This two-in-one toy has a dildo at one end and a rose at the

A beginners guide to sex toys

If your vibrator comes with a physical remote control, that’s probably the easiest way to get started. Just turn on the vibrator and hold down the power button on the remote until it reaches the intensity level you want. Well, few are deeper or darker than one that awaits when you compare the virtues, shortcomings, and construction peculiarities of Big Muffs. And studying real, audible differences among Big Muff variants is fun.

Or, you can angle the arms to provide more pinpointed stimulation wherever you want it. One SELF editor called the compact Maude Vibe the “sex toy I didn’t know I needed.” Its slim, elongated body lets you use it like an extension of your finger, with a tapered tip that targets the clit. This simple, whisper-quiet vibe has three intensities that ramp up from fluttery to “eye-poppingly powerful,” she says. That original vibe had a long body that could enter the vagina, with rabbit “ears” that stimulated the clit. Some rabbit vibes today have preserved this signature style—because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Others have replaced the “ears” with shorter arms that curve towards the clit or suction mechanisms.

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 viberator, to create the sensations felt on the body,” Finn says.

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).

Knowing the best ways to clean and store sex toys can help keep them effective and last longer. This two-in-one toy has a dildo at one end and a rose at the other that simulates tongue-licking. There are nine different settings for vibrating, thrusting and licking so you’re sure to find the right vibration to get your buzz on. For some extra excitement, you can even have your partner control the toy using the smartphone app. Deliver pleasure exactly where you want it with this finger vibrator. It’s got 10 vibration modes and even a heating function so you never have to have a cold device touching your intimate areas.