It pays to play safe! Condoms are the ultimate sex essential to keep you and your partner healthy and safe from unwanted surprises after enjoying sex together.
To those who don’t like them – condoms don’t have to obstruct or interrupt your sexual pleasure. Condoms can be fun and may even add to your pleasure.
We created this guide with the aim of everybody having the best and safest possible experience with condoms. One can easily be bamboozled by the variety available, but we can help you figure out which one works best for you.
Condoms are sheath-shaped barrier devices designed to block semen and other bodily fluids from entering your partner’s body during penetration. If used correctly, they can also prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs) during vaginal, anal and oral sex.
In this guide, we focus on the male condom, or external condom, which is worn on the penis and is the most common type of condom. Female condoms, or internal condoms, which are worn inside the vagina, are also available.
Nowadays, condoms are mostly made from very thin latex rubber, or from polyisoprene or polyurethane in the case of latex-free condoms. The original condoms, thought to have been made at least several centuries ago, were made of animal intestines and special linens, with rubber becoming more popular in the mid-18th century. Latex condoms have been around since the 1920s.
Condoms come in a variety of different materials and styles:
Besides the practical factors, condoms can be good fun and add extra stimulation to your play, hence there are plenty of good reasons to use them:
Simple stuff, but do make sure the condom fits and you put it on correctly. If there is air in the tip, or it isn’t on all the way, it can slip off during sex, and we’re sure that’s not the kind of bedroom surprise you had in mind:
Just like penises, condoms come in different shapes and sizes, so make sure you choose a condom that fits well – not just for safety, but to maximise sensation as well. Note that condom size is all about girth, the length doesn’t matter (for once!).
Typically, you can choose from a range of small, regular, large and even extra-large condoms, but some also come with much more exact measurements – bespoke condoms if you like! Just check the packaging of different brands before making your pick.
All condoms are thoroughly tested by the manufacturer, so once they arrive in your hands they have been quality checked. However, in order to use them safely and effectively, you should consider a few things.
Condoms are very robust and stretch well but they may split or tear if not used with care. After ejaculation, hold the condom firmly at the base of the penis, and remove it before the penis goes soft. When removing the condom, take care not to spill any semen.
All condoms are single-use only and you must use a new condom each time you have sex. Keep condoms safely stored and always check the use-by date on the packaging as the latex can degrade past that date. If you want to stock up, check out our bulk and assorted condoms range.
Condoms have basically no side effects unless you have a latex allergy. In this case, choose latex-free condoms as an alternative, and you won’t have any problems.
Please also note that layering two condoms on top of each other is not safer! Due to the resulting rubber on rubber friction, it actually has the opposite effect.
Condoms already come lubricated to make them easier to put on and use. However, you may like to add a small dot of extra lube inside the condom to enhance sensation. We would advise you to use plenty of additional lube externally for anal sex to reduce the risk of the condom splitting.
You can use pretty much any lube with all common condoms but avoid oil-based products. Oil-based products (i.e. oil-based lube, moisturisers, lotions, massage oil, Vaseline), can degrade condoms made of latex or polyisoprene. You can use them safely with polyurethane condoms, however, always check the label.
When in doubt about the material of the condom, simply use water-based lube and you will be fine, or check our collection of condom-friendly lubes.
Skins’ Natural condoms just feel like the real thing and this is why they are called Skins. The condoms use highest quality latex, are infused with the light scent of vanilla and feel very natural against your skin. The condoms balance comfort, durability and reliability to give you peace of mind and full sensation during sex. "Never go in without a skin"®.
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Regular condoms are designed to offer a snug fit on standard-sized penises. Our product range covers the world’s best known and most reliable condom brands such as Durex, EXS, Skins, and many more.
Attributes and benefits of regular condoms:
Browse our full range of regular condoms.
If you simply want to buy a trusted product, consider the Skins Natural Condoms (see picture).
EXS’ Air Thin condoms are amongst the world’s thinnest condoms – they feel like you are wearing no condom at all. The premium condoms are made of natural latex, have no latex smell, are smooth and plain, flared, teat-ended, and silicone lubricated.
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£6.99
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Enjoy extra close and intimate sex with your partner with extra thin condoms that feel more like skin-to-skin contact.
Attributes and benefits of extra thin condoms:
Shop our whole range of exciting extra thin condoms.
Not sure which to choose? We recommend the Air Thin Condoms by EXS (see picture)?
EXS’ Ribbed and Dotted condoms provide great extra stimulation for your partner. The premium condoms are made of natural latex, are flared, teat-ended, and silicone lubricated.
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Ribbed and dotted condoms are specially designed to enhance pleasure and sensation between the sheets. Who thought a few small touches could make such a difference to the condom experience?
