellas. Temp play lube can cool or heat up with use. If this sounds like a sensation you’d like to play around with, Trojan Arouses warming lube is a great pick.
For those who are feeling really adventurous, you can try a CBD-infused lube like Foria Intimacy Sex Oil. It packs much of the same possibilities for comfort and pain-relief as other CBD products and may enhance your next session as well. And then there’s flavored lube, which probably doesn’t make sense for masturbation (for obvious reasons).
Can you use coconut oil as lube for masturbation? What about other household products?
While you can use coconut oil as lube, board-certified sexologist, educator, and relationship coach Lilith Foxx doesn’t recommend it.
“Oil-based lubes like coconut oil are not water-soluble, which means they can be difficult to wash off of skin or fabrics, leaving a residue that might feel greasy or lead to irritation,” says Foxx. Using coconut oil as lube isn’t simply ineffective, it could potentially be harmful.
“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends caution when using coconut oil as lube due to the increased risk of infection and incompatibility with latex condoms,” says Foxx. “Other oils like olive oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E oil, almond or argan oil and similar also carry these risks, so I don’t recommend them.”
Other household products that are semi-synonymous with masturbation include Crisco and aloe vera. The first is difficult to clean off, and the latter dries out too quickly compared to water or silicone-based products.
“Overall, I recommend staying away from household items and just using actual lube,” Foxx says. “The risks outweigh the benefits otherwise.”
What is the best lube for masturbation?
Penises, personalities, and personal preferences are like snowflakes. It’s difficult to recommend one lube that will satisfy everyone equally. As far as we’re concerned, the innovative and dependable Hello Cake So Low Lotion ranks as our pick for overall best lube for masturbation, but what you consider best may differ widely from us.
We recommend trying a few, especially across different categories. This way, you can see what you like, what you don’t like, and, more importantly, what you need from a masturbation lube. After all, there are few products worth researching that will produce more fun than trying out different lubes.
Pricing and discounts listed are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change.