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11 Best Sex Positions & How to Make Them Even Better
on 9 Jun 2025
Need a new position or two to spice things up in the bedroom? We’ve got you. In 2024, we polled over 2,000 people to find out the UK’s favourite sex positions. Let’s see if you can guess the country’s most loved move!
Below, you’ll find the nation’s top three positions alongside some all-time classics from the Lovehoney Forum – all deserving a spot on our list of the best sex positions. Plus: we spoke to sex and relationships expert Annabelle Knight for her take on why these moves so incredible.
Whether you’re up for trying something a little adventurous or you’d just like to make the missionary position feel even better, read on. It’s time to shake up your sex life!
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Doggy Style
How it works: Partner one gets onto their hands and knees; use cushions under your knees if it’s comfier. Partner two kneels behind them, ready to penetrate.
Why it feels good: This position was named the top position in our poll, and for good reason; Doggy Style allows for total control over depth of penetration, so you can tailor this move to suit what feels best to you.
It also offers a great angle for G-spot stimulation – or anal, making it an ideal gay sex position, too.
Hot tip: With any penetration position, you’ll need lube. Even if you’re both aroused, the natural wetness of a vulva can dry up – and the anus definitely needs lube to avoid damage. Lube lowers friction and makes penetration feel heightened and more sensual.
Whether the penetrating partner has a penis or not, a strap-on can be a lot of fun to try! There are double-penetration options, or strapless ones for vulva owners that add internal stimulation when you thrust.
Enhance the best sex positions
Flat Doggy
How it works: Partner one lies down on the bed or floor, and partner two climbs on top to straddle their bum – a close penetration position.
Partner one can try placing a pillow or wedge under their hips to make it even easier for partner two to slide in.
Why it feels good: “Flat Doggy perfectly combines deep penetration and stimulation of the G-spot or P-spot, with the intimacy and closeness of Missionary,” says sex and relationship expert, Annabelle Knight. “Both of you can get comfortable and alternate between slow, sensual and passionate movements, and fast, hard thrusts.”
Plus: the feeling of penetration is different to Doggy thanks to the angle of the lying-down partner’s hips. So, if you’re Doggy fan already, take this variation for a spin instead!
Hot tip: If anal sex is something either of you are into, Flat Doggy works very well with butt plugs – for one or both of you. Butt plugs give the receiving partner the intense feeling of double penetration, if that’s their thing – and the partner on top can revel in the sensation of giving and receiving all at once.
The Pretzel
How it works: Partner one lies on one side, then gently twists to rest both shoulders on the bed or floor. Partner two kneels down to straddle partner one’s lower leg, positioning themselves to thrust.
Why it feels good: Forum member Dirty-Wife loves this position, saying that her partner, “can get real deep; he hits all the right spots in no time, so it doesn’t take long to make me orgasm.”
One reason The Pretzel sex position is such a favourite is that it’s not just about penetration. “The Pretzel can be fun for both vaginal and anal fun, while also giving access to everywhere else that’s fun too,” says Lovehoney Forum member and Pretzel fan, JGood. If you’re penetrating your lover’s vagina, try stroking or fingering their anus at the same time. And if you’re penetrating their anus, fondling their balls or massaging their clit can feel incredible too.
Hot tip: Teasing multiple erogenous zones at once can lead to extra-intense orgasms… So, let’s do it! If the receiving partner has a vulva, try holding a bullet vibrator gently across their clitoris. Experiment with using the flat side and the tip of the bullet for different intensities. For partners with balls, reach down to caress them during play.
Side Honey
How it works: Partner one lies down on their side and tucks their knees up to their chest.
Partner two kneels behind them, then raises one knee so they can plant a foot on the floor behind partner one’s back for extra stability. Then they’re ready to enter their lover – anally or vaginally.
Why it feels good: “There’s nothing wrong with relaxing during sex and putting in less effort; nobody ever said you have to put maximum effort in every single time,” says Annabelle Knight. “This one is super simple and easy to achieve.
“By keeping your knees closed and thighs close together, it allows for ‘shallowing’ – the stimulation of nerve endings around the entrance of the vagina – instead of deep thrusts.,” Annabelle continues. This kind of teasing can feel intensely pleasurable on its own, as well as building tension before deeper thrusts.
Hot tip: Side Honey can easily be a bondage sex position since there’s a natural Dom/sub dynamic as one of you kneels authoritatively over the other. If you’re both keen, bind the lower partner’s wrists and ankles with restraints.
To add to power dynamic, the kneeling partner can take control of the depth and speed of thrusts while the lying-down partner enjoys relinquishing control. (Chat through what you’re each comfortable with trying before play starts, though; no surprises in the moment.)
Missionary
How it works: You know how it goes! The receiver lies back and opens their legs. The giver kneels between their lover’s legs, positioning themselves so they’re ready to penetrate.
Then, the giver can lean forwards, propping themselves up with hands or elbows placed either side of the receiver’s chest.
Why it feels good: Missionary came second in our poll of favourite positions, proving that vanilla can be sweet and satisfying. People love this move because it can easily be made more or less intense, depending on what turns you on. Forum member LRLRL says, “There’s a lot of variation available just by changing where the top partner places hands/arms and supports their weight. Plenty of possibilities for hands to roam, visual stimulation, and use of toys.”
