For most people, the best anal lube is a thick water-based one made for anal, such as JO Anal H2O: thick lube holds its place instead of running off, and this one works with every toy (silicone included) and rinses off with water. Pick a silicone made for anal, like Pjur Backdoor, when you'd rather the glide kept going and nothing silicone is going in.
Why so much thought for one bottle? Nothing back there gets wet on its own. Every bit of slip in your ass comes out of a bottle, wears off as you move and needs topping up, so the lube you choose matters more for anal than for any other kind of sex.
Below: six picks, one job each, then which bottle works with which toys, condoms and showers, thick vs thin, how to get lube inside and keep it there, how much to use, your first time, and a straight answer on every kitchen and bathroom substitute. Want to browse first? Every bottle made for the back door is in our anal lubes collection.
What’s in this guide
- Quick comparison
- How we chose
- Why anal needs its own lube
- Water-based vs silicone lube for anal
- The 6 best anal lubes
- Anal lube and toys
- Anal lube and condoms
- How to apply lube for anal
- How much lube for anal
- Lube for first-time anal
- Anal lube in the shower
- What not to use for anal
- Which bottle size?
- Cleaning up after anal
- Anal lube FAQ
- More guides
Quick comparison
Every fact in this table comes from that bottle's own product page. Where a page says nothing, the cell says Not listed: we don't guess.
| Pick | Best for | Type | Silicone toys | Condoms (as listed) | Shower | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JO Anal H2O | Most people | Water-based, thicker | Yes: all sex toys | Latex | Not listed (rinses off) | From $12.95 |
| Pjur Backdoor | Silicone made for anal | Silicone, with jojoba | Not listed | Latex, polyisoprene and polyurethane | Not listed | $25.95 |
| JO Anal Premium | Thick silicone, long sessions | Silicone, thicker | No | Latex | Not listed | From $24.95 |
| JO H2O | One bottle for everything | Water-based | Yes: every toy material | Latex | Not listed (rinses off) | From $12.95 |
| JO Premium | Anal in the shower | Silicone | No, never | Latex | Water-resistant, per listing | From $24.95 |
| Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx | A small bottle to try | Water-based | Not listed (says most toys) | Condom-safe, no type named | Not listed (rinses off) | From $6.95 |
How we chose
- In stock now. Every bottle, in every size we name, was in stock the day this guide went live.
- Product pages only. Thickness, toy and condom notes, water claims and sizes are taken from each bottle's listing and put in our words. If a page says nothing on a point, we write Not listed and fall back on plain lube rules.
- One job per pick. Six slots, six reasons to buy.
- Three made for anal, three that suit it. JO Anal H2O, Pjur Backdoor and JO Anal Premium are made for anal play. Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx, JO H2O and JO Premium are everyday lubes that aren't; each block says so, then says why it still earns a slot.
- What's on our shelf. Water-based and silicone lube, nothing else: no hybrid, jelly or oil-based lube. Browse all our lube for the rest.
- Pleasure, not medicine. Lube makes anal slicker and more comfortable. It doesn't fix or prevent anything. Sharp pain means stop, and pain that doesn't fade or any bleeding means talk to your doctor.
Why anal needs its own lube
The anatomy in one line: the anus and rectum make no lubrication of their own. A vagina usually gets wetter when it's turned on; an ass stays exactly as dry as it started, however into it you are. So the glide comes from a bottle, and it has to keep coming.
- Thicker is better. A thick lube sits where you put it, around the rim and along the toy or cock, instead of running down your thighs, and it lays a soft cushion between skin and whatever is sliding in.
- You reapply more. Plan on topping up more often than for vaginal sex, because nothing inside replaces what wears off. Water-based lube fades fastest.
- Comfort, not armor. Lube makes anal smoother. It doesn't replace warming up, going slow and listening to your body.
What makes it an "anal lube"? Mostly thickness: JO Anal H2O's listing puts it above regular JO H2O on both thickness and viscosity, and JO Anal Premium's listing calls it noticeably thicker than the regular formula in its line. Pjur Backdoor is silicone made for anal, with jojoba among its ingredients. No secret ingredient, and JO Anal H2O and JO Anal Premium both list no numbing agents.
That answers anal lube vs regular lube too: a regular water-based or silicone lube works for anal, as picks 4 to 6 show. Expect to use more, and to top up a thinner one sooner.
