When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Njoy; Dame; Tenga; Le Wand massager; We-Vibe; Alyssa Powell/InsiderAdding sex toys to your love life can seriously strengthen your relationship: When couples engage in “self-expanding activities” together — things like having intimate discussions about feelings and learning new things together — they were happier with the relationship, says a 2019 study in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
What’s more, focusing on sexual self-expansion, like experimenting with new sex positions or trying BDSM, upped the chances a couple had sex and felt more satisfied from the sexual experience. As a professional sex toy reviewer for nearly a decade, I’ve learned firsthand how sex toys for couples can really help open our minds (and our bodies) to new modes of pleasure and play. Whether you’re looking for your first toy together or looking to just freshen up your collection, don’t worry: I’ve tried hundreds of different toys over the years of my profession.
Plus, I chatted with two experts to share their own insight on the subject: Dr. Liz Powell, Psy. D, a psychologist and educator who specializes in sex and relationships, and Eva Bloom, MSc, a sex researcher and sex education YouTuber on What’s My Body Doing.
At the end of this guide, I’ve also shared other toys that I considered, why partners should play with sex toys together, and what to look for in a couple’s toy, as well as the testing methodology used in deciding what to feature. Here are our picks for the best sex toys for couples:Best wand vibrator: Vibratex Magic Wand Plus, $69. 95 on WalmartThe Vibratex Magic Wand Plus is strong enough to rock your world, and versatile enough to suit most preferences and bodies.
Best bullet vibrator: We-Vibe Tango X, $75. 05 on We VibeThe We-Vibe Tango X is an ultra-strong bullet vibrator that’s an ideal tool for clitoral satisfaction during masturbation or partnered sex, and the best non-bulky toy for couples. Best G-spot vibrator: Dame Arc, $115 on DameThe Dame Arc is a rechargeable silicone vibrator that targets the G-spot with unyielding precision, has an impressively powerful motor, and feels great on hotspots like the clitoris and the frenulum of the penis.
Best stroker: Fleshlight Quickshot Vantage, $34. 95 on FleshlightThis see-through stroker from Fleshlight feels just as great during masturbation as it does during partnered play, and its open-ended design makes it a way more convenient choice than a standard Fleshlight. Best cock ring: Tenga SVR, $80 on TengaTake a super stretchy cock ring, attach it to a super powerful vibrator, and you’ve got the Tenga SVR — a workhorse toy that’s just as suitable for masturbation as it is for partnered play.
Best butt plug: Njoy Pure Plug, $65 on Njoy”Classy butt plug” may sound like an oxymoron, but the stainless-steel Njoy Pure Plug feels good enough (and looks beautiful enough) to earn that moniker. Best bondage toy: Sportsheets Under-the-Bed Restraints, $62. 99 on SportsheetsIf you’re curious about bondage but don’t want to learn complex ties and knots, the Sportsheets Under-the-Bed Restraints is a great entry point for anyone.
Best position aid: Liberator Jaz, $95 on LiberatorDeeper penetration, less muscle fatigue, and better traction are just some of the benefits of using this inventive positioning aid from Liberator during sex or masturbation. Best wand vibratorGood VibesThe Vibratex Magic Wand Plus is strong enough to rock your world, and versatile enough to suit most preferences and bodies. Pros: Powerful, sturdy, versatile, multiple speeds, easy to clean, no need to charge/replace batteries, many attachments availableCons: Bulky, cumbersome, requires a nearby outlet, not especially quiet, no vibration patternsIf you knew this toy when it was previously known as the Hitachi Magic Wand, don’t rely on that reputation.
That version had two speeds and was known as a powerhouse too strong for the typical beginner. This newer version — acquired from Hitachi and updated by sex toy company Vibratex — has four speeds. Practically speaking, that means that this vibe is now much more comfortable for even sensitive users, while still delivering for those who want a stronger sensation.
“Wand vibrators are great toys that can be used by one partner to stimulate the other,” Bloom told Insider. “Because of the large surface area of wand vibrators, the partner wielding the toy doesn’t need to be super precise for their partner to still experience pleasure. “Wands can be used during penetrative sex so long as you’re in a position that accommodates their bulky size.
