Adult toy guides: how-tos, explainers and buying guides

Plain-English explainers, how-tos and buying guides to help you understand adult products and choose well.

By budget

  • Buying guide

    Automatic masturbators under $100

    The best automatic strokers under $100 by use case, from cheap suction cups to heated, app-controlled and hands-free thrusting models, with what to check first.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best hands-free masturbators

    The best hands-free male masturbators compared by how they stay in place, from stands and suction mounts to wearables, with stroke length, cleaning and noise.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best prostate massagers for beginners

    Beginner prostate massagers compared on width, base safety, motion and controls, with slim vibrating picks first and thrusting models for when you're ready.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best sex toys for men

    The main types of sex toys for men explained, with a pick for each, from suction strokers and hands-free toys to prostate massagers, vibrating rings and torsos.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best toys for foreplay

    The best toys for foreplay, from finger vibes and remote wearables to a couples ring, a massage wand, a lube warmer and game cards, plus how to use them together.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best thrusting dildos under $100

    The best thrusting dildos under $100 compared by size, listed thrust travel, water rating and features, from slim beginner models to large long-stroke picks.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best sex dolls under $1,000

    The best full-size sex dolls under $1,000 compared on net weight, height, skeleton and material, with what to check on lifting, storage, cleaning and returns.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best torsos under $300

    The best sex doll torsos under $300 compared by weight, material and features, from light silicone minis to heavy TPE torsos with a skeleton.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best vibrators under $50

    Budget vibrators under $50 compared by type, including a compact wand, air-pulse and licking toys, a slim G-spot vibe, a finger vibe and a dual stimulator.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Automatic masturbator buying guide

    A step-by-step checklist for choosing an automatic male masturbator, covering motion type, fit, sleeve material, water rating, noise, controls and budget.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Explainer

    Full-size doll vs torso

    Full-size sex dolls vs torsos compared on price, weight, storage, cleaning, posing and realism, to help you decide which format suits your space and budget.

    Research-based review
  • How-to

    How to choose your first sex toy

    A no-judgment guide to choosing your first sex toy, covering which type suits you, safe materials, size, noise, budget and the starter toys worth buying.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Rotating vs thrusting prostate massagers

    Rotating vs thrusting prostate massagers compared on sensation, size, beginner-friendliness, noise and cleaning, with examples of each and what to check before you buy.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Suction vs licking vs vibration

    Suction, licking (tongue) and vibrating clitoral toys compared on sensation, intensity, noise, cleaning and price, so you can choose the stimulation type that suits you.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Suction vs thrusting

    Suction and thrusting masturbators compared on sensation, noise, weight, cleaning and price, so you can pick the right motion type before choosing a model.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Thrust length explained

    What thrust length (thrust travel) means on thrusting dildos, typical figures under $100, how it differs from insertable length, and how to compare listings.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Thrusting vs vibrating dildos

    Thrusting vs vibrating dildos compared on sensation, noise, size, cleaning and price, with what to check on each type before you buy.

    Research-based review
  • Buying guide

    Best cock rings

    Eight cock ring picks and ring types for comfort, vibration and partner play, with sizing advice, a 30-minute safety limit and why metal rings aren't for beginners.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Explainer

    TPE vs silicone sex dolls

    TPE vs silicone sex dolls and torsos compared on feel, cleaning, staining, durability, weight and price, so you know which material suits your budget and routine.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Sex doll weight guide

    What sex doll and torso weights mean in practice, how to tell net weight from shipping weight, and how weight affects lifting, cleaning, posing and storage.

    Research-based review
  • Comparison

    Captain vs Pro

    Bestvibe Captain vs Bestvibe Pro compared. Same listed motor, modes and run time; the difference is one sleeve or three, the stated warranty and the price.

    Research-based comparison
  • Review

    Captain Titan review

    A research-based Captain Titan review covering its 6.5-inch canal, suction and vibration modes, IPX7 rating, weight, cleaning and the contradictions in its listing.

    Research-based review
  • Review

    Fetish Fantasy hollow strap-on review

    A research-based review of Pipedream's Fetish Fantasy 8-inch hollow strap-on: size, inner fit, harness, PVC material and alternatives.

    Research-based review
  • Review

    plusOne bullet review

    A research-based plusOne bullet review: 10 settings, waterproofing, charging, size, external-only use and better budget alternatives.

    Research-based review
  • Review

    Tenga Egg review

    A research-based Tenga Egg review covering how the stretchy single-use sleeve works, the textures, fit, the reuse question and when a reusable stroker makes more sense.

    Research-based review
  • Review

    Tenga Spinner review

    A research-based Tenga Spinner review covering the internal twisting coil, the six textures, cleaning without inverting, lube and how it compares with automatic strokers.

    Research-based review

Learn the basics

  • How-to

    Clean TPE vs silicone

    How to clean, dry and store TPE and silicone sex toys, torsos and dolls, why the routines differ, and how to deal with stickiness, stains and smells.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Bestvibe deals

    How Bestvibe deals, coupons and free shipping work, how to tell a real discount from a permanent sale price, and where we track genuine Bestvibe price drops.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Full-size doll vs torso

    Full-size sex dolls vs torsos compared on price, weight, storage, cleaning, posing and realism, to help you decide which format suits your space and budget.

