It’s no surprise that the best vibrators are some of the most popular sex toys around. The power that a great vibrator brings to the table (for men, women, and everyone else) can turn a standard sex or masturbation session into a mind-blowing one. An orgasm-by-vibrator can feel stronger and deeper, and that’s because, in some ways, it is.
“Vibrators are great tools because they encourage blood flow and engage our nerve endings,” explains Lisa Finn, a sex educator and marketing director for Babeland. “The stimulation that vibes provide can be targeted and direct, or broad and diffused, and those vibrations will travel deeper than the surface of the skin to stimulate hot spots like the internal clitoris, G-spot, or P-spot.”
While vibrators have historically been—and remain—one of the best sex toys for women, men can also benefit—whether by taking the controls, or getting some prostate or perineum stimulation. Vibrators are also helpful when dealing with sensitivity issues that make it hard for you to feel pleasure or reach orgasm, such as being on antidepressants, which can tamp down sensation. An orgasm isn’t a cure, but a vibrator might be just the thing to push you over the edge and at least put a smile on your face.
The Best Vibrators, at a Glance
Shaking in your boots (or wish you were shaking)? Get all the vibrators you want for every single one of your needs.
The Best Beginner’s Vibrator: First Time G-Spot Tulip
Why you’ll like it: If you’re looking to get your first vibrator and are not even sure if you’ll like vibration, an inexpensive and versatile toy like the First Time G-Spot Tulip is a great way to find out. This toy is surprisingly strong for its price point and has a dial instead of buttons, so you get more precise control over the vibration strength. Its shape makes it well-suited for rumbling against either the clit or the G-spot, among other pleasurable zones. This vibrator is not rechargeable and requires a pair of AA batteries for operation.
The Best Bullet Vibrator: We-Vibe Tango X
Why you’ll like it: “This is my desert island vibrator,” Finn says. “The angled tip is great for really getting pin-point precision and focusing vibration right where you want it – and despite the size, this thing can pack a serious punch.” It’s also waterproof, so you can take it in the bath or shower for some relaxing “self-care” time. The whisper-quiet vibrations make it perfect for some discreet play, and its ergonomic design makes it just an overall pleasure to use.
The Best G-Spot Vibrator: Lelo Mona 2
Why you’ll like it: Lelo’s Mona 2 is like a dildo on steroids. The contoured shape and upward curve of this vibrator help it make a beeline for your G-spot once it’s inserted. Naturally, its deep vibrations feel fantastic on that spot, but you can also mix things up and use this toy for clit stimulation when you want to. The Mona 2 has six vibration modes, and its length makes for some pleasurable internal stimulation.
The Best Wand Vibrator: Magic Wand Rechargeable
Why you’ll like it: There’s a reason the Magic Wand is one of the world’s most famous vibrators—it really is that good. This newer rechargeable version, a best-seller for Hitachi, has all the “oomph” of the original, plus two lower settings that’ll make it more agreeable for users who prefer gentler sensations. Try it alone or with a partner—just be prepared to get creative with positioning, ‘cause this thing is big. You can use the Magic Wand while it’s plugged into the charger, but it’s still good to use for some cordless action. “The long handle helps with reach from a variety of positions, and the broad head provides a powerful rumbly vibration that penetrates deep into the body,” Finn says.
The Best Rabbit Vibrator: We-Vibe Nova 2
Why you’ll like it: This is more than just a clitoral vibrator: With one external arm that hits the clit and one internal arm that targets G-spot stimulation, this innovative vibrator serves up a double whammy of sensation. The soft silicone arms have some flexibility to them, so you can even thrust the toy in and out and it won’t lose contact with your clit. The high-quality vibrator uses a USB-rechargeable battery, and it even comes with a sample of We-Vibe’s water-based lube for immediate fun straight out of the box.
The Best Couples’ Vibrator: We-Vibe Jive 2
Why you’ll like it: We-Vibe’s Jive 2 is a must-have for one of our contributors, Francky Knapp, who says that it packs more versatility than you might expect from your average G-spot egg vibrator. As she says, “It’s great for foreplay, and a blast to keep in during anal sex with a penis-endowed partner. It helps me achieve what I can only describe as IMAX screen-level, Michael Bay blockbuster-worthy ass-gasms. Plus, my partner says he can feel the vibrations from inside my ass on his shaft which is horny and trippy.” The toy can also be used from a short distance via a physical remote if you are, say, across the room watching your partner cook dinner; it can also be used from another continent entirely thanks to its app-enabled remote control feature. As Knapp says, “It’s pretty sick to have your partner control the intensity of your vibrations when you’re at home, chilling, and they’re eating fish at a tapas bar in Spain or taking out the trash at their uncle’s house in Bakersfield. The possibilities are endless.
