Top Condoms

Here's a 2010 article about condoms from Consumer Reports. They tested the condoms and provide additional advice.
I believe that it is still advised to get a new condom after 10 minutes of use.
If anyone is allergic to latex, there is a list of recommended condoms.

It's all about variety! You can buy plain, contoured, studded, and even glow-in-the-dark condoms. There are dozens of varieties, but also differences in reliability, as you'll see. And just as important as picking a reliable condom is using it correctly. Even if you've been using them for years, you should check out the instructions before tossing the box next time. Follow those carefully and remember to use only silicone or water-based lubricants like KY Jelly. Petroleum-based lubricants like Vaseline and baby oil can eat right through the latex.

Are there any other items you might want to avoid?
Some condoms come with Nonoxynol-9, a spermicidal lubricant that used to be more common. It's fallen out of favor in recent years because it can cause irritation, urinary tract infections, and even vaginal tears that could increase the risk of contracting HIV. You can still find it in a few condoms, but none of the ones we tested has it.



Top Condoms

Last reviewed: February 2010
We tested more than 500 samples of 22 condom models. An outside lab inflated them like balloons until they burst to test for strength and reliability. They also submerged them in saline solution zapped with electricity to check for holes. All passed our minimum requirements based on standards for reliability, holes, and packaging. but some of them held a lot more air than others before exploding—as much as 45 liters (the equivalent of about 23 party-size bottles of Coke!). models that aced the test are listed below in price order. Also, we didn't find a single hole or tear in any of our Smart picks; industry standards allow for a certain number of defects per batch.
LifeStyles Ultra Sensitive



LifeStyles Ultra Sensitive
Price per condom

71 cents (12 per box)
Why we like it

A nice combination of performance and simplicity, this untextured, unadorned model is a solid choice for couples who want a plain, reliable condom. It's among the thinnest we tested, possibly a plus if you're looking for extra sensitivity.

LifeStyles Warming Pleasure



LifeStyles Warming Pleasure
Price per condom

75 cents (12 per box)
Why we like it

Warming lubricant is claimed to heat up on contact. (It contains acacia honey, an ingredient in some "warming" or "tingling" adult products.) It's also described as thin, but it was about average in thickness.

Trojan Ultra Thin



Trojan Ultra Thin
Price per condom

84 cents (12 per box)
Why we like it

It's even thinner than the Lifestyles Ultra Sensitive but no less strong—and not to be confused with the Trojan ThinTensity (80 cents), which we also tested and is also a fine choice.

Trojan Magnum



Trojan Magnum
Price per condom

86 cents (12 per box)
Why we like it

A good choice for larger men, this condom was among the widest we tested. And it comes in a manly black box that any guy would be proud to present at the checkout counter.

Durex Performax



Durex Performax
Price per condom

96 cents (12 per box)
Why we like it

This condom is thinner than most and the lubricant on the inside contains benzocaine, a mild numbing ingredient that is marketed as a way to delay a man's climax. (No, we didn't test that.)

Trojan Her Pleasure Ecstasy



Trojan Her Pleasure Ecstasy
Price per condom

$1.10 (10 per box)
Why we like it

Creative design: It gets wider toward the tip, which may provide more comfort for the guy. And it's ribbed all around the base (the "her pleasure" part).

Trojan Ultra Ribbed Ecstasy



Trojan Ultra Ribbed Ecstasy
Price per condom

$1.10 (10 per box))
Why we like it

It's identical in shape to the Trojan Her pleasure ecstasy but with even more ribs, which are not just around the base but also around the top.

Not So Hot



Night Light Glow-in-the-Dark
Yes, it glowed in the dark but it was the weakest we tested: Fewer than half of the samples made it to 25 liters of air before exploding, which might mean a greater risk of breaking during use. And too many had holes.


Allergic to latex?

Last reviewed: February 2010







If you're one of the millions of people who are allergic to latex, you now have better condom options than natural lambskin, which prevents pregnancy but not STDs. Several companies make condoms out of non-latex synthetic materials. We looked at two of them—LifeStyles SKYN, made of polyisoprene, and Trojan Supra, made of polyurethane. Since there are no industry standards for testing them, we can't say how they compare with latex in terms of strength and reliability. but we found them to be free of holes and package defects. The LifeStyles SKYN condoms cost $1.07 apiece; the Trojan Supra, $1.64.
Posted: February 2010 — Consumer Reports ShopSmart Magazine issue: December 2009