Jump to: Types of sex toys | How to choose | Top picks by category | Beginner advice | Cleaning & care | FAQ
What Kind of Sex Toy Are You Looking For?
Six categories cover most of what's out there. Knowing which one matches your interests saves a wasted purchase.
External Vibrators and Clitoral Stimulators
These stay outside the body and target the clitoris. The range runs from compact bullet vibrators - small, precise, and good for partnered use - to suction-style toys that use air pulses rather than direct contact, and broad wand vibrators for intense, diffuse stimulation. If you're not sure whether you enjoy penetration, start here. External toys give you the most useful information about your preferences with the lowest financial risk.
Dildos and G-Spot Vibrators
Dildos come in vibrating and non-vibrating forms. Material quality and fit matter more than shape. G-spot vibrators add a curved tip for anterior vaginal wall stimulation; a firm shaft is more useful here than a very soft one.
Rabbit Vibrators (Dual Stimulation)
The rabbit vibrator stimulates internally and clitorally at the same time. The catch most guides skip: the distance between the vaginal opening and the clitoris varies significantly between people, and a rabbit that doesn't fit your anatomy won't deliver. Look for a flexible or adjustable external arm, and take user reviews seriously on this point specifically.
Couples' Toys
Wearable vibrators sit inside the vagina during penetrative sex to stimulate the clitoris; vibrating cock rings sit at the base of the penis to benefit both partners. App-controlled toys work well for long-distance use. Getting a wearable to stay in position takes trial and error. Couples interested in restraint and sensation play will find BDSM accessories a natural next step.
Anal Toys
One non-negotiable: every anal toy must have a flared base or retrieval cord - the canal has no natural stopping point, and toys without one can require medical retrieval. A graduated starter set is the most sensible first approach. Lubricant is not optional here; the canal doesn't self-lubricate.
Toys for Penis-Owners
An underserved category. Masturbators and strokers vary widely in texture and quality. Vibrating cock rings work solo or with a partner. Prostate massagers - curved, sized for anal use - are one of the most effective options available and remain underused mainly because fewer people know about them.
How to Choose a Sex Toy: What Actually Matters
What Kind of Touch Do You Prefer?
Think about what you already know feels good: external pressure or penetration? Broad stimulation or pinpoint focus? If you don't have a clear answer, start external - it's the lower-risk choice and gives useful information before you invest in something more complex.
Body-Safe Materials: What the Label Doesn't Always Tell You
The materials a toy is made from matter more than most buyers realise. The safest options are medical-grade silicone, ABS plastic, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel. All four are non-porous, meaning bacteria and mould can't colonise the surface even with regular use.
Materials like TPE, rubber, and anything described as "cyberskin" or "realistic skin" are porous. They can be cleaned but cannot be fully sterilised. A toy labelled "phthalate-free" is a step in the right direction, but that label alone doesn't make a material non-porous. A useful rule of thumb: if a toy has a strong chemical smell straight out of the packaging, that odour is the material off-gassing. The range of body-safe silicone vibrators demonstrates what a clean, quality material should feel like - no chemical odour, smooth finish, firm but not rigid. For further guidance on sexual health and product safety, the NHS sexual health pages are a reliable starting point.
Budget: Where Your Money Actually Makes a Difference
Under £40 is a workable starting point, particularly for bullet vibrators and simple external stimulators. Expect lower motor quality and fewer rechargeable options at this price - fine for exploring, less so for long-term use.
The £40–£100 range is where most people find the best value: rechargeable batteries, better silicone quality, and real warranties all become standard. Above £100, you're paying for genuine frequency adjustability and superior motor design - worth it if you already know your preferences, not the place to start otherwise.
Noise and Waterproofing
Wand vibrators tend to be the loudest category; bullet and suction toys vary widely. Some brands publish decibel ratings - worth checking if you share walls or travel frequently. On waterproofing: IPX7 (safe for submersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes) and splash-proof are not the same thing. If bath or shower use matters to you, look specifically for IPX7, not just "water-resistant."
Best Sex Toys by Category
Best Bullet Vibrator
The bullet vibrator is the most versatile category in the entire market. A good one - rechargeable, with a silicone or ABS casing and at least 10 vibration settings - works solo, works with a partner, and is compact enough to use hands-free during penetrative sex. The gap between a cheap battery-powered bullet and a quality rechargeable one is immediately noticeable: better motors feel rumbly rather than buzzy, and that difference matters over time. Price range: £25–£60. Browse mini and bullet vibrators to compare current options.