The Best Vibrator for Penises: Fun Factory Manta
Why you’ll like it: This award-winning toy’s soft, flexible silicone “wings” wrap around your shaft, encircling it in rumbly vibrations. You can hold the Manta in one place (like on the super-sensitive frenulum) or stroke it up and down the shaft to give yourself or your partner a next-level handjob. Plus, its powerful vibrations also feel phenomenal when paired with oral sex, and you can enjoy minimal cleanup in comparison with other male strokers that require you to clean out the chamber of the vibrator, as with a Fleshlight.
The Best Vibrating Butt Plug: Playboy Pleasure Spinning Tail Teaser Butt Plug
Why you’ll like it: That’s right, folks: Playboy finally started making sex toys (and they rock). The legacy brand of all things horny has been collaborating with the sex toy genies over at Lovers to come up with an entire smorgasbord of glass dildos and powerful vibrators, including this high-tech spinning (yes, spinning) anal vibrator. The plug is another favorite of Knapp, who says that the toy might be a little too girthy for someone who is new to anal, but that once you lube it up, it slips in with ease. “The toy has powerful, rumbly vibrations that feel incredible,” she says. “If you’re using it on a partner with a prostate, its ability to rotate and vibrate at the same time makes for an epic P-spot-stimulation experience, too.”
The Best Riding and Grinding Vibrator: Cute Little Fuckers Starsi
Why you’ll like it: Cute Little Fuckers (CLF) is a queer-owned sex toy company, and one of the most inclusive brands out there when it comes to making vibrators for every gender and body type. Consider Starsi, the flexible starfish-like vibrator that has become a bestseller on the site for its ability to be humped, grinded upon, and easily nestled in the owner’s hand for ergonomic use over all kinds of erogenous zones. As the CLF team explains, “Starsi’s arched back provides wide, smooth sensations. If you prefer pinpoint sensation, each tentacle tip vibrates at a unique intensity, allowing you to discover the perfect vibration for your body.” This sexy starfish is equipped with five vibration speeds and five patterns, and it is, fittingly, waterproof. In fact, you can even remove the electronic portion of the toy and boil it for a deep clean.
The Best Mini Wand Vibrator: Magic Wand Micro
Why you’ll like it: Full-size wand vibrators can be tough to fit between bodies during sex, so if that’s what you’re after—but you still want a lot of power—consider a mini wand vibe. They can scoot into smaller spaces and help you feel closer together when using a vibe, plus they’re easier to hold. This vibe is also a favorite of Knapp’s. “It’s so impossibly tiny, yet so mind-blowingly powerful,” she says. “It really made me rethink the importance of size when it comes to wand vibrators, especially if what you’re after is not necessarily a long vibe, but a powerful one.” The 4.5-inch long vibrator packs strong, rumbly vibrations and its three speeds and four patterns are easy to explore via the device’s simple two-button design.
The Best Vibrating Dildo: PlusOne Luxe Ripple Multi-Vibe
Why you’ll like it: Dildos and vibrators go together like peanut butter and jelly—but with this toy, you get both in one. There are multiple motors inside its shaft, so it serves up a decent amount of power. And the Luxe Ripple’s flared base makes it anal-safe and harness-compatible, for even more versatility. (There’s even a suction cup on the base so you can use it hands-free.) Owners liked how simple it was to use, particularly since it can do so much. “This product from plusOne really surprised me in a positive way,” one reviewer writes. “It’s intuitively crafted and the multiple vibration patterns it offers [are] sure to suit just about anyone’s preferences!”
The Most Versatile External Vibrator: Dame Pom
Why you’ll like it: Many vibrators are made with a specific body part in mind, but the Pom is down to work anywhere you want it to: clit, nipples, frenulum, perineum, balls, and anywhere else you can think of. The almost kidney-like shape feels really natural when cupped in the palm of your hand in a way that the vibrations start to feel like an extension of your touch. Users love that flexibility. “This is a powerhouse,” one reviewer on the Dame website wrote. “Great to use alone and great to use with a partner. I couldn’t be happier.”
