This post is sponsored by Wet For Her.
I’m a minimalist, but you know what, sometimes I can use a little bit more — and then some more after that. Every type of Valentine (and their date) is gonna want to end the night with all the options on hand for getting sweet between the sheets. I thought I’d take the maximalist route and give you just a few extra toys to choose from to help make your Valentine’s day hella fun.
“Got to try with my partner and it’s absolutely amazing. She loves it. The remote makes it convenient to adjust the settings. I am not one that gets off from just tribbing. I usually need more than that, but this did the trick. Def would recommend if you would like to spice things up. Btw this may be TMI, but getting some head while this is in. Holy ****. A different kind of experience” — Maricruz
This is one of the top faves not just for me but for Isabel too! If you’re a fan of tribbing, scissoring or grinding and just really wanna take it to the next level this is literally it — especially if you’re the type to want to get extra close to your sweetie after you’ve had all the chocolates and bubbles. Find the perfect placement between the two of you and hit your groove; it’s gonna become a constant part of your playtime. 10 vibrating modes, a 1 hour run time and a wireless remote so that you don’t have to pause to adjust when you hit that sweet spot. Perfect too if your valentine is a bit of a pillow princess but you know you love it so you’re not complaining.
“Bought this and was very happy with my purchase! There is some time to get used to using it, as with any sex toy, but it brought pleasure to both me and my partner and spiced things up and made us feel more connected during the fun!” — Maria F.
Double Dildos take time for everyone involved to get adjusted to but once you do, BABBBBBBYYYYYYY IT’S TIME FOR BLASTOFF! I really enjoy the Union because the closeness is incredible, I love that neither of us have to give up penetration, I feel more physically connected and that’s due to the bulbous end being inside me while simultaneously having the elongated end in them. Some folks use Valentine’s day to explore in the bedroom and try something new, and this could be just the ticket for that! You’ll have to learn to work certain muscles to get all you can out of it but fear not — it’s harness compatible until you’re ready to go without the training wheels. It comes with a mini bullet to add actual vibes to your playtime to increase the fun even more.
“AMAZING. My girlfriend and I have been searching for a harness that is comfortable. These are SO GOOD. Super comfortable to wear, and she both felt secure and was actually secure. We had VERY enthusiastic sex with them, and they never budged from their place. We absolutely love and recommend these!” — Finn
These go up to a 3X, which is very dope. They are snug and secure so that just like Finn, you can have very enthusiastic sex without worrying about things slipping off or out. The tighter fit also helps the strap you select stay firm inside of the O-Ring. They are also comfortable under clothes, so when the mood finally hits on the 14th you can take off your dress, slip in your fav dildo and then slip into her. It’s compatible with all the dildos on the Wet For Her site (except for the Fusion!) so you have plenty of options for V-day fun.
“Love this product made for women, by women! Product is well made and details are great. My wife and I love it!” — Anonymous
I’ve said it before about this toy — I enjoy it because it has a non-realistic design. It comes in 3 colors (with the cutest being this sweet lavender one) and is a great starter strap-on! Imagine having all 3 colors and sizes and letting your girl work her way up during your literal all-day Valentine’s sex-a-thon. It’s made of smooth, soft, 100% silicone and water based & hybrid lubes are safe to use on it when you want things to get even more slippery than they already are. You can use it harnessed with a partner (The Spareparts one is its most compatible friend) or sans harness when you want her to watch you and feed you candy hearts.
“It’s a great product. I have 2 so I don’t need to change it over if my gf wants something bigger or slimmer. I get something out of it too rather than a bruised beaver.” — Jo M.
This is one of the dopest things I’ve found in the land of sex toys. When you’re strapping someone down, yes you’re having a blast, but let’s be honest — sometimes it hurts the giver. Having this is solid because you’ll no doubt be putting it down all night, maybe to 112’s “Cupid” to celebrate the occasion, so how great would it be to not make up the next day with a bruised pelvis. The BumpHer is easy to slide over the base of your dildo, provides a literal extra cushion for the pushin’ for the giver, and it also has bumps that shape around your clit so that you can get some sensations while you’re bringing her closer and closer to that O. This is a must-have in any toy chest and it looks cool too!
Remember — everything in this post is available from our friends over at Wet For Her! They’re making sure to get everything to you before the big day if you order before February 7th — there’s an extra fee for shipping but it will be worth it!
Have fun, and happy Valentine’s Day, hotties!
This post is sponsored by Wet For Her.
After the holidays money is low but the stress is still kind of high. All you want to do is unwind, take down the tree, put the menorah away, and put the Christmas lights back in your room above the bed where they belong. You probably spent so much time and money taking care of and treating everyone else for the past month that you forgot about yourself.
I’m here with the crew from Wet For Her to bring you back to center and put yourself first — all without completely tanking your bank account. For me, one of the top ways to get back to myself and destress is to get in tune with my body, and I do that by masturbating. Touching, caressing, stroking myself and getting sweaty in my bed, in the bath, or on the couch just makes me remember that at the end of the day I always have to prioritize me.
Wet For Her has plenty of toys that can take your partnered sex to the next level, but they also have lots that are fantastic for solo play and won’t break the bank — these are just a few faves!
This dildo does double-time; when you’re interested in partnered sex you can slip it into an O-ring harness, but when you want time alone you can use it sans harness! One of the top draws for me to this toy is the non-realistic look; there are no bumps and curves that mimic the real thing, which makes for a silky soft and sweet playtime. It comes in three different sizes so you can choose the one that’s perfect for you.
A bunch of us want to get to know the G-spot, and that can be hard or feel high-pressure to do when you’re having partnered sex. You can use the RockHer to explore new depths as much as you want! 10 different vibe settings add to the experience and you can opt to use it just for clitoral play. A cute surprise? If you do insert it for G-Spot play, the ring will frame your clit while inside of you so you can let your other hand do a little easy extra work.
A suction cup-based dildo, with bumps and colors that kinda match my bathroom? Sign me up. If you’re someone who enjoys feeling full (Hi Hello it’s me) then this is the one for you. Yes, it’s strap on compatible which is again, great when you’re in the mood for partnered play but the powerful suction cup base is your best friend for when you’re feeling selfish. Imagine popping this on the edge of your tub (or close your toilet lid and plop it there), stroke it with your fav water-based lube, and ride away to your heart’s content.
This one is for y’all who are by no means new to ass play; it’s 8 inches long with stacked beads that graduate in size and made out of smooth silicone. The motor in this one is quiet but quite powerful, so wouldn’t suggest this for those who aren’t at least a mid-level booty player. The vibes last for an hour which is just enough time to warm up and get ready to quake with all kinds of joy.
Another great dildo on the list, this one is excellent for beginners. It’s enough to make you feel full but won’t give you that heavy feeling that sometimes come with it. Great for using alone but also compatible with several O-ring type harnesses! I like that this one has a bit of a curve and the flat base fits right in the palm of my hand, making for perfect grip ability.
Suction toys have moved to the tip-top of my solo play list! They take a bit to adjust to and if you’re like me you’ll have to work your way up the vibe settings but you’ll have SO MUCH FUN DOING IT. The Suki has 10 suction modes, 6 vibe levels, and a finger grip to help you keep it in place while you play. Suction toys are incredible in water and will make bathtime a blast. If you’re worried about how to clean it, it’s simple! Just wipe it clean with your favorite cleaner, make sure to get into the opening, and dry it face down on a clean towel.
So get this, it may surprise you (insert sarcasm here) to find out that I am a femme who loves her acrylic nails and shall remove them for absolutely none of you. During partnered play, folks get used to and enjoy them or we opt out and fuck other ways. During solo play, This toy is solid for when I want the feel of finger penetration but can’t quite get deep enough with my own. Slip them over your acrylic tipped fingers and get at it baby! Bonus, if you enjoy masturbating while laying on your tummy — this is gonna change the game and hit all the right spots.
Everyone needs a trusty bullet vibe; they’re compact and always do the trick. The great thing about this one is that it’s rechargeable; you don’t have to worry about rummaging around your side table drawer or stealing the batteries out of some remote just to be sure you can get off. It’s also waterproof for those of you who happen to turn into a slip-n-slide when you really hit the right spot.
Glass dildos are amazing plus perfect for temperature play, and a solid way to explore just how much you’re into it is to try it out alone. This stacked glass toy is on the larger side so it’s great for those who have already worked their way up, or really good if you want to start trying to! Made from shatterproof glass and easy to clean when you’re done playing.
So if you have it, spend a little bit and get yourself a treat. Take care of yourself now — and you can be Wet For Her later.
Over the last few years, sex toy companies and stores have asked us to review their toys in exchange for, you know, their toys. Today we’re reviewing The Cal Exotics Hidden Pleasure Bullet!
The two big draws of the Hidden Pleasure Bullet are supposed to be how wonderfully discreet it is as well as the luxurious look the toy has. I enjoy feeling a bit glam when I’m masturbating and because I’m not keen on letting my entire apartment complex know when I’m getting off — a quiet toy is key.
When you first look at it, it looks like your standard “hidden” toy vibrator. I’ve had a few in the past, and specifically use them for when I’m traveling. I have quite a collection of sex toys, but not all of them are able to be packed up when I’m visiting home, for example. This one was something I can throw in my bag, will hopefully get me off when I need it, and that won’t shock my mother should she find it while inevitably going through my things.
The toy is extremely slim; it’s made of plastic and iron but has a metallic coating to give it the gold luxury look. That bit made me nervous as I was concerned about chipping and peeling, but it seems as though it will stand the test of time. It’s not meant for internal play, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t try it anyway. It’s easy to insert but the slim design means that for me, someone who enjoys feeling full, it wasn’t going to do much in the arousal department.
More often than not bullet vibes are battery-operated. I was quite happy that this one was rechargeable via USB (with a magnetic dock) and boasts 90 minutes of playtime. Another surprise was that it has something called a “memory chip,” which means that it remembers which vibe setting you left off on during your last use. That could be incredibly helpful if you’re switching in between toys when you’re playing. Nothing kills the moment like having to click through the settings to get back to the one that was taking you there the most.
Now onto the vibes! There are 10 vibration settings and just like your typical vibrator, they range from light to strong and have varying patterns. You can feel the vibes throughout the entire “pen,” but the bulk can be felt at the tip. Because of that, the toy feels like it’s obviously meant for pinpointed clitoral play. I did attempt to use it flat against my vaginal lips to see if I got any sensations that way but nothing, really.
I used it on my nipples and then went manual for the rest and that is when I fully experienced what it was meant to do. It doesn’t feel like it’s meant to get you to orgasm; I feel like the $49 price tag is based more on the look and not the toy performance. It’s all in all an okay bullet but I would mostly recommend it for use during foreplay. It would be an expensive “teaser toy,” but it’s nice to switch it up throughout as things intensify.
It is very, very pretty though; one of my partner’s eyes lit up when I showed it to them. The only thing is I dropped the ball and forgot to charge it. Thank goodness for the quick charge time though, because after about 20 minutes she was giggling and begging and those are a few of my favorite things.
These three Autostraddle writers tried out Baci, a “premium robotic clitoral massager” by Lora DiCarlo that’s meant to mimic oral sex. Here’s how our clits are doing now:
Reviewer #1: I think first thing’s first — the packaging. I have been upping my toy game over the past year, and that means using things that don’t come wrapped in very hard plastic that I have to break four pairs of scissors to get into. I like the box. It was sleek and cool without being like “by the way this toy cost like $150,” and I like that everything was all nestled in its own little part! And I love that it has a storage bag! I’ve learned that more higher end toys come with one, which I dig.
Review #2: Lil Baci has her own bag!
Reviewer #3: I def tried to rip out the inside bit of the box to see if I could re-use it, but it ended up ripping the cardboard. I always enjoy when toys come with bags!
Reviewer #1: But the packaging of the actual toy kinda put me off. Did anyone else find it really hard to get the cover off?
Reviewer #2: Yes! I love that the clit-sucking portion of the toy has a cover for storage purposes, but I really struggled to get that thing on and off.
Reviewer #3: I wasn’t sold on the clear cap that covered the toy either. I DID love that this toy has a cover — that’s really unique compared to other toy! It could mean one less step before use (instead of wiping off cat hairs or dust). However, in a number of reviews, they said the cap was hard to get off. It makes me think it’s an accessibility problem. They even had it in the instructions of who/how to contact if there’s a problem with the cap…which makes me think they should have scrapped it if they knew it was going to be a problem.
