The Best Sex Positions: 50 Fun, Different Positions to Try
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The best thing about sex is how personal yet versatile it is. Everyone has their favorite sex positions, kinks, and sexual fantasies. The best sex positions for women aren’t always in alignment with those of men, but there’s always room for experimentation and growth.
“New sex positions can give partners an opportunity for adventure and play, which can alone heighten pleasure and intimacy in the relationship,” says Megwyn White, certified sexologist and director of education at Satisfyer. “Exploring different sex positions can also help couples discover new erogenous zones, foster open communication, better understand each other’s desires and preferences in the bedroom, and deepen intimacy.”
So, what kinds of sexual situations require new positions? It’s not like you need to pull out all the bells, whistles, and acrobatics for your wedding night or Valentine’s Day. In general, new sex positions can help couples spice up their sex life as well as target more pressing issues like immobility, pain, discomfort, and/or body insecurities to find more comfortable ways to enjoy sex together, advises White. In more specific scenarios, different sex positions might be required when a partner becomes pregnant or injured.
“Fun sex positions help bring out a more creative and primal aspect of your sexual relationship,” says White, who points to role play and BDSM, which can help tap into these fantasies or bucket list sexual experiences.
Shower sex positions are a great way to bring the heat to your sex life.
Getty Images
On that note, what’s your sexual bucket list? If you don’t have one—or at least one in your head—think about it and make a list of all the sex acts you want to try in your lifetime, suggests Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of sex shop Early to Bed. Just like a travel bucket list you want to “check off”—these lists can be fun to share with your partner. Deysach says to make your own, then compare to see what items overlap. The following list of different sex positions should help inspire some new ideas.
From leaving the bedroom behind for shower sex positions to exploring what oral sex positions work best for your giving and receiving needs, we’ve assembled a list of the 50 best sex positions to try with pro tips to maximize pleasure (e.g. best lube and cock rings).
Meet the Experts
- Megwyn White, certified sexologist and director of education at Satisfyer
- Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of Early to Bed sex shop
- Rachel Overvoll, somatic sex coach at Modern Intimacy
- Raquel VanLoon, LCPC, CADC, CSAT-candidate, clinical associate at Modern Intimacy
- Mike Johnson, co-host of “Your Mileage May Vary” sex and relationship podcast
- Dr. Rossana Sida, LMFT, Psy.D, CST, sex and relationship therapist
- Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D., sexologist and host of “Sex With Dr. Jess” podcast
- Taylor Sparks, holistic erotic educator and founder of Organic Loven
- Daniel Saynt, founder and chief conspirator of The New Society for Wellness (NSFW), a sex- and cannabis-friendly private members club in NYC
- Natasha Marie, head of content and sexual wellness expert at MysteryVibe
- Kenneth Play, author of Beyond Satisfied: A Sex Hacker’s Guide to Endless Orgasms, Mind-Blowing Connection, and Lasting Confidence
Best Sex Positions: Classic, Tried-and-True Moves
The best sex positions don’t have to be overcomplicated or new; sometimes perfecting the classics is all you need to reach a triumphant climax.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
“Missionary position has a rap for being boring, but I think it’s one of the most intimate positions,” says Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of Early to Bed sex shop. There’s opportunity for direct eye contact, dirty talk, deep kissing, and full-body contact. In fact, that direct body contact and constant clitoral stimulation is the reason why it’s among the best sex positions.
How to Do It
The receiving partner lies on their back with legs spread while the penetrative partner lies on top of them. This lends itself to more intense thrusting with relative ease and you can easily add a cock ring.
Pro Tip
Penis-owners will benefit from a basic cock ring, but to double the pleasure of penile-vaginal sex, opt for a dual-motor cock ring like Hot Octopuss Atom Plus. One motor vibes against the perineum, while the other stimulates the clitoris. You’ll never find Missionary boring with this buzzy addition.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
The best sex positions are standbys for their versatility and success rate. Cowgirl is known for being pleasurable and customizable, especially for the rider (aka vulva-owner) whose up and down movement stimulates the G-spot for an intense orgasm.
