If your approach is more varied and sensitive

A Newcomers Guide to Masturbating with a Vibrator

Kate Sloan is a writer specializing in sex and kink, who has reviewed hundreds of sex toys in over a decade on the sex beat. She is the author of the books 101 Kinky Things Even You Can Do and 200 Words to Help You Talk About Sexuality & Gender, and cohosts the podcasts The Dildorks and Question Box. “This was the first grinding toy I tried and the one I’d recommend most for strap-on play vibrator,” Sparks says. This toy slips over the base of a dildo to provide a little extra padding and stimulation for the person wearing the harness during strap-on sex.

Introducing the best sex toys to bring into the bedroom this year… The best rabbits are also flexible, allowing them to hit the right spots regardless of how big or small the distance between your vagina and clitoris might be. I’m only one person, so you can’t know for sure that a rabbit which works for me will work for you, too, which is why I also reached out to several experts and asked about their favorites. Our final list ended up being everything ranging from from beginner-friendly rabbit vibes to complex, feature-packed ones. Marie also points out that some rabbit vibes address this problem by giving the clitoral arm a lot of flexibility, so it can stretch or bend to hit your clit no matter where it’s located in relation to your vaginal opening.

Heavy-handed strumming confirms that the Gold Label 814e is capable of being very loud. It also highlights a pronounced midrange that, for all the guitar’s string-to-string balance, can be a bully if you have a heavy touch. If your approach is more varied and sensitive, though, the extra volume becomes headroom and the midrange becomes a chrome shine set against a dusty desert patina. A light touch can still generate detailed, complex overtone pictures, while the high headroom accommodates and inspires high-contrast high-intensity counter phrasings. Say the word “vibrator,” and visions of a cylindrical, buzzing thing will undoubtedly come to mind. And while this dildo-like toy is what a lot of people are referring to when they talk about a vibrators, phallic objects really only comprise one branch of the larger vibrator tree in the diverse and beautiful garden of sex toys.

“Opt for body-safe materials like medical-grade silicone, which is hypoallergenic, non-porous, and easy to clean,” Dr. Hack says. She also advises shopping for a waterproof (or at the very least, splashproof vibe) as they’re easier to clean and the most versatile solo or partnered session. If you want to take the extra step to ensure in-water safety , keep an eye out for the toy’s IPX number—a grading system that measures water resistance on a scale of 1 to 8. What You Need To KnowThe flat head design is what gives this sex toy powerful internal stimulation power.

In fact, there’s everything right with using lots of lube, whether or not you get wet on your own. Using sex toys in particular might make you feel a little dryer, since their moving parts and motors can generate heat that lessens moisture. The skin of your clit is also very sensitive, and dry stimulation might irritate it or just not feel that great. A Lovehoney bestseller for a reason, Blowmotion’s warming masturbator understands that sticking your junk into a mysterious tube is infinitely more pleasurable when that tube is warm and inviting. The inside of this silicone stroker—which cuts a sleek, unassuming design on the exterior—can heat up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Touch X boasts a soft, rumbling sound for when you want to keep things quiet, and a straight-up buzz for when you couldn’t care less who hears you getting your vibe on. The compact Touch X fits in the palm of the hand and is praised for how soft it feels, its versatility as a great solo vibrator and how it’s designed to nestle between partners. One criticism users have is that the magnetic charger can be awkward to manage and comes with only the cord (not the charging block). This dual-stimulation suction toy boasts the brand’s best-selling rose suction toy head, but with an exciting addition – a shaft you can flip round and insert for G-spot stimulation.

Wrap your fingers around it, and send vibrations coursing through you and your partner. “Adding anything that can enhance your communication with your partner is helpful and can also improve intimacy. When we talk about what feels good, how to better please and try new things, we bond,” Wright says. When you’re in the mood for a vibration-less good time, consider a dildo, which will mimic an erect penis. This one is a reasonable size in length and girth, and it has a suction at the bottom that allows you to switch things up and bounce your way to orgasm. This mainstay of the sex toy world is still just as popular and effective as when it first launched back in the ’60s — and now it’s cordless. What material your vibrator is made out of affects how it physically feels, what kind of lube you can use with it, and how to clean it.

The controls are accessible and easy to use, and the long battery life won’t let you down. It’s on the larger side but if you’ve got space in your bedside drawer then we would recommend treating yourself to this one. While vibrations can feel good just about anywhere, you may want to prioritize rabbits with an internal arm that offers rotation, thrusting, or some other kind of motion.

If you’re looking to treat yourself in the bedroom there are millions of sex toys to choose from, but one of the greatest things about masturbating is you’re totally in control. Ensure that it’s wide, narrow, or long enough to align with the circumference of your clit, advises Stone. If you want to pair the panty vibe with tighter clothing, it’s best to avoid “bullet-vibe-lookin’ bulges,” says Queen. One of the biggest benefits of panty vibrators is their discretion and versatility.

“Wand vibrators are incredibly empowering and provide an opportunity for individuals to explore their bodies, understand their pleasure points, and gain confidence in their sexuality,” she says. Of course, adding sex toys into your relationships can be beneficial, too. For couples (or larger groups), “Introducing sex toys like wand vibrators can open up new avenues of intimacy and communication, exploring desires and preferences in a safe and enjoyable way,” Dr. Hack explains. Not to mention, she says sex toys can help folks who find it difficult to orgasm. If you’re into clitoral stimulation, try an external vibrator like a bullet or wand vibe.