Reviewer #2: It could use a handle, too.
Reviewer #3: 100%
Reviewer #2: The shape is cute, but the toy is hard to grip.
Reviewer #1: It put me off so much that I didn’t use it at the time I was gonna and opted to watch another episode of The Queen’s Gambit instead.
Reviewer #3: Ohhhh wow.
Reviewer #2: Do either of you have experience with other “clitoral sucking” toys?
Reviewer #3: Yep!
Reviewer #2: I have an early version of the Womanizer (ugh, I hate the name), and I find it a whole lot easier to use than Baci.
Reviewer #3: I have tried a few different Womanizer versions, Satisfyers, The Lelo Sona and We-Vibe Melt (lol @ my life).
Reviewer #2: Oh, right! I’ve tried a Satisfyer, too.
Reviewer #3: Baci, as far as shape, felt similar to the Lelo Sona and Womanizer Starlet and Satisfyer Penguin, in terms of grip. Too small, really gotta get your hand down there.
Reviewer #1: I have The Puff From Unbound. It made me come really fast at first and It took me a while to get used to the sensation. I didn’t really like the shape of the Baci. It literally fits in the palm of your hand. I know it’s meant to give vibes to the clit and lips which I appreciate but still – didn’t like just resting the toy on me.
Reviewer #3: I want to ask about what you all thought about the strength and type of sensation but FIRST: how did you all feel about spreading your labia lips around the toy as instructed? And did you really notice anything in the flat part that presses against your body (ignoring the clitoral sensations for now)?
Reviewer #2: I didn’t get much out of that part. I tried! I really tried!
Reviewer #3: Me, too!
Reviewer #1: Nothing. Zilch. Nada. I, too, was thinking here and there “oop, that’s something,” but no, it wasn’t.
Reviewer #3: While it wasn’t against my body, I put my finger on the flat part to see if it even was vibrating and — nothing. I think they were hoping there’d be residual sensation from the vibrations the clitoral part created but it’s not strong enough to feel. I would LOVE a functional toy my labia can literally wrap around, like a hug, and it feel good. But this wasn’t it.
Reviewer #1: I think it was a way that they were thinking would set them apart in the suction toy game, but it didn’t really work. Perhaps if that part had some sort of small motor that moved up and down or had bumps instead of smoother ridges? I’ve been watching too much of The Jetsons.
Reviewer #2: In the settings category, the lowest setting was too high for me! I had to use a vibrator for a while first before my clit could handle Baci.
Reviewer #3: Yeahhhhhhh. What makes air pressure toys great (IMO) is the lowest settings AND how strong they get. I need a low sensation to get me to a higher one. Otherwise it’s too painful for my bod or like, pulls an orgasm out of my body in a way that isn’t fun!
Reviewer #2: Yes! That! I don’t want my orgasms to hurt!
Reviewer #3: It was strong, but too strong for my enjoyment. Which, at a $150 price point, stresses me out. I did enjoy the size of the opening against my clit. I’ve had issues with the Lelo Sona where the hole feels too small, so I enjoyed the large oval shape of Baci.
Reviewer #2: Yeah. I think this toy would work for someone who had already tried an air pressure toy and knew that they preferred the stronger settings.
Reviewer #1: I was pretty good on settings 1-3, but I think that’s because when I got my first suction toy, I was trying to be a winner and really like trained myself on not having an orgasm so quickly. That stopped being fun and with Baci, I didn’t want to do that. I ran through the speeds on my nipples first and when I hit number 4 I said “absolutely not” and knew I wouldn’t be going higher than that on my clit.
Reviewer #2: I do appreciate the larger opening, BUT I wish that the part that goes over the clit could be detachable for cleaning purposes.
Reviewer #3: I didn’t mind it wasn’t detachable. I think because I know folks who lose the attachments.
Reviewer #2: That makes sense! I’m just nervous about accidentally getting water in it while I clean it. Did either of you find particularly creative ways to use it? I wanted to try it on my nipples, but when I realized how strong it was, I opted out. These nips are too sensitive.
Reviewer #1: I didn’t get creative. Like I said, I used the suction on my nipples for a bit, but they aren’t super sensitive or a huge part of my play.
Reviewer #2: I just used it on my clit while I was on my back. I thought I might use it with my partner, but since it’s so hard to hold, I can’t imagine that it works well during partnered sex.
Reviewer #3: Nahhhh. I couldn’t really use it with a partner either, except like, them watching me use it or vice versa. Feels like Baci is a solo toy. It’s kinda just in the way for any sort of penetration play simultaneously.
Reviewer #1: Yeah, it’s like a big toy, right? Mama takes up space. The whole room is hers. She’s left right and center stage.
Reviewer #2: Do either of you think this toy will be a regular part of your solo and/ or partnered sex life?
Reviewer #3: I wish!! For $150!! But I think because of the shape and strength, it won’t. I found the air pressure bursts to blend together while I personally like really distinct sensations (like The Womanizer Premium).
Reviewer #2: Same!!
Reviewer #1: My answer is def no. I would use this when I want to come quick. 10 minutes for $150 though, that’s not ideal. I usually recover quickly when coming and am a multi orgasm girl, but suction toys just take a lot out of me.
Reviewer #2: At least she looks like a cute pink spaceship.
Reviewer #1: Agreed – it’s a cute toy to leave out on the nightstand! Helps me to live my Judy Jetson fantasy. But that’s a whole other article.
I spend a lot of time thinking about sex toys. And it seems to me that, up until a few years ago, many new releases didn’t have a whole lot to differentiate themselves from what came before. The same few shapes and colors of vibrator, but slightly more powerful, hopefully! The same few shapes of dildo, but slightly better texture! Today, it’s less about a harder better faster stronger version of more of the same, and all about the different ways it’s possible to experience pleasure and sensation. The toys I’ve selected below are unique among themselves in just that way, and you — er, your giftee — could own all of them and experience something different with each.
The Dame Pom is a waterproof silicone vibrator that you can bend and squeeze. It nestles into the palm of your hand, depending on the size of your hand, and it’s easy to use in a variety of positions, whether with partners or alone. It’s also soft, with gentle vibrations that you can experience as pinpoint or more enveloping, depending on the angle. Pom comes in jade and plum.
I can’t get enough of this tie-dye rimming butt plug and neither can anyone I know who’s tried it. The B-Vibe Rimming Plug is a powerful silicone plug that mimics the sensation of getting your ass fucked and eaten simultaneously. It’s also waterproof, remote controlled, and rechargeable — all the standards. If the tie-dye edition (which comes with a carry bag and various accessories like patches and stickers, perfect for gifting) isn’t your style, it also comes in petit (black, teal, or purple), and XL (black).
Fun Factory Volta is an effortless multi-use external toy that you can use on clits, labia, penises, and nipples. As our reviewer notes, “It’s a lot like your dearest light sweater — an effortless fav to reach for when you just need a little extra something. I wasn’t expecting the toy, based on the picture alone, to be so damn multi-use!” It’s looped handle makes it easy to hold even with lubed-up fingers, and its silicone body makes it (in this case a bit of a dust magnet but also very) easy to clean. The Volta comes in blue turquoise or all black. There’s also a purple mini battery-powered Volta, which has the same motions in a smaller, likely less powerful, and definitely much cheaper toy.
The Zumio X is a stimulator with a tip that moves in tiny circles and is designed for ultra targeted sensation. The focus make it great for pleasure mapping — or mindfully exploring what types of sensation you like where — not just for your genitals but for all over your body, without the desensitizing that larger toys can cause. The low footprint means it doesn’t get in the way if you decide to add penetration. It’s also surprisingly quiet. For a softer, less intense experience, the Zumio S is also a great pick.
The Fun Factory Stronic G is a newer addition to the Stronic line of sex toys that do the thrusting for you. If you put it on a flat surface and turn it on, it’ll scoot forward (they’re fun to race if you have two), and inside a hole it’ll stay put and pleasurable almost hands-free. The head is at a great angle for hitting a g-spot, and the steady, tireless motion is out of this world. It comes in pool blue or grape.
The b-Vibe Vibrating Snug Plug is long-wearing and comfortable, with a flexible stem so it moves with you. It’s weighted for sensational fullness. And best of all, it vibrates. While you’ll have to stick to the original Snug Plugs if you want to take a bath with one — the vibrating one is splash-proof, not waterproof. The vibrating Snug Plug comes in medium (rose, black) and large (navy, black).
Think this is yet another clitoral sucking toy? Think again. Toys like the Satisfyer target just the external glans clitoris — what most people mean when they say “clit” — and are great for targeted sensation and staying out of the way during penetration. But the clitoris is actually much larger, and extends like wings through and behind the labia. Baci covers more of the clit, with both a pocket for the glans and ridges that nestle into the labia for a fuller sensation. It fits more into the cup of your hand than between your fingers and is rumbly on low settings and powerful on high ones. A bonus: if other clitoral sucking toys make you numb after you come, the fuller experience from this one might leave you ready for more.
Everyone’s quarantine situation is just a little different. Wondering how to make your giftee’s just a little bit hotter? Here’s what sexy gift to give based on their quarantine style, whether they haven’t left the house since March, are forced to work under capitalism, are stuck with a very recent ex, and more. Remember that some categories may overlap. Sex toys for all!
What do you get the quarantining person who has everything except human touch? A fucking machine of their very own.
1. Liberator Pulse Toy Mount ($85), 2. Cowgirl Sex Machine ($1,499), 3. Fun Factory Stronic Surf ($169)
Liberator Pulse Toy Mount
Keep a vibrator or dildo in place and moving with you hands-free with a Liberator Pulse Toy Mount. It’s low and narrow for straddling, has one toy mount for a larger toy and two smaller pockets that can fit bullet vibrators, and is wrapped in soft, machine-washable microfiber. Note that Covid-related shipping days mean it’s best to order this one as early as possible for gift giving.
Cowgirl Sex Machine
If you want to get extra — or maybe just fantasize — the Cowgirl is a rideable fucking machine that can be controlled via a wired remote or an app, comes with two silicone attachments for external or penetrative stimulation, and has no assembly required.
Fun Factory Stronic Surf
Bigger fucking machines have quite a footprint, so for something that wouldn’t obstruct a webcam’s view (or, in the future, a partner’s), the Stronic Surf is a silicone pulsator with distinct ridges that thrusts nearly hands-free. It’s a little bit smaller than the toys in the original Stronic line, so if the Eins was too tight a fit, the Surf might be justttt right.
Without touch, skin hunger is real. There’s only so much someone can do for their own skin hunger without, y’know, actually touching and getting touch from another human being, but a few things can help.
1. Olivia’s Boudoir Tuxedo Massage Candle ($28), 2. Doxy Die-Cast Wand ($189), 3. Kink Spike Solid Metal Pinwheels ($25)
Olivia’s Boudoir Tuxedo Massage Candle
Self-massage, including of the shoulders, neck, hands, and feet, can go a little smoother with a massage candle. This one is made of soy, olive, and coconut oils; smells like bergamot, sandalwood, and musk; and works best when the candle melts out to the edge of the glass and then is extinguished before use.
Doxy Die-Cast Wand
For earlier generations, using back massagers as vibrators was considered a powerful step in empowerment. I’m not saying that today, using vibrators as back massagers is quite the same thing — but I am saying it can work. The Doxy Die-Cast Wand is a powerful, heavy vibrator with a handle that can help get to harder to reach spots, whether your neck, you back, etc.
Kink Spike Solid Metal Pinwheels
To go in a kinkier direction, help your giftee top themselves with the Kink Spike Solid Metal Pinwheels, a five-wheel instrument that can range from a light sensation to a more lingering one depending on how firmly it’s used.
Discretion is key when you’re trying to have a solo — or partnered — sex life that runs smoothly alongside a shared living situation, whether with family of all types, roommates, or a combination of folks.
1. We-Vibe Tango ($79), 2. Erotica (various), 3. LectroFan Premium White Noise Machine ($35)
We-Vibe Tango
Tiny enough to easily stash and rumbly enough to stand alone, the We-Vibe Tango is a quiet rechargeable bullet that’s deceptively powerful. Familiar enough with your giftee’s toy box to know they already have one? The Dragon Claw by Uberprime is designed to encase the Tango in textured, bumpy silicone for an elevated external experience.
