“Hysteria” and the Strange History of Vibrators
Kate Sloan is a writer specializing in sex and kink, who has reviewed hundreds of sex toys in over a decade on the sex beat. She is the author of the books 101 Kinky Things Even You Can Do and 200 Words to Help You Talk About Sexuality & Gender, and cohosts the podcasts The Dildorks and Question Box. “This was the first grinding toy I tried and the one I’d recommend most for strap-on play,” Sparks says. This toy slips over the base of a dildo to provide a little extra padding and stimulation for the person wearing the harness during strap-on sex.
More money typically buys more thoughtful design, a more powerful and durable motor, and body-safe materials. This noiseless vibrator is designed to stimulate your clitoris, which is typically the epicenter of sexual pleasure for people with vaginas — think over 10,000 nerve endings, more sensitive than the head of a penis , etc. Clitoral toys are super-popular for this reason, and Vibe promises a whole new experience.
Not to mention, there are proven mental and sexual health benefits to getting your O, which a good sex toy can all but guarantee. In 2021, there was a study that found subjects who were sexually active (yes, solo play counts as “active”) experienced less anxiety and depression. For a simple but powerful vibe, look no further than this elegantly designed, waterproof model from Dame, which is meant to stay in place during intercourse and provide pleasurable sensations to both partners. While the mechanics of that takes some trial and error, you can’t beat the Eva’s powerful vibrations, which are also lovely for solo play. Though it has a shorter run time and fewer settings than some of the other options on this list, the Eva reminds us that less can be more; its three high-intensity settings are more than sufficient.
Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of pleasure shop Early to Bed, points out that hands-free vibrators can upgrade your pleasure during partnered play, too. “With a partner, toys that you don’t have to hold onto allow you touch and feel your partner and stimulate them simultaneously vibrators,” she says. Plus, since many vulva-owners can’t orgasm from penetration alone, consider hands-free vibrators a strategy for taking the elevator rather than the stairs to climax. This sex toy is designed to be worn beneath your panties, so you can enjoy discreet fun wherever you go. Plus, the wireless range is 30ft, so your partner can control the vibration settings from across the room with the hand-held remote. While many vibrators and sex toys are designed for use on just one part of the body, palm vibrators can be used basically anywhere.
There’s no detail on the site how many intensities there are, but from use, it feels like four, from a hum to a roar. The pulsing mode goes from a slower start/stop to a rapid one the more you press the plus button. When you’re done with your session, you can sync the Lioness with its app (available for iOS and Android).
Like our winning vibrator, this beginner-friendly vibe has a 2-in-1 design, incorporating both a clitoral and G-spot stimulator. Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve tested hundreds of the best vibrators over the years, and there really is a sex toy out there for everyone. As a sex educator and coach, I can personally attest that people are still intimidated by them, however much we tout the dogma of the sacred vibrator. Meet the Puff Compact Suction Vibrator, Unbound’s best-selling suction toy. Compact and easy-to-use, Puff is the perfect partner for all your orgasmic adventures.
With a simple push of a button, your partner can send you pleasure from across the country (or even around the world). Both apps allow for long-distance control with your partner’s phone, so you can play together even when you’re apart. The adjustable height and angle designs allow for the perfect position every time, plus it’s Vac-U-Lock compatible with all of your favorite attachments. This way, you can pilot your own ship or hand over the reins to your partner and let them have control.
I discovered that even the highest of the eight vibration settings is pretty darn moderate—especially as far as wand vibrators are concerned. This is likely because the Vibrato’s head is pretty small, meaning the motor at that end is tinier and less powerful than those in more rumbly options, like the Hitachi Magic Wand. Further, the Vibrato is a rechargeable toy, not a plug-in one, which means it isn’t getting nonstop power from the wall the way some other wand vibes do. Although all vibrators share a common goal of making you climax, different kinds of toys call for various uses. Taylor Nolan, PhD, PlusOne Sexology Expert, tells Allure, “A tongue/oral vibrator is typically used externally on the clitoris; not all are meant for insertion.” she adds.
Whether you prefer a gentle buzz or a more intense pulsation, you’re in control. This customization is key for finding the perfect vibration to soothe aching muscles or relieve stress. With 16 pre-set modes and the ability to create your own custom vibrations, this app provides a personalized relaxation experience.
We also asked about different ways to use the various styles of vibrators, and what to look for when shopping for one. Then we scoured the massive pool of vibrator options (and read tons of reviews) to find the ones that hit a variety of pleasure points, and that can be used alone or as a couple. This vibrator is a good option for anal exploration because of its unique, slim shape, which allows it to be used as a vibrator for vulvas as well as anal play. Users also love that it’s smooth, silky to the touch, and very easy to clean. Don’t let the size of this vibrator fool you — it packs a punch, with six different vibration patterns. And it’s just about silent, making it as discreet as can be in every way.