They can be combined with dildos or butt plugs for a full-bodied sensation. They’re also great for revving up arousal toward the beginning of a session or eking out an orgasm when nothing else has done the trick so far. This is one of my most-used vibrators; it’s almost always on my nightstand because it’s strong, rumbly, and reliable.
I think it’s the best wand vibrator you can get in its price range. Vibratex makes a rechargeable version that’s about $50 more than the Plus, and it’s worth the splurge if you don’t want to be chained to an outlet — but since most people probably aren’t using their bulky wand vibrators away from an outlet all that often, I think the $75 plug-in version is just fine for the majority of users. While commonly thought of as a clitoral toy, the Magic Wand can also feel good on the penis, testicles, and perineum.
Some companies even sell attachments that can turn your wand into a vibrating G-spot toy or stroker. It truly is a vibrator for every body, and for partnered or solo use. Best bullet vibratorWe-VibeThe We-Vibe Tango X is an ultra-strong bullet vibrator that’s an ideal tool for clitoral satisfaction during masturbation or partnered sex, and the best non-bulky toy for couples.
Pros: Powerful, petite, rechargeable, multiple settings, intuitive controls, quiet, easy to hold, waterproof, travel-friendlyCons: May be too firm or pinpointed for someWe-Vibe is a sex toy company known for its super-strong motors — and its clitoral vibe, the Tango X, is a prime example with it’s ideal rumbly vibration for deeper stimulation and longer sessions. “Bullet vibrators can be great tools to use to stimulate the clitoris in conjunction with penetration with fingers, toys, or penises,” Bloom says. From personal experience, I have to agree.
The Tango X is a perfect toy for couples because it can be so easily positioned between bodies to add some extra clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex. It’s also a good choice for mutual masturbation, because it’s strong enough to get you there but not so huge as to obscure your partner’s view of the action. The toy’s handle is made of soft silicone that’s easy to keep a grip on even when there’s lube on your hands or the toy.
The rest of the toy is hard plastic, which conducts vibration very well rather than muting it, but which may be uncomfortably firm for some users. Likewise, some people may find the toy’s pointed tip too focused. (Consider We-Vibe’s similar Touch X if you want vibrations that are more cushioned.
) But because the Tango X is roughly the shape and size of a standard bullet vibrator, you can soften its intense sensations by sliding it into toys that have a specialized hole for a bullet vibe, like the Tantus Panty Play or Uberrime tentacle bullet sleeve. The Tango X can even be tucked behind the dildo in a harness if you want to add some extra sensation to your strap-on play. The Tango X offers six different vibration patterns in addition to its steady vibration mode.
You can also cycle through eight different vibration intensities for each of those patterns. It’s waterproof and has a travel lock (great for saving battery life) and is small enough to easily fit into a purse or pocket. Overall, I think this is the best toy available for couples who want to upgrade their sex lives with some vibration but don’t want something intimidatingly huge and bulky.
Best G-spot vibratorDameThe Dame Arc is a rechargeable silicone vibrator that targets the G-spot with unyielding precision, has an impressively powerful motor, and feels great on hotspots like the clitoris and the frenulum of the penis. Pros: Powerful, multiple speeds and patterns, smooth silicone exterior, great shape for G-spot stimulation, versatile, rechargeable, waterproof, ergonomic, quiet, intuitive controls, travel lock, useable with or without vibrationCons: May be too firm for some usersWhile there have been debates galore about whether the G-spot is a myth or not, the fact remains that many people find it pleasurable to have theirs touched, rubbed, and/or vibrated — and I’ve found the Dame Arc is one of the best tools for the job. This simple, elegant vibrator targets the G-spot with its upward curve and the stimulating ridge that separates its head from its shaft.
It feels substantial and high-quality but is still lightweight enough to be easy to thrust and reposition as needed. The controls of this toy are pretty intuitive: You hold down the power button to turn the toy on or off and press to toggle between steady vibration and the toy’s four rhythmic patterns. The other two buttons cycle through the toy’s five vibration intensities.
