You may think that all sex toys are just brightly colored pieces of silicone that vaguely resemble a penis, possibly with some sort of vibrating function. But, like all things related to your pleasure, there’s really no one-size-fits-all when it comes to toys.
Whether you’re buying your first vibrator, looking for the best sex toys for couples, or stepping up your toy game, toys are a great way to inject some fun into your sex life and explore new sensations, both during solo play or with a partner.
There are so many different kinds of toys: vibrators, suckers, dildos, g-zone massagers, butt plugs–the list goes on! But finding the right toy for you doesn’t have to be a daunting task. To narrow it down before you drop hard-earned cash on a brand new toy, it’s good to consider what your body prefers, and how you’ll use the toy.
In this article we’ve broken down the different toys according to the kind of stimulation they provide so that you can choose the best one for your needs, whatever they may be.
If you already know what kind of stimulation you’re after, read on, and if not, don’t worry! Check out the Never Had An Orgasm and Discover Your Body I collections on the Emjoy app to figure out what you like.
Clitoral Vibrators & Suction Toys
Research shows that at least 80% of women require direct clitoral stimulation in order to come, so it’s no surprise that clitoral vibrators and suction toys have become the most popular type of sex toy in recent years.
When it comes to choosing the right one for you, it’s important to consider the difference between vibrating and sucking toys and the sensations they create. Vibrators vibrate, obviously, and there’s quite a large variety out there. They’re popular because an orgasm is pretty much guaranteed, and they give you a lot of control over the intensity with different vibration speeds and patterns.
If you’re just getting started on your sex toy journey, a vibrating bullet is a great place to start. This type of toy is small, discreet and easy to control. You can begin by massaging the vulva with the bullet, stimulating the lips, and then–when you’re ready–simply rest it against your clitoris to orgasm.
Then there are clitoral suction toys. These suckers have revolutionized female masturbation. Working differently from vibrators, these toys use pulses of air pressure to stimulate not only the tip of the clitoris (the part we’re used to seeing and touching), but approximately 13 centimeters beneath the vulva to create a sensation that feels like oral sex. This one by one of our favorite toy brands, Normal, also has a series of vibration modes which can be combined with air pulses for even more powerful orgasms!
Bullets, clit wands and suckers are super versatile and can also be used to stimulate the clitoris during penetrative sex with a partner for mind-blowing blended orgasms.
If you want to see how a sex toy webshop looks like, where you e.g. can buy clitoral vibrators, we've found a shop called theblossom that's a pretty good example on a website that sells such toys.
G-Zone & Blended Orgasm Toys
Another kind of sex toy to consider if you enjoy penetrative sex is an insertable toy that can stimulate the g-zone, or multiple points at once. Typically this kind of toy comes in the form of a dildo that provides vaginal stimulation along with vibration.
Using insertable toys can feel a little weird at first, so starting with something handheld that lets you control the depth and pressure is key. The second thing to consider with insertable toys is that the temperature is going to be different to that of your, or a partner’s body temperature.
To release muscle tension and stimulate blood flow for even more pleasure, run the toy under warm water to warm up the silicone, or look for a toy with a self-warming function. Yep, they exist! One of our fave toy brands, Lora DiCarlo, have created a warming, ergonomically sculpted toy to help you explore your g-zone.
For blended orgasms, where you simultaneously have different types of orgasms at once (for example, g-zone and clitoral), you’ll want to look for a toy with a dual function. Usually this kind of toy looks like a rabbit, and its “ears” are typically a piece specifically for the clit, that’s connected to the rest of the dildo used for penetration.
While rabbit toys have been popular in the past, companies are now starting to innovate and design toys specifically for female pleasure, rather than something that is just penis-shaped.
Take for example Lora DiCarlo’s Osé 2 Dual Massager. This toy is fully adjustable to fit your unique shape, and has a g-zone massager with a come-hither stroking motion, as well as clitoral suction to stimulate both points simultaneously for a totally hands-free experience.
Butt Plugs & Anal Toys
If you’re interested in exploring anal play (whether it’s solo play, foreplay, anal sex, or anything in between and beyond), then butt plugs are the best way to get familiar with this type of stimulation and the sensations it brings.
Experimenting with toys is a great way to get familiar with booty play before having penetrative anal sex with a partner, and they’re also a great way to experience anal play for anyone who finds anal sex to be too much.
The best butt plugs for beginners tend to be smaller and designed for easy insertion and removal. This one by Lora DiCarlo is a great anal toy for beginners. It’s not only self-warming and vibrating, it can also be used vaginally to stimulate the g-zone while the extended part stimulates the clit if you’re looking for versatility when exploring. Be sure to clean the toy with antibacterial soap after anal play before inserting it vaginally.
Beginner or advanced, the most important thing to keep in mind is that toys that go up your butt must have a wider base to prevent them getting lost in there. If you’re looking for a larger dildo that can be used in the anus, you might consider something like the Lora DiCarlo Onda that has a wide base.
When it comes to anal play, lube is your friend. Unlike the vagina, the anus is not self-lubricating. Keep in mind when choosing a lube that silicone-based lubricants can’t be used with silicone toys, and oil-based ones can stain your sheets. We recommend a water-based lubricant like this organic aloe- and water-based one from another of our fave intimacy brands, Maude.
If you want to try booty play but you’re not yet ready to dive straight in with toys, listen to the All About Anal collection on the Emjoy app for an in-depth introduction.
Nipple Stimulators
Did you know that up to 25% of women report having an orgasm just from stimulating their nipples? Research shows that touching a woman’s nipples activates the sensory cortex, the same region of the brain that activates when we stimulate the clitoris, vulva or vagina. So technically, it should be possible for all of us to experience nipple orgasms.
Nipple play doesn’t have to be limited to the use of your hands. In fact, Lora DiCarlo told us their customers love using the Baci clitoral toy’s suction to stimulate the nipples!
Erogenous Zone Massagers
If you’re not yet ready for the intensity of a bullet or dildo, or you’re looking for something for couples that you can both enjoy, you might try an erogenous zone massager.
The larger surface area of a massager like this one by Maude, means that the pressure can be spread more evenly when used on sensitive areas like the genitals, and can be used on larger parts of the body to stimulate other erogenous zones.
These zones produce the greatest amount of pleasure when they’re stimulated by a partner, or toy. Kind of like when you give yourself a massage, versus when someone else does it.
As we always say, every body is different, but some popular zones to try are the inner thighs, breasts, arms, back, or even on the temples.
Learn new techniques with Emjoy
With all the silly stigma surrounding self-pleasure, particularly when it comes to women, it’s easy to forget that masturbation and sex are fun games adults play; sometimes with toys!
Learning new techniques, experimenting with new sensations, and taking your pleasure up a notch is all part of the fun! To learn more ways to play, alone or with a partner, download the Emjoy app and start your journey.
Emjoy collections to discover
