\n<\/p>\n
I<\/span> could write here about how almost a fifth of women surveyed by Durex said using a sex toy was the most dependable way for them to climax. Or I could point out how Kinsey Institute research suggests regular masturbation can help relieve and prevent symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal atrophy. I could even tell you that studies demonstrate a significant correlation between intimate toy ownership and greater satisfaction \u2013 not only with sex but also with life itself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n But the potted version is that orgasms and erotic pleasure are glorious, and top-class toys can help you savour more of both. So here are the best vibrators available. Scroll to the bottom to find out how I selected these vibrators from the 53 I tested for this piece.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a multi-award-winning writer, broadcaster and educator with more than two decades of experience specialising in sexual wellbeing and culture. I\u2019ve worked as an expert independent research and development consultant for more than a dozen adult product companies; I\u2019m a board member of the Vagina Museum in London; I\u2019m a campaigner for sexual health and gynaecological charities, including Terrence Higgins Trust and the Eve Appeal; and I helped write many of your favourite characters\u2019 lines about dildos, douching and desire in the hit Netflix series Sex Education. All this means I\u2019m well qualified to assess whether these devices have been crafted decently.<\/p>\n I\u2019m also a freelancer who works from home. I\u2019ll leave it at that.<\/p>\n <\/span>The Satisfyer Air Pump Bunny 1.<\/span><\/p>\n Asking, \u201cWhat\u2019s the best sex toy?\u201d is a bit like asking, \u201cWhat\u2019s the best tool?\u201d: a plethora exists, and selecting the most suitable one is influenced by what you want it to do. Here, I\u2019ve examined three popular styles of vibrators.<\/p>\n Bullets Wands Rabbits Best bullet vibrator overall<\/strong><\/em>:<\/em> \u00a379 at We-Vibe The original Tango came out about 15 years ago, and it\u2019s consistently remained so high up in expert rankings that by this stage it might have altitude sickness.<\/p>\n Why we love it<\/strong> This latest incarnation features a silicone grip to make it less slippery to hold, while the business end remains hard and glossy. There\u2019s nothing to muffle the vibrations: they\u2019re full-on and focused, which is exactly<\/em> what tickles many people\u2019s pickles. Others may find the feeling too \u201csharp\u201d, however.<\/p>\n Three separate buttons to increase\/decrease power and change pulse patterns make it easy to find the exact output to suit you. There\u2019s excellent variety between the settings, the lowest of which is more a brisk twitch than a vibration. Plus, a travel lock means you won\u2019t have to trot out the \u201cit must be my electric toothbrush!\u201d line when your handbag starts humming.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the magnetic charger can be accidentally knocked off its connections, but it\u2019s more hygienic than a lead that needs to plug into a hole in the toy.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> eight Best <\/strong><\/em>bullet for innovation:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a349.95 at Hot Octopuss<\/p>\n Another tiny yet mighty toy that, given its petite dimensions, is a powerful rumbler. Hot Octopuss is a skilled inventor: its suite of ingenious toys includes Pulse \u2013 the world\u2019s first \u201cGuybrator\u201d that can induce orgasms from a flaccid penis as well as an erect one, proving a boon for cancer survivors, disabled people and others with erectile difficulties.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the battery life isn\u2019t better, and the payoff of the inventive contours is that the AMO can\u2019t be inserted into strap-ons, dildos or other toys that rely on a standard-shape bullet.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> six Best <\/strong><\/em>sustainable bullet:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a399.99 at Veo<\/p>\n If you want to feel the earth move without harming the planet, Love Not War is your friend with benefits. Its Maya bullet is made from recycled aluminium in a hydroelectric-powered factory, and minimally packaged in a brown cardboard box printed with soy ink. <\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026<\/strong> at more than \u00a350 a pop, amassing a collection of heads will cost you a pretty penny \u2013 although the brand will plant a tree for each one sold.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> four Best soft <\/strong><\/em>and sensual option:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a344.95 at Boots Bullets are often designed to treat the genitals like a game of darts: if the clitoris is the bullseye, they aim to hit it dead on. The Firefighter instead approaches stimulation more like a curling match: gently brushing, sweeping and edging towards a climax.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026<\/strong> it only comes in pink. The Surfer, another Smile Makers bullet, is a refreshingly unusual zesty orange.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> four Best <\/strong><\/em>budget bullet<\/strong><\/em>: \u00a35.50 at Rocks Off Rocks Off makes a whole shooting range of cheap-and-cheerful battery-powered bullets. Take your pick of pointed, rounded, angled or lipstick-shaped tip; select a slick gloss, powdery matt or silicone finish; and choose from more colours than the fabric of Joseph\u2019s Dreamcoat, including one that changes from purple to pink in response to body heat.