Although buying condoms for your lover as a Valentine's gift may not be the first idea you come up with this year, condoms and condom accessories can certainly be the most pleasure-inducing gift you can get for you and your partner.

Condoms promote safer sex.

February 14-21 is National Condom Week! Condoms are safer sex barriers that prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections by up to 98 percent. Most people are familiar with these tools, but do you really know exactly how they help promote safer sex habits?

What is a condom?

Condoms are thin pouches typically that keep sperm, bacteria, and viruses from getting into the vagina or anus. There are internal condoms and external condoms. The external condom, also called a “male” condom, is worn on the penis. The internal condoms, also called a “female” condom, is worn inside of the vagina or anus. Condoms are made in many different colors, sizes, and even flavors–but all condoms meet strict medical standards.

Who should use condoms?

Condoms should be used by anyone who is having sex and wants to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections! Condoms are mostly available for FREE to anyone who wants them at most health caregivers– and there is also no age limit to purchasing condoms in most countries. The majority of condoms are made of latex, but some are made of materials that are safe for people with latex allergies, such as polyurethane or polyisoprene.

SEE 9 hard facts about condoms you need to know before using it

What are some common condom mistakes?

The biggest mistake people who use condoms make is not wearing them properly! A condom needs to be worn anytime sexual body parts come into contact. That means a person should always put the condom on before any sexual activity happens. Condoms are not 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, so you should always try to use them in combination with other forms of birth control. Also, a condom is only good for one use! Never wash out a condom and try to reuse it. Instead, pick up a free pack of condoms from any health care clinic.

The Definitive Condom Buying Guide

Maybe you haven’t used a condom in a long time or maybe you’ve never used one. You may not know where to start. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the most common things that our customers are looking for in condoms, and hopefully, this information will help point you in the right direction.

1. Sensitivity/Thinness

By far the most common complaint about condoms and therefore one of the more common questions are what condom should I get if sensitivity is an issue? The quickest answer is, a thinner condom is generally needed. Although, if the receiving partner is the one with the issue, you may want to look at textured options as well.

2. Latex Allergies

In recent years, there have been a lot more options out there for those with latex allergies or latex sensitivity. When talking about this though, it’s important to figure out whether or not there is an actual allergy to latex or perhaps something else. Many times, people think they’re allergic to latex when they actually might be having a reaction to something else such as certain types of spermicidal lubricants. If you still have allergic reactions when using non-latex condoms, you are probably having a reaction to something else.

3. Larger or Smaller-Sized Condoms

Although condoms are designed to accommodate a variety of different sized people, there are going to be those that have more specific needs when it comes to size. What is important to know here is that when talking about size, we are mostly concerned with width and snugness. Many people think they need a smaller condom because there is an extra inch or two extra in the length. When using a condom, the most important thing is that you do not want it slipping off or conversely being too tight. If it is too tight, you need a larger condom. It is common to have a little bit of extra length and it is typically not an issue for concern. As long as the condom is comfortable and secure, you probably have the right size.

4. Performance-Enhancing Condoms

Although not as common as our first issue, it is not uncommon that some people suffer almost no sensitivity loss and may even need some help with climaxing. Thankfully there are plenty of condom options that incorporate climax control lubricants. If you can’t find one of those to suit your needs, you can always buy your favorite condom and use a supplemental climax control lubricant.

5. Get The Biggest Bang For Your Buck

Some out there have the simplest need of all. What’s the most I can get for “X”. Thankfully here at Condom Depot, we have many of our products in bulk quantities that allow you to save a lot of money. Be sure to always check our individual product pages to see if bulk pricing is available.

6. First Time Using a Condom or No Idea Where to Start?

With hundreds of options out there to try, sometimes it's simply impossible to narrow your choices down to a single product. If this is you, look no further than our signature samplers. We have a sampler out there for every budget and need.

Best Condoms to Buy in 2021

While you may have your tried and true brand and type of condom, Valentine’s Day is all about exploring new worlds of possibilities with your partner.

Crown Skinless Skin Condoms

Winner for the Best Condom for the 19th year in a row

Year after year, our customers consistently rate Crown Skinless Skin the best condom. In terms of sensitivity, reliability, and comfort the Crown Skinless condom is unmatched. Most famous for their use in adult movies, Crown Skinless Condoms are a pink-tinted color and famous for being ridiculously thin, yet super strong. Crown is manufactured in Japan by Okamoto, who also manufactures fellow World's Best Winner Beyond Seven. Customers love them because the super-thin design 9 gives a sense of "bareback" feeling, helping you feel closer to your lover. Bottom Line: It feels like you have nothing on.

