What is a vibrator?
A vibrator is a sex toy with a motor that sends vibration into your body, usually your clit, G-spot, nipples, penis or anus. Some work outside, some go inside and some suck, lick or thrust. Two 2009 Journal of Sexual Medicine studies of US adults aged 18 to 60 found 52.5% of women had used one (Herbenick and colleagues), as had 44.8% of men during sexual activities (Reece and colleagues).
Types of vibrators
Clit suckers and air-pulse toys
Clit suckers pull rather than just buzz, pulsing air over your clit, and many add vibration too. The palm-sized Womanizer Starlet 3 has 6 intensity levels, and many rose toys hide the same trick inside a flower.
Rabbit vibrators
Rabbit vibrators work your G-spot and clit at once, with a shaft inside and an arm outside. The We-Vibe Nova 2's arm flexes to stay on your clit as you move.
G-spot vibrators
G-spot vibrators curve to press the front wall of the vagina, a couple of inches in, where the G-spot sits. The Extreme-G adds two bulbs that inflate once it's inside, for extra pressure.
Wand vibrators
Wand vibrators put a round head on a long handle for broad vibration, and many double as body massagers. The Magic Wand Rechargeable is about 13 inches long, with a head over 2 inches across.
Bullet vibrators
Small, simple and pinpoint, bullet vibrators fit in your palm and between two bodies during sex. The Zero Tolerance Full Metal Love is aluminum alloy, with a pointed tip and 7 speeds.
Thrusting vibrators
Thrusting vibrators move in and out on their own, so your wrist gets the night off. The Pro-thrust Max 14x has 7 thrusting modes, warms up to 104°F and pulses against your clit.
App and remote-control vibrators
Pair app-controlled vibrators with your phone, or hand over the remote, and someone else gets to drive. The Lovense Lush 3.0 is a wearable egg with app control, up close or long-distance.
Wearable and panty vibrators
Vibrating panties put a small vibe in your underwear, against your clit, hands-free at home or out. The Lovense Ferri clamps on with an extra-strong magnet and peaks at 43 dB.
Tongue and licking vibrators
Tongue vibrators flick, lap or swirl, which feels closer to oral sex than a buzz. The Rose Kisser swirls a 1-inch silicone tongue in slow circles, with 3 speeds and 6 licking patterns.
Anal vibrators
Anal vibrators need a flared base or a handle, so they can't slip in too far. The Satisfyer Plug-ilicious 2 has a wide base and two separately controlled motors, plus optional app control.
How to choose a vibrator
- Where you want it. Bullets, wands and clit suckers mostly stay outside, G-spot vibes go in, rabbits do both.
- The feel. Rumbly is deep, buzzy is sharp. Suction pulls, tongues lick and thrusters move in and out.
- Power. Most of ours recharge over USB, a few run on batteries (the Colt Silver Turbo bullet takes 3 AAs), some remotes take a small battery, and the Magic Wand Plus plugs in.
- Water rating. IPX7 is submersible. IPX4 to IPX6 or "splash-proof" means splashes and showers only, like the Lily Lover and Extreme-G.
- Size and noise. Check insertable length and width, and start slim. Some listings give decibels: 43 dB for the Lush 3.0.
- App or remote. Apps can add custom patterns and long-distance play. Remotes need no phone but only work nearby.
- Material. Most of ours are silicone, often with ABS plastic. Some use glass, like the VibraGlass toys, or metal, like the Full Metal Love. All four materials are non-porous. A few have soft TPE parts, which are porous, so wash and dry those well.
How to use a vibrator
- Charge it, and wash it before the first use.
- Make time, get private and warm up with your hands first.
- Add a little water-based lube to the toy and to you.
- Start on the lowest setting, outside: inner thighs, lips, around your clit, then on it. Got a penis? Try the frenulum, just under the head.
- When something feels good, stay there. Then change one thing at a time: pressure, speed or pattern.
- Stalled? Try lying face-down with the toy under you, or on your side.
- Going inside? Go slowly and angle a curved tip toward your belly button for the G-spot.
Cleaning, care and safety
- Clean it every time with warm water and mild soap or toy cleaner. Submerge only IPX7 or "submersible" toys, and never boil one with a motor.
- Use water-based lube. Silicone lube can damage silicone toys.
- One hole at a time. Wash a toy thoroughly before it goes from anal to vaginal use.
- Listen to your body. Stop if it hurts. If you're pregnant or numbness doesn't fade, talk to your doctor.
Vibrator FAQ
How do vibrators work?
Most have a small motor that spins an off-center weight, and that wobble is the vibration you feel. Buttons, a remote or an app set the speed and rhythm. Air-pulse toys push pulses of air instead.
What does a vibrator feel like?
Like a tingling hum that spreads through whatever it touches. Buzzy toys feel sharp, rumbly ones deeper. Suction feels like a rhythmic pull, and licking feels closer to a tongue. Start low: it can be intense.
How long does a vibrator take to charge?
It varies by model: the Womanizer Starlet 3 charges in about 30 minutes, while the Femme Funn Ultra Wand Mini takes about 2 hours. Use the cable it came with, and fully charge a new toy first.
How do you use a vibrator during sex?
Hold a bullet or small wand against the clit during penetration; spooning and you on top leave room for it. Couples vibrators like the We-Vibe Sync 2 are worn during sex, so you both feel it.
Can a vibrator desensitize you?
Not for most people. In a 2009 Journal of Sexual Medicine study of 2,056 US women, Herbenick and colleagues found 71.5% had never had any side effects from vibrator use, and the side effects reported were typically rare and short-lived. If numbness lingers after a break, talk to your doctor.
What's the best vibrator for beginners?
Something simple and external. A bullet, a small wand or a clit sucker on its lowest setting shows you what you like without much to learn. Our best vibrators for beginners guide covers what to buy first.
Where can I buy a vibrator discreetly?
Right here. Every order ships in a plain box with no branding, free on orders of $75 and up, from multiple US warehouses, so multi-item orders can arrive separately. We ship to US addresses only.
Want our top picks?
See our 8 best rabbit vibrators and 8 best app and remote-control vibrators guides. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