Written Erotica
As anyone who’s ever thrown their porn through an unsuspecting housemate’s Bluetooth speakers will tell you, sometimes it’s nice to take your porn analog. Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year, volume 5, edited by Sinclair Sexsmith and Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, volume 1, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, are a few recent titles. (And may I suggest my Lesbian Sexting the Zine?) And if your giftee still isn’t an A+ subscriber, S L I C K is a gift that will keep on giving.
LectroFan Premium White Noise Machine
Sometimes privacy is the best sex toy of all.
Whether you’ve been together years or went on a first date in May that just never ended (please do not do this), anyone quarantining with a partner or two might be finding it time to mix it up. Get some noise-isolating headphones for everyone in the household to keep the mystery and fracturing illusion of privacy and independence alive, and then check out these add-ons to some favorite toys.
1. Pop Tops Silicone Wand Attachment ($23), 2. Le Wand Curve Weighted Silicone Attachment ($40), 3. Tenga Egg 6-Pack, Hard Boiled Edition ($35), 4. Not Pictured
Pop Tops Silicone Wand Attachment
Make a long-loved wand vibrator more exciting with this Pop Tops Silicone Wand Attachment, which tops the Magic Wand and similarly sized vibrator heads. It’s removable and easy to clean — just don’t pair it with silicone lube.
Le Wand Curve Weighted Silicone Attachment
For a Le Wand owner, the Le Wand Curve Weighted Silicone Attachment is a way to add penetration and heft to a favorite toy. (Just make sure the toy and attachment match – the Le Wand Petit has its own similar attachment.)
Tenga Egg 6-Pack, Hard Boiled Edition
Pull a disposable Tenga Egg down over any vibrator it fits for external use or, for people with penises, use one as a sleeve to make masturbation feel a little different. Each Tenga Egg has a different texture, so try the variety pack or select a few individually! (They’re made of TPE, so remember that they’re ultimately disposable and not safe to share.)
Double-Sided Suction Cup
Two (favorite dildos with flat bases) become one with this double-sided suction cup. It can also secure one flat-base dildo to a compatible wall.
Cohabitating with a recent ex is never easy, and it’s even harder in quarantine, when no one can safely escape for a night out or crash on someone else’s couch for a few hours or days. You’re stuck with each other, and you’re also in a world without rebound sex. What’s a queer to do? These toys mimic the sensation of sex with another person for rebound vibes without actually being in the same space as a one-night stand. Use them alone, or for toys with a remote option head over to r/ToyControl to play with an online stranger.
1. We-Vibe Melt ($149), 2. Lovense Hush Butt Plug ($120), 3. We-Vibe Rave ($113)
We-Vibe Melt
We-Vibe’s parent company purchased Womanizer, and the We-Vibe Melt is a result: the Womanizer’s air pulsing and sucking that feels just enough like oral, with We-Vibe’s aesthetic and We-Connect app control (now that they’ve allegedly addressed that pesky privacy problem). It’s also pretty quiet, so an ex in the other room should (hopefully) not immediately know what’s up — and it’s waterproof, so the running water from a shower or bath can add some extra privacy.
Lovense Hush Butt Plug
The Lovense Hush is a vibrating butt plug that can sync to music or ambient noise via app control for an unpredictable vibration experience that gets a little closer to the feel of another person. Pair this break-up butt plug with — yep — noise-isolating headphones for an immersive experience.
We-Vibe Rave
Okay, the We-Vibe Rave is reminiscent of sex with another person more because it’s fun to use alone or during sex with another person, and not so much because of its sensations. Nevertheless! The Rave is a rumbly, versatile, external or g-spot vibrator that your giftee will wonder how they lived without. Just make sure there’s no dispute about who wins it in the break up.
This person deserves something that’s lavish af and also easy to clean or disinfect.
1. nJoy Fun Wand ($89), 2. nJoy Pure Plug ($69), 3. Sutil Rich Lube ($39)
nJoy Fun Wand
Weighty without weighing down, the nJoy Fun Wand is a double-ended steel dildo that’s great for vaginas and butts. Start with the graduated bulbs to get used o the girth, or dive right in.
nJoy Pure Plug
Is there any buttplug more perfect than the nJoy Pure Plug? Our reviewer doesn’t think so. Try it in medium for an all-around fit, run it under warm or cool water fo a touch of temperature play, and clean it with soap and water and a boil if that’s available.
Sutil Rich Lube
Pair the sexy stainless steel above — or any silicone toy — with a cushiony water-based and body-safe lube for an all-in-one experience. Plus, the tube is biodegradable.
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This post is sponsored by Wet for Her.
Happy Holidays hotties! It’s time for my quick and easy gift guide filled with toys from my favorites — the babes at Wet For Her!
I went through the site with a perfectly manicured nail to find the best gifts to give yourself, your partner, and even for playing sexy virtual Santa with your friends.
I love a waterproof vibrator; having the option to take your toy into the shower or bath and get off when you’re in hella relaxation mode is great. The Vibra Wand is 6 inches long, has 10 settings (5 speeds and 5 patterns), and it bends to help fit your body. It does require batteries, but here are some rechargeable ones so you can still fall in love with this toy and be good to the environment.
The thing I find fascinating about this vibrating dildo is that the harder you squeeze while it’s inside you, the more intense the sensation you will feel; I’ve never experienced that with another strap-on style toy! It’s really good to use solo, the flared base even allows you to go hands-free. And for the days you wanna play with a partner, it’s harness compatible.
At 5.25 inches this is perfect for those who prefer their toys on the smaller side. It’s great for manual play, but unlike smaller dildos, this one is also harness compatible! A big draw here is the ease with which it will hit your G-Spot. Big fans of G-spot play might not find the curve of the toy intense enough to wow them, but it’s a great option for those beginning to explore this sensation, or who know they don’t like too much fullness or length.
If you’re a fan of scissoring, you’ll def dig adding this in during your play. It’s rechargeable, has ten settings, and will fit right in between the two of you! The bulb of the toy can be inserted for G-spot play as well. My favorite thing about this toy is its dedication to truly amp up your scissoring experience — it comes with a wireless remote!
A double dildo that comes in three different sizes to help fit many couples, plus a rechargeable bullet if you want to add even more sensation to your play! The really dope thing about this one is if you don’t have the world’s strongest kegel muscles, but still wanna play with the toy, you can — it’s harness compatible, and lucky for you I’ve picked out one for you on below (although they have plenty more to choose from).
This strap-on kit includes the best underwear harness in the game, by Tomboi. The O-Ring underwear is compatible with several dildos and goes up to a 5XL in size. I tend to run in between sizes and always go a size under to make sure I have a snug (but comfortable) fit. The Fusion dildo comes in three different sizes, and you can get all three and work your way up.
I LOVE this toy. At first, I didn’t want to refer to it as such but it definitely is a toy. Sometimes, even if I’m not really going at it, the base of the strap on can hurt me. It really sucks to have pain the next day, and not the kind you wanted. This helps A LOT. It stretches to fit most dildo bases up to 3 1/4, feels soft against the skin and the bumps add to your play — especially when they are on top. Our anonymous reviewer only had good things to say about it!
Everyone deserves a little bullet vibrator. They’re small, easy to conceal if you want to, and usually quite quiet for when you want to remain discreet. It’s 100% waterproof and battery-operated but they send one with it, so you can pop it out of the box, give it a clean, and have a go!
A perfect present for the person who you think has all the toys possible already. It’s an accessory for your dildos! You slide it right over the top, switch it on to any of the five vibration modes and it adds clitoral stimulation during penetration. You can also opt to use it just on your fingers and have an equally fun time!
I think this is perfect to keep on display; it’s so cute that no one would know that it made you wake up your neighbors the night before. The vibrating ears allow you to super pinpoint exactly on your body that feels best to you. I think this is a fun toy to use during foreplay especially, it’s probably the cutest way to tease someone that I’ve seen in a long time.
The sleekest toy on this list for me. It fits between two of your fingers and has ten vibe settings to help get you there. It’s waterproof, quiet, and hella easy to clean. This toy glides over you and can feel like what can best be described as playing ouija board with my pussy.
Use this sexy little list to find your perfect holiday treat, or to drop hints about all the things you need to help make your season just a little bit more gay and bright. Remember to order by December 14 to get your presents by Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Over the last few years, sex toy companies and stores have asked us to review their toys in exchange for, you know, their toys. Today we’re reviewing Fun Factory’s Magnum!
Color: Black or pink
Material: Silicone
Length: 7.1 in
Diameter: 1.5 in
There is, of course, no such thing as a perfect or universal dildo — we all have different bodies, many of us want different things from a dildo in both form and function; different partners we might have in the future have different preferences. However, if we were, for a moment, to pretend that there is a most-likely-to-fit-your-needs dildo for most folks who are interested in one, the Magnum really might be it.
At first glance, the Magnum is a sleek, gently curved toy made entirely of smooth, matte silicone (so, not the super-tactile Vixskin kind that will somehow attract all the cat hair in your apartment). The head widens out into somewhat of a bulb, with a kind of gentle ridge on the inside of the curve for g-spot or p-spot stimulation, but definitely isn’t “realistic,” and maintains the same width down the shaft rather than widening toward the base. Which, the base! As is customary for Fun Factory dildos, the base is thinner and more flexible than you may be used to, and forms three rounded corners rather than a wide circle.
Although the Americans among us may associate the name Magnum with bigger girth (or, deliciously, those ice cream bars), the Fun Factory’s Magnum is only just slightly on the thicker-than-average side at 1.5 inches. With a texture that Fun Factory describes as “not-too-rigid,” the Magnum has some give to it but is definitely on the firmer side. To me, this is the biggest difference between the Magnum and the dick I own that’s closest to it, the Pleasure Works Siren — they’re a similar size and shape, with the Siren being a bit thinner and more curved & tapered, but mostly the Magnum is much firmer silicone throughout than the Siren — think the difference between an almost-but-not-quite-ripe avocado and one you need to eat today right now immediately.
Left: Pleasure Works Siren // Right: Fun Factory Magnum
I use dildos mostly with a harness, but sometimes without one, and like the Magnum for both — although I would never have thought to identify the base of my other dicks as a problem, per se, I was surprised by how much nicer and more intuitive the base of the Magnum was. The fact that it’s slimmer and more flexible means it doesn’t feel as cumbersome if you’re trying to fit it into a harness that’s already, but it still has a width that makes it relatively comfy against your body. I was going to say that if you use anything to cushion the base of your dildo in a harness, like a Sili Saddle or BumpHer, this wouldn’t work — but you know what, I tried it just in case, and while the BumpHer is a little bit of a stretch to fit, I think it’s workable. The more you know! The shape, silicone texture and very slight curvature of the base mean that it will actually suction to a smooth surface it’s placed on base-down, including walls or standing surfaces. Could you use this as a suctioned dildo against a wall or floor to penetrate someone in different positions? Possibly! In my experience, it doesn’t have the same strength of suction as dildos with a more traditional concave suction cup; when I tried it on my floor, the motion and pressure of actually fucking it meant that it lost suction and came un-adhered pretty quickly, but others might have a different experience (especially if you slightly dampen the base to get more suction).
There’s a lot to like about the Magnum; it’s girthy enough for a feeling of fullness, firm enough to offer real g-spot stimulation, and enough of a middle-of-the-road size and length that there’s a solid chance it will be satisfying but not too much for new partners (although again, everyone is different!). With a pretty affordable price point and good versatility for harnesses, it’s honestly a really strong option for someone shopping for a first dildo and wants to leave a lot of room for how they might want to use it; anyone who’s found thick or rigid dildo bases uncomfortable, or who wants a reliable, basic go-to dildo that isn’t representational (or hot pink, although this does also come in hot pink). It’s also great for anyone who wants a full feeling and pressure on their g-spot but knows they don’t necessarily want the full size queen experience. While it may not be the dick that changes your life, it may well be the dick that you’re pleased to find does its job for you time and time again, and who doesn’t need that kind of stability right now?
Over the last few years, sex toy companies and stores have asked us to review their toys in exchange for, you know, their toys. Today we’re reviewing the WeVibe Touch!
