Editor’s tip: Worried about this buzzing in your suitcase while you’re going through TSA? Luckily, this has a travel lock to ensure that doesn’t happen. You can also just make sure it’s dead before you pack it, and recharge when you arrive.
Product specs: bullet vibrator, compatible with water-based lube, waterproof
Best Vibrating Anal Toy: Lovehoney Butt Tingler 10 Function Vibrating Butt Plug
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve already experimented with non-vibrating butt plugs and are ready for something new, consider this cheekily-named (and affordable) Lovehoney toy. It’s still on the smaller side at a beginner-friendly 3.5 inches and comes with a bullet vibrator that nestles into the toy for extra stimulation. You’ll get to enjoy three speeds and seven patterns of vibration, plus some extra perineum stimulation, thanks to the T-bar design. It’s battery-powered so remember to add some AAAs to your cart.
Editor’s tip: The bullet vibrator is removable if you want to use it on the clit, nipples, or anywhere else while wearing the butt plug.
Product specs: silicone butt plug, compatible with water-based lube, waterproof
Best Stainless Steel Dildo: Njoy Pure Wand Stainless Steel Dildo
Why it’s worth it: This dildo looks like a work of art, but that’s just the beginning. The bulbous ends can be used to stimulate your G-spot, prostate, or any other internal erogenous zones. The balls at the end of the toy are weighted to provide extra pressure, and reviewers confirm it is sensational. The curved shaft also makes it easy to maneuver in a variety of ways. Lastly, the stainless steel material can be gently warmed or cooled (run it under warm water or put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes) for different sensations.
Editor’s tip: This is compatible with any type of lubricant, including silicone-based ones.
Product specs: steel dildo, compatible with water- and silicone-based lube, waterproof
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in my first sex toy?
“I always recommend keeping it simple and easy to use when you are just starting out with sex toys,” shares Lyndsey Murray, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist at Relationship Matters Therapy and host of the Sex Positivity: Unfiltered podcast. There’s no “wrong” approach to sex toys, but you might want to pass on toys that seem too big, intimidating, or high-tech.
You should also consider what sensations you enjoy during sex or masturbation. “Your pleasure is your guide,” notes Jenn Kennedy, PhD, a board-certified sex therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist in Santa Barbara, California. (She is also the founder of Riviera Therapy and The Pleasure Project.) “If you like clitoral stimulation, an external, handheld vibrator is a good direction,” she suggests. “If you enjoy penetration, an internal toy might delight.” Some people also enjoy toys that stimulate the anus or perineum (that’s the area between a person’s anus and their vagina or penis)
What types of sex toys are best for beginners?
Vibrators
This category includes a wide range of toys, but the idea is that they stimulate internal or external erogenous zones (or both!) by vibrating. Some vibrators, like bullet vibrators or suction vibrators, are designed to be used on the clitoris, nipples, perineum, or other external body parts. Others, like G-spot vibrators or anal vibrators, are meant to go inside your body and vibrate against your internal hotspots.
Anal Toys
These can be vibrating or non-vibrating toys that stimulate the nerve endings inside your anus. If you’re new to anal play, start with a smaller toy and use plenty of lube to avoid discomfort. “I love Uberlube, Good Clean Love, and Slippery Stuff,” shares Rosara Torrisi, PhD, a licensed clinical social worker and AASECT-certified sex therapist at the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy in Syosset, New York.
Dildos
Dildos are frequently phallic-shaped toys made of silicone, glass, or metal. They’re usually used for vaginal or anal penetration and some of them can be worn with a harness if you want to use it as a strap-on. Some dildos have detailing to make them look more like penises, while others don’t. These tend to be non-vibrating toys, though vibrating dildos are definitely a thing.
Cock Rings
These toys typically go around the base of the penis (and sometimes they also have a loop to go around the testicles). They gently restrict blood from leaving the penis, which can lead to longer, harder erections and more intense orgasms. Some cock rings also have a built-in vibrator to provide more stimulation against a partner’s body during sex.