The vibrations are impressively rumbly, and remarkably quiet for how strong they are. As someone with chronic pain and muscle weakness that sometimes shows up in my hands and wrists, I find this vibrator much easier to wield than many of its ilk, because of its ergonomic shape and the hard plastic panel on the back of the handle that gives me some extra leverage when changing the setting. The tip of this toy is very slightly squishy, but for the most part, it’s quite firm throughout.
This makes sense, because G-spots tend to prefer firm stimulation, especially if you’re aiming to induce a G-spot orgasm and/or squirting (both of which, by the way, can only be achieved by some people, not all). In fact, I find that the firmness and shape of this toy are so perfect, I can use it without even turning the vibrations on, like a dildo, and it still feels great. That’s a definite plus for when the battery runs out mid-session (which thankfully doesn’t happen too often because its LED light flashes red when the battery’s running low).
However, if you know you prefer softer, more flexible stimulation, this may not be the toy for you. The Arc is specifically marketed as being useable not only internally, but also clitorally. The slightly pointed ridge on the head of the toy is great for clitoral stimulation; you can experiment with different angles and amounts of pressure to find the most pleasurable approach for your body.
It also feels great on the scrotum and the frenulum of the penis. Because the shaft of the toy is long and slim, it fits easily between bodies and is ideal for adding some extra clitoral stimulation to penetrative sex. This toy’s versatility and portability make it a winner for me.
I can take it in the bath, toss it in my suitcase, hand it to a partner to use on me, or use it on myself during sex or masturbation. It’s quiet, unassuming, and does all the things one would hope a G-spot vibrator would do. Best strokerFleshlightThis see-through stroker from Fleshlight feels just as great during masturbation as it does during partnered play, and its open-ended design makes it a way more convenient choice than a standard Fleshlight.
Pros: Pleasurable texture, comfortably squishy, easy to clean, combines well with oral sex, transparent material ideal for voyeurs/exhibitionists, compact size, affordableCons: Doesn’t stimulate the whole penis at once, sticky texture, porous material, finicky screwcapsFleshlight is known for its realistic-feeling strokers for penile masturbation, but its Quickshot toys are a bit different from its other offerings. Instead of enveloping the whole penis in a long cylinder, the Quickshot only stimulates 3. 5″ of the penis at once and is open-ended.
While people who love base-to-tip stimulation may be disappointed by this change, it has some key benefits: Post-use cleaning is much faster and easier with the open end (which is especially appreciated when that post-orgasm sleepiness creeps in), and you can use the Quickshot on the base of the penis while performing oral sex on the head, creating a truly unique combo of sensations. The squishy material of this stroker can accommodate a broad range of penis sizes, and the gently-ridged texture inside is highly stimulating. The SuperSkin material may feel a bit sticky or tacky initially, but applying cornstarch makes it softer, as is often the case with this type of toy.
It’s also important to be aware that like almost all stroker materials, SuperSkin is porous — which means that STI transmission is possible if you share the toy between partners, even if you wash it in between. Its porosity also makes it less durable than nonporous sex toy materials, so you may need to replace this toy sooner than you would, say, a silicone butt plug or glass dildo. Because the material is clear, this toy is a particularly great option for people who find exhibitionism and/or voyeurism arousing.
Standard up-and-down strokes work well, but you can also twist and turn the toy to create different sensations. One gay male reviewer was even able to stroke both his partner’s penis and his own at the same time with the Quickshot. Since the Quickshot is so small and has screw-on lids at both ends, you can toss it in your bag much more easily and discreetly than a standard Fleshlight.
The hard plastic case keeps it from accumulating lint while in storage or in transport. My partner finds that the threading on the caps is a bit finicky, so it often takes them a few tries to screw it on properly, but this is only a minor annoyance. At $35, the Quickshot Vantage is far less expensive than other strokers of comparable quality.
It’s more versatile than your standard Fleshlight, lending itself just as well to partnered play as to solo play. As long as you don’t mind the reduced size, I think this is the best stroker on the market right now. Best cock ringTengaTake a super stretchy cock ring, attach it to a super powerful vibrator, and you’ve got the Tenga SVR — a workhorse toy that’s just as suitable for masturbation as it is for partnered play.