    Research-based review
  • How-to

    Aneros Helix Syn Trident guide

    How the Aneros Helix Syn Trident works, how to use it step by step, and what a "Super-O" is, with realistic expectations and safety notes.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    How I convinced my wife to try sex toys

    A personal essay on bringing up sex toys with a hesitant wife, covering what went wrong at first, what finally worked, the first toy we chose and what changed for us.

  • How-to

    How to choose your first sex toy

    A no-judgment guide to choosing your first sex toy, covering which type suits you, safe materials, size, noise, budget and the starter toys worth buying.

    Research-based review
  • How-to

    Clean an automatic masturbator

    How to clean and dry an automatic masturbator sleeve step by step, protect the motor, avoid mould and smells, and store it so the sleeve lasts longer.

    Research-based review
  • How-to

    How to clean sex toys

    How to clean every kind of sex toy safely with mild soap and water, when boiling is fine, how to handle motors and TPE sleeves, and how to dry and store toys.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Is Bestvibe legit?

    Is Bestvibe a legitimate sex toy store? What its published shipping, returns, warranty and privacy policies say, where they conflict, and how to buy safely.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Lube compatibility

    Which lube to use with which sex toy: water-based, silicone and oil-based lube checked against silicone, TPE, PVC, glass and condoms.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Rotating vs thrusting prostate massagers

    Rotating vs thrusting prostate massagers compared on sensation, size, beginner-friendliness, noise and cleaning, with examples of each and what to check before you buy.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Soft vs firm dildos

    Soft, firm and dual-density dildos compared: how firmness changes comfort, pressure and harness use, and who each type suits.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Suction vs licking vs vibration

    Suction, licking (tongue) and vibrating clitoral toys compared on sensation, intensity, noise, cleaning and price, so you can choose the stimulation type that suits you.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Suction vs thrusting

    Suction and thrusting masturbators compared on sensation, noise, weight, cleaning and price, so you can pick the right motion type before choosing a model.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Household items as sex toys

    Which household items are safe for external play, which to avoid, and why nothing improvised should ever go inside the body.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Thrust length explained

    What thrust length (thrust travel) means on thrusting dildos, typical figures under $100, how it differs from insertable length, and how to compare listings.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Thrusting vs vibrating dildos

    Thrusting vs vibrating dildos compared on sensation, noise, size, cleaning and price, with what to check on each type before you buy.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Toy materials explained

    Sex toy materials compared: silicone, ABS, glass, steel, TPE, PVC and jelly, which are porous, how to clean each and what to avoid.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    TPE vs silicone sex dolls

    TPE vs silicone sex dolls and torsos compared on feel, cleaning, staining, durability, weight and price, so you know which material suits your budget and routine.

    Research-based review
  • Explainer

    Sex doll weight guide

    What sex doll and torso weights mean in practice, how to tell net weight from shipping weight, and how weight affects lifting, cleaning, posing and storage.

    Research-based review

Buying guides

  • Buying guide

    Automatic masturbators under $100

    The best automatic strokers under $100 by use case, from cheap suction cups to heated, app-controlled and hands-free thrusting models, with what to check first.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best hands-free masturbators

    The best hands-free male masturbators compared by how they stay in place, from stands and suction mounts to wearables, with stroke length, cleaning and noise.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best prostate massagers for beginners

    Beginner prostate massagers compared on width, base safety, motion and controls, with slim vibrating picks first and thrusting models for when you're ready.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best sex toys for men

    The main types of sex toys for men explained, with a pick for each, from suction strokers and hands-free toys to prostate massagers, vibrating rings and torsos.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best toys for foreplay

    The best toys for foreplay, from finger vibes and remote wearables to a couples ring, a massage wand, a lube warmer and game cards, plus how to use them together.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best thrusting dildos under $100

    The best thrusting dildos under $100 compared by size, listed thrust travel, water rating and features, from slim beginner models to large long-stroke picks.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best sex dolls under $1,000

    The best full-size sex dolls under $1,000 compared on net weight, height, skeleton and material, with what to check on lifting, storage, cleaning and returns.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best torsos under $300

    The best sex doll torsos under $300 compared by weight, material and features, from light silicone minis to heavy TPE torsos with a skeleton.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best vibrators under $50

    Budget vibrators under $50 compared by type, including a compact wand, air-pulse and licking toys, a slim G-spot vibe, a finger vibe and a dual stimulator.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Automatic masturbator buying guide

    A step-by-step checklist for choosing an automatic male masturbator, covering motion type, fit, sleeve material, water rating, noise, controls and budget.

    Research-based buying guide
  • Buying guide

    Best cock rings

    Eight cock ring picks and ring types for comfort, vibration and partner play, with sizing advice, a 30-minute safety limit and why metal rings aren't for beginners.

    Research-based buying guide