Expert Tip: This is compatible with any type of lubricant, including silicone-based ones.
Type: Steel dildo | Lube Compatibility: Water-based, silicone-based | Waterproof: Yes
Best Suction Vibrator for Beginners: Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 2
Why It’s Worth It: Dr. Torrisi recommends the Satisfyer brand “to learn what you like without breaking the bank,” so you’re ready to splurge only when you’re more confident about your preferences. This suction vibrator is ideal if you love the feeling of oral sex. The Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 2 uses pulses of air to tease the clit without overstimulating it, which can definitely happen with more rumbly vibrators. It has 11 different pressure wave settings and a motor that’s pretty quiet — though if you’ve got very thin walls, you might want to turn on music to drown out the sound of your activities.
Expert Tip: Pair it with water-based lube for a feeling that’s really, really close to oral sex (without the risk of a partner’s jaw getting tired).
Type: Clitoral vibrator | Lube Compatibility: Water-based | Waterproof: Yes (IPX7: up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes) | Battery Life: Not specified
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in my first sex toy?
“I always recommend keeping it simple and easy to use when you are just starting out with sex toys,” shares Lyndsey Murray, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist at Relationship Matters Therapy and host of the Sex Positivity: Unfiltered podcast. There’s no “wrong” approach to sex toys, but you might want to pass on toys that seem too big, intimidating, or high-tech.
You should also consider what sensations you enjoy during sex or masturbation. “Your pleasure is your guide,” notes Jenn Kennedy, PhD, a board-certified sex therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist in Santa Barbara, California. (She is also the founder of Riviera Therapy and The Pleasure Project.) “If you like clitoral stimulation, an external, handheld vibrator is a good direction,” she suggests. “If you enjoy penetration, an internal toy might delight.” Some people also enjoy toys that stimulate the anus or perineum (that’s the area between a person’s anus and their vagina or penis)
What types of sex toys are best for beginners?
Vibrators
This category includes a wide range of toys, but the idea is that they stimulate internal or external erogenous zones (or both!) by vibrating. Some vibrators, like bullet vibrators or suction vibrators, are designed to be used on the clitoris, nipples, perineum, or other external body parts. Others, like G-spot vibrators or anal vibrators, are meant to go inside your body and vibrate against your internal hotspots.
Anal Toys
These can be vibrating or non-vibrating toys that stimulate the nerve endings inside your anus. If you’re new to anal play, start with a smaller toy and use plenty of lube to avoid discomfort. “I love Uberlube, Good Clean Love, and Slippery Stuff,” shares Rosara Torrisi, PhD, a licensed clinical social worker and AASECT-certified sex therapist at the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy in Syosset, New York.
Dildos
Dildos are frequently phallic-shaped toys made of silicone, glass, or metal. They’re usually used for vaginal or anal penetration and some of them can be worn with a harness if you want to use it as a strap-on. Some dildos have detailing to make them look more like penises, while others don’t. These tend to be non-vibrating toys, though vibrating dildos are definitely a thing.
Cock Rings
These toys typically go around the base of the penis (and sometimes they also have a loop to go around the testicles). They gently restrict blood from leaving the penis, which can lead to longer, harder erections and more intense orgasms. Some cock rings also have a built-in vibrator to provide more stimulation against a partner’s body during sex.