Best sex toys for women: Take pleasure into your own hands

See how the Maude Vibe compares with other budget-friendly sex toys.

If you're looking into buying your first sex toy, you've likely realized you have a lot of options. While sex toys are something that really come down to personal preference, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better all-around sex toy than the Maude Vibe, especially at this price point. You get choice, but won't be overwhelmed by it, with three vibration intensities and the option to use the toy both internally and externally. All you need to do to change the intensity is click the same button you use to turn the toy on and off (this is especially important for when things are getting hot n' heavy). It's stylish, great for solo and partner use, and even has a travel-mode so you won't have to worry about any suspicious buzzing. Let's just say, there's a reason it's a favorite vibrator of Mashable culture reporters Jess Joho and Anna Iovine. 

More from Culture Reporter Jess Joho: 

"Without sacrificing uniqueness or quality, its single-button functionality leaves no room for fumbling error in the moment. A minimalist yet striking design, powerful yet discrete motors, practical yet luxurious feel, the Vibe is so inviting I found myself reaching for it more often than toys that cost triple its price."

See how the Lelo Ina Wave compares to other high-tech sex toys.

Rabbit vibrators are supposed to be the go-to way for simultaneous G-spot and clitoral stimulation, but if there's one rabbit that stands (hops?) out amongst the rest, it's the Lelo Ina Wave, thanks to three game-changing words — wave motion technology.

The wave motion describes that "come hither" motion that has made many people with vaginas go, "Oh, I do in fact have a G-spot." So we love that there's a toy capable of doing that, along with providing that oh-so-nice buzzy stimulation to your clit. If you're into mixing it up, this vibe comes with 10 different vibration patterns. Plus, this toy is 100% waterproof (hello, most relaxing bath of your life). 

Maybe you'll experience that elusive blended climax, or maybe you'll just feel really, really good inside and out — in any case, if you're in the market for a rabbit vibrator, we highly recommend the Ina Wave.

More from Culture Reporter Jess Joho: 

"Wooooo boy. After bad experiences with particularly Lelo’s claims of 'new' 'patented' 'sensation' 'technology,' (hello Ora II) I was ready for their Wave line to at best disappoint and at worst destroy my insides. But the 'come hither' motion tech, combined with one of the best dual-stimulation rabbits around, was well worth the hype and price."

Read more about why the Crave Vesper Vibrator Necklace is great for beginners.

There's a lot of ways to use a vibrator, but there's a reason that good old fashioned clitoral stimulation is one of the most popular. For a classic vibrator that gets that, and will get you off, look no further than the Crave Vesper.

The design is both fairly standard and unique. It's standard in the way it's not any sort of crazy shape, but unique in that it's elegant simplicity allows you to wear it as necklace without garnering any odd looks (there's also a gold and rose gold version if you prefer not to rock silver). That simplicity carries over to this vibrator's functionality — just one button is needed to turn it on, switch through the three vibration intensities and two patterns, and turn it back off. 

The slim design makes it great for targeted stimulation and for taking on the go, although you might want to bring along your charger just in case — the battery only lasts about 40 minutes. The discreet cherry to top it all off is that this vibe is whisper quiet.

More from Culture Reporter Jess Joho: 

"Break the sex toy taboo with a gorgeous necklace that's also a pinpoint clitoral stimulator designed to get you off wherever and whenever you want. Wearing the Vesper turns your shame into an unapologetic pride. While not the most powerful, it's perfect for those nervous about introducing toys into partnered sex since unscrewing it from your necklace is sexier than fumbling for one in your bedside table."

Read our full review on the Unbound Pep.

Finding a sex toy with a budget price tag and that doesn't skimp on quality can feel risky, but the Unbound Pep promises quality, value, and functionality (plus it's cute as hell). In other words, you can feel good knowing that you didn't break the bank and that this vibrator is completely safe to use on, in, and around your genitals (and wherever else you like to use it) on the regs. 

This wallet-friendly vibrator still has the features of a pricier option — it's waterproof and has five vibration intensities and three vibration patterns. If you're a newbie, Pep's manual does a great job of breaking down those different patterns and intensities, but if you're an old pro, this vibe's three-button interface makes finding that just-right setting fairly intuitive. The soft egg shape of this vibe also allows you to experiment with pinpointed and target vibrations. 

Also unlike other cheap vibrators, turning it on won't give every soul in a five-mile radius an audio cue that you're about to have some much deserved you-time. 

