Dildos

A dildo has no motor, so everything depends on shape, size and material. That makes the choice simpler than it looks: get those three right and the toy will still feel good in five years. Below is what actually matters before you order.

Size: read the insertable length

Product listings often give the total length, while only the insertable part counts. Subtract the base and you usually lose two to four centimetres. If you have nothing to compare with, twelve to fourteen centimetres of insertable length is a comfortable starting point.

Girth matters more than length. A centimetre of extra diameter is felt far more than a centimetre of extra length, and it is the most common reason a toy ends up in a drawer. When in doubt, choose the slimmer model.

Which type suits you

Realistic dildos are moulded from a real shape, often with veins and a defined head, and many use a dual density silicone: a firm core inside a soft outer layer, which feels much more like skin than a single hardness.

Fantasy shapes trade realism for texture and colour. Curved G-spot and prostate models have a firm upward bend and are meant for pressure, not depth. Vibrating dildos add a motor for extra stimulation, and double ended models are made for sharing or for using two ways at once.

Base, harness and suction

A flared base is essential for anything used anally. A suction cup base lets you fix the toy to a tile, a shower wall or a headboard for hands free use, and most suction cup models also fit a strap-on harness with a standard O-ring. Check the diameter of the base against the ring before you buy the two separately.

Material

Medical grade silicone is soft, warms to body temperature and is the easiest to live with. Glass and stainless steel are hard, entirely non porous and can be warmed or cooled under the tap for temperature play. All three are non porous, unlike jelly and PVC, which can hold bacteria and which we do not sell.

Silicone toys need a water based lubricant. A silicone lubricant will attack the surface and make it tacky. Glass and steel work with any lubricant.

Cleaning and storage

Wash with warm water and a mild unscented soap before and after use. Glass and steel can also be boiled or put through a hot rinse. Silicone with a motor inside must never be boiled. Dry fully and store in a cotton pouch, not touching other silicone toys.

Frequently asked questions