10 Best Vibrators For Solo Pleasure & Partner Play 2021 | Goop
Supported by Science
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There’s sound science and published research supporting this concept.
You might have heard on Netflix: It’s called the vulva, not the vagina. And we think the vulva deserves more attention
and exploration, maybe with the help of a good vibrator—or two, or three. Whether it’s from solo play or with a
partner, sexual pleasure has benefits for mental clarity, concentration, stress relief, and so much more.
Unfortunately, there are still barriers to sexual pleasure, particularly for women: shame, cultural conditioning,
lack of good sex ed, and a pronounced orgasm gap among heterosexual couples. What can change this? Talking
about it, better communication between partners, getting comfortable with asking questions, learning to ask for what
we want—and sometimes taking things into your own hands. On that last note, we’ve rounded up the best sex toys for
internal and external stimulation, and everything in between.
Illustrations by Emma Berliner
EXTERNAL
STIMULATION
What and where
The clitoris is a sensitive, pea-shaped area of tissue located at the top of the vulva. It can sometimes be
hidden behind thin skin called the clitoral hood, which can be pulled back to reveal the clitoris. The
clitoris
is packed with thousands of nerves, making it a highly sensitive and pleasurable area. Most people with vulvas achieve orgasm by clitoral stimulation. However, the clitoris isn’t just this small
external area; it also extends inside the body, shaped sort of like a wishbone, framing the inside of the
vagina. Labia are the thin inner folds of the vulva, and they are often sensitive and pleasurable, too.
How-to
Some people like direct stimulation of their clitoris, while for others, the clitoris can be more sensitive or
uncomfortable to touch. If you’re new to clitoral stimulation, you may want to start by first touching the
clitoris gently through the clitoral hood using up and down or circular motions. Then you may begin to work
your
way up to stronger pressure and quicker movements or touch the clitoris directly. Applying a lubricant can
also
help reduce friction and sensitivity.
Which lube can I use with my vibrator?
Water-based lube can be safely used with sex toys and condoms. Oil-based lubes, however, can cause condoms and sex toys to degrade. Look for a clean, paraben-free lubricant that’s gentle and nonirritating. We love this no-touch lube warmer from Pulse, which delivers a uniformly measured dollop of warmed (water-based) lubricant into your fingers using a motion sensor.
The best clitoral vibrators:
DO WONDERS
Wands provide a rumbly, powerful external vibration, which is good for those who need more stimulation to get off. Our Double-Sided Wand Vibrator does that with its wonder-ball end, and more: The other end is slim and flexible for precise clitoral vibration, as well as exploration of the vaginal opening. (You can also use the slim end to penetrate one to three inches; it feels especially good pressed against the vagina’s front wall.) The vibrator is water-resistant for bath and shower play and has an LED battery-light display, so you can rest assured it won’t die on you in the heat of the moment.
Blown away
Using “pleasure air” technology, the Womanizer provides air pressure and light vibrations to the clitoris,
which feels a lot like oral sex. The toy may be silent, but you may not be—we’ve found it’s a consistent path
to an intensely satisfying orgasm.
Palm of your hand
Pom’s soft, flexible body sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, providing targeted clitoral stimulation
while hitting the surrounding areas, too, thanks to its long profile and lightweight design. The best feature
is that it easily moves with you—just apply pressure with your fingers and it’ll bend, hugging close. Press the
top button to cycle through the five patterns and the button underneath to change intensities. Take Pom into a
steamy shower to switch things up—every vibrator made by Dame is waterproof. Dame’s products are also all made
with smooth, medical-grade silicone and come with USB chargers and pouches, so you can store them discreetly
in your nightstand if you’d like.
Oral care
For those who can’t get enough tongue action, meet The French Lover by Smile Makers. The flexible tip lightly
vibrates and can be flicked around to simulate a delicate licking sensation. It’s great for a teasing buildup,
for beginners, or for those who are more sensitive to strong pressure.
INTERNAL
STIMULATION
What and where
The vagina is the canal that connects the exterior of the vulva to the interior cervix and reproductive
organs,
aka the birth canal or where penetrative vaginal sex occurs. Some people get the vagina confused as the
whole
package, but it’s just one part of the vulva.