The WeVibe Touch looks somewhat unassuming – it fits in the palm of your hand, and comes in the same sex toy purple I’m now accustomed to. I had heard excellent things; that it was many people’s favorite go-to vibrator, that it was impressively “rumbly” despite its small size, and that it could even work with a harness. These felt like high expectations to meet, but I gamely forged on anyway. And found that, in fact… these are all pretty much true? The WeVibe Touch is a very good vibrator, friends.
Material: Silicone
Color: Purple
Power Source: USB
Length: 4 inches
Diameter: 1.43 inches
First and maybe most importantly, the vibration intensity: while there’s a limit to how high this can really go given the size of the toy and therefore the size a motor can be, this is… very powerful! For a frame of reference, I like very strong vibrators, and usually turn to either a Magic Wand or a Zumio to get off. While this didn’t have exactly the same intensity as either of those, it’s really strong, and genuinely rumbly. The shape also really enhances your sensation options – the business end of the toy, which has a sort of cupped surface that extends into a gently rounded point, offers a few different points of contact; the cupped area is great for directly stimulating the clit, but can also be tilted so that an edge gives you more concentrated vibration, or the very tip of the toy can be used to target a specific small area. The concave design of the cupped area also offered another advantage: whereas you may not get the same big intense rumbles as, say, the Magic Wand, the concave design makes it easy to really sort of press the toy into your pubic bone, which can feel really great for stimulating all the nerve endings that extend inside your body and amp up the rumbly vibrations.
While all vulvas are different, I can say that the shape of the Touch is really ergonomic to mine personally. When held with the bulbous end of the toy in the palm of your hand and the tip pointed down toward my toes, it’s easy to control the cupped area and tip, which is cool; if you turn the toy around, though, it also fits very neatly into the (at least my) entire vulva area, and while the vibrations are still strongest at the tip near your clit, there’s also an overall rumbly sensation that’s really nice. This also gave me some insight into why I’ve heard from several people that this is a great vibe to use with a harness; although I’m currently quarantining, duh, it’s easy to see how this could slip under a strap-on easily, and the ergonomic shape would mean even with the impact of fucking I wouldn’t feel bruised or jabbed by it.
My one complaint with the shape, which is maybe less a complaint about the WeVibe Touch and more of a complaint about the physical laws of the universe, is that positioning the Touch so that it fits along one’s entire vulva means that the bulbous end of the toy fits right over the vaginal opening, which means it precludes using a penetrative toy at the same time — or at least, if you want to use a penetrative toy you have to actively hold the toy in position pointed down, rather than letting it hang out and vibe or perhaps anchoring it with a forearm while using a penetrative toy. Is there any way around that? Probably not, but a dream deferred nonetheless.
Fairly par for the course for this family of vibrator, the Touch has eight modes; the first four are straightforward vibration, starting at the lowest intensity and building up to the highest, at four; the others are all vibration patterns, ranging from “tease” to “cha-cha” and offer the range of pulsing or wave-like sensation you probably expect if you’ve used a patterned vibrator setting before. All of the settings are blissfully quiet, a truly impressive noise-to-intensity ratio
The vibe is controlled with one button, at the bottom of the base, which both turns it on and off and cycles through settings. While I initially didn’t love the button placement, it grew on me, and makes sure that you aren’t accidentally changing settings when you hold the toy or press it against the body; what I loved less and less as time went on, however, is the fact that the vibe will turn back on to whatever setting it was last at. I can see the thinking here that whatever setting you last had it at is probably your favorite, but personally I like to start using any vibe at the lowest setting and turn it up gradually, and in this case if I want to do that I have to remember to cycle through the vibe settings back to the start before I turn it off. It’s not a huge barrier, but it also isn’t necessarily what one wants to have as a to-do list item immediately after coming.
I’m not sure if the WeVibe Touch will end up being my number one go-to vibrator, but it’ll absolutely be in the top three, and might be my favorite external vibrator to use along with penetration – it’s so intuitive to hold and position! Every good thing I’ve heard about it is true, and I’ll be paying the recommendation forward for a long time to come.
Sex toy companies sometimes ask us to review sex toys in exchange for—you guessed it—sex toys! Three anonymous reviewers had a conversation about Starsi, a vibrator from Cute Little Fuckers, a gender-inclusive toy company with a mission to make exploring sex, sexuality and gender a lighthearted, affirming and exciting experience for all human bodies. Your reviewers love the mission of this company. Read on for their thoughts about Starsi!
Reviewer #1: Ok, what do ya’ll think about the general appearance of the Starsi?
Reviewer #2: Gotta say from jump I didn’t love that there was a face on it.
Reviewer #3: On design and appearance: it’s very cute! I don’t know if I noticed the face. But that makes me like it more, I think? I feel like sex (and, to a degree, masturbation) is often so serious and I like that this doesn’t look very serious! Unfortunately for me — maybe because I am a penis-haver, or maybe for other reasons — the Starsi is generally NOT what I’ll be using throughout the pandemic.
Reviewer #1: I’m definitely behind the idea that sex and masturbation should be fun and not quite so “mysterious,” but the face definitely creeps me out. I don’t want my sex toys to look like anything other than sex toys.
Reviewer #3: Interestingly, I think CLF gives all of their toys an identity — name, pronouns, and such? Do you think that’s just a big turn off for you in general? That it’s almost like a creature or something?
Reviewer #1: It’s definitely a turn off for me. I can’t get behind the “cuteification” (for lack of a better, real word) of sex.
Reviewer #2: I think I am … deeply invested in a narrative, and when I see something with a face I am like “Okay, well what is your story, who are you?”
Reviewer #3: Hmmm … I didn’t think about that too much but now that I have it does seem kinda creepy.
Reviewer #2: Though if I am being honest, I didn’t really think about the face when I was using it.
Reviewer #3: Now I can’t get the idea out of my head of, like, plucking a live actual starfish out of the ocean and using it for sex? And that feels very strange.
Reviewer #2: I do not think that is what they are for!!!
Reviewer #1: This is what their website says: “Starsi comes from a starsun, a planet covered in fire, so Starsi loves the warmth of your body.” Starsi is also a “sweet and sensual friend.”
Reviewer #3: I did not like Starsi too much, but the cuteness and the face and the fact that it has a name and identity was not the reason why.
Reviewer #2: I agree—it’s possible I didn’t think about the face because I was perplexed by the user experience.
Reviewer #1: I’m guessing you both didn’t dig how it functions?
Reviewer #3: It was definitely not clear exactly how to use it? Especially for me as a penis-haver — the marketing specifically mentioned transfeminine folks, if I remember correctly, but I think “perplexed” is definitely the right word.
Reviewer #2: See, the whole time I was thinking “well maybe this is designed for penis havers because I am confused?”
Reviewer #3: Oh no.
Reviewer #1: At first glance, I was excited about the surface area coverage, but once I tried to use it for full vulva vibration, the starfish arms dug into my thighs.
Reviewer #2: YES, Starsi arms + thighs were not a great combination!
Reviewer #3: The only idea I had was, maybe I could like, put it in my panties to keep it in place? But it wouldn’t stay in place! But then what if I closed my legs a bit to hold it? No, because then it pokes. And it can’t just sit on top of my genitals because then the vibrations aren’t strong enough.
Reviewer #1: Yeah, the arms really kill your options — I feel like it would work so much better if it were round! Then it could slide into underwear or a strap-on harness.
Reviewer #3: If I held it in place with my hand — which is the only way it felt good — once I got hard there was no room for my penis to go? So I had to take it off, but then I had to hold it in some other awkward position. I couldn’t figure it out!
Reviewer #1: Gah! That sounds so frustrating! And vibrators should not be frustrating!
Reviewer #2: I realized I would have to get very spread eagle to stop getting poked? But then I was like, “Maybe I am the laziest masturbator on the planet? Is this the most bottomy thing to whine about? What, am I to move around to experience pleasure??”
Reviewer #3: I kept trying to fit it into my panties or even under panties AND leggings so it would just stay in place without me having to hold it, but I couldn’t make that happen. You know, I didn’t try laying down on my stomach with it underneath me. Maybe then I could have something in my butt? But then, how would I look at porn that way? Maybe if I was listening to an erotic reading of some kind …
Reviewer #2: Okay I DID try that and I got poked more!!!!
Reviewer #1: I also tried that — SO much poking! But despite the impossible nature of the shape, the actual vibrator was really powerful.
Reviewer #2: I feel like the power of the vibrator made it more frustrating because I was like I can TELL this could feel good but I just can’t get there?
Reviewer #1: “I would be enjoying this if only I could get it in the right spot.”
Reviewer #3: Same!! I DID have a good experience using this with a partner, though. Just not solo.
Reviewer #2: I would be very interested in hearing more about that, as I am famously single. I wondered if it would be better with help?
Reviewer #1: Oh yeah? I only used it solo. My person isn’t into vibrators and was horrified by Starsi’s face.
Reviewer #3: We tried two different experiences. In the first one, I laid on my back, put the Starsi over my package, she straddled me and grinded on Starsi. This was good because the pressure of her on top, pushing Starsi down, pushed the vibrations into me in a way I couldn’t make happen comfortably on my own. Also, because my hands were free, I could, you know, touch her body, and we could kiss and stuff? It was nice, kinda like humping with a little spicy extra?
Reviewer #1: I can definitely see how that would work well.
Reviewer #3: It was only temporary, though, because once my penis was hard it was difficult to put Starsi in a position that wasn’t painful.
The second way is more applicable to vulva-havers: I put Starsi over her vulva, clit area, and we could take turns like, manipulating it over her clit, and then ALSO I could have ANOTHER vibrator and/or fingers etc. inside of her! That way it was like, clit vibrations AND penetration. She usually uses a Magic Wand, and this wasn’t nearly as powerful on her clit obviously, but the Magic Wand is kind of tough to keep in place when you’re also getting penetrated or getting head or something? Starsi was easy for her to hold in place over her clit while I was doing other stuff, and then she still had a free hand.
That, to me, is the best-case scenario for Starsi. Because of its shape, it’s somewhat easier to keep in place on a clitoris while you’re ALSO doing other stuff. So I wonder if either of you tried using it in combination with another toy or something like that?
Reviewer #1: I just couldn’t get it in any position that felt comfortable. I’m sure it’s a different experience for different body shapes. It’s just so firm! If it were softer and more flexible, I think it would be more effective for different body shapes and different activities. I’d love to read more reviews from trans feminine folks.
Reviewer #2: I didn’t think that it would be possible to use with another toy! I mean not impossible, but perhaps harder than I was willing to attempt—and I think the rigidity made it hard to get more creative?
Reviewer #3: I think we did Starsi on the clit and a vibe in the butt. It might have been tough to do Starsi on the clit and something in the vagina?
Reviewer #1: Ooooh that makes more sense.
Reviewer #3: I think you could get fingers in the vagina with Starsi on the clit, depending on how your vulva is laid out?
Reviewer #2: …I really might be the laziest masturbator ever! The other reason I was excited about Starsi is that I don’t do a lot of penetration when masturbating? I liked that it was not designed for penetration, but then it was challenging enough to use that I kept thinking: what are you for??
Reviewer #1: Sex toys are supposed to be user friendly! They’re supposed to make masturbation easier! In the case of Starsi, my hands would have done a much better job.
Reviewer #3: How many times did y’all try to use it? I know most vibrators are pretty basic, like: insert and turn on — but some of them have like, a learning curve?
Reviewer #2: Hmm…I masturbate near daily and we got it about a week ago? So probably 5 or 6 times? I don’t mind the learning curve — but I think one round of experimenting should be enough? Especially solo, I can see wanting to get more adventurous with a partner. Sadly, I was never able to finish with it, I had to pull out another vibrator for that.
Reviewer #1: For me, the learning curve is usually about figuring out the settings. When I couldn’t figure out the Starsi after one go, I gave up.
Reviewer #3: I really wonder, though — if you’re used to using a vibe on the clit, is this not easier to keep in place than a Magic Wand or a bullet, especially if you get wet and things are slippery? Or, could a certain amount of spread eagle work, if you could find a comfy position?
Reviewer #1: Because the arms are slightly curved, even if my legs are fully spread like a damn gymnast, those arms poke me.
Reviewer #3: Dang. Yeah, I mean, why keep trying with a new thing when you already have options that work well?
I guess I was sad about it because I had NEVER seen a sex toy that specifically called out like, trans feminine / AMAB folks (I don’t remember exactly what language it uses). [Ed Note: The copy for Starsi does specifically mention transfemme folks!] I hoped it would work well for me! And it didn’t, but also … I’ve never found a sex toy that worked well for me. But this was the closest I’ve ever gotten.