The Best Vibrating Cock Ring: We-Vibe Pivot
Why you’ll like it: Cock rings squeeze around the base of the penis, making it easier to achieve and maintain a strong erection. And that’s just before the party starts. The addition of vibration makes everything more pleasurable for the wearer and a partner, since those vibrations can also rub up against a partner’s clit or perineum during penetrative sex. We-Vibe’s Pivot is a top-of-the-line vibrating cock ring, with super-smooth silicone and easy-to-control vibrations that you can ramp up to some serious strength. “The motor on this thing is incredible,” one Babeland reviewer wriotes. “Easily surpassed every other motor on a cock ring available.”
The Best Prostate-Stimulating Vibrator: Lelo Hugo 2 Remote
Why you’ll like it: Prostate orgasms rock, no question about it. As we explain in this article about P-spot stimulation, “You know how when you typically ejaculate, it feels great—and localized to your genital area? That’s beginner’s stuff. When you get off with a prostate massager inside you, you feel it everywhere. We’re talking left pinky toe and right eyeball.” That’s why copping the right prostate vibrator is important for those taking their first, gaping steps into ass-gasms, and where the luxury Swedish sex toy brand Lelo comes into play. The company is celebrated for its high-quality sex toys, which are always made with silky, body-safe silicone, are fully rechargeable, and hella powerful. Consider the Hugo 2 Remote vibe, which is a new-and-improved version of the brand’s iconic Hugo prostate vibe, and which has double the horsepower of the original model. Hugo 2 includes eight different settings that range from a slight tickle to a heavy-duty pounding, and the vibrator is endowed with not only remote control abilities but haptic technology. In other words, the more you rock back and forth on its flared base, the more intense the vibrations. That’s a hell of a lot of bang for your buck.
The Best Panty Vibrator: Lovense Ferri
The fun you can have with a panty vibe is limited only by your imagination and the toy’s battery life; this type of vibe is popular for discreet public play (say, on a dinner date, or while strolling through the park), although you can certainly use them in more private settings too. 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. Its hands-free vibrations can be controlled via Bluetooth using the Lovense app, which also allows you to pass the controls to a partner, whether they’re located halfway around the world or lying right next to you in bed.
The Best Clitoral Suction Vibrator: Womanizer Premium 2
Clit-sucker toys are hugely popular, and this is one of the sleekest models on the market, with its elegantly ergonomic shape, silky-smooth silicone construction, and wide array of settings. My favorite feature might be “autopilot mode,” though, in which the toy calls the shots, taking you on a dynamic pleasure journey that’s almost as good as oral sex from an actual human. As one Lovehoney reviewer put it: “This is mind-blowing. Orgasms one after another!”
The Best Finger Vibrator: Fun Factory Be·One
If you’ve ever worried that a vibrator could feel obtrusive or annoying during sex, consider trying a finger vibe like this one – they upgrade your regular fingering technique by adding some vibration into the mix, and they don’t get in the way like some larger vibes can. This one fits nearly-effortlessly between two fingers, and is great for focusing vibration onto sensitive hotspots like the clit, nipples, or taint. I love this toy as someone who has chronic pain in my hands, because it’s easy for me to keep a grip on, even when my pain is flaring up. It’s an especially travel-friendly vibe, too, due to its compact size, its convenient travel-lock function, and the storage case it comes with.
The Best Discreet Vibrator: Lelo Nea 3
“Lelo’s Nea 3 is the perfect vibrator for someone who wants discreet, powerful, external stimulation,” says sex therapist Leigh Noren. Indeed, it looks more like an objet d’art than a sex toy, and is small enough to fit in pretty much any bag or pocket, so it’s a great pick for those who need discretion. Its gently curved shape allows it to slot neatly between bodies during sex. While it’s designed mainly for clitoral use, you can also try this one on the nipples, labia, balls, taint, or frenulum.
The Most Unique Vibrator: Fun Factory Volta
German sex toy company Fun Factory has always pioneered interesting sex toy shapes, and the Volta is a prime example. It features two silicone wings that tremble back and forth as they vibrate, creating an unusual fluttery sensation. Its design can work for a wide range of body parts; for instance, you can press its vibrating tips against the frenulum of a penis or slide a clit between its (well-lubed) wings. It can even be used to enhance oral sex – try it on your partner’s labia or taint while you’re going down on them. “This vibrator solves my issue with most vibrators, which is that the vibration is too strong/concentrated to be able to use for long,” one Amazon reviewer said. “This thing distributes the vibrations and can be used in several different ways without overstimulating.”
