Aside from the fact that orgasms are, well, orgasms, we had plenty of reasons to pick 2017 as the year we kicked off Glamour’s Sex Toy Awards. Sex tech is predicted to be a multi-billion dollar industry by 2020, and more women than ever are launching their own companies to challenge how we view our sexual health. It seems like every other week we’re talking about a new, woman-run start-up that’s getting frank about sex and how we have it. And since 44 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 60 admit to having used a sex toy, right now seemed like the perfect time to go deep on something that impacts a lot of us. Below, you’ll find our experts’ picks for the best vibrators, accessories, and more— from the latest sexy tech innovations to the all-time classic “Cadillac of vibrators.” We hope you have as much fun reading the Sex Toy Awards as we had reporting them.
The Most Presentable-Looking Toys
First things first: Do vibrators always have to look so damn explicit? Who among us hasn’t forgotten to put things away properly now and again? (Houseguest nightmare, by the way.) According to sex journalist Sophie Saint Thomas, they most certainly do not. Here are her picks for three sex toys that get the job done an are pretty enough to show off.
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
Toy you won’t have to explain to a TSA agent
“Selfies from Maui look even better with a postorgasmic glow—great news, considering that according to the TSA, you can totally bring your sex toy on a plane. Still, no one wants airport security side-eye, so I like the Satisfyer Pro Penguin (above, $69.99), which is extremely cute and could pass as a little pore cleanser. It works by gently circulating air around your clitoris, like a tiny vacuum that gets you off.
Oh, and no matter what toy you take, make sure you either remove the batteries (or drain them, if it’s rechargeable) so you don’t cause any mid-flight vibrating. Even better, get something with a travel lock, which the German company Fun Factory includes on most of its products. You may also want to pack your toy in a ziplock bag to avoid germs. And remember, even though you might feel a little embarrassed, if you get extra screening and the agent asks what that pink thing is in your bag, just be honest. Taking control of your own sexuality is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Least intimidating toy for couples’ time
“While vibrators are an amazing addition to sex (especially if you need clitoral stimulation added to the mix), introducing one in bed can be a little nerve-racking. A good place to start exploring the world of couples’ sex toys (see more below) is Eva by Dame ($105), a teeny yet intensely orgasmic hands-free vibrator that you can wear during sex. Oh, and it also looks like an adorable little beetle.
Toy that looks like an objet d’art
“One night, when I showed my treasure chest of sex toys to an architect I brought home, she immediately pointed to the gorgeously sculptural Soraya ($239) by Lelo and exclaimed, ‘That design is beautiful!’
True, but even more beautiful is what it does: The Soraya works like a rabbit vibrator, combining internal, G-spot stimulation with clitoral vibrations. It’s surprisingly powerful for how pretty it is—it’s one of Lelo’s best-sellers—and while it’s not exactly cheap, if you’re looking to make an investment you could do much worse than something from this Swedish company.
The best part about Soraya’s sleek, modern look, though, is how you could totally leave it on a living room end table and play it off as modern art.”
The Best Subscription Boxes
Sex educator and journalist Gigi Engle on why curated boxes are the next frontier of sex toy shopping.
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
“Simply knowing where to buy pleasure products can be overwhelming. There’s a case to be made for going to a sex toy store, or purchasing online, but even then the sheer amount of options is staggering. Where do you start? That’s why, when I’m in the mood for something new, I love an adult subscription box. They’re like Blue Apron for your bedroom, and typically come chock full of toys and accessories specifically curated and delivered discreetly to your door. One of the best is the quarterly Unbound Box (above, $175 for three quarters). In addition to having high-end goodies, the company is woman-owned and has a bunch of awesomely feminist, frequently kink-friendly mantras all over their site and on their product descriptions. Plus, they have a groundbreaking line of cute jewelry items that double as sex toys (like a pretty massage ring and a chic necklace with sneaky nipple clamps).
I also really like the What’s In Your Box ($18 for a month), a more affordable monthly option that puts an emphasis on women’s sexual health. “By talking openly about sexuality, pleasure, prevention, and consent, we eliminate shame, normalize the conversation and empower all women to achieve the sex life they desire,” reads their site. There’s also the Nooky Box ($79 per quarter), a fun and highly approachable choice with products perfect for sex toy novices. Each box had a creative theme—like the “Sex Is Wet” box, which has ocean-scented items and waterproof goodies like the Mimic vibrator in it.”
