Can Using a Vibrator Too Much Be Harmful?
As a sex toy reviewer for the past decade who’s tried dozens of bullet vibes, I know the landscape well. But sex toys are also an inherently personal choice, so to get a full scope of what’s out there and recommended for a range of people, we reached out to a few experts for their thoughts. From app-enabled buzzers that you can activate with a long-distance partner to diminutive danglers you can wear around your neck, here are all the bullet vibrators worth your money. I’ve tested dozens of suction toys solo and during partner play with people of various gender identities, genitals, and sexual desires. We’ve explored all erogenous zones, direct contact on favorable spots, and enjoyed every one of the vibration patterns and sonic waves that came our way. Based on extensive research, these are the cream of that particular crop, the absolute best clitoral suction toys right now, some of which double as clitoral vibrators and massagers when you’re feeling saucy enough to spice it up.
Your vibrator will usually come with a little booklet, including instructions for use and other important safety and maintenance information. In the very least, reading the instructions will give you a rundown of the controls. It’s useful to know, before you take it on a test drive, how to turn your vibrator on and off, as well as how to change between any different vibration patterns and speeds. That menu reads like a Greek diner’s when you see how varied the best male sex toys are these days.
Also, consider where you’ll use the toy and who you’ll use it with (if anyone). Based on your preferences, additional features like waterproofing, app compatibility, remote control operation, and ergonomic handles might be worth considering. Between wands, bullets, palm vibes, and clit suckers, there are a ton of great toys out there.
As SELF previously reported, sex toys can pass along STIs, so safer sex practices apply here. If you’re using a sex toy with someone outside of a sexually monogamous partnership, put a condom over your toy. Condoms are also key if you want to use a toy for both vaginal and anal stimulation (which you can do as long as the toy is safe for anal, a.k.a. it has a flared base). With that being said, each clit is as unique as a snowflake and should be treated as such, according to Lexington, Kentucky-based marriage and family therapist Juliana Hauser, PhD. “Discover if your glans (clitoral tip) likes light vibration or a stronger speed vibrators,” she says.
Some women like having the vibe front and center on their clitorises. Others like more indirect contact, like you’re sneaking up on your clitoris instead of pouncing on it. Imagine that your clitoris is like a delicious pie cut into four slices, and try touching the vibrator against the edge of each slice. Compare that to what it feels like when the vibrator is on your clitoris.
Shannon also appreciates that it’s waterproof and can get the job done. “I like that it’s battery operated because if it dies, you just pop new batteries in and you’re ready to go,” she adds. This banana-inspired toy was my first-ever clitoral vibrator—and, after a decade of testing and reviewing other vibes, it remains in my regular rotation. While the Sunshine Vibrator is marketed as a G-spot vibrator, I’ve found that it’s just as pleasurable and easy to use on my clit.
The Lelo ina wave 2 is a powerful rabbit vibrator capable of unlocking both G-spot and clitoral orgasms, at the same time. “If you’ve ever wished you could just lie back and let a toy do all the work for you, the ina wave by Lelo might just be the vibe of your dreams. It’s a rabbit vibrator with two motors and two robotic arms,” explained our review. It features a generous 12 different speeds, allowing you to find the perfect match for you, and or to slowly build the intensity for a euphoric climax. We’ve rounded up an array of quiet vibrators, including clitoral suction vibrators, wand vibrators, vibrating strap-ons, vibrating penis rings, vibrating penis strokers and more.
More than 25 products were distributed to couples who used them to explore connection from afar, including LGBTQ+ couples who were able to pair devices designed for the same gender. But the interactivity of this toy is impressive thanks to We-Vibe’s mobile application, which means a partner can cycle through over eight different rhythms and speeds from afar. Dr. Torrisi recommends the Ollie because it’s “super light , playful, and straightforward.” Meanwhile, the toy is coated in medical-grade silicone and the buttons are well-labeled (no more fumbling around frustrated in the dark). “Sex furniture allows couples to support different sexual positions,” says Lawless.
That’s where The Artist’s squeeze controls comes in — you can change the settings by squeezing the handle, making customizing your experience more seamless and intuitive. This rabbit also allows you to control each end separately, so you can find the right mode for both your G-spot stimulation and your clitoral stimulation, or just focus on one. “It has a super soft, oversized ‘mouth,’ that uses sonic pulses to deliver sensations to both your internal and external clitoris,” says Dr. Mintz. And it doesn’t even have to touch you (but it can if you want it to!). It’s also made of a single piece of silicone, ensuring that it’s fully waterproof for use in the shower or tub. Although people’s preferences for remote control sex toys are as different as the sensations that they prefer, there are a few perennial favorites on Reddit.
We-Vibe’s Nova 2 is a newcomer that’s worth the hype, according to Finn. “The only downside would be if you don’t like that super-concentrated strong vibration, this toy might be a bit too intense,” Finn warned. The Tango is for someone who wants the ease of a small vibrator with the intensity of a larger one. For sex toy aficionados, this toy’s popularity comes as no surprise.