The best, non-intimidating sex toys for beginners

You’ve heard of the Rose — the suction sex toy that went viral in 2020 for its quick climax capabilities — but have you heard of the tulip?

This bejewelled bud from Ann Summers is similarly floral inspired, but instead of sucking, it vibrates in three vibration speeds and seven patterns across its five petals, while the centre of the flower pulsates.

Use the length of the petals for broader vulva stimulation, or if you’re looking for a speedy orgasm, use the middle for direct (and blooming great) clit contact.

We can’t get enough of this Ricky wand, so much so that it won best wand vibrator at our first ever sex toy awards.

Not only does the head give you a heavy duty clitoral massage, it also has a tapered end for blissful G-spot stimulation. If you’re looking for a great investment, this dual-use vibe really delivers.

Perfect for solo or partnered sex, and with multiple uses, the wand offers two motors, and 10 unique vibration patterns, giving you a total of 20 settings to play with.

Feeling like a more powerful wand is the right choice for your first investment? This is the one to go for, especially as it’s currently £20 off.

It doesn’t take having used a sex toy to know there are two kinds of vulva stimulation you can go for: C-spot and G-spot.

But if you’re new to the sex toy game, and still exploring what kinds of vibrations you like and where, you might want to experiment with a toy that can do both.

With its tapered shape, the Billionaire vibe from Smile Makers can be used to dig for treasure against your G-spot, or glide against your C-spot. Our sex writer’s advice? Use the tip to tease your clit and just outside the opening of your vagina, to build anticipation.

If the Disney short film Bao stuck in your brain in the same way it did our sex writer’s, this toy from Satisfyer might appeal.

Shaped like a mochi, it could just be an adorable tchotchke (fans of Labubus and Sonny Angels will probs appreciate!), but it is in fact a clit vibrator — just no one would ever know any better.

As well as buzzing in 13 modes, it also has a second motor that controls 11 suction intensities, if you can’t decide between the two kinds of stimulation.

The humble rabbit vibrator is a classic for a reason — it hits both the clitoris and the G-spot simultaneously with deep vibrations. For some, this might be a little too intense, but seriously, don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it.

This Lovehoney rabbit is on the smaller size with a slim shaft of about four insertable inches. A slightly curved tip angles up towards your G-spot — the spongy inner wall at the front of your vagina — and the flexible bunny ears are positioned to make contact with your clit.

With 10 vibration speeds and patterns, you won’t be too overwhelmed by choice, but there’s enough on offer to test out your favourite combinations and figure out what works for you and your body.

A rabbit is ideal for anyone who enjoys internal and external stimulation at the same time, and this bunny is a great place to start. Use plenty of lube, and don’t forget to use box-fresh batteries for best results.

Bullet vibes are some of the most popular beginner toys because they’re discreet, normally pretty quiet, and not as intimidating as other toys. Created for external use only with a limited range of functions and features, you can always rely on a bullet to deliver.

This bullet vibrator is one of Lovehoney’s best-sellers. It boasts three intensities and seven rhythms, and it’s a good intro to solo sex, but also a great tool if you or your partner ever want to give edging a try.

Try slowly rolling, tapping, and pressing it across each other’s bodies, and experimenting with the sensations the vibration and patterns offer. Then use the pin-pointed tip to zone in on your clitoris for extra intensity.

This one’s for our girlies who want to get into penetration play, but aren’t into vibrations. Towing the perfect line between realistic and not (because, hello, it’s bright pink?) this dildo from Ann Summers makes the perfect intro toy.

As well as being realistically shaped, with tons of ridged veins and balls, it has a 5.5 inch shaft, meaning it won’t pack too much of a punch while hitting all the right spots.

And, for the rough riders among us, that strong suction cup base lets you attach it to any surface — so get ready to unlock every position you can think of.

Unfortunately for people with penises, sex toys designed for them come with a bit of a bad reputation.

There is so much stigma around people with penises getting their kicks off from something inanimate, that over a third of men admit to never having used one — compared with a quarter of women.

If realistic vaginas and fleshlights don’t quite appeal to you or your partner, but you want to get into the sex toy life, this masturbator from TENGA is the most unassuming option we’ve ever seen.

Shaped like a coffee flask, this male masturbator comes with a fully ridged silky inside. But, more importantly (we think), it’s as squishy as a marshmallow on the outside, for an added layer of sensual delight.

Another pleasantly straightforward sex toy, this classic vibrator is a great bet if internal stimulation is your thing. A simple silicone shaft and a single button make it incredibly simple to use.

However, unlike other pared-back vibes it actually offers three speeds and four patterns to experiment with.

Super quiet and waterproof, it’s practical, a great size for beginners, and also has gentle ridges to stimulate you internally for extra pleasure. Strap in for a bumpy ride, in the best way possible.

First time anal play can be a little bit daunting, but if it’s something you want to try, a butt plug is the ideal place to start. This silicone plug is a great size for beginners, as it’s just four inches of insertable length.

If you’re unsure about how to use a butt plug, here’s how to use one safely. But fear not, because this toy also has a flared base with anchor edges, which is important to stop any unwanted movement and prevent it getting lost inside you.

Make sure you use plenty of water-based lube (silicone lube reacts badly with silicone toys) to slide it inside, then you can start playing with the vibrations. Wear it around for a bit and get comfy and remember: never rush, always go at a comfortable pace.

Wand vibrators tend to intimidate sex toy beginners, which makes sense, given that they’re often quite big and powerful. And besides, not everyone has space for a huge wand in their home!

But this mini magic wand is a perfect compromise for those keen to experiment with the king of external vibes. With three speeds, this wand by Lovehoney is a super small four and a half inches long, and a wonderful gateway into the world of wands if you aren’t sure you like them or if you don’t want to spend too much.

Wands are pretty popular owing to their large heads which cover a large surface area of the vulva. This means they have the power to stimulate *a bunch* of nerve endings at once.

They’re also pretty accessible toys, easy to hold with large handles and often a flexible neck, which makes it easier to angle and press against your sweet spots. This one will fit perfectly in your bedside drawer, or in your bag if you’re heading to a sleepover.

This oral sex toy (also called a clit sucker toy) from Womanizer is geared towards beginners who want to try something a little different.

It gently mimics a sucking motion (kind of like being eaten out) without even coming into direct contact with your clitoris. The feeling is unique and offers a totally different experience to your average vibe.

The Womanizer Liberty is also great for travel, with a hard shell case and removable suction mouth that can be easily cleaned.

With suction toys, you want to create a vacuum between your vulva and the toy to allow the air pressure technology to work its magic, so we recommend using a little lube to make the seal a perfect fit.

The MIA™ 2 bullet vibrator is a simple easy-to-use vibe but with some *serious* upgrades. Would you expect any less from a luxury brand like LELO?

A powerful motor may come as a surprise in such a small and discreet toy, and it’s also rechargeable, which most bullets aren’t. This means you won’t have to change the batteries — and with two hours of power after every charge, it will never let you down.

It may be a higher-end product but it’s worth the extra cash, with multiple speed and pattern settings to try out, as well as a luxe outer casing and a travel lock, making it perfect for carry-on luggage and adventures further afield.