Love & Sex 27th July 2016 by Paula Lyne

Buying Your First Vibrator: Here’s What An Expert Says You Need To Consider

Turns out there's a LOT of choice.

The world of sex toys is vast and varied, but even the most vanilla among us should get schooled up when it comes to the basics.

A vibrator can greatly up your masturbation game, helping you figure out what it is you like and don’t like, reach new levels of orgasm (who wouldn’t want that?), and even amp up your sex life – yup, your guy can use it on you too.

But rather than risk shelling out your hard-earned cash on a crappy vibe that’s nothing more than a glorified electric toothbrush, we suggest reading up on what’s on offer before you do make your choice. And there IS a lot of choice, believe us.

For pro tips, we turned to Shawna Scott of Sex Siopa to find out her three beginners’ tips for picking a vibrator.

1. Do some self-lovin’ research first
“I suggest masturbating a lot without toys at first to get a sense of what works for you and what sensations you like, and then purchasing a toy based around that,” says Shawna. “There are three main types of vibrators: clitoral, g-spot and rabbit, which does both at the same time. Because every body is its own special snowflake, it’s really down to personal taste.”

2. Choose a reputable brand
“The sex toy industry is notoriously unregulated so it’s important to always buy from brands with a body-safe ethos and a good reputation,” says Shawna, who stocks only bodysafe toys. “Go for vibes made from bodysafe materials like silicone and hard plastic. It might mean investing a little more money but you certainly don’t want an allergic reaction from a dodgy toy!”

3. Pick your speed
Is it worth investing in higher-end features like multi speeds and recharagable batteries? “Multi-speed vibes are really versatile and rechargeables obviously last much much longer than the little battery operated ones, but cost can of course be an issue for some people,” says Shawna. “So if you know what you want from your toy, definitely save your money and invest. If you’re not sure, get one of the smaller ones and you can always upgrade later.”