It’s a great position for first-time anal as well. Lying face-to-face means you can keep checking in with each other while the receiving partner relaxes in a supported and easy-going position.
Hot tip: Take advantage of the face-to-face time and try some dirty talk. Telling your lover how good they feel and how hot you find them feels extra-steamy when you’re holding eye contact. Boost the intimacy even further by whispering instead of speaking at full volume; it’ll pull them in even closer, and make things feel extra intimate.
The Spider
How it works: Partner one sits down with their knees bent towards their chest, leaning back on their hands. Partner two then sits between their lover’s legs, lowering themselves onto the penis (or a soft, flexible strap-on).
Then partner two leans slowly backwards until they’re lying on their back or resting on their elbows.
Why it feels good: Even though you’re not face to face, The Spider feels very intimate because you’re both completely on show, and you have equal control over the speed and depth of penetration. If you’re into a slow, intense grind, this could be a great position for you.
Hot tip: “If you love watching your partner getting themselves off, or turning them on by jacking off in front of them, you can try The Spider as a non-penetrative mutual masturbation position,” says Annabelle. “With both your bodies on display, you can lean back and explore your erogenous zones while maintaining lots of steamy eye contact.”
Plus: Your erogenous zones will love a slick of lube – it lowers friction and gives you smooth, continuous contact, making sex and masturbation feel heightened and more sensual.
Lazy Sixty-Nine
How it works: Just like regular Sixty-Nine, your face must be aligned with your lover’s genitals for this position to work. But, instead of one on top of the other; you’re both lying on your side.
Wrap your arms around each other’s hips and pull each other close for sensual oral sex.
Why it feels good: The original Sixty-Nine can be a whole lot of fun – but what if you don’t want to take it in turns to be the one lying down and relaxing? “Lazy Sixty Nine is perfect for laid-back naughtiness,” says Annabelle. “Instead of focusing on holding your weight over the bottom partner, you can relax on your side. Plus, your hands are free to fondle your lover's butt cheeks or anus.”
Hot tip: As you lick your partner, slowly slide a lubed-up dildo in and out of their vagina or anus; stimulating two areas at once can lead to longer, harder orgasms.
Spooning
How it works: Partner one lies down on their side, tucks up their top knee to their chest and props up their head on their hand.
Partner two lies down behind them with their hips pressed up against their lover’s bottom, ready to enter them.
Why it feels good: There’s plenty of skin-to-skin contact for a cuddly, intimate feel. This move allows for satisfyingly deep and controlled penetration too. “This slight switch up on the traditional spoon sees the receiver lie on their side with their top leg hitched up slightly, granting better access to the giver from behind,” says Annabelle.
“Even this tiny change in angle allows the giver to get a little deeper with their penetration, and gives the receiver space to twist their body round and come face to face with their partner, enhancing intimacy and allowing for a good old-fashioned makeout session.”
Hot tip: Spice it up by reaching around to fondle your lover’s nipples, while you whisper sweet nothings in their ear. Nipple play can be a simple yet stimulating way to make this move feel even more sensual.
Cowgirl
How it works: Partner one lies down, flat on their back. Partner two climbs on top, straddling their lover’s genitals; now they’re in the perfect position for grinding or penetration.
Why it feels good: Scooping third place in our poll, the Cowgirl is a particular favourite with the gals out there. That’s because clitoral stimulation is key when it comes to climaxing as a woman.
This move also makes it easy for the partner on top to rub their clit as they ride. Plus: their lying-down lovers get treated to a next-level view.
Hot tip: For help with clitoral stimulation during a move like the Cowgirl, clitoral suction toys are a handy addition to your bedside stash. Using pulsing airwaves to simulate oral sex, these toys feel very different to your standard vibrator. Just coat the silicone head with lube and let it envelop your clit. Combine that with the penetration of Cowgirl to up your chances of super-intense orgasms.
The Lotus
How it works: Partner one sits down and lets their knees fall comfortably to each side. Partner two sits facing them in their lap, wrapping their legs around their lover’s waist. Hold each other close in your arms as you rock together.
Why it feels good: This intimate position is satisfyingly slow build, bringing you face to face so you can hold eye contact.
“You’ll be positioned incredibly close together,” says Annabelle. “You’ll be aiming for a grinding or rubbing motion rather than thrusts, but this will allow for shallow penetration and clit stimulation.”
Hot tip: Before you get into position, take time to turn each other on by lighting a massage candle and drizzling the melted oil onto each other’s nipples and chests. Then, once you get into The Lotus, the sensation of your slick chests rubbing together as you hold each other makes this move feel even more erotic.
Edge of Glory
How it works: Partner one lies on their back, with their bottom on the edge of the bed and legs raised.
Partner two stands at the end of the bed, holding their lover’s thighs, so they’re in position for penetration.
Why it feels good: The standing partner gets to admire their lover’s curves as they thrust, and there’s the chance to go deep with penetration if you’re both up for that. The standing partner can adjust the height and angle of their lover’s raised legs to switch up sensations for you both, too.
Hot tip: The Edge of Glory is perfect for a quickie, so try bringing this position out of the bedroom for some spontaneous fun. Forum member BBWlover40HH says: “Sex on the dining table is also good! My wife lays on her back and rests her open legs on the back of the chairs, then I stand up and enter her.”
