These are the best sex toys for beginners to start your collection, tried and tested by our wellbeing editor

Our guide on the best sex toys for beginners has everything you need to create a starter collection. From rabbit vibrators to bullet vibrators, dildos, clitoral stimulators, and more, you're sure to find something you love with this expert-approved, hand-picked selection. 

Sex toys are an excellent way to invest in your self-care routine as it's so personal to you. What'll work for you won't work for someone else, giving you the chance to have fun learning more about what you like in the bedroom. No matter whether you're single and looking for an exciting new way to experience pleasure or you're after a toy to use with your partner to enhance your sex life, finding your perfect vibe can really change things up for the better.  

We've tried and tested a range of the best sex toys and ranked them based on a range of factors - like how easy they were to use, size, volume levels, and function, and noted important details like the returns policy and what lube they work best with - to help you find your ideal first pick. 

How we tested and selected the best sex toys for beginners

When looking for the best sex toys for beginners, we consulted an expert. Ky Hoyle is a certified sex toy expert as the founder of Sh! Women's Store, the UK's first dedicated sex toy store for women. She offered some essential guidelines for us to look out for. "

Then, we got to trialing, testing, and reviewing. We tested a whole range of vibrators under Hoyle's expert criteria, from bullet vibrators to rabbit vibrators, to determine which ones would be the best for those new to sex toys. To do so, we followed our standing testing practices (to find out more, read our page on how we test products) and reviewed based on several factors: 

• Buttons: Too many toys can feel overwhelming so, on Hoyle's advice, we tested sex toys with simple controls and noted whether the buttons were easy to access when the toy was in use and how well they worked to turn the toy on and off. 
• Modes: We tested toys with a whole range of modes, from simple bullets with one function to rabbit vibrators with several to choose from, to assess whether a toy with multiple modes will be better for exploring sensations.
• Volume: When testing the best sex toys for beginners, we noted how loud the toy was both before and during use and how loud the toy tends to impact many people's enjoyment of the device.
• Size: If you're looking for a beginner's dildo, rabbit vibrator, or anything that's used internally, it's worth considering what size you're looking for. On Hoyle's advice, we opted for slimmer toys to find the best one for beginners. 
• Charging: How easy was the toy to charge? Some toys are harder to charge than others, depending on whether they're on a magnetic catch or USB, so we noted if the toy was easy to recharge after use.
• RRP: As it's a first-time sex toy, you don't want to spend too much. How will you know you really like it? These are the best picks from the bunch, but what you like can change over time, so we selected toys across the price spectrum with highlighted premium and budget offerings. 

Best sex toys for beginners

Love Not War's MAYA bullet vibrator might be pricier than many of the other options on our list at $84.99/£69.99 but if you were only to buy one best vibrator that stands the test of time while you work out what else you enjoy, this is the one to go for. 

We love this sizeable bullet vibe as it's easier to hold than smaller bullets and nestles in the palm of our hand during use without being too big to target the intimate spots. It's easy to turn on with a simple press of the black silicone button on the base of the toy and to turn it off, you hold the same button down for a couple of seconds. The MAYA also doesn’t require too much pressure or positioning to hit the right spot with the four different intensity modes and seven vibration patterns coming through the tapered tip doing most of the work. While we were a little skeptical at first about how easy this vibe would be for beginners, given the number of patterns, the variations and intensity modes are easy to cycle through with just one press of the silicone button. It gives you the chance to explore more as you learn what you like, but when you want something simple to begin with, we recommend sticking with the first mode. 

We found that charging the vibrator was also a super simple experience as the vibe comes apart in the middle, revealing a slot for the USB attachment. Unlike many of the bullets that require magnetic charging, the cable stays in place even when it falls off your bedside table (as we discovered the hard way). 

The MAYA looks great and it's definitely one of the best bullet vibrators too, with its sleek rose gold stainless steel casing, but it's also fully sustainable - from the 99% recycled aluminum outer casing to the soy ink on the packaging. And it's waterproof, meaning you can submerge this sexy bullet in hot or cold water, or pop the head (not the charging end) in the freezer for some temperature play. 

Clitoral stimulators do just as the name suggests and offer direct stimulation onto and around the clitoris. The Satisfyer Pro 2 Air Pulse Stimulator is unique in this area though as the stimulation comes from puffs of air from the head of the toy rather than vibrations, mimicking the feeling of oral sex.

We found the Pro 2 so easy to use, with just two buttons on the handle of the toy: one for turning the vibe on and off, and one for adjusting the speed. It's also pretty simple to adjust the vibrator to the right spot as the silicone head is designed to fit snugly over your clitoris. This makes it the ideal purchase for you, rather than for use with a partner, we found, since you'll need to keep it in that position while in use. The sleek, bulbous handle is also designed for self-use and nestles in the palm of your hand, allowing for comfortable access to the buttons. 