Reviewer #1: That’s such a bummer—I want there to be more toys specifically designed for trans feminine folks!
Reviewer #3: I don’t think there’s a huge market for sex toys for people with penises that aren’t just a sleeve or a butt plug. Neither of which is too appealing for me but I also don’t know what else you would do? I love that this was at least innovative; I’ve never seen a sex toy like it.
Reviewer #2: I am sadder about it now that you have reported back that it doesn’t work for you! I was like “well if it’s designed for trans feminine folks and doesn’t work for me, that’s fine!”
Reviewer #3: It could just be me! We needed at least one other trans femme person in this roundtable, maybe they would have loved it?
Reviewer #1: Yeah, I’d be interested in reading more reviews.
Reviewer #3: Oh my god, I just remembered — I put Starsi on my crotch and my partner straddled me and it honestly felt like I was an alien and we ALMOST kind of did role play?? Even though we’re NOT into that. But I was like, what if you got abducted and had sex with the alien and they had vibrating genitals!!!
Reviewer #1: Anything that encourages alien role play is a win.
Reviewer #3: I also sometimes fantasize about being even more of an android / cyborg / bionic woman than I already am so this could feed that fantasy too.
Reviewer #2: I am kind of thrilled that it lends itself to such creative alien themed roleplay??
Reviewer #1: What are our final thoughts about our pal Starsi?
Reviewer #2: It didn’t work for me, but I would love to read more reviews from trans feminine folks! I still wish it did not have a face.
Reviewer #3: Very innovative and appreciated idea, though it didn’t end up fully working out for solo play. An updated or modified vibe in a similar style — maybe without the pokey starfish arms — could be a hit! It was definitely still fun to use occasionally for partnered play, though.
Reviewer #1: Starsi was an Experience.
Reviewer #2: Starsi was a real……. armful.
…I’ll show myself out.
Sponsored by Eve’s Toys.
Is there anything butts can’t do? Let us be thankful, today and all days, for butts. The possibilities for butt play and pleasure seem almost endless — not only inside, but also outside! This guide walks beginners to impact play through slappers, crops, and light paddles and floggers, helping you find the perfect match for you and your butt (or someone else’s).
Visit Eve’s Toys and enter code AUTO at checkout for 50% off one item & free shipping on orders over $20 in the US. (Note: Some items are only eligible for free shipping and a partial discount. These items are noted in the post.) 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cracking a whip (or flogger, which is really what this is) is so hot, but also can often be so expensive! To get into impact play with floggers, try out this vegan leather option; it’s lightweight, approachable, and gives your activity partner a pleasantly stingy sensation that may be easier for beginners to control. If you and your activity partner are ready for more, try out NSFW Consultant Carolyn’s hot hot tip: “If someone bought this and wanted it to be even stingier, using sharp scissors to trim the ends of each fall so they’re a point instead of blunt could help!”
Buy the Scarlet Couture Diamond Whip
Ready to try out spanking (or spanking with something that isn’t your hand)? This lightweight paddle is great for warmups or for light impact play, and wow, free rope?? Will wonders never cease! Although too thin little thin to be ideal bondage rope, it’s a fun and easy entry point into trying out bondage 101.
Buy the Scarlet Couture Paddle
You want the authority and power of holding a whip in your hand; they want luxurious sensual teasing. Sounds like what you both want is the Tantric Satin Pleasure whip; it’s not designed for flogging as such, and the falls are a soft satin that’s perfect for teasing and stroking across skin rather than impact. If the feeling of satin and the satisfying whishing sound of falls through the air is what you’re looking for, this whip is all pleasure, no pain.
Buy the Tantric Satin Pleasure Whip
Love the sound of a loud, crisp slap, you’ll love this slapper — perfect for when you and your bottom (and their bottom) want the sensory experience of loud impact without worrying about hitting too hard. The cute little hearts? A cherry on top.
Buy the Leather Heart Impression Slapper
Life is all about contrasts — work and play, whiskey shots and pickle chasers, prestige television and rewatching Love Actually. Get into the duo of the stingy, slappy smooth side and thuddier, cushioned fur-lined side of this paddle and spend a whole evening — or a whole quarantine — trying out all the possible combinations of both.
If you’re ready to get in touch with your inner Lucy-Liu-as-Corporate-Dominatrix-in-Charlie’s-Angels self in an approachable way, the Impressions Heart Crop is waiting for you. Its length gives beginners lots of control, and your activity partner can experience a beginning level of pain with a satisfying slap — and depending on your force and your activity partner’s body, maybe you’ll get some cute heart impressions left behind as a souvenir. Practice on pillows and yourself first to make sure you have the control you need to use just the tip!
Buy the Impressions Heart Crop
Visit Eve’s Toys and enter code AUTO at checkout for 50% off one item & free shipping on orders over $20 in the US. (Note: Some items are only eligible for free shipping and a partial discount. These items are noted in the post.) 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Welcome to Butt Week, friends! An entire week dedicated to butts and butt-adjacent stuff: how-tos, thoughtful essays, original art, pop culture critiques, music and more! You are absolutely not ready for this and yet it is happening to you, right now. What are the best butt plugs for your queer sex butt? Great question! Let’s see what Carolyn thinks you might want to put in your butt today!
If you’re trying a butt plug for the first time, here’s how to do it, including how to choose the right butt plug, what lube to buy and how much (lots), how to get used to hanging out with your butt plug without it inside of your butt, how to warm up, how to go for it (slowly, and with lots and lots of lube), and what to do next. If you’re not, plug your faves in the comments below!
The all-silicone Bootie from Fun Factory is my top recommendation for a first stationary butt plug. It’s firm yet flexible, soft yet strong, not too short and not too long, and has a great base that nestles comfortably between the butt cheeks. The curved tip — which should be inserted so it’s pointing at the abdomen, not back — is great for gentle prostate or, through the wall of the vagina, g-spot stimulation. And if you’re concerned about poop, which you don’t really need to be but I get it, the black silicone makes particles less visible on the walk from removal to the sink. It can be boiled post-soap and water to get squeaky clean.
If you’ve ever wanted to put rainbow bits cake up your ass, or just wanted to find a very cute butt plug, the silicone Gala Confetti Mini Anal Plug could be just what you’re looking for. The base has a safe yet smaller footprint, so you can wear it for a little longer or combine it with double penetration (or both), and the 3″ of insertable length and 0.75″ diameter will satisfy beginners and those who prefer petit plugs.
This set of three gentle anal training plugs will help you graduate to bigger sizes or give you options for playing right where you are. Also great if every member of your throuple likes a different size of butt plug. Each plug is silicone and gently tapered, with a flexible neck and curved base for comfortable wear. The smallest is the same size as the Gala Confetti above, at 3″ of insertable length and 0.75″ diameter. The medium is 3.75″ insertable and 1″ in diameter, and the large is 4.75″ insertable and 1.25″ in diameter. Comes in black, pink, and confetti. Don’t forget the water-based lube.
The graduated beads on the Luxe Be Me 3 plug have an anal-beads feel with none of the “will the string snap” suspense of actual anal beads. This plug is silicone, soft, and flexible, with 4.75″ insertable and 1.25″ width. It comes in black or pink.
The Snug Plug is the type of butt plug you can leave in as you move around the house for a while. The weighted silicone is almost as good as steel but for a fraction of the price. Like steel, the Snug creates a deep feeling of fullness, but has a flexible neck that moves when you do and makes extended wear possible (and great). Plus, it comes in a variety of sizes, weights, and colors: the small Snug Plug 1 at 55 grams and 3.5″ insertable (in fuchsia or black), the medium 2 at 114 grams (purple or black), the large 3 at 180 grams (teal or black), the extra-large 4 at 257 grams (black), and the XXL 5 at 257 grams and 6.3″ (black).
The stainless steel buttplug that needs no introduction, the Pure Plug is an incredible feat of engineering that never stops giving. The teardrop-shaped bulb tapers and then flares out to a wide looped base that keeps it secure and makes removal as simple as insertion. The heavy steel will feel a little cool to the touch at room temp, and you can run it under cool or warm water to add an element of temperature play. (The stainless steel also makes it super easy to clean.) The Pure Plug comes in small, medium, large, and 2.0 (larger), so you can find your perfect fit.
This smooth, lightweight butt plug is made of solid hardwood with a nonporous surgical polymer coating, so it won’t retain odors or bacteria. It has a gentle curve and flare that you can wear in either direction: forwards for prostate or g-spot action, or backwards for tissue massage. (Click through to SheVibe and scroll down for diagrams.) Keep it clean with soap and water and use a generous amount of water-based lube.
They say you always remember your first — vibrating butt plug, that is. The We-Vibe Ditto is a seamless silicone-wrapped vibrating butt plug that you can operate with the controls on the base, with a remote control nearby, or with an app from just about anywhere. (We-Vibe had notoriously bad app security for a while a few years ago, but allegedly addressed the problem.) It has We-Vibe’s rumbly af motor and a great gently tapered bulb. The base can get a little wide for longer wear but is smooth and comfortable for shorter periods. The Ditto comes in purple or midnight blue. (For a prostate-specific We-Vibe vibrator, check out the Vector.)
One of the greatest drawbacks to butt plugs is that if you’re using one with a base with enough flare to be safe, there just isn’t a whole lot of room for tongue action. How do you even choose? With the b-Vibe Rimming Plug you don’t have to, since beads inside the shaft rotate for a rimming-like sensation and a vibrator inside the tip gives you deeper stimulation. There are buttons in the base just in case, but a remote that works within 30 feet makes controlling your pleasure — or putting it in someone else’s hands — super simple. The Rimming Plug comes in a few sizes and colors, including tie dye (!), petit (black, teal, or purple), and XL (black).
Fluke is the rare plug that’s a plug and not a dildo, but is also harness-compatible — even though it’s definitely designed to stay where you put it. At 5.25″ of insertable length and 2″ in diameter, it’s not for the faint of hole. It comes in hand-poured silicone in blue ombre, yellow/orange, or pink/purple.
If you want the joy of a stainless steel butt toy without the commitment of buying a dedicated butt plug, the nJoy Fun Wand is a double-ended dildo that’s just as great for vaginas. One end has a significant single bulb if you’re up for a challenge; the other end has a graduated series of three smaller bulbs for a sensation that can get as intense as you want it to be. Compatible with any lube, though try it with Sutil Rich for a water-based option or Überlube for a silicone-based option.
Welcome to Butt Week, friends! An entire week dedicated to butts and butt-adjacent stuff: how-tos, thoughtful essays, original art, pop culture critiques, music and more! You are absolutely not ready for this and yet it is happening to you, right now. Today we’re republishing a classic sex toy review to end all sex toy reviews. Originally published October 22, 2013, were we ever so young.
You can put this in your asshole!
Material: Stainless Steel
Size: (three sizes) 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″
Price: $65-80
I’m coming to you today as someone who, prior to this review, had only put a few things in her asshole. The tip of a finger here, a vibrator there, nothing too serious. And just so you know where I’m coming from, I’ve never had anything as large as a dildo or butt plug in my asshole. I just want you guys to know I’m a beginner here.
I got the Pure Plug in the mail and let it sit on my counter for about a week. This was not because I was scared of using a butt plug. It was more that I was so freaking turned on by the idea of using a butt plug I didn’t want to actually use it and have it be over!
You see, for years now I’ve been someone who was — how do I say this — conceptually aroused by the idea of having an asshole. So for example when a girl is fucking me if I can’t cum, I can just think about my asshole. Just thinking its existence, or how it feels to have one side of my asshole touching the other side of my asshole and maybe incidental contact it might be receiving can usually make me cum. This has been going on for about ten years now, and yet it only occurred to me when I stuck the small end of the Njoy Pure Wand in my ass that maybe I should get a butt plug.
It’s just like the three little bears… but for your asshole!
Okay, I’ll be honest, it occurred to me sooner but I was too embarrassed to buy any of the ass play sex toys I saw in sex shops. There I’d be, standing in the middle of Babeland buying a new paddle or squeezing the Shiloh and the Mustang, trying to decide between them, all the while side-eyeing the glistening stainless steel butt plugs.
So when I got the Pure Plug in the mail from Babeland it was like Christmas. Christmas for my asshole. And yes, after a few tantalizing days, I did take that butt plug down off the counter and put it in my asshole.
