On the hunt for your first vibrator? Yay! Firstly, congratulate yourself.

Even long-time sexperts start somewhere, and you’re on the right path. We got you.

We’ve created a little guide to help you get started on the hunt for your first vibe.

You may have noticed there are sooo many different pleasure toy options out there – vibrators and personal massagers come in about a million different shape, size, colours, functions & intensities, all of which can make picking your perfect vibe feel extremely overwhelming.

The exciting news is that with so many options available, your dream match is most definitely out there.

 

So, what do most people use pleasure toys for?

There’s no right or wrong way to use or own a vibrator, but some common uses include:

• Experimenting & exploring with your own body and sexual pleasure, in a safe space on your own terms.
• Achieving better (& sometimes quicker) orgasms when masturbating.
• To stimulate your erogenous zones during solo or partnered play.
• Improving partnered sex.
• Introducing playfulness & experimentation into your sex life.

 

I’ve never owned a vibrator before, how do I know what I’ll like & enjoy?

The first step is to think about your body and where you prefer to experience pleasure.

Are you comfortable with penetration? Do you prefer external stimulation? Do you enjoy both simultaneously?

Next, imagine receiving or giving yourself pleasure. If you’ve masturbated before, which positions do you most prefer? What physical position do you like your body to be in? Are you relaxed and reclined by yourself? Or in partnered play, do you prefer to be underneath or on top?

Now that you are familiar with where your body is, and what kind of positions you enjoy, think about what kind of touches feel great to you.

Some people prefer light touches, all over their body and different erogenous zones. Others, enjoy more intense stimulation focused to certain areas. Some people love internal stimulation, whilst others prefer to keep things external – everyone is different and that’s what makes the world a wonderful place. There is most definitely no right or wrong.

Remember, this vibrator purchase is about you, and what feels great for you.

It is about your relationship with yourself, and your body. There is no need to worry about what other people deem ‘sexy’ or ‘normal’, you are the star of your own show, and there is never any shame in that.

 

Tell me more about the different types of vibes…

Choosing your first vibrator is an exciting (yet intimidating) time – try to relax and have fun with it.

Whilst the endless options can feel overwhelming, the great news is you will most definitely be able to find the right option for you to suit your pleasure preferences, aesthetic desires, and budget.

Here is a breakdown of the most common types of pleasure toys for vulva owners:

 

Classic penetrative vibrator

These vibrators are phallic-shaped and offer penetrative stimulation. They can also be used externally for stimulation of the clitoris and labia. They come in a wide range of length, girth, style and shape options, as well as with a multitude of different vibration and pulsation settings.

These are great ‘traditional’ all round models, and work well for beginners to explore what they love.

 

External stimulation vibes

External stimulation toys are all designed with the same goal in mind – provide extreme pleasure for vulva owners through clitoral stimulation.

Approximately 3 out of 4 vulva owners report needing clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, so external vibes are a great place to start for people who are looking to experiment, but aren’t keen on using a vibrator for internal penetration.

There are lots of different options that fit in to this category, including wand vibrators, finger vibrators, hands-free vibrators, lipstick vibrators and bullet vibrators.  

External vibrators are often more discreet, and aesthetically pleasing than their traditional phallic shaped counterparts, and can therefore feel much less intimidating to people starting to explore their body & sexual preferences.

 

External suction toys

Suction vibrators are an additional type of external stimulation vibrators. They are designed to replicate the feel of oral sex - particularly when you add some lube into the mix for an extra realistic feel.

These handheld toys work by stimulating the clitoris using puffs of air pressure to create a pulsing or sucking sensation. Great for beginners, and known to deliver earth-shattering orgasms in minutes. Sign us up.

 

Rabbit vibrators

The rabbit has reached almost cult status due to its iconic design.

Rabbit vibrators feature a phallic shaft for vaginal stimulation, coupled with a clitoral stimulator (often in the design of rabbit ears) attached to the shaft.

Rabbits are effective toys for dual stimulation and blended orgasms; however, they can be slightly intimidating for beginners depending on comfort level.

 

G-spot / G-zone vibes

These vibrators are designed for internal stimulation, specifically to massage the g-spot (or zone).

The g-zone can often feel like a bit of a mystery, as it can be tricky to locate.

The consensus in sexology is that there is an area inside the vagina on the anterior (front) wall, which is likely to be part of the clitoral network. When stimulated, the g-zone can deliver strong sensations of pleasure and allow you to experience earth-shattering orgasms.

G-spot vibes are designed to target your g-zone. They often have an arched design or curved head, that is designed to stimulate the difficult-to-reach area with ease.

 

And what are the best materials?

Before you head out and buy your first toy, the final elements to consider are safety & hygiene.

Your new vibrator should be made from a non-porous material, allowing you to clean and sanitise it effectively. Silicone is one is one of the most popular materials for sex toys, often developed to medical-grade standard. Other non-porous materials, such as metal, hard plastic and glass are also available too. It’s all about personal preference and what feels great to you!

Sexologists also report that finding your vibrator aesthetically pleasing can be just as important as its amazing features. When getting to know yourself and your pleasure, you don’t want to be using a toy that you find unattractive, as this may affect your overall relaxation and enjoyment levels.

 

Ready? Let’s do this.

You’ve decided to prioritise yourself and your pleasure by buying a vibrator – we’re so excited for you to embark on this journey!

Choosing the right toy for you can feel overwhelming, but we hope this little guide offers a helping hand.

You may also find that growing your collection and trying out the different types of vibes, are the best way to discover what really works for you, particularly as this can change over time as your confidence levels improve.

If you need further help, our friendly team will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Simply get in touch, we’re here for you 😊

 

Photography: @oaknarrow via Instagram