These are the best on the market, from Lovehoney, Durex, Hanx, XO Condoms and more.
So, you’re on the hunt for the best condoms. They’re not usually synonymous with great sex – safe, sure, but not mind-blowing – as, for many, using them can lead to numbness or lack of feeling down there. So, yeah, not what you want mid-sex session.
But let us stop you there. Lovehoney sex expert Annabelle Knight disagrees, sharing: “In this day and age, with so many different colours, textures, and varieties of condoms available, there is no excuse for not protecting yourself and your lover. Condoms can even enhance your play,” she explains. As can the best sex toys and best sex toys for couples..
Testing process
We asked the following experts to test and share details of their favourite condoms.
- Barbara Santini, psychologist, sex therapist and relationship adviser at Dime Piecela
- Julia Kotziamani, love, sex, and relationship coach
- Annabelle Knight, Lovehoney sex expert
- Georgia Di Mattos, co-founder of sexual wellness brand iPlaySafe App
- Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible.
- Sarah Mulindwa, presenter of Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic, qualified NHS sexual health nurse and Lovehoney ambassador.
What was considered when testing for the best condom?
Knight’s advice on finding the right condom for you is to try a few options until you work out what works out for you, as everyone will like different things.
“There are options for everyone: flavoured, extra safe, delay varieties and non-latex for anyone with an allergy to the standard latex, even ones that glow in the dark,” she explains.
Consider the following before buying:
- Is the condom lubricated?
- Is it ribbed or smooth?
- Is it extra thin or extra thick?
- Is it scented or non-scented?
- Is it latex or non-latex?
Best condoms: 10 for sensitivity, safety, pleasure, and more
Keep scrolling to shop the ones our team of sexperts actually recommend, plus how to pick the right lubrication, thickness, brand, and more.
Regular: best all-rounders
Designed to offer the best fit for a standard-sized penis, regular condoms come in a variety of trusted brands.
“In general, regular condoms measure 190mm in length and 54-66mm in width, to comfortably protect,” explains Knight. “The average thickness is around 70 microns, which provides protection without compromising on sensation.”
1. Durex Naturals condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Normal thickness | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Barbara Santini, Psychologist, Sex Therapist and Relationship Adviser at Dime Piecela, and Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible.
Why? “I find that the Durex natural condoms get things done without the need to use lube. The natural ingredients used in these condoms make them pleasing to me and can be used on various sex toys, too. They’re lubricated to enhance comfort in both partners and contain no irritating ingredients such as fragrances, or flavours. – Santini
“Using a condom that’s already coated in lube, like the Durex Naturals condoms, often makes things a lot more comfortable. They have a water-based lube, which is great if you’re also using any sex toys, as other lubes can damage silicone toys.” – Worthington.
Extra safe: best for preventing pregnancy
Ensure peace of mind during sex with an extra safe option. “Offering an increase in thickness and more lubrication, extra safe condoms are often used for anal sex, and provide even more safety without compromising on pleasure,” the sex-pert shares.
2. Durex Extra safe condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Normal thickness | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible.
Why? “Thicker condoms, like the Durex Extra Safe condoms, can be great for those who have a very sensitive penis. They bring things down to a manageable level, so you don’t get there too early.”
Delay: best for long-lasting
Delay condoms are a great way to prolong pleasure, Knight shares. “Using a tiny amount of the light anaesthetic benzocaine, they reduce sensitivity throughout the whole of the penis, effectively working to delay ejaculation,” she explains.
“They have exactly the same features as your regular style, with reservoir and teat ends and an easy-on shape, but they’re often slightly thicker. This helps to reduce over-stimulation even further, keeping the pleasure going for longer,” she goes on.
3. Boots Ultra Endurance Condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Thick | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible.
Why? “I personally don’t like delaying condoms —that is, those that contain a light anesthetic. As they can reduce sensitivity a lot, they might also end up making the experience less enjoyable for the wearer. That being said, if you like the idea, I would opt for the Boots Ultra Endurance condoms, as they are still a regular thickness, so both partners should still feel something.”
4. Durex Extended Pleasure Condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Thick | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Sarah Mulindwa, presenter of Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic, qualified NHS sexual health nurse and Lovehoney ambassador.
Why? “These are one of the best-selling condoms at Lovehoney and they are popular because they have been especially designed for extended pleasure. The inside of each condom is coated with a special numbing lubricant containing 5% Benzocaine to potentially help delay ejaculation, though results may vary. The shape enables easier wear and comfort during sex. In trials, Durex found 98% of couples liked this condom for its ability to prolong lovemaking. And that is certainly borne out by the rave reviews on Lovehoney.”
Textured: best for pleasure
Offering different textures to stimulate both partners during sex, textured condoms feature sensual dots, ribs, and beads to bring an extra exciting dimension to your pleasure.
“With a large selection available from a wide range of trusted brands, make it your mission to discover why these condoms are perfect for both safe sex, and great sex,” Knight recommends.
5. Durex Pleasure Me Condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Textured | Normal thickness | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible and Sarah Mulindwa, presenter of Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic, qualified NHS sexual health nurse and Lovehoney ambassador.
