Condoms are good. They are the most cost-effective form of birth control and can greatly reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. And there has never been a better selection of materials and quality. If you hate condoms, chances are you use condoms, don’t use them correctly, or both. Luckily, we’ve done some research to find the best condoms and have recommendations for everyone.
There’s a wide world of tools and toys to improve the quality of your sex life, so be sure to check out our other sex-friendly shopping guides, including Best Lubricants, Best Sex Toys, Best Clitoral Suction Toys, Best Vibrators, and Best Sex. Machines.
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How to choose (and use) the right condom
The best condom is the one you will use regularly and correctly. The best designed condom doesn’t work if it doesn’t fit or you don’t know how to wear it. Likewise, the worst condom you can buy still does more to prevent unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases when used correctly than not at all. With that in mind, there are a few things to consider when buying a condom, in addition to our recommendations here:
- What size do you need. Condoms often come in different sizes, with standard-fit condoms targeting the majority of the penis, but there are often large or “small” options. A condom that is too big can slip, while one that is too small can increase the risk of breakage. Take the time to try on different sizes to make sure you find the right one for your needs. And remember that length and girth are not always related. If you have a long but very thin penis, how much a condom can stretch can be an important deciding factor.
- What disorders do you (or your partner) have. Latex allergy affects between 1 and 6 percent of the population, and if you have it, then using a latex condom can cause a serious adverse reaction. Other materials such as lambskin, polyisoprene, and polyurethane can avoid allergic reactions while still providing protection.
- You will need condoms. If you want to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases such as herpes or HIV or pregnancy during sex, there is no easier way than a condom. However, there are other conditions to consider. Some people will use condoms during oral sex (partly why we consider smell and taste in our tests), and it’s a good idea to use condoms with any sex toys you plan to share with your partner or partners.
When we look at condoms in this guide, we look at a variety of factors including durability, comfort, and ease of use. Some of these features will vary from person to person, so you should still try whatever condoms you find to see what works best for you. With that in mind, here are some of the things we’re exploring:
- Size difference. Most condom manufacturers offer several size variations. Where possible, we choose to include condoms that provide consistent quality across multiple size options so you can find the perfect condom fit.
- Important. Latex condoms are the most common, but as mentioned above, there are many non-latex options that are better for people with food allergies. Other materials such as polyurethane can loosen or break easily, while new condoms (finally) are starting to incorporate graphene to improve thermal conductivity and strengthen them against breakage. We notice the strengths and weaknesses of different things while testing.
- Do you need lube? Most condoms come lubricated. We took that into account and looked at how often we had to use lube after inserting a condom.
- Price. No one wants to think about the cost of each condom when they have sex, but when you’re busy, it can start to add up. That said, a cheap condom that breaks is always more expensive than a more expensive condom that works, so we look for the best balance.
- Taste and smell. Nothing can kill the situation as quickly as a condom with a strange smell, especially if you plan to use condoms during oral sex. Although it’s always an experience, we consider all of our feelings when testing condoms.