Realistic dildos: how to choose size, material and suction cup

For a first realistic dildo, pick one of about 15 to 18 cm long and around 4 cm wide with a suction cup, such as a compact King Cock or a slim dual density model. If you already know you like size, look at the width before the length, and choose silicone if you want a toy that is easiest to keep clean and lasts longest. Want to use it in a harness? Check that the base is listed as harness compatible.

The full range is in our realistic dildos section.

What makes a dildo realistic

A realistic dildo copies an erect penis, but the shape is only half of it. These are the details that matter:

• Glans. A defined head with a ridge. It is the part you feel most on the way in and the part that does the stretching.
• Veins. Raised veins along the shaft add texture with every stroke. Hand moulded veins, as on King Cock, look less stylised.
• Balls. Testicles at the base give you something to hold, add a visual stop and press against the body in deeper use. Some models have swinging balls instead of solid ones.
• Skin feel. Dual density (two layers) and triple density (three layers) put a soft outer skin over a firmer core, so the toy gives like flesh but keeps its shape. Sliding skin goes one step further: the outer layer moves over the core.

Prefer bright colours, creatures or odd shapes? That is a different category; see fantasy and novelty dildos.

The best realistic dildos by situation

• Best for beginners: Chisa Beginner Dildo 6.7" No.01. Made with first use in mind: 17 cm long and 4.2 cm across, soft and flexible TPE with a detailed glans, and light at 216 g.
• Best slim and bendable: Pretty Love Kable Bendable Sliding Skin Dildo. Only 3.7 cm wide over 21 cm, with a sliding skin and a jointed core you bend to the angle you want.
• Smallest King Cock: King Cock Realistic Dildo 5" Tan. Short, thick and heavily veined, with a suction cup that holds well.
• Best compact for a harness: King Cock 3D Triple Density Plus 6". Three layers, a 15 cm shaft with head, veins and balls, and a strong suction cup that also fits a harness ring.
• Best middle size King Cock: King Cock Realistic Dildo 9". 22.9 cm long and 5.3 cm wide, hand finished head and veins, suction cup base that fits any harness.
• Best King Cock with balls in tan: King Cock Realistic Dildo with Testicles 9" Tan. The same 22.9 cm length at 5.1 cm wide, with hand moulded veins and balls to hold on to.
• Best swinging balls: King Cock Triple Density Dildo Swinging Balls 8". 24.5 cm in total with 17.8 cm insertable, triple density and balls that move freely.
• Best large King Cock: King Cock Cock with Balls 11". 28 cm long and 6.4 cm wide, for people who already know they want size.
• Best liquid silicone with dual layer: Liketrue Realistic Dildo Dual Layer 8". About 20.3 cm in two densities of liquid silicone, with a soft surface that moves over the firm core and a broad suction base.
• Best thermo-reactive silicone: SilexD Dildo Mod 1 9". Liquid silicone and Silexpan that soften with body heat; 17 cm insertable, 5 cm wide, suction base of 7.5 cm.
• Best short silicone dildo: Legend Tigrax Liquid Silicone 17.5 cm. 12.5 cm insertable and 4.3 cm wide, with a solid 372 g of liquid silicone and a suction cup.
• Best flat base for a harness: Lux Klaus Triple Density Dildo with Balls 9.4". About 24 cm, triple density and a flat base that sits flush in a harness ring.
• Best for girth fans: Lovetoy Dual Layer King Size Nature 9.5". 24.5 cm long and 7.7 cm wide, over a kilo of dual layer platinum silicone that you can boil.

Realistic dildos compared

How to choose the right size

Two numbers matter: insertable length and width. Total length includes the balls and the base, so a 24.5 cm toy can have under 18 cm that actually goes in. Where a product lists the insertable length, use that number.

Width decides more than length. You choose how deep you go, but the width is there from the first centimetre. A good rule of thumb:

• Beginner: 3.5 to 4.2 cm wide and 12 to 17 cm insertable, such as the Chisa Beginner, the Legend Tigrax or the slim Pretty Love Kable.
• Experienced: 5 to 5.3 cm wide, such as the King Cock 9" or the SilexD Mod 1.
• Size fans: 6.4 cm and up, such as the King Cock 11" or the Lovetoy King Size Nature. With large models most people use only part of the length.

More detail is in our dildo sizes guide. Looking mainly for size? See also XXL dildos.

Materials: silicone, dual density, TPE and PVC

• Silicone and liquid silicone. Non porous, so it is the easiest to clean and does not hold on to bacteria or smell. Platinum silicone, like the Lovetoy King Size Nature, can even be boiled. It lasts for years.
• Dual layer silicone. Two densities of silicone in one toy, a soft skin over a firm core. You get the realistic feel and the easy cleaning in one. Read more in liquid silicone and dual density dildos.
• TPE and TPR. Soft, flexible and affordable, often with a sliding skin. They are porous: wash after every use, dry fully, and use a condom if you share the toy.
• PVC blends and FantaFlesh. The classic King Cock materials, phthalate free, softer and heavier than silicone. Also porous, so the same rules apply as for TPE.

Store porous toys apart from silicone toys, because they can react with each other in a drawer.

Suction cup and harness

A suction cup lets you fix the dildo to a smooth surface such as tiles, glass or a hard floor and ride it hands free, or use it in the shower. Clean and dry both the cup and the surface first, press firmly and test it before you rely on it.

For a strap-on, check two things: the base has to be listed as harness compatible and it has to fit the O-ring. Suction cups usually go through a ring; a flat base, as on the Lux Klaus, sits flush and stays put. For harnesses and matching toys see strap-on dildos and strap-ons and pegging. More models with a cup are in suction cup dildos.

King Cock and other brands

King Cock by Pipedream is the best known realistic range, with hand moulded veins and strong suction cups. In stock are compact, middle and large sizes, single and triple density, in flesh and tan; see all King Cock dildos. For silicone, look at Liketrue, SilexD, Legend and Lovetoy; for triple density with a flat base, Lux.

Using a realistic dildo safely

• Warm up with fingers or a smaller toy and take your time.
• Use plenty of lube and add more as you go.
• Let the glans do the stretching before you go deeper.
• For anal use, only use a dildo with balls, a suction cup or a flared base, so it cannot slip in fully.
• Stop when something hurts.

Lube and accessories

Water based lube is the safe choice for every material on this page. Never use silicone lube with silicone toys, because it can damage the surface. Find suitable options in water based lubes and read our lubricant guide. A toy cleaner makes care quicker.

Cleaning and care

• Wash before and after every use with warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner.
• Do not boil PVC, TPE or FantaFlesh. Only pure platinum silicone, when the product says so, can be boiled.
• Dry fully and store each toy on its own, out of sun and heat.

Related guides

New to dildos in general? Start with choosing a dildo; for skin feel read liquid silicone and dual density dildos.

Frequently asked questions