Anal Toys

What are anal toys?

Anal toys are designed for pleasure in the anus and rectum: butt plugs you wear, anal beads you draw out, prostate massagers, anal vibrators and dildos built with a base that stays outside. Any body can enjoy them, solo or with a partner, and some vibrate, rotate, thrust or inflate. There's no natural lubrication back there, so bring lube.

The one rule: a base that stays outside

The rectum can pull an object inward, so anything you put in your butt needs a part that can't follow it: a flared base, a handle, an arm, a ring or a loop. Without one, a toy can slip all the way inside. On the Playboy Come Hither, a ring handle and curved outer arm remain outside your body; the Gender X Blow Pop pairs a flared safety base with a finger ring.

Types of anal toys

Butt plugs

A plug slides in, settles around its narrow neck and stays there for steady fullness. For a first plug, the finger-shaped b-Vibe Rookie measures 1 inch across and takes 3.5 inches inside, and its flared base carries an easy-grip handle. The Booty Sparks Laser Plug (1.3 to 1.8 inches wide, by size) has a flared base and a laser message that flashes with its 4 speeds and 7 patterns. More butt plugs.

Anal beads

Beads go in one at a time and come out slowly, and you feel each one pass the entrance. The Lovense Ridge is app-controlled and rated IPX7; its beads vibrate and turn at up to 116 rotations a minute, and its base bends at a flexible joint as you move. Prefer beads you can wear? Each Gender X Gold Digger plug stacks three bulbs above a wide safety base. See anal beads.

Anal training kits

A training kit is a ladder of graduated plugs: start small and move up once that feels easy. The Simply Sweet set grows from 0.9 to 1.2 to 1.5 inches wide, ribbed, then spiraled, then dipped, and each flared base works as a suction cup. The Luxe Bling kit's silicone plugs sit on heart-shaped flared bases with faux gems; the Playboy Pleasure 3 Ways is hematite-plated metal. More anal training kits.

Prostate massagers

These curve toward the front wall of the rectum to reach the prostate, or P-spot. The Lovense Edge 2 has an adjustable arm that lines up its internal head and perineum pad, and its app works solo, partnered or long-distance. The Playboy Come Hither beckons with its angled tip while the shaft vibrates, on a 25-foot remote. The Gender X True Blue vibrates while its shaft thrusts a quarter inch, steered by a T-shaped handle. Browse prostate massagers and sex toys for men.

Anal vibrators

An anal vibrator is any vibrating toy made for anal use, with a base or handle that stays out. Run by app, the Lovense Hush 2 is a flared-base plug made in four widths between 1 and 2.25 inches. The We-Vibe Ditto+ rests on a base that bends with your body, and its app passes control to a partner at any distance. The Nexus Revo Twist pairs a rotating shaft with a vibrating plug; the free end serves as a handle. More vibrating butt plugs.

Steel and glass anal toys

Both are firm, non-porous and fine with water-based or silicone lube. The borosilicate-glass Gender X Blow Pop is 3 inches insertable and 1.29 inches across. Warm or cool it in water before play (never hot or frozen), and check it for chips first. Njoy's Pure Plug 2.0 XL brings the weight: a 2-inch diameter and 3.5 insertable inches of 316-grade stainless steel, steered by an oversized handle. If nickel bothers you, the steel may contain some. More flared base plugs and dildos.

Inflatable and tail plugs

An inflatable plug goes in small and expands once it's settled. The Colt XXXL Pumper is silicone on a suction-cup base. Pump it in small squeezes; it holds that size with the hose detached, and the air-release button empties it before removal. For pet play, the Crystal Delights Minx is a glass plug, 2.5 inches insertable, with a flared base and a faux-fur tail. More inflatable sex toys.

Anal lube

Thick lube, and lots of it. JO Anal H2O is water-based but thicker than JO's regular H2O, has no numbing agents and works with all toy materials. JO Anal Premium Silicone and pjur Backdoor are silicone formulas that keep their glide longer; pair them with glass, steel or hard plastic, since silicone lube can damage silicone toys. Shop lube.

