The Best Sex Toys for Couples
Here’s the deal: Any vibrator is a couples’ vibrator if you want it to be. Most vibrators don’t have singular prescriptive functions—they’re meant for exploration, for enhanced pleasure, for play.
To paraphrase a trusted sex therapist, partnered sex works best when each person takes responsibility for their own sexual desires. Introducing toys into your sex life can be a deeply satisfying expression of this principle.
Below, our current favorite sex toys, organized by needs and desires.
For Hands-Free Exploration
Designed for partnered sex, Eva II has flexible “wings” that are meant to be tucked under the labia to help hold the vibrator in place so that all hands are free to support body weight or do whatever else you’d like them to. It might take some practice and adjusting to find the right position—pull one labium (lip) over one wing at a time.
Tilt is designed with pleasure for all genders in mind: It has two independently controlled motors—one in the plug end for stimulation of the G-spot or the prostate, and another on the longer, outer arm that can be used to stimulate the clitoris or the perineum. The sensation of the vibrations isn’t like a typical buzzing; it’s more of a deep thrumming, radiating sensation. It lies very flat to the body when it’s inserted—and it’s designed to remain in place as you explore. (Bonus: It has a warming function, which increases blood flow, making it easier to relax and eventually climax.)
We-Vibe’s Verge is a perineum vibrator that fits over the penis and testicles of the penetrating partner and presses into their perineum (the fleshy, sensitive area between the testicles and anus). It’s an unobtrusive way to stimulate the prostate during intercourse, and it’s controllable through an app so you can adjust the vibrations without too much of a reach.
For Remote Control
LELO’s Lyla 2 is bullet-shaped and can be used externally for clitoral vibrations or slipped into the vagina like a tampon. Then you or a partner can control it with its motion-activated remote, which responds to the tilt of your hand as you hold it: Just tip the remote from completely horizontal—where the vibrator’s power will run at 10 percent of its max—toward vertical, where it reaches maximum intensity.
What’s clever about Moxie is the way it clips into a pair of panties with a magnet and lies flat to the body so it flies under the radar on out-in-the-world excursions. Hand the remote to a partner or have them hook up to Moxie through the We-Vibe app—it’s Bluetooth-enabled—to put your pleasure in their hands.
Bond is a vibrating penis ring controllable by app or remote. If this is your intro to the world of vibrating penis rings, welcome: Generally they slip over the penis (and sometimes loop around the testicles, too) and deliver rumbly vibrations to enhance pleasure and maintain arousal. If you’re using one during intercourse, you can position the vibrating head to target sensitive areas, like the clitoris or perineum, on the receiving partner. A remote- or app-controlled device is nice to have—it allows you to adjust the vibration settings without having to reach for the buttons.
COUPLES’ SETS
The We-Vibe Chorus has two distinct heads; you slide the smaller one into the vagina, and the larger one rests against the vulva and clitoris. The smaller, internal head is unobtrusive and can be worn comfortably during penetrative sex. To adjust the Chorus’s vibrations, you can press the controls on the larger head or squeeze the accompanying remote control, which reacts to your hand’s pressure to build intensity. Or give that remote to your partner and let them take a turn at pressing your buttons. This set also comes with the Womanizer Premium, a clitoral stimulator that uses pulses of air to create a sucking sensation (it’s one of our five bestselling vibrators for a reason).
Pivot is a penis ring with powerful rumbly vibrations. It’s soft, stretchy, and comfortable to wear—just add a bit of lube to slide it on—and it fits snugly between partners during penetrative sex. Nova 2’s long head is firm and adjustable, which allows you to shape the angle just right for your G-spot, and the short head is bendy, letting you keep it in continuous contact with your clitoris as you explore different levels of penetration. Both are operable by app, which works over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. The advantage: Your partner can control your vibrator from wherever they are, whether that’s across the room or across the ocean.
We-Vibe’s Tease Us Set is made for—you guessed it—teasing your partner and letting them tease you. It comes with one Moxie, which clips into a pair of panties for clitoral stimulation, and one Bond, a vibrating penis ring. Both are remote-controlled using the We-Vibe app. And they can be worn discreetly under your clothes, if that’s your thing.
For When Penetrative Sex Feels Too Deep
Ohnut is designed to customize depth during penetrative sex. You simply stack the four modular rings and fit them around the base of the penis of the penetrating partner (or around your toy of choice) to form a soft, compressible buffer. It doesn’t sacrifice pleasant sensations for either partner—each ring is squishy and stretchy and feels like skin. We recommend starting with three and adjusting up to four or down to two from there.
For Exploring Erogenous Zones
Our vulva vibrator Viva la Vulva is made with a unique curved shape that makes it great for stimulating sensitive spots all over the body. Or press the top of the arc—where the vibrations are strongest—against your clitoris or nipples for targeted stimulation.
For Clitoral Stimulation
Sila Cruise is a clitoral vibrator that never makes contact with the clitoris itself. It has an extrawide mouth that cups over the whole head of the clitoris, and it uses gentle sonic waves that generate pulsation and suction.
Wands provide a rumbly, powerful external vibration, which is good for those who need more stimulation to get off. Our Double-Sided Wand Vibrator does that with its wonder-ball end, and more: The other end is slim and flexible for precise clitoral vibration, as well as exploration of the vaginal opening. (You can also use the slim end to penetrate one to three inches; it feels especially good pressed against the vagina’s front wall.)
FOR EXPLORING KINK
Blindfolds are a solid starting point for sensual adventures. Some things can be more exciting when you don’t see them coming. Slip makes a silk blindfold that’s unbelievably soft and stays put during play.
As far as impact toys go, paddles can be gentler on the body because they have a larger surface area and force is distributed more widely. (Of course, this depends on what kind of force you put behind them.) Consider this one: One side is smooth leather, which glides or smacks along your skin; the other is a soft suede for more muffled sensations.
Floggers are characterized by a bundle of loose, flexible tails. They’re a nice choice if you’d like to play with stinging sensations. If you pick one made from buttery lambskin leather—like this one from Kiki de Montparnasse—they’re also wonderful for exploring gentle actions like super soft brushes against the skin.
LUBES, OILS, SEX SERUMS, AND BALMS
Sex is simply better with a good amount of slip. If you’re playing with silicone toys or using condoms, you can bet on a water-based formula like the ones from Sliquid, Personal Fav, or Glissant. Oil-based ones aren’t condom-compatible, but they feel luxurious on your skin and tend to last longer, too. And a clitoris balm like Coco de Mer’s is a great match for the moments when you feel most aroused.
Water-Based Lubes and Serums
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Personal Fav Whet Plant-Based Sex Serum goop, $24SHOP NOWMade with aloe vera juice and arousal-complementing extracts from chamomile, ginseng, horny goat weed, and hempseed.
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Sliquid Organics Natural 4.2 oz goop, $15SHOP NOWThis one’s made to match the body’s natural lubrication.
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Glissant Sea Salt & Caramel Water-Based Lube goop, $55SHOP NOWTastes like salted caramel, comes in a chic spray bottle.
Sex Oils and Balms
For Communication and Intimacy
Designed to be picked up right after sex, this journal is filled with prompts to help you and your partner reflect—first separately, then together—on what felt best, what you each want out of play, and how you’re growing together. If talking about sex ever feels awkward, the journal includes a guide to managing those feelings, too. End goal? Greater openness, a bit of silliness, and some enjoyable sex.