More from Culture Reporter Anna Iovine: 

"While there's no technical break-down of Pep's speeds, the toy revs up as much as bigger vibrators in my arsenal do. Intensities two and three (medium-low intensity and medium intensity, respectively) were enough to get me over the edge, but there are numerous intensities and patterns to cycle through when using Pep; there's lots of room to explore. Pep's body is pretty "squishy," so it feels good on even the most sensitive areas."

See how the Womanizer Premium compares to other popular vibrators.

This just in: there are sex toys other than vibrators that are worth your time during a solo sesh, and the Womanizer Premium is definitely one of them. This clitoral stimulator uses air pulsation (or suction) to get you where you need to go. It may be a bit tricky to line up at first, but once you do, you definitely go. The autopilot mode on this toy makes the going even better, as it switches between the 12 intensities automatically, while you sit back and relax.

Our reviewer doesn't even really vibe with (no pun intended) suction toys, and she was still willing to sing this one's praises (seriously, check out the excerpt below). Will it cost you a pretty penny? Yes. But this is a powerful, quiet, and frankly, artistic-looking toy that'll deliver on what it promises — a very, very good time. 

More from Culture Reporter Anna Iovine: 

"Yes, the Womanizer is a suction toy, meaning it's not this writer's favorite. Regardless, I found that the Womanizer Premium is user friendly and powerful, especially on the higher notches. Its shape is easy to handle, and it's not bad to look at either. With 12 intensity levels, there's something for everyone, and I didn't get near the top intensity in order to climax."

Read more about the Dame Fin.

The Dame Fin is basically like the sexiest ring ever, not because it's a particularly stylish piece of jewelry, but because it gives you vibrator fingers. This unobtrusive bullet vibe slides right on your two fingers, and you can adjust it to get the right angle and mobility. While obviously that's a wonderful innovation for any solo sesh, it is low-key revolutionary for using with a partner. 

While there are plenty of bullet vibes out there, the Fin's ring-like design makes it very, very easy for you (or your partner) to reach down and use a vibrator on you during penetration or foreplay. Like, let's take a moment to marvel at the fact that we live in a time where we can have vibrator fingers that can make sex more pleasurable for everyone involved. 

Admittedly, it doesn't have the longest battery life and it won't be the most intense vibrator out there (though it is a bit on the louder side), but for use during intercourse, it might be just be exactly what you and your partner have been looking for.

Editor's note: Product information has been synthesized from a review previously published on Mashable.

More from Culture Reporter Jess Joho: 

"In a word: life-changing. The simple genius of the Fin is that it puts the power of a bullet between your fingers, making it seamless to use in any position during penetrative sex and one of the best toys for closing the orgasm gap. Despite access to countless other vibrators 4 times more expensive, I dubbed Fin 'old faithful,' cause I could always count on it like clockwork to deliver a geyser-level explosion."

Read the full review of the b-vibe Snug Plug.

No matter how excited you may feel to dive right in, one of the cardinal rules of anal play is to ease in at your own pace, beginner or not. You know, slow but steady wins the race and all that. That's why we think the b-Vibe Snug Plug, which comes in six different size and weight options (with slightly varying prices), is one of the best butt plugs out there.

This plug is made with a soft, body-safe silicone (you should always use a water-based lube with silicone toys) and a shape that's easy to maneuver by yourself or with a partner. Though it doesn't vibrate, this toy is weighted, with the smallest size at 55 grams and the largest at 515 grams. That weight provides a pressure and fullness which are some of the most sought after feelings when it comes to using butt plugs. Whether used alone or paired with other toys, this plug is a great way to experience some unique sensations. And as an added bonus, you'll also receive an educational guide for anal training, with information that'll likely be useful to most users.

More from Culture Reporter Jess Joho:

"What stands out most about b-Vibe is how beginner-friendly its overall approach is. Aside from having escalating sizes that accommodate all experience levels and are ideal for anal-training (which they offer in an awesome bundle) their educational guides include detailed instructions as well as common questions and advice for a great anal experience. The weighted Snug Plug, while more expensive, brings a feeling of fullness that adds pressure stimulation." 

See where the Hitachi Magic Wand Rechargeable falls on our list of the most popular vibrators.

We know this probably isn't your first time coming across this wand, but look — the Hitachi is a classic for a reason. 

A quick breakdown of what this wand can do: it's got four vibration patterns, four intensities, and lasts for three hours on single charge (though it will automatically turn off after 20 minutes of consistent to cool down a bit). Unlike the original Hitachi, it's cordless, so you want have to worry about finding a strategically placed outlet.