The design of the toy is another huge plus point, we believe. The plastic casing is sleek, and smooth, and comes in either pink or blue metallic shades. While it will mark relatively quickly if you throw the toy around, the colors are hardwearing overall and make for a nice change from the classic pinks and purples these toys normally come in. 

We also found the Satisfyer Pro 2 to be easy in the charging department as well, making it one of the best sex toys for beginners for sure. Many other vibrators require some kind of USB plug-in charger but the Pro 2 has two magnetic charging points on the base of the toy. This one's also often available in the many sex toy kits out there, especially in sale season, so it's always worth keeping an eye out.

Read our full Satisfyer Pro 2 Air Pulse Stimulator review.

Smile Makers' The Firefighter is a light, compact, and uniquely colorful vibe equally at home on the list of top vibes generally as it is in this beginner's guide. We loved that this sex toy only had four speeds to choose from, offering enough options to make sure you can find what you like, but it wasn't overwhelming. There are also two pulsation modes for those who want a different pattern of vibration. If the MAYA seems a little much for you then The Firefighter could be the one to go for. 

Undoubtedly, while this vibe is certainly a more unique shape than some of the other simple vibrators, we found it offers users fuss-free access to the world of sex toys. The flame shape is a wonderful way to stimulate the whole vulva, using the middle part of the flame over the vagina and the flick over the clitoris, or you can target the clit directly by just using the flame point.

The toy was so easy to turn on and off with the quirky smiley face button on the base of the toy. Press once to turn it on and hold it down for a couple of seconds to turn off the vibe completely. This is also the same button for cycling through a variety of speeds so there's only one button to navigate while the vibe is in use. The silicone is also so soft, making it a wonderfully smooth experience all round. 

While the vibe uses a battery for life rather than USB charging like the other ones on our list, we found it lasts for ages - up to four hours, according to the brand. Along with a 30% discount off the store if you find The Firefighter isn't for you and you want to try something else, every toy comes with a 2-year warranty so you can replace any defective toys without an issue. 

Lovehoney's BASICS Suction Cup Dildo 6 Inch is a relatively easy start if you're used to having penetrative sex of any kind and you want to replicate this feeling by yourself or with a partner, manually or using a strap-on harness.

The dildo comes in either a translucent off-white or translucent purple color so you don't have to worry about it looking too much like the real thing (although these are certainly available). With lifelike veins and a pronounced head though, our tester found it did a good job at mirroring the real thing with some intense G-spot stimulation that's perhaps even a little more than lifelike. Just be careful of how to store your sex toys with this one, as it does collect dust easily.

A flared suction cup base and the firm PVC material also make this one of the best sex toys for beginners as you can take it into the bath or shower and play around with it in there, fixing it to the wall or edge of the bath. Just be sure to include one of the best lubes in your washbag as, despite what many people believe, water is not a lubricant.

When it comes to using a dildo for the very first time, however, the best one for you will heavily depend on what you're used to. If you're relatively new to penetrative sex, or you haven't had penetrative sex in a while, then you might want to start with something smaller and slimmer. Also from Lovehoney, the BASICS Beginners Realistic Dildo Vibrator 5 Inch may be a better place to begin with an insertable length of 4.5 inches and a circumference of 4 inches.  

If you're looking for one of the best wand vibrators for beginners, this should be your go-to pick. The Lovehoney 8 Function Mini Wand Vibrator is a smaller toy than many other wand vibrators, which tend to be mains-charged massagers with huge heads. We love that this vibe comes in hand-held form, meaning it's easy to handle and navigate the buttons with just one hand, so you can apply lube or adjust your body at the same time. There are only two buttons to scroll between as well - on and off. The light-up system towards the top of the silver panel shows which one of the several speeds and vibration patterns you're on. 

We found that the smaller design of the toy was also hugely beneficial when it came to targeting the different erogenous zones. The wand head bends when you press it into your body and as it's significantly smaller than those of typical wand vibrators, you can reach specific points around the clitoris and vulva as you please. 

The only downside of the Mini Wand Vibrator is the charging system - because there isn't one. This toy requires four batteries which all slot into the bottom of the toy through a removable panel that's pretty difficult to open in the heat of the moment. Take our advice, if you are going to use this vibe, prepare and set it up in advance. 

Thanks to its intuitive functions, simple buttons, and sleek design, The Artist is easily one of the best rabbit vibrators on the market right now. It might be the most expensive toy in our guide - but it's certainly worth the price if you're someone looking to make a bigger investment in your first purchase. 

