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These are the best sex toys of 2020 based on actual testing

Maria Del Russo   

These are the best sex toys of 2020 based on actual testing
  • If you're in the market for a new (or a replacement) sex toy, the sheer number of toys may make you confused about where to start.
  • After some testing and calls to sex educators and doctors, we've rounded up the best sex toys, including vibrators that simulate oral sex to couple's vibrators and cock rings.
  • This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Karen Duncan, an assistant professor with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone, sex educator, Dr. Sadie Allison, PhD, and sexologist and naturopathic doctor, Dr. Jordan Wiggins.

I bought my first sex toy when I was in college and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. The world of internet product reviews wasn't exactly comprehensive, and the pointers that were out there weren't necessarily pointing in the direction of sex toys.

So, I typed "sex toys" into Google, found one that seemed not-so-scary, and ordered it. Though my blind faith ended up working out positively, choosing a sex toy that's right for you doesn't have to be a puzzling experience and the sheer number of choices doesn't need to seem daunting.

The variety even allows you to experiment with several toys until you find one that suits your preference — and the industry isn't just a collection of vibrators, either. There are plenty of quality vibrator options, of course, but there's also a wide variety of other toys designed to cater to everyone. And we did some testing to find which are the best currently available.

Why it's beneficial to your health to be sexually active (with or without a partner)

Before getting into our recommendations, it's important to understand the benefits associated with sex and masturbation. According to Healthline, masturbation may help women and men relieve stress, boost their mood, allow them to sleep better, and relax. For partners, self or mutual masturbation can be a great way to better understand each other's wants and needs and have better sex.

It also has a significant impact on your health. As Dr. Barb DePree, MD and founder of MiddlesexMD, told Business Insider, "vulvovaginal health is maintained or improved with regular stimulation and activity."

"Genital activity promotes blood flow to the area keeping tissues more supple and elastic, and this also enhances the natural secretions that help maintain vaginal health," she said. "Penetrative sexual activity, with or without a partner, helps to maintain vaginal width, length, and tone or as we say vaginal capacity."

This is true for people of all ages, too. DePree mentions that if women in menopause aren't experiencing sexual activity, they're likely to have progressive atrophy of the vagina and labia. Their vagina may also grow shorter and narrower while becoming drier and less elastic.

One way to help this is through self or mutual masturbation — and sex toys, of any form or function, are a great way to do it. Not only do they help maximize stimulation but they're helpful in actually achieving an orgasm.

DePree likens their use to reading glasses saying, "when our vision is impaired, we don't stop reading, we get reading glasses. [Use of sex toys] should be encouraged as not only appropriate, but important to maintaining or regaining sexual health and function."

She continued by putting it more plainly: When our ability to orgasm is impaired, we shouldn't stop enjoying orgasms — we should get a [sex toy].

How we test sex toys

Testing sex toys isn't just about how quickly it allows you to reach orgasm. There are several other features I also considered, including design, battery life and power (where applicable), comfort, and discreteness.

Since sex toys aren't limited to just one gender, I handed off any I was unable to use to friends who told me what they liked (or didn't like) about them. So, whether you're looking for a new toy, or need a replacement for an old favorite, we've done the work to find the best currently available.

Here are the best sex toys:

The best rabbit vibrator

The best rabbit vibrator
Kama Sutra
The Kama Sutra Lavani Vibrator has a sleek design and some seriously intense vibration patterns, along with easy-to-manage controls.

While plenty of rabbit vibrators are hokey looking (complete with a realistic-looking rabbit), the Kama Sutra Lavani Vibrator eschews that norm with a sleek, sophisticated design. It comes in three colors and has an ergonomically-designed tip that's the perfect size for G-spot stimulation.

The vibrating arm that extends from its handle isn't shaped like a rabbit but is instead curved with a flat head, so it lays against your clitoris instead of bouncing on top of it. This allows for more more stimulation than a pair of rabbit ears. The format is also completely bendable, and each arm has its own motor for maximum sensation.

I loved how quickly the Lavani vibrator charged up (which is great since the battery life is just two hours), and how easy it was to cycle through the different vibration patterns and intensities. Unlike other vibes, this one has up and down arrows — handy if you're like me, and you tend to accidentally skip your favorite setting on a regular basis. Instead of having to cycle through each pattern to get to your favorite again, you can just hit the back button and get back to business.

Pros: Easy-to-navigate controls, multiple vibration speeds and patterns, and a sleek design

Cons: Only holds a charge for two hours, and can get a little loud when both motors are going.