Basically, it's a fairly standard vibrator, but chances are, if you're using a wand anyways, you're not looking for a groundbreaking sex toy. Though it's a little noisy and is quite large, those are both par for the course for this type of toy. Don't let standard design fool you though — the Hitachi is great for use all over, including on both vulvas and penises (and it really does work as a nice back massager). While at the end of the day everybody has their own preferences, we gotta say — it makes sense the Hitachi Magic Wand has been popular for over 50 years. And who doesn't love a bit of reliability in their sex toy collection? 

More from Culture Reporter Anna Iovine: 

"There's no fuss and no sophisticated design, but who cares? The Magic Wand is durable and reliable, with multiple settings that'll achieve the sought-after orgasm it's known for. Given its size and the lack of a travel pouch, the wand isn't the best toy for travel — but for a solo or partnered date at home, it's perfect (dare I say, magic)."

See how the We-Vibe sync compares to other high-tech sex toys.

Any sort of hands-free vibrator situation can be fun, but being able to hand control of those vibrations over to a partner can be really, really fun. That's why we're grateful the We-Vibe sync exists.

This vibrator fits in your body to give both clitoral and g-spot stimulation (who doesn't love a two-for-one?). Your partner can adjust the intensity and patterns of the vibrations with the included remote or via the We-Connect app that allows you to control the vibe from anywhere, a feature that's especially useful for long-distance boos. You should be aware though — Bluetooth is still a relatively new area for sex toys and that comes with some connectivity issues that this toy isn't exempt from. So while you can use it really wherever (including in the shower and bath), you might want to limit any public usage until the Bluetooth issues are ironed out, and stick to remote usage whenever possible. 

More from Culture Reporter Jess Joho: 

"One of the top-rated couples wearables, the Sync innovates with a U-shaped design that actually delivers on dual clitoral and g-spot stimulation during penetration — unlike many others of its ilk. Some reviews fault it for not staying in place, but it fit my configurations perfectly and was one of the only toys to truly get me woke to the joys of this g-spot thing I kept hearing everyone rave about. But pro tip: don’t even think about using the app during sex or public play, and opt instead for the remote."

Read our full review of Enby 2.

Hump it, grind on it, curl it up, wear it in a harness, or put it between two bodies. No, we're not pitching a sexy adult Bop-It. We're just listing some of the ways you can use Wild Flower's Enby 2. 

Immediately from its appearance, you can just tell this sex toy was built different. This mermaid fin shaped toy can be twisted, curled, or laid flat so you can use it in all the wonderful ways you can think of. It works well for solo use, partner play, in the shower, in your bed, on some pillows, standing up — literally, wherever and however you may like it. As for the vibrations, let's just say you'll definitely feel it. 

If you're curious about the name, it actually comes from the term "NB," meaning nonbinary, which aptly suits this toy that can be used on every body, regardless of gender, making it a very appealing choice for straight and queer women alike.

More from Culture Reporter Anna Iovine:

"For such a versatile toy, the price is on point. [Y]ou're almost getting multiple toys in one. I'll be real, I love my wand vibrators, but they don't have anywhere close to the variety of the Enby 2 — and they're pricier and bulkier to boot."

Read our full review of the Luna Massage Wand.

It's always a good idea to be suspicious of cheap sex toys, especially if they're sold at Amazon(opens in a new tab). The Luna Massage Wand(opens in a new tab) is the exception to that rule.

We know we already deemed the Magic Wand as the best wand vibrator on this very list. But the corded version of the Magic Wand can run you $70 and up. While we think it's well worth it, we also don't think anyone in want of a wand vibrator should have to shell out big. That's why we're fans of the Luna.

Though it's listed at $40, it's not difficult to find at least one of the nine colors in $25-range. That low price doesn't mean you're skimping on quality. The Luna wand is made of medical-grade silicone, it's rechargeable, waterproof, and it comes with a bunch of different vibration modes and speeds. Yes, it can get tedious searching through them all for your perfect setting, but having plenty options means you're getting the most bang (or in this case, buzz) for your buck.

Unlike other wand vibrators, the Luna is relatively compact. Normally, we'd say this makes it a perfect travel companion, but the lack of travel lock does mean you run some risk that it might turn on and alert airport security of your special carry-on. Still, we're fans of any vibrator that doesn't take up too much real estate in a bedside table and still gets the job done. And with it punch it packs, the Luna Massage Wand certainly can.