Finding dating IRL is proving tricky after Coronavirus? Some people are understandably anxious about finding love after lockdown and dating face-to-face after two years of restrictions, while others just prefer being able to get to know someone virtually before spending time with them in person – which is where our round up of the best dating sites comes in.
Stats show that searches for dating site Bumble rose by 3,350% in September, and over half of all single people are now using some form of match-making site to find love (read our guide to the best sex apps, here-hi, Tinder). Long gone are the days when Internet dating was seen as a no-go. Now, e-dating is about as normal as Internet banking (just way more fun).
That said, scoping out the best dating sites in a market of very *meh* ones can be difficult, especially if you’re a newbie to the whole she-bang. So what is a guaranteed win?
We drafted in online dating expert Sloan Sheridan-Williams, who shared her pick of the fourteen best dating sites to find your perfect match. Read up on our guide to what to talk about on a first date, while you’re here – and if all goes wrong, remember: the best sex toys will always be your friend.
14 best dating sites to try now
eharmony‘s Rachael Lloyd says: “Maintain an open mind, and remember that being yourself is key to success. Treat online dating as an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy new experiences, rather than wondering if who you’re talking to is the love of your life. It’ll take the pressure off a little bit.”
And while you’re at it, read our guides to how to make your online dating profile stand out and tantric sex, too.
1. Best dating site for over 40s: eHarmony
How does it work? If you are serious about looking for that special thing called love, then this is the site for you. eHarmony take this match-making lark very seriously, making them one of the top sites to try. They’ve even patented The eHarmony Compatibility Matching System. That’s right. They’ve taken 35 years of research to come up with a Relationship Questionnaire and pride themselves on matching users with people who are actually compatible with them.
The experts say: This is one of the best dating sites for those who are looking for personality matching. eHarmony takes the hard work out of trolling through 100s of photos and delivers compatible dates directly to your inbox. This site provides quality over quantity and is great for those looking for a long term relationship.
2. Best dating site for over 50s: Lumen
How does it work? Lumen is a modern dating app specifically designed for adventurous over 50s to meet genuine like-minded singles. Every profile includes at least three photos and a detailed bio, designed to spark interesting and meaningful conversation with your matches.
The experts say: If you want good conversation with likeminded individuals in the age bracket, there’s no place better. There is a focus on good conversation and common interests so for people who want to chat away without the awkwardness, this is the app to download.
3. Best dating site for over 60s: match
How does it work? match is the most widely-used dating site in the world and has nearly 1.8 million subscribers. It works in the most traditional way: Simply create a profile, check out your potential matches, send them a few messages and then arrange to meet for a date. There are also various off-shoots of match with microsites for gay and lesbian dating, Asian dating, Christian dating and Polish dating. The love-gods at match also arrange singles events and provide online dating advice, so it’s easy to see what makes them one of the top-drawer dating sites.