The 12 Best Vibrators of 2023
It’s called the vulva, not the vagina. And we think the vulva deserves more attention and exploration, maybe with the help of a high-quality vibrator—or two, or three. Unfortunately, there are still barriers to sexual pleasure, particularly for women: shame, cultural conditioning, lack of good sex ed, and a pronounced orgasm gap among heterosexual couples. What can change this: talking about it, better communication between partners, getting comfortable asking questions, learning to ask for what you want—and sometimes taking things into your own hands.
On that last note, we’ve rounded up the best vibrators for internal and external stimulation, and everything in between.
Illustrations by Emma Berliner
EXTERNAL
STIMULATION
What and where
The clitoris is a sensitive, pea-shaped area of tissue located at the top of the vulva. It can sometimes be hidden behind thin skin called the clitoral hood, which can be pulled back to reveal the clitoris. The clitoris is packed with thousands of nerves, making it a highly sensitive and pleasurable area. Most people with vulvas achieve orgasm by clitoral stimulation. However, the clitoris isn’t just this small external area; it also extends inside the body, shaped sort of like a wishbone, framing the inside of the vagina. Labia are the thin inner folds of the vulva, and they are often sensitive and pleasurable, too.
How-to
Some people like direct stimulation of their clitoris, while for others, the clitoris can be more sensitive or uncomfortable to touch. If you’re new to clitoral stimulation, you may want to start by first touching the clitoris gently through the clitoral hood using up-and-down or circular motions. Then you may begin to work your way up to stronger pressure and quicker movements or touch the clitoris directly. Applying a lubricant can also help reduce friction and sensitivity.
Which lube can I use with my vibrator?
Water-based lube can be safely used with sex toys and condoms. Oil-based lubes, however, can cause condoms and sex toys to degrade. Look for a clean, natural lubricant that’s gentle and nonirritating. We love the no-touch lube warmer from Pulse, which delivers a uniformly measured dollop of warm (water-based) lubricant into your fingers using a motion sensor.
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Glissant Sea Salt & Caramel
Water-Based Lube goop, $55SHOP NOWTastes like sea salt and caramel and comes in a chic spray bottle.
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Tabu Aureum Lubricant goop, $45SHOP NOWThis water-based lube feels especially great if you experience occasional dryness.
The best vibrators for clitoral stimulation
OUR FAVORITE WAND VIBRATOR
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 silicone head, 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 as an internal massager; it feels especially good pressed against the vagina’s front wall.) The vibrator is water-resistant for bath and shower play and has a rechargeable LED battery-light display, so you can rest assured it won’t die on you in the heat of the moment.
THE TOY THAT MIMICS ORAL SEX
Using “smart silence” technology, the Womanizer provides air pressure and light vibrations to the clitoris, which feel a lot like oral sex. The toy is silent, but you may not be—we’ve found it’s a consistent path to an intensely satisfying orgasm.
THE VULVA VIBRATOR WITH A BIG BEND
We designed Viva la Vulva for slow, sensual solo sessions and extra-intimate partner play. It’s discreet, ergonomic, and easy to use: Just hug your thumb and middle finger around the gold bubble in the middle, use the highest point of the soft silicone arch to target your clitoris (the vibrations are strongest in the middle and diffuse out from there), and press the device into your vulva as you get into a rhythm. Start at the lowest vibration level to build arousal and cycle through a total of three steady intensities and seven patterns to bring your orgasm home. To change things up, take Viva la Vulva into a steamy shower (it’s water-resistant) or pass it off to a partner to explore its vibrations together.
THE POWERFUL TAPPING VIBRATOR
We made Heartthrob with two different vibration modes: The first offers the kind of strong, rumbly pulsation that we look for in a clitoral vibrator. The second is something totally different: See that indent near its tip? It contains a round pad that bounces in and out from the device to create a tapping sensation. It’s intense—and great for people who need a more stimulation to get off.
INTERNAL
STIMULATION
What and where
The vagina is the canal that connects the exterior of the vulva to the interior cervix and reproductive organs. It’s also known as the birth canal, and it’s where penetrative vaginal sex occurs. Some people confuse the vagina with the whole package, but it’s just one part of the vulva.
How-to
The vagina can be stimulated with fingers, penetrative sex, or sex toys. You might try playing with different speeds of motion in and out or changing up the angle. Combining internal vaginal stimulation with exterior stimulation can heighten your senses and increase pleasure by stimulating the clitoris internally. (Again, many people do not orgasm from vaginal stimulation alone.)
What is the G-spot?
The G-spot is said to be a bundle of nerve fibers located inside your vagina, toward your belly, about a knuckle deep. But as researcher Nicole Prause, PhD, told us in The Sex Issue, “There is no spot on the anterior vaginal wall that has a unique anatomy or is consistently placed across women [people], so there isn’t a standard for finding areas of sensitivity.” In short: We’re all different, and there’s no need to stress about zeroing in on a single spot or conforming to a cultural myth. If you find a particular area that is sensitive or feels good to stimulate, carry on!
The best vaginal and dual-stimulation vibrators
THE BEST INTERNAL VIBRATOR FOR BEGINNERS
Dame’s Arc vibrator has a powerful motor, a slim design, and a generous curve. Which makes it great for people who are just discovering their G-spot for hte first time. Start by warming up: Arc is also great for precise clitoral stimulation, thanks to the edges on its head. Then insert the tip into the vagina and start exploring. Try keeping it shallow—just an inch or two inside the vaginal canal—pressing up toward the belly and rocking the device up and down instead of thrusting it in and out.
