13 Best Condoms for Every Personal Preference
Don’t sleep on the humble rubber — for pregnancy and STI prevention, it’s got you covered.
Medically reviewed by Maria Sophocles, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., N.C.M.P., I.F.
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In the birth control universe, the humble condom sometimes doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Think about it: Condoms are cheap, you can get them easily and without a prescription, and unlike hormonal forms of birth control, you needn’t commit long-term. They are 98% effective at pregnancy prevention when used properly, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Also important, unlike pills or an IUD, condoms help you avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
So it's weird that fewer people are using them. According to the most recent family planning data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Health, only 42% of men use condoms in the decade ending in 2021, as opposed to 75% in the previous decade. Not surprisingly, rates of STIs are becoming epidemic, according to the CDC. In just a year, (2020-2021), gonorrhea and chlamydia cases shot up 4%, and syphilis rates surged by almost 32% — and that was when we were staying home a lot due to COVID-19. And although HIV rates are declining worldwide, according to HIV.gov, women and girls made up 46% of all new cases in 2022. According to Cleveland Clinic, condoms can reduce the transmission of HIV by 71 to 80%. — especially important if you engage in higher risk activities, such as anal sex, says Joshua R. Gonzalez, MD, a urologist and sexual health expert practicing in Los Angeles.
Our top picks:
So let’s embrace our little rubber buddy, even if you haven’t loved condoms in the past. A little trial and error will help you find one that's worth the brief break in the action to slip on. Below are high-quality, consumer-tested condoms that are easy to use and reasonably priced. “People should do whatever they can to stay safe," says Dr. Gonzalez.
TROJAN ENZ Classic Reservoir End
Pros
- Smooth and comfortable
Cons
- Lubricant may dry out fast
Offering a smooth and soft feel, you can feel good knowing that Trojan's classic condoms will get the job done. They are straight-walled (no tapering) and get high marks for value, comfort and durability. Amazon reviewers note that they are very durable, but some say the lubrication dries on quickly.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Non-irritating
- Natural feel
- #1 Condom on Amazon
Cons
- Only 10 in a pack
Latex allergies are not uncommon, so a condom made of an alternative material – that still offers pregnancy and STI protection – is key. These thin, lubricated versions are made from polyisoprene, which are made from a synthetic material. These have no rubbery smell and users say they feel natural.
| Material | Synthetic polyisoprene |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Some reviewers say the packaging isn't the best
- Some reviewers say they have a snug fit
Lube-free condoms are good for people who are using them for oral sex, or who just plain don’t like lube (although bear in mind that a good lube can help prevent condom breakage). The Lifestyles choice offers you 100 condoms in a pack, and even know they are a value size, reviewers say they are very durable.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | No |
TROJAN Magnum Large Size Condoms
Pros
- Comfortable sizing
Cons
- Some reviewers say they feel too thick
These lubricated condoms are larger than standard size with a wider shape, a tapered shaft so it grips at the bottom and a reservoir tip. Many reviewers rave about the comfortable fit with many saying they are snug without being too tight.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- You can find your exact fit
Cons
- Measuring is required
- Expensive
As condom-wearers know, the fit is everything, and can sometimes make or break using one. The brand has three “snug” sizes for different widths and girths as well as three mid and three larger ones. To make sure you or your partner are using the right one, you can download the FitKit app or use a tape measure.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Very durable
- Affordale
Cons
- Requires extra lube
Many people might not know this, but you should never double-up on condoms. Doing so can make them break easier due to the friction. So, if you need extra durability, these are for you. They are ideal for rougher sex, anal sex or if you or your partner want to last longer.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
LELO HEX Original
Pros
- Texture inside improves grip
Cons
- Expensive
Even though they are thin, the weblike pattern design on the inside of these lubed condoms, the company claims, makes them safer. They grip the penis, but there’s no “thick” sensation, as one customer puts it. “It really does give the strength of a thicker condom, but feels like you're wearing something much lighter.”
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Odorless
Cons
- Run small
- Expensive
No animal products are used, and reviewers say they love that these don’t smell or taste like condoms. Some reviewers with sensitive skin also note that unlike others, these condoms don't irritate their delicate areas. (Shown in XL because reviewers say they run small.)
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Helps last longer
- Textured
Cons
- Comes in one size
- Some say they got very desensitized
These latex condoms feature a “delay lubricant” (active ingredient: benzocaine) on the inside to help those wearing them last longer. One thing to keep in mind is that some reviewers say the lubricant might be too effective. They also have a ribbed and dotted texture that can add to the experience for the receiver.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Discretely packaged
- Good for vaginal dryness
Cons
- Lubricant may dry out fast
Extra silicone-based lube on the inside and outside of this condom is added for long-lasting slipperiness. This is ideal if you or your partner are experiencing vaginal dryness. Many reviewers say they fit great and they are "thin enough" for maximum pleasure.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Tingly sensation
- Really lubricated
Cons
- Strong scent
- Some say they feel thick
Not only is this latex number dotted and ribbed, but it is lubricated with tingly water-based K-Y, for greater comfort and smoothness. Some didn’t like the minty scent that comes with them.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
Pros
- Choose your pleasure
Cons
- Not all varieties are sold on their own
- Rubbery smell
If you want to mix it up, this box comes with four different types of condoms — Twisted (which has diagonal texturing); Her Pleasure, which has ribs and contours; Ultra Ribbed; and Warming, with a warming lubricant. All do the job, especially thanks to the reservoir tip, but just offer different ribs and shapes.
