Babes Network sails the gentler, prettier waters of hardcore, and does it beautifully. Gathering four sites around some of the most striking performers in the business, it favours sensual, softly-lit scenes with a romance-tinged sheen, a deliberate current away from the rough, harshly-lit gonzo that dominates so much of the sea.

The library runs 3,120-plus high-resolution scenes backed by 2,230-plus photo sets, with frequent updates keeping it fresh. The house style is the whole point: warm lighting, attractive couples, and a slower, more sensual pace that plays to viewers who find pure gonzo a bit cold. It is porn with candles lit rather than floodlights blazing, and for the right audience that is a genuine draw.

Downloads are capped rather than unlimited, and on price the $29.99 monthly is standard for a four-site network, with discounts up to 70 percent off usually available to bring it down to friendlier waters.

Who should climb aboard? Fans of sensual, glossy, romance-flavoured hardcore who want beautiful performers shot softly. Who should sail on? Anyone after rough, hardcore-heavy gonzo, since Babes deliberately swims the other way.

Bottom line: Babes Network is a polished, sensual, romance-tinged corner of the sea, beautifully shot and easy to love if the softer style suits you. On discount it is an easy catch for anyone tired of the harsher end of the ocean.

Babes earns its place near the top of the category: best for Fans of sensual, softly-lit, romance-tinged hardcore over pure gonzo. Grabbed on the standing discount, it is one of the better-value memberships in its lane.