How to choose a vibrator part 1

With so many buzzing, humming, and even rotating devices to choose from, what seems like a simple, sexy task can get a little intimidating. Whether you’re shopping for your first vibrator or in the market for something new, there are a few important questions you can ask yourself to help the process along. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you invest in a vibrator that works best for you. Here, we discuss the different types on the market – G-spot, clitoral, combination, and the best for couples – and look at the key features that will determine your choice. So, you want to buy a vibrator. Your first instinct might be to google “vibrator,” a valiant but complicated intention because the internet is the internet. You’ll likely stumble upon too many options — from a low-quality vibrator that isn’t body-safe or one that doesn’t fit your needs at all. There are endless types of vibrators, from those that mimic masturbation to vibrators to use with a partner to those that vibrate along to music. The key to choosing your vibrator is what kind of stimulation you enjoy and want. Shopping for sex toys can be a lot like online dating: awkward, overwhelming, and a challenge that calls for separating the high-quality options from the duds. What’s the difference between remote-controlled and manually operated? Does the vibration pattern matter? And for goodness sake, does it actually have to look like a penis?

68% of women openly discuss vibrators with their partner and an impressive 77% of participants told their friends that they were taking part. It’s clear to see that conversations about masturbation and vibrators are no longer being discussed in whispers and hushed tones.

You, you and you! Choosing the right vibrator starts with you. Of course, there are some external elements to take into account like safety or budget, but to have a great experience with a vibrator, it needs to fit the bill of your likes, needs, desires. If you love vulva stimulation and just want more of it, a G-spot vibrator will not make you as happy as an external vibrator. If direct touch on the clitoris is too much for you, a finger vibrator meant to be applied on this sensitive spot will not be a good fit. Because we don’t all get off the same way.

I remember the day I finally mustered enough courage to go into a store to buy my first vibrator – an important milestone for any gal.

The saleswoman was ecstatic she had a vibe virgin and enthusiastically bought over display toy after display toy, turning them on, pressing them to my hand and nose (yes, my nose) and saying things like “feel the power of this one”, “this one has 25 different patterns”, and “this one will get you off in three minutes or less!”

By the end of the whole saga, I’d purchased a (quite expensive) G-spot vibrator, as the saleswoman joked I’d be running into the store the next day to give her a hug to thank her for the amazing orgasms she had now thrust upon me.

I wish I could say she was right.

I’d been so bamboozled and overwhelmed by all of the different options I was given, I’d made a rush purchase, and failed to get a whole lot out of the vibe I’d ended up with.

It turns out that, just like human beings, vibrators come in all shapes and sizes. 

The five main types are internal, external, combo, anal, and penis-focused. What you like may determine the shape and style — and the keyword to look for when shopping! 

Why should I get a vibrator?

Vibrators are fun! Most women find some kind of vibration pleasurable and many actually need that kind of steady stimulation to have an orgasm. That’s totally normal and ok. No, you won’t get addicted, but if you do find introducing a vibe into your sex life helps you get off, chances are your partner will be perfectly pleased as well. The next criteria is to get a sense of the type of sensation that feels best to your body. The easiest (and most fun) way to do this is with masturbation! If you’re not a regular masturbator, try to get a sense of what you like by touching yourself. Do you like focusing on your clitoris? Do you like having a few fingers inside of yourself? Do you like G-spot stimulation? There are no “rights” or “wrongs” here.

Don’t be fooled by all the phallic-shaped vibrators out there — only 30 percent of women can orgasm from penetration alone.

