How to choose a vibrator

Start with where you want it used, how you want to control it and what you would like to spend.

Choosing a vibrator is easier when you start with what you want, not with the longest list of features. Three questions do most of the work: where do you want it to be used, how do you want to control it, and what would you like to spend? The sections below take them in turn, with real examples from the shop.

Where it is used

Clitoral

These are made for external use. The Nauti Petites 10 Function Clitoral Stimulator is small, at 5.5 cm long, with 5 sucking functions and 5 flapping functions once the head is removed. It is £37.99. At the other end of the range, the LELO SONA 2 Cruise has 12 pleasure settings, at £116.99. Browse every clitoral vibrator.

G-spot

Look for a curved shape. The Nauti Silicone G-Spot Vibrator has a curved tip and 10 functions, at £44.99. The LELO Liv 3 is a slightly curved silicone vibrator with 8 pleasure settings and two more in the LELO app, at £72.99. Browse every G-spot vibrator.

Rabbit

A rabbit vibrator combines a shaft with ears for external use. The Mina Thrill G-Spot Rabbit Vibrator is described on its page as beginner friendly, with 5 functions, at £39.99. Browse every rabbit vibrator.

Wand

A wand has a larger head on a handle. The Tabooboo Under the Sheets is a mini wand, 11.5 cm long, with 10 functions, at £31.99. The LELO Smart Wand 2 Large is 30.4 cm long, cordless, with 10 vibration settings and up to 4 hours of use on a charge, at £147.99. Browse every wand.

Bullet

Bullets are small and simple. The Mina Whisper is shaped like a lipstick, 9.25 cm long, with 10 vibrations, at £21.99. Browse every bullet.

Wearable

Wearables are made to be worn rather than held. The Mina Veil is a panty vibrator with a remote and a strong magnetic attachment, at £44.99. Browse every wearable.

How you control it

Many toys have buttons on the body. Others add a remote or an app. The Svakom Cici+ 2 is app controlled, with optional warmth, at £63.99. The LELO Liv 3 pairs with an app too, which adds two modes. If you would rather keep it simple, a toy with buttons only is a good start. See all remote and app toys.

Features worth knowing

• Warmth: the Svakom Cici+ 2 page lists optional warmth.
• A travel lock and a memory function: the same page lists both.
• Run time: the LELO Smart Wand 2 Large lists up to 4 hours of use, and the Svakom Tulip bullet lists 1 hour of charging for 1 hour of use.
• Remote range: the Mina Celeste love egg lists a remote that works up to 20 feet (6 metres).
• Insertable length: the LELO Liv 3 measures 16.9 x 3.5 x 4.2 cm, with an insertable length of 10 cm.

If the toy is for two, look at wearables, remote toys and rings. A remote lets one person hold the controls while the other wears the toy.

What you would like to spend

• Under £25: the Mina Whisper bullet, at £21.99, sits here.
• £25 to £50: the Tabooboo mini wand, the Nauti Petites, the Mina Thrill, the Nauti G-spot vibrator and the Mina Veil.
• £50 to £100: the Svakom Cici+ 2 and the LELO Liv 3.
• Over £100: the LELO SONA 2 Cruise, and the LELO Smart Wand 2 Large.

A higher price does not mean a toy is right for you. It usually means different features, such as an app, warmth or a longer run time. The product page lists them, so you can decide which ones you would use.

Read the details on the page

Each product page has a short details list. Look at Power and charging for how it charges and how long it runs, at Material for what it is made from, at Dimensions for the insertable length as well as the total length, and at In the box for what is included. Many LELO pages list a satin storage pouch.

When your toy arrives, our guides to cleaning sex toys and choosing a lubricant are the next two things to read. Toys cannot be returned once the seal has been removed, so look carefully before you open it. Everything arrives in a plain box: see how discreet delivery works.