Whether you are looking to have some fun, cultivate intimacy, take your sex life to a whole new level, or all of the above, sex toys can be an excellent place to start! In recent years the world of sexual toys has grown exponentially and what were once viewed as taboo novelty items are now recognized as respected wellness products that can teach users about their bodies, improve relationships, and even contribute to overall well being.
That all sounds great, right? But today’s truly enormous adult toy selection can be overwhelming. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Well, fear not, because that’s exactly what we’re here to talk about!
Today we are exploring the world of adult toys with a deep dive that explores the various categories of sex toys. Along the way we will take a good look at the different options each category has to offer, and talk about how those options can fit into your sex life. Get ready to learn how different toys work and to score some recommendations for our faves! Read on to go all in on sex toys!
Vibrators
Vibrators are a wildly popular toy category and what comes to mind for a lot of folks when they think “sex toy” but what a lot of people don’t realize is how diverse this category is. From size to shape to functions, vibrator shoppers have a lot of options, let’s take a look at some of them.
Bullet Vibrators
Bullet vibes are a perennial favorite. Not only are they discreet and often affordable, but they are also travel-friendly and very very versatile. While bullets are great for providing focused clitoral stimulation, they can really be used on most erogenous zones. The PinkCherry Pretty Penny Bullet Vibe is a great example of a classic bullet vibe.
Wand Vibrators
Now, we just said bullets provide focused outer and clitoral stimulation and that they are small. If you want the opposite end of the spectrum — large and stimulating a broader area (which, frankly, some people need), a wand vibrator might be just the ticket. Wand vibrators are larger with big broad heads, in fact they are sometimes referred to as “massagers” as the original ones were marketed for muscle massage. Additionally, the vibrations from a wand vibrator often have a deeper, more rumbly quality that those of a smaller vibrator. All of those qualities come together to give wand vibrators like the PinkCherry I Want You to Wand Me Vibe their reputation for delivering intensely powerful orgasms.
G-Spot Vibrators
Okay, so far both types of vibes we mentioned have focused on outer hot spots and the clitoris (which we love!). But what if you want to stimulate the G-spot? Not a problem! There are lots of vibrators designed with a sexy curve or a bulbous head, like the one on the PinkCherry Born To "G" Wild G-Spot Vibe that allow you to direct your attention (and stimulation) on the G-spot.
Rabbit Vibrators
Or, if you don’t want to pick between stimulating the clitoris or the G-spot, you could go with a rabbit vibe. Rabbit vibrators, like the PinkCherry G-Spot Dual Rabbit Vibrator, are designed with two separate parts that each deliver stimulation, one part touches the clitoris, the other the G-spot. Together, they can deliver intense pleasure in one convenient toy.
Couples Vibrators
The title is a bit deceptive because, frankly, any vibrator can be used by a couple but this term tends to refer to vibrators that are designed to be worn during intercourse to provide stimulation to the the clitoris, penis, or anywhere else that might need it, enhancing the experience for both partners.
When it comes to this type of toy, We Vibe is really the OG. They make vibrators designed to stimulate the clitoris and G-spot while being worn inside the vagina during intercourse, vibrating cock rings, and more.
Suction Vibrators
If you are looking for something a bit different but still super-effective, suction vibrators may be for you. Designed to mimic the sensation of oral sex by surrounding the clitoris (or nipples and outer sweet spots in general) and using air flow to provide a sucking sensation, they are popular among beginners and power-loving toy aficionados alike. The internet-famous rose sex toy is a perfect example of a suction vibrator. If you were impressed by that viral sensation, check out the PinkCherry Rose Vibrator 2.0.
Dildos
Dildos are toys that are designed for penetration. They are typically phallic in shape but many are not designed to look like penises. In fact they come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, lengths, girths, and styles. Dildos are made from an array of different materials, some soft and supple and some others are literally rock-hard. They can also boast features like shapes designed for specific forms of stimulation, suction cup bases for hands free stimulation, harness compatibility and more. As you can see, when it comes to dildos, there are a lot of options. Let’s get into some specifics.
Representational
Representational dildos are designed to look like human penises. They are often described as “lifelike” or “ultra-realistic”. Some are incredibly detailed and include things like veining, a pronounced head, and sometimes even testicles. If you are in the market for a realistic dildo, something like the PinkCherry Lucky Dick Realistic 8.5 Inch Dildo might be up your alley. It features a veined shaft, prominent head, and lifelike balls, making it feel pretty darn close to the real thing.
Non-Representational
The other side of that spectrum is dildos that don’t look at all like penises. This can include anything from smooth sleek shapes like the Riley Silicone Dildo, which boasts a silky silicone shaft and perfectly contoured head to out of this world fantasy shapes like those in the Creature Cocks collection that are designed to bring animalistic and otherworldly fantasies to life. The non-representational category also contains lots of cool steel and glass dildos.
Vibrating
Vibrating dildos are controversial as many believe that toys that vibrate are vibrators and dildos are totally separate. However, there do exist dildos that happen to feature a vibrating component. This tends to be less powerful than a full-on vibrator, often getting their vibration from a bullet vibe inserted in a cavity in their base or a small internal motor. That said, the addition of vibration can take penetration up a notch making an already pleasurable experience extraordinary.
Suction Cup
Suction cup dildos feature a strong suction cup built into their base. This allows them to be firmly attached to walls, floors, tables and more (basically any smooth, flat surface). Using a suction cup dildo is ideal if you don’t want to use your hands– whether you want to use them for something else, you don’t find wielding a dildo comfortable, or you just think hands-free use it is cool– or you just want a toy that will stay in place while you get down on it.
Strap-On
There are two types of dildos that can be used in the context of strap-on sex: the first is a harness compatible dildo which is any dildo that has a flared base that can be worn in a harness. In that case the options are plentiful.
