Sex toys are made out of 3 basic materials: hard plastic, jelly or silicone. 

Hard plastic vibes tend to be the least expensive as they are the easiest to produce. They also generally have the most power since none of the vibration is absorbed by a soft, squishy exterior. If you’ve never tried a sex toy before, plastic is a good place to start; they’re simple, strong and easy to keep clean.

If you prefer a softer, smoother surface, jelly vibes are a good choice. They come in many different shapes, colours and textures and feel more like “the real thing”. It is imperative that you diligently clean your jelly vibe since its surface is porous and capable of absorbing icky and dangerous bacteria.

There was a recent trend of super-realistic toys made with “skin-like” materials. However, due to their lifelike appearance, they tend to attract dirt and debris at an alarming rate. Many of them also require talc after washing to maintain the surface. You should never put talc inside you! For these reasons, you would do best to avoid anything labeled “Nature Skin” or “Cyber Skin”.

The best and safest material for sex toys is silicone. This miracle substance is used in cookware for its durability, versatility and ease of cleaning. It also creates toys that feel great to the touch. They are non-porous so you don’t have to worry as much about bacterial infections as you would with improperly cleaned jelly toys. Because silicone is relatively new on the market, you will pay more for it than your standard jelly, but the added safety and quality are well worth the money. 

How Much Should I Spend?

If you’re just starting out with toys, you should probably stay on the lower end of the price spectrum until you figure out what you like. You can get a simple hard plastic vibe or metal bullet for as little as $6.95. Jelly vibes are also fairly reasonably priced these days, ranging from $14.95 to over $100 for one with all the bells and whistles. You can find silicone toys for as little as $19.95, but the real quality ones will cost you upwards of $70 to over $150. When it comes to toys, it is generally true that the more you spend, the better quality you’ll get.

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try it out

Unless you’re ordering online, never buy a toy without getting the clerk to open it up for you and put batteries in it so you can try it out. The best way to tell if a vibe has the right power and speed for you in a public setting is to hold it up to the tip of your nose. If you can handle the pulsation on your nose, you’ll like it down there too.