Women’s sexuality has long been suppressed, repressed, or downright shamed. And while we’ve come a long way since the days of women being labeled hysterical for being, well, normal, we’ve still got a long way to go to have every vagina-owner feel fully in charge of her own sexual destiny and completed empowered to go after her own sexual pleasure, both solo and partnered sex.
In other words, while sex toys might seem frivolous to some, there’s a strong argument to be made that they’re actually a critical element of a woman’s sex life and sexual health. According to Claire Cavanah, co-founder of famed sex toy store Babeland and co-author of Moregasm: Babeland’s Guide to Mind-Blowing Sex:
"Sex toys can make your sex life infinitely more satisfying. In fact, for some women, a vibrator is necessary to orgasm. While these products may seem intimidating for first-time users, they can be great tools to discover new ways to get and give sexual pleasure in the bedroom and explore what satisfies you sexually.” This was in a piece aptly named, “Why every woman should use sex toys.”
It’s also true that sex toys have become such a normalized, mainstream aspect of today’s society that they’re even showing up in places like Teen Vogue. This is encouraging, since we want more people to be raised knowing that their sex life and sexual wellness are both important and something to prioritize.
So let’s talk about sex toys for women and vagina-owners! In the 21st century, sex toy manufacturing has really hit its stride. Modern manufacturing, combined with a focus on sexuality, health, and quality of life, has created a perfect creative storm to generate myriad pleasure-focused devices.
The marketplace of sex products has swollen, so to speak, to proportions that would have seemed mind-boggling just a few short decades before. From adult toy companies like Dame Products, Fun Factory, Je Joue, Love Honey, Lora Dicarlo, Smile Maker, and Adam & Eve to companies like Nasty Gal and Cult Beauty, which embrace the sex-positive lifestyle for women, both brands and individuals are leaning into the sexy scene when it comes to women’s sexuality.
And while there’s no such thing as the “best vibrator ever” (everyone’s preferences differ), there are definitely certain categories of adult sex toys that qualify as the best. Here they are, the parade of fun-loving female sex toys:
1. Vibrators
Let’s start with the classic, shall we? Vibrators are one of the most tried and true ways clitoris-owners have found to do the dirty. They’re also fantastic because they can be so little and cute. Bullet vibrator, for example, make it easy to rub one out whenever, wherever — they’re so petite they can fit in even the smallest of purses (more on this in a bit).
And here’s a fun sex fact: While we don’t often talk about it, young people (i.e. children, tweens, and teens) get into the action even if they don’t have official vibrators. There’s a reddit thread, for example, that is a whole list of objects young women have used to help themselves over the edge before they ever owned their first official sex toy. This one post, in particular, is rather inventive:
“I realised my old tickle me elmo doll felt very nice when it shook as it “laughed”. So, being a creative youngster, I cut it open and took out the part that vibrated it. I unscrewed that and cut out the speakers so it wouldn’t make that laughing noise every time you push the button, put it back together, and voila! Little me’s first vibrator.”
Have no fear, though, you won’t have to perform surgery on a Tickle-Me-Elmo in order to get a vibrator that works for you. As motors have gotten smaller, they’ve been able to find ways into our everyday life more and more. Now that motors are extremely tiny, they can fit in pretty much anything, which is convenient because that means that they’re here to save your sexual day by being placed inside things like cock rings or a convenient nested part of your dildos with something like a bullet.
But they’re not all small. Some vagina-owners swear by larger vibrators. Depending on motor type, the feeling of the vibrations can be more surface level and buzzy or extend through the body and rumbly. The different simulation really comes down to preference and mood, sometimes, it’s nice to have something remain a surface level stimulation, and other times it’s nice to have the whole be affected.
Larger toys, like the Hitachi Magic Wand Original, offer much deeper sensations due to the size of the motors they’re able to accommodate. Hitachi, a Japanese company, has been a mainstay of the wand vibrator category, but other contenders are entering the marketplace as well, including Le Wand.
2. Bullet vibrators
Bullet vibrators are the vibration stimulation ninjas of the sex toy world. They’re able to be hidden in beautiful, innocuous containers like a pen or lipstick “case,” but for such a tiny item they pack quite the punch. If you’re looking for the perfect clitoral vibrator, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to external stimulation and the best oral positions, this is your boo.
What’s also nice about bullet vibes is that depending on your other cadre of toys, they can be hidden up inside your toy of choice to make Dildio Dave turn into vibrating Dildo Dave for a little more umph in the self (or partnered) pleasure experience.
In one woman’s words of her little lovey, “I was pleasantly surprised when I bought this [bullet vibe]!! I thought it would your run of the mill vibe but after use it's very powerful and quite fun. A good size for solo or mutual pleasure. Easy to clean and one battery lasts a long while.” -Eleni
3. Oral sex simulators
“Good oral sex is unlike anything else,” sums up one woman who, let’s be real, speaks for many. “You feel the sensations not only in your vagina but all over. You feel light headed. Your toes tingle, your belly warms in anticipation of the orgasm you know is heading your way. You feel the pleasure in every part of your body. You know where you’re on a rollercoaster and you have those moments of feeling weightless? That’s what it can be like because the pleasure is so intense.”
