Welcome to the Choosing a Toy Guide series. If you haven't already done so, we recommend reading Choosing a Toy Guide - The Basics first. It provides general information about all types of toys. In this section, we discuss the four general categories of toys often used by women.
First off, don't let the title of this section lock you into thinking that these toys are only for women to use when alone. Every toy here can add whole realms of excitement when used with a partner, male or female. In fact most of these toys can even be used by a solo man if he wants (or a male couple).
We've called it Toys for a Woman because these are the toys that are most often used by women on their own. Any toy that can be used alone can also be used with a partner, usually with one person applying the toy to the other.
We've separated these toys into four main categories (Insertable, Clitoral, Dual, & Anal) and within each of those are various sub-categories.
Insertable - Toys designed for insertion tend to be longer, wider, and more penis shaped than external toys. They vary wildly in shape, texture, size, & materials from which they are made, and some are designed for more specialized purposes (such as G-spot stimulation). Many non-vibrating dildos fall into this category and there are even more types of vibrators than there are dildos.
- Vibrators: This is what most people think of when they picture a 'sex toy'. They're available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, colors, materials, and textures.
- G-Spot: Although also fitting into the vibrator or dildo categories, these toys all have some kind of curved or hooked tip that is designed to be rubbed or stroked against the G-spot. Read our G-spot articles for more information. They can also be used on the man's prostate.
- Dildo: Available in all shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and textures these toys usually don't vibrate, although a few do have removable (and thus easily replaceable) bullet vibrators
- Handheld: Most of these are battery powered, easily portable, compact (called 'travel vibes'), and in addition to stimulating the external clitoris and outer lips, some can be inserted an inch or so to stimulate the entrance.
- Wearable: Also known as 'hands free' vibrators, most of these toys consist of a small vibrator encased in a soft tickler attached to an elastic harness. They can be used alone or to provide unobtrusive vibration during vaginal penetration and can be worn under clothing for private pleasure in a public setting.
Dual - These are toys designed to penetrate at the same time as they stimulate the external genitals. They combine the best of both worlds and provide a wide range of simultaneous sensations. Almost all of these toys are vibrators.
- Bullets & Eggs: Most of these toys have a controller attached by a wire to the toy itself. This makes it easy to use by either partner or in a variety of physical positions. They're great for external clittoral stimulation or for insertion into either a vagina or anus.
- Rabbits: Made famous by Samantha and Miranda on Sex In The City, these toys are known as 'Rabbits' even though not all of them are rabbit shaped (dolphins, butterflies, and other shapes are possible). They feature an insertable shaft with swirling rotating beads and a vibrating clitoral tickler with soft bunny ears.
Anal: Although almost any toy can be used for anal pleasure, the ones in our Anal Toy section are mostly of two styles, 'string-of-beads' or 'anal plug' and are often designed with retrieval in mind having a pull ring or a wide flared base so they don't accidentally go too deep.