Best vibrators 2023: good, great, and orgasmic
“Some like to tap [external vibrators] back and forth on the glans, clitoral shaft, and labia,” Juliana Hauser, PhD, a Lexington, Kentucky-based marriage and family therapist, previously told Allure. You always want to buy a toy made with body-safe materials like stainless steel, silicone, and borosilicate glass. Silicone toys are the most popular but always remember to pair them with water-based lube to avoid breaking down the material. 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.
But staring across the room at the new Godin Connaisseur MJ, glowing in soft spring sunlight, I kept thinking about two very classic American guitar companies. Martin and Rickenbacker are famous for very different things, and one of them rarely made acoustic instruments. But check out the Godin’s sunburst finish—it sure reminds me of Rickenbackerfireglo. The herringbone-patterned purling evokes that found on a D-28 as well as Rickenbacker’s checkerboard binding. There are practical reasons that this Godin feels like an alternate-universe offspring from the two American companies—most notably the super-satisfying playability.
There are plenty of suction vibrators out there, including popular picks like the Satisfyer Pro 2 that are cheaper than the $129 Poet. This versatility will require a bit more patience in figuring out how to make this vibe work for you, but that’s par for the course with many a suction toy. This new model lets you take the ecstasy of the OG Hitachi anywhere while delivering the same legendary power of its predecessor. It’s got four different vibration speeds for its firm silicone head viberator, a four-speed selector switch that lets you control its intensity, and a light display so you can see what level you’re on.
On the other hand, vibrators range from wand massager options that focus on erogenous zones to girthy finds made specifically hitting your G-spot—and everything in between (we’re talking about you, rabbit vibes). In case you’re a pulsator connoisseur who wants something extra, there are sex toys that combine suction and vibrations like Womanizer’s OG Pleasure Air G-Spot Stimulator. The palm-sized Satisfyer Purple Pleasure vibrator hits the sweet spot as a high-quality, basic vibrator available at a significantly lower price than the competition. The oval shape of the vibrator is excellent for focused clitoral stimulation, and the device is small enough to be convenient for travel and for partner play. The toy is made from soft, easy-to-clean silicone, and the vibrations are powerful. This Satisfyer vibrator is a fantastic starter toy at a bargain price, especially considering its 15-year warranty (which applies to purchases made through the company’s website).
In cases of anorgasmia or low libido, a tried-and-true toy such as the Magic Wand may be preferable. If you can’t get the Magic Wand Rechargeable—or you prefer a corded toy—the Magic Wand Plus offers similar features at a lower price. Some remote controlled vibrators can be paired, so you experience the same sensations at the same time. Though remote controlled sex toys have tons of potential purposes, they are commonly used in four main situations. So basically, human genitals are pretty tough, but if it hurts, don’t do it. Keep lines of communication open with your partner if you’re playing together.
Whether you’re looking for a vibrator that can blend seamlessly with the decor of your bedroom or are just looking for a more out-of-the-ordinary device for your collection—you have options. The Crave Vesper is both of those things, with its long, sleek body that has multiple settings (including gentle and oscillating) for external use. “In addition to being easy-to-use, Vesper provides an aesthetic jewelry experience,” says Ti Chang, VP of Design and co-founder of Crave. If you like to engage in a little backdoor action, check out this beginner-friendly butt plug designed specifically for people with vulvas. It’s slim with an asymmetric base that won’t block the vaginal opening, and the curved tulip shape guides penises or toys toward the G-spot. Some are curved or have bulbous ends for G-spot stimulation, like the Lovehoney G-Slim G-Spot Vibrator ($20, Lovehoney).
German brand Fun Factory makes some of the best-engineered vibes on the market, which is why this rabbit is so damn good. Its ultra-powerful dual motors serve up deep, thrumming vibration to both the G-spot and the clit (or to the prostate and perineum, if used anally). The flexibility of its external arm allows it to move with you when you thrust the toy—and thrusting is a breeze with this vibe, because of its looped handle.
You can personalise the experience to your liking and create your own pleasure masterpiece. For those especially squeamish around sex toys, Fin from Dame Products is the ultimate toy for beginners. It literally turns your hand into a vibrator, giving you one less thing to think about during playtime. You place the little vibrator between your fingers, and put the strap over them. “Suction and air pulse toys depend on the movement of air, rather than the movement of the motor, to create the sensations felt on the body ,” Finn says.
Although this vibrator offers powerful vibrations for its small size, our testers found it to be a bit noisy compared with other models and tricky to clean around the edges of the swiveling head. Before the Lelo Dot, we recommended the Zumio S as our pick for precise stimulation. We still love the stimulation that this toy provides, but we have encountered some issues with battery longevity during long-term testing.
It may not be groundbreaking for experienced sex toy users, with one panel member describing the functionality as “lacking”. Still, it’s an excellent choice if you’re at the beginning of your vibrator journey, or you’re just after something that requires minimal effort after a long day at work. Pick up this aesthetically pleasing pink device for a double dose of fun.