The best clitoris vibrator

The best clitoris vibrator
Womanizer
The Womanizer Premium utilizes an innovative air pressure technology for touchless stimulation on your clitoris, giving you the feeling of oral sex without actual suction.

The Womanizer isn't the only clitoris vibrator that uses air pressure to mimic the feeling of oral sex, but I've found that it does do it the best. The ergonomically-designed handle flares at the base, where a little notch sits. All you do is place it over your clitoris so it forms a slight seal, and then turn it on to provide gentle vibrations against your clitoris.

The Womanizer Premium has a battery life of four hours, which is twice as long as most vibrators. It has 12 vibration modes you can cycle through, as well as an innovative autopilot mode. When active, it cycles through every vibration mode at random for a true variable experience.

The one drawback I found was that it needs a decent amount of lube to form a suction. However, once I worked that out, I was good to go. And since the Womanizer is quiet, you won't wake up any roommates while you're playing.

Pros: Innovative air pressure technology and a unique autopilot mode

Cons: It can be difficult to form a seal on your clitoris when not using lube

The best couple's vibrator

The best couple
We-Vibe
The We-Vibe Sync is a wearable vibrator that's slim enough to fit between you and your partner during sex, giving extra clitoris and G-spot stimulation.

Aside from being one of the slimmer couple's vibrators on the market, the We-Vibe Melt is completely flexible, allowing you to adjust it based on your own body's needs. And while it's meant to mainly stimulate both the g-spot and the clitoris, the vibrations are also pleasurable for the penetrating partner, too.

It's designed to be slim enough to work for every couple and every position but can also be used as a self-pleasure toy. The We-Vibe has four different vibration intensities and six vibration patterns.

I liked the fact that it goes beyond the typical three intensities, although it would be great if each arm could be controlled separately. Since it's a couple's toy, it's hard to agree on an intensity that feels good for everyone but its remote control allows you to go back and forth easily, which is always a major win for me.

Another feature I enjoyed about this vibrator is its companion smartphone application. If you're connected to the internet, your partner is able to control it from anywhere in the world — yes, you read that right.

Pros: Great for long-distance couples, super slim and flexible, and can be used for partnered or solo play

Cons: The app can be a little buggy, and you can't control both heads separately

The best handcuffs

The best handcuffs
Unbound Babes
Unbound Cuffies are the ideal cuffs for those new to bondage, thanks to their flexible design and body-safe material.

While cuffs tend to be of the metal or velcro variety, the Unbound Cuffies allow you to play around with bondage without having to deal with knots or keys. These silicone cuffs slip easily on and off your wrists — no keys required.

They're stretchy enough to fit a wide variety of body shapes but are strong enough to not snap if you pull on them a little too hard. Their small, uncomplicated design makes them great to take on a trip or perfect for dipping your toe into bondage.

I was impressed by how strong the Cuffie's silicone was, too. The one drawback is that these take a little breaking in to be truly stretchy, so you might want to try working them a bit before you actually using them. But once they're a little broken in, they restrain your wrists without biting into your skin.

Pros: Soft, flexible design that's easy to use and won't bite into your skin

Cons: Can be a little tough to break in, but once you do, the cuffs are super stretchy

The best cock ring

The best cock ring
Babeland
The Ahoy Cock Ring works in two different ways: It restricts blood flow to the penis and acts as a bumper against too-deep thrusting.

While it doesn't have the bells and whistles of similar cock ring options, the Ahoy Cock Ring is still the best of the bunch. It does exactly what it's meant to do — restricting blood flow to the penis in order to improve stamina.

The Ahoy Cock Ring does this without being too tight or too restricting, too. It slips easily onto your penis with just a dab of lube and stretches to accommodate different sizes. The ring is also outfitted with deep ridges to act as clitoris stimulation while you use it.

But the best part about the Ahoy Cock Ring is that it's thick, so it actually acts as a bumper to prevent too-deep penetration. This makes it ideal for folks whose partners have very sensitive cervix, or for folks with longer-than-average penises.

Pros: A textured band, acts as a bumper to prevent too-deep penetration

Cons: Some may find the thickness a little too intense for regular wear

The best stroker

The best stroker
Tenga
The Tenga Flip Zero has a unique soft cup design, allowing you to control the pressure of your stroker while still getting the benefits of a textured interior.

Most strokers have a fairly familiar design: There's a hard plastic exterior that unscrews at the top for cleaning, and a soft textured interior. The Tenga Flip Zero, however, takes that traditional design and, well, flips it on its head.

