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Nov 04, 2023

15 Best Sex Toys of 2023

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Your sexual health is

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Your sexual health is important, and these additions in the bedroom can make all the difference.

Getting frisky is fun, but when you need a little more “mmm, ahhh,” there’s a sex toy for that. You can find spicy tools to fit any vibe — vibrating, fluttering, suction-y, to name just a few. And while solo pleasure might be what you automatically think sex toys are best for, consider playing with your partner, too.

Here are the best sex toys for solo play and couples.

“Sex toys are designed to enhance sexual pleasure, and when sex is more pleasurable, people tend to have a more consistent and higher sexual desire. Maintaining sexual desire is what a lot of couples want to achieve, especially long-term ones who may have seen a dip in that area,” says sex and relationship expert Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, Ph.D, professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton and host of the Luvbites by Dr. Tara Podcast. “They can also enhance emotional bonds when they lead to more orgasms — orgasms produce more oxytocin, the ‘bonding hormone.’”

When you’re ready to introduce toys into couple sex, have an open and honest chat about it. “Frame it as an idea or invitation so that it doesn’t come off as a critique,” explains Rachel Zar, LMFT, CST, a relationship and sex therapist at Spark Chicago Therapy and Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine & Menopause. “Keep it positive, and focus on how it could make both of you feel really good."

At the end of this guide, you'll also find the answers to some of your biggest questions around choosing the right sexy toy as well as caring for your sex toys and potential benefits that might surprise you.

When you're in the mood for a vibration-less good time, consider a dildo, which will mimic an erect penis. This one is a reasonable size in length and girth, and it has a suction at the bottom that allows you to switch things up and bounce your way to orgasm. You can also attach it to a harness.

REVIEW: "I’m new to toys in the bedroom, so this surprised and delighted me. Will definitely be using again and again."

For most women, the clitoris is the gateway to orgasm — and this toy is made specifically for that pleasure part. Instead of vibration, it arouses and ramps you up through a rotating SpiroTip with eight speeds. It also comes with a two-year warranty.

REVIEW: "I bought this on a whim, and it was my best purchase this year. What an amazing toy — the vibrations are intense and focused, but not in a 'burning your clit off' kind of way like some others."

Stimulate your G-spot and your clitoris at the same time for a mind-blowing climax. A rabbit vibrator like this rumbles inside of you while pulsing your clitoris too. With 10 different vibration patterns, the pleasure possibilities are endless.

REVIEW: "If you are looking to finish, this is definitely a good toy to go with. I usually find it difficult to climax, but this toy got me there within a few short minutes. I've now accessed new pleasure and become more empowered in my body."

Introducing hands-free vibration during sex can enhance things for both you and your partner, and this is a good first option for people who haven't experimented with wearable toys before (it may feel snug at first). It also has a low battery indicator, so there are no mid-sex surprises. Just slip it on your partner or a strap-on.

REVIEW: "Soft, silky, very stretchy and powerful. I could feel the vibrations everywhere. You can do all kinds of things with it."

Vibration isn't the only way to make your clitoris happy. This uses air technology for a suction-like effect, similar to what you may enjoy during oral partner sex. Get frisky with six intensity levels, and four patterns, and travel in comfort by knowing it has a travel lock function to avoid accidental buzzing!

REVIEW: "Every girl should have one, and I’ve told all my friends to get one ordered. Great texture and color and it's waterproof!"

Sometimes, you might have the urge to reach your peak solo, but with the vibe of partner sex, and this toy is perfect for that. It excites you with a thrusting or thumping motion, similar to when you're enjoying the real thing. Its hands-free capabilities mean you have the freedom to stimulate yourself elsewhere, too, for an extra pleasurable experience.

REVIEW: "I love it! It is the perfect size, length and weight for me, and hits the spot every time. Pro-tip: Lots of lube will bring your sessions next level."

One way to jack up the fun is to give your partner control, and this app-controlled vibrator is a great option, especially for long distance partners. You give your partner access to the app, then let them pulse you to climax by stimulating your clitoris and G-spot. "Be sure to set boundaries to help the person who's in the more dominant role know what’s expected of them," says Zar.

REVIEW: "Amazing design, comfortable fit. Highly-recommend to feel close with a loved one even if they're miles and miles away!"

This mainstay of the sex toy world is still just as popular and effective as when it first launched back in the '60s. Now you can find this compact, cordless version that delivers vibrations that really cater to your clitoris. It also comes with a one-year warranty. "Discovering what helps you orgasm contributes to your sexual confidence and boosts your sexual desire, which is great for your personal sense of sexual self as well as sex with your partner," says Suwinyattichaiporn.

REVIEW: "This is my favorite — it will make you scream and curl your toes, and still have a free hand."

This bullet vibrator is ideal for travel — it's the perfect size to discreetly stash in your luggage, and it runs on an AA battery (included), so no need to worry about wrangling another charging cord.

REVIEW: "This is a great little toy to have not only for foreplay — it also works great in the shower. It has become my favorite, and comes with a few different pulse vibrations to choose from."

