Choosing a Vibrator
There’s nothing like the simple pleasure of a good vibrator. However, choosing a vibrator can be anything but simple. Many people feel overwhelmed by all the options. Which one will bring me the most pleasure? Which one is right for my lifestyle? Which one can I share with a partner? Our Vibrators 101 guide is intended to give you all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision about which vibrator is right for you. Or, maybe we can help “refresh” your memory about all of the options available. Either way, we aim to make choosing a vibrator as stress-free as possible.
Vibrator Basics:
Electric vs. Battery Power
The first and most basic issue to consider when choosing a vibrator is the power source. It might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but the differences in performance between an electric vibrator and a battery-powered vibrator can be significant. Are you looking for a fun, portable toy to experiment with? Or, are you looking for a powerful multi-purpose vibrator that may last for years? Electric vibrators are a great choice if you’re looking for extra power while battery operated vibrators are typically considered portable and convenient.
Electric Vibrators:
Electric vibrators have a reputation for being among the most powerful and reliable sex toys on the market. Extended warranties from the manufacturer are not uncommon. Hitachi, for example, warranties the Hitachi Magic Wand for one year. They also tend to operate on the low end of the vibrator volume scale, which makes them a good option for people who are concerned about noise level. While the benefits of electric vibrators include solid construction, quiet operation and reliability, the downside is that most electric vibrators aren’t as portable as battery-powered vibrators. You can certainly use an electric vibrator in any location that has a wall outlet, but if you’re looking for a vibrator to use outdoors or in any other location without access to a wall socket then a battery powered vibrator would be a better choice.
Battery Powered Vibrators:
If you’re familiar at all with vibrators chances are you’re familiar with battery-powered models. Portability and price have combined to make battery power the most popular choice since the 1930’s. Battery powered vibrators come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and can be used almost anywhere. Certain models are even designed to be waterproof and can be used in the bath, pool, hot tub or any other body of water.
Vibrator Materials
Vibrators are available in a wide variety of materials. Each material has unique characteristics that add functionality and a certain look and feel to the vibrator. Jelly for example is generally soft and flexible, while plastic is usually hard and inflexible. Each material has certain advantages over the other, and choosing the right one for you will enjoy your vibrator for years to come. It is helpful to know the advantages and disadvantages of each before you start shopping.
Plastic:
Plastic is the most traditional vibrator material. Available in a variety of colors, plastic vibrators offer the advantage of powerful vibrations because the hard plastic material transfers vibrations very effectively from the motor to the user. Traditional, slimline and egg vibrators are most commonly made out of plastic, which is a durable and relatively inexpensive material.
Jelly:
Vibrators made from jelly are most often soft, flexible and colorful. Jelly has an advantage over other materials in that it is very easy to mold, color and shape into whatever a designer can imagine. As a result there are a wide variety of colorful, beautifully crafted jelly vibrators to choose from. Jelly is also a very pliable material which contributes to a soft, smooth and supple feel that is unique to jelly vibrators, yet it retains some rigidity. For many people the term “jelly” brings up images of strawberry preserves or a bowl of Jell-O. Jelly sex toys, however, are not as squishy as either of the two. Depending on the model, the “softness” of jelly toys can range anywhere from the consistency of a hard-boiled egg to the consistency of a cold stick of butter (without the grease of course).
Cyberskin:
Cyberskin falls within the realistic materials category. It imitates (as closely as possible) the look and feel of human skin. Cyberskin is soft like skin, warms up to body temperature quickly, and provides an experience that is quite different from materials like metal and plastic. Cyberskin vibrators do have special cleaning requirements — basically no harsh soaps or detergents — and they usually come equipped with a supply of cleaning solution and Cyberskin Renew, which is basically talc.
Glass:
Yes, that’s right. Many people don’t know that glass vibrators exist. They’re usually made of Pyrex, which is extrordanarily tough and damage-resistant type of glass. Glass vibrators typically consist of an outer glass shell that houses a standard vibrator inside. These toys are easy to clean, last a very long time, are often quite beautiful and are usually more expensive than standard vibrators side.
Latex:
If you’re looking for a vibrator that is a bit less lifelike than Cyberskin and a little firmer than jelly (or significantly softer than plastic) then a latex vibrator may be a good choice. Latex vibrators often fall within the “vibrating dildo” category or come as a latex sleeve that fits over a slimline vibrator. Latex is soft but still firm, so the feel is somewhere between a plastic vibrator and a jelly vibrator. Latex lends itself well to skin-tone colors, so many latex vibrators also fall within our “realistic toy” category. If you have an allergic reaction when you come in contact with other latex products you should consider a vibrator from one of the other material categories.
