Use of Vibrators Among American Women
By no means is it limited to ‘gotta get to work, get in, get out, quick orgasm.’ It can certainly be integrated into couple’s play,” as evidenced by some very helpful sexual position suggestions on the Womanizer website. If you have the Duo version, you can have a partner join in on the fun. You’ll have to get into positions where you can pin the toy between your bodies, with the vibrator side of the Pulse II pressed up against her clitoris. Ideal for solo sessions or partnered fun, you can get spicy with the four speeds and two pulsation modes to make for a sensual exploration of your – or your partner’s – erogenous zones. Plus, it won’t exceed a noise level of 40 decibels so no need to worry about anyone listening in.
Most vibrators can be lightly immersed in water, but read the instructions to find out if your silicone toy can be cleaned in the dishwasher. When browsing less expensive sex toys, your best bet is to shop at reputable retailers, says Wright. Alternatively, you can watch for sales—some of which we cover here at SELF.
“They are designed to go in your butt and stay in your butt,” Wright says. This creates a feeling of fullness while leaving your hands free for other activities. Meanwhile, anal beads are meant to move in and out of your butt, massaging all of the nerves you have down there, she adds. Some anal toys also vibrate viberators, notes psychotherapist Joy Berkheimer, PhD, LMFT, an expert at SXWA, a sexual wellness award platform, which can feel even better. Smile Maker’s Ballerina is designed to wrap your entire vulva in a hug of rumbly vibrations. It’s curved to match the shape of your body, which means you can use the toy hands-free when you’re lying on your back.
“Nearly all STIs are capable of being transmitted through sex toys, especially toys that are inserted into the body or make mucosal contact,” Susan Bard, a New York City-based dermatologist, affirmed. We loved the strong vibrations and easy-to-hold loop handle on the brand’s White Temptation but found the loaf-like shape to be awkward to use, preferring the tapered silhouette of the Purple Pleasure. The Beso Plus was our least favorite of the clitoral suction/G-spot dual-stimulator vibrators we’ve tried. Our tester found the “mouth” of the toy to be uncomfortably firm and irritating. If you wish to use a lubricant with your toy (as experts often recommend), keep in mind that only water-based lube is safe to use with all types of toys. Oil-based lubricants are not just unsafe for use with condoms but can also interact badly with toys made of soft plastic or rubber, causing the devices to disintegrate or to leach chemicals (PDF).
The We-Vibe Moxie is a small but mighty clitoral vibrator that can be worn underneath your clothes. Moxie gives you a discreet yet powerful way to get off, no matter where you are. This rotating vibrator offers a whirling sensation precisely for G-spot stimulation, and with SenseMotion™ technology, you can control the movements with just a flick of the wrist. Melt is waterproof for underwater fun, and with 2 hours of continuous play, you might just have to call in sick to work tomorrow. With up to 2 hours of continuous use, this vibe will make you feel like the goddess you are.
To clean nonporous toys, you can use toy cleaners and wipes with gentle formulas or unscented soap and water. You can also boil materials like silicone, heat-resistant glass, and stainless steel to cleanse. There are two categories of sex toys — porous and nonporous — that are differentiated by the materials they’re made of. Knowing what your toys are made of is a crucial step in cleaning and sterilizing them properly. While solo sex prevents pregnancy and STIs, there are also some health risks if you don’t clean sex toys properly.
The trade-off is that it’s $50 more expensive, and it lacks the quick on/off switch of the Magic Wand Rechargeable. Level 10 on the Le Wand Original does not offer significantly more intensity than level 4 on the Magic Wand Rechargeable, and this toy’s vibrations feel somewhat less rumbly. Although this model is an excellent wand vibrator, we don’t recommend it over our top pick unless color options are important to you. Like the Magic Wand Rechargeable, the Le Wand Original is covered by a one-year warranty. The Dame Com wand vibrator has an appealing ergonomic shape (it curves toward the body), as well as an easy-to-clean all-silicone body.
Its curved shaft is designed to fit inside the vagina, and it has a slender external arm that makes for easy removal. “It can be controlled from anywhere in the world, the curved head nestles comfortably against the sensitive tissues of the G-spot, and the vibrations range from a rumble to a pulsing earthquake,” Francis says. Like other remote-control offerings, the Lush 3 can also sync up with your music, creating unlimited vibration patterns for an ultra-customizable experience. Most wand vibrators have ball-shaped heads , long handles, and intense motors.
While I would definitely opt for the Curvy 2+ as my number one draft pick, this one is gentle and the least aggressively vibrator-y looking vibrator I’ve ever owned. Also available in a Curvy 3+ generation, Curvy 2+ was easily my favorite of the three I tried out. It’s a pressure wave toy that also has a vibrating function — offering stimulation that ranges from buzzy and sweet to OMG WTF-intense. Size and shape are also important considerations, according to Epiphora, a sex toy reviewer who’s tried hundreds of toys in her more than fourteen years in the business. “Do your best to estimate the size and length of the shaft for your body, considering the full shaft must be inserted to achieve clitoral stimulation,” she says. A toy won’t be able to make contact with your clitoris if its shaft is too long for you to insert comfortably, so it may be best to err on the side of a shorter shaft, unless you know you love deep penetration.