Rabbits tend to be more expensive anyway as they have a dual head - two for the price of one. We love The Artist's sleek design with the 'rabbit' head taking the shape of a pointed bulb that naturally finds your clitoris on insertion of the toy. It's a pick of the best luxury sex toys in our opinion. While it's less intense generally than many of the other rabbit vibrators we've tried and tested, as there aren't any probing ears to stimulate either side of the clitoris, you can really scale up the intensity once you find your perfect angle.

There are two manual buttons to navigate on The Artist, one for turning the vibe on and the other for scrolling through the four different modes. You can manipulate the 'rabbit' head and the dildo-like part of the vibrator independently or simultaneously through these buttons and by pushing the heads closer together inside you. But the best part of this vibe is the intuitive function. We found that simply squeezing two sensitive points on either side of the handle was the best way to adjust the vibration and it's a lot easier in the heat of the moment than working your way through buttons. 

You don't need to spend a fortune to get a great sex toy for beginners. The Lovehoney G-Kiss Fluttering Clitoral and G-Spot Vibrator is an amazing all-rounder, giving you the chance to experience targeted stimulation of either the clitoris or the G-spot, or dual stimulation when you use both heads at the same time. We love that both the 'rabbit' head - which is a butterfly in this case - and the internal arm are fully extendable so you can flex one away from you if you just want to use the other. 

While the toy is pretty loud, so it's not one for those in need of something discreet, it's an amazing rabbit vibrator for the price you're paying. Smaller than many of the others as well, we found that it was easy to handle this vibe in one hand. There's one button on the base of the handle to navigate through the speeds and vibration patterns and the butterfly wings offer intense stimulation on and around the clitoris on the higher settings. 

The Lovehoney G-Kiss Fluttering Clitoral and G-Spot Vibrator is the same price as Smile Makers' The Surfer, our best vibrator for beginners pick, though. So, if you want something more suitable for clitoral-only stimulator, want additional friction, or want a vibe made of silicone rather than plastic, that might be a better pick for you at the same price point.

Made from very soft silicone, the Rose sex toy is ideal for those wanting something a little more unique to begin their journey into clitoral vibrators. Earlier this year, the vibrator took off on social media as users took to TikTok and Instagram to share their love for the newest hot-topic on the sex toy market. 

The opening of the rose head sits snugle over your clitoris and creates gentle sucking sensations that are not dissimilar to the sensations of oral sex. "Using air pressure instead of vibration, clit-suction toys work by indirectly stimulating the sensitive clitoris," says Hoyle, who sells a version of the Rose sex toy at Sh! Women's Store. "This type of toy creates gentle throbbing sensations, which help increase circulation, boost arousal, and deliver orgasms."

While there are many you can buy in all colors and sizes, we've tried, tested, and loved the one from Lovehoney. It's so simple to use, just hold the bulb of the rose with your fingers and adjust the toy in place. There are two-button on the interface, one for turning the vibe on and off, and the other for adjusting the speed and suction. 

You can also charge it easily with the USB cable that attaches magnetically to the toy, but be aware that you'll already need to own an interchangeable USB head as the box doesn't come complete with one.

Should you clean a sex toy when you first get it? 

Yes, it's best to clean your sex toys before use if they're new out of the box. While all sex toys should arrive boxed up in a sanitary state, they're not sterile by nature so they could have picked up bacteria and dust on their way to you. Wash your pick of the best sex toys for beginners before you use it with mild body-safe soap and water before you use it if your toy is waterproof. If not, learn how to clean your sex toy from the instructions box. 

You should also clean your toys every time you use them, says Lyndsey Murray, a couples counselor and certified sex therapist. "And make sure you have the right cleaner for the toys you have. They will last longer when cleaned properly, and it’s healthier for your body when your toys are clean," she says.

Tips for using sex toys for the first time

• Go slow: "Sex toys can be intimidating if you’ve never used them before, and the best way to approach is to go slow and be kind to yourself while you explore," says sex therapist Lyndsey Murray. "Pick one toy you might like to try and use it at home when you’ve got some free time to ensure you don’t feel rushed."
• Don't put pressure on yourself: "You don’t need to have an orgasm every time you use a toy, and some toys may not even be for genital play. Keep the purpose of your toys on pleasure for all parts of your body and as a chance to gather information for yourself on what you like," she says.
• Remember to charge your toys as soon as they run out of battery: "Lots of toys no longer require a battery but instead must be charged, and it’s a huge bummer when your toy stops working mid-play." 
• Include a partner: If you have a partner, why not include them in your experience? "Using them for masturbation is a lot of fun but bringing them into the room with your partner as an additional 'teammate' can bring on a lot of pleasure and isn’t something to shy away from," she says.