Vibrator Care and Cleaning
Since it’s generally a good idea to clean sex toys after each use, it’s also a good idea to consider the care and cleaning requirements of each type of vibrator before making a final choice. It is relatively easy for water to come in contact with a vibrator’s internal mechanical parts, so vibrator cleaning requires a bit of care and caution. The best way to clean a vibrator is with a specially designed sex toy cleaner like Before & After Adult Toy Cleaner. Not only does Before & After sanitize the surface, but so little liquid is required that the chances of moisture coming in contact with the vibrator’s motor and other moving parts is reduced significantly compared with washing it with soap and water.
The following is a list of solutions that are OK for each type of material.
Plastic – soap and water, rubbing alcohol, sex toy cleaner.
Silicone – soap and water, boiling water, sex toy cleaner.
Jelly – mild soap and water, sex toy cleaner.
Latex– mild soap and water, sex toy cleaner.
Cyberskin – mild soap and water, Cyberskin cleansing solution, sex toy cleaner.
UR3 – mild soap and water, Cyberskin cleansing solution, sex toy cleaner.
Vibrator Volume
Does noise level matter to you? There are some vibrators that are very quiet, and some that are a bit louder. Most models are adjustable, which means that the more you turn it up the louder it gets, and most fall within a standard noise level range. In general, electric vibrators tend to be relatively quiet, producing a soft electric hum. Battery powered vibrators are usually a bit louder, but that will vary from style to style and brand to brand. Battery powered vibrators that are made of hard plastic tend to be a bit louder than ones made of silicone, latex or jelly. This is not always the case – there is certainly no shortage of “very quiet” plastic vibrators. It all depends on the model and how it’s constructed. To help you choose the best vibrator for your particular situation we’ve tested and reported the relative noise level of each of the vibrators in our store so you have an idea of what to expect.
Types of Lubrication
It may be good to know before you buy a vibrator which types of lubrication will work best. Generally, water-based lubes are the preferred choice for vibrators and other adult toys. Water-based lubes won’t damage any of the previously mentioned sex toy materials and they work extremely well. The following is a list of the different varieties of lubrication and which sex toys they are compatible with.
Water-Based Lubrication:
This is the most common form of lubrication used today. Containing mostly water, water-based lubes will not stain your clothes or sheets, are safe with all sex toys, and are often pleasant tasting. Available in both flavored and non-flavored varieties, these lubes are long lasting and easy to clean.
Silicone-Based Lubrication:
Silicone-based lubes are a high-tech version of water-based lube. All the ingredients are the same, except that silicone lubes do not contain any water and are completely waterproof. They also don’t dry out like water-based lubes do so they tend to last longer. Silicone lubricant is safe to use with all sex toys except those made of silicone. If you have a silicone toy, you must use a different type of lubrication.
Oil-Based Lubrication:
Oil-based lubes consist of common oils such as vegetable oil and is not recommended for use with sex toys. Oil-based lubes are OK for masturbation and generally considered safe for consumption, but they often leave an oily residue, can be difficult to wash off your body parts, may stain clothing and have been known to cause infection if allowed to stay in the vagina. Oil-based lubes are not compatible with latex based sex toys, condoms and some latex-based birth control devices.
Petroleum-Based Lubrication:
Petroleum-based lubes are made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly. As their name implies, petroleum-based lubes contain primarily petroleum products. While they are commonly used for masturbation and anal play, petroleum-based lubes tend to stain sheets and clothing and are not easy to wash off hands and other body parts. Petroleum-based lubes include Vaseline, baby oil and K-Y Jelly. It is important to know that Petroleum will dissolve latex, and should not be used with latex toys.
Vibrator Styles and Types:
Traditional Vibrators
When people think of vibrators, this is usually the style that comes to mind. Traditional vibrators are slim, straight, between four and eight inches in length, and are usually made of hard plastic. They are available in many different finishes, including bright colors and metallic. Most traditional vibrators are adjustable, allowing the user full control over the vibration level. The hard plastic outer casing helps maintain the strength of the vibrations by transferring them directly from the motor making them a good choice for people who think they might like the feel of stronger vibrations, but who don’t want to purchase an electric vibrator.