How-to
The vagina can be stimulated with fingers, penetrative sex, or sex toys. You might try playing with the speed
of motion in and out or changing up the angle. Combining internal vaginal stimulation with exterior
stimulation
can heighten your senses and increase pleasure by stimulating the clitoris internally. (Again, many people do not orgasm from vaginal stimulation alone.)
What is the G-spot?
The G-spot is said to be a bundle of nerve fibers located inside your vagina, toward your belly, about a
knuckle deep. But as psychologist Nicole Praise, PhD, told us in The
Sex
Issue, “There is no spot on the anterior vaginal wall that has a unique anatomy or is
consistently
placed across women [people], so there isn’t a standard for finding areas of sensitivity.” In short: We’re all
different,
and there’s no need to stress about zeroing in on a single spot or conforming to a cultural myth. If you find
a
particular area that is sensitive or feels good to stimulate, carry on!
The best vaginal and dual stimulation vibrators:
First-timer
If you’re new to internal vibrators, The Tennis Pro provides a gentle introduction. Its rounded head can be
inserted and moved on an angle to provide targeted pressure to the vagina as you switch through the four
different speeds and two pulsation modes.
ahead of the curve
Everything about this toy is designed to maximize pleasure. With the press of a button, the vibrator warms to just above body temperature, promoting arousal and muscle relaxation so you can really ease into the moment. It has just enough flexibility to move with you and help you find angles that feel exactly right. And the dual-density silicone is squishable, so you can apply pressure without discomfort. Play with three steady intensities and seven vibration patterns to drive your climax home.
Double the pleasure
For those who can’t choose, the Nova 2 by We-Vibe combines both internal and external stimulation and
vibrations
in a rabbit-shaped vibrator with longer “ears” that are designed to provide constant contact with your body as you move. You can turn the flexible clitoral stimulator’s vibrations on or off. And you can
customize your own vibrations and intensity by downloading the We-Connect app. (This one is also bath-friendly.)
Powerful vibrations
The Romantic’s motor provides powerful vibrations deep inside (it’s over seven inches long), while the curved
head can be adjusted to hit your most sensitive spots. It’s also lined with ridges, providing unique internal
sensations when moved in and out.
PARTNER PLAY
How-to
Using a vibrator during foreplay or intercourse can help you reach a new level of pleasure. Or for some
side-by-side play, you can use a toy on yourself while your partner watches. The motorcycle position
strengthens
intimacy and can be quite erotic: Have your partner sit behind you, straddling with their legs wide, using a
toy
on you or kissing your neck while you take things into your own hands. Another tip: You can also use toys on
other areas (the nipples, labia, balls…).
The best partner vibrators:
Hands-free
Holding a toy in place while hooking up with a partner can be cumbersome. The flexible “wings” here are meant
to be tucked under the labia to help hold the vibrator in place so that all hands are free to support body
weight or do whatever else you’d like them to do. It might take some practice and adjusting to find the right
position—pull each labium (lip) over one wing at a time. (This is also a good solo option if you don’t like
the
feeling of vibrations on your hand.)
Friend of foreplay
Finger vibrators, like the Fin, are designed to be effortless, feel natural to wear, and not distract from
the
moment. Just slide your pointer and middle fingers along the grooves and change the intensity with the power
button on top.
EXTRA CREDIT
Some sex toys and accessories deserve a special mention.
support system
Our science and research team set out to create a supplement we could add to our sexual-wellness toolkit to help address some of the common roadblocks to desire. They started with Libifem® fenugreek extract, which was clinically shown to support healthy sexual arousal and desire in women. Then they added shatavari, a traditional female health adaptogen. Saffron extract rounds out the formula, providing mood support.*
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR PLEASURE
- •OMGYES is a sexual education website that provides videos of women masturbating and
information on technique and erogenous zones. - •To dive deeper into the benefits of masturbation and vibrators, see our Q&A with sex therapist Stephen Snyder, MD.
