Photo courtesy of Paula Codoñer
Part of the process of choosing a vibrator—whether it’s your first or fifteenth—is getting real about what excites you. Do you want something that will re-create a sensation you know you love, or do you want to try something new? If you’re a prospective first-time vibrator owner, welcome: May this be the jumping-off point that launches a beautiful collection.
We hope you love whatever you choose. And to help get you there, we’ll run you through some of our favorite vibrators by category so you can get an idea of what each one is for, how to use them, and what to expect from each.
Bullet Vibrators
Bullet-shaped vibrators are great for first-timers because they’re compact, discreet, and shaped just right. Generally, the rounded tip feels good for targeted clitoral stimulation, or you can flatten the length of the vibrator against the vulva for a broader, less-intense sensation.
The Billionaire Vibrator
This classic bullet is also super easy to operate: Just press the button on the end to start, press it again to cycle through modes, and explore what feels good from there. For internal stimulation, hold it by its end to insert it into the vagina.
Smile Makers, $64.90
Etoile Bullet Vibrator
What’s special about this petite bullet vibrator is that it’s made from stainless steel, which gives it a satisfying weight and provides a different sensation than silicone vibrators. Plated in 18-karat gold, it’s also just so sleek—the kind of toy you won’t mind leaving out on a nightstand.
Kiki de Montparnasse, $129.00
Palm-Size Vibrators
What’s nice about palm-size vibrators is that they’re easy to use for both broad and targeted stimulation. Warm up by pressing the whole body of the vibrator against the vulva, and drive your orgasm home using the tapered end to stimulate the clitoris.
The Ballerina Vibrator
Thanks to a layer of silicone gel, Smile Makers’ Ballerina vibrator has a pleasantly squishable texture you can press into with a finger, which makes its sensations especially delightful against your vulva and clitoris. The rounded back of the device cups comfortably in your palm, and the simple controls make it beyond easy to maneuver between its four intensities and three pulsation modes.
Smile Makers, $114.95
Pom Vibrator
Pom is shaped to complement the natural curves of your vulva, so when you press the whole thing against yourself, you can feel the vibrations all over. It’s soft and bendy so you can really grind up against it, and it has a subtle beaklike structure that feels especially good against the clitoris.
Dame Products, $103.00
G-Spot Vibrators
The G-spot tends to respond to consistent pressure and movement. (We recommend pairing whichever toy you choose with a clean, water-based lube.) For the highest payoff, you’ll want to build arousal by stimulating the vulva first—while they’re made for internal exploration, most G-spot vibrators can do double duty as clitoral vibrators. Once you’re aroused, insert the toy into the vagina, push gently toward the belly, and keep the toy moving.
Ultraplush Self-Heating G-Spot Vibrator
We designed our tricked-out Ultraplush Self-Heating G-Spot Vibrator to maximize pleasure during G-spot exploration. It’s curved at the perfect angle. Dual-density silicone gives the tip a squishable feeling. The toy has just enough flexibility to move with you and help you find angles that feel exactly right. And a self-heating function gently warms the vibrator to just above body temperature, which helps relax your muscles. There are 10 vibrational modes—three steady intensities and seven patterns—that can deliver a variety of sensations, from a gentle tingling to an intense rumbling.
goop Wellness, $95.00
Arc G-Spot Vibrator
Made with Dame’s strongest motor yet, Arc’s rumbly vibrations are designed to be enjoyed both internally and externally: It’s curved to hit sensitive spots on the vaginal wall, and the squishy, bulb-shaped head comes to a ridge for targeted clitoral stimulation. You can cycle through five speeds and five different vibrational patterns and take your time finding what feels best—it can go for more than an hour and a half on a single charge.
Dame Products, $119.00
Air-Pulsing Vibrators
You can recognize an air-pulsing vibrator by the round, indented head that’s made to cup around and enclose the external clitoris. The stimulation head doesn’t touch the clitoris directly. Instead, when you turn it on, it forms an airtight seal and emits pulses of air and gentle vibration. That creates a sucking sensation that feels a lot like oral sex. It feels fantastic. And it’s great for building arousal as well as carrying you across the finish line.
