So you want to buy an adult toy?
Good for you! Whether it's your first one or the latest in a long line of toys, it's always fun and exciting to think about selecting a new toy. In these money-tight times, it doesn't matter if your budget is $10 or $100, we're sure that you don't want to waste your money getting a toy that leaves you feeling cold and uninspired. With over a hundred unique companies making thousands of different toys out there, it can be overwhelming trying to narrow the field down to the one toy that will capture your attention and keep you reaching for it night after night. We've already slimmed the pack by stocking our store with (only) dozens of brands and hundreds of the best toys we can find. Let this guide help you narrow it down even further to find the perfect toy (or toys) just for you.
In case you didn't already know, here are some reasons people use (and love to use) sex toys:
- To have better, more reliable, or more frequent orgasms
- To spice up their sexual repertoire
- For self-pleasuring
- For foreplay
Know your materials.
If you haven't already done so, we recommend you read our Frisky Guide To Toy Materials. This Choosing A Toy article deals with the pros and cons of the design, function, and shape of the toys without discussing the materials they're made from. It would be best for you to already be familiar with the nature and pros & cons of the different materials so you can take that into account for your own needs.
General things to consider regarding any style of toy:
- Wetter is better! The point of using a toy is to induce exquisite friction that stimulates your nerves in just the right way. But having too much friction defeats that purpose and can leave you feeling raw and sore. Using a lube is a great way to ensure that you achieve a state of slippery friction that leaves your nerves singing high praises and not screaming in protest. Read our Frisky Guide to Lubricants for more information.
- Cleanliness is next to godliness... because you certainly don't want a dirty toy anywhere near you. Whether you wrap it in a condom, use anti-bacterial toy cleaner, or plain soap & hot water, read our Frisky Guide To Toy Materials to learn how to keep your toys fresh & clean.
- Manual or automatic? Usually called dildos or vibrators, each has their benefits and drawbacks. Dildos have no moving parts. This means you don't have to replace the batteries or plug them in or worry about them getting wet and shorting out. They'll also last longer, cost less, and don't make a buzzing sound for your neighbors to overhear. But vibrators... vibrate! And that's a good enough reason for most people to buy them despite their potential drawbacks.
- Wetter may be better, but not necessarily for your toy. Where are you planning on using your toy, in bed, in the shower, or in the bathtub? All toys can handle a little bit of moisture (so don't be afraid to use extra lubricant), but make sure it's labeled waterproof before you take a vibrator into the shower with you. And even if labeled waterproof, we recommend testing it before taking it into the bathtub with you. Put it in a bowl of water and look for bubbles. If there are bubbles, it isn't sealed tight enough to survive the bathtub.
- On & off, variable speed, or automatic pulsations? Which type of control your toy has will not only impact the sensations you get from it, but could affect the life of the batteries and of the toy itself. On/off switches are the simplest & cheapest, give the longest battery life, and are the least likely to break down... but can be not as much fun to use for obvious reasons. Variable speed dials are more complex, could accidentally drain the battery when you thought it was off, and has a slight chance of burning out the vibrators motor (if you use batteries low on charge) but are still fairly inexpensive and add to the fun. Variable pulsation controls are the most complex and delicate and thus most prone to breakage if handled roughly, but due to the computer chip shouldn't burn out the motor when the battery runs down. They might be the most expensive, but are also considered the most fun to use.
- Size matters... the size of the battery that is. Toys that use more and/or larger batteries will last longer than ones with fewer/smaller batteries. Of course they might also have more functions drawing on that power. A toy that has a vibrating shaft with rotating beads and a vibrating clitoral tickler will need more power than one that only vibrates, so if they both take the same number and type of battery, you'll find yourself replacing the first toys batteries more often ... But if that is the toy that tickles your fancy, it might just be worth it!
V is for "Versatile"
The numbers of ways that any one toy can be used are limited only by your imagination. However most toys are designed for one or more particular functions and you'll be happier with your purchase if you first decide what you want to do with your new toy and then make your selection based on that information. The following pages will be like a 'pick-a-path' adventure where you'll follow one link to the next, all the while learning about the types of toys that interest you.
- Toys for a Woman: These toys are mostly used by women either alone or with a partner.
- Toys for Couples: These toys are the best for using with a partner.
- Toys for a Man: These are toys designed for men. They can be used with a partner or alone.
- Beginners Toys: The toys in this section all tend to be smaller and/or simpler than other toys. Although they might be good for a girl looking for her first vibrator, they might also be perfect for a guy experienced in intercourse who is just getting into anal play.