The Best Vibrating Stroker: Lovense Max 2
This stroker is so high-tech, it makes a standard Fleshlight look like a lubed-up toilet paper roll. The Lovense Max offers not only a pleasurably textured interior, but also vibration that surrounds your dick, and rhythmic contractions that squeeze and massage it. It’s one of my favorite toys to use with my long-distance partner, because I can control their whole experience from the Lovense app on my phone – including creating unique vibration patterns and even syncing the vibrations to music.
The Best Lay-On Vibrator: Womanizer Vibe
This vibrator is ideal for people who like to get off in a “prone” position (i.e. lying face-down), because it’s made for you to lay on top of it and grind against it. Its pleasantly low-pitched vibrations and contoured “Pleasure Edges” make it feel good whether you’re using it solo or during partnered sex. Notably, it also might be the quietest vibrator I’ve ever tried, in over a decade of reviewing sex toys professionally, so if you need a toy that’ll be completely inaudible to any roommates, etc., definitely consider this one!
What to Look For in a Vibrator
With all the thousands of vibrators on the market, it can be tough to know what to look for, so here’s a handy breakdown of three qualities any vibrator worth its salt should have.
Since the sex toy industry is unregulated, unsafe and irritating materials unfortunately run rampant. You’ll want to look for materials that are non-porous and free of phthalates (a toxic plasticizer found in some sex toys). For vibrators, usually this means silicone and ABS plastic, although some other body-safe sex toy materials include glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and properly sealed wood.
Think about how you plan on using your vibrator—which body part(s) you want it to work for, which sex position(s) or sex act(s) you want it to fit into, and so on—and then choose a vibrator shape that works for those purposes. For example, you may want a small vibrator if you plan on using it during penetrative sex, and any vibe you’ll be using anally should have a flared base so it doesn’t get lost inside you.
Few things are more disappointing than receiving a new sex toy only to discover that it doesn’t work for you. One way to reduce the odds of this happening is to buy a vibe that has at least 5 different intensity settings, so that (hopefully) even if some of them don’t work for you, others will. Some vibrators also have patterns, such as pulsing or wave-like vibrations, which can make the toy even more versatile.
Types of Vibrators
While companies seem to invent interesting new vibrator shapes every year, there are a few key vibrator categories that are classics for a reason—why reinvent the wheel (or the wand)? Here are some of them.
Originally used as muscle massagers, wand-style vibrators can certainly help you, uh, relieve some tension. These toys tend to be big and heavy, so they may not be right for all positions and sex acts, but they usually make up for their bulkiness with sheer power. If you need (or want) a lot of stimulation to get off, a great wand is your best bet, whether it’s rechargeable or plugs into the wall.
This petite style of vibe, as its name suggests, is small and shaped like a bullet. These are useful for stimulating any external spot that likes vibration, and can fit into small spaces between bodies, making them ideal for pairing with penetrative sex or using with a dildo or strap-on. Usually these vibes are on the weaker side, because their limited size makes it hard to cram a high-powered motor inside, but there are some exceptions.
Like bullet vibes, these are usually designed for external use, but finger vibes are different because they have some kind of strap or other feature that attaches them to your finger(s). These are some of the least obtrusive vibrators on the market, because they can make it feel like you’re just touching your partner with your fingers, which happen to be vibrating. They’re typically not the most powerful, but their versatility and ease of use make up for that.
The G-spot, the P-spot, the A-spot—no matter which internal spot you’re looking to stimulate, there’s probably an insertable vibrator that’s up to the task. These are usually longer than vibes meant for external use, so they can hit those erogenous zones. Often, they’ll have a curve that helps them target sensitive areas more effectively. And as mentioned above, vibrators intended for anal insertion should always have a flared base, for safety reasons.
Rabbit (or dual-stimulation) vibrator
As seen in a memorable episode of Sex and the City, these vibrators have two “arms”: one for insertion, typically designed to hit the G-spot, and one that sits outside the body on the clitoris. This combo of sensations can be almost overwhelmingly pleasurable, and can lead to some great blended orgasms. Other types of dual-stimulation vibrators are increasingly available too, including some meant for anal use which pleasure both the prostate and the perineum at the same time.