Pros: Powerful, stretchy, rechargeable, versatile, quiet, waterproof, multiple speeds, comes with a storage case Cons: Vibe flops around during penetrative sex, only one button, only two patterns, some users may prefer a thicker or tighter ringThe Tenga SVR is essentially a really great vibrator that happens to be attached to a cock ring — which is a breath of fresh air in the world of vibrating cock rings, where the vibrator portion tends to be a low-quality afterthought. If you, like many users, are interested in cock rings for its potential to give the receiving partner a hands-free clitoral orgasm during penetrative sex, I think this is one of your best options because of how strong, rumbly, and substantial the vibrator part is. However, as with many cock rings of this type, you’ll probably need to keep your thrusts fairly deep and controlled to prevent the vibrator from flopping around and losing contact with the receptive partner’s clit.
The actual cock ring part of the SVR is plenty stretchy enough for most penis sizes. It’s somewhat slim as far as rings go, so it may be uncomfortable for some users, but I’ve used it with partners in the average-to-well-above-average range and haven’t heard any complaints. I was initially introduced to this toy by a friend who likes it for fingering, rather than vaginal sex.
He’ll slip the ring around two of his fingers before penetrating partners with them, so he can rub their G-spot with his fingers while the vibrator presses against their clit. I’ve used the SVR like this several times, both on myself and with partners and have found it’s remarkably well-suited for this method; your fingers end up transmitting some of the vibrations as well, so it’s a highly stimulating trick overall. You can do something similar with anal penetration, inserting your fingers anally while the vibrator stimulates the perineum (the sensitive area between the genitals and anus).
I imagine this would pair well with oral sex and various other activities. When using this toy solo, I appreciate that the silicone loop makes it easier for me to keep a hold of the toy even when chronic pain and grip-strength issues are flaring up in my hands. There’s only one button on the toy, with which you can scroll through its five vibration intensities and two rhythm modes.
I do wish there was a “plus” and “minus” button instead, so I could go back to the previous setting more easily, but it only takes a few extra seconds to cycle back around to my preferred setting. I love how portable the SVR is — it even comes with its own little storage case to keep it lint-free while it’s riding around in your pocket/purse/suitcase. Its simple design and multifunctionality make it a useful toy to have in your collection.
Best butt plugNjoy”Classy butt plug” may sound like an oxymoron, but the stainless-steel Njoy Pure Plug feels good enough (and looks beautiful enough) to earn that moniker. Pros: Heavy/substantial, stimulating curve, comfortable base, tapered tip, durable, multiple sizes available, great for temperature play, works with any lube, easy to clean, comes in a beautiful gift boxCons: Pricey, not always comfortable for double penetration, naturally cold, may be too heavy or firm for some users, not ideal for anal sex warm-upStainless steel is a particularly wonderful material for a butt plug because it’s heavy enough that you’ll be aware of it for most of the time that it’s inside you — but in a good way. However, the flattened, loop-shaped base of the Njoy Pure Plug makes sure it stays comfortable, even if you’re wearing it for hours at a time and walking around while it’s in you (if you like).
You may need to re-lubricate it if you’re wearing it for more than an hour or so, but this is less of a problem with the Pure Plug than it is with silicone plugs; you can use any type of lubricant with a steel plug and it won’t get absorbed into the toy over time. Some people dislike naturally cold materials like metal and glass — especially for anal play, since the shock of the cold can make your sphincter muscles tense up when you’re trying to relax them. However, these types of toys can easily be warmed up by putting them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes before use.
Likewise, if you want that shocking cold sensation, you can give your butt plug a dip in some cool water prior to use. While I like this toy a lot for adding some taboo anal pleasure to masturbation, oral sex, and spanking, I don’t think it combines all that well with vaginal penetration. It’s too firm and feels like it’s poking me when I try to insert a dildo (or a partner’s penis) vaginally.
If double penetration is what I’m after, I’ll tend to choose a soft silicone toy with no curve, like the Tantus Neo plug. Something like the Neo would also be better if you’re interested in butt plugs primarily as a warm-up for anal sex, because the slim neck of the Pure Plug won’t stretch you open much. But overall, I love the Pure Plug.
