Your Guide to the Main Types of Adult Toys

 

 

There are ~ almost ~ as many sex toy designs as there are sex positions; Trying to pick one that suits your preferences can be more difficult than finishing your first CrossFit WOD. But most can be relegated to specific categories. To our rescue, sex and relationships educator Sarah Sloane (who has been teaching sex toy classes at Good Vibrations and Pleasure Chest since 2001) discusses 12 of the most common types of sex toys with information on the benefits and best practices of use for each. (Related: I've tried over 100 vibrators, and my favorite look is like a banana)

Wand vibrators

Vibrators are probably the most common type of sex toy, and when you hear the word, you are likely to visualize the infamous Hitachi Magic Wand, which (as the name suggests) is a wand vibration. (Fun fact: it was introduced in the '70s as the "Cadillac of vibrators").

"Wand vibrators or vibrating eggs typically deliver vibrations at higher RPMs, so they are more intense than other vibrations," says Sloane. "They work very well for people with vulvas or penises who enjoy a strong sensation or who have a hard time becoming fully aroused without intense stimulation."

Wand vibrations can also be used to apply stimulation to non-inferior regions; They work as back and shoulder massagers, a ~ teasing tool ~ for tracking someone's body, or a very intense nipple toy, Sloane says.

Clitoral vibrators

According to Sloane, clitoral vibrations have emerged as their own category. They are usually much smaller, less phallic in shape, and specifically designed for (yes) the clitoris. "They are best for people who like direct clitoral stimulation," she says.

That being said, there are a variety of shapes and sizes under the clitoral vibration umbrella. For example, Dame's Eva II has wings that wrap around the lips so that bzzzbzzz is applied directly to your bud, while Jimmyjane's Form 2 has little "ears" that can wrap around your button with pleasure with adult toys. Or you can go with a simpler bullet vibe like We-Vibe Tango that looks (obviously) like a bullet. There are also clitoral vibrator sex toys that look like everyday objects like lipstick and / or a necklace - fun!

 

Clitoris Sucking Toys

True to her name, clitoral suction toys use air pressure to create gentle suction. "They're a very, very different sensation than vibrators; people who really love oral sex or the sensation of a partner curling their tongues around the clitoris and people who find vibration patterns too intense tend to like them," says Sloane.

Tip: If you are trying a clitoral sucking toy because your clitoris is ultra-sensitive, first use it over your panties to warm up, then apply a little lube to the tip of the toy. "Super-sensitive clits typically need more warming than going from zero to a suction toy or adult sex toys," says Sloane. Makes sense.

 

Dildos

ICYWW, dildos qualify as dildos if they have "any vaguely phallic shape that simulates penis penetration," she says. They can be of any length or thickness; some are two inches long and some are the size of a monster. "She says that people who enjoy the feeling of being penetrated or like the feeling of fullness in the vagina or anus can enjoy dildo play.

Note: While dildos are intended to simulate penis penetration, that does not mean that all dildos look like realistic penises. In fact, most don't, there are even some who like icicles, tentacles, or candy canes. (That being said, if you're looking for a realistic dildo, no one does it better than New York Toy Collective.)

Butt plugs

Anal plugs are great for experimenting with anal play. "They can teach your body to accept anal penetration and train your sphincter to relax around toys of different sizes," Sloane explains. But, lest you think that anal plugs are * just * a stepping stone to full-blown anal sex toy, she says, "they are amazing for stimulating the ring of nerves around the anus."

What is the difference between wearing a butt plug and using a butt dildo? "I tell people that dildos are more dynamic and designed to go in and out, whereas butt plugs tend to go in and out to give a sustained feeling of fullness," Sloane explains. Additionally, anal plugs have a flared base, which means that they can be used safely without being attached to something like a harness. (See more about why anal plugs need a flared base here.)

 

G-Spot Toys

Thanks to their slight curve or expertly placed bulge, G-spot toys make it easy to apply firm pressure to the G-spot (which, yes, there is). For her first G-spot toy purchase, Sloane recommends what she calls an egg toy on a stick. "They are great toys to start with because they can be used internally and externally, to play with the G-spot or the A-spot, and they are usually quite inexpensive." She recommends the G Slim Classic from Blush Novelties (which costs less than $ 10!), Or the Frisky from Doc Johnson (which costs less than $ 15).