Types of vibrator

• Internal vibrators. These are inserted into the vagina, typically for those who enjoy penetration and G-spot stimulation. Internal vibrators are often — but not always — long cylinders, ideal for hitting the G-spot or mimicking a penis, if that’s your goal.
• External vibrators. They’re used on the clitoris and labia, for those who either prefer no penetration or who need clitoral stimulation during penetration, either with or without a partner. The look of external vibrators can vary, but they’re often not cylindrical to cover more surface area.
• Combo vibrators. These have a combo of internal and external stimulation and are often called rabbit vibrators because of their shape. Combo vibrators look like dildos with an added arm to hit both the G-spot and clitoris at the same time.
• Anal vibrators. These vibrators are different from internal vibrators because they have a base so they don’t get lost or stuck.
• Penis-focused vibrators. These vibrating cock rings, such as the PlusOne vibrating ring, are excellent for those with a penis who  

Bullet/clitoral vibrators

If clitoral contact works best for you – as it does for 61% of our panel – then opt for a clitoral vibrator. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from discreet bullets that mimic fingertip touch to wider-based magic wands that offer broader contact.

struggle with arousal or who want to add to the stimulation they feel during sex or masturbation.

G-spot/vaginal vibrators

Some women achieve orgasm through penetrative sex. For those who do, there a few different types of vibrator available. One option is a classic vaginal vibrator with a curved tip as this offers easier G-spot stimulation. Others are ribbed along the shaft, which allows the raised ridges to pass over the G-spot. Some come in the form of a fully insertable egg, the tip of which sits right on the G-spot.

Rabbit vibrators

Combination – or rabbit – vibrators are ideal for women who are stimulated by both clitoral contact and vaginal penetration, achieving what is otherwise known as a blended orgasm. Some combination vibrators look like a G-spot vibrator but have a small vibrating rabbit on top. Others are more abstract. They have a shaft and clitoral stimulator but aren’t as detailed as those with a rabbit. Some are adjustable and can be manoeuvred into place allowing for hands-free fun.

Couple’s vibrators

In our most recent vibrator test, we found that 68% of couples surveyed openly discuss vibrators and sex toys in their relationship. If you’re looking to introduce sex toys to the bedroom to enhance your sex life, there a few options to consider. Couple’s vibrators can come in the form of any of the above designs – vaginal, clitoral, or combination. Some are discreet insertable vibrators. Others are remote- or even app-controlled, offering short and long-range control.

Before purchasing, consider what you and your partner want from a sex toy. If you’re looking for shared pleasure, choose a vibrator with a slim and flexible design – these will easily sit between you both when having sex. If you like the idea of putting your partner in control, opt for a vibrator with a short-range remote control. Or if you’re in a long-distance relationship, app-controlled vibrators are a great option. These can be controlled from anywhere in the world and some even allow you to create customised patterns and speeds.

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Size?

With options including large wand-like vibrators like doxy and discreet ones that fit in the palm of your hand out there, such as the satisfyer sparking darling, it can be tough to anticipate which size is going to bring you the most pleasure if you’re a first-timer. Consider what you enjoy most when you masturbate and have sex,  if pleasuring yourself with one finger does the trick, a large or penis-looking vibrator might pack a little too much punch or stimulate way too many areas at once. On the other hand, if your partner is well-endowed or if the strap-on you use during sex isn’t lacking size-wise, bigger just might be better. And if the urge to O tends to suddenly come over you, you might opt for a tiny-but-mighty toy you can disguise as a necklace and whip out in a bathroom for an afternoon delight. Internal vibrators can vary anywhere from one- to five-fingers size. External vibrators can range from three inch bullets to large magic wands.

Anal vibrators tend to be a bit smaller or have multiple sizes as the anus takes a bit longer — and more lubricant — to open up. Penis-focused vibrators often stretch to accommodate different shaft sizes

Arguably the most important factor in weighing up the efficacy of any vibe is the power and speed of the toy. Clitorises have 8,000 super-sensitive nerve endings in them, so having a vibrator that is blow-you-away powerful can, honestly, sometimes be too much.

Power

The first time a boyfriend and I tried to bring vibrators into our sex life, he turned it on full-blast and held it firmly on my clit. I nearly shot through the headboard of the bed and woke up his roommates with my horrified scream.