It lends a touch of luxury and class to anal play, which many squeamish anal beginners may find comforting. Its gentle curve presses into the prostate — or the G-spot, through the vaginal wall — to create exciting sensations, whether you’re masturbating alone, playing with a partner, or waiting in line at the grocery store. The Njoy Pure Plug comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
I’ve owned the medium and large sizes for many years, and I think the medium size, with its 1. 25″ diameter, would work best for the majority of people. The small size (1″) is so tiny that you may as well use a finger instead, and the large size (1.
5″) is too big to be beginner-friendly, but I’ve found that the medium size works well for me and many others of various anal experience levels. Its angled, tapered tip makes insertion easy as can be. Best bondage toySportsheetsIf you’re curious about bondage but don’t want to learn complex ties and knots, the Sportsheets Under-the-Bed Restraints is a great entry point for anyone.
Pros: Relatively easy and quick to install, ideal for bondage beginners, portable, adjustable straps, pairs well with other toys and activitiesCons: Indiscreet, scratchy material, requires extra components if you want to swap out the cuffs, straps may not be long enough if you’re a petite person in a big bedThis inventive restraints system consists of two wrist cuffs, two ankle cuffs, four restraint straps, and one main strap that the others connect to. You slide the main strap under your mattress, so that the restraint straps and attached cuffs hang off the sides of the bed. That way, when someone’s wrists and ankles are Velcro’ed into the cuffs, they’ll be held in place by the weight of the mattress — so they can struggle, flail around, and experience the pleasures of bondage, without first needing to spend time and money figuring out more complex restraint methods like rope or lockable handcuffs.
I love this product and think it’s one of the most convenient ways to start incorporating bondage into your sex life. When you’re in the mood for bondage, you don’t necessarily want to have to rifle through your sex toy collection, untangle your rope, locate the lock for your handcuffs, and so on. It’s nice to have straps and cuffs already attached to your bed so you can just grab ’em and get started.
However, that quality also makes this product a bit indiscreet; the cuffs could be easily spotted by kids, visitors, or whoever if you don’t tuck them away under the mattress between uses or cover them with your bedspread. This restraints system comes with cheap nylon cuffs that fasten with Velcro. These are generally fine for casual users, but if you like to struggle against your restraints a lot, you may find that these cuffs are too flimsy and/or scratchy to comfortably allow for that.
(On the plus side, they are very easy to remove quickly if the strapped-down partner becomes panicky, has a medical emergency, says their safe word, etc. ) I swapped mine out for higher-quality leather cuffs. The restraints system isn’t set up to allow for this on its own, so I had to buy four carabiners at a hardware store so I could hook my cuffs onto the provided straps.
However, those are pretty cheap (about $2-6 per carabiner), so this isn’t a huge deal. The straps are extremely adjustable, so many different body types and preferred positions can be accommodated. I have a friend who’s very petite (under 5″) who found that the straps don’t quite reach her limbs on her king-sized bed, but I’m 5’4″ and have used this product on double- and queen-sized beds without issue.
The process of walking around the bed to individually fasten each cuff and adjust each strap can take a good 2-3 minutes or more, which some people may find annoying — but as the partner being strapped down, I’ve always found that this interlude just builds exciting anticipation. Bondage combines well with lots of other activities — oral sex, temperature play, sensory deprivation with a blindfold, teasing with a feather tickler, scratching, biting, and much more. It keeps the strapped-down partner from moving around too much, which many people find exciting on its own and which also sometimes serves a logistical purpose (e.
g. when you’re inflicting kinky pain on someone and might accidentally injure them if they writhe around too much). If you’re curious about bondage but unsure whether you’ll like it or how to incorporate it into your sex life, I think this restraints system is one of the most versatile and cost-effective products out there to help you explore this kink.
Best position aidLiberatorDeeper penetration, less muscle fatigue, and better traction are just some of the benefits of using this inventive positioning aid from Liberator during sex or masturbation. Pros: Supportive, compact, allows for deeper penetration/different angles, versatile, improves traction, moisture-resistant liner, machine-washable zip-off cover Cons: Indiscreet, not wide enough for all bodies, not strictly “necessary” for most people, not portableLiberator makes “sex pillows” in a wide range of shapes and sizes, but I think the Jaz is the most useful item in its catalogue. It’s a petite, firm foam wedge that can be slid under your (or your partner’s) body to allow for deeper penetration during intercourse or masturbation, a less neck-straining angle during oral sex, better butt access during a spanking, and much more.