Think you need a partner for those intensely satisfying feelings? Not anymore! Oral sex simulators have gotten so good that some clitoris-owners report these toys rivaling even the “real” thing.
So how do they work, exactly? This style of toy is newer, mimicking oral sex and creating clitoral stimulation via a little bit of suction and airflow. These clit-suction toys, such as the Womanizer Premium, Womanizer Classic, and Womanizer Liberty (co-designed by none other than Lily Allen) all use Womanizer’s Pleasure Air Technology, described as “Gentle air vibrations suck and massage together at the same time to provide an unprecedented orgasmic feeling.”
Other sex toys, such as the LELO SONA and Satisfyer Pro 2, use a similar air pulse approach, creating the ultimate clitoral stimulator without even having to touch the clit directly. These clit suction toys have simply O-mazing effects that can send shivers through your whole body.
“I never write reviews but here I am...just WOW. I read another review that said they didn't know they were a squirter and to have towels ready...I bought it because I wanted that oral sex feeling and WOWWW I TOO DID NOT KNOW I AM A SQUIRTER!! I've tried different toys and techniques but I've never been able to do what this toy just made me do. Be prepared to feel satisfied! ;)” - Anonymous
4. Dildos
The dildo has been around since ancient cultures but only has gotten more body-safe, creative, and consistent in design and usability with modern production methods. In other words, the classic stand-in cock is still here and just as dependable as they were in years prior. They are also one of the best sex toys for men and penis owners.
Now, if you’re a newbie to this category it can be slightly overwhelming selecting the right dildo or the best sex toy for you. According to nurse and sex educator Katie Barker, “While everyone is going to have different preferences, a longer dildo is going to suit most as it enables you to choose between shallow or deep penetration.” In other words, you will be in total control as to how far in you want your dildo, whether its for vaginal play or for best anal dildo experience, so if you have a longer one, you have more of a range.
Sometimes these kinds of sex toys will come with a suction base, which allows for stable, sexy fun in the shower, or on other appropriate non-porous surfaces such as a wall, tile flooring, or a mirror. Some women swear by having a small mirror on the bed and “mounting” their dildo on it, so they can have the experience of woman-on-top without requiring a partner. Or perhaps a little nautical adventure might be apropos, as one woman describes with her suction-cup dildo:
“[M]y husband took me fishing. The action was slow, and I was spending more time sunbathing, so I pulled my dildo out. Stuck it on the boat, slid my bikini bottom to the side, and slowly lowered myself onto it. Not so great till the waves picked up a little, and the boat started to rock back and forth. One of the strongest orgasms of my life. Riding the dildo in the waves. Wow! Despite not catching much, my husband said it was one of his favorite fishing days ever.”
5. G-Spot toys
When it comes to internal stimulation, G-spot toys are some of the best around. As a review, there’s no actual “spot” in terms of the G-spot — it’s more like a range of tissue about 3 inches up the vagina, on the upper wall.
When you’re looking for a G-spot toy, there are lots of things to consider: do you want it to be firm or squishy, more curved (which will hit the spot nicely for some), or a bit flatter? Do you want it to vibrate or not? And would you like a toy that allows for clitoral stimulation, as well? (In this case, you’ll probably want to look for a rabbit vibrator). According to sexperts, there’s a whole range of perfect G-spot toys — but really it’s all about what works for your particular body.
6. Anal plugs
Your booty is a pretty wondrous place, and despite popular western culture’s perceptions, the anal canal can provide an ecstatic amount of additional pleasure and fullness. Butt plugs made from body-safe, comfortable materials are widely available now, often made from medical-grade silicone, glass, or steel. They come in a variety of sizes, whether you’re newer to anal and want something small and easy to adjust to, or you’re an anal veteran and are able to fit a much larger anal plug and go deeper in there.
When dabbling or delving deeply into anal play, it’s important to use anal-specific toys because they have a few very important key features: they’ve got a flared base, usually a suction end (depending on the toy or butt plug), and they’re made from non-porous materials. If you’re participating in anal play without any of these features, tread lightly, because you could experience unwanted sex hazards such as a toy being sucked up your rectum because it didn’t have anything to anchor it to your bottom.
From a sensation and experience perspective, anal toys are nice because they can they can apply pressure to the anterior fornix (A-spot) from within the anal canal, contributing to an extremely “filled” feeling.
7. Anal Beads
While anal beads are often considered more of a toy for those interested in anal sex, they don’t necessarily have to be. “I think anal beads are so misunderstood,” says Amy Boyajian, co-founder and CEO of Wild Flower. "We disregard them, but they’re a really amazing tool—especially for people with vaginas."