If you're just dipping your toes in the sex-toy pool, this is a very good option. It's easy to use, and versatile with 10 vibration settings, making it great for exploring what feels good to you — try it on your breasts, rest it against your clitoris or slide it inside. Plus, it won't break the bank!

REVIEW: "Being new to using an item like this, I wanted something user-friendly/simple. The simplicity alone is great, one button, and the touch of the material is so smooth. Easy to clean and store! It will bring that perfect feeling every time, no matter the situation. I orgasmed so quickly, I was in shock."

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.

REVIEW: "It's my first anal toy, and it has been wonderful! I have used it with my partner, and it has been one of the most pleasurable experiences I remember. Perfect size."

For those who enjoy versatility, this vibrator features one non-vibrating side and one vibrating side — both great for vaginal and anal pleasure. It looks luxurious, and you can play with three vibration patterns and three power levels. "Pleasure and orgasm are really good for you because they release hormones that reduce stress and anxiety," says Zar. "Variety is good for both solo sex and relationships as a whole."

REVIEW: "I’ve never had an orgasm until I bought this vibrator. I love how simple it is, I love that there’s only three speed options, and I love that I can stimulate both outside and inside, in one toy."

The nipples are very sensitive, so showing them some attention can be an exciting way to bring more pleasure to solo or partner sex. This is super lightweight, so you can really focus on the sensations, and there are five modes to find your ideal intensity. And don't be afraid to explore beyond the breasts — try tickling around the vulva or penis to see what feels good.

REVIEW: "I love using it for nipple stimulation, getting ticklish feelings all over, and definitely for clitoral and broader vulva stimulation. The thin silicone is so flexible and opens up many options that traditional toys just can't do. The long thin handle makes it very easy to use with a partner in many positions too."

For those days when you want to jump straight to the big O, a bullet vibrator is clutch. This three-speed one is no frills — it's a quiet, pretty and discreet way to achieve a climax. "No matter your gender, sexuality or relationship status, I recommend masturbation to almost every one of my clients. It's self-love and self-care, and introducing sex toys can seriously up the ante," says Rachel Wright, LMFT, an NYC-based relationship, sex and mental health therapist.

REVIEW: "This simple, compact device is small and easy to use, but also gets the job done. Love its sleek build and vibrant color."

The easy-to-grip ergonomic design means all of your attention can go to getting off. Wrap your fingers around it, and send vibrations coursing through you and your partner. "Adding anything that can enhance your communication with your partner is helpful and can also improve intimacy. When we talk about what feels good, how to better please and try new things, we bond," Wright says.

REVIEW: "This makes you feel good in all the right places, and since it's so easy to hold, you can really get lost in the moment."

We talked to health experts to find out how sex toys can enhance solo and partner pleasure, as well as our overall health. We also asked about different ways to use sex toys, and what to look for when shopping. Then we scoured the massive pool of sex toy options (and read tons of reviews) to find the ones that hit a variety of pleasure points, and that can be used alone or as a couple.

✔️ Pleasure points: To avoid ending up with a pile of abandoned toys, spend some time figuring out what pleasure points you want to hit, and consider testing them out alone first. “Sexual meditation is a great practice for being in the moment, and it can allow you to get comfortable using new sex toys before introducing them to a partner,” says Suwinyattichaiporn.

✔️ Goal: Think about if you want something that targets your clitoris for a better or easier orgasm, a toy that you and a partner can use together or something that allows you to explore new types of sex.

✔️ Materials: Non-porous materials like medical-grade silicone or ABS plastic are ideal for external toys. They can also work for internal toys, as can stainless steel, borosilicate glass or porcelain. Bottom line, you just want to make sure it's safe and easy to clean. If you're not sure about allergies, avoid: jelly, rubber, PVC and vinyl, the latter of which can also contain phthalates.

Knowing the best ways to clean and store sex toys can help keep them effective and last longer.

Sex toys can do more than just help you enjoy a good sex life. “Sexual health is a really important factor in your overall health and wellbeing from a physical, mental, emotional and relational perspective," says Zar.

Sex also naturally evolves as you get older — hormonal changes during menopause may cause libido to slump, change your sensitivities or make orgasm harder to achieve — but sex toys can often be the helping hand you need to experience sex the way you’ve always enjoyed it, or bring a whole new level of joy to it, whether you experiment alone or in tandem. “Masturbation allows you to lean into pleasure—what makes you orgasm, what your body responds to — and this will enhance partner sex too,” Zar adds.

Alyssa Jung is a senior editor for the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she has written research-backed health content for Prevention, Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day since 2017.

She has more than 13 years of reporting and editing experience and previously worked as research chief at Reader’s Digest, where she was responsible for the website's health vertical as well as editing health content for the print magazine. She has also written for Chowhound, HealthiNation.com, Huffington Post and more.

For this story, she interviewed four experts, researched dozens of sex toys online, tested many herself and read through hundreds of online user reviews to pick the best of the best.

Alyssa is a senior editor for the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she has written research-backed health content for Prevention, Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day since 2017. She has more than 13 years of reporting and editing experience and previously worked as research chief at Reader’s Digest, where she was responsible for the website's health vertical as well as editing health content for the print magazine. She has also written for Chowhound, HealthiNation.com, Huffington Post and more.

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