Our vibrator buying guide for beginners: How to choose a sex toy

Own your journey , embrace your power, and indulge in self-care like never before. The We-Vibe Rave 2 is app-controlled, which means you — and mostly importantly, your partner — controls the fun from a smart device. It has 10 built-in modes, but with the app you can custom the vibration patterns and control the device from anywhere. Perfect if one of you is away but you want to keep the bedroom fun going. Adding to that discreet factor is the Supersex’s ultra-quiet yet powerful vibration, and a compact frame that’s fully waterproof for fun shower play. There’s no one-size-fits-all beginner vibrator, because vibrators do all kinds of different things and all of our tastes are different.

If you feel like orgasms always elude you, then you may be experiencing anorgasmia — or simply put, a lack of orgasms. Anorgasmia can be caused my oodles of things, from stress and a history of trauma to reduced nerve response and you or your partners simply not knowing how to help you reach orgasm. There are nights where you’re happy to be up until dawn and then there are the nights where you’re asking yourself “how the hell did I get here? ” If you find yourself in that second group more often than not, you might experience insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by the inability to fall (or stay) asleep. Although testers loved the packaging and included storage bag, some were slightly taken aback by the size of this vibrator.

Since the sex toy industry is unregulated, unsafe and irritating materials unfortunately run rampant. You’ll want to look for materials that are non-porous and free of phthalates (a toxic plasticizer found in some sex toys). For vibrators, usually this means silicone and ABS plastic, although some other body-safe sex toy materials include glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and properly sealed wood.

Whether you prefer a gentle buzz or a more intense pulsation, you’re in control. This customization is key for finding the perfect vibration to soothe aching muscles or relieve stress. With 16 pre-set modes and the ability to create your own custom vibrations, this app provides a personalized relaxation experience.

This rabbit vibrator has an adjustable external arm that moves with you for clitoral stimulation while the curved shaft of the internal arm stimulates the G-spot. Both arms can be controlled independently so you can enjoy different speeds and vibration modes. There is also an app so you can hook up multiple toys and your partner can operate no matter how far away they are. Not all wand vibrators are created equal vibrator, according to Stephanie Hack, MD, founder of women’s health platform, Lady Parts Doctor, who has a list of criteria your sex toys should meet before you shell out your hard-earned cash.

If you’ve ever masturbated or had sex, think about what really gets you going. “For anyone who enjoys backdoor play, it’s hard to beat glass butt plugs,” Trip Richards, a sex educator and porn performer, says. The looped handle on this one makes it much easier to insert and remove, even with lubed fingers, and the plug itself is shaped perfectly to nestle into the prostate. The battery lasts for a long time, and it seems to charge pretty fast.

Its rotation function swirls textured beads over your G-spot, while its flexible bunny ears flutter on your clit. It lacks the fancy bells and whistles of some pricier rabbits, but it’s a solid, satisfying pick, not to mention a cool sex toy history throwback. Your choice of a tongue vibrator should be informed by research ensuring its safety and quality and the specifications you think would best suit your desires, like intensity range, aesthetic, and versatility. “With any device, make sure the materials used are body-safe,” says Dr. Nolan. “Consider how you might want to use the device—in the shower, in bed, or on your couch,” Dr. Hauser suggests looking for external and internally stimulating toys if you’re looking to achieve blended orgasms. Sex is great as-is, but wouldn’t it be even better with a side order of vibration?

With more options, you’re less likely to get bored or give up if your first trial option doesn’t quite hit your spots. “For instance, get a silicone vibrator, a clit-sucking wand and a rose toy that mimics the licking motion,” Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn says. Adding sex toys into your self-care routine comes with myriad benefits, explains Dr. Hack.

We also asked about different ways to use the various styles of vibrators, and what to look for when shopping for one. Then we scoured the massive pool of vibrator options (and read tons of reviews) to find the ones that hit a variety of pleasure points, and that can be used alone or as a couple. This vibrator is a good option for anal exploration because of its unique, slim shape, which allows it to be used as a vibrator for vulvas as well as anal play. Users also love that it’s smooth, silky to the touch, and very easy to clean. Don’t let the size of this vibrator fool you — it packs a punch, with six different vibration patterns. And it’s just about silent, making it as discreet as can be in every way.

It comes with a one-year warranty, plus a 10-year guarantee that allows you to purchase a replacement model for 50% of the original price should your toy break in the decade following the initial year of coverage. With eight vibration settings, this stimulation can range from gentle to extremely intense, and a little goes a long way. It’s also a good toy to use in tandem with penetrative intercourse—it is small and easy for either partner to hold and position. We found that it lasted three and a half hours at maximum speed, spread out over a series of 20-minute intervals; it may last longer at lower speeds. If it runs out of power, you can connect it to the removable AC cord and continue using it. Dealbreakers included poor-quality materials, a short battery life, a tendency to break easily, a lack of power, and a design that was awkward, inconvenient, or painful to use.