Searching for the best anal lube for women, or for men? It's the same bottle. Every ass needs the same thing.
Water-based vs silicone lube for anal
Both work for anal. They just win different nights.
| Water-based | Silicone | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Wet and light; anal versions are thick and cushioned | Silky; a little spreads a long way |
| Lasts | Fades as you move, so you top up often | Keeps going, with fewer top-ups |
| Silicone toys | Safe with all of them | Patch-test or skip; JO Premium and JO Anal Premium say no |
| Hard toys (glass, steel, ABS) | Yes | Yes |
| Condoms | Fine with any material | Fine with latex; Pjur Backdoor also names polyisoprene and polyurethane |
| Shower | Rinses away | Holds on (JO Premium's listing names the shower) |
| Washing off | Plain water | Soap and water |
| Sheets | JO Anal H2O and JO H2O list non-staining | JO Premium lists non-staining |
Water-based wins when a silicone plug, dildo or strap-on is going in, when it's your first time (one rule fewer to remember), when you want cleanup to be a rinse, and when your condom drawer holds more than one material.
Silicone wins when the session is going to be long, when you're in the shower (JO Premium is the one whose listing names it), when your toys are glass, steel or ABS, and when you hate stopping to top up.
Can't choose? Keep both by the bed: JO Anal H2O for toy nights, a silicone for long nights and showers. The general matchup is in silicone vs water-based lube in our best lube guide.
The 6 best anal lubes
Three made for anal, then three everyday lubes that earn their place. Every product fact in each block comes from that bottle's listing.
| Pick | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. JO Anal H2O | Most people | From $12.95 |
| 2. Pjur Backdoor | Silicone made for anal | $25.95 |
| 3. JO Anal Premium | Thick silicone for long sessions | From $24.95 |
| 4. JO H2O | One bottle for anal and everything else | From $12.95 |
| 5. JO Premium | Anal in the shower | From $24.95 |
| 6. Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx | Trying a small bottle first | From $6.95 |
1. JO Anal H2O: best anal lube for most people
One bottle from this page? Make it this one. This is JO H2O's glide made thicker and more viscous for anal, and it's still water all the way through: its listing rules out oil, wax and silicone. Thick is exactly what you want back there, because it stays put and cushions instead of sliding off after a few strokes.
No numbing agents, per its listing, so every signal from your body comes through. It's long-lasting, has no odor or fragrance, won't stain and washes off with water. Its listing clears it for every sex toy, silicone ones too, and for latex condoms, which makes it the no-thinking match for a silicone plug, a prostate toy or a strap-on dildo. From $12.95 for 2 oz.
2. Pjur Backdoor: best anal silicone lube
Pjur Backdoor is a silicone made for anal, with jojoba as part of the formula. Its listing calls the glide extra long-lasting, says it won't turn sticky or dry out partway through, and says a few drops are all it takes. That's the silicone trade-off in short: less in your hand, more time on your skin, fewer pauses for the cap.
No fats, fragrances, parabens or preservatives go into it, per its listing, and it covers anal, vaginal and penile use. It also has the longest condom list of the six: latex, polyisoprene and polyurethane. Its page names no toy materials, so pair it with glass, steel or ABS, or patch-test a silicone toy on a hidden spot before trusting it. $25.95.
3. JO Anal Premium: best thick silicone for long anal sessions
When you want thick and you want it to last, this is the one. This silicone was formulated for anal sex, and its listing says it's noticeably thicker than the regular formula, with a long-lasting glide meant for extended sessions. It stays silky without going sticky, and there are no numbing agents in it.
It's latex-safe, it doubles as a massage glide, and a push-top bottle means clean, no-waste dispensing. The one rule: its listing rules out silicone toys and names glass, metal, ABS and ceramic instead, so it's the partner for a steel plug or a glass dildo. From $24.95 for 2 oz.
4. JO H2O: best one bottle for anal and everything else
This one isn't made for anal, and it's still the smart buy if you want one bottle for every kind of sex in the house. JO H2O is water-based with a silky glide its listing compares to silicone, it's long-lasting, and it never goes sticky or tacky. Every toy material is fine with it, silicone included, and so are latex condoms, so vulvas, cocks, strokers and plugs can all share it.
