There are so many types of sex toys on the market that it can feel hard to know where to start. Whether you want to buy your very first toy or add to your collection, how do you know what to buy and what will work for you?
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common types of sex toys for women to help you make an informed choice.
A Note on Materials
Sex toys can be made of many different materials, which all have different properties, benefits, and drawbacks. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common materials you’ll see and the main things you need to know about them.
- Jelly: soft, squishy, translucent. Porous and can sometimes contain phthalates. Using a barrier like a condom is recommended. Jelly is popular because it is cheaper than many other materials.
- Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) & Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR): Non-toxic materials that are soft, pliable, and relatively affordable. Most “skin-like” materials are made from these. They are porous.
- ABS plastic: Hard plastic which is non-porous, body-friendly, and easy to clean. The most affordable non-porous material.
- Glass: Annealed or borosilicate (“Pyrex”) glass is surprisingly hardy and won’t break in use unless you drop it on a hard floor. It is also relatively cheap, great for those who enjoy intense sensations, and conducts different temperatures.
- Stainless steel: Heavy, conductive, and luxurious, stainless steel is beloved by fans of seriously intense sensations. It is hygienic and hardy enough to last a lifetime, but comes with the price tag to match.
- Silicone: The material of choice for many luxury dildos and vibrators, silicone is non-porous, non-toxic, and easy to clean. It’s also soft, velvety, and feels absolutely amazing against the skin. A good quality silicone toy will last years.
Less common sex toy materials include treated wood and ceramic. Always do your research before buying a toy. And, if in doubt, you can always use a condom or barrier to protect your body and help make your toy last longer.
Bullet Vibrators
Bullets are small vibrators designed for stimulation of the clitoris and other external pleasure spots. They are usually shaped like a bullet (hence the name) or similarly to a lipstick. Bullet vibrators are small and discreet enough to take with you anywhere, but can still pack a serious punch in the power department.
When you buy your first vibrator, we recommend starting with a bullet. They are also a great pick if you’re looking for something to use during sex with a partner, because they are small and unobtrusive enough to slide between your bodies for some extra clitoral pleasure.
Our top bullet vibe picks:
Wand Vibrators
Wands are large, heavy, and super-powerful vibrators originally designed as all-over body massagers. Many wand vibrators plug straight into the wall.
If it’s power you want, a wand vibrator is the only way to go. They provide super-intense, all-over stimulation. You can also get numerous wand attachments, allowing you to use your vibe in lots of different ways.
Bonus: if you feel stressed, your wand will do wonders for those sore back muscles.
Our top wand picks:
Vibratex (Hitachi) Magic Wand Original
G-spot Vibrators
The G-spot is located two to three inches inside the vagina on the front wall. For many women, it is their ultimate internal hot spot.
G-spot vibrators deliver concentrated and targeted stimulation directly to this magic button. They are sometimes straight but more often curved to allow you to angle them exactly right, with the vibrations concentrated in the head.
The advantage of G-spot vibrators is that you can also repurpose them for clitoral pleasure, if you wish. Or keep the vibrations turned off and use them as you would a dildo. A truly versatile option!
Our top G-spot vibrator picks:
Rabbit Vibrators
Rabbit vibrators stimulate the G-spot and clitoris at the same time. They have a long arm that sits inside the vagina, and an external section (sometimes shaped like a pair of bunny ears) that vibrates and tickles the clit. Some rabbit vibes allow you to control the two sections separately.
If you enjoy dual stimulation or want the blended clitoral and G-spot orgasm, a rabbit vibrator is the toy for you.
Our top rabbit picks:
Fifty Shades of Grey Greedy Girl
Love Egg Vibrators
A love egg or egg vibrator sits inside the vagina and vibrates. They are popular with people who enjoy discreet stimulation in public or throughout the day, and they are often remote-controlled. If you want to hand the controls to your partner and let them tease you all day long, try an egg vibrator. Of course, they can also be used for external pleasure.
Our top love egg picks:
Clit Suckers
Clit suckers or suction toys were first popularized by Womanizer but are now made by many different companies. They feature a nozzle which surrounds your clitoris and deliver stimulation via rapid pulses of air.
Many women say that clit suckers give them an entirely different kind of orgasm, one more intense than any other. Since they do not touch the clitoris directly, they are also less likely to leave you feeling numb than a traditional vibrator.
If you tried vibrators in the past but you want something different, a clit sucker will rock your world in an all new way.
Our top clit sucker picks:
Realistic Dildos
Realistic dildos look and feel like a real penis. Made of skin-like material, they are shaped, contoured, and textured just like the real thing. If you want to feel like you’re having sex with a partner when you pleasure yourself, then a realistic dildo is the best way to fulfill that fantasy.
Realistic dildos are available in different sizes and skin-tones, so you can always find your perfect lover. Many come with suction cups so you can affix them to a surface and play hands-free.
Our top realistic dildo picks:
Non-Realistic Dildos
Non-realistic dildos offer you the sensation of being filled up, but do not look like a real penis. These dildos can be brightly colored, abstract in design, or made from non-realistic materials such as glass or stainless steel. They come in many different sizes, styles, and textures.
Our top non-realistic dildo picks:
Addiction Justin Rainbow Dildo
Double-Ended Dildos
Double-ended dildos have two ends that you can use to penetrate. They are particularly popular with female-female couples as they allow both partners to share the same toy. Long and flexible double-ended dildos can also be used by individuals who enjoy double penetration (such as vaginal-anal).
Our top double-ended dildo picks:
Classix Bendable Double Whammy
Kegel Balls
Kegel balls are sometimes also known as Ben Wa Balls. They sit inside the vagina and stimulate you as you move around. They often contain weights or moving balls that you can feel. Some people enjoy wearing them throughout the day, or popping them in for an hour or two before sex as a form of foreplay.
Kegel balls have a dual purpose. They feel amazing when you’re wearing them, but they also tighten and tone your pelvic floor (kegel) muscles. This can help you to achieve better, stronger, and easier climaxes in the future. Win-win!
Our top kegel ball picks:
Fifty Shades of Grey Goddess Pleasure Balls
Master Series Magnetic Metal Kegel Balls
Butt Plugs
Anal sex toys are most often sold to men, but they can be just as amazing for women. Your butt is full of sensitive nerve-endings and can be a serious erogenous zone for many people.
Because things can get sucked into your butt and get stuck, you must only use toys with a large handle or flared base. Butt plugs are designed to sit inside you and stimulate your backdoor while you have sex, masturbate, or just go about your day.
Butt plugs can be made of many different materials, and come in a range of different sizes. For anal play newbies, we always recommend starting small. You can also buy decorative plugs with adornments such as jeweled bases or even super-cute animal tails.
Our top butt plug picks:
Frisky Pleasure Plug Set with Gems
Sex Machines
The ultimate in solo sex toys, sex machines are high-tech mechanical devices designed to stimulate sex with a partner.
The most common sex machine types are f*cking machines (which use a dildo to thrust into you as a partner would,) and ride-on machines which can provide intense external stimulation or be used with attachments such as dildos. Sex machines are usually freestanding, but there are also handheld versions.
Sex machines tend to be large and expensive compared to other sex toy types. But if you’re looking for the next best thing to getting it on with a partner, there really is no comparison!
Our top sex machine picks:
Kink Fucking Machines Power Banger
What Are You Waiting For?
We’ve got all these amazing products and so many more in our online adult store. Are you ready to dive in and start shopping?
Do you have a favorite type of sex toy? Is there one you really want to try but haven’t yet? Comment below and let us know!
