10 Best Couples Sex Toys & How to Use Them

The two-in-one toy features a vibrating dildo and an external stimulator, which proved a big hit with testers. One panellist said they thoroughly enjoyed using it with their other half vibrators, while another tester told us it was great introduction for those who are just venturing into partnered play for the first time. Clitoral vibrators are devices specifically designed to stimulate the clitoris, a very sensitive area near the vagina. The devices create a pulsing sensation that boosts blood flow to your clitoris, which makes it more likely for you to have an orgasm.

Most vibrators can be lightly immersed in water, but read the instructions to find out if your silicone toy can be cleaned in the dishwasher. When browsing less expensive sex toys, your best bet is to shop at reputable retailers, says Wright. Alternatively, you can watch for sales—some of which we cover here at SELF.

To clean nonporous toys, you can use toy cleaners and wipes with gentle formulas or unscented soap and water. You can also boil materials like silicone, heat-resistant glass, and stainless steel to cleanse. There are two categories of sex toys — porous and nonporous — that are differentiated by the materials they’re made of. Knowing what your toys are made of is a crucial step in cleaning and sterilizing them properly. While solo sex prevents pregnancy and STIs, there are also some health risks if you don’t clean sex toys properly.

Invest in one for its health benefits or just because you want to give your hand a break — it’s your life, so you do you. Vibrators provide intense stimulation, so if you’ve struggled to reach orgasm (and you want to have one), adding a vibrator to your sexual toolkit can help. So, here are 10 of the benefits that I’ve seen sex toy companies advertise — and if vibrators actually can help with them in a meaningful way. There are a variety of G-spot-specific vibrators available with a range of different designs, but all aim to provide a more intense orgasm.

The sex toy scene has truly gone off in recent years via thrilling tech advancements (hello, app-controlled toys bridging the long-distance gap) and game-changing categories designed to elevate your solo or shared pleasure. Suction vibrators are a standout innovation that’s made major waves. Also known as clit sucking toys or clit suction vibrators, this category focuses on clitoral pleasure via air pressure and vibrating suction—a departure from traditional buzzy sex toys for beginners. “Dual-stimulation vibrators can be easy to use , and the combined internal and external stimulation can be great for beginners who don’t want to have to buy two different toys,” says Alesandra Madison, a BDSM educator. Many of them offer different types of stimulation from different parts of the toy.

The Womanizer was the first air suction toy of its kind and it completely transformed the sex toy industry. It uses pulses of air and gentle vibrations on and around the clitoris to simulate the feeling of oral sex and oral stimulation, and because of that, it’s become hugely popular in the last few years. We talked to four health experts in the sex and wellness space to find out how sex toys can enhance solo and partner pleasure, as well as our overall health. We also asked about different ways to use sex toys, and what to look for when shopping.