Be honest about thickness, though. JO Anal H2O's listing says it's thicker than this regular formula, which makes JO H2O the thinner of the two: for anal, use more than feels polite and top up early. No odor or fragrance, no stains, and water rinses it off. From $12.95 for 2 oz.
5. JO Premium: best for anal in the shower
Also not made for anal, and the pick for the one place the anal bottles can't promise: the shower. JO Premium's page describes it as water-resistant and ideal for shower use, so the glide holds while the water runs. It's long-lasting, leaves a silky, soft-touch feel as it dries, has no odor or preservatives, won't mark your sheets, and works with latex condoms.
The rule you can't skip: its listing says silicone toys are off-limits, since the lube bonds to their surface. Under the spray, pair it with fingers, a cock or a glass or steel toy, and be generous: it isn't made for anal. From $24.95 for 2 oz.
6. Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx: best small bottle to try first
The smallest, least expensive way to find out whether a water-based glide suits your ass. Its smallest size is 24 ml, at $6.95. It isn't made for anal and it isn't sold as a thick lube: its listing describes a glide it calls silicone-like and long-lasting, leaving no sticky feel or residue behind.
It's unscented (no artificial fragrance), suits most toys according to its page, is safe with condoms, and water rinses it away. Its page leaves the amount up to you; for anal, be generous from the start, and top up as soon as the glide thins.
Get the Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx here.
Anal lube and toys
The short rule: water-based lube goes with every toy, and silicone lube goes with hard toys like glass, steel and ABS. Here's how each pick lines up, straight from its listing.
| Pick | Silicone toys | Glass, steel, ABS | What its listing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| JO Anal H2O | Yes | Yes | All sex toys, silicone too |
| Pjur Backdoor | Patch-test first | Not listed | No toy materials named |
| JO Anal Premium | No | Yes | Glass, metal, ABS or ceramic; not silicone |
| JO H2O | Yes | Yes | Every toy material, silicone too |
| JO Premium | Never | Yes | Non-silicone toys only |
| Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx | Not listed | Not listed | Most toys, none named |
Silicone on silicone. Silicone lube can ruin a silicone toy's surface, turning it tacky or rough. JO Premium's listing bans the pairing outright, and JO Anal Premium's rules it out too. Pjur Backdoor's page doesn't mention toys, so assume the general rule. Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx says most toys without naming any, so if a toy's own listing asks for a particular lube, follow it.
Patch-testing a silicone toy, step by step:
- Choose a spot that never goes inside you, like the underside of the base.
- Rub in a little of the silicone lube.
- Leave it a full day.
- Soap the spot, rinse it, and give it time to dry.
- Run a fingertip over it. Tacky, gummy or rough? Never pair that lube with that toy.
Glass, steel and ABS, as a general rule, take any lube on this page, which makes them the silicone picks' best partners.
The base rule. Anything that goes in your ass needs something that stays outside it: a flared base wider than the toy, or a handle you keep hold of. The ass can draw a toy in, and past the rim there's nothing to grab; if that happens, don't go digging, get medical help right away. Our best butt plugs guide covers sizes and shapes, and its safety section is worth five minutes before your first plug.
Lube the whole toy. Coat the full insertable length, with extra at the widest point, where drag hits. Anal beads want lube on every bead, and a prostate massager wants it along its whole curve. Browse butt plugs and the wider anal toys collection.
Anal lube and condoms
Condoms and anal lube get along fine once you check two things: what the condom is made of, and what the bottle names.
- Latex: JO Anal H2O, JO H2O, JO Premium and Pjur Backdoor all name latex condoms, and JO Anal Premium's listing calls it latex-safe.
- Polyisoprene and polyurethane: Pjur Backdoor names both as well, which makes it the only anal pick whose listing names non-latex condoms. Pjur Original Bodyglide names the same three; it's a concentrated everyday silicone, not made for anal, and its listing says a few drops do the job.
- No material named: Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx's listing says condom-safe and stops there.
Oil-based products are the ones to keep out. Coconut oil, olive oil and baby oil can break down a latex condom, and petroleum jelly does too, so none of them go near latex.
Roll the condom on, then lube the outside of it and the receiver's ass, and leave the inside of the condom dry so it doesn't slip around. Add more to the outside as you go. Anything moving from ass to vagina or mouth, whether it's a toy, a finger or a cock, gets a fresh condom or a proper wash first.
Lube doesn't prevent STIs or pregnancy. More in pairing condoms and lube and in lube and condoms in our best lube guide.
