Looking through the huge assortment of sex toys available today can be incredibly overwhelming and even more so if you aren’t clear on what does what. There are dildos and vibrators and some dildos vibrate and some vibrators are insertable… What the heck is the difference?! Sometimes it can get a bit confusing but if the distinction between dildos vs vibrators has you flummoxed, fret no more. Today we’re going to break it down for you. We’ll talk about what each of these toy categories entails, what the differences are between them, why there is some overlap, and what this all means for you and your (and maybe your partner’s) sexual pleasure. So, get ready because it’s time to talk about the difference between dildos and vibrators!
What is a Dildo?
First things first, what is a dildo? Simply put a dildo is a sex toy, typically phallic in shape, that is designed to be used for oral sex, vaginal penetration, or anal play. That said, this sex toy category is a lot broader than it sounds.
While dildos generally come in phallic shapes, they are actually available in a huge range of shapes and sizes, many of which look absolutely nothing like a human penis (if you are looking a super-realistic dildo, there are tons of options available!) and while they are made with penetration in mind, there are lots and lots of ways to use a dildo.
Some dildos have suction cup bases for hands free use, some are harness compatible and can be used for strap-on play, some even come with bullet vibrators to add a little vibration to the mix. Some are made with steel or glass and are rock hard while others are made with silicone or TPR and are soft and squishy.
What is a Vibrator?
So, this is pretty simple: it’s a toy that vibrates! More to the point though, it is typically a sex toy that uses vibration to provide stimulation. Vibrators can come in many shapes and sizes and can be used on any part of the body where vibration feels good. Vibrators come with all sorts of bells and whistles, but the star of the show is usually the vibration feature, itself.
In many cases, vibrators are used for external and clitoral stimulation via vibration, but some are definitely designed for penetration, too. From some of the larger, more traditional wand vibrators, to smaller bullet vibrators or finger vibrators, there are loads of options when it comes to getting in some good vibrations!
What Do Dildos And Vibrators Have In Common?
Dildos and vibrators can both be used to stimulate your or your partner’s genitals and bring about orgasm. There is sometimes a bit of overlap between these two types of toys, but ultimately they focus on different stimulation experiences and exist to serve different purposes: internal vs external stimulation.
What is the Difference Between Dildos and Vibrators?
So, some dildos and vibrators can be phallic in shape, some dildos vibrate and some vibrators are phallic in shape. Yeah, we can see how a person might be confused about the difference between vibrators and dildos. Basically, the main differences between these two types of toys comes down to a couple of things.
Function: All vibrators vibrate while only some dildos do and all dildos are designed for penetration while only some vibrators are.
Focus: With dildos, penetration is the name of the game and there might be some vibration as an add-on. Meanwhile with vibrators the vibration is the headliner and there might also be the ability to use the toy for penetration.
Vibrating Dildo vs Insertable Vibrator
So, as we mentioned, some dildos have vibrating capabilities. While some vibrating dildos get their vibes from a separate bullet or mini vibe inserted through the base, others feature internal motors. Pay attention to the difference in function and focus. If it’s a phallus designed for penetration and it also has the bonus of vibration, it’s a vibrating dildo. If you are in the market for a toy with which to penetrate yourself or a partner and think a little vibration would be a nice touch but not your focus, a vibrating dildo might just be what you’re looking for.
There are also A LOT of vibrators that can be used for penetration, just like a dildo. The thing to remember is that if you want your insertable toy to have strong, powerful vibrations, you’ll want to look at vibrators, or a vibrating dildo with an internal motor. Delivering strong, focussed vibration is exactly what vibrators are designed to do and the vibration from a vibrator will usually be quite a bit more powerful than that of a dildo with a vibration feature.
Dildos and Vibrators: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together!
We’re talking a lot about these two types of toys and what makes them different but we would be doing you a disservice if we didn’t talk about how dildos and vibrators can make beautiful music (by “music” I mean orgasms) together!
When it comes to sexual stimulation, some people find penetrative sex more pleasurable. So, finding a penetrative toy (like a realistic silicone dildo) could be the best option. Other folks find that simultaneous, or a mix of, internal and external stimulation practically guarantees an orgasm. A rabbit vibrator is a great option in that case. Rabbit vibrators feature a dildo-like shaft for inner and g spot stimulation plus an external vibrator for direct clitoral and external stimulation. So, these ultra popular vibrating sex toys give the sensation of penetrative sex AND external or clitoral stimulation. Win/win!
There are also a slew of other ways to use dildos and vibrators as you seek out the ultimate O! For example, bringing yourself to orgasm with a vibrator can be a super-effective way to help relax your or your partner’s vagina or butt before inserting a dildo. Using a vibrator on your/their clitoris and other outer sweet spots during penetration can feel really, really good. Holding a strong vibrator to the base of an inserted dildo can deliver powerful vibrations, too. In short, there are tons of ways to use dildos and vibrators together, so have fun exploring!
If you have more questions and are wondering things like how to use a dildo, how to clean a dildo, are dildos allowed on planes, or what is the best dildo for you, read our linked blogs!
So there you have it, the difference between dildos and vibrators! Which one you are shopping for really comes down to what your body wants. You might find you are interested in one, the other, or both simultaneously, it’s all up to you! Ultimately, learning the difference between a dildo and vibrator’s purpose is the first step to picking the right sex toy for you!
Now that you’ve got all this info, check out our selection of dildos and vibrators. No matter which you are looking for, PinkCherry has you covered!