Characteristics: Thinnest Latex Condom, makes it feel like you are not wearing a condom. They are slightly above average in size for more comfort.
Female Review: "So thin I feel closer to my lover, and no nasty latex smell makes sex better."
Male Review: "Bareback feeling seems like you're not using a condom. What can be better than that?!"
Average Tester Rating: Her: A+, Him: A+
Condom Stats
Measurements: 8" Length x 1.94" Width (203.2 mm x 49.29 mm)
Thickness: SUPER SENSITIVE A+++ <- The MOST Sensitive
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

Beyond Seven Condoms with Sheerlon

13th Time Best Condoms Winner

Made from state-of-the-art, super-thin Sheerlon material, Beyond Seven Sheerlon Condoms provide more strength and durability, without the thickness of traditional latex condoms. The texture of Sheerlon latex is silkier and feels more natural, bare skin contact. Both partners can see and feel the difference of Beyond Seven Sheerlon Condoms.

Characteristics: Made of a super-thin latex called "Sheerlon". Can be made thinner and stronger than other condoms.
Female Review: "So thin I could feel the heat!"
Male Review: "The Japanese really make a great condom. Super thin and super strong. Wish they were wider in the head."
Average Tester Rating: Her: A-, Him: A-
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 7.87" Length x 1.87" Width (199.89 mm x 47.63 mm),
Thickness: SUPER SENSITIVE A+
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

ONE Pleasure Dome Condoms

1st Time Best Condoms Winner

ONE Pleasure Dome condoms are truly one-of-a-kind. With a unique, flared shape, they are named “pleasure dome” due to the larger head size, which helps reduce friction on the giving and receiving end.

Characteristics: Extra headroom to increase comfort and reduce friction.
Female Review: “The extra headroom makes a difference. I can feel more of my partner and there’s no friction like with regular-shaped condoms.”
Male Review: "Plenty of room for the head. A rather natural feeling."
Average Tester Rating: Her: A++, Him: A+
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 7.08" length x 2.08" width
Shape: Flared from shaft to head, extra headroom.
Lubrication: Silicone-based

Durex Extra Sensitive Condoms

13th Time Best Condoms Winner – Rated Best Condom by Consumer Reports

The Durex Extra Sensitive condom is the thinnest latex condom in the Durex product line. It is super sensitive, comes with a good amount of lubricant, and a slightly wider head. All of these characteristics make this condom a great choice for those who love the Durex brand. This condom was also rated the most dependable condom by Consumer Reports in 2005.

Characteristics: Durex's thinnest and most sensitive latex condom. Feel closer to your lover.
Female Review: "It was hard to tell he was wearing a condom, 2 Thumbs, and 2 Toes Up!"
Male Review: "Amazing! We all hate having to use a condom, but these goodies don't take away any of the pleasure. In fact, they change the sensation a bit.. they feel just as good, but in a different way."
Average Tester Rating: Her: A, Him: A+
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 7.75" Length x 1.94" Width (196.85 mm x 49.29 mm)
Thickness: SUPER SENSITIVE A+
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

Caution Wear Iron Grip Condoms

5th Time Best Condoms Winner

This 4th-time winner has been highly praised by our customers. It gets the 'Iron Grip' name for having a smaller width, making it the best snugger fitting condom. A customer from Boston raves, "Finally! A Condom that fits and won't slip. The snuggest fit I have found with the exception of some custom-fit condom I used to be able to find online."

Characteristics: Snugger, tighter-fitting condom
Female Review: "I never have to worry about a condom slipping off thanks to Iron Grip."
Male Review: "Finally, a smaller sized condom that fits me better than the condoms I could get at stores."
Average Tester Rating: Her: B, Him: B+
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 7.75" Length x 1.75" Width (196.85 mm x 44.45 mm)
Thickness: SENSITIVE B
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

Kimono MicroThin Condoms

7th Time Best Condoms Winner

Kudos to the Japanese brand! Kimono MicroThin is the result of sophisticated Japanese engineering and special natural rubber latex processed with state of the art technology. Kimono MicroThin condoms are now even better, thinner, stronger, and provide more sensitivity for both partners. The MicroThin provides the most natural experience possible, and many couples say, “It feels like wearing nothing at all!”