How to apply lube for anal
Most anal lube mistakes aren't the wrong bottle. They're lube in the wrong place, or not enough of it. Here's the order that works, solo or partnered.
- Warm a dollop in your hand. Squeeze a generous amount into one palm and run your fingertips through it. Cold lube on a nervous ass makes it clench.
- Outside first. Spread it over and around the anus with flat fingers, in slow circles. No pushing yet.
- Take some inside with a finger. Rest a lubed fingertip (nail short and smooth) on the center and wait. When the muscle softens, ease in up to the first knuckle, come out, add lube, and go a little further. That carries glide past the entrance, where a toy or cock needs it.
- Coat what's going in. The whole toy, the whole cock, the strap-on dildo, or the outside of the condom, tip to base. Lube on both surfaces holds up far better than lube on one.
- Keep the bottle in reach. Put it on the bed or the nightstand, never across the room.
- Top up before it dries, not once it has. The first hint of drag, pulling or stickiness is your cue: pause, add more to the toy or cock and around the anus, carry on.
- Wipe your hands before you grab the cap. Slippery fingers and a bottle don't mix. Park a hand towel next to it.
Receiving: breathe out slowly as something enters and push out gently, the way you would on the toilet. It sounds odd, and it helps the muscle open instead of tightening. You set the depth and speed, and "more lube" and "stop" are both full sentences.
Giving: lube your fingers, cock or strap-on and the receiver, then hold still and let them move onto you. Whoever wears a strap-on can't feel when things get dry, so ask often: "more lube?" is the most useful question in anal.
Solo: lie on one side with your top knee drawn up high, or kneel. Lube the toy heavily before you reach back. A toy with a flat, flared base can stand on the bed while you lower yourself onto it, so your knees set the pace.
How much lube for anal
More than you think. Then more. In anal, too little is the usual problem; too much almost never is.
- Water-based: start with a generous squeeze (a palmful is not overdoing it) and add a fresh one whenever things drag. Neither JO H2O nor Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx is made for anal, so be generous with both and top up early.
- Silicone: it goes further. Pjur Backdoor's listing says a few drops do it, so start small and build. JO Anal Premium's long-lasting glide means fewer top-ups, not none.
- Bigger toys, longer sessions: more surface and more time both use up lube. Coat a big toy twice.
- Condoms: the outside of the condom gets its own coat, on top of the lube on the receiver.
- Too much? The only real cost is mess and a slippery grip. Put a towel under you and keep another for your hands.
Lube for first-time anal
Your first time is when lube matters most, because everything is new. Keep it simple.
- Go thick, go water-based. JO Anal H2O is the easy call, since it works with whatever first plug you choose, silicone included.
- Small first. A finger, then a slim plug with a flared base, before any cock or strap-on.
- Slow, slower, slowest. Never force anything; the receiver sets the pace and the depth, every time.
- Agree on a stop word. Pick it before anything starts ("red" works), add a slow-down word, and honor both instantly. Only an enthusiastic yes counts.
- Pressure is normal; sharp pain isn't. Fullness and pressure are part of it. Sharp pain means stop. Pain that doesn't fade, or any bleeding, means stop and talk to your doctor.
- Prep is lighter than you think. Use the bathroom first and take a shower: for most people, that's all the prep there is. Some people like to douche first; it's optional, and our guide to enemas before anal covers when it's worth the bother.
Our anal training guide has a whole section on choosing lube for anal, and the anal orgasm guide's before you start list covers consent, hygiene and lube in one go. Strapping one on for a partner? Our pegging guide walks through the first time step by step.
Anal lube in the shower
Water-based lube and running water don't mix: the stream rinses it off almost as fast as you apply it. The shower pick is silicone.
JO Premium is the bottle: its page calls it water-resistant and made for the shower. Two rules come with it: never on silicone toys, and use plenty, topping up away from the spray.
Want a lighter feel? JO Xtra Silky is the thin one: an ultra-thin silicone its listing also calls water-resistant, matched on its page to glass, aluminum and ABS plastic toys and to latex condoms. It starts at $15.95 for a 1 fl oz bottle, and thin means you'll want more of it for anal.
Pjur Backdoor and JO Anal Premium are silicone too, but neither listing mentions water, so we can't promise how they hold up under the spray.
- Lube up outside the stream. Step back, apply, step back in.