How to choose an anal toy

• Base. A flared base, handle, arm, ring or loop that stays outside. No exceptions.
• Size. Check insertable length and the widest point; width decides the stretch.
• Shape. A tapered tip eases entry, and a narrow neck lets a plug settle.
• Material. Choose non-porous silicone, steel or glass; share porous TPE or TPR under a condom.
• Motor. None, or vibration, rotation, thrusting or inflation.
• Remote or app. Buttons, a remote, or an app a partner can run.
• Lube match. Silicone toys take water-based lube; glass and steel take either.

How to use an anal toy

1. Wash the toy, trim your nails and charge it if needed.
2. Spread lube on the toy and on you, water-based with silicone toys.
3. Lie on your side, relax, and breathe out as you press the tip in.
4. Pause and let your body adjust.
5. Go slowly, use plenty of lube, never force it, stop at sharp pain.
6. Keep the base, handle or ring outside the whole time.
7. With a partner, set limits and a stop word beforehand; the receiver decides, and play stops on request.
8. Draw it out gently (deflate an inflatable first); wash it before vaginal play.

Cleaning and care

• After every session, wash it with warm water and a gentle soap (or toy cleaner), then air-dry it fully.
• Water. Submerge the IPX7 Hush 2 and Edge 2 or the Blow Pop; only rinse the splashproof Revo Twist. Motors with no water claim stay dry.
• Porous toys. Use a fresh condom on a TPE or TPR toy before sharing it.
• Storage. Give each toy its own pouch.
• Steel and glass. Retire any toy with a chip or crack.
• Lingering pain, numbness or bleeding? Stop, and talk to your doctor.

Anal toys FAQ

What's the best anal toy for beginners?

Something slim with a flared base or handle, or a graduated kit. The Simply Sweet set starts at 0.9 inches wide, and the finger-shaped Rookie at 1 inch. Use a thick water-based lube and size up only when your current toy feels easy.

Why does an anal toy need a flared base?

The rectum can draw a toy inward, and one with nothing wider than the opening can disappear inside. A flared base, handle, arm or ring stays outside, so you can always grip it. If a toy ever gets stuck, get medical help right away.

What lube is best for anal toys?

A thick anal lube, used generously. Water-based JO Anal H2O works with every toy material. JO Anal Premium Silicone and pjur Backdoor last longer but belong with glass and steel, because silicone lube can damage silicone toys. Skip numbing lubes: pain is your cue to stop.

How do you clean anal toys?

Wash each toy after use, with a gentle soap under warm running water or with a toy cleaner, then let it dry fully. Soak one only if it's rated IPX7 or called submersible. Wash any toy before it moves from anal to vaginal play.

What's the difference between a butt plug and anal beads?

A butt plug stays put for steady fullness. Anal beads are a line of balls you insert one by one and pull out slowly, so the sensation comes from movement. Beaded plugs like the Gold Digger set blend the two.

Can women use prostate massagers?

Anyone can use one anally, but only a person with a prostate gets the stimulation it's shaped for. Without one, a curved massager can still feel good if its arm, handle or base stays outside, though plugs, beads and anal vibrators suit any body.

How long can you wear a butt plug?

Start with a few minutes and remove it at any discomfort, numbness or pain. Build up slowly, and only while you're awake and paying attention. The Luxe Bling plugs' tight necks stay put for extended wear, but your body sets the limit.

Can you use a vibrator anally?

Only one with a base, handle or arm that stays outside. Rabbits, bullets, eggs and most G-spot vibrators aren't made for it, and some can slip in. Choose one made for anal use, like the Hush 2, with its flared base, or the Revo Twist.

Want our top picks?

For picks by type, see The 10 Best Butt Plugs, The 8 Best Prostate Massagers and The 6 Best Anal Beads. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.