As sexual taboos are broken down further and further, more people than ever are entering the exciting world of sex toys.
There are so many to choose from – too many for some people in fact, and it can all get a little confusing. If you’re new to the game and are a bit at a loss of what to go for, this article looks at two of the most popular sex toys, dildos and vibrators, listing pros and cons and seeing who they might suit best.
Dildos have been around for literally thousands of years, with examples dating back to 29,000 B.C., so there’s clearly a lot to learn. Read on to dip your feet into a whole new world!
Vibrators
First of all, let’s look at vibrators – what are they? Vibrators are pretty much what they say on the tin – vibrating, pulsing sex toys, which are sometimes designed for internal and sometimes external use.
Commonly they will be designed for external use – as clitoral stimulation is required by over 80% of women to reach orgasm, these types of vibrators will be a great choice for lots of people, providing more specific stimulation than a rather ‘blunt’ dildo.
The vibrator market is massive, currently worth over 6 billion dollars globally and growing at over 10% every year, so they’re clearly something a lot of people enjoy!
Pros
With vibrators, you’ll be shocked – there’s so so much variety! They come in different shapes, sizes, powers, with multiple different modes. A whole lot of creative design has gone into making them, and there’s almost certainly an option out there to suit everyone’s needs.
Another cool thing about vibrators is that they can be remote controlled via apps, for play with partners who live far away.
This can be really nice to enjoy a bit of intimacy which would otherwise be lacking with long distance relationships – it may seem a little strange at first, but you’ll be surprised how fast you can get into it.
They can also be very small, making them ideal travel companions. They’re great for clitoral stimulation – if you find that’s what gets you going, you may prefer them to dildos!
Cons
As they’re often more complex than dildos, there is more to go wrong. Lots of vibrators come with a guarantee, but it’s still a pain if they break.
As they’re more complex and have more technology and design that’s gone into their development, they’re potentially quite expensive! And while they’re small which makes them ideal for travel, the fact that they can be quite loud may put some people off.
Dildos
A dildo is a sex toy designed to be inserted, whether anally, vaginally or orally. They can be in many different shapes (not necessarily penis shaped) and made from multiple materials.
Silicone is common, but as is stainless steel, and even glass. Dildos can be used for masturbation, pegging (where a woman anally penetrates her partner with a strap on) or double ended ones between two women.
Pros
The great thing about dildos is that they’re simple, they don’t need batteries and can’t really go wrong. Whether they’re made from silicone or steel, both are very durable, and if they’re kept clean and dry, they can last a very long time. While they’re often a bit big for travel, they are much quieter than vibrators (silent in fact) which can be nice if you’re in a hotel!
Another nice aspect is that you don’t have to worry about damaging them having fun in the bath – they’re all waterproof, as there are no electrics to break! They come in any manner of sizes, for as deep or shallow penetration if you wish. Often compatible with harnesses, they can be used as strapons, making them great for use with partners.
Cons
As I mentioned above, 80% of women require clitoral stimulation to orgasm, which unfortunately dildos aren’t so well suited for. You can still use your fingers or thumb on one hand while you use the dildo with the other, but it’s more effort!
Dildos are also quite labour intensive – there’s no motor to do the work for you, it’s all powered by your arm and wrist! If you’re travelling and want something small and discreet, dildos are quite often a fair bit bigger than vibrators, making them less of a suitable travel companion.
Homemade?
Lots of people Google search to find possible homemade dildos; while with a little imagination, lots of things could be used, however it’s imperative that whatever is inserted into your body is kept clean, as our orifices are susceptible to bacterial infection. Some people even make cum at home to match their hand-crafted sex toys!
For this reason, it’s perhaps a better idea to buy a specific toy which can be kept in a clean environment and remain nice and safe.
Not all toys are of equal quality though – look at both reviews and for potential allergens, ideally you want something that is free of both phthalates and parabens to ensure that it’s good for your skin and not toxic
Try both
Not sure which to pick? If you’re struggling to make your mind up, there are lots of attachments for dildos which make them vibrate!
Or, you can be a vibrator which can be used as a dildo as well when it’s turned off, like a sizeable rabbit ear vibrator! They both have a good insertable length which can be used for penetration, and rabbit ear which can pulse or vibrate and provide clitoral stimulation.
If you don’t enjoy the vibration, you can turn off the ears, and if you don’t enjoy the penetration, you can use the ears externally!
While some sex toys are certainly expensive, you can also get great quality dildos for not much money at all. The chances are you’ll want to build up a collection of toys, so don’t be afraid about getting it ‘wrong’ the first time around – it’s a deeply personal thing, and an area that deserves lots of exploration.