Womanizer NEXT
The NEXT is a fan favorite in this category. It fits nicely in the palm of your hand. It comes with two swappable stimulator heads, so you can can find your best fit. And that’s not the only way you can customize your experience: You can control the intensity and speed of the air pulsing as well as the suction depth. And it’s made with “smart silence” technology, so it switches on only when in contact with your skin and shuts off if you need to set it aside.
Womanizer, $229.00
Sila Cruise Vibrator
LELO’s Sila Cruise is built with a soft, extrawide mouth that’s cupped to lie flat against the curve of your vulva. The extra space means broader suction: It engages not just the clitoral head but also the entire erogenous area surrounding it. We find it leads to a deeper, softer, more sensual experience. It’s also great for people who need a larger fit. The eight whisper-quiet power settings start at a gentle hum and build to an intense pulse. But the real kicker is its cruise control technology—this vibrator senses how hard you’re pressing it to your body and automatically adjusts its intensity to match.
LELO, $189.00
Wand Vibrators
Wand vibrators have a special place in sex toy history—the first ones were cult products and reputedly something magic. But those classic ones were bulky and difficult to maneuver and needed to be plugged into the wall. Their modern-day counterparts, like these ones, are generally lightweight and easier to use while preserving their reputation for power and versatility.
goop WellnessDouble-Sided Wand Vibrator$98.00shop nowThe first run of the Double-Sided Wand Vibrator sold out in less than a day, and it’s been a fan favorite ever since. One end has a wonder-ball wand with deep, rumbly vibrations for external stimulation. The slim white pointed end is bendy and can be used for more targeted clitoral stimulation (you can also use it to penetrate up to three inches). Each end of the wand offers eight pulsating patterns that vary in intensity, with easy-to-operate controls for uninterrupted navigation.
Rabbit Vibrators
The hallmark of a rabbit vibrator is that classic bunny-ears look—one longer head that inserts into the vagina for internal sensations and one shorter head that remains outside the body to stimulate the clitoris. They’re designed to stimulate the clitoris and G-spot at once for blended orgasms.
INA 3
Consider something traditional, like LELO’s Ina 3 vibrator, which offers you 10 intensities and 10 vibrational patterns to play around with. It’s wrapped in body-safe silicone that’s velvety-soft to the touch. The rechargeable battery lasts for two hours at a time. And like the other vibrators here, it’s totally waterproof, if you’d like to take this party to the tub.
LELO, $179.00
Nova 2 Vibrator
If you’re into something more modern: Meet We-Vibe’s Nova 2. See that exaggerated curve on the shorter arm? It bends so that the external head remains in contact with your clitoris as you move the rest of the device in and out of your body. (Pretty genius.) Plus, each head has its own motor you can control independently with 10 vibrational patterns and 13 intensity levels. If you’re feeling creative, you can program custom patterns or hand off the controls to a partner with the We-Connect app.
We-Vibe, $159.00
Clean Lubes and Serums
Water- and aloe-based lubricants and sex serums pair well with condoms (latex and polyisoprene) and sex toys of all types. And they simply make sex better, whether you’re flying solo or playing with a partner.
Whet Plant-Based Sex Serum
This lightweight, water-based sex serum—made with aloe, chamomile, ginseng, horny goat weed, and hempseed extracts—gives slip without stickiness.
Personal Fav, $24.00
Aureum Lubricant
Made with peony root, passionflower, and moisturizing aloe and hyaluronic acid, this water-based lube is particularly good if you are prone to occasional dryness.
Tabu, $45.00
Organics Sensation
This plush aloe-based gel is designed to mimic your body's natural lubrication. Spiked with menthol, it goes on cool and warms up with friction for heightened sensation.
Sliquid, $16.00