A lot of vibrators will have different power settings, a variety of speeds, and some even have different pattern variations. The safest bet for first-timers is to opt for a vibe which has both low and high power settings so you can start slow and work your way up the speeds as you get more comfortable using it.

Materials

Vibrators are made with different materials, and while it might not seem like it matters, it definitely does. Most are made from either rubber, plastic or silicone.

A rubber vibe is squishy and is the perfect material for the popular ‘Rabbit’ model first made famous by Sex & The City, because it lets the vibrations travel through the ears, directed at stimulating the clitoris while the shaft of the vibrator works on hitting your G-spot. Plastic vibes are hard and often used for G-spot stimulation because they’re more solid and precise, while silicone is used in premium vibes because it’s silky and warms up quickly for ultimate pleasure potential.

Whichever material you end up using, it’s important to pay attention to what lube you use. For example, silicone lube and silicone vibes do NOT mix, so be careful to read the description label on each bottle when choosing one to pair with your vibrator.

Shape

Once you’ve settled on width and length, bring sensation into the equation. Zeroing in the sensation you want will help determine the best shape for your vibrator.

There are five types of pleasure sensations people tend to seek out: internal, clitoral, an internal-clitoral combo, anal, and double penetration (vaginal + anal). And since the minds behind vibrators know pleasure comes from many a locale, they’ve created tons of uniquely shaped toys that can adapt to just about anything you’re looking for.

Power Source? Battery-powered or rechargeable?

These are the two most common ways to power your vibrator and both methods have distinct pros and cons.

Batteries

Pros

• No need to wait for your vibrator to charge – just pop the correct batteries in and you’re instantly ready to go
• Easy to travel with – just remove the batteries to avoid it turning on when you don’t want it to
• Battery-powered vibrators tend to be more discreet

Cons

• The batteries are an added expense
• Some vibrators require obscure and difficult to find batteries

Rechargeable

Pros

• The charge lasts a long time
• Rechargeable vibrators are often more powerful
• No need to buy replacement batteries

Cons

• Rechargeable vibrators tend to be more expensive
• You have to wait for it to charge before you can use it which can be especially annoying if it runs out of battery while using it

Invest

Most premium vibrators will run you at least $100, if not more. I know that that’s frustratingly expensive (and not at all doable for many people), but most of those products are pricey for a good reason. A high price tag is usually (although not always) a sign that the company has used high-quality body-safe materials, builds their toys to last, and takes their products seriously.

I think it’s important to emphasise that you might not fall in love with the first toy you buy. That’s OK! Don’t let it put you off. “Sex toys allow you to feel completely different sensations to what you would experience in any other form of sexual pleasure. By tapping into the different modes and different locations of use, you can open yourself up to a whole new world of excitation. It can also help you to experience orgasms in a different way. For example, if you’ve never been able to have a g-spot orgasm or squirted, certain sex toys a renowned for being help with these.” Sex toys are primarily toys. It’s in the name. They should be fun. They’re also tools for improving our wellness and an additive to any sensual experience. Don’t be afraid of using them in your life, the same way to use your yoga mat to enhance your practice.

In the end, finding the perfect vibrator for you is a journey and it doesn’t have to be one-stop. If you’re unsure about which works for you, take another minute to think about how you typically self-pleasure: Are you focusing on the clitoris, vaginal penetration, or both? Do you enjoy intense and localized sensations, or do you prefer sensations spread around the vulva? Do you self-pleasure the same way every time, or do you need something that can perform in a variety ways?

Based on what makes your whole body quake, scope out vibrators that will address your sexual needs. I’m talking curved dual-action toys that speak to both the clitoris and penetration, ones meant to pleasure the anus and only the anus, and those that are all about internal vaginal stimulation.

If you really have no idea what to go for, pick an internal toy. “Even if you don’t intend to use it internally, but at the end of the day, the options are endless, so if you aren’t happy with you’re decision, there is plenty of alternatives available.