How to choose your first vibrator
So you want to buy your first vibrator — or replace a crappy old one. It seems like a daunting task, we know! There are certainly a ton of options out there. But it’s not as difficult as it seems, and believe us, it can be fun and exciting once you’ve been pointed in the right direction. That is what we’re going to do here!
When choosing your first vibe, a lot depends on which part of your body you want to stimulate. Do you want clitoral stimulation only? Penetration? Perhaps you want a dual stimulator, like a rabbit, for simultaneous penetration and clitoral stimulation? Making a decision on this front will narrow the field right off the bat!
If you’re not sure what you want to explore, an insertable toy that can double as a clitoral vibe (and has multiple speeds) tends to be the most versatile. Examples of this include: Lovelife Cuddle, Sweet Rush, and Dame Arc. When considering insertable toys, always keep size in mind. You don’t want to end up with something bigger than you can handle! So measure whatever you generally use for insertion — both girth and length — and use that as a guide.
Here are other things to consider!
Types of stimulation
Understanding which types of stimulation you prefer can be helpful as well. Do you like direct and pinpoint stimulation, more broad stimulation, or the option for either? Pressure or a light touch? Are you pretty sensitive, or do you crave a lot of stimulation at once? It’s okay if you’re not sure about these questions, as some vibes have a whole range of vibration intensities and options that won’t lock you into just one way of using them. Besides, you’ll learn more about what you like once you find a good toy to experiment with.
Toy material
Some shops still carry toys made of questionable and potentially unsafe materials — but not us. By shopping with us, you’ll know that whatever toy you choose will be body-safe and phthalate-free. Without all the “mystery meat” materials clogging up our inventory, there are two non-porous vibrator materials to choose between: plastic and silicone. Plastic is hard and smooth; it transmits vibrations very well and provides excellent pressure if you want it. Silicone is a softer, more plush material. However, different manufacturers utilize silicone in different ways. Fun Factory and many of the Tenga Iroha toys, for instance, are quite squishy. Silicone-coated toys from LELO or PicoBong are velvety but tend to be quite rigid.
Budget
Your budget will probably come into play early on in your search for the right vibe. In general, battery-operated toys are cheaper than rechargeable ones, but they also require you to purchase batteries often. Options with multiple modes that are $35 and under include: Fun Factory Ocean, Rocks Off 102mm Bullet, and Classique Pride (which comes with a cute rainbow carrying case).
Rechargeable toys may cost more upfront, but could save you money in the long-run. Our favorite budget-friendly rechargeables include the Charged Vooom Bullet ($39), Noje W3 ($58), and Luv Plus ($49).
If you’ve already experienced the untimely death of a cheap toy, it may reassure you to know that many of our vibes come with warranties. We also carry a few vibes that plug into the wall, and those range in price from $79 to $184.
Size & style
Almost all vibrators can be used for clitoral stimulation, so if that’s what you’re after, there is a lot of range in terms of size, shape, and power source. There’s everything from the 2-inch ColorPop Bullet to the 13 inch Doxy Wand. Obviously, some of these are more discreet than others! If you’re looking for a vibe that can blend into its surroundings, check out the Tenga Iroha Lipstick or LELO Mia 2 (USB rechargeable and can pass as a jump drive).
Mini vibes are a popular choice for beginners because they are small, discreet, and easy to hold. Corded bullets like the B Yours Silver Power Bullet or Bnaughty are especially simple to operate, as you control vibrations using the power pack. (Plus, you can quickly and cheaply spruce up your bullet or pocket rocket by grabbing a Rabbit or Pixie sleeve).
Want recommendations? A good, dependable mid-range mini vibe is the PicoBong Ako. A few staff favorite rechargeable mini vibes are the Dame Kip, We-Vibe Touch, or any of the Mini Marvels.
Sensation
Some toys are exceptional at enhancing certain masturbation techniques. For instance, if you like rubbing your clitoris with your finger, there are vibes that can add buzz to your usual routine. The Dame Fin and Play With Me Finger Vibe actually strap to your fingers.
If you know what kind of sensation you enjoy against your clitoris, there are some unique vibes to consider. If you like flickering or tapping, the Noje Quiver offers a multitude of exciting sensations. Prefer a gentle yet highly arousing back and forth motion? Try the Eroscillator 2 Plus. If you like mild suction and oral sex, consider air flow toys. Want your clit to be surrounded on both sides? The Rabbit Bullet and Duet Flex can do that.
Wands are a special category of vibrator. These powerful clitoral toys are characterized by their shape, which was originally meant to help relieve back and neck pain. Today, they are used for pleasure as well, they vary in size tremendously, and they have different power sources. Some, like the Magic Wand Rechargeable and We-Vibe Wand have large heads and strong vibrations that provide deep, penetrating stimulation on a large surface area, which some people love. Others, like the Mystic Wand and Shibari Mini Halo, are smaller but just as powerful. One perk about wands is that many can accommodate attachments, turning them from solely clitoral vibes into insertable and dual stimulation ones.
On the other hand, if you’re very sensitive or you’ve previously tried a strong toy and didn’t enjoy it, we carry vibes with softer, milder vibrations, such as the Iroha Zen or Bcute Pearl. You may also enjoy the low rumbly settings on Je Joue’s Rabbit or G-Spot Bullets.
Orgasmic potential
If you’ve never had an orgasm, you’ll probably want a toy with a large range of vibration strengths so you can play around and discover exactly which level you like. The LELO Mona 2, Pillow Talk Sassy, and Fun Factory Volta are perfect for this purpose.
A lot of vibes with long shafts can be used both internally and externally. These toys are awesome options for a beginner, as they allow for the most amount of experimentation. The Zizo, Lovelife Cuddle, and Romp Hype are all nice options that won’t break the bank.
On the hunt for a vibe you can use during sex? You’ll want one that’s small or thin enough to fit between two bodies. Vibes with longer shafts, like the Bgee or Rin+ are actually good for this purpose, as they can reduce the strain on your hand and fingers. Or you could try the couples-oriented We-Vibe Chorus.
If your main concern is exploring your G-spot, then you’ll want a vibe with a pronounced and/or curved head. An inexpensive starter option is the G Slim Satin Touch. More high-end choices include the LELO Gigi 2, Dame Arc, and We-Vibe Rave. Learn more about picking out the perfect G-spot toy in our guide.
And how about the two-in-one toys? The Beso Plus Suction Vibrator offers air flow suction and G-spot vibration. Or, some folks find the idea of a dual or rabbit vibe especially appealing, as they offer simultaneous internal and external stimulation. The downside to these toys is that they are very anatomy-specific, and their abundant stimulation may feel overwhelming to beginners. The upside is that when a rabbit really works for you, it can become your go-to toy. One small and easy-to-handle dual vibe is the Miss Bi. Kaya or Money Bunny are also nice introductory rabbits. Get the in-depth low-down on dual vibes in our guide.
It’s up to you!
There’s just one final factor you should consider when choosing your first vibrator: aesthetics! Your sense of style will probably guide you anyway when you’re browsing our shop, and be sure to listen to it! You’ll be much more likely to use a toy that you find visually appealing.
Still feeling boggled? Come to our recurring class, The Joys of Toys!, in which we cover everything you need to know about delving into the big wide world of sex toys.