- Brace yourself. Wet tile gets slippery, and silicone makes it worse. The receiver keeps both hands flat on the wall, and a non-slip mat helps.
- Rinse the floor after, with soap, so nobody takes a fall later.
What not to use for anal
People try every substitute in the house. The plain answer on each:
- Numbing or desensitizing lube. Skip it. It mutes pain, and pain is how your body tells you to slow down or stop. JO Anal H2O and JO Anal Premium both list no numbing agents.
- Warming and cooling lube. Many people skip these for anal, because the sensation can feel much stronger on anal skin. We don't recommend one for anal.
- Coconut oil, olive oil and baby oil. All three can break down a latex condom and harm soft toy materials, and they cling to skin and sheets long after you're done.
- Petroleum jelly, like Vaseline. It wasn't made for sex, it breaks down latex, and getting it off you and your toys takes real scrubbing.
- Lotion. Not made for sex, often scented, and it can break down latex.
- Spit. Too thin, and it dries fast, right when you need glide most.
- Homemade mixes and bathroom swaps. Conditioner, body wash and kitchen recipes were made for other jobs, not the inside of your ass. A tiny bottle of actual lube is less hassle.
- Nothing at all. Never. If the bottle's empty, anal waits for another night.
Which bottle size?
Anal goes through lube fast, so size matters. Every size below was in stock when we checked.
| Lube | Sizes and prices |
|---|---|
| JO Anal H2O | 2 oz at $12.95, 4 oz at $18.95, 8 oz at $27.95 |
| Pjur Backdoor | Single bottle at $25.95 |
| JO Anal Premium | 2 oz at $24.95, 4 oz at $36.95 |
| JO H2O | 2 oz at $12.95, 4 oz at $18.95, 8 oz at $26.95, 16 oz at $41.95 |
| JO Premium | 2 oz at $24.95, 4 oz at $36.95, 8 oz at $49.95, 16 oz at $61.95 |
| Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx | Try size 24 ml at $6.95, 2.4 oz at $14.95, 8.5 oz at $29.95, 16 oz at $45.95 |
- Trying before you commit? The 24 ml Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx tells you whether you like a water-based glide before you buy anything bigger.
- Found your lube? Size up. Running dry halfway through is the one anal moment nobody wants.
- Using silicone? It stretches further, so even a small bottle lasts a while.
Cleaning up after anal
Cleanup starts before sex: a towel under you, a second one in reach.
- Water-based lube: plain water takes it off your skin, your toys and the bed.
- Silicone lube: it takes soap; water alone just pushes it around on skin and toys.
- Toys, every single time: wash them with a gentle soap under warm water, or use JO Refresh, a toy-cleaning foam with no fragrance. Cover the toy in foam, leave it 60 seconds, rinse. Per its listing, it works on silicone, rubber, latex and the majority of other toy materials, and it cleans without sterilizing. $15.95.
- Hands, and anything that touched your ass, get washed before going near a vagina or mouth.
- The shower floor gets a soapy rinse if silicone went anywhere near it.
Material-by-material care lives in cleaning and storage in our dildo guide, and bottle storage in storing lube and cleaning up.
Anal lube FAQ
What is the best anal lube?
For most people, JO Anal H2O: thick, water-based, made for anal, with no numbing agents, and fine with every toy material and latex condoms. Want silicone? Pjur Backdoor is an anal silicone that works from a few drops, and JO Anal Premium is a thick silicone for long sessions. Patch-test Pjur Backdoor before it meets a silicone toy, and keep JO Anal Premium away from silicone toys entirely.
Is silicone or water-based lube better for anal?
Water-based is the better default; silicone is better for long sessions and the shower. Water-based suits every toy material and washes off with water, but it fades as you move, so you top up often. Silicone holds its glide far longer and stays slick in water, but it can ruin silicone toys and takes soap to remove. A thick version of either suits anal best.
What is the difference between anal lube and regular lube?
Mostly thickness. An anal lube is usually a thicker take on a regular formula: JO Anal H2O is the thicker version of JO H2O, per its listing, and JO Anal Premium's listing calls it noticeably thicker than the regular formula in its line. Thicker stays put and cushions more, which matters because nothing back there gets wet by itself. Regular water-based or silicone lube works too; use more of it.
Does silicone lube work with silicone butt plugs?
