Anal Toys Guide
Anal play has a reputation as an adventurous technique, but today’s toys make it safe and easy to explore an area that’s rich in nerve endings for both men and women. It’s also a gateway to a major pleasure zone for men—the prostate gland. We’ve compiled a list of a few anal toys that make exploration more fun for solo or couple play. Just don’t forget the lube.
| WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN ANAL TOYS | |
|---|---|
| Materials | Two words: nonporous and nontoxic. These types of toys avoid trapping bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and ensures your body doesn’t absorb potentially harmful chemicals. |
| Design | Anal toys should have a smooth, ergonomic design that's easy to insert and control. They also should have a flared base or a loop at the end for easy removal. |
| Lubricant | Always use lube. Never use silicone-based lube with silicone toys. |
| Care Instructions | Clean anal toys after every use. |
Anal Beads
Though they sometimes resemble a piece of jewelry, anal beads are strictly for the bedroom, and they’re a great “intro toy” for beginners. They’re usually made of smooth rubber or silicone, which are gentle and help prevent irritation.
How to Use
If you’re totally new to anal play, find a string that starts very small—maybe no bigger than the tip of your pinky. This will help get you comfortable before you move on to the larger beads at the other end.
Bonus Features
Insert the string bead by bead to increase sensation gradually. Once you’re comfortable using them, try removing the string right at the point of orgasm to intensify the sensation.
Anal Plug
Anal plugs come in a variety of sizes and can be made out of soft jelly rubber or silicone, or hard plastic, glass, or aluminum.
How to Use
Keep a plug in during vaginal sex for a more powerful orgasm. You can also wear them long-term (say over the course of an evening out with your partner) to heighten arousal before intercourse. If you do want to wear it for an extended period of time, make sure you’re still using lubricant and that you pay attention to your body’s signals if it starts to feel uncomfortable.
Bonus Features
To enhance sensation, look for a vibrating plug.
Pro Tip: Always use an anal toy with a flared base for easy removal, and never use something that’s not expressly designed for anal play.
Anal Vibrator
Anal vibrators stimulate nerves in the anus, intensifying sensation. They’re shorter and thinner than regular vibrators, generally measuring 4”–6” long and 0.75”–1.25” wide.
How to Use
Try using it during masturbation or foreplay. Like other anal toys, it will relax the surrounding muscles, getting them ready for penetration.
Bonus Features
Anal vibrators take many shapes, including probes and wands, so explore until you find one that’s most comfortable and stimulating for you.
Anal Dildo
Once the body’s been warmed up with the help of beads or plugs, anal dildos can lead to a new level of pleasure through more intense penetration.
How to Use
Try it out only if you’re experienced in anal play; this one isn’t for newbies. And know that you should only use a dildo that’s specifically made for what you’re attempting. Unlike traditional dildos, anal dildos have a flared base that prevents the rectum’s powerful muscles from drawing it all the way inside your body, which would require a trip to the ER.
Bonus Features
Some have veins or ridges for a more lifelike feel.
Prostate Massager
A prostate massager is a slender toy with a curved tip that targets the prostate gland, located a few inches inside the opening of the anus.
How to Use
The sole purpose of these toys is to stimulate the prostate gland, a.k.a., the P-spot, so choosing a large or wide massager or a small one is completely up to personal preference.
Bonus Features
That part’s easy—prostate massagers typically vibrate and pulsate for extra sensation.
Pro Tip: If you’re using an anal toy with a partner, it’s important to keep communicating with them. Make sure they’re always comfortable, that you’re using enough lube and taking things as slow as they would prefer.
Related Guides
The Guide to Sex Toys for MenFind out how to choose—and how to use—different toys for men. We cover everything from C-rings to love swings to couples vibrators.
Find the Best Lube for YouThe right lubrication can make sex amazing, but how do you choose one? Find the best lube for you and your partner—and learn a few tricks to using it well.
The Guide to Women's ToysThere's more to women's toys than the Magic Wand. We go beyond the vibrator to see what else deserves a place in your nightstand.
The Guide to Women's VibratorsWomen's vibrators come in all shapes and sizes, so it can be hard to figure out what you like. We cut through the buzz to help you find your ideal toy.