The Best Oldies But Goodies
Sure, there’s a hot new sex toy on the market every few months, but some of them—like the three picks below—are classic for a reason. Bex Caputo, toy retailer and founder of the site BexTalksSex.com, rounds up the all-time favorites.
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
Magic Wand
“This iconic sex toy has been getting people off since the 1960s, when it was first advertised as a back massager. (Yeah, OK.) In 2015, Vibratex revamped it by adding more speeds, making it one of the most powerful vibrators on the market. It comes in classic ($60) and rechargeable (above, $125), but just one use of either and you’ll see why some devotees call it “the Cadillac of vibrators.”
Pocket Rocket
“The textured head and surprisingly robust motor on the travel-size and affordable Doc Johnson Pocket Rocket (right, starting at $21) has earned this little vibrator a dedicated following.
Though the most basic model is just a single speed, many customers tell me it’s the only one they’ll ever need.”
Rabbit Habit
“Made famous by the iconic Sex and the City episode, the Vibratex Rabbit Habit (left, $94) vibrator is basically a carnival ride for your bits. With external vibration via the two rabbit ears, internal rotation, and swirling beads inside the shaft for added texture, is it any wonder Charlotte didn’t want to leave her apartment after buying one of these instant classics?”
The Best Toys For You, Him, Anyone
We know that not all sex toy users have vaginas, which is why it’s great that more companies are making and marketing gender-neutral products that’ll please everybody. No matter what you’re into or how you identify, Kate Sloan, founder of the sex-ed and toy-review site GirlyJuice.net, recommends three toys for exploring the possibilities. Do you—literally.
Crescendo
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
“This flexible vibrator from sex-tech start-up MysteryVibe ($179) is hyper-adaptable and can be bent in almost any position. It can curl up to hit a G-spot, lay perfectly flat between two bodies during sex, or even wrap around a penis for a turbo-charged handjob.”
Transformer
PHOTO: Picobong
“A double-ended vibrator which almost resembles a pair of sleek headphones, Picobong’s Transformer ($129) has been billed as the first truly gender-neutral sex toy, and it’s not hard to see why. It bends into any shape for couples’ play, solo fun, or anything you like. According to its site, ‘It’s perfect for her, him, her & him, him & him, her & her, and every other combination possible.'”
njoy Pure Wand
PHOTO: NJoy
“Widely considered the best G-spot toy ever made, the njoy Pure Wand ($110) is a heavy, C-shaped dildo that can also be used to tease the prostate, or ‘P-spot.’ Since it’s stainless steel, its weight provides the perfect amount of pressure.”
The First Time Sex Toy Advice I Wish I’d Gotten
Comedian, writer, and musician Lane Moore on what every sex toy buyer should know.
“I used to buy into the idea that penetration always equals orgasms, so when I first got into sex toys, I thought I would probably just put a dildo in there and call it a day. I was so wrong. I wish someone had told me that not only do most women not get off on penetration alone, but you also don’t need it in your sex toys if you don’t want it—and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Some women love a combination of insertion and clitorial stimulation, but there’s nothing bad about just wanting some concentrated clit attention either—a good starter toy is the Iconic Bullet by Jimmyjane ($16), which is straightforward and not some major investment if it turns out that it’s actually not the thing you’re into after all. Remember: You’re not strange or broken just because you don’t want x, y, or z in your sex toy.”
The Best New Accessories
There’s a whole world of bedroom accouterments beyond vibrators. Emily Morse, sex therapist, author, and host of the podcast Sex With Emily names some of her favorites right this moment.
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
Best Subtle Accessory
“My dream is a lube on every nightstand: It makes intimate encounters a hundred times better. That’s why I freaked out when I found the Amelia Lube Vial Necklace (above, $60) by Unbound, which lets you covertly carry the perfect amount of your favorite lube with you anywhere, anytime. It’s pretty, practical, and just may be the best conversation piece I’ve ever worn to a party.”