- •Becoming Cliterate by Laurie Mintz, PhD, explores cultural myths holding women
back from achieving orgasm and poses practical techniques for pleasure. In our Q&A with Mintz, she addresses the number-one lie about getting laid. - •The Sex Issue by goop Press features interviews with
experts, personal anecdotes, and more to explore. - •Understanding Sex and Female Pleasure is our hub for the deeply
curious, with field notes from our Netflix show, The goop Lab.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Libifem® is a registered trademark of Gencor.
You might have heard on Netflix: It’s called the vulva, not the vagina. And we think the vulva deserves more attention
and exploration, maybe with the help of a good vibrator—or two, or three. Whether it’s from solo play or with a
partner, sexual pleasure has benefits for mental clarity, concentration, stress relief, and so much more.
Unfortunately, there are still barriers to sexual pleasure, particularly for women: shame, cultural conditioning,
lack of good sex ed, and a pronounced orgasm gap among heterosexual couples. What can change this? Talking
about it, better communication between partners, getting comfortable with asking questions, learning to ask for what
we want—and sometimes taking things into your own hands. On that last note, we’ve rounded up the best sex toys for
internal and external stimulation, and everything in between.
Illustrations by Emma Berliner
EXTERNAL
STIMULATION
What and where
The clitoris is a sensitive, pea-shaped area of tissue located at the top of the vulva. It can sometimes be
hidden behind thin skin called the clitoral hood, which can be pulled back to reveal the clitoris. The
clitoris
is packed with thousands of nerves, making it a highly sensitive and pleasurable area. Most people with vulvas achieve orgasm by clitoral stimulation. However, the clitoris isn’t just this small
external area; it also extends inside the body, shaped sort of like a wishbone, framing the inside of the
vagina. Labia are the thin inner folds of the vulva, and they are often sensitive and pleasurable, too.
How-to
Some people like direct stimulation of their clitoris, while for others, the clitoris can be more sensitive or
uncomfortable to touch. If you’re new to clitoral stimulation, you may want to start by first touching the
clitoris gently through the clitoral hood using up and down or circular motions. Then you may begin to work
your
way up to stronger pressure and quicker movements or touch the clitoris directly. Applying a lubricant can
also
help reduce friction and sensitivity.
Which lube can I use with my vibrator?
Water-based lube can be safely used with sex toys and condoms. Oil-based lubes, however, can cause condoms and sex toys to degrade. Look for a clean, paraben-free lubricant that’s gentle and nonirritating. We love this no-touch lube warmer from Pulse, which delivers a uniformly measured dollop of warmed (water-based) lubricant into your fingers using a motion sensor.
The best vibrators for clitoral stimulation
DO WONDERS
Wands provide a rumbly, powerful external vibration, which is good for those who need more stimulation to get off. Our Double-Sided Wand Vibrator does that with its wonder-ball end, and more: The other end is slim and flexible for precise clitoral vibration, as well as exploration of the vaginal opening. (You can also use the slim end to penetrate one to three inches; it feels especially good pressed against the vagina’s front wall.) The vibrator is water-resistant for bath and shower play and has an LED battery-light display, so you can rest assured it won’t die on you in the heat of the moment.
Blown away
Using “pleasure air” technology, the Womanizer provides air pressure and light vibrations to the clitoris,
which feels a lot like oral sex. The toy may be silent, but you may not be—we’ve found it’s a consistent path
to an intensely satisfying orgasm.
Palm of your hand
Pom’s soft, flexible body sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, providing targeted clitoral stimulation
while hitting the surrounding areas, too, thanks to its long profile and lightweight design. The best feature
is that it easily moves with you—just apply pressure with your fingers and it’ll bend, hugging close. Press the
top button to cycle through the five patterns and the button underneath to change intensities. Take Pom into a
steamy shower to switch things up—every vibrator made by Dame is waterproof. Dame’s products are also all made
with smooth, medical-grade silicone and come with USB chargers and pouches, so you can store them discreetly
in your nightstand if you’d like.
Oral care
For those who can’t get enough tongue action, meet The French Lover by Smile Makers. The flexible tip lightly
vibrates and can be flicked around to simulate a delicate licking sensation. It’s great for a teasing buildup,
for beginners, or for those who are more sensitive to strong pressure.