When it comes to how to use anal beads, the truth is they’re a great way of getting started in the land of anal. A close cousin to the previous category, anal beads are convenient because they come in many different sizes, and depending on the toy they’re able to be structured to contribute to a gradual loosening of that yummy booty. “Thousands of sensitive nerve endings are located around the opening of the anus. While you don’t typically feel them inside of you, anal beads stimulate the anal sphincter muscles when inserted or removed,” says Boyajian. In other words, they can feel awesome in and of themselves — they don’t need to be attached to any other kind of sex act.
As with all anal toys, make sure to invest in an anal-appropriate lube that is compatible with the toys you’ve got. A toy made of something like glass or steel won’t have any problems regardless of personal lubricant type, but if you’re using silicone lube or a hybrid water-silicone lube, your silicone toy can degrade if used with this. Why? Because depending on the quality of silicone, the lube can interact and make your trusted beaded booty buddy porous, which when dealing with butt stuff isn’t a great idea because porous means the toy can harbor bacteria. Bacteria isn’t sexy and won’t increase your experience of anal.
8. Dual-Stimulation Vibrators
When it comes to the vibration pattern, there are several different kinds. Dual stimulation vibrators offer both clitoral stimulation and vaginal stimulation all in one powerful toy. The variety of the stimulation changes toy by toy, sometimes using the aforementioned air pulse suction stimulation or good ol’ reliable vibration as the external stimulation.
One purrrfect product fit in this category is rabbit vibrators. These lovely, wonderful, amazing, busy, buzzy toys have independent motors to stimulate both the clitoral network externally and the G-spot internally. They’re sometimes made with little moldable ears to place delicately on either side of the clit, and can even sometimes come with an anal stimulation motor, as well, depending on how much sensory overload you really want.
“I was so hesitant to order this vibrator because I haven't had much luck with rabbit vibrators before. They don't usually fit. I’m a bit smaller. It literally fits perfectly. No pain, just pleasure. I read a review on here of someone saying they wanted to marry their vibrator, and I thought they were silly, but literally I felt that way after too. Couldn't recommend more.” - PinkCherry Show Me The Bunny Vibe
9. Vaginal plugs
Also known as love eggs, yoni eggs, or jiggle balls (tell me that isn’t one of the absolute best names for a sex toy, btw), there are lots o’ different kinds of things you can stick up your vajayjay for a good time.
Some, like the jade egg, have gotten copious amounts of attention, and not all of it good. There’s a fair amount of controversy when it comes to the benefits of these kinds of eggs. This is a fascinating category to explore, though, and one well worth the adventure.
10. Thrusters
Sex journalist Kasandra Brabaw was first exposed to thrusters while strolling through New York's annual Sex Expo. “Thrusters are a type of vibrator that doesn't just vibrate, but actually moves. The idea is that it thrusts while it's inside you, mimicking the motion of a partner's penis or strap-on during penetrative sex. They've actually been around for a while — it was just my first time seeing them in action. And, TBH, staring at them thrusting up and down on the expo table, I was totally turned off. I couldn't imagine how a noisy pumping machine could possibly feel good. But boy, was I wrong.”
These lovely toys are exactly what they sound like: dildos with the ability to extend forward and thrust inside you, with you positioning that thruster exactly where you want it, mimicking the feeling of penetrative sex. The nice thing about these toys is that they free up your hands to do other things, such as applying some clitoral stimulation of your own or holding a phone to text, call, or video chat with bae.
They’re also great for individuals with arm, hand, and wrist mobility issues (for example, those struggling with carpal tunnel or arthritis) thrusters make a penetration feeling more accessible during solo play. Says Lisa Finn, a sex educator at famed sex toy store Babeland, “To replicate that in-and-out motion, people have to move their body really fast, which isn’t always accessible or sustainable,”
“Although this was my first time ordering a adult toy online, and I had no idea about size and insertion specs, my husband thought I might have jumped the gun and that it would be too small. He was wrong. We were not disappointed. It hit all the right spots every time and has become one of our favorites. It was a perfect choice .” -Sharon
Sex therapists the world over extolling the virtues of sex toys since they help you know your body better, experience more and sometimes deeper or more intense orgasms, and just give you a big mood lift. They can also be great in partnership, simply as something new.
According to Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D., a researcher at the Kinsey Institute and member of the Men's Health advisory board, “Novelty in all forms (not just new partners) can breed sexual excitement. As some evidence of this, research has found that the long-term couples who report having the most intense feelings for each other are those who engage in the newest and exciting activities together.”
What could be more new and exciting than adding a new toy to the mix? Whether you’re solo, partnered, or somewhere in between, getting on the sex toy train is both pleasurable and a powerful choice for your own growth and self-love. Shop thrusters, vaginal plugs, sex machines and more from PinkCherry.
