Our vibrator buying guide for beginners: How to choose a sex toy
Get intimate from afar with these app-controlled vibrators, suction toys, rings and more. You can read more about how we enlisted actual long-distance couples to test and review sex toys at the end of the guide. Panellists scored each sex toy on its ease of use, design, battery life and instructions, while also providing detailed feedback on its overall performance. Despite being most of the most powerful massagers on the list, it’s also one of the quietest—a major bonus for those with roomies viberator, kids, or skittish pets. “It’s super intuitive and easy to use, as it has a tactile switch for modulating settings and an ergonomic handle,” Dr. O’Reilly adds. It can even be synced with the We-Vibe Connect app on your phone, so you can adjust the settings more easily or use it with a long-distance partner.
Add some water-based lube to the tube, and you’ll have an experience that’s meant to simulate what I can only describe as a post-blow job handjob on steroids (thanks to the stroker’s six vibration patterns). In a nutshell, that’s the Maude Vibe, which is why it has been noted as a favorite of not just one, but two Mashable reporters. It only has one button to turn it on and off and sort through the three vibration speeds. Its design is frankly stunning (and we don’t use this word for just any old vibrator; this one was literally featured in the MoMA Design Store), and its simplicity makes it shine.
Adding some of the best sex toys for women to your bedroom cache can improve your sex life faster than deleting Slack from your personal cell can boost your work-life balance. For instance, tongues and fingers may be able to move at a fast clip, but vibrators offer another level of intensity (and won’t get tired), she says. To make it easier, we spoke with experts, dug through customer reviews, and curated a list of top-rated vibes based on the recommendations. Like bullet vibes, these are usually designed for external use, but finger vibes are different because they have some kind of strap or other feature that attaches them to your finger(s).
“Silicone or glass dildos are the best quality,” says Khalili, and this set doubles down on the latter option. One is pink and one is clear; the pink dildo is curved, with nodules along the shaft and bulbed tips at either end. If you and your partner are interested in exploring BDSM but are not into the black-leather vibe, this kit, with pre-tied knots made of natural fiber , is a good place to start.
In addition to 14 speed and intensity settings, ‘climax control’ allows users to play around with the depth of suction, so you’re bound to find something that works for you. Before you purchase a sex toy, check that it’s body-safe (like all of our picks are). Single-use sex toys are “the most underrated option for first-time sex-toy owners,” according to one SELF sexual wellness writer.
And that’s a wonderful thing, because everyone deserves the chance to explore their body in as many ways as they see fit. “But really, this tiny body-safe ABS plastic clitoral vibe packs an, [in my opinion], unmatched punch when it comes to power, and the angled tip delivers pinpoint vibration right where you want it.” For someone who prefers more traditional vibrations over suction, the Pro 2 delivers. Its shape is perfect for maneuvering and finding the perfect spot, which I struggled with trying more “blobby” suckers like LELO’s Sona 2. Not only did I have more fun with the Pro 2, but it’s nearly half the cost of the Sona 2 — and the second-cheapest vibe on this list — at $49.95. For me, sex toys are never embarrassing, so I don’t have such a high interest in aesthetics — I want a vibrator that’s going to get the job done.
German brand Fun Factory makes some of the best-engineered vibes on the market, which is why this rabbit is so damn good. Its ultra-powerful dual motors serve up deep, thrumming vibration to both the G-spot and the clit (or to the prostate and perineum, if used anally). The flexibility of its external arm allows it to move with you when you thrust the toy—and thrusting is a breeze with this vibe, because of its looped handle.