The Best Sex Toys for Beginners

The Magic Wand has been a categorical favorite since it was first marketed as a muscle massager back in 1968. It’s “the Cadillac of vibrators,” according to Archie Bongiovanni, sexual-health educator and events coordinator at the Minneapolis storeSmitten Kitten. The Magic Wand has a well-deserved reputation for getting the job done, and I’ve yet to recommend it to someone who didn’t end up singing its praises — but it’s also something of an appliance. So for beginners, I recommend the Micro: It has all the power of the Magic Wand at a more affordable price point, and is also much lighter and smaller than the original; that makes it both less intimidating and easier to travel with. If you don’t mind the larger size and price tag, theMagic Wand Rechargeableoffers more modes to experiment with, as it features one additional speed setting, plus four patterns.

Bullet vibrators are ideal for beginners because of their easy-to-use, straightforward design. The We-Vibe Tango X is an upgrade on the brand’s classic bullet-style vibrator, known for its strong vibrations and slim size. Sex writer and sex-toy reviewerBetty Butchcalls the Tango “the gold standard” of bullet vibrators that “sex-toy reviewers compare all other bullet vibrators to.” Sex educator and bloggerKelvin Sparkssays, “The Tango has the most rumbly vibrations I’ve seen a bullet vibrator have.” But despite the strength of its vibrations, it’s actually quite quiet while in use.

For a cheaper option, try the Dip, Dame’s latest launch. The Dip is USB rechargeable and made of silky-smooth silicone, with just one button that you use to cycle through the five intensity levels (compared to the Tango’s eight). “I really loved the ergonomic design: The vibe felt good in my hand and was easy to handle,” says one of our testers, who notes that she found it was best used externally or for shallow G-spot penetration. “While the lower settings weren’t quite strong enough for me — I had to use the upper two settings the entire time — I think this is a good beginner option for first-time buyers,” she adds. “And for just $35, the Dip is really impressive.”

The palm-size Je Joue Mimi is ideal if you’re into a more mellow toy. Andrea Barrica, CEO and founder ofO.school, recommends it for those who are more sensitive and says it’s her personal go-to because she finds most wands and suction toys to be too intense. It’s also discreet. When we tested this as part of a review ofhigh-design vibrators, one of our testers had this to say: “The Mimi, so soft.”

If you’re looking to explore internal stimulation, the Arc’s curved head is meant to help you reach your G-spot. It has some girth and a realistic feel without being overly intimidating and the overall design allows for stimulation both inside and outside. “I really appreciated the thick handle, as I was able to get a good grip on it and wasn’t worried about it slipping out of my hand,” said one of our testers. And, if it turns out internal stimulation isn’t your thing, the bulbous head is nice for clitoral stimulation, instead.

Rabbit-style vibrators have come a long way since that oneSex and the Cityepisode. Designed to simultaneously stimulate both your G-spot and your clitoris, my top recommendation is We-Vibe’s Nova 2. While a lot of rabbits aren’t very flexible, We-Vibe’s Nova is extremely adjustable, which makes it easier to keep in place.

While Tenga is perhaps best known for its strokers, the Japanese brand makes some of the most beautifully designed vibrators for beginners on the market. The toys are downright adorable and tend to evoke shapes that don’t make you think of a vibrator at all, like the Irohi, which looks a bit like mochi ice cream. The silicone is buttery soft and squishy, the toys come in a range of pastel colors, and they are charged in little plexiglass display cases that make them almost look like small pets. The vibrations are also on the soft side, so overall a good starter pick.

Maude’s Vibe, which we once called “the Day Heel of vibrators,”has three speeds controlled via one button and has a nonintimidating, slim teardrop shape. But while it may be no-frills, it still packs some power. As one of our testers noted, “The best way to describe this was that an orgasm just zipped out of me.”

The Magic Wand Micro has the strong, rumbly vibrations the brand is famous for, packed into a tiny package. With three speeds and three patterns, it is small enough to slip into basically any bag.

The beauty of We-Vibe’s Touch X lies in its ergonomic shape: It has a slight figure-eight shape with a nipped-in middle that makes it easy to hold, and it fits nicely in your palm, which allows it to feel like a natural extension of your hand. The narrower tip is perfect to stimulate the clitoris, but you can also use it externally for gentler labia massage. And because it has eight intensity levels, which build from a gentle buzzing to very strong, you’re sure to find one that’s best for you.

