D I.Y Sex Toys: Self-Love Edition
Sure vibrators, there’s nothing as quiet as an analog dildo or good ol’ finger, but these toys come pretty close. Plus, if you have limited hand mobility for many reasons, these pleasure aids can be especially beneficial. There are plenty of reasons you might need to shop the best quiet vibrators.
Its curved shaft is designed to fit inside the vagina, and it has a slender external arm that makes for easy removal. “It can be controlled from anywhere in the world, the curved head nestles comfortably against the sensitive tissues of the G-spot, and the vibrations range from a rumble to a pulsing earthquake,” Francis says. Like other remote-control offerings, the Lush 3 can also sync up with your music, creating unlimited vibration patterns for an ultra-customizable experience. Most wand vibrators have ball-shaped heads, long handles, and intense motors.
“Nearly all STIs are capable of being transmitted through sex toys, especially toys that are inserted into the body or make mucosal contact ,” Susan Bard, a New York City-based dermatologist, affirmed. We loved the strong vibrations and easy-to-hold loop handle on the brand’s White Temptation but found the loaf-like shape to be awkward to use, preferring the tapered silhouette of the Purple Pleasure. The Beso Plus was our least favorite of the clitoral suction/G-spot dual-stimulator vibrators we’ve tried. Our tester found the “mouth” of the toy to be uncomfortably firm and irritating. If you wish to use a lubricant with your toy (as experts often recommend), keep in mind that only water-based lube is safe to use with all types of toys. Oil-based lubricants are not just unsafe for use with condoms but can also interact badly with toys made of soft plastic or rubber, causing the devices to disintegrate or to leach chemicals (PDF).
Even if your toy is rumbly enough to land on the Richter scale, adding hand motions will enhance your experience. When using an external stimulator, Dr. Hauser suggests moving the vibrator in a circular, vertical back and forth, horizontal side-to-side motion, or a combination of all of the above. As for G-spot vibrators, try experimenting with strokes—fast and hard or gentle and slow, the thrust intensity is literally in the palm of your hands. When you’re shopping for a sex toy, investing in a quality personal lubricant is also a good idea. Lubricant eases penetration of all types, increases comfort and sexual pleasure, and reduces friction and genital irritation. Even people who produce abundant natural lubrication may benefit from using lube for additional comfort.
These small sex toys are designed to slide onto your fingers or sit right between them, allowing you to use one as an extension of your finger. “Finger vibrators are also great for people to extend the experience of their own touch,” says Balestrieri. “Because they are often easy to hold, or slide over a finger, there is less mobility and agility required to access the pleasure of a vibrator. When used via solo sex, a finger vibrator allows you to stay more closely connected to your own sensations and erotic energy because it organically matches your own movements,” she explains. Whether you have a treasure trove of sex toys or this is your first one, finding the best one to suit your needs can be a game-changer for your sex life. Most have a single motor and only one or two buttons to control intensity.
“It’s simple but effective, washable, and inexpensive… A nice starting point for most guys,” he says. Like the Tenga Egg (more on that below), this toy is designed to be disposable, but can be used up to a few times if you wash and dry it properly between uses. This particular one has a multi-chambered texture on the inside that’s meant to mimic the sensations of a deep-throat blowjob. For an even more realistic oral-esque sensation, you can cover up the air hole on one end using your finger, to introduce some suction into each stroke.