Characteristics: Super Sensitive for Him.
Female Review: "I feel closer. Maybe a standard condom but they feel good!"
Male Review: "Loved, Loved Loved the sensitivity of these condoms."
Average Tester Rating: Her: B+, Him: A
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 8.12" Length x 1.87" Width
Thickness: SUPER SENSITIVE A+++
Lubrication: Yes, silicone-based.

Lifestyles SKYN Non-Latex Condoms

5th Time Best Condoms Winner – The only non-latex condoms to make the list.

With so few choices of latex-free condoms available, it's a relief to finally find a sensitive, a non-latex condom that lives up to the hype about condoms made with Polyisoprene. Unlike the old school Polyurethane condoms that made weird noises and offered little-to-no stretch, SKYN non-latex condoms are not only ultra-thin, but provide plenty of comforts and allows heat transfer between partners for a truly natural feeling.

Characteristics: As the name implies. Non-Latex and they do feel like a second skyn.
Female Review: "I can feel him through his sheath!"
Male Review: "Feels grrreat! Thinner for a more natural feel."
Average Tester Rating: Her: A-, Him: A
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 8" Length x 2" Width (203 mm x 51 mm)
Thickness: SENSITIVE A+
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

LifeStyles Ultra Thin Condoms

7th Time Best Condoms Winner – Super thin, bareback sensation while maintaining its structural integrity.

LifeStyles has listened to what consumers want. Every year it seems that our data gathering is pointing to one thing... people have less of a problem with wearing a condom when it doesn't feel like they are wearing a condom. And LifeStyles has delivered exactly that with their Ultra Thin Condom. Both men and women gave LifeStyles Ultra Thin high scores on the sensitivity rating. Size-wise, the LifeStyles Ultra Thin Condom is slightly larger than the Crown and Beyond Seven products.

Characteristics: Not as thin as the Crown or Beyond Seven products but close. Slightly larger than both in width and in length.
Female Review: "Hmm... Is he wearing a condom?"
Male Review: "Hard to tell I'm wearing a condom."
Average Tester Rating: Her: A-, Him: A-
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 8" Length x 2" Width (203.2 mm x 50 mm)
Thickness: SUPER SENSITIVE A+++
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

ONE Pleasure Plus Condoms

7th Time Best Condoms Winner

ONE Pleasure Plus Condoms offer serious protection while remaining thin enough to feel your partner. Our Gay testers admired how the ribbed bag adds to prostate pleasure! Our Female testers like how these can help stimulate the ever-elusive G-Spot! For an enjoyable experience, while remaining safe, go for the ONE Pleasure Plus.

Characteristics: Light bulb shaped design adds pleasure to him and her.
Female Review: "My boyfriend likes the extra room and the pouch hits my g-spot for a bonus sensation."
Male Review: "The head of my penis has room to breathe. The extra bagginess adds to its pleasure."
Average Tester Rating: Her: A-, Him: A
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 7.25" Length x 2" Width At The Base(199.89 mm x 50.8 mm)
Thickness: SENSITIVE B+
Lubrication: Yes. Does NOT Contain Harmful Nonoxynol-9 Spermicide.

Beyond Seven Studded Condoms

11th Time Best Condoms Winner

Beyond Seven Studded condoms are manufactured in Thailand by the world-renowned Okamoto, who also makes the brands Crown Condoms and Wink Condoms. Their state-of-the-art manufacturing and triple-testing processes enable them to make a thinner, stronger, and silkier condom for a more natural feeling for both of you. And what's better than a full 3 inches of raised studs?! In addition to the ultra-pleasing studded texture, Beyond Seven Studded Condoms are ultra-thin and lightly lubricated with a water-based lubricant for yours and your partner's comfort and pleasure.

Characteristics: 3 inches of raised studs along the base.
Female Review: "I can really feel the texture on this condom, it makes a difference."
Male Review: "I enjoyed it, she really enjoyed it. I will be purchasing more soon!"
Average Tester Rating: Her: A+, Him: A++
Condom Stats:
Measurements: 7.87" Length x 1.87" Width
Thickness: SUPER SENSITIVE A++++++
Lubrication: Yes. Water-based.

Practicing safer sex is not only beneficial to your health, but it can also empower you to take charge of your body! Enjoy your Valentine’s Day.

Here's the guide to find the perfect condom for you.

Reference/condomdepot.com/

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Condoms: The Valentine's Gift That Keeps on Giving