How to Do It
The penetrating partner lies down with legs extended while the receiving partner straddles them with knees bent. The receiving partner can lean forward for more clitoral stimulation as they gyrate their hips or bounce up and down. Conversely, they or the penetrative partner can use their hand or a vibrator for manual stimulation of the clitoris.
Pro Tip
Use a vibrator such as the Satisfyer Double Joy, which is placed both inside and outside, adding pleasure for the clitoris, G-Spot, and penis, explains White.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
The receiving partner is able to control the depth and speed of vaginal or anal penetration. “Plus, it allows them to really feel themselves,” says Deysach. “The person on top can grind and dance.” This is one of the best sex positions, but it’s also a great way to engage in foreplay before any penetration begins.
How to Do It
The penetrative partner sits in an armless chair, or on the edge of a bed or couch, then guides the receiving partner onto their penis or strap-on. The receiving partner is completely in control to bob up and down using their legs or gyrate in a more circular motion.
Illustration by Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
This position allows for more power in the thrusting, explains Deysach, all with the pleasure of unobstructed sightlines. Communicate with one another as this position encourages deep penetration and can become uncomfortable for vulva-owners if their partner is well-endowed.
How to Do It
The receiver lies on their back with hips at the edge of the bed. The penetrative partner stands at the end of the bed, then guides their partner’s legs to rest up against their torso as they insert their penis or strap-on. The receiving partner can shift their hips to control what angle feels best.
Pro Tip
“The vulva-owner can stimulate their clit manually or with a vibe, and wrap their legs around the standee if they want to bring them in real close,” adds Deysach. Get more clitoral stimulation with Screaming O Charged Combo Kit. It comes with a bullet vibrator, finger sleeve, and a cock ring.
Illustration by Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
Ideal for G-spot stimulation, doggy style allows both partners to use their hands to stimulate the vulva-owner’s erogenous zones, says White. It’s one of the best sex positions because it allows you to tap into your more animalistic side.
How to Do It
The receiving partner arranges themself on all fours while the penetrating partner kneels behind them. For extra support, the penetrating partner can place their hands on their partner’s hips, suggests White.
Pro Tip
If you want to spice it up further, White says, “position yourselves in front of a mirror so you and your partner can make eye contact.” You can also incorporate a vibrator that’s slim, long, and minimal so the vulva-owner can reach down and provide clitoral stimulation. We like to use an external vibrator like Maude Vibe Personal Massager & Vibrator. The smooth silicone vibe doesn’t have any bells and whistles that can become distracting—plus the motor is surprisingly powerful and has three different vibration settings.
Fun and Different Sex Positions
Different sex positions shake up dry spells and are a great way to explore your partner’s desires in a new way. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite—or just learn a different sex position to add to your lineup.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
Simply put, different sex positions like this add more play to your sex life, says Rachel Overvoll, somatic sex coach at Modern Intimacy.
How to Do It
The penetrative partner lies down with feet planted and knees bent, while the receiving partner straddles them and leans back on their bent knees like a recliner. This is the perfect extension from foreplay into different sex positions. Because the vulva-owner is on full display, they can touch themself, or simply sit back while their partner caresses their legs, massages their breasts, and stimulates their clit before sliding in their penis or strap-on.
Pro Tip
Use an unscented, dual-purpose massage oil like Maude Full Body Massage Oil if you intend to do a full-body rub-down. For use during Recliner, try Bijoux Indiscrets Finger Play Gel. As its name suggests, this water-based lube is specifically designed for hand sex—to turn yourself and/or your partner on. The gel contains aloe vera, which naturally nourishes and hydrates skin.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
It’s a little more advanced, but for those looking to experiment with different sex positions, this will create a strong prostate orgasm for men engaging in anal sex or intense G-spot stimulation for vulva-owners.
