The Best Vibrators to Get Your Groove On

Vibrators are some of the most approachable sex toys on the market, but there are so many types of vibrators that it can make even a long-term vibrator owner go a bit mad. From bullet vibrators and the iconic rabbit vibrator to all those funny shaped but deliciously potent vibrators in between, shopping for one can get overwhelming. Luckily, I have a few tips and tricks to help you narrow things down.

First, look at the materials. For vibrators, you want them to be made with 100 percent platinum-cured silicone and/or ABS plastic. Hard glossy plastic is OK for parts that don't touch your genitals, but platinum silicone is nonporous, easy to clean, and body-safe. Unlike lesser grades of silicone, platinum silicone doesn't give off any weird smells or compounds that may be unpleasant or even harmful to your genitals. That's because it's chemically different from other kinds of silicone. Surgical steel (also called 316 stainless steel), and borosilicate glass are just as body-safe, durable, and nonporous but less common in vibrators and more common in dildos.

Second, look at the charger the vibrator comes with. Is it USB-A, USB-C, or a proprietary AC adapter? I try to keep things simple and stick with vibrators that are USB rechargeable either with USB-A or USB-C. It's way too easy to lose the charger, and there's comfort in knowing you can use any charging cable you have lying around. There's nothing worse than a toy that dies on you mid-use.

Thirdly, when you get your new vibrator, test its vibration strength on the tip of your nose first. You should feel it tickling your nostrils and sinuses, giving you an idea of how deep into your genital tissue it can stimulate. Remember, about 90 percent of the clitoris can't be stimulated directly because it's under the skin, so deep vibes are important. The same goes for the phallus—the erectile tissue goes deep into your body, and stimulating it with a vibrator can provide a new and exhilarating experience.

Lastly, consider price—especially if you’re on a budget. Some vibrators can be really expensive based on the features they offer. For example, long-distance devices and suction toys can cost a couple hundred dollars. While a high-quality, body-safe vibrator shouldn’t be cheap, you also want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Make sure to read the specs so you know you’re making a financially wise decision. If a vibrator only has a battery life of one hour, but it’s going to set you back $200, keep looking.

Phalluses are mentioned throughout this story, but that statement deserves more explanation. Men, women, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks, listen up: The phallus is just a big clitoris. The shape and nerve density are different, but anything that works on a clitoris can work on a phallus. The trick is to find the right spots.

Most nerves are concentrated in the head or glans of the penis, including the urethral opening, and on the underside, the frenulum, which is that little bridge (Latin for “little bridle”) of skin connecting the glans to the phallus. However, it’s worth noting that not every phallus has a frenulum. For example, those who are circumcised can have a smaller frenulum than those who aren’t circumcised, or they may not have any frenulum at all—which is totally normal! But more importantly, both the glans and frenulum can be sensitive to the right kind of vibrations, but proceed with caution, as they're going to be more sensitive than you realize.

Another commonly overlooked erogenous zone that responds particularly well to powerful, deep-tissue vibration is right between the legs below the scrotum: the perineum. The penis has a lot of sensitive nerves and erectile tissue below the skin. With the right vibrator pressed in the right spot below the scrotum, you can stimulate erogenous zones you didn't even know you had—and sometimes even the P-spot (the prostate).