Our vibrator buying guide for beginners: How to choose a sex toy
“A clitoral panty vibe can be used against the vulva , along the perineum, around the nipples, across the balls, or up and down the shaft of a penis,” she says. However, if a toy is made specifically for external use, don’t try to insert it in any of your or your partner’s holes. Doing so could potentially lead to injury and a mood-killing trip to the hospital. Rabbits vibrators are generally more expensive than other sex toys because they are a two-in one device – offering both clitoral stimulation with the shorter external arm and a G-spot stimulation with the shaft. This rabbit vibrator from premium sex toy brand Lelo definitely fits into the super luxe category. With an ergonomic shape and five different vibration patterns, the Com is the perfect choice for those craving intense external clitoral stimulation.
For powerful external stimulation on not just your clitoris but all erogenous zones, this may be the toy for you. According to Javay Frye-Nekrasova, sex educator and pleasure expert at Lovehoney, these vibrators have large, bulbous wand heads that rumble for the right amount of intensely satisfying stimulation. This device’s strong vibrations can be used all over the body for direct stimulation, and they’re also popularly used as head-to-toe massagers for sore muscles.
“The We-Vibe Wand 2 is perfect for those who love intense, deep, rumbly vibes that diffuse across a wide surface area for a deeper, more full-bodied sensation,” she tells SELF. If a two-in-one doesn’t impress you, then certainly the three-in-one Vibrato Wand will. While this Playboy Pleasure product may look like a standard wand vibrator, it can also be used as a vibrating dildo or a G-spot massager. The two ends are powered by separate motors, and the handle also twirls to create that come-hither motion that’s so well-suited for G-spot stimulation. Some handles are ABS plastic, which is a hard, nonporous material that’s also safe to use against the skin and also weighs less than other materials (a nice perk), Dr. Litner says. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the market for your first vibe or your 10th—with so many shapes and sizes out there, finding the right one can be tricky (not to mention time consuming).
To figure out which one to buy, take a moment to consider what kind of pleasure you enjoy, as well as what kind of play you’d be interested in exploring. From there, peruse the different types of vibrators to determine which toy genre best fits your wants and needs. There might be an obvious winner, or a few toys you’re tempted to try. And it’s really no problem if you find yourself in the latter category—after all, you can always buy more than one. This Kandi Kisses lipstick-shaped vibrator looks just like your average tube of lipstick but is actually a secret toy with three adjustable settings. So sneaky you can throw it in your purse, just don’t confuse it with your actual makeup.
The Playboy Pleasure Vibrato is currently one of the few sex toys I haven’t tucked away in storage, as I can use it externally or internally, solo or with my partner. Check out our vibrators buying guide to help you find your perfect bedroom companion. It includes the best bullet vibrators, the best rabbit vibrators, the best G-spot vibrators, the best clitoral suction toys and more.
As SELF previously reported, sex toys can pass along STIs, so safer sex practices apply here. If you’re using a sex toy with someone outside of a sexually monogamous partnership, put a condom over your toy. Condoms are also key if you want to use a toy for both vaginal and anal stimulation (which you can do as long as the toy is safe for anal, a.k.a. it has a flared base). With that being said, each clit is as unique as a snowflake and should be treated as such, according to Lexington, Kentucky-based marriage and family therapist Juliana Hauser, PhD. “Discover if your glans (clitoral tip) likes light vibration or a stronger speed,” she says.
While it may look a little intimidating, it’s all for a good reason; it’s been ergonomically designed to stimulate the G-spot and clitoris simultaneously, with 12 intensity levels. Similar to the BumpHer above, this is a silicone pad that can be used to cushion the impact of strap-on sex and also works well as a standalone grinder pad. However, this one was developed specifically to be useable even when you’re dealing with vulva pain, whether from a chronic illness like vulvodynia, from an acute condition like bacterial vaginosis, or recovering from childbirth.
Its slim profile is ideal for pinpoint stimulation of the clitoris or nipples, and its metal construction means you can play with heating it up or cooling it down for some sexy temperature play viberators, too. It’s rare to find a bullet vibe that’s made to be used internally, but this one is, which makes it a standout in my collection. It’s got a small curve to hit the G-spot when inserted vaginally, but that same curve also makes it useful for applying targeted pressure to different parts of the clitoris. The motor is thrillingly rumbly, too, meaning it’s less likely to cause the numb or itchy feeling that some buzzier (i.e. higher-pitched) vibrations can cause. Doctors or midwives applied vegetable oil to women’s genitals and then massaged them with one or two fingers inside and the heel of the hand pressing against the clitoris. With this type of massage, women had orgasms and experienced sudden, dramatic relief from hysteria.
The Lelo LYLA 2 is a bullet vibrator that comes with a wireless remote. It’s pretty much the Cadillac of bullet vibrators if you’re into that sort of thing. This vibrating prostate massager is specifically designed to provide targeted stimulation to the prostate and perineum, giving you all the sensations you need to reach new heights of pleasure.
Shannon also appreciates that it’s waterproof and can get the job done. “I like that it’s battery operated because if it dies, you just pop new batteries in and you’re ready to go,” she adds. This banana-inspired toy was my first-ever clitoral vibrator—and, after a decade of testing and reviewing other vibes, it remains in my regular rotation. While the Sunshine Vibrator is marketed as a G-spot vibrator, I’ve found that it’s just as pleasurable and easy to use on my clit.