Sex Toys For Beginners

A surprising suggestion, or so you might think, but lubricant is a sex toy in its own right. If you've never played with lube during masturbation or sex, then you'll be amazed at how radically it can change and enhance the feeling of a simple touch of a finger, or buzz of a vibrator. Buying a small bottle like ID Glide water-based lube, you'll quickly feel the difference.

For the more adventurous there are flavoured lubricants, which are great for enhancing oral sex. Or cooling and warming lubes, ideal for adding some extra oomph as it allows you to experiment with sensations you wouldn't normally experience during sex.

If you've never used any sort of vibe before, then bullet vibrators are an excellent place to start. If you’re nervous about spending too much money on your first sex toy, they’re brilliantly budget-friendly.

We really like the Rocks Off Bamboo Moondust which comes with 10 different settings to experiment with for only £15. Small, discreet and wonderfully versatile, bullets are great for experimenting with. they can be used on any erogenous zone during masturbation or couple foreplay: think clitoris, perineum, nipples, against the scrotum, over the labia, backs of knees; these are just a few examples of how you could roll, stroke or circle the bullet vibrator over yours, or your partner's, hot spots.

Experimenting with toys together as a couple can make the experience a lot less intimidating, but also a bit more confusing. What could you possibly pick that would benefit and satisfy you both? Answer: a cock ring, specifically textured or vibrating cock rings. With a cock ring he gets to enjoy a longer-lasting erection that also looks bigger and delayed ejaculation, which will feel even stronger when he does finally come. Whilst their partner gets to enjoy the buzzy sensations of the micro-vibe against the clitoris or perineum.

For only £10, the super-stretchy Thriller vibrating cock ring from So Divine is a great first-time toy.

Long and slender, the brilliant thing about classic vibrators is they give you the freedom to explore internal, penetrative pleasures as well as teasing all of those hot spots on the outside. Consider the classic vibrator as a step up from the bullet vibe, because it's longer so allows you to experiment with more.

Go for something soft and flexible like the Goddess Collection Boreas Vibrator from Dream Toys. Boreas is a waterproof and USB rechargeable vibrator made of an ultra-smooth, body-safe 'liquid’ silicone that’s soft to the touch, almost like the real thing. The shaft is realistically textured, with veins and a head, and a heating element in the tip to quickly warm it to a comfortable and safe body temperature to make your play even more pleasurable. With 3 different speeds and 9 vibration patterns, Boreas will give you G-spot stimulation that’ll have you feeling the heat.

Say the word vibrator and most people will immediately think of the classic rabbit shape. Designed to give both clitoral and internal stimulation at the same time to give a ‘blended orgasm’, it’s no wonder these are often thought to be the best sex toys!

There are many different types of rabbit vibe too, each offering different sensations of clitoral stimulation from straightforward vibrations to flickering tongues. For sex toy beginners, the Happy Rabbit Mini Rabbit Vibrator is a great place to start. This petite yet powerful vibe can provide all the pleasures of a full-size rabbit in a compact, travel-sized shape and at an affordable price. With 12 vibration modes to choose from, a slim and shaped shaft with a curved tip that targets your g-spot, and the classic clit-tingling Happy Rabbit bunny ears, this rabbit is a perfect choice for first-timers.

A dildo is the original sex toy - if you're after a simple penis replica that doesn't vibrate, this is it. There are loads of different types to choose from, whether you want something bright and colourful or the classic phallic look. We’d recommend one with a suction cup base which allows you to use it hands-free in places like the shower (thank us later!).

One of our favourites is the Silexd 6” Dual Density Dildo which features a soft outer layer wrapped around a firmer inner core that makes the internal sensations that this toy can provide that much more lifelike.

If you know you like the sensation of oral sex, a clitoral suction toy is a great choice. Instead of vibrations, these toys stimulate the nerve endings with pulses of air without any direct contact on the clitoris itself, resulting in a different type of orgasm. As a first time choice, we’d recommend the Womanizer Starlet. Fully rechargeable and completely waterproof, it’s great fun in the bath!

Take a hand job to a whole new level with a masturbation sleeve. Made of textured soft silicone to glide over the penis, a sleeve will bring new sensations to your solo play. Available for less than a tenner, a Tenga Egg is a great first-time choice. Inside the shell is a super soft and flexible silicone sleeve stroker that effortlessly massages with every thrust. Just be sure to use plenty of the provided lube!

Not all toys vibrate. Adding a simple blindfold to your sex play can bring a new level of anticipation and eroticism to the bedroom. While many may think blindfold = bondage, it really doesn't have to. Taking away your lover's sight will heighten their other senses, but it doesn't mean you have to start being rough. Instead, you could use this simple sex toy accessory to explore the joys of erotic massage, spend the time gently kissing or stroking them in areas they least expect it, or you could indeed use it as a first stepping stone into the world of bdsm. Either way, it's a wonderfully simple, inexpensive sex toy that can open up many more opportunities. Try something soft and sensual like this Satin & Lace Blindfold by Fifty Shades of Grey.

There's a reason these excellent toys are called magic wands! Brilliant for stimulating the clitoris and vulva, the broad mushroom head of these stimulators lets you cover as wide an area as possible, meaning they work really well as general-purpose body massagers too. For an affordable first vibrator, try the Oriel Rechargeable Wand by Rocks Off.

Adding anal play to your sexual repertoire can be an exciting and very satisfying experience, especially for men because it's where the prostate gland, or P-Spot, is located and when stimulated with an anal massager or butt plug can lead to very intense orgasms. The Fifty Shades of Grey Driven by Desire Silicone Pleasure Plug is an ideal size for beginners. The toy is unisex and can comfortably be used for men and women, although the curved shape is designed to stimulate the prostate in men which can create knee-trembling orgasms!