G-Spot Vibrators
G-Spot Vibrators are usually shaped like a traditional vibrator, with the exception that they’re curved at the end to allow contact with the G-Spot. G-Spot vibrators are typically between four and eight inches in length and have a base-mounted vibration controller. If you want to try a G-Spot vibrator, be sure to look for one made of plastic or a firm jelly material so it doesn’t bend when it’s inserted. The best G-Spot orgasms come when you apply firm pressure, so you want to be sure the vibrator can withstand that kind of stress without flexing too much. Each of the G-Spot vibrators in our store is hand-selected and has passed our “flex-test”. G-Spot vibrators, especially ones made of jelly, are available in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and as attachments or “sleeves” that fit over traditional vibrators. G-Spot vibrators very popular and if you want G-Spot stimulation, they’re the way to go.
Clitoral Vibrators
It seems to be a fact of life that many women can only reach orgasm, or prefer the orgasm they have during direct clitoral stimulation. The orgasms achieved by stimulating the clitoris are intense and satisfying, as any orgasm should be. It seems natural, in light of this information, that women have demanded a vibrator that speaks to their needs…a vibrator that offers direct and intense clitoral stimulation…one that leaves them feeling as satisfied, if not more satisfied than manual stimulation.
Enter the category of clitoral vibrators. These vibrators are designed with the clitoris in mind, offering powerful direct clitoral stimulation while the user is free to sit back and enjoy the sensations. Some clitoral vibrators are small and non insertable – designed to stimulate only the clitoris. Some clitoral vibrators offer clitoral stimulation via a small “animal” or attachment on the shaft that reaches the clitoris when the shaft is inserted into the vagina. Neither type is “better” than the other, and each has certain pleasures unique unto itself. Whichever type you prefer, clitoral vibrators offer powerful clitoral stimulation that are just not possible during manual stimulation.
Clitoral-Only:
These are vibrators that were designed to stimulate the clitoris exclusively. They are not usually the best choice for vaginal insertion, and they don’t have fancy shafts adorned with gizmos or gadgets. What they do have are heads, balls or eggs that were designed to stimulate the clitoris. These toys are usually small and compact, making them great for travel, and they don’t usually look like a traditional vibrator. Some of the toys in this category are so non-vibrator looking that If someone were to stumble across it they might not even know what it was.
Electric:
Most electric powered vibrators are designed to stimulate the clitoris. The Hitachi Magic Wand, for example, is a large personal massager that isn’t designed for insertion. Its large head and powerful vibrations are best suited for direct clitoral stimulation. Electric powered vibrators usually double as muscle massagers and are constructed of high quality materials. These vibrators usually come with an extended warranty from the manufacturer and typically last for many years.
Butterfly:
Also known as “venus vibrators” or “hands-free stimulators”, these toys are designed to directly stimulate the clitoris. They are usually small devices about the circumference of a soda can that nestle up to the vagina and clitoris and are held in place by waist or leg straps. Butterfly vibrators are usually designed to resemble an animal, such as a dolphin, hummingbird, rabbit, or of course butterfly, and are quiet and small enough to be worn in public. Many people find that the best thing about butterfly vibrators is that they are virtually hands-free, which leaves the vagina exposed and ready for oral or manual stimulation and most can be worn during intercourse. They are wonderful little vibrators that can be used and enjoyed many different ways.
Eggs:
The egg vibrator is another advancement in vibrator technology. A small egg shaped capsule, usually two inches or so in length houses a powerful vibration motor. These eggs can be used internally or externally and usually come with a remote battery pack that lets you choose between several vibration options and multiple vibration intensity levels. Egg vibrators are in a sense basic, yet they are wonderfully satisfying and are capable of powerful sensations.
Combination:
Also known as multipurpose vibrators, combination vibrators, or “Jack Rabbit” vibrators, these versatile toys are designed with both the clitoris and G-Spot in mind. A clitoral stimulating device, usually resembling an animal such as a rabbit, dolphin, butterfly, or hummingbird is situated on top of the vibrator’s shaft. Usually having it’s own control knob, the vibrating animal works much the same way a butterfly vibrator does. Simply place the animal in contact with your clitoris, adjust the vibrations to the desired level and away you go. The interesting thing about these vibrators is that the clitoral stimulator is designed for use along with the vibrator. So, you insert the shaft until the clitoral stimulator reaches the right spot, turn on any control you wish – whether it’s clitoral vibrations or shaft vibrations or rotations and away you go. It’s also important to note that many dual-action vibrators have rotating shafts and/or rotating pearls in the shaft for added vaginal stimulation. These vibrators really do it all and are worth a look whether you enjoy clitoral stimulation, G-Spot or vaginal stimulation or both.