INTERNAL
STIMULATION
What and where
The vagina is the canal that connects the exterior of the vulva to the interior cervix and reproductive
organs,
aka the birth canal or where penetrative vaginal sex occurs. Some people get the vagina confused as the
whole
package, but it’s just one part of the vulva.
How-to
The vagina can be stimulated with fingers, penetrative sex, or sex toys. You might try playing with the speed
of motion in and out or changing up the angle. Combining internal vaginal stimulation with exterior
stimulation
can heighten your senses and increase pleasure by stimulating the clitoris internally. (Again, many people do not orgasm from vaginal stimulation alone.)
What is the G-spot?
The G-spot is said to be a bundle of nerve fibers located inside your vagina, toward your belly, about a
knuckle deep. But as psychologist Nicole Praise, PhD, told us in The
Sex
Issue, “There is no spot on the anterior vaginal wall that has a unique anatomy or is
consistently
placed across women [people], so there isn’t a standard for finding areas of sensitivity.” In short: We’re all
different,
and there’s no need to stress about zeroing in on a single spot or conforming to a cultural myth. If you find
a
particular area that is sensitive or feels good to stimulate, carry on!
The best vibrators for vaginal stimulation
First-timer
If you’re new to internal vibrators, The Tennis Pro provides a gentle introduction. Its rounded head can be
inserted and moved on an angle to provide targeted pressure to the vagina as you switch through the four
different speeds and two pulsation modes.
Powerful vibrations
The Romantic’s motor provides powerful vibrations deep inside (it’s over seven inches long), while the curved
head can be adjusted to hit your most sensitive spots. It’s also lined with ridges, providing unique internal
sensations when moved in and out.
Double the pleasure
For those who can’t choose, the Nova 2 by We-Vibe combines both internal and external stimulation and
vibrations
in a rabbit-shaped vibrator with longer “ears” that are designed to provide constant contact with your body as you move. You can turn the flexible clitoral stimulator’s vibrations on or off. And you can
customize your own vibrations and intensity by downloading the We-Connect app. (This one is also bath-friendly.)
Does it all
Dame’s newest vibrator, Arc, is a powerhouse. Made with Dame’s strongest motor yet, Arc sends out vibrations
that can be enjoyed internally (by inserting the curved length into your vagina) or externally (the
bulb-shaped
head has five different patterns and speeds).
PARTNER PLAY
How-to
Using a vibrator during foreplay or intercourse can help you reach a new level of pleasure. Or for some
side-by-side play, you can use a toy on yourself while your partner watches. The motorcycle position
strengthens
intimacy and can be quite erotic: Have your partner sit behind you, straddling with their legs wide, using a
toy
on you or kissing your neck while you take things into your own hands. Another tip: You can also use toys on
other areas (the nipples, labia, balls…).
The best vibrators for couples
Hands-free
Holding a toy in place while hooking up with a partner can be cumbersome. The flexible “wings” here are meant
to be tucked under the labia to help hold the vibrator in place so that all hands are free to support body
weight or do whatever else you’d like them to do. It might take some practice and adjusting to find the right
position—pull each labium (lip) over one wing at a time. (This is also a good solo option if you don’t like
the
feeling of vibrations on your hand.)
Friend of foreplay
Finger vibrators, like the Fin, are designed to be effortless, feel natural to wear, and not distract from
the
moment. Just slide your pointer and middle fingers along the grooves and change the intensity with the power
button on top.
EXTRA CREDIT
Some sex toys and accessories deserve a special mention.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR PLEASURE
- •OMGYES is a sexual education website that provides videos of women masturbating and
information on technique and erogenous zones. - •To dive deeper into the benefits of masturbation and vibrators, see our Q&A with sex therapist Stephen Snyder, MD.
- •Becoming Cliterate by Laurie Mintz, PhD, explores cultural myths holding women
back from achieving orgasm and poses practical techniques for pleasure. In our Q&A with Mintz, she addresses the number-one lie about getting laid. - •The Sex Issue by goop Press features interviews with
experts, personal anecdotes, and more to explore. - •Understanding Sex and Female Pleasure is our hub for the deeply
curious, with field notes from our Netflix show, The goop Lab.
This article was originally published by goop.com. Read the original article here.
