What are anal beads?
Anal beads are a toy for anal play: a row of balls, or beads, either separate on a strand or molded into one shaft. A ring, loop, handle or base at the end stays outside your body for you to hold. The pleasure comes from each anal bead passing the opening, in and out. Beaded butt plugs and probes borrow the same shape. Anyone can use them, whatever their gender or sexuality.
How do anal beads work?
The anal opening is sensitive. Each bead stretches it a little, then the opening closes around the narrower part before the next, so you feel small pops going in and coming out. Graduated sizes let you start small and build up. Many people draw the beads out slowly as they near orgasm. The Lovense Ridge adds vibration and rotation; its listing says it stimulates the prostate directly and the G-spot and A-spot indirectly.
Types of anal beads and beaded toys
Vibrating and rotating anal beads
Want vibrating anal beads that also rotate? The Lovense Ridge's beads turn at up to 116 rotations per minute, controlled by app. A flexible joint at its base adapts as you shift positions. It's low-noise and IPX7; a 75-minute charge gives up to 145 minutes. Its listing says it can connect long-distance with a Lovense Max, Max 2 or Nora, and the toys respond to each other.
Anal beads for beginners
New to beads? Go small. The Nexus Beginner Anal Kit gives you silicone anal beads, each 0.8 inches across, plus a firm but flexible silicone plug (about 3 inches insertable, 1.1 inches at the widest) and a 224 ml anal douche. Its listing says every piece was chosen for newcomers. More beginner-friendly toys.
Beaded butt plugs
A beaded butt plug brings beads to a plug that stays put. The Gold Digger set has three metal beaded plugs, 1.25, 1.37 and 1.57 inches wide, each rose-gold aluminum alloy in a three-bead shape on a wide safety base. The silicone Vedo Twist adds a swirling bead texture and 10 vibration modes and is fully submersible. More butt plugs.
Beaded probes
Rather steer by hand? The Nexus Bendz has a rippled shaft of dual-density silicone balls that you bend to whatever angle suits you, with 6 vibration functions running through to the precision tip. It's rechargeable, waterproof and submersible, and works for anal or vaginal play; if it's been used anally, wash it before any vaginal use. More from Nexus.
How to choose anal beads
- Strand, plug or probe. A strand moves in and out bead after bead, a beaded plug stays put, and you move a probe by hand.
- Size. Start small: the Nexus kit's beads are 0.8 inches in diameter; the Gold Digger plugs run 1.25 to 1.57 inches wide.
- Something to hold. Anything that goes in needs a ring, loop, handle or flared base. Each Gold Digger plug has a wide safety base.
- Vibration and motion. The Ridge vibrates and rotates, the Vedo Twist has 10 vibration modes and the Bendz 6 vibration functions; the Gold Digger and the kit don't vibrate.
- Material. Silicone, ABS and aluminum alloy are non-porous. You can warm or cool the Gold Digger in water before play, testing the temperature on your skin.
- Water. The Ridge is IPX7; the Vedo Twist and the Bendz are submersible.
How to use anal beads
- Wash your toy and use the bathroom. Some people also rinse with an anal douche, like the Nexus kit's.
- Playing together? Settle on a stop word or signal that halts everything at once.
- Slick up the beads and yourself with a water-based lube, and reapply as you go.
- Relax and insert one bead at a time, slowly, letting your body adjust before the next. Never force anything; stop at any pain.
- Keep hold of the ring, loop, handle or base.
- Draw them out slowly and gently, never with force, then wash them right away.
Cleaning, care and safety
- Clean each toy before and after play with mild soap and warm water or a toy cleaner (antibacterial soap for the Gold Digger, per its listing), and between partners.
- Pair silicone toys with water-based lube; silicone-based lube can damage them.
- Keep one end outside: a ring, loop, handle or flared base on anything that goes in.
- No household objects. Use only toys made for anal play.
- Switching to vaginal play? Clean the toy thoroughly, or swap in a fresh condom.
- Dry each toy fully and store it on its own. Check for cracks or damage before use.
- Any pain or bleeding? Stop. If it carries on, talk to your doctor.
Anal beads FAQ
What do anal beads do?
Anal beads stimulate the sensitive anal opening: each bead stretches it a little going in and coming out, with a release before the next. They work for solo and partner play alike. On the Ridge, the beads also vibrate and rotate.
What do anal beads feel like?
Anal beads feel like a series of small stretches and releases, with a gentle pop as each bead passes the opening. Bigger beads feel fuller. The Ridge adds vibration and a twisting movement, and you can warm or cool the Gold Digger plugs in water before play.
Why do people like anal beads?
For the sensation of each bead, and for the control: you set the pace, how many beads go in and how big you go. Plenty of people also like easing them out slowly as orgasm builds, and beads suit solo or partner play.
Are anal beads safe?
Yes, with the right precautions: plenty of water-based lube, small beads to start, a slow pace and a ring, loop, handle or flared base that stays outside your body. Expect a mild stretch, not pain: if anything hurts, stop. Talk to your doctor about any pain or bleeding that doesn't ease.
Are anal beads good for beginners?
Yes, as long as you begin small. Good anal beads for beginners are slim, like the 0.8-inch silicone beads in the Nexus Beginner Anal Kit. Go generous with water-based lube, ease each bead in slowly and wait until you're comfortable before trying anything bigger.
Are anal beads for men or women?
Both, and anyone else: the anal opening is sensitive in every body. The Ridge's listing says it stimulates the prostate directly and the G-spot and A-spot indirectly. For toys shaped to reach the prostate, browse prostate massagers.
What's the difference between anal beads and a butt plug?
Anal beads are made to move: you ease them in and draw them out, feeling each bead. A butt plug is made to go in and stay there, giving a steady, full feeling. A beaded butt plug mixes the two, like the Gold Digger set or the Vedo Twist.
Where can I buy anal beads?
Right here. Every order ships in a plain box with no branding, free on orders of $75 and up. We ship to US addresses only, from several US warehouses, so multi-item orders can arrive in separate packages.
Want our top picks?
Our 6 best anal beads guide features the Ridge, Gold Digger and Nexus kit; the 10 best butt plugs guide suggests the Gold Digger and Vedo Twist as alternatives. For P-spot play, see the 8 best prostate massagers. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