<\/p>\n Why we love it Hats off to Rocks Off as well for its four-year collaboration with disability charity Enhance The UK to develop a truly accessible toy range, Quest. A 5% share of sales from that collection goes back to the charity.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026<\/strong> single-button controls mean you have to cycle all the way through speeds\/pulses to change them. I also question how the shiny metallic finishes might stand up to long-term cleaning.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> three Best rabbit vibrator overall<\/strong><\/em>:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a399 at Je Joue The Hera Flex is such a good problem-solver, it could probably win an algebra contest. <\/strong>Since everyone\u2019s anatomy is different and distances between vaginas and clitorises vary, a frequent dilemma with rabbits is that once the shaft is inserted, the external stimulator doesn\u2019t quite rest on the right spot. Many toys are too rigid to allow sufficient bending and angle adjustment to solve this issue.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>there\u2019s a bit of a jump between the first two power levels. A steadier climb would be preferable. The squishiness of the Hera Flex won\u2019t suit folks who prefer firmer pressure on their hotspots, either. But as so often in the world of sex toys, that\u2019s rather like saying, \u201cpeople who prefer raspberries shouldn\u2019t choose this banana\u201d; it\u2019s a question of taste, rather than a product being bad.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> five Best for temperature titillation:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a379.99 at Lovehoney<\/p>\n If you just want to use this toy as an old-school rabbit, it\u2019s a solid choice \u2026 but it also has new-fangled tricks up its sleeve.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the power is perfectly acceptable, but not perfect for the power-hungry.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> three Best <\/strong><\/em>for air pulse stimulation:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a3189 at Womanizer Admittedly, this looks more like something Star Trek\u2019s Captain Picard should be at the helm of than a conventional rabbit. Rather than stimulating the clitoris with vibrations, the Duo 2 uses pulses of air to create a throbbing, sucking effect. Womanizer was the first to introduce this technology to the adult market in 2014, when it represented one of the most groundbreaking innovations in years.<\/p>\n Why we love it An Autopilot mode alternates between surprise pulse patterns and intensities to prevent masturbation from becoming predictable, while the Afterglow setting helps you gradually wind down post-climax, rather than simply switching off.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the shape takes getting used to, and there are now more intuitive (and affordable) suction and vibration rabbit toys available. That said, I believe the Duo 2 is worth mastering due to its god-tier-level exclusive features.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> 14 Best <\/strong><\/em>for an innovative shaft:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a335.37 at Satisfyer Satisfyer is known for two things. First, making excellent-quality, more affordable \u201cdupes\u201d of aspirational high-end sex toys \u2013 almost like an Aldi version of Lelo and co. Second, and in contrast to the first, rolling out vast <\/em>multitudes of its own novel inventions, including this Air Pump Bunny.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>it makes a noise like a car tyre inflator while it\u2019s pumping up, and sounds like your vagina is sighing mournfully as it deflates. Put the stereo on, because this toy\u2019s noises make for an inappropriate and distressing lovemaking soundtrack.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> five skip past newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: <\/strong>Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.<\/span><\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n Best <\/strong><\/em>sustainable <\/strong><\/em>rabbit:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a394.95 at the Natural Love Company<\/p>\n In the past, eco-friendly toys have been well-intentioned yet disappointingly ineffectual, and with an unattractively hippy vibe. There was a wind-up vibrator that required eight minutes of hand-cranking and looked like something you\u2019d find in an army medical tent, and a solar-powered bullet that had to stay attached to its charging panel to work. But now the Natural Love Company is making beautiful, talented toys, with eco credentials, including the incorporation of reclaimed ocean plastics and carbon-neutral delivery.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the crevices around the clitoral stimulating nub need extra attention to keep clean and bacteria-free between uses.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> three Best <\/strong><\/em>new<\/strong><\/em> animal:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a397.74 at Boots A new animal enters the scene, with an ingenious take on how to tackle those pesky rabbit problems. Instead of bunny ears, the Snail Vibe Curve has a vibrating spiral \u201cshell\u201d that rests externally on the clitoris. As you insert the internal shaft, this shell unrolls to maintain constant clitoral contact \u2013 check out the videos on Snail Vibe\u2019s website to see what I mean. You can enjoy penetration that\u2019s as shallow or deep as you wish or thrust the toy back and forth, without the clitoral stimulator slipping out of place.