A-Z of Adult Toys: Types of Sex Toys Explained

Sex toys aren't just a giggly sitcom punchline anymore! These days, you can find beautiful, innovative toys made from body safe and sensual materials, designed with real bodies in mind. In fact, they can be a pretty fundamental part of your sexual self-care.

Maybe you're chasing your first orgasm or looking for sensations that hands alone can't deliver. Maybe you want to find new ways to connect with your partner or explore another side of your sexuality. Whatever's brought you here, sex toys can show you new ways to experience pleasure.

We've put together an A-Z of the most popular types of sex toys, with advice on how they work and how to use them. Whether you're a total beginner or just curious about what else is out there, you’ll pick up some pleasure tips right here.

Lucky you, you’re about to discover a whole new world of sexual wellbeing (and delicious pleasure). There are so many types of toys to discover, so have a browse of this article to get an idea of what’s out there. While you consider your options, ask yourself these questions:

• What sensations do you enjoy? Do you need clitoral stimulation to reach ecstatic bliss? Maybe you’re curious about booty play? Sex toys are designed to stimulate different parts of your body in various ways. Start by asking yourself what sensations you enjoy during masturbation or sex – you can probably find a toy that will enhance those feelings.

• What visual vibe are you into? Are you turned on by the idea of a realistic phallus – or are fantasy dildos more your vibe? Would you prefer something elegant and non-realistic like a Womanizer Next Duo, or cute and novelty like the Lovehoney Rose? Find a toy that gets you excited just by looking at it.

• What’s your budget? There’s no need to spend a fortune on your first toy (though don’t let us stop you). If you’re shopping with a trusted retailer, you can still find affordable toys that are body safe, compliance tested, and well designed. For more discounts, consider signing up to your retailer’s newsletter. They’ll let you know of offers and codes before anyone else!

• Can you get a warranty and easy returns? Be wary of retailers that don’t offer warranty, as you’ll have no recourse if your toy falls apart or stops working. With Lovehoney, you can also use our Pleasure Guarantee to return toys you’re not fully satisfied with.

Keep these questions in mind as you shop around for your first toy. That way, you’ll know what you’re looking for and where to buy it.

Building your very own sexy toolbox calls for top tier sex toy advice. Whether you’re exploring your sexuality or you're on the hunt for a novel way to bond with your partner, here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular sex toys.

Anal sex toys

Available in a range of shapes and sizes, anal sex toys stimulate all those highly sensitive nerve-endings in and around your anus. That said, different anal toys deliver their own unique sensations.

For example, anal beads offer a spine-tingling ‘popping’ sensation that helps intensify your climax as you slide those babies out. Alternatively, prostate owners can take advantage of targeted P-spot with the help of a prostate massager (more on that below). But remember – any anal toy you put in your butt must have a flared base for safe removal.

Butt plugs

With anal masturbation feeling less taboo by the day, butt plugs are a satisfying way to explore your patootie. Start with a slimline plug as you get used to the sensations and work your way up to something a little more sizable for a sense of fullness. A vibrating butt plug can add a very satisfying buzz to your anal pleasure.

Cock rings

Ideal for sex toy newbies, cock rings are a simple yet effective toy that can help some penis-owners stay harder for longer. They work by restricting the blood flow out of your manhood, either helping to push your stamina or reach the Big O quicker, depending on how it feels for you.

You can also get vibrating rings that deliver electrifying vibrations to the clitoris or balls during partnered sex, which means shared pleasure for both of you. Some cock rings come equipped with mini bunny ears for more targeted clitoral stimulation.

Dildos

An absolute classic that anyone can use. Dildos can be inserted, stuck to a wall, or strapped into a harness for satisfying penetrative sex. With a huge range of shapes, sizes, and materials, there’s a dildo out there for any kind of penetrative play or phallic worship you can imagine.

Choose from ultra-realistic dildos complete with veins and balls, metal dildos for precise stimulation, or fantasy dildos to make your wildest dreams a reality.