How to Do It
The receiving partner assumes a downward-facing dog pose. While standing, the penetrating partner lifts the receiving partner’s legs off the ground, one at a time, wrapping them around their waist, then inserts their penis or strap-on.
Pro Tip
This requires a fair amount of shoulder and arm strength for the receiving partner, so keep a chair nearby or do this by the bed so the standing partner can sit. You’ll still get deep penetration, but it’s not as physically taxing.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
Different sex positions typically demand a bit more physicality. Bridge requires some stamina and strength, White prefaces, but allows for a great view of the bottom partner.
How to Do It
The vulva-owner lies on their back and bridges their hips up. The penetrating partner kneels between the receiving partner’s legs and uses their hands to support their partner’s weight by gripping their hips or outer glutes while thrusting in and out, explains White.
Pro Tip
“To make this position slightly easier on the receiving partner, you may pile pillows underneath their back for support,” White says. We suggest getting a versatile sex pillow like Liberator Flip Ramp Sex Positioning Pillow. It’s more substantial in size than wedges.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
“This position allows space for the vulva-owner to pleasure themself by utilizing their fingers or a toy on the clitoris while their partner’s inside them,” says Raquel VanLoon, LCPC, CADC, CSAT-candidate, clinical associate at Modern Intimacy. Fun sex positions like this side-step the routine couples fall into and bring more spontaneity into the picture.
How to Do It
The penetrative partner lies on their right side, leaning on right arm, with legs positioned like an open clamshell: Right leg bent against the bed and left leg bent at the knee with foot planted in front of the other ankle. The vulva-owner lies perpendicular to their partner and splays their legs. The right leg can rest against their partner’s shin or on the bed while the left drapes over their partner’s shoulder. The penetrating partner can hold onto this leg and use it for leverage as they insert their penis or strap-on. This position doesn’t allow for vigorous thrusting; it’s more about gyrating.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
A riff on Missionary, Open Book “is great for couples who get turned on by visuals and for those looking to incorporate sexual wellness devices into their sex life,” White says. This checks all the boxes as far as fun sex positions go.
How to Do It
Before you start, both partners should stretch and focus on opening their hips to maximize mobility and flexibility for Open Book. The receiving partner lies on their back with legs open wide like a “V”, while the penetrating partner kneels between their legs and holds their ankles for stability as they insert their penis or strap-on.
Pro Tip
Take advantage of how exposed the vulva-owner is in this position. Their hands are free to stimulate their clitoris or other erogenous zones with fingers or a device, such as Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 3, White explains. It’s a clitoral-sucking toy that mimics oral sex.
Standing Sex Positions
Sometimes you don’t need the bed. Standing sex positions are an easy way to switch up your sex routine and scene—from the kitchen to the living room and beyond.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
Standing sex positions like this—where one partner is supported on a barstool—allows for deep penetration and comfort. Neither partner needs “to hold themself in a challenging position,” says Mike Johnson, co-host of “Your Mileage May Vary” sex and relationship podcast.
How to Do It
As the name suggests, this position requires a barstool or an equivalent piece of furniture. The receiving partner sits on the back edge of the stool and leans forward toward a counter or table so they can grip the edges for support. The penetrative partner stands directly behind so they can penetrate with easy access to the vulva or anus.
Pro Tip
Place a folded towel on the barstool to create a cushion for greater comfort and easy cleanup.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
Typically this standing sex position has been depicted in films where the male receives and the female gives. But when a male partner performs oral sex on a female while standing, “it bends typical gender roles, offers a great view, and gives access to new angles to stimulate,” says Dr. Rossana Sida, LMFT, Psy.D, CST, sex and relationship therapist. Of course this is a great standing position for same-sex couples as well.
How to Do It
The giver kneels down before the receiving partner and has them stand with their legs wide or with one leg propped up on a step, elevated surface, or even up and over the kneeling partner’s shoulder.
Pro Tip
Do this against a wall for greater support and balance.
Katie Buckleitner
Why It Works
This standing sex position permits both partners to..