A G-SPOT VIBRATOR WITH A SELF-WARMING FUNCTION
Everything about this adult toy is designed to maximize pleasure. With the press of a button, the G-spot stimulator warms to just above body temperature, promoting arousal and muscle relaxation so you can really ease into the moment. It has just enough flexibility to move with you and help you find angles that feel exactly right. And the dual-density silicone is squishable, so you can apply pressure without discomfort. Play with three steady intensities and seven vibration patterns to drive your climax home.
THE BEST RABBIT AND SUCTION VIBRATOR
For those who can’t choose, the Nova 2 by We-Vibe combines both internal and external stimulation and vibrations in a rabbit-shaped vibrator with longer “ears” that are designed to provide constant contact with your body as you move. You can turn the flexible clitoral stimulator’s vibrations on or off. And you can customize your own vibration settings by downloading the We-Connect app. (This one is also bath-friendly.)
THE BEST RABBIT WITH A FINGER-LIKE MOTION
This dual-stimulation vibrator from Lelo is something special: The pebble-shaped external head presses against your vulva and delivers rumbly vibration to your clitoris. The longer arm makes circular motions, pressing into the sensitive front wall of the vagina like a partner’s fingers. It feels incredible. For an even deeper sensation, cup your hand over the external head and press the whole thing against your body. You might just achieve a blended orgasm.
PARTNER PLAY
How-to
Using a vibrator during foreplay or intercourse can help you reach a new level of pleasure. Or for some side-by-side play, you can use a sex toy on yourself while your partner watches. The motorcycle position strengthens intimacy and can be quite erotic: Have your partner sit behind you, straddling with their legs wide, using a massager on you or kissing your neck while you take things into your own hands. Another tip: You can also use toys on other areas (the nipples, labia, balls…).
THE BEST VIBRATORS FOR COUPLES
THE HANDS-FREE CLITORAL STIMULATOR
Holding a sex toy in place while hooking up with a partner can be cumbersome. The flexible “wings” here 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 do. It might take some practice and adjusting to find the right position—pull each labium (lip) over one wing at a time. (This is also a good solo play option if you don’t like the feeling of vibrations on your hand.)
A VIBRATOR THAT FITS ON YOUR PARTNER’S FINGERS
Wearable finger vibrators like Fin are designed to be effortless, feel natural to wear, and not distract from the moment. Just slide your pointer and middle fingers along the grooves and change the intensity levels with the power button on top.
THE BEST COUPLES VIBRATOR SETS
ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR ME
Pivot is a cock ring that fits snugly around a partner’s penis and emits strong, rumbly vibrations. It’s great for penetrative sex—just angle the vibrating head upward so it makes contact with your clitoris. And you’ve already met Nova 2, the rabbit vibrator designed to maintain contact with your clit as you move, rock, and thrust it. Both Pivot and Nova 2 connect to Wi-Fi for remote control, so they can be operated long-distance from across the room (or across an ocean) if you’d like.
FOR SOLO SEX AND INTERCOURSE
This mine-and-ours set includes two fan-favorite vibrators. First, for partner play: Let us introduce you to We-Vibe’s Chorus. The smaller mini head slips into your vagina and fits beautifully between your bodies during penetrative sex. The larger head remains outside your body to stimulate your clitoris at the same time. Then, there’s Womanizer: You know it by its air-pulsing head, which cups around your clitoris to mimic the feeling of excellent oral sex. It’s made for solo sex—but with some thoughtful positioning, it’s a mind-blowing addition to intercourse.
EXTRA CREDIT
Some sex toys and accessories deserve a special mention.
support system
Our science and research team set out to create a supplement we could add to our sexual-wellness toolkit to help address some of the common roadblocks to desire. They started with Libifem® fenugreek extract, which was clinically shown to support healthy sexual arousal and desire in women. Then they added shatavari, a traditional female health adaptogen. Saffron extract rounds out the formula, providing mood support.*
Right angle
Slide the wedge-shaped pillow under your hips and butt to create new angles during sex. It’s firm yet soft on the surface and great for discovering new sweet spots.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR PLEASURE
- •OMGYES is a sexual education website that provides videos of women masturbating and information on technique and erogenous zones.
- •To dive deeper into the benefits of masturbation and vibrators, see our Q&A with sex therapist Stephen Snyder, MD.
- •Becoming Cliterate by Laurie Mintz, PhD, explores cultural myths holding women back from achieving orgasm and poses practical techniques for pleasure. In our Q&A with Mintz, she addresses the number one lie about getting laid.
- •The Sex Issue by goop Press features interviews with experts, personal anecdotes, and more to explore.
- •Understanding Sex and Female Pleasure is our hub for the deeply curious, with field notes from our Netflix show The goop Lab.
How we chose the vibrators on this list
Our sex toy shop is stocked with vibrators that meet our (sky-high) standards, vetted by our team of research scientists. These are the best of the best sex toys. First, we look for devices that pack seriously powerful vibrations, with innovative features like USB rechargeable batteries, app control, self-heating, tapping, stroking, and swirling. Everything here is water-resistant for bath or shower play and made with body-safe silicone.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Libifem® is a registered trademark of Gencor.
We hope you enjoy the products recommended here. Our goal is to suggest only things we love and think you might, as well. We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page (including links to Amazon).