Here’s what I did. I had the smallest of the sizes (the Pure Plug comes in three) and I went really really sloooooooooow. And I used All The Lube. Mechanically, I laid on my back, threw my legs over my head a la a yoga “plow” and then inserted the Pure Plug with the curve pointing towards my belly button.
Actually, first I inserted it in my vagina because I am much more accustomed to shoving things in there and it made me feel more acquainted with the size of the thing.
Anyways so I just sort of let the tip of the Pure Plug hang out around my asshole while I started masturbating. I suggest little circles. Before I knew it the Pure Plug was about halfway in and then — “Plop!” My asshole sucked it right in. Well all the way in over the plug. The handle loop was still stick out.
OMG did I mention it comes presented to you like an engagement ring?
This is a good time to remind everyone that your asshole is a swirling vortex that will suck in anything you let it, so your sex toys all need to have a three inch flange. Many stainless steel butt plugs (like the kind with the jewels on them) don’t have a large enough flange! The flange is sometimes even smaller than the plug! The Pure Plug’s flange is right on the cusp of being large enough lengthwise, but it’s so thick and stiff that it would be difficult for your asshole to suck it in. That being said, a removable flange might just give you more peace of mind.
Regardless, like I was saying, with time, patience and lube, you too can experience the wonder of having your asshole suck something in. It feels good. If you know the feeling of going from “Not Quite Fisting” to “Fisting,” it feels like a less intense version of that.
Now that you’ve all come on this First Butt Plug Journey with me, let me start out the actual product review by telling you that nothing, and I mean nothing, feels as smooth as stainless steel on your asshole. If you’re someone who is turned on by sensation of soft, heavy smooth surfaces across any part of your body you’re going to be turned on by the Njoy Pure Plug. It’s just impossible not to be.
Once it was in, however, I found the real draw to be the weight of it. Even the smallest Pure Plug is 5oz and that feels extra heavy when it’s inside your asshole. As someone who’s so turned on by the idea of their asshole conceptually, I found that the weight brought my attention right to my asshole. Constantly. This was a turn on all by itself.
To be clear, you don’t use a butt plug like a dildo. You generally don’t thrust in and out. Instead you stick it in and mostly just leave it there. I did, of course, figure out some neat ways to bump up my enjoyment. One way I found was to go about all of my normal penetrative and/or clitoral stimulation but clench my sphincter muscles against the thin part of the Pure Plug. Another option was to rock the exterior of the plug back and forth gently. I also tried holding a vibrator against the exterior portion and the metal conducted the vibration to every last inch of my genitals. All of it was delightful. All of it.
The specs. The glorious specs.
Here’s the thing; once you come, you still have a butt plug in. In my experience, after I come I usually don’t feel like having my butt plug in anymore. Unfortunately, to me, pushing a butt plug out feels just exactly like taking the cleanest most amazing shit of your entire life. To date I am not yet, for this reason, comfortable taking the Pure Plug out while in bed. Usually I bask in post-orgasm glory and then sneak off to the bathroom to remove it. This is also sort of convenient because then I can wash it with antibacterial soap and water. You can also boil it or run it through the dishwasher.
The only downside I’ve found thus far is that, even though I’d never used a butt plug before, I found myself wishing I’d bought the medium or large size. The small is really quite small.
So would I recommend the Njoy Pure Plug? Duh! Did you just read that review? I sound like one of those people just discovering their clits for the first time!
If you’re someone who’s just getting interested in venturing into the world of butt play I think the Pure Plug is a great place to start. While I believe the price tag is worth it, it might be a good option after trying something else that’s cheaper first. If you’re someone who already knows they love butt plugs you can probably just go ahead and buy the Pure Plug right this very minute and move on with your life. You’re going to like it.
Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?
This post is sponsored by Wet for Her.
“I am going to finish this tonight,” Betsy said, opening up a red-underlined covered document on the screen in front of her. No matter how exhausted she was, she had a deadline to meet. “What about sex writing?” they said, “It could be fun!” they said – no one said how tired I’d be.
She adjusted herself on her emerald green couch and giggled as she recalled the date she just had. Betsy had gone from swiping to cyber sex with a hot little theybe she’d met a few days ago on her go-to dating app; their scheduled virtual fucking session had ended just under an hour ago and she was still on cloud nine. She came six times and showed them half of her new toys, all in the name of research, “I am going to finish this… I just need a little like, break first tho.” She put her computer on the floor, sipped her 4-hour old coffee then laid back on the couch. “Ooh!” She squealed — she hadn’t cleared the couch yet after her little session and The Finger Extender toy had poked her in the ass, while her lube was in danger of getting lost in her faux locs. She tossed them on the floor with the others and then comfortably stretched out on the couch.
Betsy picked up her phone and right after she unlocked it her dating app profile filled the screen; she had been mid-edit right before her date and never closed it. She put the phone on her chest, paused and said aloud, “Okay, ten swipes then it’s time for a nap.” She looked around as if someone was going to encourage her to just go to sleep, but she lived alone so swiping it was.
“I know that’s not a poster of “The Kiss” in the background…” Betsy zoomed in and put the phone close to her face. “Yo I swear the people on these apps…SMH.” Suddenly exhaustion hit her like a King Princess single drop and she drifted off to sleep…
Her dreams blended with her dating reality as suddenly, all the profiles she was swiping turned from queer babes to some of her new toys!
UserName: YesPleaseMommi
Looking for a baby who wants to be pleasured and punished in the most loving of ways. I may look adorable, but I’m quite powerful and will make you shake with joy or fear – if you behave you get to choose. I’ve got ridges and bumps to please up to 5 speeds, and you can even get in the bath with me… but that’s reserved for nights when mommi is feeling extra sweet.
Looking For: Something Long-Term and Local; bring your coloring book but leave your attitude at home.
Swipe Right on the Heart Vibe Mini Rechargeable
Username: Play4U96
I’ve been playing music since I was in middle school; Iet me serenade you with my voice and then make you scream. You can use me for fingers but I can also work perfectly with your favorite dildo. Singing can tire me out so I can only last for an hour but, like many of my Wet For Her Homies, I come with a USB charger, so just plug me in and I’ll be ready to go again real soon.
Looking For: Something Long Term, playful and ready to go right now.
Swipe Right on the WowHer Clit Ring
Username: Luverboi
Let me be real, I’m a good fit for most people and I’m ready to spread the love. I can make a lot of y’all happy — you can fold me and use me for stroking, lay me flat and grind on me or just put me in your underwear and walk around your apartment – I’m here for it all. I know I look like I might slip away but I come with some ridges so don’t worry, I’m not going ANYWHERE.
Looking for: It can be just me and you, or you can add in your mama and your cousin too. I welcome all y’all, no judgement just vibes baby!!!
Swipe Right on the Enby Vibrator
Username: LavishTushy
I’m known for saying “You Deserve” to all my friends, but now I want to say it to you. Let me spoil you and prove that I can. I love the finer things — just look at me, shiny and smooth aluminum topped off with a sparkling red gem? I want to take care of you, be inside you and fill you up with the love, attention and joy that you DESERVE. It’s all on your time, so when you’re done with me just put me to the side; I’m easy to clean and store and will be ready and waiting for you when you want me next.
Looking for: Someone who wants to be treated like royalty — who’s ready to be my princess?
Swipe Right on Booty Sparks Red Heart Anal Plug
Username: Cumlearnwithus
We love to teach and we love to learn and we want to do them both with your body. We’re perfect for the person who’s new to penetration but wants to take it slow, or for the person who is familiar and looking to advance. Smooth to the touch, made from medical grade silicone and warm up quickly to match your temperature. Grow with us? We promise to stretch your mind and more in all the best ways.
Looking For: A patient partner.
Swipe Right on the Dildo Dilator Set
Username: xXBroodyBabeXx
Message me with your full chart so I don’t waste my time. I know I look interesting and well, that’s because I am. I work well in both cool or warm temperatures, and unlike the others from your past, if you drop me I won’t break – I’m way stronger than I look. You could swipe left but you won’t dare, you’re way too intrigued.
Looking For: Someone who likes to explore and is comfortable being alone – I’d love to play with just you but very down to meet your partner too :)
Swipe Right on Planets Glass Dildo
Username: WhatsNewPussykat
Dating sure has changed hasn’t it! I’m back on the market and ready to show my new tricks! If you love scissoring I’m the person for you; just slide this in between us and get ready for a level up. I’ve got ten settings, ridged for a little extra pleasure and pack a powerful punch even though I’m petite. You can even use me in the bath if you don’t mind getting a little extra wet and who doesn’t want that amirite?!
Looking for: A traditional person who wants a little twist – I promise I’m over my ex by the way, I just don’t know how to crop them out the picture.
Swipe Right on RockHer Scissoring Vibrator
Username: RememberMe
I’m everything you’ll need, the actual total package. A dildo and boxer harness all in the same box. My boxer harness is machine washable, goes up to a size 3x and has an elastic o-ring that fits all the WetForHer dildos! And the dildo that comes with me comes in three different sizes; you pick which one you want and I can get to work straight away. If you really want to have a good time (and you do, that’s why you picked me) you can even add a bullet vibe to my dildos and we can take it up a notch. If we happen to match I’ll get to your message when I can, got quite a lot to go thru ya know ;)
Looking for: Y-O-U
Swipe Right on the Strap-On Boxer Harness
Betsy was awakened by the sound of her neighbors’ laughter and footsteps filling the hallway of their apartment building. She sat up and realized her phone must have slid out of her hand and onto the floor during her nap. When she looked at the electronics that were at her feet — the computer with an article that was close to deadline, the toys she used when she got wet and ready and the phone with the hotties that helped make her that way, she had to make a decision.
The article could wait — she needed to chill out just a little bit more, and the crew at Wet For Her had everything she could want to give her just the relaxation she would need.
As 2020 rages on I would like to make a small pact with you all: can we, collectively, stop buying sex toys off Amazon? I know it’s tempting, but we can do better! There’s a plethora of feminist and queer-owned sex shops that ship worldwide and offer great quality toys at all price points. As we stock up on toys and lube for winter, we can put our queer money back into queer businesses! Here’s a list of queer-owned sex shops, most of which exist in the physical world as well as the internet – and few recommended items from each shop!
Lesbian-owned Sugar in Baltimore is a fantastic shop with a great variety of toys. What makes this website special are the videos accompanying some of the items as well as the many recorded virtual workshops they’ve uploaded for sale.
For those that enjoy using their fingers to get off, (or if you want to add a little extra buzz to handjobs, nipple play, or whatever) this sleek toy can help get you there.
Feelmore’s brick and mortar shops exist in Berkeley and Oakland but they ship everywhere. With a huge selection of toys and a knowledgeable staff, this is a shop worth clicking through.
This dual-stimulating toy has been the only dual-ended toy that hasn’t disappointed me-in fact I love it! This vibrator is app-compatible making it great for long-distance play and with it’s recent makeover, this toy is better than ever!
Okay this plug is CUTE!!! The design and shape is so smart, the silicone is flexible, this toy is perfect for hitting all the right spots.
In the heart of Minneapolis, this shop is near and dear to my heart! Smitten Kitten is very particular with what they carry in their shop, from lube to toys, you know it’s going to be body safe.
Want a lube that feels luxurious but can also intensely hydrate your bits? You do! This lube feels great and it’s ideal for anyone experiencing dryness, with delicate skin, or anyone why wants an oil-based lube that doesn’ feel greasy.
Rechargeable, flexible and STRONG, this bullet doesn’t disappoint! This vibrator is a fairly quiet and small so it’s great for those who need some stealth-it’s also fully waterproof for shower play as well.
Early2Bed is a fantastic shop in Chicago that squeezes a lot into its small space. The staff is great, the selection is immaculate!
This dildo has been making the rounds on the internet. The unique shape of this firm dildo is meant to push against the g-spot and fit snugly in a body.
New on the market, this 35 DOLLAR (!!!!) silicone packer is squishy and perfect for wearing out and about when you want something ~there~ but not THERE.
She-Bop is a Portland hub and can offer you virtual appointments if you need to talk something over with their smart staff.
If you’re looking for a vibrator to explore your g-spot with, the Pillow Talk Sassy has a great curve, an awesome handle, and strong vibrations-all for $60!