Electro toys

Electro sex toys use electricity to send safe, sensual zaps to your erogenous zones. You can get e-stim toys in the shape of finger sleeves, cock rings, prostate massagers and more, depending on where you want sparks to fly. Start at a low voltage and gradually increase the settings for that irresistible zing.

Fleshlight

A firm favourite among penis-owners, Fleshlights are handheld sleeves packed full of thrilling textures and patterns designed to mimic vaginal, anal, or oral stimulation. Often crafted from premium real-feel materials, some Fleshlights are even modelled after your most beloved porn star.

Don’t skimp on the water-based lube – you’ll want to make sure it’s silky slick so you can really feel every satisfying bump and ridge lining the walls of its canal. Some people even warm their Fleshlights by submerging the casing in warm water for an extra-lifelike sensation. Check out our guide for more advice on how to use a Fleshlight.

Glass toys

Glass toys don’t just look beautiful – they’re also hypoallergenic, and easy to clean. Crafted from strong borosilicate glass, these toys are shatter-resistant and pleasingly smooth.

Whether you’re looking to arouse your anoos or hit your G-spot, glass sex toys are revered for their extra-firm stimulation. You can even explore temperature play by submerging your glass toy in cold or warm water for some fun, new sensations.

Hands-free toys

Leave your hands free to roam all over you or your boo’s body with the help of a hands-free toy. There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to hands-free gadgets. Think: wearable vibrators that sit snugly in your knickers, vibrating cock rings that deliver delicious sensations to everyone involved, or a suction cup dildo that can be stuck to the wall of your shower or even mounted into a harness strap-on style.

Impact toys

Like the idea of a cheeky spanking behind closed doors? Turns out impact-play could be your jam. We’re talking whips, crops, paddles, and floggers. Each toy offers a different sensation as it’s slapped across the skin. Paddles and floggers help enhance circulation and boost skin sensitivity, while crops typically deliver a sharper stinging sensation. Just remember to lay out the ground rules with your partner before you get cracking.

Jiggle balls

These insertable toys are a bit like love eggs, except jiggle balls have small, free-roaming balls inside them. The more you move, the more those internal balls ‘jiggle’, gently stimulating your G-zone from within. Typically, jiggle balls are for pleasure rather than pelvic floor training, but you do get some toys that do both. Kear in mind: these toys are for vaginal use only – never anal play.

Kegel balls

Like jiggle balls, Kegel balls are designed to be inserted into the vagina, but they’re typically focused on pelvic training rather than pleasure. That said, toning and strengthening your pelvic floor with the help of Kegel exercisers can help make your vagina feel tighter and lead to longer, more intense orgasms. Plus, more toned vaginal muscles mean you can internally massage your partner’s length, enhancing penetrative play for your other half.

Lube

An essential for every nightstand, lube provides a little extra slippage to help enhance your sexual experiences and sensations. Even if you don’t think you need it, lube can make sex feel more sensual and last longer.

Water-based lubes are great all-rounders but you can also get silicone or anal lube for longer-lasting, more cushion-y pleasure. But keep in mind, silicone lube doesn’t play nice with silicone sex toys, so stick to a water-based lube when using sex toys.

Male masturbators

Whether you know them as male masturbators or strokers, these glorious gadgets envelop the penis in a highly textured sleeve to take your mazz game to the next level. Some look and feel as close to real anatomy as a sex toy can get, while others use thrusting, warming, or suction to add a whole extra dimension to your solo time.

Have a read of our guide to sex toys for men and people with penises to get the lowdown on some of the best toys for your joystick.

Nipple toys

The love buttons are easily overlooked, but these highly reactive spots are jam-packed with sensitive nerve endings just waiting to be pinched, flicked, sucked, and teased. Whether you opt for nipple clamps, suckers, or pumps, these toys stimulate blood flow to your headlights to help heighten sensitivity.