Best Toy-Friendly Lube
“Speaking of lube, Naturalove ($11) is USDA-certified organic and water-based, which means you can use it alongside any of your silicone-based sex toys without damaging them the way silicone-based lubes would.”
PHOTO: Uvee
Best Clean-Up Helper
“The Uvee Home Play storage box (above, $180) solves two sex toy buzzkills at once by charging and sanitizing your toys. Successfully funded through Kickstarter earlier this year, UVee uses a special UV-C light that’ll make for the cleanest orgasm you’ve ever had.”
The Best Sex Enchancers
By Suzannah Weiss
The addition of a toy to couple sex can take it to the next level. The three options below are the best of the best when it comes to partnering up—be it because of their hand-friendly shape, their app connectivity, or even just the fact that they’re easy to ignore when you’re getting busy. Glamour Sex & Relationships contributor Suzannah Weiss breaks down her favorites.
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
Lily 2
“The small and sleek shape of Lelo’s Lily 2 (above, $139) fits pretty much anywhere you want—including right between you and your partner. Its strong but quiet motor vibrates with eight settings, and its ergonomic design makes it easy for you or your partner to hold, with a point at the top that focuses the vibration right on your clit. Another cool (if, yes, a little gimmicky) thing about this toy? It comes in three colors, each with its own scent to set the mood. You can get a pink one that smells like “Rose and Wisteria,” a lavender one with “Lavender and Manuka Honey,” and a black one with the scent of “Bordeaux and Chocolate.” (Apparently, these scents are aphrodisiacs.) At the least, using it means you don’t have to light candles.”
Jopen Aries
“The Jopen Aries (right, $36.99) is a versatile little gadget that lets you and your partner do everything you’d normally do, from nipple caressing to finger play to hand jobs, but with an added oomph. Putting this small vibrator on feels a little like wearing a giant, upside-down ring, but once it’s doing its job it’ll just feel like part of your finger—except, you know, it vibrates. At least in the bedroom, it’s a cute accessory.”
We-Vibe Sync
“You don’t have to worry about holding this one, since half of it fits inside your vagina during sex while the other half covers your clitoris. The We-Vibe Sync (left, $199) is bendable and can be controlled either through the buttons on the device, via a remote, or through the app, We-Connect. The latter lets you do all sorts of other fun things, like sync the vibrations with music and customize your own patterns.”
The Best of High-Tech
By S.W.
Sex tech has never moved faster—teledildonics, anyone?—but while plenty of them are futuristic, some tech toys are downright Space Odyssey. Below are three that, in addition to being mind-blowingly advanced pieces of technology, will also just blow your mind.
Lioness
PHOTO: Gabriella Sanchez
“Think of the Lioness (above, $229) like a Fitbit for your sex life: This smart vibrator contains sensors that detect your vaginal movements, temperature, and pressure. After each session, it collects your data on an app and charts your arousal process—complete with a spike to represent orgasm contractions. People have used it to learn things like when in their cycle they orgasm most easily and how long it takes them to get turned on.”
PHOTO: Lovense
Lovense Teledildonics
“If you’re in a long-distance relationship, these toys are the closest thing to IRL sex. The set includes a rabbit vibrator called Nora and a sleeve called Max (above, $170 for the set, $89 each) that move in response to each other’s motions remotely. That’s right: While one partner’s moving Nora in and out of her, the other will actually feel Max pumping air around him to simulate vaginal contractions. And when he slides in and out of the sleeve, the head of her vibrator rotates with the speed of his thrusts. These also come with an app that lets you video-chat for super-realistic cybersex.”
PHOTO: OhMiBod
OhMiBod Club Vibe 3.Oh
“You’ll never get bored at a concert or club with this music-responsive vibrator in your pants. The Club Vibe (above, $199) comes with a set of panties to tuck it into, and when in “club mode,” it’ll buzz each time its accompanying remote detects a beat. You can also just wear it at home and test how it responds to different Spotify playlists, or run with it in and feel its vibrations timed to your footsteps. There’s also a “wireless remote control mode” that works like a normal at-a-distance vibrator.”
This story originally appeared in the October 2017 issue.
Lead image: Gabriella Sanchez
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