The Beginner's Guide to Sex Toys

Vibrators are, as you might have guessed, sex toys that vibrate. They come in a huge array of shapes and sizes - from classic realistic, phallic shapes to curved stimulators, rabbits, bullets, wands, and more – to offer sweet rumbly stimulation to just about any erogenous zone imaginable. Whether you’re eager to please the clitoris, G-spot, P-spot, vagina, rectum, testicles, vulva, or a combination of hot spots, there’s a vibrator style out there that can suit your fancy.

And just as diverse as their forms are their functions, with most models offering a wide range of vibration intensities and patterns for customisable thrills. There are even myriad ways to control these settings, from high-tech app-compatible models you can operate via your phone, to vibes that come with separate remotes, to more traditional models that feature intuitive button control panels on the toys’ bases.

If you’re looking for a fab first-time vibrator, we recommend wand massagers, which are powerhouses for providing gender-neutral external delights. Need a bit more direction for your shopping journey? Check out the customer-beloved Lovehoney Deluxe Rechargeable Mini Metallic Massage Wand Vibrator, pictured!

You can learn more about vibrators in our Beginner’s Guide to Vibrators.

Dildos are insertable sex toys that provide straightforward satisfaction and are ideal for those looking for a toy that delivers internal stimulation. Available in countless different shapes, sizes, and aesthetics, they provide penetrable pleasure in a wide variety of options. From long and girthy to petite and beginner-friendly, you can find just about any width or length you desire in the diverse world of dildos.

Dildos come in both realistic and non-anatomical forms. Realistic dildos expertly mimic the look and feel of human body parts with lifelike details like veins, ridges, and flesh-coloured hues. Non-representational dildos, on the other hand, run the gamut from simple and understated to artfully sculptural to vibrantly coloured and fantastical. Many dildos, like the pictured fan favourite Lifelike Lover Classic Realistic Dildo 6 Inch, feature a suction cup or flared base that makes them harness-compatible for those interested in strap-on or pegging play and safe for anal use.

Learn more about dildos in our Beginner’s Guide to Dildos.

Discreet and sexy, Ben Wa balls are small, round balls that sit inside your vagina to give your pelvic floor a workout. They can be used solo, during foreplay, or out and about. Also known as ‘Kegel balls,’ Ben Wa balls are a fantastic workout tool for vaginas; they strengthen your vaginal muscles, which can lead to stronger orgasms, improved bladder control, and can help you squeeze tighter during penetrative sex. You can learn How to Use Kegel Balls for exercise in our guide!

Love eggs are egg-shaped vibrating toys that offer G-spot and vaginal stimulation. Also known as ‘egg vibrators’ and ‘vibrating eggs,’ these sex toys often come with a remote control for easy hands-free operation. The app-compatible or remote-controlled nature of many styles makes them ideal for couples’ play, whether that be in the bedroom, out on the town, or long distance. Take the pictured and highly rated We-Vibe X Lovehoney Jive App Controlled Rechargeable Vibrating G-Spot Love Egg, for example, that lets you play with a partner from just about anywhere in the world. Check out our guide on How to Use a Love Egg for more information.

When you think of anal toys, a butt plug is usually the first thing to come to mind. Generally speaking, butt plugs (which come in stationary, vibrating, and inflatable varieties, to name just a few) are conical-shaped, starting off small at the tip and gently graduating in size as the bulb gets closer to the toy’s neck. All anal plugs have flared bases which prevent them from getting irretrievably sucked up inside the rectum. They tend to feature slim necks for comfort while wearing them.

Butt plugs can be used to gently stretch the anus before enjoying something bigger, like an anal dildo or a penis, or as an erotic experience in themselves. They create a sensation of fullness and pressure while stimulating the sensitive internal and external nerve endings of the anus.

When the pelvic muscles contract during an orgasm, a butt plug can intensify the sensation as you're squeezing against something. Using a butt plug as part of your sexual repertoire can lead to intense anal fulfillment and amazing orgasms.

Nowadays, you can also find anal plugs that are just as stimulating visually as they are physically, like the pictured Lovehoney Jeweled Heart Metal Butt Plug 2.5 Inch.

Learn more about anal plugs in our guide on How to Use Butt Plugs.

Anal beads consist of a trio or more of smooth plastic, metal, or glass beads joined together by flexible material. The first few beads usually start off small and slowly increase in size, allowing you to enjoy more and more length and girth as you journey toward the toy’s base.

