Mashable reporters stay up-to-date with the best sex toys

Our vibrator buying guide for beginners: How to choose a sex toy

Either wash your sex toys after use with soap and water and wipe down with a flannel. Where some are more than happy to talk about sex toys with their friends and partner, others still view them as a taboo subject. There’s no shame in either school of thought , but for the curious, it’s important to know what’s what. While the Magic Wand (above) works just fine on its own for penises and vulvas alike, you may as well throw this attachment into your cart along with the wand if you want your (or someone else’s) dick to be enveloped in vibration. I love using this toy on partners because of the intensity of the ridged and beaded texture on the inside; it’s fun to watch someone react to it as I stroke it up and down with the vibration turned on. Brad Garrison, a registered psychotherapist and relationship issues specialist, recommends this for guys who want a toy that’s straightforward and easy to use.

Rabbit vibrators are the sex toy definition of great in theory, forgettable in practice. That’s because as nice as dual stimulation sounds, actually finding a toy that is sized in a way that it actually reaches enough inside you and your clit at the same time is not as easy as you’d think. And that’s not even getting into the fact that merely sticking a few inches of vibrator inside of you doesn’t necessarily give the stimulation you’d hope for. The We-Vibe Tango is “an upgrade to the standard bullet vibrator,” as Mashable culture reporter Anna Iovine puts it. Ditching the batteries allows this bullet vibe to achieve deep, rumbly vibrations, despite being small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Unlike the typical rounded edge, the lipstick-slanted edge of this bullet vibe allows for more stimulating options — the vibe’s three speeds and five patterns also help in this department.

Some vibrators can be really expensive based on the features they offer. For example, long-distance devices and suction toys can cost a couple hundred dollars. While a high-quality, body-safe vibrator shouldn’t be cheap, you also want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Make sure to read the specs so you know you’re making a financially wise decision. If a vibrator only has a battery life of one hour, but it’s going to set you back $200, keep looking. This one attaches to underwear with a handy magnetic clip that keeps the toy anchored where you want it; it’s easily the most secure and reliable of any panty vibe I’ve tested.

The Gigi 2 is waterproof and USB rechargeable and has a run time of up to four hours. Bullet vibrators are generally smaller than rabbit vibrators or wands, which means they are often cheaper and easier to take with you and can be great sex toys for beginners. As always use plenty and lube and remember, bullet vibrators are only for external stimulation. If you are looking for internal stimulation, checkout our list of G-spot vibrators further down on this list. One of our favorite parts of having a body is exploring it, and even if you already know what you like, there’s always room to experiment.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of suction vibrators but don’t want to go over budget, there’s the Satisfyer Pro 2. Indigo Stray Conger, LMFT, a certified sex therapist, previously recommended this popular model to SELF for its lower price vibrator, waterproof design, and intense settings. The long handle and larger buttons make it easy to use, especially for beginners.

Other nonporous sex toy materials like metal and glass are less common in vibrators than they are in dildos, but they are out there. Dildos are the antithesis of your usual vibrator in the best way possible. They don’t intensively vibrate and they’re made for internal pleasure in the first place, so these vibe-free sex toys are practically made for experimentation.

But the Kiiroo’s claim to fame is the way it can integrate with VR porn. If you’ve already got a VR headset and want to really bring your fantasy to fruition, this could be a great investment. Mashable reporters stay up-to-date with the best sex toys, new and old alike, as part of our extensive sex and relationships coverage, which helps us provide you with finely curated lists of our top picks for vibrators. Read more from Mashable about the Maude Vibe in our guides to the best budget sex toys and the most popular vibrators. Vibrators come in all different shapes, sizes, and though they perform the same basic function, vary quite a bit in how they get you there. Finding the best vibrator for you can be a sometimes frustrating process, but is greatly helped by having an understanding of what you’re looking for in your sex toy.