Condom Review

Introduction to Condoms

Sometimes, being the most widely read consumer magazine in the country has its drawbacks as well as its advantages. While we were impressed that Consumer Reports took the time to inflate 23 condom brands to the point of bursting (in its February 2005 roundup), we were a bit disappointed that the magazine didn't also include reports from actual users. Clearly, this topic could be outside of the comfort zone of Consumer Reports' staff, but reviewing a condom by blowing it up is a bit like reviewing a shirt by analyzing its weave: considerations of fit and comfort are also important.

Fortunately, other reviewers take up the slack. We were especially impressed with Slate's James Verini, who tries out eight condom brands with his partner and records his (and her) impressions, as well as intrepid reporters for the print magazines Men's Health, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, Maxim and Cosmopolitan, who either try out condoms themselves or debrief reports from deputized couples. (Some of these roundups are very old -- the one by Cosmopolitan dates from 1998 -- but condoms don't change much over the years, except for variations in the most gimmicky brands.)

We also relied on two retail sites, CondomDepot.com and BuyCondoms.com. Helpfully, CondomDepot.com reprints reviews from the magazines listed above, which often aren't otherwise available online, and both it and BuyCondoms.com compile their own lists of the best condoms. True, as retailers, the recommendations of these sites should be taken with a dose of skepticism, but we generally found that the condoms recommended (or panned) here jibe with what journalists and owners say. Finally, we consulted users posting on Amazon.com, which was of limited use since Amazon sells only a limited number of condom brands (chiefly Trojan and Durex.)