Think sex toys are a modern invention? Think again. The earliest known examples of erotic art date back to the Ice Age. And judging by the lifelike dimensions of the 30,000-year-old dildo depiction discovered in a German cave, prehistoric people didn’t subscribe to the “Look, but don’t touch” rule.

To keep things simple and give a nod to your Paleolithic roots, polished-stone dildos, butt plugs, and kegel stones still exist. But when you’re ready to add more stimulation to your foreplay and self-pleasure routines, a vibrating dildo is the obvious place to start.

What’s less obvious is knowing how to choose a vibrator from the thousands of available options. We’re here to help with a breakdown of all the types of vibrators and the situations they’re suitable for — plus a bit of background to help you appreciate just how far sexual wellness has come. 

A brief history of the vibrator

At least as far back as ancient Egypt and Greece, physicians and philosophers pinned pretty much every problem a woman could have on her uterus. Fever, depression, paralysis — the uterus was always to blame.

Hippocrates’ theory was that a sex-starved uterus would become restless and start to roam (yes, really). He named this gender-specific condition “hysteria,” aka wandering womb. His prescription? More sex.

At some point, doctors realized that it wasn’t just sex that made women feel better. It was “hysterical paroxysm,” or in today’s language, the female orgasm. They began treating hysteria with vaginal massage.

Not surprisingly, clitoral stimulation proved to be a popular treatment. And in 1869, a tool hit the market that would make doctors’ jobs much easier: a clunky, steam-powered, vibrating sphere called The Manipulator. About 10 years later, a physician named Morton Granville invented the first portable, battery-operated vibrator. And while Granville designed the device to treat male muscle fatigue, not hysteria, he’d opened the door to a future of vibrators that would put the battery power in women’s hands.

A step-by-step guide to choosing the best vibrator

Pleasure wand. Pocket rocket. Battery-operated boyfriend. When you find the right vibe, you might love it so much that you give it a cute nickname. But with so many different options, how do you pick the perfect vibrator? Follow these steps to figure out what you really want.

1. Decide which area to target

Not all vibrators are created equal. To get the most out of your toy, first decide which area(s) to target.

Internal vaginal vibrators

Designed to stimulate the G-spot and other internal erogenous zones, internal vibrators generally range from 4–8 inches long and can vary in shape to target specific parts of the vagina.

External vaginal vibrators

Vibrators designed for external stimulation focus on areas like the clitoris, vulva, and labia and can range from small, discreet bullet and finger-fitted vibrators to big, powerful wand massagers like Le Wand.

Combination vibrators

Known for offering a combination of internal and external pleasure, rabbit vibrators offer versatility and comprehensive stimulation.

Anal vibrators

Specially designed for anal pleasure, anal vibes vary in size and shape to accommodate everyone, from beginners to anal-play pros.

Penis vibrators

Cock rings and other vibrating devices designed to be worn on the penis offer unique and enjoyable sensations for both partners.

Prostate massagers

Perfect for pegging, prostate massagers stimulate the prostate gland.

2. Choose a vibration type

Different vibrators offer distinct forms of stimulation. Understanding what suits you best will help you choose a vibe that delivers the level of pleasure you’re after.

Broad stimulation

A good vulva vibrator provides broad, rumbly stimulation to cover the entire outer part of your genitalia, which includes the clitoris, labia, and mons pubis (the fatty tissue that covers your pubic bones).

Targeted stimulation

Clitoral vibrators are great for delivering a “buzzy” vibration to the small surface of the clitoris. And G-spot vibrators place the pulse on the end of a curve designed specifically for G-spot stimulation, which can be difficult to achieve with your hands.

Continuous stimulation

The Magic Wand and other wand vibrators deliver a steady stream of continuous vibration.

Patterned stimulation

If you like mixing up the speed and intensity, consider a vibrator that offers varying vibration patterns for a unique, customizable experience. These are also an excellent choice for beginners who don't know the stimulation they’re after. The first time you use it, start with a low intensity to see how it feels, working your way up to more powerful vibrations whenever you want.

3. Choose a safe material

While vibe play can surely boost your sexual health, offering increased stimulation and excitement to both masturbation and partner play, this is only the case if you’re using body-safe objects. 

There’s a lot to consider, from the porosity of polished stone to silicone’s potential to break down into microplastics. Read the packaging, and avoid buying a sex toy that markets itself as a novelty item, since “for novelty use only” helps the manufacturer avoid FDA scrutiny.

Online retailers like Amazon and Lovehoney offer an overwhelming selection of vibrators and other sex toys. But to ensure you’re purchasing a product made with body-safe materials, look for a reputable shop that values the health of its customers, like Good Vibrations or Smitten Kitten, who no longer carry products that contain potentially harmful phthalates. If you’re not sure, run a search on SaferProducts.gov, a website hosted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

And while we have our sex educator hat on, there’s one more important thing to note: It’s possible to spread STIs through sex toys if you don’t take the proper precautions. Wash your vibrator after each use, and if you’re using toys with multiple partners, designate a different set for each person so you don’t risk spreading more than love.

Here are two body-safe, easy-to-clean materials you’ll often find in high-quality sex toys and the types of lube to pair them with.

Silicone

Silicone vibrators are one of the most popular options because they’re durable and nonporous, which helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. But silicone lube can degrade the material over time, so pair silicone products with a hybrid silicone/water-based lube for anal play or a water-based lube for vaginal use.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic

ABS plastic is nonporous, body-safe, and easy to clean. You can use any lube with ABS plastic, but avoid silicone lube if the vibrator is a silicone/ABS plastic combo.

4. Determine your price range

You can find finger vibrators on Amazon for under $5 or drop hundreds for the luxury version at high-end sex shops like LELO and Dame. Figure out how much you’re willing to spend, then read reviews and look closely at the product’s materials to ensure it’s body-safe and built to last.

5. Look for special features

Technology has come a long way since Dr. Granville invented his 40-pound “portable” vibrating massager. Here are some of our favorite vibrator feature options. 

Waterproof

For fun in the tub that doesn’t involve a showerhead, look for toys that market themselves as waterproof. If you see the word “splash-proof,” the vibrator may be safe for shower play but not full submersion.

Hands-free

Wearable devices like clitoral suction vibrators can mimic the feel of oral sex for the ultimate hands-free experience.

Heated

One of the best things about penetrative sex is the warmth of your partner’s body. Warming vibrators help you feel the heat even when you’re playing alone.

Bluetooth or app-controlled

Give your long-distance partner the power to pleasure you from afar with an app-controlled vibrator.

Music-activated

To really get into the rhythm, companies like Lovehoney make wands, butt plugs, and underwear that vibe to the beat of your favorite music.

Rechargeable

Tired of stealing batteries from the remote? Many modern vibrators are USB rechargeable, making it easier than ever to keep your vibe juiced up.

Stimulate even more senses with Quinn

A vibrator isn't the only thing that makes self-pleasure more fun — sound is one of the most powerful sources of stimulation. That’s why we made Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world. If you want to enhance your vibe time with a sexy soundtrack, try the wide range of erotic content on Quinn.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.