If you’re thinking you want to try out a toy but don’t know exactly where to start

If you’re thinking you want to try out a toy but don’t know exactly where to start, most of the experts we spoke with said a “ring” toy would be a great choice. Zachary Zane, a sex writer for Men’s Health, says that, in his opinion, the vibrations add a lot to the overall experience, especially when you’re with a partner. As he puts it, “No matter how good you are at sex with your partner, you can’t vibrate.” Duran likes vibrating rings because they’re like two toys in one. While the wearer gets the benefits of blood-flow restriction, your partner will feel that vibration on their body during intercourse, adding that even if you end up not liking a vibrating ring, you still can use the toy as a vibrator or ring separately.

When it comes to mechanical toys like vibrators, “I always recommend toys that are rechargeable rather than battery-powered,” Ashford says. “Who wants to run to their local drug store in the middle of the night to keep a vibrator going?”

We take our supplements, meditate religiously and practise yoga to still our busy minds – but how many of us will admit to masturbating in our efforts to maintain good mental health? It’s certainly an effective method of self-care – 78 per cent of us (that’s four in five people), say we feel happier and less stressed after enjoying an orgasm. And it seems that now more than ever, we’re in search of these positive side-effects. Online retailers have witnessed a spike in customers searching for “sexual wellness” – the term was up by 850 per cent on Cult Beauty in March, the month the UK lockdown began. Meanwhile chic sexual pleasure brands like Smile Makers have seen daily revenues double since the nation started staying home, and a 50 per cent uplift in traffic to its website from February to March.

Of the 265 phallus shaped products, a vibrating feature was present in 66/265 products (24.9%), while 230/265 (86.8%) were made from a realistic, skin-like material, and 116/265 (43.8%) were a natural skin color. Veins were a feature of 72.5%, 36.2% had a scrotum, and 81.9% had a clearly defined glans/coronal ridge. The average price of the assessed items was £44.61 (SD = 40.38, Min = £8.99, Max = £449.99).

Pros: Can be discreetly worn as a necklace; slim shape fits easily between bodies; luxe metal construction

Many of the best sex toys for couples have clitorises in mind, or incorporate some anal play (try it!). But there are more toys for penises coming onto the market every day, too. They’re available with speedy and discreet shipping from companies like Amazon and specialty retailers like Babeland and Lovehoney. Check out a variety of tested-and-proven toys—from vibrators that double as high-end jewelry to prostate pleasurers—and give your bedroom the gift of some truly earth-shattering orgasms.

Those with a penis and prostate may have specific interest in cock rings, vibrating butt plugs, and other products designed with men in mind.

Dr. Reed says this cute vibe is a good pick for your first adam and eve sex toy (or your first one to use together) because it’s small, unobtrusive, and fits in the palm of your hand. It’s designed to fit the natural curve of the vulva, so it’s super comfy to use clitorally during penetrative sex.

There are other female-forward brands in the space, too, with Dame offering an array of products that are designed to “close the pleasure gap”, and are small and discreet enough to be used during sex with a partner, as well as with yourself. Unbound’s Bean is a palm-sized, all-bases-covered toy that uses targeted pressure while Lelo offer an array of different toys, with numerous pleasure-making settings. Then there is brands like Naked Grapefruit approach sex in a fun, accessible way. “The vast majority of our best male sex toy tech brands were founded by women, to target needs which have largely been ignored by a male-dominated industry for some time,” says Jenna Anderson, buyer at Cult Beauty. Vibrators have had a fashion makeover too, with Christopher Kane’s aptly-named “More Joy” 12-speed bullet vibrator selling out soon after launching.

Dr. Steven Snyder, a New York City–based rose sex toy therapist and author, says the “really hot thing” among his patients is this stretchy ring, which he describes as less of a toy and more of a practical solution when you or your partner’s size is causing pain. The toy is actually a collection of “very soft, flexible” rings that you can add or remove depending on your size sex toys for women. “They give a different sensation for penetration and are excellent if a man is going in too deeply.” A note on material: While the original Ohnut was designed in silicone, that made it incompatible with silicone lubrication, so they switched to a polymer. While the brand asserts that Ohnut’s polymer is body-safe because it is not permeable with the typical amount of pressure applied during intercourse, they do recommend that Ohnut is not shared between different partners sex toy shop.