The Beso Plus was our least favorite of the clitoral

Concrete Tools Rattle Stick EX bull float vibrator

The basic dildo is a penis-shaped toy that can be inserted into the vagina or anus. Some have suction bases that provide stability, some are double-ended, and some are designed to pair with strap-on harnesses for hands-free vaginal and anal penetration with a partner. Many strap-on sets are sold with dildos included, which is a cost-effective option for beginners looking to try both. Double-check that a dildo is anal-safe before you sit on it, as not all of them are. Anal toys include butt plugs, anal beads, prostate massagers, and some dildos.

While I would definitely opt for the Curvy 2+ as my number one draft pick, this one is gentle and the least aggressively vibrator-y looking vibrator I’ve ever owned. Also available in a Curvy 3+ generation, Curvy 2+ was easily my favorite of the three I tried out. It’s a pressure wave toy that also has a vibrating function — offering stimulation that ranges from buzzy and sweet to OMG WTF-intense. Size and shape are also important considerations, according to Epiphora, a sex toy reviewer who’s tried hundreds of toys in her more than fourteen years in the business. “Do your best to estimate the size and length of the shaft for your body, considering the full shaft must be inserted to achieve clitoral stimulation,” she says. A toy won’t be able to make contact with your clitoris if its shaft is too long for you to insert comfortably, so it may be best to err on the side of a shorter shaft, unless you know you love deep penetration.

Sure, there’s nothing as quiet as an analog dildo or good ol’ finger, but these toys come pretty close. Plus, if you have limited hand mobility for many reasons, these pleasure aids can be especially beneficial. There are plenty of reasons you might need to shop the best quiet vibrators.

“With permission, you can allow your lover to connect to your toy from anywhere in the world,” she says. Jess O’Reilly, PhD, a Toronto-based sexologist, says remote control sex toys are some of the most versatile vibrators on the market for their ability to facilitate playfulness. “Not only does a remote control vibe allow you to weave eroticism throughout your day, but it often inspires you to flirt, tease, build anticipation, and be more creative,” she says.

There’s no detail on the site how many intensities there are, but from use, it feels like four, from a hum to a roar. The pulsing mode goes from a slower start/stop to a rapid one the more you press the plus button. When you’re done with your session, you can sync the Lioness with its app (available for iOS and Android).

These two-in-one toys have the benefits of a girthy, and sometimes thrusting, shaft that’s combined with the pleasure of your favorite clit stimulators. If direct stimulation (or external stimulation overall) doesn’t get you off, don’t sweat. Below are a few sex toy alternatives that are guaranteed to tempt you with a good time. This aesthetically pleasing stroker comes recommended by Danielle Bezalel, a sex educator and the creator/host of the Sex Ed With DB podcast. “The Flex’s spiral-ribbed casing has created spinning stimulation viberator,” she explains. “Cover the air hole at the top of the item during use, and the Flex will wind and unwind, creating a spiraling movement!

Stimulating your clitoris is a gateway to mind-blowing orgasms, but there is no one method that fits all, and that’s crucial to remember before you invest in a vibrator. Necessity being the mother of invention, physicians began experimenting with mechanical substitutes for their hands. They tried a number of genital massage contraptions , among them water-driven gadgets (the forerunners of today’s shower massage devices), and pumping, steam-driven dildos. But the machines were cumbersome, messy, often unreliable, and sometimes dangerous. By the early 19th century, physician-assisted paroxysm was firmly entrenched in Europe and the U.S., and proved a financial godsend for many doctors.

Since the sex toy industry is unregulated, unsafe and irritating materials unfortunately run rampant. You’ll want to look for materials that are non-porous and free of phthalates (a toxic plasticizer found in some sex toys). For vibrators, usually this means silicone and ABS plastic, although some other body-safe sex toy materials include glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and properly sealed wood.

“Nearly all STIs are capable of being transmitted through sex toys, especially toys that are inserted into the body or make mucosal contact,” Susan Bard, a New York City-based dermatologist, affirmed. We loved the strong vibrations and easy-to-hold loop handle on the brand’s White Temptation but found the loaf-like shape to be awkward to use, preferring the tapered silhouette of the Purple Pleasure. The Beso Plus was our least favorite of the clitoral suction/G-spot dual-stimulator vibrators we’ve tried. Our tester found the “mouth” of the toy to be uncomfortably firm and irritating. If you wish to use a lubricant with your toy (as experts often recommend), keep in mind that only water-based lube is safe to use with all types of toys. Oil-based lubricants are not just unsafe for use with condoms but can also interact badly with toys made of soft plastic or rubber, causing the devices to disintegrate or to leach chemicals (PDF).