Find the Right Vibrator for You

Whether you’re looking for a throbbing device for self-pleasure or you want to add some extra zip to partner play, there’s a vibrator out there to get your sex life buzzing with excitement.

Researchers at Indiana University in 2009 found that more than 50 percent of women and 45 percent of men, both straight and gay, reported using vibrators. Not only that, but the study also found that the devices enhanced users’ sex lives and improved their attitudes about sex.

In the ensuing years, vibrators have become even more commonplace in the bedroom. They’re no longer necessarily hidden in the bedside drawer, thanks in part to TV shows. In one episode of “Sex and the City,” Charlotte temporarily became a recluse thanks to a pink, oscillating, “rabbit” variety, designed for simultaneous vaginal penetration and clitoral stimulation. Today’s vibrators are out in the open, for sale even on the shelves of some Target locations, and written up in places like the online pages of Wirecutter, the New York Times’ rating service.

Be body-safe

Finding the right vibrator for you might take some research, simply because there are so many. Vibrators range from soft to titanium hard, penny-pinching inexpensive to high-end expensive, dazzling pinks to bright purples, phallic to bulbous, and battery-operated to plug-in. They can simply buzz at one speed indefinitely or incorporate biofeedback and remote-control functions for Bluetooth-supported sex.

Any toy you choose should be body-safe. Look for that specific terminology in product descriptions, and do your research about any material names that are unfamiliar to you. Once you determine a toy is safe, consider what you want from it. Speaking of materials, what a toy is made of will change how it feels and plays. For example, rubber toys are more flexible, while stainless steel, glass and plastic toys are made to be rigid.

Intended use

The part of the anatomy you’re stimulating may also determine the shape you choose. For example, a vibrator made for use in anal sex will more likely have a distinct base, and it may be shaped to stimulate a man’s prostate. Ladies, if you’re opting for internal use, you’ll likely see vibrators that are angled partway down the shaft, to stimulate the G-spot. Insertable, double-ended vibrators are great for sharing an experience with a partner.

Clitoral vibrators, however, may earn the top spot for the widest variety of shapes. For the discreet vibrator user, retailers sell bullet vibrators, which are often no bigger than a finger. Some are disguised as tubes of lipstick! There are teardrop-, egg-, and hook-shaped toys; toys with prongs that resemble rabbit ears; toys with tongue-like attachments; and flattish toys designed for users to grind on.

When you pick a style of vibrator, think about how you normally like to be stimulated, whether with a partner or during masturbation: You can find a vibrator that mimics that action. And perhaps one that provides something you could never dream of a human achieving (spinning dildo, anyone?).

Quality & lube

No matter what vibrator you choose, look for quality materials from a reputable manufacturer. Also, look for vibrators that have warranties and other product support.

It may sound obvious—especially in a world where complex technology is designed to work without any instructions—but it is a good idea to pay attention to the choice of lubrication for your vibrator. Silicone lubes, for example, can damage silicone sex toys.

Consider covering your vibrator with a condom if it’s being used for partner play. And be sure to keep it in top condition by cleaning it per the instructions after each use and storing it in a safe and dry place, separately from any other sex toys.