Our vibrator buying guide for beginners: How to choose a sex toy
“Honestly, the quietest toys are going to be marketed as quiet,” says Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationship psychotherapist and resident intimacy expert at dating app, 3Fun. “With that being said, you’re going to want to look for something smaller that has a smaller motor.” Engle explains that the smaller the motor, the quieter the toy. “You’re going to have better luck with palm, finger, and bullet vibrators. These toys are basically silent , which can be a great choice,” Engle adds. Wands are super versatile, with long handles and large heads that make them easy to use in different solo or partnered positions.
Hermann Rorschach might have told me I’m more inclined to see and feel these likenesses in the Connaisseur MJ (I’m genuinely captivated by the beauty of Rickenbackers and Martins). But style is a big part of what sets the Connaisseur MJ apart, and you don’t need an inkblot test to know that the Godin Connaisseur MJ is a handsome, well-built viberators, and fine-playing flattop. You can improvise your own sleeve by finding a cylinder of some kind that fits comfortably on your penis (toilet paper rolls are a common choice) and then lining it with a material of your choice. Some people use spongy materials for the lining, some use latex gloves, etc. Some folks prefer to skip the more involved sleeves and use a sock or banana peel instead.
However, we did not find its vibrations to be as powerful as those of the Magic Wand Rechargeable, and the vibrations are strong all through the handle, making this toy unpleasant to hold for an extended period of time. The Dame Aer is the first suction vibrator that we’ve liked more than toys from Womanizer, the brand that pioneered similar oral-sex-simulating tech. Our testers also raved that it charges quickly, holds a charge for a long time, and is super easy to clean thanks to its all-in-one waterproof silicone design.
Generally you don’t need to disinfect toys that only one person uses or that stay covered with condoms. Some nonporous, nonmotorized toys can go into the dishwasher without soap for steam sanitizing. Alternatively, you can boil most nonporous, nonmotorized toys in hot water.
There are 10 different vibration modes and speeds to explore, and you can do so quietly with this discreet model. It’s a good pick whether you’re well acquainted with your G-spot or more of a beginner. One tester who told us they didn’t usually like a G-spot vibrator and found most models disappointing, was pleasantly surprised with this one. I’ve tried over 400 sex toys in over 12 years of writing about them professionally, including several designed for grinding. The best ones are intuitive to use, comfortable, versatile, and—of course— pleasurable. While I’ve mainly used grinders solo, I’ve also tested them in situations like dry-humping with a partner and having strap-on sex.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. Below, we’ve chosen the best anal vibrators according to experts and shoppers. Overall, this toy achieved a high satisfaction level among our panel, with the majority saying they’d recommend it to a friend. Use vibration energy to sift bulk solids or sort small items by size.
Thanks to its warming effect, this slick toy left our panel feeling hot and steamy, in the best way. Able to heat up and cool down, it’s perfect for those who enjoy temperature play. The navy and silver design was described as “elegant” by our panel, and the smooth material felt lovely to hold and use.