Often not, and some bottles say never. Silicone lube can ruin a silicone toy's surface: JO Premium's listing bans the pairing because the lube bonds to the toy, and JO Anal Premium's rules out silicone toys as well. Pjur Backdoor names no toy materials, so patch-test a hidden spot on the plug first. The easy answer is JO Anal H2O, a water-based lube, with any silicone plug.
How much lube do you need for anal?
More than you think, and more as you go. Start with a generous squeeze of water-based lube, spread it outside and work some inside with a finger, then coat the toy, cock or condom. Silicone stretches further: Pjur Backdoor's listing says a few drops are enough. Top up at the first sign of drag, and use extra for bigger toys and longer sessions.
Can you do anal without lube?
No. The anus and rectum make no lubrication, so going without means friction and drag that can hurt. Spit won't save it: it's thin and dries fast. If you're out of lube, save anal for another night; a small bottle, like the 24 ml Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx, fixes it for next time.
Is coconut oil OK as anal lube?
It's not a good idea. Coconut oil can break down latex condoms, so it's out whenever latex is involved, and it can harm soft toy materials. It's also hard to wash off skin, toys and sheets, and it was never made for sex. Keep it for a back rub and use a lube made for anal, like JO Anal H2O or Pjur Backdoor.
Can you use olive oil or baby oil as anal lube?
Skip both. Olive oil and baby oil break down latex condoms just like coconut oil, they can harm soft toy materials, and they cling to skin, sheets and toys long after you're done. Neither was made for sex. JO Anal H2O does the job and rinses off with water; Pjur Backdoor lasts and comes off with soap.
Can you use Vaseline as anal lube?
No. Vaseline is petroleum jelly, and it isn't made for sex: it breaks down latex condoms, it's greasy, and it takes real scrubbing to get off you and your toys. If you like something thick that doesn't fade fast, JO Anal Premium, a thick silicone made for anal, gives you that and is latex-safe, as long as you keep it off silicone toys.
Can you use lotion or spit as lube for anal?
No to both. Lotion isn't made for sex, it's often scented, and it can break down latex condoms. Spit is too thin and dries fast, so it gives out right when you need glide most. Use a lube made for the job: JO Anal H2O, or the 24 ml Elbow Grease H2O Maxxx if you'd like a small bottle to try.
Should you use numbing lube for anal?
No. Numbing or desensitizing lube mutes pain, and pain is how your body tells you to slow down or stop. Stop when it hurts, and next time try more warm-up, more lube or a smaller toy, never a numb ass. JO Anal H2O and JO Anal Premium both list no numbing agents.
What's the best lube for first-time anal?
A thick water-based anal lube like JO Anal H2O. It works with whatever first plug you pick, silicone included, and its listing names latex condoms. Use plenty, start with a finger or a small plug with a flared base, let the receiver lead, pick a stop word together, and stop at sharp pain.
Can you use anal lube with condoms?
Yes, with the right bottle. JO Anal H2O lists latex condoms, JO Anal Premium's listing says latex-safe, and Pjur Backdoor lists latex, polyisoprene and polyurethane. Lube goes on the condom's outside and on the receiver, never inside the condom, and anything moving from ass to vagina or mouth gets a fresh condom. Skip oil-based products and petroleum jelly with latex, and remember that lube doesn't prevent STIs or pregnancy.
What's the best lube for anal toys?
Water-based, since that's the one type that suits every toy material. JO Anal H2O's listing covers all sex toys, silicone ones too, so it's the match for silicone plugs, beads, dildos and prostate toys. Glass, steel and ABS toys can take silicone as well: JO Anal Premium names glass, metal, ABS and ceramic. Whatever the lube, the toy needs a long handle you keep hold of or a wide, flared base.
More guides
The best anal lube is thick, generous and matched to your toys: water-based with silicone, silicone with glass, steel or the shower, and never anything numbing or oil-based. Keep the bottle close, and top up early. Then keep going:
- The 8 Best Lubes of 2026: water-based, silicone and try-size picks for everything else.
- Anal Sex for Beginners: how to train your body, prepare and enjoy it.
- Best Butt Plugs: steel, beginner, vibrating and glass plugs that deserve all this lube.
- Anal Orgasms: how to have one, whatever your body, by yourself or with someone.
Or shop every bottle made for the back door in anal lubes.
Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
Maya Sterling, AdultLuxe editorial. Read our editorial standards.