You’ve all heard me gush (get it?) about the Liberator Fascinator Throe before but this MINI version?!?!?! A lifesaver! Small enough to pack on trips and it doesn’t take up the entire shelf in my closet, this waterproof soft blanket is the more compact (and more affordable) version of the classic Fascinator Throe.
Okay, this shop is new and it looks VERY VERY promising!!! I’m really excited to see what they continue to put into the shop as they already have many fantastic options!
Stainless steel toys are known for their delicious weight and this double-ended dildo has a ridged bulbous end as well as more flat end to lay against your g-spot. Long story short: it looks fun.
We all know it is *THE* time for sending nudes. Take your thirst traps to the next level with these sexy nipple clamps. Both stimulating AND stunning.
We’re still in the midst of a pandemic. Colder weather is on the way. Now more than ever, we need to make our time at home at little more titillating. If you could open a drawer to find an enticing array of well-chosen, neatly arranged sex toys, life might be a little more appetizing.
If your only sex toy is an electric tooth brush or if your collection looks more like an old grocery bag filled with tangled charging cords, I see you. Fortunately, online sex toy shopping can help you level up your game from the safety of your home. Whether you’re a newbie or a sex toy savant, these tips will help you curate the collection of your dirty dreams. Wondering where to start with specific items after reading this list? Check out our recommendations for the 50 best queer sex toys!
Silicone, borosilicate glass, ABS plastic and stainless steel are all non-porous and won’t harbor bacteria. That means they’re easy to clean and safe to share with partners. Wash these toys with soap and water or toy cleaner. You can boil non-vibrating toys for three to five minutes to fully sterilize them. Some can even go in the dishwasher (check the manufacturer’s website to make sure it’s safe)! Most other materials are porous, so those toys should be covered with a condom before sharing them with partners. Some porous toys tend to deteriorate over time, so consider your non-porous options first to ensure that your toys will last.
When you’re ordering sex toys online, you can’t hold them in your hands and imagine them in your holes. Fortunately, most online sex toy retailers list dimensions for internal toys. Pay attention to those dimensions (specifically: length and girth) so you don’t end up with a toy that doesn’t fit inside your body. If you’re ordering a sex toy for the very first time and don’t know what size to look for, use your fingers (or a partner’s fingers) as a guide.
Now you’re ready to explore.
Maybe you’ve never used sex toys, but you know that you love your partner’s finger in your ass. Select a small, silicone butt plug like Fun Factory’s Bootie ($34.95) and some water-based lube. If you adore your vibrating bullet but wish it offered a little more stimulation, pair it with an internal vibrator or dildo or upgrade to a wand. Does your sex life incorporate spanking, nipple squeezing and other forms of sensation play? Invest in some kinky tools to intensify your BDSM experiences.
Sometimes you can’t be sure you’ll like a toy until you try it. Fortunately, most sex toys range in price, so you can start with a less expensive item before investing in something that’s higher quality.
If you’ve never tried a vibrator, start with something like the approachable, battery-operated Bliss Bullet ($16 — keep in mind that this toy is made out of porous plastic, so if you’re sharing it with partners, put a condom over it). If you enjoy the sensation but crave more intensity, invest in the the almighty Rechargeable Magic Wand ($124.99). Most major sex toy brands offer at least a one year warranty on their luxury toys, so if your fancy new sex toy breaks or stops working, you can contact the manufacturer and get it replaced for free.
Maybe you have have no idea where to start. Use this formula to craft a well-rounded sex toy collection: two lube options, an external vibrator, an internal toy and something kinky.
First, ensure that your lube is compatible with your toys. Stick with water-based lube on silicone toys (silicone lube will degrade the material). With minimal ingredients, Sliquid Sassy ($12.99) is a versatile water-based options that’s a great option for people with sensitive skin. It’s also thicker than other water-based lubes, so you don’t need to reapply as often. Silicone lube is compatible with glass, hard plastic and stainless steel toys. Since it doesn’t absorb into the body like water-based lube, silicone lube is ideal for any activity involving body parts and vigorous thrusting. Uberlube ($17.99) is perfect for new silicone lube users — it’s long lasting and not too thick, and it doesn’t stain sheets like some other silicone options. Plus, it comes it a pretty glass bottle.
When you’re choosing an external vibrator, consider how you’ll be using it. If you plan to use it during masturbation, a smaller bullet might suit your needs. If you need a toy with a little extra reach, go with a wand. While the Magic Wand is, indeed the Holy Grail Of Wands, it’s on the heavier side. If you experience hand or wrist issues, the PalmPower Massager ($96.99) is a much lighter (and cheaper) option. If you crave a stroker-style vibrator with some extra flair, check out the Satisfyer “Men” Heat Vibration ($60 – ugh, ignore the unnecessarily gendered name) for its powerful motor and warmth.
For your internal toy, choose something versatile. If you want a toy that can be used vaginally or anally, try a silicone dildo like the Mistress ($52.99), which has a wide, harness-compatible base. If you want the luxurious feeling of vibration and motion, Lelo’s Mona Wave ($189.99) will be the fancy toy of your (sex) dreams. For the most intense G-spot pressure, the stainless steel Pure Wand ($134.99) is intense and worth the learning curve (plus, it’s great for massaging knots out of your shoulders).
The “something kinky” in your collection can be just about anything! If you want to dip your toe into bondage, choose some simple cuffs. If you’re curious about chastity play, consider a chastity device like the wildly popular CB-6000 ($159.99). If you know you want to experiment but you feel a little lost, watch some queer BDSM porn or browse the kink section of any sex toy website to see what intrigues you. Don’t forget to use books as a source of inspiration and safety information! The New Topping Book ($14.95) and The New Bottoming Book ($14.95) are classics.
Keep lube bottles in a plastic bag to avoid leaks and spills, and store your toys in individual cloth bags to protect the material. Where you keep those bags depends on your individual needs. If you prioritize efficiency, create a designated sex toy drawer in your bedroom bureau. If you have a collection of smaller toys, organize them in a makeup case. If you don’t want curious kids or pets to damage your toys, store them in a discreet, locking tool box. If you’re lucky enough to own a collection of large floggers, paddles and spreader bars, invest in an armoire.
Maybe you want to get extra fancy with your sex toy collection. Search your favorite sex toy retailer’s website by color and build a theme around color or material. If you prefer to have a dark and sexy collection, opt for black leather cuffs, a black leather harness and a sleek, black dildo. If you want your toys to reflect your boisterous personality, collect an explosion of pinks and purples (or take a look at these maximalist toys). Keep them in a thrifted Caboodle. Whatever theme you choose, your collection should scream, “Hey! Put me to use!” We could all use a little extra pleasure.
I love a sex toy that does as many jobs as possible, as simply as possible, for as long as possible. But I also know that sometimes, you need something a little more… specific. A little bit bolder. A lot more extra.
The below sex toys are as maximalist as it gets with bold shapes, big colors, specific functions, and sometimes all three. Just like my minimalist toy picks from last week, their materials are long-lasting – but while more minimalist sex toys can be chameleons, these maximalist sex toys are loud in every way except for their motors. Remember to absolutely drench silicone toys with water-based lube and silicone lube with everything else.
The Doxy Die-Cast Extra Powerful Wand Vibrator is a literal heavyweight with an aluminum and titanium handle and silicone head. It’s the rumbliest, thuddiest, and most powerful vibrator I’ve ever beheld in my years of mostly anonymous sex toy reviewing and can reach up to 9,000 RPM, compared to the Magic Wand Rechargeable’s 6,300. In fact, it’s so powerful that it might overpower more sensitive nerve endings. (All that power also means that it plugs into the wall.) Clean it with a damp cloth and soap or antibacterial toy cleaner, and don’t submerge it. It also comes in purple or red.
The Jollet Polka Dot dildo from LuzArte has a 7.5″ rigid silicone shaft specifically designed to target the g-spot, with a strategic bulge where it’s needed and a taper down to two ridges near the base. Best of all, it’s full of tiny pom-poms that remind me of rainbow bits cake and can be stored standing up. If you use a bullet vibrator in the base, use a touch of water-based lube to make it easier to insert and remove it as soon as you’re done.
Disabled entrepreneur Step Tranovic (they/she/he) created Cute Little Fuckers “in an effort to make sex toys more personal, approachable, and gender inclusive.” The results are playful, colorful, and shaped like tiny aliens. Trinity (and attached partners Tripp and Trine) is a blue silicone vibrating dildo that’s waterproof and USB rechargeable, curved for g-spot and p-spot stimulation, and flared at the base for harness and butt stuff (or both). Plus, it makes a great installation on your nightstand.
The Tie-Bright Outlaw is a vibrant and absolutely massive silicone dildo. I — er, “an anonymous sex toy reviewer” — have waxed harmonious about the Outlaw for Autostraddle before, and allow me to do so again: it’s the toy that turned me into a size queer. It’s lengthy, it’s girthy, it requires a strap-on with actual straps and the right o-ring if you really want to go for it (and then it deliciously translates sensation to the wearer through the larger base), and you might have to buy a new sex toy boiling pot just to disinfect it. It has 8.5″ of insertable length, is 2″ in diameter, and is made of dual-density VixSkin – which means that that 2″ doesn’t feel quite as big as it sounds, but still feels pretty damn big. If you’re looking at it and salivating, enjoy getting fisted, or have a hole that loves a challenge, the Outlaw might be your new favorite. (It also comes in chocolate, caramel, and vanilla.)
Shilo is a bendable dildo can can tuck away for packing or straighten out for use – and now it comes in swirling bright blue and yellow. The silicone is soft, with an almost-squishy head a human-skin-like texture. Shilo has 6.25″ of insertable length and is 1.75″ in diameter at the head, 1.5″ in diameter in the body, and 3.25″ in diameter at the base. It also comes in bright pink and blue, pink, caramel, chocolate, and vanilla.
I honestly didn’t conceive of “maximal sex toys” as being “lots of enormous sex toys” but here we are! The Deep Diver by Uberrime is an individually hand-cast marbled tentacle dildo with an anal-safe flared base. Uberrime is “Latin for luxury, abundance, and or fruitfully copious” and that spirit is visible in its functional sculpture sex toys. This one is 5.5″ of insertable length and has a head diameter of about 1″, a mid-shaft diameter of about 2″, and a base diameter of about 2.6″. For cleaning, a SheVibe reviewer recommends using a toothbrush to scrub out the suckers.
On the smaller side and one of Autostraddle’s 50 best queer sex toys, the B-Vibe Rimming Plug Petit is a compact butt plug with rotating metal beads that feel like oral and a vibrating tip because who doesn’t like a vibrating tip? It’s rechargeable, waterproof, and remote controllable from up to 30 feet away. It also comes in teal, black, and XL.
The Eroscillator 2 is an oscillating plug-in sex toy that offers three low- to mid-range levels of targeted stimulation, beloved by folks who find wand vibrators numbing or too powerful. It’s made of ABS plastic, and the attachments are made of TPE — which is phthalate-free and body-safe but also porous, and so should not be shared between partners. (Luckily, you can buy them their own silicone soft finger attachment so they stop trying to borrow yours.) The attachments in this set are the ball and cup, the grapes and cockscomb, the golden spoon, and the ultra-soft finger tip. It also comes with an international step-down converter.
Tenga Eggs are soft, stretchy sleeves that come in a variety of internal textures like thunder or misty. Use one on a penis for masturbation or partnered hand stuff, or stretch one inside out over the head of a wand vibrator to add squish and texture. And make sure to stock up — they’re single use only.
GNAT Glitter Kink makes femme-centric glittery vinyl body and strap-on harnesses, collars, and cuffs in both ready-to-ship and custom sizes and colors. GNAT recently opened its first storefront, and custom orders close periodically as of the time of writing due to high order volume and pandemic production limitations (owner Gnat Rose Mandrid is making everything alone right now). But no maximalist sex toy list would be complete without a shoutout to this woman-owned and -operated femme-centric fetish and bondage gear brand. It’ll be worth the wait.
What makes a sex toy minimalist? For me, minimalist sex toys are foundational sex toys: the ones that match any outfit or scene, the ones that you cleanse and keep between partners or relationships, the ones that feel almost serene to fuck with and to behold, and the ones you can come back to over and over. Recognizing that “minimalist” usually has more of an association with “extremely douchey” than with “queer and hot,” I considered toys that work for multiple holes or nerve endings, that are long-lasting, and that are easy to disinfect between partners and holes, along with aesthetic minimalism.