These sex toys can be used alone for unique anal stimulation or to enhance genital masturbation or intercourse. Anal beads give you a 'filled-up' feeling that many people find incredibly pleasurable and can transform a regular orgasm into an earth-shattering one. Pull these durable, spherical anal toys out just before orgasm for an intensely satiating experience unlike any other!

Anal beads are a great way to experiment with anal play, allowing your body to adjust slowly and gently to their incremental sizing at your own pace. With their graduated sizing, smooth spheres, and ergonomic, easy-to-use, and easy-to-insert design, anal beads are an excellent toy for all anal experience levels. If you’re trying anal beads for the first time, we recommend the beginner-friendly BASICS Anal Beads 6 Inch (pictured).

Learn more about different types of anal beads in our Beginner’s Guide to Anal Beads.

Strap-ons are great sex toys for all types of couples, regardless of anatomy, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Their primary purpose is for interactive penetration, whether that be anally, vaginally, or orally. There’s a diverse range of strap-on dildos available to suit every type of play, such as hollow strap-ons, vibrating strap-ons, double-penetration strap-ons, Vac-U-Loc ones, and even strapless strap-ons. Harnesses, too, boast versatile options with different styles, sizes, and O-rings or openings to choose from.

Strap-on and pegging kits that include a harness and one or more compatible strap-on dildos are a popular pick for those intrigued by strap-on play, as they quickly equip you with just about everything you need to start your journey right out of the box. Pictured, for example, is the beginner-friendly Tracey Cox Supersex Strap-On Pegging Kit, which lets newbies experiment with two strap-on dildo styles (solid and hollow) and even provides the option for users to get buzzy by inserting the included bullet vibe into the harness’s mini vibrator pocket or inside the hollow strap-on.

You can learn more about the different types of strap-ons out there and how to use them in our Beginner’s Guide to Strap-Ons!

A cock ring (also known as a ‘stamina ring,' 'love ring,' ‘c-ring,’ or ‘penis ring') is a ring that prevents blood from flowing back down the penis. They can provide penis owners with longer-lasting, harder erections and can also help increase mutual pleasure for couples during penetrative sex. They’re typically made from stretchy materials and come in myriad styles, such as single or double-ring designs, to appease different stimulation desires.

Cock rings are easy to wear and should be applied with lube. You’ll want to put them on while you're flaccid; as you grow harder, the ring begins to feel tighter and should offer a snug fit, but not to the point of discomfort. You'll likely notice the benefits of your cock ring almost immediately.

Vibrating cock rings are a popular c-ring variation that features a vibrating unit that heightens stimulation for the wearer and their partner. Most have a textured, forward-facing vibrating protrusion that stimulates the clitoris during partnered sex, while others focus stimulation on the balls, anus, or perineum to thrill the wearer.

A cock and ball ring (like the beloved and buzzing Lovehoney Bed Ringer Rechargeable Double Cock Ring pictured here) features a ring that sits around your shaft and another that’s worn around the balls. Also referred to as ‘double cock rings,’ this penis ring style ups the ante by offering all-over constriction that many wearers find even more stimulating and pleasurable than traditional cock rings.

Like standard cock rings, cock and ball rings should be applied while you're flaccid. You'll need to put one ring around your balls first, followed by the second around your penis. Apply plenty of lube to the inside of the rings and on your member and testes to make the process go smoother. Slip one ball through the loop of one ring, followed by the second, and once both balls are inside, slide the head of your penis through the other ring so that the cock rings surround your entire package.

Learn more about cock rings in our how-to guide.

Male masturbators like strokers and sleeves are go-to sex toys for penis owners, and with good reason - they're easy to use and provide out-of-this-world stimulation along the length of the penis. They come in a bevy of different shapes, sizes, and colours and can offer amazing textures that simulate or surpass the feeling of the ‘real thing.’

Perhaps the most well-known of all strokers is the Fleshlight, beloved for their discreet cases and the hyper-realistic sensations the textured sleeves provide. Though ‘Fleshlight’ is technically a specific stroker brand, the term is often interchangeably used to describe all strokers that fit this iconic style.

In recent years, the male masturbator sex toy category has received somewhat of a glow-up, with ultra-stimulating high-tech styles available for elevated experiences, like the pictured Blowmotion Warming Vibrating Male Masturbator that, as the name suggests, offers vibration and a warming feature.

Though strokers have a reputation as being solo sex toys, they can also make a great addition to partnered play by spicing up any type of hand or mouth action. Many couples enjoy using sleeves and strokers (especially open-ended varieties) together as they’re non-intimidating and brilliant for revolutionising foreplay.

Learn more about strokers in our guide to using male masturbators.