Pros
- Not just for oral sex
Cons
- Flavor doesn't last long
Flavored condoms are not for everyone, but reviewers like these tutti-fruity variety pack, especially for oral sex. They work just like other condoms, and are easy to put on.
| Material | Latex |
| Lubricated | Yes |
What to look for when buying condoms
There is some subjectivity when it comes to choosing the right condom and it may take some trial and error. Focus on these four key essentials:
✔️ The right material: If possible, go for one made of latex, which is considered the most durable. If you or your partner have a latex allergy, you can use a plastic-based condom, made of polyisoprene. You can also use a polyurethane condom–there are some great options for both materials from companies like Skyn and Durex. Never use a lambskin condom because bodily fluids can seep through those.
✔️ The right size: The condom you pick should be the right size to fit you or your partner comfortably, to avoid rippage and slippage and squeezing.
✔️ The right extras: Ribbed condoms are a personal preference, to add sensation for the person being penetrated. Dotted condoms do the job, too. Some find these don’t make a big difference, so you do you.
✔️ The right lube: Pre-lubricated condoms are super-convenient, but many need some extra lube applied to ensure extra safety as well as better ease of use: Lube reduces friction, which can help prevent breakage.
Types of condoms
External condoms (i.e., those that go over a man's penis, as opposed to one that is inserted into the vagina) are made out of different types of material:
- Latex: 80% of condoms are made of this, as latex does the best job both of preventing pregnancy and STIs. It's also thin, non-porous and cheap to produce (and so to buy). You should not use them with oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil, as this will degrade the rubber.
- Synthetic materials, such as polyisoprene: This is a stretchy plastic which is a good alternative to latex if you or your partner have a latex allergy, but you can't use oils as lubes with them either. With polyurethane condoms you can use any type of lube, but they're not as stretchy.
- Lambskin: These are actually not made of the skin of a lamb, but rather their intestines, according to our friends at Men's Health. They are more porous, and so feel nice and still offer the 98% protection for pregnancy, but are not useful for STD protection because viruses can sneak through the pores.
Do condoms expire?
The expiration date for condoms varies depending on the brand and when they were manufactured, but they do, indeed, expire. All condoms have the expiration date printed on the packaging, and you should not use them if they are expired. They will be less effective at preventing STIs and pregnancy.
How to prevent a condom from breaking
Condoms are around 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, if used as directed. To that end...
- NEVER use expired condoms, which can degrade over time – the date’s right there on the package.
- NEVER store condoms in temps higher than 100 degrees, or lower than 32 degrees (this can also cause them to break down).
- NEVER use your teeth to open the packet – that can tear the condom
- NEVER reuse a condom (yes, people do this).
- NEVER skip lubrication. “Using condoms along with water or silicone based lubricants may help lower condom failure rates,” Dr. Gonzalez points out. The exception: If you’re using it for oral sex.
- NEVER use olive oil, coconut oil, Vaseline, or any other oil with a latex condom, which can degrade the rubber.
Why Trust Good Housekeeping?
For sensitive stories that can directly impact readers' health, we send our articles out to be medically reviewed by an expert in the field.
The editor of this story, Stephanie Dolgoff, has been covering women's sexual health for decades at publications including Cosmo, Self and Glamour. She has broad and deep experience with interviewing medical professionals and translating their expertise into practical advice for women who strive to make the best choices for their health.
The writer, Lisa Mulcahy, is an internationally established health writer who has likewise has had years of experience with medical and lifestyle topics, and is well-versed in deciphering ingredient labels and researching how well health products live up to their claims.
Lisa is an internationally established health writer whose credits include Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Oprah Daily, Woman’s Day, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Glamour, The Washington Post, WebMD, Medscape, The Los Angeles Times, Parade, Health, Self, Family Circle and Seventeen. She is the author of eight best-selling books, including The Essentials of Theater.
Maria Sophocles has been a practicing ob/gyn for 27 years. She lived and worked in Europe for several years and learned to appreciate the complementary and alternative medical practices which were not taught in her traditional U.S residency in Baltimore.
When she moved back to the U.S. in 2007, she founded a women’s healthcare practice that was based on listening, and in which patient and clinician are part of shared decision making.
She is certified by the American Board of ob/gyn. She is a nationally certified menopause practitioner by the North American Menopause Society. She has been recognized for her contributions to gynecology and as such has been named a fellow of both the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health and the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases.
She was one of the first U.S clinicians to recognize the need for a non-estrogen option to treat vaginal atrophy in breast cancer survivors and pioneered the use of Co2 laser both intravaginally and on the vulva; she has taught clinicians this technology on five continents and has been an advocate for women’s health, reproductive and sexual rights in the U.S and abroad.
She completed a BA in English with honors and distinction from Duke University, attended medical School at Jefferson Medical College and completed her residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
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