What are sex toys for women?
Sex toys for women are toys designed to pleasure the clit, vulva, vagina and G-spot, plus other sensitive spots like the nipples. Some work outside, some go inside, and many do both at once, with vibration, suction, thrusting or tapping. You don't need to be a woman to enjoy one. Use one solo, slip it between you and a partner, or hand over the remote.
Types of sex toys for women
Clit suckers and rose toys
Most clit suckers use suction or air pulses for a rhythmic pull, often with vibration on top, and many rose toys hide the same trick in a silicone bloom. The palm-sized Womanizer Starlet 3 has 6 intensity levels.
Vibrators and bullets
Vibrators are the classic: a motor that buzzes or rumbles, inside or out. Bullets are the small, pinpoint version, like the Zero Tolerance Full Metal Love, an aluminum bullet with a pointed tip and 7 vibration speeds.
Rabbit vibrators
A rabbit vibrator pairs an insertable shaft with an external clit arm, so you get both at once. The ROMP Reverb works your clit with gentle air pulses and your G-spot with vibration.
G-spot vibrators
The G-spot, a couple of inches inside on the front wall of the vagina, is extra sensitive for many people. Curved G-spot vibrators press right on it; the 12x Come-Hither Rocker adds a beckoning come-hither motion.
Wand massagers
Most wand vibrators have a broad, rounded head that spreads strong vibration across your vulva, a good match if pinpoint toys feel too sharp. Too intense? Try it through your underwear. Many double as full-body massagers, too.
Thrusting toys
Thrusting toys move in and out on their own, so you can lie back. The Princess Passion thrusts, flutters a licking pinwheel against your clit and warms up, with 3 heat settings.
Wearables and app-controlled toys
Vibrating panties and other wearables tuck into your underwear or sit inside, and many let a partner take over by remote or app. The Lovense Flexer is an app-controlled panty vibe with an insertable come-hither arm.
Pussy pumps and nipple toys
Pumps use suction to swell your vulva, clit or nipples, leaving them extra sensitive. The Master Series 3-Way runs two nipple cylinders and a clit cylinder from one trigger pump. Shop all pussy pumps.
Dildos and strap-ons
Dildos give you fullness at your own pace, with or without vibration, and a strap-on lets you share one with a partner. For the full range, see dildos and strap-ons and harnesses.
How to choose a sex toy
- Where you like it. For many people, clit stimulation is the main route to orgasm, so start external. Love feeling full? Go internal, or get both with a rabbit.
- The sensation. Suction pulls, vibration buzzes or rumbles, thrusting moves. Buzz feels too sharp? Try suction.
- First toy or upgrade. Start simple and affordable; upgrades add motors, heat or app control.
- Solo or partnered. Slim toys fit between bodies during sex; remote and app toys let a partner drive.
- Material. Body-safe silicone and ABS plastic are non-porous and easy to clean.
- Water rating. IPX7 is fully submersible; IPX4 to IPX6 is splash or shower only.
- Noise. For discretion, look for a whisper-quiet motor and a travel lock.
How to use a sex toy
- Charge it and wash it before first use.
- Warm up first; arousal makes everything more sensitive.
- Add a little water-based lube.
- Start on the lowest setting, outside: clit hood, inner lips, nipples, inner thighs.
- With a clit sucker, seal the mouth over your clit; if it's too intense, shift it off-center.
- Going inside? Ease in slowly, angle toward your belly button for the G-spot, and stop if anything hurts.
Cleaning, care and safety
- Respect the water rating when you wash. IPX7 toys like the Starlet 3 and ROMP Reverb can go under water; the IPX5 Come-Hither Rocker is splash-proof only.
- Porous materials need extra care. TPE, TPR and PVC, used in some toys and pumps, need thorough cleaning, full drying and a condom if shared. Latex allergy? Check the listing's materials before you buy.
- One hole at a time. Anal play needs a flared base, and a toy moving from anal to vaginal use needs a wash first.
- Go easy with pumps. Start gentle, keep sessions short and release at any pinching or numbness.
- Talk to your doctor about any pain or bleeding, numbness that doesn't fade, pregnancy, an implant or a medical condition.
Sex toys for women FAQ
What is the best sex toy for women?
There's no single best one: it's whichever matches how you like to be touched. Love external play? Start with a clit sucker or bullet. Like feeling full? Go for a G-spot vibe or rabbit. Our best vibrators for beginners guide narrows it down.
What's a good first sex toy?
A small, simple external toy, like a bullet or a palm-sized clit sucker. It's easy to control and a quick way to learn what you like. The Womanizer Starlet 3, for example, tucks right into a fist.
How many women use sex toys?
In one large US survey, more than half had used a vibrator. Herbenick and colleagues (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2009) found 52.5% of a nationally representative sample of 2,056 US women aged 18 to 60 had used one, and nearly 1 in 4 in the past month.
Can I use sex toys with a partner?
Yes, and plenty are made for it. Slim toys fit between your bodies during sex, remote and app toys let a partner take the controls, and some are designed for two. Talk first, then browse our couples sex toys.
What lube should I use?
Water-based lube, which is safe with every toy material and condoms. Silicone lube can damage silicone toys, so stick to water-based unless the listing says otherwise. Skip oil with latex condoms and soft materials like TPE.
How do I clean my sex toys?
Wash them after every use with warm water and mild soap or toy cleaner, then let them dry fully. Only submerge toys rated IPX7 or sold as fully submersible, and never boil anything with a motor.
Are sex toys safe?
Yes, when they're made from body-safe materials and you use them as directed. Non-porous silicone, ABS plastic, glass and stainless steel are the easiest to keep clean; porous TPE needs extra care and a condom if you share it. Wash after every use, stick to water-based lube and stop if anything hurts.
Want our top picks?
Our 10 best rose toys and clit suckers and 8 best rabbit vibrators guides compare our favorites. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