The hard plastic exterior is still there, of course, but the Flip Zero has a unique pressure band you're able to press down on, allowing you to control the pressure inside of the thruster. It also has a flip-open design (hence the name) that makes washing and drying a snap.

Regarding the interior, the Tenga is seriously textured, providing a ton of different sensations that change the deeper you thrust. This is one of the larger thrusters, though, so it's not exactly discreet. It does still have a sleek design instead of something anatomically correct, which means if you leave it out, it won't be immediately obvious that the Tenga is a sex toy.

Pros: Easy to clean and to control the pressure of your stroke

Cons: Very large and cumbersome, making it difficult for travel

Best anal plug

Best anal plug
b-Vibe
Whether you're new to anal play or an old pro, the b-Vibe Anal Training Kit & Education Set is perfect for those looking to enjoy anal play the right way.

I've always been a proponent in anal training kits as a go-to plug for anyone — whether you've tried anal play before or not. The b-Vibe kit provides everything you need for anal play and education, including three different sized plugs, ranging from small to large.

Along with the plugs, the b-Vibe Training Kit also has an enema and an internal lube dispenser, as well as a pamphlet teaching you the intimate details of anal play. For something so educational, the plugs themselves also behave like toys on the kinkier side.

While the smaller plug isn't exactly advanced, it is small enough for beginners while the medium and large plugs have a little extra. The medium plug vibrates, which allows you to stimulate your prostate and the larger plug is weighted with two balls for extra fullness. It's almost as if you have three different toys in one, which makes this a seriously variable kit.

The silicone on the plugs is strong, yet flexible, and they slide in easily with the help of the lube dispenser. With the educational pamphlet, you won't mess up your training, too. It allows you to proceed through the steps like an old pro.

Pros: It's an educational set that still behaves like a fun, kinky sex toy

Cons: The lube dispenser can get a little messy

The best budget vibrator

The best budget vibrator
Maude
For under $50, the Maude Vibe provides major stimulation in a sleek, minimal format, making it perfect for newbies and vibrator pros alike.

As someone who tests vibrators for work, I've found few toys as enjoyable and easy on the wallet as the Maude Vibe. At less than $50, it's a steal.

This vibe is sized somewhere between a bullet and a standard-sized buzzer, so it's great for travel. It comes housed in its own duster bag which is big enough for a small bottle of lube and a condom, making it easy for anyone to take on-the-go.

And for those who are overwhelmed by too many vibrating modes, the Maude is delightfully minimal. It has three speeds — slow, medium, and fast — with the fastest speed packing a serious punch. It's small enough that it feels great on your clitoris, but large enough that you can massage other erogenous zones on your body, like your nipples or neck or perineum.

What I really love about the Maude Vibe, though, is how sleek and minimal it is. Lately, vibrators have been moving away from being overtly phallic-shaped, which is perfect for people who don't necessarily want penises involved in their masturbation sessions. This cone-shaped vibe is incredibly discreet and at just $45, it's one of the cheaper vibrators you can buy while still being a quality toy.

Pros: It's minimal, travel-friendly, and well-priced

Cons: Those who love a lot of vibrational patterns may find the Maude Vibe lacking

The best budget anal plugs

The best budget anal plugs
Adam & Eve
With their unique designs and thin silhouettes, Satisfyer Plugs provide serious sensation for just $15.

These Satisfyer Plugs come in a pack of three, and provide a trio of sensations for just $15 — making them a great choice whether you're new to anal play or not. Each plug is made of flexible, hypoallergenic silicone, which is both body-safe and durable.

Since the kit comes with three different plugs, you're able to experiment with variety right out of the box. The duo plug has two bulbs in ascending sizes, starting with a smaller ball up top and flaring into a larger one.

The triple plug provides a similar sensation, but with three plugs in gradual sizes instead of two. These plugs are great for a heavy, full feeling that plug users tend to love, while also working to help train your anus for sex.

The third plug, however, is a corkscrew plug that's great for foreplay, and delivers intense stimulation when you thrust it in and out.

All three of the Satisfyer Plugs are perfectly sized for beginners or intermediate users, too. However, those who have experience with anal play may find them a little on the small size. Just make sure to use plenty of water-based lube and since these plugs are made of silicone, silicone-based lubricants can break them down, causing them to house bacteria — and that's never a good thing.

Pros: Perfectly-sized for beginners, budget-friendly, and super textured

Cons: May be a little small for those more experienced with anal play

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