Anal Vibrators
At first glance one might assume that a vibrator is a vibrator and that they can all be used either vaginally or anally, and that there’s really no need for an anal vibrator category. Not true! While it is true that most vibrators can be inserted into any orifice, it’s not wise to use a regular vibrator anally. The issue, as unbelievable or as funny as it seems, is that vibrators tend to disappear into the anus. The opening is tight, the cavity is endless (unless you’re using a 24 foot vibrator), hands get slippery with lubrication and the anal sphincter muscle contracts rather strongly during orgasm. Add these factors together and you’ve got a recipe for a disappearing vibrator.
Now enter the anal vibrator. It may look like an anal plug, a traditional vibrator, or a dildo. Whatever the shaft is designed to resemble the important factor is that the base is flared or that it’s attached to a retrieval cord. The flare or the cord will prevent your erotic evening from culminating in a trip to the local emergency room. Nothing life threatening, but they might have to work a bit to remove the vibrating apparatus from your rectum.
Hopefully you can see the wisdom in using an anal vibrator for anal play. They’re usually inexpensive, designed to be safe for anal use, and are a lot of fun.
Remote Control Vibrators
Remotely controlled vibrators usually consist of a pair of wearable panties or a thong that contains a small egg-shaped or cylindrical vibrator. Working in a way similar to that of a remote control garage door, one person simply adjusts the vibrations within 40 or 50 feet of the person wearing the unit and the vibration level increases or decreases. Remotely controlled vibrators are designed to operate quietly which makes these toys ideal for the bedroom or other private places as well as out in public. These toys can be a lot of fun and are primarily geared towards couples, although they can just as easily be worn and controlled by the same person.
Combination Vibrators
Combination vibrators are currently very popular. They have the ability to stimulate the vagina like a traditional vibrator as well as stimulate the clitoris and/or the opening of the vagina at the same time. A good example of a combination vibrator is the Jack Rabbit. This is the most recognizable combination vibrator on the market because of it’s popularity and because it was featured on HBO’s “Sex and the City”. It consists of a small “rabbit” perched on top of a pink jelly vibrator shaft. The rabbit is designed to directly stimulate the clitoris and is controlled by a remote battery pack. The shaft, which is also controlled by the remote battery pack, is capable of twisting back and forth and of “rotating” the pearls around in a circular motion, which stimulates the labia and the opening to the vagina. Many women find the combined features of these vibrators to be the perfect recipe for orgasm. They require less work than other toys and the stimulation levels of the clitoral stimulator and the shaft can be adjusted independently to fit your mood. Combination vibrators are usually high quality toys and come in many shapes and sizes. These vibrators are easy to use and are great for both experienced and novice vibrator.
Balls and Beads
These small vibrators are designed to stimulate external areas such as the clitoris, vagina and anus. They are usually attached to a cord with a speed controller at the other end. They make a wonderful clitoral stimulator and as an added benefit can be adjusted to pulse, vibrate, surge and escalate. They are a good choice if you’re looking for direct external stimulation but are not intended for internal use. They can be inserted, but it’s not advisable to continually pull the vibrator out by the cord, which you will undoubtedly do if it’s inserted.
Specialty Vibrators
Some vibrators are made for very specific purposes. They are relatively self explanatory so we will only touch on them briefly. If you are interested in exploring any of them further click on one of the links below.
Waterproof Vibrators:
Waterproof vibrators are designed to be used in the bathtub, hot tub, pool, or any other body of water. The delicate internal electronic parts are sealed in to prevent moisture from entering, and the battery compartment is water tight.
Realistic Vibrators:
Just as their name implies these vibrators are designed to look and feel like the real thing. Whether large, small or somewhere in between, realistic vibrators will amaze you with their skin-like textured surface and their very realistic appearance. Some realistic vibrators are made from lifelike materials such as Cyberskin, which looks and feels very much like human skin, while others are made from silicone or latex rubber, which can be painted or dyed in skin-toned hues. Some people find the look of a realistic vibrator erotic and appealing, while others find pleasure in the feel of advanced skin-like materials. Whatever your preference, there are several high quality models to look at in our online store.