“Hysteria” and the Strange History of Vibrators
When you’re shopping for mini vibrators, you’ll find that there are two main types available. One type is slender in shape and can be inserted into the vagina or used externally to stimulate the clitoris. Which type is right for you will depend on your personal tastes and what type of simulation is most pleasurable for you.
In cases of anorgasmia or low libido, a tried-and-true toy such as the Magic Wand may be preferable. If you can’t get the Magic Wand Rechargeable—or you prefer a corded toy—the Magic Wand Plus offers similar features at a lower price. Some remote controlled vibrators can be paired, so you experience the same sensations at the same time. Though remote controlled sex toys have tons of potential purposes, they are commonly used in four main situations. So basically, human genitals are pretty tough, but if it hurts, don’t do it. Keep lines of communication open with your partner if you’re playing together.
“Some like to tap [external vibrators] back and forth on the glans, clitoral shaft, and labia,” Juliana Hauser, PhD, a Lexington, Kentucky-based marriage and family therapist, previously told Allure. You always want to buy a toy made with body-safe materials like stainless steel, silicone, and borosilicate glass. Silicone toys are the most popular but always remember to pair them with water-based lube to avoid breaking down the material. Few things are more disappointing than receiving a new sex toy only to discover that it doesn’t work for you. One way to reduce the odds of this happening is to buy a vibe that has at least 5 different intensity settings, so that (hopefully) even if some of them don’t work for you, others will. Some vibrators also have patterns, such as pulsing or wave-like vibrations, which can make the toy even more versatile.
What’s more, you can use it vaginally, anally or to stimulate other areas like breasts. If you are ready to level up your anal play experience , the Unbound Shimmy is the way to go. At just over six inches long and one inch in diameter, the Shimmy is definitely a medium plug, but not so large that it’ll take forever to work up to its size. The handle attached to the plug’s wider end allows for easy insertion, whether you’re using it alone or with a partner.
Or, you can angle the arms to provide more pinpointed stimulation wherever you want it. One SELF editor called the compact Maude Vibe the “sex toy I didn’t know I needed.” Its slim, elongated body lets you use it like an extension of your finger, with a tapered tip that targets the clit. This simple, whisper-quiet vibe has three intensities that ramp up from fluttery to “eye-poppingly powerful,” she says. That original vibe had a long body that could enter the vagina vibrator, with rabbit “ears” that stimulated the clit. Some rabbit vibes today have preserved this signature style—because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Others have replaced the “ears” with shorter arms that curve towards the clit or suction mechanisms.
As the partner of a person with a penis (try saying that five times fast!), this toy is one of my absolute faves on this list, because of how well it combines with blowjobs and handjobs. You can use the toy around the base of a dick while you or your partner stimulates the rest of it, adding some intensity into an already-intense experience. It’s a smart pick for anyone who travels a lot, too, because it’s much more compact than a lot of other options on this list, and even has a travel lock function so it won’t go berserk in your suitcase mid-trek.
With all of its versatility, don’t be surprised if the Lelo Gigi 2 quickly becomes your new fave. This high-end nearly silent vibrator was crafted to target the G-spot with eight hush-hush vibrational patterns and a comfortable arc design. However, it can also be used externally to deliver those tantalizing vibes wherever you desire. As a bonus, it’s also fully waterproof and can operate for up to two hours on a single charge. And, if it happens to provide external stimulation as well, all the better. Womanizer typically employs medical-grade silicone and/or ABS plastic, and the Enhance is no different.
While it’s a similar size as many bullet vibrators, at 3.5 inches long, it also has the amped-up power of a wand. I love the sunshine yellow color and discreet charging case—you could almost mistake it for a pair of sunglasses in your bag. The design means that no matter which one you choose, insertion is made easy by the tapered shape and soft, sleek silicone.
