Sex toys are great. Whether you’re using them on your own or with a partner, sex toys offer an easy, exciting route filled with stimulation sensations on the way to a more fulfilling orgasm. Of course, like most things in the world of sex, there are plenty of options; in fact, there are so many options that they can easily overwhelm you when you’re first starting out! To make matters even more complicated, different people get stimulated more or less by different things, which means that a toy your friend recommends might not work for you. While we aren’t going to be recommending any specific products within this article (after all, which toys are the best sex toys depends entirely on who you ask!), we will mention a few brands worth checking out. Are you ready to learn a bit more about sex toys? Keep reading!
For the Men
Most men start masturbating when they’re relatively young, using their hand(s) to stimulate the penis until orgasm. As such, it should come as no surprise that the majority of male sex toys are designed specifically to stimulate the penis! There are many different types of male sex toys, but here are the types that we recommend looking into as your first sex toy.
Strokers
These toys are also referred to as “Fleshlights”, although that’s usually incorrect (Fleshlight is actually a specific brand of stroker). Most strokers are reusable, but some—such as the TENGA Egg series—are single-use disposable models. The idea is pretty simple: you stick your penis inside of the stroker and use the stroker to stimulate yourself to orgasm. Exterior designs vary widely, with some being based on vaginas, some on the anus, and some with no specific orifice in mind. The same is also true inside of the stroker. Whereas some toys are actually molded from a real vagina or anus, others are simply textured for improved stimulation. Your stroker may come with a case (think of a Fleshlight case) or without a case. Either way, you’ll need to find a place to store it since these toys can get dirty quite quickly if you just leave them lying around. They might be a bit more expensive than the competition, but we recommend choosing a product from Fleshlight if you decide to go with a stroker since they are made from high-quality materials and offer many different models for you to choose from. Alternatively, if you just want to try one out (but aren’t ready to commit quite yet), TENGA has many different disposable strokers for sale.
Sex Dolls
Sex dolls are a bit of a jump from strokers, but since they are pretty common, we decided to include them anyway. While the idea of a sex doll may have you thinking of a full-sized blow-up doll, there are many more options available today than those comical inflatables of the past. Most modern dolls are made from either TPE or silicone, and both of these materials look (and feel) much more like the real thing. Of course, a sex doll is going to cost more than a stroker due to its larger size, but there are many mini or torso (partial) dolls available that you can purchase if you’d like to start with a doll instead of a stroker. If you decide you’d like to take this route, one of the sex toy brands worth checking out is THRUST. They have many different models available at varying prices, so you’ll easily be able to find one that’s right for you.
For the Women
When it comes to female toys, dildos are usually the first thing that comes to mind. While dildos definitely make up a large portion of the female sex toys on the market, clitoral stimulation is important as well! With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few types of beginner toys.
Vibrators
When it comes to clitoral stimulation, vibrators reign supreme! You might think that these orgasm-inducing devices would come at a high cost, but that’s thankfully not always the case. Vibrators come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, with the smaller models being called “bullet vibrators”. Although not as intense as the larger models, the small toys allow you to pinpoint your pleasure exactly where you want it, and can easily be hidden away after use. Larger models have bigger motors that produce more intense vibrations, but they also take up more space and can be a bit loud depending on the model. We recommend looking at WeVibe or Lelo for small and mid-sized vibrators. However, if you don’t mind having a large vibrator, then the Hitachi Magic Wand is your best option.
Dildos
Think of these toys as your own personal penis. Just like the real thing, you can find big ones, small ones, wide ones, thin ones, and essentially whatever size or shape that you’re looking for. Fortunately, since the design of these sex toys is fairly simple, the prices are also quite low (although you can certainly spend more for a premium dildo if your heart so desires!). Some dildos aim to look like an actual penis, whereas others prioritize effectiveness over aesthetics. If you head over to Lovehoney, you can check out the wide selection of dildos they have for sale. In addition to their own line of dildos, they also sell dildos from some of the best sex toy brands on their website. Chances are, you’ll probably end up buying more than one in the long run, so we recommend trying something tried-and-true for your first dildo. You can buy something with more length and girth later on!
For Everyone
The anus is an underutilized gateway to more fulfilling orgasms. Men can stimulate their prostate using anal toys and women can enjoy better sex (along with a variety of other benefits!). There are many different types of anal sex toys available today, but the main three types are butt plugs, anal beads, and prostate massagers. Let’s take a closer look at these.
- Butt plugs are plugs that are inserted into the anus and designed to provide internal pleasures once seated. These toys can be used during intercourse, masturbation, and some people even enjoy wearing them as they go about their daily activities. Using butt plugs is a great way to get into anal play since these tend to be smaller (and therefore easier to insert) than other anal toys.
- Anal beads are beads designed to be inserted and then removed from the anus, providing pleasure both ways they’re directed. Although you certainly can leave them inside of your anus for a period of time, these toys will provide the most stimulation when they’re being pulled out.
- Prostate massagers are toys that are inserted inside of the anus and provide direct stimulation to the prostate. Depending on the model, the massager might provide additional stimulation to the perineum, which stimulates the prostate externally. We recommend checking out the company Aneros, which offers a wide variety of both vibrating and non-vibrating prostate massagers ranging from affordable to premium prices.
Make Your First Purchase A Smart One
We certainly didn’t cover everything there is to know about sex toys (that’s far too much for one article!) but hopefully, we’ve at least educated you about a few of the different types of toys and helped you make a decision on which one(s) to try first. It’s always a good idea to do a bit more research before making your first purchase, but it’s important to remember that where you buy from is just as important as what you buy. Sex toys are made from a variety of different materials, but they’re not regulated like other industries, so it’s important to make sure your new toy is made from body-safe materials. While it’s impossible to know exactly what your new toy is made from, purchasing from a reputable sex shop (not Amazon or eBay) will help you find the best sex toys that are safe to use long-term. With that in mind, we’ll let you get shopping: enjoy the hunt & enjoy your new sex toy!