<\/p>\n The Snail has received a glow-up for its Curve edition, with a ribbed texture applied to the shell; magnetic charging; and most usefully, the addition of a looped handle for easier handling. It has two pleasingly throbby motors on the shell and shaft, which can be independently controlled to fine-tune your experience, inside and out. It takes a while to find your way around a toy this curious, but the payoff is worthwhile.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>the buttons are a fraction fiddly, and don\u2019t think about trombones during use or you won\u2019t be able to stop laughing.<\/p>\n Speeds:<\/strong> five for each motor Best budget rabbit:<\/strong><\/em> \u00a345.99 at Bondara<\/p>\n An aesthetic homage to the popular Lelo Soraya 2 that costs significantly less. The Screwball looks like a far posher, better-bred rabbit than it is, and it performs eyebrow-raisingly well for the price point.<\/p>\n Why we love it It\u2019s a shame that \u2026 <\/strong>Bondara recommends that the Screwball isn\u2019t left plugged in for more than four hours, to avoid impairing the battery over time. That\u2019s a pest if you want to charge overnight (or while you\u2019re at work). I wonder if this drawback might be applicable to a bunch of rechargeable sex toys, however, and other brands just aren\u2019t as diligent about warning us?<\/p>\nAt a glance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Why you should trust me<\/h2>\n
Types of vibrator<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Small, versatile vibrators for external use only. They\u2019re primarily designed for targeted clitoral stimulation but can be used to tickle nipples, glide up the insides of thighs, or take on a tour practically anywhere on the body (except inside the anus \u2013 that\u2019s not safe).<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Large vibrators with broad heads, again for external use only. Wands deliver the most powerful vibrations over a wide area \u2013 this sector is where you\u2019ll find the most bone-shaking master blasters on the market. Fantastic for people who need intense stimulation, and good for deep body massage, too.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>These vibrators have two parts: an insertable shaft, designed to stimulate inside the vaginal canal and excite the G-spot, and an external head that stimulates the clitoris. This \u201cdual stimulation\u201d is intended to provoke a \u201cblended orgasm\u201d: a climax induced by mixing multiple forms of simultaneously delivered sensation.<\/p>\nThe best bullet vibrators<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>We-Vibe Tango X<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a379.99 at Sinful<\/p>\n
Its Goat status is justified: while many bullets offer \u201cbuzzy\u201d, high-frequency vibrations that don\u2019t travel far into the body, the Tango is satisfyingly \u201crumbly\u201d for its size, providing additional lower-frequency stimulation that carries deeper into tissues and awakens more nerve endings. It packs a lot of oomph into its small size.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> seven
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> two hours
Charge time: <\/strong>one hour and 30 minutes
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty:<\/strong> two years<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Hot Octopuss AMO<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>AMO\u2019s ingenuity is in the way it\u2019s sculpted, with a pointy tip for pinpoint pleasure; a broader head on the opposite side for more diffuse vibrations; and a fin-like profile for nestling lengthways between labia. It\u2019s made of silky silicone, which \u2013 unlike tougher plastics \u2013 won\u2019t hurt or slide around if you press down on it to apply extra pressure.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> five
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> 40 minutes
Charge time: <\/strong>two to three hours
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty:<\/strong> one year<\/p>\n
Love Not War Maya<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Seven different screw-on heads are sold separately to convert the bullet into, say, a rabbit or a G-spot probe. Interchangeable efforts I\u2019ve tried in the past have suffered from insufficiently strong motors, so they haven\u2019t been able to successfully transmit vibrations throughout each attachment, especially longer\/larger ones. Love Not War is mounting an admirable battle against that challenge, however.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> seven
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> one hour
Charge time: <\/strong>two hours
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty:<\/strong> Love Not War will repair toys to keep them alive for as long as possible<\/p>\n
Smile Makers The Firefighter<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a349.95 at Beauty Bay<\/p>\n
<\/strong>The fluttering, flickering flame-shaped head will suit those who prefer a slow, delicate buildup before switching to the more traditional, targeted \u201cpointy finger\u201d part of the toy.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> two
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> three hours
Charge time: <\/strong>two to two-and-a-half hours
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty:<\/strong> two years<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>The Rocks Off <\/strong>RO-90<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a315.95 at Amazon<\/p>\n