Attributes and benefits of ribbed and dotted condoms:
Check out our full range of sensual ribbed and pleasure condoms to add some extra excitement to your play.
Looking for textured condoms from a trusted brand? Check out the EXS Comfy Fit Ribbed And Dotted Condoms (see picture).
The Durex Pleasure Me condoms are a fantastic choice for couples that want to add pleasure and fun to their sex play. The Pleasure Me condom’s ribbed and dotted texture heightens your lust levels and provides you with additional stimulation.
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£12.99
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Durex has been making condoms for many decades and is one of the most trusted brands for better sex essentials worldwide.
Attributes and benefits of Durex condoms:
Shop the full range of reliable Durex condoms.
Want to opt for the Durex classic all-rounder? The go for the Pleasure Me Condoms Ribbed And Dotted by Durex (see picture).
Skins’ Flavoured condoms are a tasty way to enjoy foreplay and add a little something extra to protected oral and penetrative sex. This pack comes with 4 different delicious flavours: strawberry, banana, mint and bubble gum. These condoms offer a fun way to switch up your lovemaking routine. "Never go in without a skin"®.
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£8.09
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Flavoured condoms are a fantastic way to enjoy tasty foreplay and add a sensual extra to oral sex. From strawberry to minty, these condoms offer something for every palate.
Attributes and benefits of flavoured condoms:
Take a look at our assortment of flavoured condoms.
If you have more of a fruity palate, why not try the Flavoured Condoms from Skins (see picture)?
EXS’ Magnum Large condoms are the perfect choice if you are bigger than the average as they come with a width of 60mm. The premium condoms are made of natural latex, are smooth and plain, flared, teat-ended, and silicone lubricated.
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Penises come in all shapes and sizes, and larger than average penises need an XL jacket to accommodate the extra length and girth and ensure a snug fit.
Attributes and benefits of extra-large condoms:
Shop our range of extra-large condoms.
Need help deciding? You can’t go wrong with the EXS Magnum Large Condoms (see picture).
The Lelo Hex is the first major innovation in condom technology in years. Its revolutionary hexagonal structure, like the honeycomb, offers a strong, perfectly tessellated surface, providing the ultimate in safe sex with strength and lightness. The 350 interconnected hexagons allow the transmission of body heat through the surface, offering better intimacy and sexual connection.
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Extra safe condoms are slightly thicker and come with more lubrication than regular condoms for enhanced durability and protection.
Attributes and benefits of extra safe condoms:
Shop our full range of extra safe condoms, or head straight for the Hex Original Condoms by Lelo (see picture).
Mister Size is a German safe sex brand loved for its condoms that fit snuggly and feel like a second skin. Mister Size’s condoms have reduced the latex thickness to only 0.05mm, and are available in seven different sizes, ranging from 47mm to 69mm, to guarantee the best possible fit and maximum sexual joy.
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Our range of condoms covers all configurations to cover all penis sizes. If regular condoms don’t give you the comfort or snug fit desired, these condoms may be the solution you’re looking for.
Attributes and benefits of small condoms:
Browse our full range of small condoms.
Can we help you choose? If you ask us, we recommend the 47mm Your Size Pure Feel Condoms from Mister Size (see picture).
Manix Skyn’s latex-free Original condoms are ultra thin, transparent, and very soft for enhanced sensations during sex. The vegan condoms with reservoir are covered in lubricant, and free from natural rubber latex so they are also a great choice for people with (known or assumed) latex allergies. Pack of 20 condoms.
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£25.49
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Latex-free condoms are perfect for people with latex allergies but also anyone who wants a more natural and sensual feel than what standard latex condoms provide.
Attributes and benefits of non-latex condoms:
Shop our full range of latex-free condoms; for a classic from Skyn, opt for the Original Latex-Free Condoms that offer the most natural feel (see picture).
And if you want to learn more, check out our latex-free condoms guide.
The silky-smooth Extra Safe condoms by Secura feature an increased wall thickness that reduces friction on the glans and can therefore increase your stamina during intercourse. The super safe condoms with a generous silicone-based coating also provide additional safety during anal sex. The extra strong, tear-proof condoms balance comfort, durability and reliability to give you peace of mind and full sensation during sex.
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Delay condoms usually contain mild amide or ester anaesthetics such as lidocaine and benzocaine, which gently numb the glans to reduce penile sensitivity, which in turn can help delay ejaculation. Due to our philosophy as a sexual wellness brand, we do not sell products that use such substances. However, as an alternative to using anaesthetics, we recommend condoms with an increased wall thickness that reduce friction on the glans and therefore can also increase your stamina.
Attributes and benefits of delay condoms:
Browse our whole range of delay condoms, or just take a look at the Extra-Safe Condoms from Secura (see picture).
