Shopping for a sex toy can be a daunting experience—and finding the best sex toys among the rest, even more so. When you can find sex toys at retailers ranging from specialty boutiques to luxury retailers like Lelo to Amazon, it’s easy to feel spoiled for choice, if not lost as to what will actually feel stimulating, satisfying, and downright good.
Luckily, SELF has heard from numerous experts on the subject, and what these sexologists, sex educators, and sex therapists can all agree on is, simply, to put your pleasure at the forefront of your sex toy shopping experience.
If it’s your first time buying a sex toy, that means potentially experimenting with a few different toys before you find your magic wand, but that ultimately means you get to explore and come up with a clear idea what makes you feel good—which sounds like very fun research to us.
You may decide that you like a streamlined and discreet bullet vibrator. Or perhaps you’ll find an innovative wearable device with an advanced design that completely blows you away. Whatever strikes your fancy, be it a rabbit vibrator, anal plug, strap-on dildo, remote-control toy, clitoral stimulator, or a combination thereof, you’re sure to find a high-quality toy with a little help from industry experts.
Below, you’ll find our guides to the best sex toys, in several different but equally exciting categories, that you can buy now, plus a selection of expert-recommended examples of each.
Best Vibrators
Looking for a quality vibrator? From bullets to rabbits to G-spot-targeting toys, the world of vibrators is a vast and varied one. There’s undoubtedly a model out there to suit your preferences around size, intensity levels, number of vibration modes, and whether you plan to use your vibrator solo or with a partner. The Lelo Ina Wave and We-Vibe Touch both offer powerful vibration.
Best Clitoris Sex Toys
For targeted clitoral stimulation, some of the best clitoris sex toy options out there are clitoral vibrators or clitoral stimulators. The ones below operate using suction, mimicking the sensations of oral sex. That said, external vibrators like wands will get the job done (with gusto) too.
Best G-Spot Vibrators
When asked to describe the G-spot, which she refers to as the “G-zone,” sex educator Cassandra Corrado put it this way: “The G-zone is simply an area of tissue that some people find pleasurable, while others don’t.” A top-pick G-spot vibrator will target this area of tissue. The tissue swells and gets more sensitive when you’re aroused, and showing it a little extra attention, by applying vibration or pressure, or pulsing and thrusting against it, can feel great.
Best Strap-Ons
If you’ve never bought a strap-on or harness before, finding your best strap-on fit (for both the harness itself and the accompanying dildo) is key. You can look into beginner kits that offer options so you can test out different sizes or shop for harnesses that are adjustable. Besides fit, taking the preferences of everyone involved is important too. If you’re going to use the strap-on with a specific partner, bringing them along for the shopping process will ensure that you both find options that are comfortable and pleasurable for your sex life.
Best Finger Vibrators
You can look at these handy (pun intended) and versatile finger vibrator toys as an easy way to level up your standard manual masturbation session. “Finger vibrators are an amazing addition to solo sex because they allow you to use your hand as you normally would…while also providing vibration,” Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of Early to Bed, told SELF. They come in a variety of intensities and styles (some can be worn like rings, while others go right over your fingertip), and, like your own two hands, can go anywhere.
Best Wand Vibrators
Stalwart classics of the sex toy kingdom, wand vibrators tend to be powerful and capable of applying intense pressure with waves of vibrations over a relatively wide area. The top wand vibrators below come with vibration settings that are great for stimulating foreplay or a deep, resonant main event to reach your desired orgasm.
Best Butt Plugs
Anyone shopping for the best butt plug should remember to buy one with a flared base, and those who are shopping for one for the first time should consider going with a toy that’s on the smaller side. And while you’re shopping, add some good lube to your cart too. When it comes to anal play, “you can never have too much lube,” certified sex therapist and clinical psychologist Megan Fleming, Ph.D., told SELF.
Best Sex Toys for Couples
Whether you and your partner are looking for more intense orgasms or just want to try something new in the bedroom, there are plenty of sex toys for couples that will be a worthy addition to your playtime. There are wearable devices that clip into underwear, vibrating cock rings, bendable vibrators that stimulate the G-spot, and bullet models that you can use all over each other’s bodies. In other words, ignore any “couples” marketing and, instead, look for a toy that gets you both excited.
Best Remote Control Vibrators
When we talk about remote control vibrators, we’re really talking about two different kinds of toys, each with their own tantalizing experience. There are short-range remote-controlled vibes that you can use on your own or with a partner nearby, then there are app-enabled models that allow couples in long-distance relationships to tease each other from miles away. Both have a lot to offer—it all depends on how you’d like to play.
Related:
Source: SELF