Oral sex toys

Oral sex toys encompass a range of gadgets designed to mimic the sensations of giving head. Ultimately, the type of toy you choose depends on what gear you’re rocking ‘down there.’

Some oral simulators are designed to replicate the sucking sensations of cunnilingus, like clitoral suction vibrators, whereas blow job toys mimic the wet and warm sensations of a mouth around your pecker. Some gobby masturbators have literal mouth-like openings, making them the next best thing after an actual head job.

Prostate massagers

Known as the male equivalent of the G-spot, the prostate is a walnut-sized gland packed full of sensitive nerve-endings. You can find it by slipping a finger or prostate massager around two inches inside the anus.

Prostate toys are specially designed with a bulbous tip that directly targets the P-spot in a way that a penis, dildo, or finger just can’t achieve. Simply slip your massager straight up your sphinctacular (with a good dash of lube) to enjoy intense, targeted internal stimulation.

Remote control toys

Hand over the control to your lover and feel connected no matter where you are – opposite sides of the sofa or opposite sides of the world. Remote-controlled sex toys are ideal for long-distance relationships or frequent business trips, especially with app-enabled toys that let you play from your phone.

Daring couples can take remote control toys on date night, discreetly teasing each other while you’re in a private booth or secluded corner. For a real thrill, let your lover decide exactly when and where you get to climax (within reason!).

Strap-on kits

Essentially, it’s a dildo secured in a harness you can wear. For some couples, strap-on toys make penetration possible, e.g. if you’re in a lesbian relationship with no penis in sight. For others, strap-ons switch up the usual dynamic, so the partner with a penis gets to experience being penetrated.

Strap-on play can be thrilling, intimate, and very sexy. So don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! The strap-on harness itself can be part of the appeal, but not everyone loves it. Pick a strapless strap-on, which also offers internal pleasure for the wearer. Or go for a kit that’s worn more like underwear than a harness.

Not sure how to tell your lover you’d love to get pegged? Try our guide to introducing sex toys in relationships.

Travel-friendly toys

Get your rocks off on the road with you with travel-friendly toys. Look out for smaller toys that come with a case. It should also have a travel lock to avoid any awkward buzzing from the depths of your bag. Bonus points if your toy is extra quiet (perfect for hotel rooms) or waterproof (for some relaxing you-time in the hotel bath).

Urethral sounds

While strokers are used to pleasure your junk externally, some penis-owners get their kicks internally, courtesy of a set of urethral sounds or penis probes. These tools were once used for medical examinations but have since been adopted by fetishists looking for new and exciting ways to explore their bodies and up the ante on their pleasure.

Keep in mind that this kind of play isn't for beginners, so do your research on how to practice urethral sounding safely. Start with a sound that fits your urethra with minimal resistance and gradually work your way up to girthier sounds (or even vibrating ones). Don’t forget to slather your sound with a sterile lube before inserting to reduce the risk of UTIs.

Vibrators

A cult classic, vibrators once revolutionised female pleasure with the invention of the massage wand and eventually the rabbit vibe. Who could forget that classic Sex and the City scene?

Since setting the world a-buzz, vibrating sex toys have exploded with options to stimulate the G-spot, P-spot, clitoris, nipples, shaft, anus, and testicles… There truly is a vibrator for everyone and pretty much every erogenous spot.

Slip a compact bullet vibrator into your handbag for a bit of fun on the run, opt for internal and external stimulation with a trusty rabbit, or stimulate your shaft with a vibrating stroker.

Womanizer

If vibrators transformed female pleasure, Womanizer has taken it one step further. Rather than relying on vibrations to stimulate the sensitive nerve-endings in the clitoris, Womanizer’s collection of clitoral suction toys harness Pleasure Air Technology to please your pearl with tiny, but mighty pulses of air.

Known as one of the best sex toys for women, Womanizer’s range of innovative clitoral stimulators blend unique sensations with a whole new level of intensity.