“Hysteria” and the Strange History of Vibrators

They give us feedback on ease of us, range of settings, design and, crucially, performance. Our panel found it comfy to hold and easy to use thanks to the curved design, and they enjoyed experimenting with the different vibration speeds and intensity levels. The tip is shaped like a flower, which can be used both internally for G-spot stimulation or externally on the clitoris. Testers felt “very satisfied” after using the toy and said the curved design and soft gel tip enhanced their pleasure. It’s quite noisy on the higher speed settings, and testers found the buttons a little confusing to begin with, but they soon felt confident using it. Plus, it charges quickly, comes with a travel case and is fully waterproof.

A little butt stimulation feels incredible because of all the nerve endings packed in your anus, and vibrators can help get that buzz on. Sex toys are excellent for increasing intensity, adding variety to your play, and relaxing your body prior to anal sex. We consulted sex experts and educators to get their thoughts on the best anal vibrators (and how to choose one that’s right for you). Perfect for either solo or partnered play, our Le Wand winner is a great option if you want to enjoy intense orgasms through clitoral stimulation.

On top of all that, the material felt soft against their skin, and the detailed instructions and diagrams helped them to get the most of out of the device. So, if you’re on board with the concept but don’t know where to start, let us be your guide. The long and short of it, ahem, is that these toys feature two curved appendages (one mini, one biggie) that stimulate two pleasure points simultaneously, otherwise known as dual-stimulation. If you have a vagina, those hotspots will be internal and external—the G-spot and the clitoris—but the shorter end can also be used to stimulate the prostate. This shorter arm is how the toy got its moniker in the first place, since many feature flickering “bunny ears” for textured stimulation that feels good and looks adorable. Bellesa has long been at the forefront of sexual wellness innovation, and WhisperBullet is no exception.

Waterproof and app-enabled, it offers two motors and two control tracks to control both the clitoral stimulator and G-spot stimulation. And while you might have found your way around your own clitoris (or guided a few partners through the Do’s and Don’ts), it’s totally normal for the clit to take a bit of time to reach full arousal. “Remember that it takes, on average, minutes of stimulation and foreplay before a woman is fully aroused,” Serra says. Vibe uses UltraWave Vibration, which “combines low-frequency, rumbly vibrations with 10 powerful, harmonic resonances,” the brand explains. The stimulation is described as intense but gentle, and the whole experience should be smooth and sexy without ever crossing the line into too much. Vibe also offers three autopilot modes that last for 10 minutes each, letting you take a full journey into pleasure.

With all the thousands of vibrators on the market, it can be tough to know what to look for, so here’s a handy breakdown of three qualities any vibrator worth its salt should have. All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times.

You can choose from a variety of pre-made models on-site, or even build your own. Clitoral suction toys can be a bit of a mystery if you’re unfamiliar with their ins and outs. Vibrators contain motors that provide the vibration by just stimulating via shaking, but a suction toy is a little more complex. For many of us, finding creative ways to use long distance toys can help keep the spark alive.

You can also find out what types of lubricants can be used with the toy to enhance the experience. Designed to be compact in size, all mini vibrators are used to stimulate the genitals to increase arousal and to promote intense climaxes. These toys use batteries to produce vibrations, and some are rechargeable.

But if you’ve got a ring that’s flexible enough, like this favorite of Zizelman’s, it can be stretched around the base of your shaft and your balls, increasing its positive effects. “Around the shaft, you are going to get restricted blood flow to help keep a strong and longer-lasting erection,” Zizelman says. But despite the balls and scrotum typically being relegated to a supporting role (if that) in any given sexual encounter, there are countless inventive ways to stimulate them. For instance, cupping them viberators, stroking them , and tugging on them can feel good. Vibrators, cock rings, and ball-stretchers can all create interesting scrotal sensations.

Unlike traditional clitoral vibrators, the Namii works hands-free, plus it’s fully waterproof and whisper quiet, and even has a magnetic charging base that also serves as a mood light – what more could you want. Designed to be worn during sex so both couples can share the vibrations (without hands required), this smooth and ergonomic toy is an excellent vibrator for simultaneous G-spot and clitoral stimulation. It’s also the rare option that’s fully waterproof and can be enjoyed without worry in the bathtub, shower—wherever. Since it’s meant to complement penetrative sex, people who are only interested in solo play might look for another option, as this one is on the pricier side.

It has eight different vibration settings that you can cycle through via the controls on the handle. They’re somewhat small, so I found myself fumbling with them a bit in the beginning. But once I knew where the buttons were, this issue was easily corrected.