11 Best Dildos We Tested, Approved by Sex-Toy Experts

Figure out how you want to use it. If you’re a beginner, you’re going to want to start with a small, slimmer option. Want to try anal? Make sure your dildo has a flared base so it doesn’t get stuck in your butt. (Don’t worry, we note which ones are anal-safe below.) Want some hands-free fun? Opt for a toy with a strong suction cup, says David Khalili, LMFT, a sex and relationship therapist.

Take into account its size and length. “Think about any penetration experiences that have been pleasurable—or for that matter, too much or not enough—and do your best to guesstimate the size of the fingers, object, penis, or whatever it was that you know you liked or know you didn’t,” Carol Queen, PhD, staff expert at online sex-toy store Good Vibrations, says. While your impulse might just be to buy a larger toy, there’s a chance it won’t feel great unless you know that bigger really does feel better for your body—as in, you’ve enjoyed sex with a partner with a bigger penis.

Consider its material. Silicone is the most popular for its soft, skin-like feel. Notably, silicone dildos should only be used with water-based lube, since silicone-based and oil-based options might actually cause the toy to break apart. Other popular materials include: borosilicate glass; hypoallergenic metal (like stainless-steel and titanium); and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, which is more rigid than silicone. All of these are great for experiments with different sensations. They can also be used with any personal lubricant you like and are easy to clean.

Think about its design and shape. Some dildos are so lifelike; others are colorful, rippled, or even decorated with confetti; and others look more like modern art. Decide which feels most like a turn-on to you. Consider its shape, as well, since some come with curved shafts or heads to make it easier to find and massage the P-spot and G-spot.