Why? “If you like the idea of a textured condom, I would get some that have texture near the base of the penis, like the Durex Pleasure Me or Intense condoms. This is because the vagina isn’t actually sensitive to touch, only pressure, so you won’t actually feel them inside you, only around the entrance. Alternatively, you could experiment with rubbing the penis over the clitoris, letting the ribs and dots enhance the sensations!” – Worthington.
“These are excellent regular condoms and they have a uniquely positioned rib and raised dot texture which is designed to maximise stimulation for couples. The design, coupled with an easy-on shape, ensures maximum pleasure and intensity.” – Mulindwa.
Extra thin: best for sensitivity
Experience a closer feeling without compromising on safety with extra thin condoms. “Designed to enhance your pleasure with a skin-on-skin feeling, the minimal thickness allows for greater intimacy between both partners during sex,” Knight explains.
Each sensitive condom is made to the same high specifications as regular condoms, offering both quality and security, she adds.
6. HANX Condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Thin | Non-scented | Latex.
As recommended by: Georgia Di Mattos, co-founder of the female-founded sexual wellness brand and medical start up iPlaySafe App, and Julia Kotziamani, a love, sex, and relationship coach, and Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible.
Why? “HANX products are light to use, biodegradable, vegan-friendly and gynaecologically approved.” -Di Mattos
“I’ve also recently liked Hanx ultra-thin vegan condoms which are great if you are after a plant-based option.” – Kotziamani.
“I love HANX condoms! They’re everything I want in a condom: thin, easy to put on, sustainable, and (most importantly for me) have a specially-formulated lube that won’t damage the delicate ecosystem of your vagina. Their only issue is that they’re made from vegan latex, which some people may find breaks more easily.” – Worthington.
7. XO! High Sensation condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Thin | Non-scented | Latex.
Is it latex or non-latex?
As recommended by: Georgia Di Mattos, co-founder of the female-founded sexual wellness brand & medical start-up iPlaySafe App.
Why? “Another recommended brand I love is XO! They’re female-founded, made from regenerative materials, and have fun packaging. We recently spied a leopard print cover which is subtle and sexy in your handbag or wallet.”
8. RFSU True Feeling Condom
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Thin | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Rachel Worthington, sex and relationship expert and sex toy tester at Bedbible.
Why? “For incredibly natural-feeling condoms, try the RFSU Beyond Thin condoms. They’re only 0.04mm thick, which is the thinnest I’ve seen, allowing you both to still feel each other almost completely! I never have any doubts about their safety, either. As a bonus, RFSU is also dedicated to robust and inclusive sex education and has been campaigning for body rights since 1933!”
9. Lovehoney Extra Thin Condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Thin | Non-scented | Latex.
Recommended by: Sarah Mulindwa, presenter of Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic, qualified NHS sexual health nurse and Lovehoney ambassador.
Why? “This new range of condoms is part of the new Lovehoney Health products which have been designed to improve sexual happiness for people suffering from common sex problems such as erectile dysfunction and a weakening pelvic floor. Condoms go hand in glove with healthy sex and these new products, with loads of lubrication and a teat-tip for extra comfort, will provide protection from STIs (sexually transmitted infections) so you can focus on having fun. These vegan-friendly condoms have an extra-thin design, giving them a super-intimate feel – almost like you aren’t wearing a condom at all. People with penises may experience reduced sensitivity or delayed ejaculation by wearing a condom but results do vary.”
Non-Latex: best for latex allergies
Non-latex is a safe option for those with latex allergies.
“Made to the same high-quality standard as regular condoms, these clever creations use innovative materials including polyisoprene, polyurethane, and natural membrane to provide a more natural feeling,” shares Knight.
Do note here – you don’t need to have a latex allergy to opt for latex-free. “Often people choose latex-free protection because they prefer the sensation,” Knight says.
10. Mates SKYN Non-Latex Condoms
Best for: Lubricated | Smooth | Normal thickness | Non-scented | Non-latex.
As recommended by: Julia Kotziamani, a love, sex, and relationship coach and Sarah Mulindwa, presenter of Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic, qualified NHS sexual health nurse and Lovehoney ambassador.
Why? “As a general rule, I keep Skyn condoms in my nightstand. They have a good range of sizes and I don’t find the smell overwhelming.” – Kotziamani
“Non-latex condoms are the safe option for users with latex allergies. Some people prefer them to latex condoms because they like the sensation more. There are several non-latex options available, though the bulk of condoms are made from latex. These polyisoprene condoms combine the strength of premium latex with the sensitivity of an ultra-thin condom for that ‘barely there’ sensation. Please note: polyisoprene condoms are not suitable for use with oil-based lubricants.” – Mulindwa
Frequently asked questions
Why should I invest in condoms?
Short answer: because you don’t want to risk getting pregnant or catching an STI.
Figures from Boots UK show sales of condoms have almost doubled since last year, with a massive 98% increase in sales. “Searches on boots.com are also on the rise with 30% more searches for condoms and a 50% increase in searches for sex toys compared to last year,” shares a rep for the brand.
Top tip: Knight advises making sure to invest in one of the best lubes, too. Why? Well, in short, she reckons it’ll make the whole ordeal easier, more enjoyable, and sexier, too. Trust the sex-pert on this one.
