What is a vibrator?
Any sex toy whose motor buzzes, rumbles or pulses against your body counts as a vibrator, and some models also suck, lick or thrust. External vibrators stay outside, on the clit, nipples, perineum or anywhere else that likes attention. Internal ones go inside to press on the G-spot, and rabbits do both. Use one solo, hand one to a partner or share one during sex.
Which vibrator is right for you?
Start with where you want it. Clit only? A bullet, a wand or an air-pulse toy. Inside? A G-spot vibrator. Both? A rabbit. Then feel: deep and rumbly, sharper and buzzy, or the pull, lick and stroke of suction, tongue and thrusting toys. Go slimmer than you think for a first internal toy. Decide who drives: buttons, a remote a partner can hold, or an app. Last, the water rating tells you whether it's shower-safe or bath-ready. New to this? Browse our beginner sex toys.
Types of vibrators
Rabbit vibrators
Rabbits pair an insertable shaft for the G-spot with an outer arm for the clit. On the We-Vibe Nova 2, that arm bends to keep contact as you shift, and the We-Connect app can run it long-distance. The Lovense Nora's head turns at slow, medium or fast speed. On the Flicking Silicone Rabbit Vibrator, part of the shaft flicks at your G-spot while the ears flick your clit. More rabbit vibrators.
G-spot vibrators
These curve so the tip presses the front wall of the vagina, toward your belly. Tease your vulva and clit first with the squishy bulb of the Dame Arc, then let its long, curved handle carry that bulb to your G-spot, with 5 intensities and 5 patterns of deep rumble. The ROMP Hype has a soft, dual-layer silicone tip and an IPX7 rating. Inside, the Extreme-G's two bulbs swell, widening it from 1.6 inches to 2. More G-spot vibrators.
Clit vibrators and suction toys
These work from outside, buzzing on the clit or pulling at it with suction or air pulses. The Womanizer Starlet 3 moves pulses of air over your clit without touching it, across 6 intensity levels, and it's IPX7. The Lily Lover's removable cup pulls in 6 suction modes over a vibrating 1-inch silicone tongue; lift the cup off and the tongue carries on alone. More clit suckers and clitoral vibrators.
Wand vibrators
A wand sets a broad head on a long handle, for vibration over a wide area. The cordless Magic Wand Rechargeable is approximately 13 inches long, with a head more than 2 inches across and 4 intensity levels plus 4 patterns. The Vedo Wanda puts a flexible silicone head on a thin handle, with 10 modes on one button, and it's waterproof and submersible. More wand vibrators.
Bullet and egg vibrators
A bullet fits in your palm and aims vibration at one spot. The We-Vibe Tango X is about 3.9 inches long, with 7 modes of deep, rumbly vibration, an IPX7 rating and a 120-minute run per charge. In aluminum alloy, Zero Tolerance's Full Metal Love tapers to a pointed tip and clicks through 7 speeds on one button. Some bullets go inside: the Vedo Kiwi is made to be worn internally, with a three-button remote. More bullet vibrators.
Wearable and panty vibrators
A wearable stays put so both hands are free. A magnetic cap on the Lovense Ferri locks it to your underwear, right over the clit, and its app lets a partner take over close by or long-distance; it's IPX7. The Playboy Our Little Secret is curved silicone only 0.71 inches deep, with 10 speeds and functions on a remote that reaches 25 feet. More vibrating panties.
App-controlled and remote vibrators
An app lets you build patterns or pass the controls over. The Lush 3.0 from Lovense is a wearable egg, 3 inches insertable, whose fixed tail presses your G-spot; its app works up close or long-distance, and a charge lasts up to 5 hours. The Bluemotion Nex-2 links to its free app nearby (roughly 26 to 30 feet) and reaches a partner anywhere through it. Agree on limits first; whoever wears it can call stop at any moment. More app-controlled vibrators.
Couples vibrators
These are made to be shared. You adjust the We-Vibe Sync 2 to fit, then wear it inside during sex, so its 10-plus modes reach you both, set through the We-Vibe app or its own remote. The Together Strapless Vibe needs no harness: the wearer takes the smaller ribbed shaft while the flexible one angles toward a partner's P-spot or G-spot, with 9 modes on a remote with a range of up to 30 feet. More couples sex toys.