Suction toys work by concentrating pulses of air or sound waves that are designed to mimic oral sex. There are now a huge number of suction toys on the market, but Womanizer was the brand to first create the tech, and — in my opinion — is still the brand that has best perfected it. That being said, suction toys tend to produce a deeper and fuller orgasm than a regular vibrator and some people find them to be too intense. For that reason, I recommend checking out the Womanizer Liberty, which is the more affordable, scaled-back toy in their line, in case you fall in this camp. It only has six intensity levels, but if you’re new to air-suction toys, that may be more than enough and you can always upgrade to the Womanizer Premium if you decide you love it.

Saddle-style vibrators, also known as grinder toys, are designed to stimulate the entire vulva. This is an especially great toy if you love to read erotica(hello,Heated Rivalrystans) while you masturbate because you can use the Ruby Glow hands free.

If you’re looking to introduce a toy into the bedroom with your partner, our favorite is the We-Vibe Sync 2. Emily Morse, doctor of human sexuality and host ofSex With Emily, called it “the ultimate couple’s toy.” One end is worn internally while the external part lays on the clit to provide vibrations during penetrative sex.

Dame’s Eva, which is shaped like an egg with two small arms extending from either side, is designed to nestle between the labia and stay in place without hands, which makes it another great option for couples.One of our testers noted that their partner was also able to tuck it into their strap-on setup. “I like the hands-free aspect of it. I can stick it on while I do other things, and at its highest speed, it’s pretty powerful,” they also noted.

Another nice option for couples who want to start integrating toys into the bedroom is a sexcushionlike the Liberator Wedge. It can help with G-spot stimulation, make oral sex more comfortable, and assist with making certain positions much more comfortable.

Tenga’s very affordable, simple, and straightforward Egg is a great stroker for those looking to test out the waters for this type of toy. “Incredibly discreet, supercute, a really good gift, and it’s less than $20,” sums up Samantha Bard, co-owner of the Williamsburg sex shop and event spaceShag. Each Egg is ribbed inside, and because they’re disposable, they’re also easy to travel with or bring over to a partner’s house. Hot tip: Although they’re designed to be single use, if you regularly wash an Egg with soap and water, you can extend its lifespan.

While the nJoy Pure Wand makes an excellent G-spot toy, it is also a just-as-excellent prostate toy, due to its simple, sculptural design and stainless-steel construction.Kenneth Play, a co-founder of the sex-positive intentional communityHaciendacalls it “the ultimate prostate toy,” adding that its curved shape allows you to enjoy long self-pleasure sessions without any arm cramping.

Before making sex toys, Aneros designed medical devices for prostate stimulation so it’s a true expert in the space. While the MGX Trident may seem a bit old-fashioned, Andy Duran, educational-outreach coordinator atsex-toyretailerGood Vibes, says it “just links up perfectly, anatomically, to press the prostate.” And Kit Richardson, buyer forthe Museum of Sexand the MoSex Shop, recommends it whenever anyone is looking to buy a beginner anal toy.

If you’d like to experiment with vibrating prostate toys, Lelo’s are definitely a favorite among sexperts and shoppers alike. Justina Victoria, a men’s sex coach and the founder ofthe Sexual Mastery Center,calls it “less intimidating” than other prostate stimulators, making it a good choice for beginners just starting to explore.

A vibrating “ring” toy is a great, versatile choice because it can be used both alone or with a partner to intensify orgasms. This cock ring from Je Joue is the best in its class because of its comfortable fit, powerful motor, and streamlined design. The ring produces rumbly, deep vibrations and is quite stretchy so it can fit on a variety of sizes.

When it comes to experimenting with anal toys, check out the brand b-Vibe, which is known for its plugs. While their Anal Education set is a little bit pricier than the other toys on this list, it includes everything one might need, including an enema kit, lube shooter, and plugs in three different sizes that are vibrating, non-vibrating, and weighted, as well as a how-to book. Since education is a must when it comes to safe and fun anal play, investing in a kit like this that takes out all of the guesswork is worthwhile for beginners.

If you’re on a budget, this slim, silicone plug features seven optional speeds. Bongiovanni calls it “a fun, non-intimidating way to start any anal journey.” It’s ideal for those who are “brand new to anal play and want to play in insertion but not girth,” they say.

New York Toy Collective’s dildos are some of the best on the market. The Shilo is made from latex-free silicone and has a unique head designed for both G-spot and prostate stimulation. It has a nice weight and comes in a range of skin tones and fun colors.