A study out of the University of Colorado showed that

How to Clean a Vibrator and Other Sex Toys Safely

It’s a reliable vibrator with an unassuming yet modern look, and it’s never let me down. This toy is a clit sucker, meaning that it provides suction stimulation for pleasure as opposed to vibration. As I stated in my review of BuzzFeed’s Air Vibe, I’m not a huge fan of clit suckers.

It would seem that vibrators fall under the rubric of unmentionable products (Katsanis, 1994), and hence are largely avoided from scientific inquiry (at least by marketing scholars). That said, vibrators constitute a market estimated at one billion dollars in the United States alone (Chiang, 2011). Most vibrators have locking mechanisms too, which some people mistake for a faulty product. Gerek vouches that this toy makes for “explosive climaxes” with its combination of sucking, stroking, and vibration. Yes, there’s even a “climax button” you can deploy when you’re getting close to coming, and the toy will suck you in even deeper, mimicking a deep-throating sensation for an intense finish.

The fact that I didn’t ‘need’ or own a vibrator for so long was both a point of pride and envy. I was proud of the fact that I could get off wherever, whenever—so long as my hand wasn’t sprained or something—but envious of all the ladies who didn’t have to break a sweat for their orgasms. This jealousy was especially present whenever I happened to be extremely horny and completely exhausted at the same time. Too tired to masturbate, I’d usually just fall into an irritated sleep and wake with lady blue balls, a problem I imagined vibrator-owners never had. The toy doesn’t have a dedicated button for switching between the two. Instead, the user holds down on the power button for three seconds to glide from vibration to pulse, according to an instructional video on Doxy’s website.

The power that a great vibrator brings to the table (for men, women, and everyone else) can turn a standard sex or masturbation session into a mind-blowing one. An orgasm-by-vibrator can feel stronger and deeper, and that’s because, in some ways, it is. The Tulip features a rolling ball bearing at the flat tip of the toy, which feels quite strong against a fingertip but provides less-intense stimulation when pressed against a clitoris. Positioning it is complicated, and our testers said it did not provide enough stimulation to be satisfying. The Jasmine has a small, flexible, vibrating “tongue” set in a loop that is supposed to encircle the clitoris.

Then consider the range of intensities and patterns the toy provides, Carol Queen, PhD viberator, a sex educator with Good Vibes, tells SELF, so you can turn it up as you get more turned on—or lower it if you want to draw out your orgasm. Most of our panel said this egg-shaped vibrator helped them achieve a more intense orgasm and they all noted how quiet it was , so they didn’t have to worry about anyone hearing it if they were in the next room. Our testers found it provided a completely different experience compared to other vibrators on the market and said it was beautifully designed. Lexington, Kentucky-based marriage and family therapist Juliana Hauser, PhD, previously told Allure where you place your vibrator is critical. High-frequency vibration designed to run off of pneumatic air power.

But she says there isn’t much to the notion that using them “too much” will decrease sensation or the ability to orgasm in the long-term. She says as women become more comfortable with vibrators, they will also become more familiar with their own erotic responsiveness, which can assist with their non-vibe sexual encounters. Actually, there have been research studies that show that vibe use has benefits that go beyond a quick and easy orgasm. A study out of the University of Colorado showed that vibrators have a host of benefits for those who suffer from some sexual arousal or sensation problems and may work to heal underlying nerve damage. The Starlet is a small but mighty toy that is designed with pleasure air technology that gently sucks and massages.

The ‘rabbit ears’ have three speeds, while the shaft offers nine patterns and three speeds, along with a curved head for optimal G-spot stimulation. You can also tap into turbo mode with a double-click of the button, which ultimately ended up being my favorite speed. The Mini can be used to stimulate all of your favorite external erogenous zones, and you can do so even more discreetly than with its predecessor, thanks to its size. While plenty of other vibrating cock rings here can be used solo, the Jett is the only one designed expressly for alone time.

On top of all that, the material felt soft against their skin, and the detailed instructions and diagrams helped them to get the most of out of the device. So, if you’re on board with the concept but don’t know where to start, let us be your guide. The long and short of it, ahem, is that these toys feature two curved appendages (one mini, one biggie) that stimulate two pleasure points simultaneously, otherwise known as dual-stimulation. If you have a vagina, those hotspots will be internal and external—the G-spot and the clitoris—but the shorter end can also be used to stimulate the prostate. This shorter arm is how the toy got its moniker in the first place, since many feature flickering “bunny ears” for textured stimulation that feels good and looks adorable. Bellesa has long been at the forefront of sexual wellness innovation, and WhisperBullet is no exception.

Testers said the silicone head felt beautifully soft on their skin and the rechargeable battery lasted for an impressive three hours — so your alone time won’t be cut short. It’s on the larger side, but we would recommend making space for this one. Doing a little research to find the best vibrators and sex toys will ultimately help you to achieve longer, deeper and more intense orgasms.