Everyone has their own “first vibrator” story! Much like your first bra or your first kiss, many people remember the first sex toy that they buy. This is either because the sex toy was a total flop, because you had to sneak it around close quarters, or because the toy was an amazing first choice. In fact, most owners usually have fond memories of their first sex toy because it was one of their first steps to their sexual independence and their first steps to taking their pleasure into their own hands.
For me, my first vibrator was a plain, plastic slimline vibrator. In fact, my first toy was a Velvet Touch Vibe, and I still own and love that vibrator today! I lived in college dorms at the time, so I had to hide and use the toy when other people weren’t around, and all of those are part of the fond memories I have surrounding my first sex toy.
However, some people don’t have such fond memories because they choose toys that aren’t perfect for them – and who can blame them? There aren’t that many vibrator guides out there that give you a step-by-step on how to purchase a vibrating sex toy. From me to you, though, I want your first toy to be amazing, and for that, the following suggestions can help you pick out the perfect vibrator.
Learn Your Materials
Vibrators are made out of every material under the sun! If you think, for sure, a vibrator couldn’t be made out of a material, you’ll most likely find a toy that is! Vibrators are made from plastic, jelly, wood, glass, silicone, PVC, rubber, and so many others. However, not all materials are created equal. In fact, each different material has different properties, and keeping those properties in mind when purchasing will make sure you get started off on your vibrator shopping on the right foot.
For example, if you want something that is going to be very firm and rigid without much flexibility to it, a plastic or glass vibrator is probably your best choice. With those firm materials, though, some users find that it can be uncomfortable to insert the toy, so they choose a softer material like silicone or jelly. Those softer materials tend not to transmit vibrations as intensely through their materials, but they are much softer and more comfortable to insert. Many beginners swear by the LELO Gigi with its very silky smooth surface and g-spot curve.
Along with this, be aware of the safety and limitations of your materials. Jelly sex toys, while very inexpensive, may contain phthalates which may be harmful to your body. They also can never be completely sterilized which means they may harbor material. Using them with a condom helps solve these problems though. Silicone, while very expensive, is a material that many sex toy users swear by, and it’s odorless and completely sterilizable.
Check out other guides by DominaDoll and Hannah Cutts
Know Your Strength Preference
Vibrators vary the entire spectrum with how strong they are. I love a very strong toy, but some people find very strong vibrators to be too intense. While it’s hard to figure out exactly how strong a sex toy is while shopping online, you can get a general idea of the sex toy’s strengths by seeing what type of batteries the vibrator uses.
For example, a vibrator that uses two watch batteries is almost always going to be weaker than a vibrator that uses two AAA batteries. A vibrator that uses C batteries will usually blow an AAA-battery-operated vibrator right out of the water! A sex toy that plugs into the wall outlet will almost always be stronger than a battery-operated one. Rechargeable vibrators tend to be all over the spectrum in terms of strength, though, so those can be hard to determine. Depending on whether you want your vibes to be strong or be soft, seek out vibrators that use the appropriate battery size. Most beginners usually pick out an AA-battery operated vibrator for their first toy.
Along with this, if possible, read reviews over the vibrator you’re hoping to purchase. Most reviewers will mention how intense the toy’s vibrations are, and once you have an idea about the intensity of the vibrations, it can be much easier to guess if the vibrator will be for you.
Know Your Size Preference
Like you just read about, vibrators that use larger batteries tend to be stronger. When something uses a larger battery type, though, the vibrator itself tends to be larger. After all, a small vibrator that size of your pinky finger wouldn’t be able to fit a large C battery to power it. This is why you have to keep your size preference in mind too.
If you want to take your vibrator out in public, smaller toys are your better bet – after all, they’re easier to hide and carry too. For those that regularly travel with their vibrators or have to hide their vibrators in your home, smaller toys tend to work better for that as well. If you want something that really packs a punch with strength of vibrations and area it covers, though, the larger vibrators tend to work better. It all depends on what you’re looking for and what things are important to you.
Realism Is Where It’s (Possibly) At
Vibrator designs vary greatly. If you want your vibrator to look realistic, there are many vibes modeled off of penises to look like the real thing. Many times, this even includes realistic skin-color materials! For those that want their vibrator to look as real as possible, realistic vibrators bring it as close as possible.
For those that don’t want a realistic-looking vibrator, though, there are many toys that are available in slimline designs with bright, fun colors like purple, pink, and blue. Especially if you plan to bring this to bed with a partner, non-realistic vibrators work just as well as their realistic counterparts – except they don’t resemble a penis.
You can Have Special Features
Like the bonus features on your DVD, your vibrator can have special features as well! This varies widely by the type of vibrator, but one of the most common features is the ability to be waterproof. This means that there is a seal that keeps water from getting into the battery compartment of the vibe. I don’t usually have much use for waterproof toys, but if the idea of using your toys in the bathtub or shower sounds appeal, look into waterproof toys. For the most part, vibrators with waterproof abilities make up a good chunk of available vibrators!
Another feature for your vibrator lets you control it by a remote. These are vibrators that can be controlled by a remote. Whether it’s because you have a partner or because you don’t want to contort into weird positions to control your sex toy, remote-controlled vibrators include a wireless remote that allows you to control the vibrator from a distance. When looking into these, look at the maximum distance the remote allows and also read any reviews you can find – some remote controlled vibrators are more reliable than others. Like a cell phone signal, some remotes and vibrators tend to “connect” more often than other types. To avoid the frustration, make sure that the toy you’re looking at has reliable reviews.
Are you ready for more fun? Do you like music? Two very unique vibrators may appeal to you then. The Club Vibe and the OhMiBod Original are two vibrators that connect to your MP3 player and vibrate to the music! For those with a crush on a band or those who just love their music, these two products are very highly rated and can take your vibration experience to the next level!
I hope this guide helps you narrow down your choices. There are thousands of different vibrators out there, and each individual vibrator is different – just like every individual person is different. With those odds, you might have to try a couple to find your “true love”, but once you find the perfect sex toy for you, you may end up buying multiple copies – just in case!