The other type is what are often called “strapless strap ons”. These are dildos with two ends, one with a smaller bulb that the wearer inserts into their vagina and the other with a longer shaft that is used to penetrate their partner. Note: the “strapless” name is something of a misnomer as many find it significantly more comfortable to use them with a harness.
Double Ended
Double ended dildos are designed to penetrate two orifices at the same time. They can be used by two separate people, with each person using one end, or by a single person, with each end penetrating a different orifice. While double ended dildos and strapless strap ons may sound similar, they differ in length, flexibility, and in that a double ended dildo features full-sized dildos on both ends.
Pack-and-play:
Pack-and-play dildos are designed to do two separate things. First they are worn with a harness to create a realistic pelvic bulge under clothing -- that’s the “pack” part. Secondly, they are also made so they can be adjusted into an erect position and used to penetrate a partner-- that’s the “play” part. Selecting a pack-and-play is a little more complex than other toys as the owner needs to be comfortable wearing it out and about as well as using it but the right one can deliver experiences that are both fun and gender-affirming.
Male Sex Toys
One of the most commonly held misbeliefs about sex toys is that they are a girl thing. Here’s the deal: anyone of any gender, with any body parts can enjoy sex toys. Now we are going to look at toys designed for penis and prostate stimulation, this category is often referred to as “male sex toys” or ‘toys for men”.
Strokers
Strokers or masturbation sleeves are really the classic toy for folks with penises. These are typically designed to resemble an orifice such as a vagina, mouth, anus– or, in the case of the PinkCherry Eenie, Meenie, Miney, OH! Stroker Set, all three!-- and they feature a soft, often textured sleeve that slips over the penis.
Strokers are typically made with a soft material (silicone blends, rubber, elastomer, etc) that is designed to feel as much like skin as possible. Some are very simple, featuring only the soft sleeve portion and others have plastic exterior cases. Most strokers simply require the user to slip the toy on over their erect penis and stroke away but some models boast features like vibration or automatic stroking, or simulated suction.
Realistic Masturbators
For those looking for something a bit more realistic, there are lots of options. While full-sized, incredibly realistic sex dolls do exist, storing a full-size human doll is not for everyone. That said, there is a huge selection of realistically proportioned sex doll torsos as well as versions that allow users to choose a lifelike vagina, butt, or both. These realistic masturbators are made with ultra lifelike materials for a realistic experience but are still small enough to be easily stored.
Prostate Stimulators
Prostate stimulators are, as the name implies, sex toys designed to stimulate the prostate. Prostate stimulators are inserted anally but are differentiated from typical butt plugs by their prostate-targeting shape which will typically feature a curve or angle. As they need to be fairly firm to adequately press on the prostate, they can be made of anything from a firm silicone to something hard like steel or glass. Some prostate massagers like the PinkCherry Jackpot Vibrating Pleasure Probe feature vibration and others come with features like rotation, or even thrusting.
Cock Rings
A cock ring is a ring, band, or loop that goes around the base of the penis to restrict the flow of blood out of the erect penis. This can help make erections stronger and maintain erections longer. Sets that feature multiple rings like the PinkCherry Cock Rings set can be great for helping users find their ideal fit.
There are also vibrating cock rings like the PinkCherry Ring Leader Cock Ring which are, perhaps obviously, cock rings that feature a vibrating component like an attached bullet vibe or a small built-in motor. These can be worn on a penis or with a strap-on dildo. The vibrator can stimulate a partner’s clitoris or perineum during intercourse.
Anal Toys
The anus is the great equalizer, everyone has one. So why not explore the pleasure it can bring? Here are some of the most popular toy options for butt play.
Anal Beads
Anal beads stimulate the many extremely sensitive nerve endings that reside in the anus. They typically consist of a series of orbs on a flexible cord like PinkCherry Graduated Beads Anal Beads but can also be a series of orbs on a solid shaft or stacked directly atop one another to form a solid toy. They can be made with a variety of materials, including jelly, rubber, latex, plastic, silicone, steel, or glass. Like all quality anal toys, anal balls should have a looped handle or flared base to prevent them from slipping all the way into the anus.
Anal Plugs
Anal plugs or butt plugs are toys designed specifically for anal insertion. While size, shape, and individual features may vary, there are some qualities that are fairly standard to most anal plugs: These include a tapered shape like that found in the PinkCherry Triple Trainer Anal Kit for easy insertion, a thin stem or neck, and a flared base that anchors the plug firmly outside of the body.
The flared base is a non negotiable when selecting any anal toy as it is possible for items inserted into the anus to penetrate too far and require medical intervention to remove and that is not fun for anyone.
Anal Dildos
Technically, any dildo with a flared base is safe for anal use but there are also a number of smooth, sleek dildos designed specifically for butt play. It really is a matter of preference. For folks with prostates, it can be fun to select a dildo with a curve that will add a little prostate stimulation.
Which Sex Toy Should I Buy?
So now that you have all this information, what toy should you buy? Well, that requires that you ask yourself a big question:
What body part are you trying to stimulate?
It may sound silly but it’s the first thing you need to know to aim you in the right direction!
Once you know that, it becomes a matter of narrowing down the options by considering factors like budget, preferences, what features you like, etc until you arrive at the right toy for you. No matter what toy you purchase, it’s always a great idea to stock up on lube (a water-based formula is a good bet for toy-compatibility) to keep things comfortable during your exploration.
No doubt about it, there are A LOT of adult toys out there and PinkCherry has a HUGE selection to choose from but by learning what’s out there, taking a look at your options, and asking yourself a few questions, you should be able to find the ideal sex toy to take your sex life to a whole new level!