Best Suction / Air-Pulse Toy
Suction toys use air pulses around - not on - the clitoris to create a sensation that's closer to oral sex than vibration. For anyone who finds direct vibration too intense or who tends to go numb quickly, this category is worth trying specifically. The key variable is nozzle size and anatomy: the nozzle needs to seal around the clitoris to work. Check whether a brand offers multiple nozzle sizes, or look for user reviews that mention anatomy fit. A quality clitoral suction stimulator in medical-grade silicone is one of the most reliably effective options in this price range. Price range: £45–£120.
Best G-Spot Vibrator
A G-spot vibrator needs a firm shaft and a tip curved at roughly 30–45 degrees. Overly soft silicone makes directed internal stimulation harder in practice. Independent motor controls for internal and external vibration are worth the extra cost when you find them. Price range: £35–£100.
Best Dildo
For a dildo, material is everything. Non-vibrating silicone, glass, or steel dildos are fully sterilisable and honestly underrated - nothing to break down mechanically. Glass and steel also respond to temperature for a different kind of sensation. A suction cup base adds hands-free versatility. Read reviews from people with similar anatomy before buying any specific shape. Price range: £20–£80.
Best Toy for Penis-Owners
The masturbation cup category has improved considerably. Look for body-safe materials, detailed internal textures, and something easy to clean. A vibrating cock ring is a lower-cost entry point that also works during partnered sex. For prostate stimulation, a purpose-built prostate massager - curved and sized for anal use - is a different category entirely and one of the most effective options available to penis-owners. Price range: £20–£90.
Best Anal Toy for Beginners
Start smaller than you think you need to. A silicone anal plug under 3cm in diameter, smooth-tipped, with a flared base - that's the template. Silicone is the best material choice here: non-porous, soft, and easy to sterilise. Use a thick, long-lasting lubricant (not silicone-based with silicone toys). The experience should feel like gentle pressure, not discomfort. If it hurts, stop. Price range: £15–£50. A beginner-specific anal toy with the right proportions makes the learning curve considerably more comfortable.
If You've Never Bought a Sex Toy Before
The most common mistake is going straight to penetrative toys before knowing whether you enjoy internal stimulation. Start external - it builds useful context without the financial risk.
Three solid first purchases:
- A rechargeable bullet vibrator - versatile, low cost, immediate feedback
- A suction toy - if you want to try a completely different kind of sensation
- A small non-vibrating dildo - if you know you want internal but don't want motor complexity
Two things people forget: lubricant improves almost every type of experience, and it must be water-based with silicone toys - silicone-based lubricant degrades silicone surfaces. Buy from a retailer with a real returns policy; specialist silicone toy suppliers, Lovehoney, and Ann Summers all offer discreet packaging as standard.
How to Clean and Store Your Sex Toys
How you clean a toy depends on what it's made of:
- Non-motorised silicone: Boil for 3 minutes, run through the dishwasher (top rack, no detergent), or use a 10:1 water-to-bleach solution, rinse thoroughly.
- Motorised silicone (IPX7-rated): Wash with mild unscented soap and warm water. Don't submerge anything that isn't rated for it.
- ABS plastic: Soap and warm water or a dedicated toy cleaner. Non-porous, so straightforward.
- Glass and stainless steel: Soap and water, toy cleaner, or boil if non-motorised.
- TPE/rubber: Soap and water only. Cannot be fully sterilised - using a condom over porous toys reduces bacterial transfer.
Store toys in individual pouches rather than loose together - some silicone formulations can react in contact with each other over time. Remove batteries before long storage. Replace a toy if you notice surface cracking, a new chemical smell, or a significantly weaker motor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sex toy for beginners?
A rechargeable bullet vibrator or suction-style clitoral stimulator for anyone with a vulva - low-commitment, easy to use, and quick to tell you what kind of stimulation you enjoy. For penis-owners, a quality masturbator or vibrating cock ring are good first options.
How do I know if a sex toy is body safe?
Look for medical-grade silicone, ABS plastic, borosilicate glass, or stainless steel. Avoid vague descriptions like "body-friendly rubber" - these typically indicate porous materials. A strong chemical smell straight out of the packaging is a warning sign.
What does IPX7 mean?
The toy can be submerged in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes without damage - safe in the bath or shower. IPX4 means splash-resistant only. "Water-resistant" in marketing copy has no standardised meaning; check for IPX7 specifically if submersion matters to you.
Do I need lubricant with a sex toy?
With most toys, yes. Use water-based lubricant with silicone toys - silicone-based lubricant degrades silicone surfaces over time. Water-based is compatible with everything.
Are expensive sex toys worth it?
A £50 toy from a reputable brand outperforms a £10 one with no material information. Above £80–£100, you're paying for better motor technology and longer warranty coverage - worth it once you know your preferences, but not where to start.
Last reviewed: May 2026.