Thrusting, tongue and rose vibrators
These move instead of only buzzing. The Gossip Blaster 7x thrusts on its own, its vibration has 3 speeds, 7 patterns, and its curved head is designed to reach the G-spot. The Tease And Please adds a licking tongue for your clit to a thrusting shaft; rated IPX6, it's a shower toy, never a bath one. The Rose Kisser circles a soft 1-inch tongue over the clit from inside a rose. More thrusting vibrators and tongue vibrators.
How to choose a vibrator
- Placement. Clit, G-spot, or both with a rabbit.
- Power and feel. Rumbly, buzzy, air pulses, licking or thrusting, per the listing.
- Size. Compare insertable length and width; start slim.
- Controls. Buttons, a remote with a listed range, or an app; only some apps go long-distance.
- Water. Want bath time? Look for IPX7 or submersible. IPX4 to IPX6 or splash-proof: showers only.
- Charging. Check each toy's run time and charge time.
- Material. Silicone, ABS and metal are non-porous; give silicone water-based lube.
How to use a vibrator
- Charge it if it's rechargeable, and wash it before its first outing.
- Smooth water-based lube over the toy and yourself.
- Start at the lowest setting, over clothes or around the outer vulva.
- Move slowly, trying circles, pressure and patterns one change at a time.
- Going inside? Ease it in, curve pointed at your navel, and feel for the G-spot.
- With a partner, agree on what you both want and a stop word first; the receiver sets the pace.
- Switch it off, clean it, dry it and recharge it if needed.
Cleaning and care
- Every time. Clean it using mild soap and warm water; toy cleaner works too. Dry it completely.
- Water. Submerge a toy only if it's IPX7 or listed as submersible; splash-proof and IPX4 to IPX6 toys get a rinse. No rating? Keep the motor dry.
- Charging ports. Keep them dry.
- Storage. Each toy in its own pouch.
- Lube. Water-based with silicone toys.
- Anal to vaginal? Never switch without washing the toy or putting on a fresh condom.
Vibrator FAQ
What vibrator is best for beginners?
Something simple, external and easy to aim. Set on low, a bullet, a small wand or an air-pulse toy is easy to learn and shows what works for you. Want to try inside? The ROMP Hype keeps it to 6 intensities and 4 patterns.
What's the difference between a clitoral and a G-spot vibrator?
A clitoral vibrator stays outside and works the clit with vibration, suction, air pulses or a tongue. A G-spot vibrator goes inside, where its curved tip presses the front wall of the vagina toward your belly. A rabbit covers both at once.
What is a rabbit vibrator?
It's a dual-stimulation vibrator: an insertable shaft for the G-spot plus a short outer arm, often shaped like ears, for the clit. Some run each part separately, like the Lovense Nora in its app, and some thrust, like the Pro-thrust Max 14x, whose shaft warms as it thrusts.
How do you use a bullet vibrator?
Rest the tip on or beside your clit at the lowest setting, then try small circles or firmer pressure. Bullets also suit nipples and inner thighs, and tuck between two bodies during sex. Only use one inside if its listing says so, like the Vedo Kiwi, and never anally.
Can you use a vibrator in the shower?
Only if its rating allows it. IPX7 or submersible toys, like the Starlet 3, Tango X and Vedo Wanda, are fine in the shower or bath. Splash-proof and IPX4 to IPX6 toys, like the Lily Lover and Extreme-G, take the shower but never a soak.
Can you use a vibrator for anal play?
Only one with a flared base, a safety base or a handle that stays outside your body. Most vibrators here, rabbits and bullets included, aren't made for anal use. The Playboy Plug & Play has a wide safety base; see more vibrating butt plugs. Go slow with lots of lube, never force anything, and stop at any sharp pain.
What lube should I use with a vibrator?
Water-based: it's fine with any toy material. Silicone lube can harm silicone toys, so patch-test first, and skip it where a toy's page says water-based only. Oil-based lube degrades latex and soft materials. Use a little on the toy and on you.
Can couples use a vibrator during sex?
Yes. Hold a bullet or small wand on the clit during penetration, or wear a couples vibe like the Sync 2 inside so you both feel it. With a remote or app toy, a partner can drive. Agree on what you both want; the person receiving can stop it at once.
Want our top picks?
Our Best Vibrators for Beginners guide covers first buys, and The 8 Best Rabbit Vibrators compares rabbits by feature. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
