A Beginner's Guide to the Most Common Types of Sex Toys
DID YOU KNOW that 75% of people in the U.S. own a sex toy? In the 25-29 and 40-44 age categories, those numbers are actually closer to 85% (get it, millennials and Gen Xers!). And while these sexy gadgets may be taking up space in more and more people’s nightstand drawers nowadays, they’re far from a new thing. In fact, the world’s oldest dildo —which was discovered by German archaeologists—dates back to around 28,000 BC. It measured 8 inches long, and even featured etched rings around the head (not unlike today’s ribbed condoms).
We’ve certainly come a long way from carved stone phalluses. Now there’s a toy for almost every fetish, desired sensation, and situation—from sleeves and strokers for solo sessions to vibrators , cock rings , and butt plugs for partnered play. And they’ve become increasingly high tech, too: think smart vibes that can adapt to different sexual positions and app-enabled toys for remote controlled pleasure. But with such a wide array of options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t stress—a great way to narrow your search is to first figure out which categories appeal to you. From there, you can drill down on the specific toys within those categories that have the settings and functions that meet your needs.
With that in mind, we consulted Megan Fleming , Ph.D., sex expert for Lovehoney —one of the largest online sex toy retailers in the world— to break down 13 of the most common types of sex toys. (By the way—if you’re looking for something more along the lines of whips and chains, we have a whole other list of BDSM sex toy recommendations .)
1. Cock ring
A cock ring is a ring that you put around your penis. There are various types of cock rings . Some are sturdy and made of metal , whereas others are flexible and made from silicone. Many vibrate (more on that in a sec), and some have two rings: one to place over the base of your penis, and the other around your testicles. “This is a great option for someone who struggles with erectile dysfunction or difficultly mining blood flow,” Fleming says—the constrictions around your penis can help you stay hard.
Back to those vibrating cock rings: “Many cock rings also provide clitoral stimulation during penetration, which can be a plus," Fleming says. A 2017 study published in the journal Sex and Marital Therapy found that only 18% of women can orgasm from direct penetration alone; the rest of the women in the study needed clitoral stimulation to orgasm . That’s why a cock ring isn’t just for you; it can be for your partner, too.
2. Clitoral vibrator
The term "vibrator" encompasses various types of toys. Some vibrators are designed more for external clitoral stimulation (like the famous Hitachi Magic Wand), while others are specifically curved to target the G-spot—more on those in the next section.
The external clitoris—i.e. that little bud located at the apex of the labia—is packed with feel-good nerve endings, and it can feel amazing to hold a vibrator on or around that spot.
Clitoral vibrators are great for ramping up your partner's pleasure during penetrative sex. During intercourse, they can hold a vibrator to their clitoris for an extra boost of stimulation—and maybe a delicious blended orgasm .
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3. G-spot vibrator
It's the toy equivalent of that "come hither" finger motion you've probably read about (or tried yourself). G-spot vibrators are curved to directly hit the G-spot, a feel-good area on the front wall of vagina. (Contrary to popular belief, the G-spot isn't some mythical hard-to-find organ , but part of the internal portion of the clitoris.)
“There’s a big difference in feel between a G-spot orgasm and a clitoral orgasm,” Fleming says. Many people with a vulva describe the clitoral orgasm as one big spike, whereas the G-spot orgasm is more of a gradual, rolling wave of pleasure.
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4. Clitoris sucker
Clitoral suction vibrators are in these days, with Womanizer, Satisfyer, and Lelo producing some of the most popular options on the market. “Typically, [a clit sucker] uses some form of pulsating airflow tech,” Fleming explains. While the sensation of using a clit-sucking vibrator can’t fully be mimicked with the body, it’s similar to if you were to suck (gently) on your partner’s clitoris.
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5. Dildo
A dildo is a non-vibrating phallic-shaped toy designed for penetration. Some look exactly like a real penis, complete with human skin tones and veins, whereas others are more abstract. Dildos can be made from a range of materials, including silicone, rubber, and glass. They range in size from a few inches long to ones that over a foot.
6. Prostate massager
A prostate massager is a vibrating toy that goes up the anus to stimulate the prostate. “This can be thought of as the male equivalent to G-spot stimulators,” Fleming says.
The prostate is jam-packed with nerve endings (almost as many as the clitoris), meaning lots of people get a lot of pleasure from stimulating the walnut-sized gland. Many people with a penis report having full-body orgasms through prostate stimulation, as opposed to the more localized penile orgasms.
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7. Butt plug
A butt plug is another toy that goes up your rear end. Like the name suggests, you pop it in and keep it there, like a plug. Butt plugs aren’t designed to hit one specific spot, the way prostate massagers are—they're great for generally stimulating the anus and rectum and delivering that satisfying sensation of "fullness."
Butt plugs come in all shapes and sizes, and many vibrate. A few even simulate the sensation of getting a rim job !
8. Masturbation sleeve
Often, people call these “Fleshlights,” but Fleshlight is just one brand of masturbation sleeve. There are plenty of other sex toys you can put your penis into to masturbate.
When it comes to masturbation sleeves, the future is now. There are sleeves that can heat up, vibrate, pulsate, and simulate anal and oral sex. There are thousands upon thousands of masturbation sleeves with various textures, but here are a few of our favorites .
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9. Anal Beads
Anal beads are designed to be inserted into the anus and then gradually removed, bead by bead. The “popping” sensation of each bead removal is what makes this sex toy unique. (Pro tip: It can feel very pleasurable to remove the beads from your anus right as you’re orgasming.)
You can use them alone during masturbation or with a partner; if your partner is in control of inserting and removing the beads, it can be a great way to tap into that BDSM dom/sub dynamic.
10. Teledildonics
"Teledildonics" is a fancy way of saying "remote-controlled sex toys." This technology allows you to control your partner's vibrator, prostate massager, butt plug, or whatever it may be from thousands of miles away—making it a valuable asset for people in long-distance relationships.
“WeVibe and Lovense are two companies known for their Bluetooth-connected long-distance sex toys,” says Bryony Cole, founder of Future of Sex and sextech expert for Lovehoney
SHOP OUR FAVORITE LONG-DISTANCE SEX TOYS
11. Floggers, paddles, and crops
We're grouping these three together since they’re all for impact play, but they are all very different devices. A flogger is a multi-tailed scourge (like a whip/lash) that's typically made of soft leather. A paddle is, well, a paddle, and it’s often made of leather or wood. A crop is just like a riding crop (i.e., the one used with horses), and it's often made of leather.
Crops tend to deliver a more piercing/stinging sensation, whereas paddles are often referred to as “thuddy.” Floggers can be either, depending on the shape and brand.
12. Chastity cage
A chastity cage is a little cage that fits over the genitals, preventing you from getting erect. They're popular among fans of the BDSM practice known as orgasm denial , whereby only the dominant can dictate when and if the submissive orgasms. The dom will be the only person who has the key to unlock the chastity cage.
13. Sex swing
There are three main types of sex swings: door swings, sex slings, and sex swings—all of which can help partners pull off gravity-defying sex positions. Door swings mount over a door, and are ideal for travelers or folks with small apartments. Sex slings are more like a hammock, whereas sex swings typically consist of two straps to support your body and two stirrups.