Buying your first sex toy doesn’t need to be intimidating. A good starting place is to think about the sensations you most enjoy during solo or partner play. If you prefer penetration or internal stimulation, a G-spot vibe or anal toy is probably a good bet, while those who prefer external stimulation might be better suited to a vibrator. If you’re into oral sex, experimenting with an air-suction toy might be right up your alley, while those with penises should check out a ring or a stroker.
Over the past three years, I’ve written stories about all sorts of sex toys, including our guides to the best vibrators, the best air-suction toys, even the best bedroom accessories for couples — so armed with hours of personal testing and interviews with dozens and dozens of experts, here, I’ve rounded up the best options for beginners, most of which come in at under $100.
Update on October 28, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Best wand for beginners
The Magic Wand has been a categorical favorite since it was first marketed as a muscle massager back in 1968. It’s “the Cadillac of vibrators,” according to Archie Bongiovanni, sexual-health educator and events coordinator at the Minneapolis store Smitten Kitten. The Magic Wand has a well-deserved reputation for getting the job done, and I’ve yet to recommend it to someone who didn’t end up singing its praises — but it’s also something of an appliance. So for beginners, I recommend the Micro: It has all the power of the Magic Wand at a more affordable price point, and is also much lighter and smaller than the original; that makes it both less intimidating and easier to travel with. If you don’t mind the larger size and price tag, the Magic Wand Rechargeable offers more modes to experiment with, as it features one additional speed setting, plus four patterns.
Best bullet vibrator for beginners
Bullet vibrators are ideal for beginners because of their easy-to-use, straightforward design. The We-Vibe Tango X is an upgrade on the brand’s classic bullet-style vibrator, known for its strong vibrations and slim size. Sex writer and sex-toy reviewer Betty Butch calls the Tango “the gold standard” of bullet vibrators that “sex-toy reviewers compare all other bullet vibrators to.” Sex educator and blogger Kelvin Sparks says, “The Tango has the most rumbly vibrations I’ve seen a bullet vibrator have.” But despite the strength of its vibrations, it’s actually quite quiet while in use.
Best (less expensive) bullet vibrator for beginners
For a cheaper option, try the Dip, Dame’s latest launch. The Dip is USB rechargeable and made of silky-smooth silicone, with just one button that you use to cycle through the five intensity levels (compared to the Tango’s eight). “I really loved the ergonomic design: The vibe felt good in my hand and was easy to handle,” says one of our testers, who notes that she found it was best used externally or for shallow G-spot penetration. “While the lower settings weren’t quite strong enough for me — I had to use the upper two settings the entire time — I think this is a good beginner option for first-time buyers,” she adds. “And for just $35, the Dip is really impressive.”
Best quiet vibrator for beginners
The palm-size Je Joue Mimi is ideal if you’re into a more mellow toy. Andrea Barrica, CEO and founder of O.school, recommends it for those who are more sensitive and says it’s her personal go-to because she finds most wands and suction toys to be too intense. It’s also discreet. When we tested this as part of a review of high-design vibrators, one of our testers had this to say: “The Mimi, so soft.”
Best G-spot vibrator for beginners
If you’re looking to explore internal stimulation, the Arc’s curved head is meant to help you reach your G-spot. It has some girth and a realistic feel without being overly intimidating and the overall design allows for stimulation both inside and outside. “I really appreciated the thick handle, as I was able to get a good grip on it and wasn’t worried about it slipping out of my hand,” said one of our testers. And, if it turns out internal stimulation isn’t your thing, the bulbous head is nice for clitoral stimulation, instead.
Best soft vibrator for beginners
While Tenga is perhaps best known for its strokers, the Japanese brand makes some of the most beautifully designed vibrators for beginners on the market. The toys are downright adorable and tend to evoke shapes that don’t make you think of a vibrator at all, like the Irohi, which looks a bit like mochi ice cream. The silicone is buttery soft and squishy, the toys come in a range of pastel colors, and they are charged in little plexiglass display cases that make them almost look like small pets. The vibrations are also on the soft side, so overall a good starter pick.