<\/strong>It\u2019s a fair amount of bang for very few bucks. I singled out the RO-90 as my best budget buy because the AAA battery it takes is much easier to source than the N-size variety inside the smaller RO-80 model. The slightly longer shaft makes it better suited to use for penetrative play, too, if that\u2019s your bag.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> seven
Power:<\/strong> 1 x AAA battery
Run time:<\/strong> three hours 30 minutes
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty:<\/strong> two years<\/p>\nThe best rabbit vibrators<\/h2>\n
Je Joue Hera Flex<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a3109 at SheSpot<\/p>\n
<\/strong>This Je Joue genius solves that: it\u2019s as flexible as a yoga master and both parts of it are poseable, allowing you to easily customise how it curves to fit your bits. Another irritating rabbit habit is that the \u201cears\u201d intended to tickle either side of the clitoris can pinch, poke or catch against sensitive flesh, depending on how your body happens to be built. Here, the Hera is a hero once more, replacing the traditional bunny head with a plush, spongy, smooth \u201cthumb\u201d. If you\u2019re someone with a more frilly clitoral hood or labia that gets painfully pulled by rabbit ears, this could be a real thumbs up. A quality, thoughtfully re-engineered rabbit reboot.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> seven
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> one hour
Charge time: <\/strong>one hour and 30 minutes
Warranty: <\/strong>one year<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Lovehoney Glow Bunny<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>The temperature-play plate on the top of the shaft heats to 38C in less than two minutes, feeling almost like a warm tongue, and swiftly cools to 18C, giving a whole new meaning to \u201cNetflix and chill\u201d. I imagine the cold setting could be particularly enticing during sweltering summer nights, and it works nicely for nipple play, too.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> four
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> one hour
Charge time: <\/strong>three hours
<\/strong>Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty: <\/strong>100 days<\/p>\n
Womanizer D<\/strong>uo 2<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>\u00a3189 at Boots<\/p>\n
<\/strong>The firm continues to be a pioneer. This toy boasts multiple proprietary features, including \u201cSmart Silence\u201d: it will only turn on when in contact with skin. This means the battery life is preserved, and<\/em> you don\u2019t have to fumble to switch it off in a panic if your intimacy is interrupted.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> 10
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run<\/strong> time:<\/strong> two hours
Charge time: <\/strong>two hours
<\/strong>Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty: <\/strong>five years<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Satisfyer Air Pump Bunny 1<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>\u00a339.97 at Amazon<\/p>\n
<\/strong>It sports an inflatable shaft that can be enlarged by up to 15mm in diameter at the touch of a button, producing a \u201cfilling\u201d sensation that some find mind-blowing. This could be just the ticket if your orgasm is intensified by the presence of a girthy internal toy, giving your vaginal muscles something to clench around as the waves of climax hit (more common than is discussed), especially if you need to build up to having something wide inside you. Magnetic charging, smart buttons and a walloping 15-year warranty show this toy is more than just hot air.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> seven
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> one hour
Charge time: <\/strong>two hours and 30 minutes
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty: <\/strong>15 years<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Natural Love Company Senna<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>I was intrigued to check out the Senna after being impressed by the Yarrow: a willow-green rabbit with a thrusting head that\u2019s far more graceful-looking than this kind of gadget has any right to be. The Senna\u2019s undulating shaft mimics a \u201ccome hither\u201d motion, with swirling beads beneath a buttery-soft silicone covering, while the rabbit ears have been swapped for a little pulsating bean. It\u2019s another winner that\u2019ll give your knees the hippy shakes.<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> seven
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run<\/strong> time:<\/strong> one hour
Charge time: <\/strong>two hours
<\/strong>Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty: <\/strong>one year<\/p>\n
Snail Vibe Curve<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>\u00a3119.99 at Love Honey<\/p>\n
Vibe patterns:<\/strong> five for each motor
Power:<\/strong> rechargeable
Run time:<\/strong> one hour
Charge time: <\/strong>two hours
Waterproof:<\/strong> yes
Warranty: <\/strong>two years<\/p>\n
Bondara <\/strong>Screwball <\/strong>Mon <\/strong>Amour <\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>With separate motors driving the ears and shaft, it revs very respectably, and its controls can be locked for travel by pressing and holding the + and \u2013 buttons for three seconds. The hoop handle is intended for users to loop their fingers through, so their thumb rests naturally on the controls, but you could also thread silky bondage rope through it for \u2026 reasons.<\/p>\n