Its microsuede material and firm foam filling also provide some added traction that might be useful during sex if your bedsheets are slippery or your mattress is made of squishy memory foam. I never knew how much I needed a Liberator product until I owned one and found myself using it all the time. It seems like the kind of thing that could be replicated with just a stack of regular pillows, but the Jaz is made of high-density foam that holds its shape and provides some much-needed support in ways that normal pillows just can’t.
The Jaz is also specifically designed with sex in mind, so when you inevitably get bodily fluids on it, you can zip off the cover and throw it in the washing machine. A moisture-proof liner protects the pillow from errant liquids. The Jaz is 18″ wide, so if you or your partner have hips wider than that, you may want to spring for the 24″-wide Wedge instead.
Both are, unfortunately, not the most discreet products, since they definitely don’t look like regular pillows. If you’re worried about visitors spotting yours, you can hide it under your bed between uses, or just tell any curious onlookers that you use it for “back support” when sitting up in bed. — which you can actually use it for, although you’ll probably want to put a normal pillow on top since Liberator pillows are very firm.
While most able-bodied people probably don’t need a Liberator Jaz, you may nonetheless find it makes many sexual positions and activities more comfortable, less tiring, and/or more pleasurable. And for me, as a person with some chronic pain and mobility issues, my Jaz is often a saving grace, particularly for longer or more athletic sex sessions. I’ve used it alone and with partners for several years now, and it always seems to improve sensations I didn’t even know could be improved upon.
What else I testedThere are a lot of fantastic couples’ sex toys out there — too many to fit into one article. Here are some other top contenders I considered:We-Vibe Chorus: Known as the quintessential “couples’ vibrator,” this C-shaped toy stimulates both the G-spot and clitoris during penetrative sex — but, at $200, it’s far too pricey for a toy that Dr. Powell and I agree is not quite powerful enough and may not fit everyone’s anatomy quite right.
We-Vibe Pivot: This has the strongest motor of any vibrating cock ring I’ve tried, but it doesn’t have as much stretch as the Tenga SVR, and I’ve had partners report it can feel uncomfortably tight. It’s also pretty expensive for something you’d probably only use once in a while. Hot Octopuss Amo: While it is roughly as powerful and rumbly as the We-Vibe Tango X, the Amo’s irregular shape makes it less versatile because it’s not compatible with toys that have a bullet vibe hole, and its soft silicone muffles its vibrations more than I would prefer.
It’s an excellent vibe for its price point, though. Tenga Eggs: Tenga’s soft and stretchy disposable strokers can be used a few times if you wash them out after each use, and are a good (not to mention affordable) introduction to the world of strokers — but if you like this type of toy, you may as well spring for a longer-lasting version. Tantus Neo: I love the simplicity and affordability of this silicone butt plug, and the way its comfortably contoured base leaves room for vaginal penetration if you want to double up.
However, it lacks the prostate-targeting curve many people crave from a butt plug. Satisfyer Pro 2: Some people go wild for this type of toy, which uses innovative “air-pulse technology” to rhythmically stimulate the clitoris without numbing it the way some vibrators can. But I find most people either love the sensation or hate it.
If you’re curious enough to try it, then, by all means, do. Why play with sex toys together?filadendron/Getty ImagesParticularly when current events are as tumultuous as they are now, sex can begin to feel like a source of stress and shame, rather than a locus of fun and pleasure, Powell told Insider. “It can become this kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, this snowball effect of things getting worse and worse and impacting our mental health, which then makes us feel less sexual,” they said.
Playfulness is the antidote: “Our brains are designed to play … and [with sex toys] you can have that playfulness that makes sex feel less like another task on your to-do list, and more like something fun that you get to enjoy with someone you care about,” Powell added. Bloom agreed: “Just trying something new together can promote intimacy and desire,” she said, echoing that 2019 study of sexual desire and satisfaction in long-term relationships. Sex toys often offer unique sensations that human bodies are incapable of creating on their own and learning a new toy together can be a romantic adventure in-and-of-itself.