Best air-suction toy for beginners
Suction toys work by concentrating pulses of air or sound waves that are designed to mimic oral sex. There are now a huge number of suction toys on the market, but Womanizer was the brand to first create the tech, and — in my opinion — is still the brand that has best perfected it. That being said, suction toys tend to produce a deeper and fuller orgasm than a regular vibrator and some people find them to be too intense. For that reason, I recommend checking out the Womanizer Liberty, which is the more affordable, scaled-back toy in their line, in case you fall in this camp. It only has six intensity levels, but if you’re new to air-suction toys, that may be more than enough and you can always upgrade to the Womanizer Premium if you decide you love it.
Best couples vibrator for beginners
Ergonomic and intuitive, the Minna Limon earned a spot on our best sex toys for couples list. A small, pebble-shaped vibrator, the Limon responds to the strength of your squeezes — the more intense you want it to vibrate, the harder you squeeze. It’s simple to use since there are no buttons to fiddle with, can be used on all anatomies, and is small enough to slip between bodies, so it’s a good choice for partner play.
Best couples accessory for beginners
Another nice option for couples who want to start integrating toys into the bedroom is a sex cushion like the Liberator Wedge. It can help with G-spot stimulation, make oral sex more comfortable, and assist with making certain positions much more comfortable.
Best stroker for beginners
Tenga’s very affordable, simple, and straightforward Egg is a great stroker for those looking to test out the waters for this type of toy. “Incredibly discreet, supercute, a really good gift, and it’s less than $20,” sums up Samantha Bard, co-owner of the Williamsburg sex shop and event space Shag. Each Egg is ribbed inside, and because they’re disposable, they’re also easy to travel with or bring over to a partner’s house. Hot tip: Although they’re designed to be single use, if you regularly wash an Egg with soap and water, you can extend its lifespan.
Best prostate toy for beginners
While the nJoy Pure Wand makes an excellent G-spot toy, it is also a just-as-excellent prostate toy, due to its simple, sculptural design and stainless-steel construction. Kenneth Play, a co-founder of the sex-positive intentional community Hacienda calls it “the ultimate prostate toy,” adding that its curved shape allows you to enjoy long self-pleasure sessions without any arm cramping.
Best (less expensive) prostate toy for beginners
Before making sex toys, Aneros designed medical devices for prostate stimulation so it’s a true expert in the space. While the MGX Trident may seem a bit old-fashioned, Andy Duran, educational-outreach coordinator at sex-toy retailer Good Vibes, says it “just links up perfectly, anatomically, to press the prostate.” And Kit Richardson, buyer for the Museum of Sex and the MoSex Shop, recommends it whenever anyone is looking to buy a beginner anal toy.
Best ring for beginners
A vibrating “ring” toy is a great, versatile choice because it can be used both alone or with a partner to intensify orgasms. This cock ring from Je Joue is the best in its class because of its comfortable fit, powerful motor, and streamlined design. The ring produces rumbly, deep vibrations and is quite stretchy so it can fit on a variety of sizes.
Best plug for beginners
When it comes to experimenting with anal toys, check out the brand b-Vibe, which is known for its plugs. While their Anal Education set is a little bit pricier than the other toys on this list, it includes everything one might need, including an enema kit, lube shooter, and plugs in three different sizes that are vibrating, non-vibrating, and weighted, as well as a how-to book. Since education is a must when it comes to safe and fun anal play, investing in a kit like this that takes out all of the guesswork is worthwhile for beginners.
Best (less expensive) plug for beginners
If you’re on a budget, this slim, silicone plug features seven optional speeds. Bongiovanni calls it “a fun, non-intimidating way to start any anal journey.” It’s ideal for those who are “brand new to anal play and want to play in insertion but not girth,” they say.
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