To take a minimalist approach to sex toys, I encourage you to start here and then do your research: find a sex toy reviewer who feels the same way about any of your existing toys that you do, and then read what they have to say about whatever new toy you’re considering. Think about not just what you want right now but what might have flexibility in the future by choosing vibrators that work on lots of body parts or dildos that fit multiple holes and are easy to clean — like these.
With not a lot of form but a whole lot of function, the Magic Wand Rechargeable is a beloved workhorse wand vibrator and one of Autostraddle’s 50 best queer sex toys (read the full review). It’s rumbly, it’s powerful, and it’s a reliable orgasm for a many, many people. This cordless version works on a battery or while plugged into the wall, so you never have to worry about it dying. It’s also not bad as a back massager.
The We-Vibe Rave is a purple vibrator with rumbly-as-fuck vibrations. Its soft curve makes it easy to hold and incredible to direct towards a g-spot, and it’s also great externally on all genitalia. A silicone body makes it easy to wipe down — but it’s splashproof, not waterproof, so avoid submerging it.
Disabled transgender entrepreneur Step Tranovic (they/she/he) created alien-esque Cute Little Fuckers “in an effort to make sex toys more personal, approachable, and gender inclusive.” Starsi is a gentle soft silicone vibrator that’s easy to grip, waterproof and USB rechargeable, and has five intensities along with five patterns. The bullet that powers it is removable, so you can easily boil the body of the toy for cleaning. Aesthetically not what you expected from a minimalist sex toy list? Starsi makes the cut because Starsi is fun for all genitals and for chests, too.
The Fun Factory Bootie is made of firm yet flexible matte silicone, has a long and narrow base that can nestle between your ass cheeks and a curved tip that directly targets the prostate or that targets the g-spot through the wall of the vagina, and comes in small and large. Plus it’s one of Autostraddle’s 50 best queer sex toys.
The nJoy Eleven is eleven inches and almost three pounds of smooth, curving, arcing stainless steel. It’s cold to the touch but it’s hot as fuck. If you wanted to only own one dildo for the rest of your life, this one would go the distance: you can pair it with any lube, get off with either end, and disinfect it any way you want afterwards. It’s more likely to harm whatever you drop it on than it is to sustain harm itself. And it’s as beautiful an object as it is a sex toy. (For a more affordable nJoy dildo, the Pure Wand is a g-spot and prostate powerhouse in a more compact package.)
Looking for a light, shapely dildo that’s fun vaginally, anally, or as a back massager? The nobEssence Seduction 2.0 Sculptured Hardwood G-spot Dildo “uses statistical analysis of physiology to take the guesswork out of” G-spot and prostate play and “combines dilation, firm smooth pressure, and trend-setting curves.” Use it alone, or rest a pliable silicone vibrator against the alcove while the Seduction is inside you to experience the way that wood transmits vibrations. The Seduction has about 5″ of insertable length on each end, is lightweight, and varies in color and grain from toy to toy.
There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to dildos, but the Mustang sure comes close. It’s a strap-on compatible dildo made of dual-density silicone VixSkin, which means it’s squishy on the outside, has a firm core that stays where you put it, and is super easy to clean with soap and water and to disinfect by boiling. It’s girthy and lengthy enough to feel substantial but not too challenging for many holes. And it comes in chocolate, caramel, vanilla, fluro-a-pink, and tie-bright. Keep the tube it comes in for easy upright storage.
The SpareParts Joque is a strap-on harness that combines the machine washability of contemporary underwear-style harnesses with the sturdiness and control of a classic leather strap-style harness. It has an adjustable o-ring that can fit dildos up to 2″ in diameter and is easily adjustable to hips from 20″ to 50″ (size a) and to hips from 35″ to 65″ (size b). Plus it’s one of Autostraddle’s 50 best queer sex toys.
Extra bedding just for sex — how is that minimalist? Hear me out: the Liberator Fascinator Throw is a velvety, soft, and water-resistant throw that’s absorbent and machine washable. Instead of having piles of towels that someone leaks through anyway or that don’t stay put in the first place, having to change your sheets after sex, or both, whip this blanket out and squirt away.
Over the last few years, sex toy companies and stores have asked us to review their toys in exchange for, you know, their toys. Today we’re reviewing Fun Factory’s Limba Flex!
Color: Teal
Material: Silicone
Length: 6.8 inches / 4.7 inches
Width: 1.2 inches / 1.1 inches
Reader, I’ll be honest: I have tried a lot of dicks, both as a dick provider and dick receiver, and I haven’t used something like the Limba Flex before. The Limba is described as a “customizable” dildo, which in this context means it has flexible (but very firm!) wire through the core that you can pose into any shape you want every time you use it. I’ll allow this frankly adorable product video to explain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC_NHU7GB2Y
As you can see, it comes in two sizes, Medium and Small, which are 6.8 inches and 4.7 inches respectively. They’re both also pretty slim, at 1.2 and 1.1 inches wide, and I don’t know how to quantify this, but somehow they feel on the small end of that – maybe because they’re pretty dense, firm toys, they don’t give the feeling of fullness you might get from squishier penetrative toys. The firmness of the shaft is really nicely offset by the Fun Factory base, which I always love; it’s thinner and more flexible than the rigid, circular base of most dildos, making it easier and more comfortable in a harness as well as providing fairly serviceable suction to flat, smooth surfaces if that’s your jam.
I had two major questions about the Limba before it even arrived. First: how useful would the flexible wire really be? The unfortunate truth is that some toys’ main claim to fame as far as what it purports to be able to do inside someone’s body works great in videos or in the store — you know, when you can control it with your hands and there’s no pressure or constraint or weird angles — and then falls flat in applied practice. Mainly, I wondered whether the shape the Limba was bent into would hold firm if it was being used to fuck someone — and to my surprise, it does! Through some magic of sex toy product design that I don’t claim to understand, it’s easy to bend & shape but also firm enough that it doesn’t get reshaped by moving around inside someone.
As far as what it can be shaped into, the truth is that even though this is as “customizable” as I think it’s possible for a dildo to be without, I don’t know, Lego pieces that snap in and out, there are also only so many shapes you’re realistically going to want to bend it into, both because the length of the shaft kind of limits how many twists and turns you can fit in there and because there’s only so many shapes that really feel good – you don’t need an Aunt Annie’s pretzel in there. In practice, the way this worked out for me was this was mostly a toy where I could truly madly deeply fine-tune the exact angle and curve that felt best to me for G-spot stimulation. This sounds limiting, but really, don’t discount it – although it’s not being marketed as such, per se, this has quickly become one of my favorite g-spot toys ever. The tip of the toy’s natural angle is just… a real winner! At least for me, personally. If you like the sensation of the classic ‘come hither’ motion of someone’s hand inside you, this may also be a favorite; the tip of the toy is really firm and tapered in a way that dildos generally aren’t, and provides pointed pressure in that same way.
Another suggested use for the Limba’s flexibility is to adjust shape & angle if you change positions while having penetrative sex — for instance, from missionary to from behind — and want to change the angle of the toy to continue hitting your partner’s g-spot. This is not an impossible project, I don’t think, and the idea of avoiding the sort of awkward rotation-inside-the-harness move to reposition the dildo is a nice one. However, I think the natural shape of the aforementioned tip of the dildo is such a big draw of the toy that I’d honestly rather just rotate it around — since the wire doesn’t extend all the way to the very tip of the toy (otherwise you’d really run the risk of eventually poking someone in the cervix), the tip remains in the same position no matter what. Lastly, I would be remiss not to point out that Fun Factory also recommends the Limba for packing – its slim shape and flexibility makes it easy to fold inside of your clothes if you’d like to wear it out, although if you’re looking for a realistic-looking dick to pack-n-play with, you may want to look elsewhere, as Fun Factory’s products come mostly in jewel tones.
Speaking of fucking, we arrive at my second big curiosity about the Limba line: what do we make of the small size! It is very small; if I had seen it without the context of the medium Limba, I would maybe have guessed first that it was a plug rather than a dildo. The Fun Factory site suggests using it for ‘grinding’ rather than ‘thrusting,’ which, sure, I could see that, although I’m not sure it’s an application I’d actually use a toy for. One target audience for the Limba is definitely also folks trying anal penetration maybe for the first time, and I can see this being a really good introduction for folks who want to try out penetration or explore p-spot sensation in ways that a plug doesn’t necessarily work for without being fully fucked by a full-size dick. The wide base of Fun Factory toys makes this a fun and safe anal toy! I have a hard time seeing this size being a super satisfying toy for anyone when used with a harness, but am also ready to be proven wrong.
I will say that while I was initially unclear on what role, if any, the small but stalwart mini Limba would play in my life, my activity partner pointed out that its size is a great fit for muffing, and when we tried it out were able to confirm it. Although, again, I’m not sure it would have worked out worn in a harness, it was a really fun and different handheld way to try muffing, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys it already and would like to see how it feels with a dildo.
Although I don’t think the Limba will be a go-to dildo to use with partners, it surprised me by being one of the most powerful G-spot toys I’ve ever used – and I’ve used a lot!
Over the last few years, sex toy companies and stores have asked us to review their toys in exchange for, you know, their toys. Today we’re reviewing the Puff Suction Vibe!
Eight minutes. That’s how long it took me to come when I used Puff for the first time.
It wasn’t a light sprinkle of a orgasm either. It was a flat on my back, one leg out in front of me and the other draped behind over the back of the couch while I said, “What the fuck?” repeatedly to the ceiling after I was done — type of orgasm.
It’s modest and unusual when you pop it out of the package and examine it for the first time. Everything that I have played with or owned from Unbound Babes has been an absolute hit. The Bender is a favorite of a few of my homies, I haven’t met an ass that The Shimmy hasn’t made squeal with joy, and The Clitoral Jolt gel makes my clit feel like a Mount Olympus after party.
The surprising feature was the sensation; Puff is the first toy I‘ve had that is powered by suction. My body’s response to it was unlike any other experience I’ve had while using a toy, which may explain why it took me under ten minutes to turn into a hot and sweaty, but very pleased mess, in the middle of the afternoon. I have heard quite a bit about suction powered toys and have been aching to try one, primarily because I love toys that can be pleasurable to all anatomies. It’s crucial to me that companies keep in mind that the way folx sexual relationships look is ever-changing and that their toys should be made so that all parties involved can enjoy them.
Puff has five settings and I highly suggest skipping past the first one and straight to number two if you really want to get a vibe on the suction feeling. The first setting is light and you can hear the hum of the motor but I couldn’t truly feel any suction until I went up to the next level. It really starts to kick into gear at level three, the suction became so much more powerful and even still, the motor didn’t get too much louder. I don’t have any housemates but Puff is ideal if you’re looking for something that won’t wake up anyone when you’re just trying to get off. It’s also waterproof, which is even better for all of you who have decided to face lockdown in our childhood homes and can’t comfortably have an orgasm in your old twin bed.
I thought the suction would somehow mimic a human mouth — well, the mouth of an individual who knows that a little light sucking can go a long way. It’s not like that at all — it’s way better. If there is a human who has a mouth that can do what Puff does, please send them my way as soon as fucking possible.
Speeds four and five are intense, so I dialed it back to three for a minute or two so I wouldn’t end up making myself overly sensitive and then not be able to come. The sweet spot for me was then clicking back up to five for a few seconds and then down to four and that’s where I got my literal screaming orgasm. It’s a petite size, it fits quite flawlessly in the palm of my hand, and it’s easy to grip..even when it’s soaking wet.
After coming down it was time for the cleanup and I was worried about that too. So, because Puff is a suction vibrator I was concerned that because of the hole, it would be more susceptible to trapping smells or fluids. I’m used to submerging my toys in boiling water to deep clean them or giving them a quick wash with hot water and toy cleaner after playing. You can do the later with Puff but make sure to give it a good shake after you do so that there is no water left sitting inside and let it air dry face down on a clean, dry towel for extra precaution.
I can see using this toy with partners to bring each other to orgasm and you can use it during foreplay as the suction feels amazing on the tongue, fingers, and nipples. Puff lets you get creative with coming and I advise heading to the Unbound site and placing your pre-order now. once it arrives in September, you can open your windows, let the fall breeze in, and lay on your couch for a little afternoon delight of your own.