Couples of all genders, body types, and orientations can benefit from the boost of novelty and fun that sex toys provide. Sex toys also alleviate some of the pressure of making your partner feel good when you’re not quite up to the task. You may not feel like putting a ton of physical effort into sex on burned-out weeknights or sleepy weekend mornings, for instance; with sex toys, you may not have to.
For the same reasons, sex toys can make a big difference for people whose strength, stamina, or mobility are limited by disabilities and other health conditions. What to look for in a toyJuliaMikhaylova/Getty ImagesWhen it comes to couples’ toys, in particular, the category may be broader than you’d think. “Any toy that you like can be a really good couples’ toy, depending upon how you use it,” Powell said.
While many sex toys were designed with masturbation in mind, you can incorporate just about any of these into sex with a partner or look for toys specifically designed for partnered sex. Keep in mind that “sex” is defined here as encompassing much more than just vaginal intercourse between heterosexual, cisgender people. So, while that doesn’t help narrow down the categories, any toy you’re eyeing should have the following:Body-safe materials: The sex toy industry is unregulated by the FDA, so consumers have to do their own research when buying toys to ensure it’s actually body-safe.
Many low-end sex toys contain plasticizer chemicals called phthalates, which are associated with a higher risk of cancer, birth defects, and reduced fertility. These chemicals are also known to cause skin irritation of sensitive genital tissues. As per BadVibes.
org, an organization that advocates for consumers’ safety in the sex toy industry, “Sex toys should be made of a medical or food-grade material that is hypoallergenic and safe for intimate contact. ” They recommend “safe, non-porous materials,” which include 100% silicone, glass, steel, sealed ceramic, and plastic. Non-porous material: Rubber and elastomer are also common sex toy materials, but these are porous, meaning that they “can harbor micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can cause infections despite even the most diligent cleaning efforts,” according to BadVibes.
org. For this reason, porous toys are best avoided. Rumbly vibrations: If you’re interested in a vibrating toy you want to look for products that have low-pitched, or “rumbly,” vibrations.
This is considered the gold standard because it stimulates the deeper tissues of your erogenous zones, rather than just the surface of your skin. Unlike more “buzzy” vibes, rumbly ones don’t tend to cause an annoying feeling of numbness after a few minutes, so they’re especially wonderful if you enjoy longer sessions and/or having multiple orgasms. Genuine intrigue: Above all, make sure the toys you choose are ones you and your partner are genuinely intrigued by.
“Sex toys can be great venues for facilitating sexual communication about your likes, dislikes, and desires,” Bloom says, “which can lead to greater intimacy and sexual satisfaction. “You don’t have to want, or like, a particular kind of sex toy just because it’s popular — in fact, choosing toys that resonate with you is likely to open new avenues of experimentation with your partner that may lead you into higher stratospheres of pleasure together. How I test couples’ sex toysNjoy; Dame; Tenga; Le Wand massager; We-Vibe; Alyssa Powell/InsiderWhen testing toys with partners, I not only take note of my own feelings about each product but also interview my partners about the toys after the fact so I can also understand their perspective.
Three major factors stand out as guiding principles for what I think of as a good sex toy:Versatility: I believe spending money on a toy that only does one thing is usually a waste unless you know you like that one thing very, very much and you know the toy in question does that thing very, very well. Since this is an article about couples’ toys, of course, all the products here are ones you can use with a partner — but I also made sure that most of them work equally well for masturbation since solo sex is a significant portion of most people’s sex lives. Durability: Many of these toys have a warranty, and most are built to last for years and years.
Good sex toys can be pricey, and if you’re dropping major dollars on a toy, it should ideally be one you’ll own and use happily for a long time. Unique utility: Why bother buying a sex toy if it does something you or your partner can more-or-less already do with your own hands/mouth/other anatomy, or with items you already have lying around the house? All of these toys create sensations you can’t find elsewhere, and they do it better than any of their imitators. Expert sourcesDr.
Liz Powell, Psy. D, a psychologist and educator who specializes in sex and relationshipsEva Bloom, MSc, a sex researcher and sex education YouTuber on What’s My Body DoingThe Kinsey Institute at Indiana UniversityThe Journal of Personality and Social PsychologyRead the original article on Insider.
From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/best-sex-toys-for-couples