Our vibrator buying guide for beginners: How to choose a sex toy
The W500 model offers two different sized heads — because clitorises don’t come in one shape or size! — which is a nice upgrade but you’ve got to be willing to pay the price” (The Pleasure Chest, $220). No matter your tastes, there are many, many uses for remote-controlled sex toys — from hands-free solo play or partnered activities (up close or long distance). To start, I stripped to my silk skivvies, keeping them on as a buffer just in case the vibrations from the wand were too intense. When they weren’t, I threw my underwear to the floor and reached for some water-based lubricant in my night table.
In the best instances, the patch exposed to lube appeared slightly raised; in the worst cases, the lube completely removed the finish from the toy, causing it to become gummy, sticky, and blistered. The staff at Early to Bed replicated our test and found similar results. I received my master of public health degree in 2014 from Indiana University, where I assisted research scientist Debra Herbenick with academic and consumer research related to sex-toy use.
Made from soft silicone, it has five speeds and six patterns for users to enjoy, with most of our testers saying it helped them achieve a stronger orgasm more quickly. To find the top performers, our Good Housekeeping Institute testing panel of 123 women put a range of models to the test. While I easily had sex with my partner during the aforementioned play party, sitting on top of an intensely vibrating machine in front of people I didn’t know felt too exposed for me viberator, for some reason. However, the other people I’d seen trying it out always looked like they’d immensely enjoyed it. That’s why when the opportunity arose for me to try the Motorbunny Buck in my own home, I was stoked.
If you’re new to the party-for-one game, Alexandra Fine, sexologist and co-founder of Dame has a few pointers. “Imagine the sensations of all these different kinds of vibrators.” She adds that if the sensation sounds like something you would like, your body will tell you. “Launched earlier this year, OhMiBod’s Lovelife Rev was designed with accessibility in mind. Its ergonomic design and large button are easier to grip than most vibes.” The easy-to-grip ergonomic design means all of your attention can go to getting off.
Thanks to its warming effect, this slick toy left our panel feeling hot and steamy, in the best way. Able to heat up and cool down, it’s perfect for those who enjoy temperature play. The navy and silver design was described as “elegant” by our panel, and the smooth material felt lovely to hold and use.
“Honestly, the quietest toys are going to be marketed as quiet,” says Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationship psychotherapist and resident intimacy expert at dating app, 3Fun. “With that being said, you’re going to want to look for something smaller that has a smaller motor.” Engle explains that the smaller the motor, the quieter the toy. “You’re going to have better luck with palm, finger, and bullet vibrators. These toys are basically silent , which can be a great choice,” Engle adds. Wands are super versatile, with long handles and large heads that make them easy to use in different solo or partnered positions.
While in some cases, you get what you pay for, “there absolutely are sex toys for under $50 that are safe and well-made,” says Wright. Many of the budget-friendly options below are great for beginners, as luxury toys can have too many intimidating bells and whistles. It’s only about the size of a pinky (3.35 inches) and has 15 vibration patterns for a wide range of sensations.