Buying Your First Vibrator

By Ruby Thunderbolt , February 20, 2013

Takeaway: Picking the right vibrator for you is the worth the effort. Get it right, and it could mean hours of pleasure.

When I first walked into a sex shop, I crept in hoping nobody would spot me in there. I was worried that somehow, the world’s press would track me down and I would get snapped holding a giant dildo, which, of course, I would then be embarrassed into buying.

Walking into a sex shop for the first time can be so intimidating. There's so much selection, and everyone else in the shop often seems to know exactly what they want. That first time, I had no idea. I was also worried that I wouldn’t be able to find anything that wouldn’t make my boyfriend feel, shall we say ... inadequate? I was just about to scurry back out again and then I spotted it: My first vibrator. It was a pink clitoral stimulator with a twisting vibration function. It was perfect for me because it was discrete, simple and - best of all - small!

Unfortunately, you can’t try before you buy with vibrators, so it’s important to figure out what you want before you part with your money. Follow my handy beginner’s guide and you’re bound to find a vibrator that will give you hours of pleasure! (To learn more about the history behind vibrators, check out Vibrators: Bigger and Generating More Buzz Than Ever.)

What's All the Buzz About?

Vibrators are a great addition to any bedroom. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, they're great for spicing things up or just adding a bit of extra pleasure when you’re on your own. Vibrators can also help those who have trouble reaching orgasm, because they allow you to explore your body and find what really pushes your buttons!

What To Look For

Vibrators are a very personal thing, so it’s important to find one you feel comfortable with. If you’re a first-timer, try looking for one that's petite so you can get used to the sensation before moving on to something more adventurous! Think about what pushes your buttons best and buy one that's specifically designed for your needs. Beyond pleasure-oriented functions and features, you should consider privacy. If you have kids or just thin walls, look for a vibrator that is extra quiet, so only you know what you’re up to!

One great way to do research on what vibrators might work for you is to read some reviews from users. These can be found on many retailers' websites; there are also tons of great bloggers who test out sexy equipment and dish on its pros and cons. (Check out some top sex bloggers' top toy picks in Sex Toy Testers Share Their Top Picks for Valentine's Day.)

There's a whole wide world of vibrators out there, so the first thing to think about is what kinds interest you. If you can narrow down your search to a specific type of vibrator, you can then find one in that category that meets your needs in terms of performance - and price. Here are the main types of vibrators on the market as well as the the types of people they are likely to please the most.

Rabbit Vibrators

Rabbit vibrators are the all-stars of the vibrator world, as they do pretty much everything! Rabbits generally come with a shaft for penetration and G-spot stimulation. Some shafts also rotate or include rotating beads, which provides even more stimulation and sensation. The key part of a rabbit vibrator are its little rabbitty ears, which are designed to gently tease the clitoris while the shaft of the vibrator does the internal work.

My First Jack Rabbit Vibe, PinkCherry.com

Who should buy one?
If you orgasm from your G-spot and your clitoris, or you don’t know but are keen to experiment, then a rabbit might be for you. They are much better for solo play because they aren’t very flexible and can be quite big, so you might want to consider buying something else if you know you’re going to play as a pair. (Learn everything you need to know about the rabbit - and how to use it - in "User's Guide to the Rabbit (52 Brilliant Little Ideas)."

Clitoral Vibrators

Clitoral vibrators do one thing and one thing only: stimulate your clitoris. They’re normally pretty compact and won’t work inside you. Lots of them come with different functions that increase vibrations or vibrate in different rhythms.

LELO Mia 2 Vibe, Lelo.com

Who should buy one?
As with the rabbit, if you know you experience the best orgasms through your lady button, a clitoral vibrator is worth a try. Because they're compact and pretty much guaranteed to deliver pleasure without the need for lubes or any practice, they're also a great bet for beginners. They're also very inexpensive. (Learn more about this fascinating part of the female anatomy in Holy Clit, Batman! 9 Amazing Facts About the Clitoris.)

Bullet Vibrators

Bullet vibes are the ultimate pocket rocket! They're small enough to fit into your handbag; some are even disguised as things like lipstick to save your blushes if you accidentally drop it in public. They are normally purely clit stimulators and can be very cheap but still powerful. They're another great toy for first timers, and for those who are looking for a vibrator designed to travel.

LELO Lyla Bullet Vibrator, PinkCherry.com

Who should buy one?
These are great if you’re going away and still want a bit of buzzy pleasure, because they are very discrete. They are also really easy to use for those that are worried about having to deal with lots of buttons. They are also great for couples to use; because of their size because they can fit between you easily during intercourse.

Butterfly Vibrators

They might look a bit strange, but butterfly vibrators can be loads of fun! They’re great if you want to be hands-free, and the vibrator may be internal or external, depending on the model. Great if you want to have a bit of fun while doing the house work!

Remote Venus Butterfly Wearable Vibrator, PinkCherry.com

Who should buy one?
This isn’t your everyday vibrator, but it's fun if you’re looking for a bit of discreet naughtiness.

Remote control vibrators

If you want to hand over your pleasure to someone else, then a remote-control vibrator is for you. For all you techies out there, you can even get wireless versions, so you don’t even have to be in the same room - or country - as your lover! Usually compact and easy to use, remote-control vibes are great for couples.

Remote Control Vibrator

bNaughty Unleashed Vibe, PinkCherry.com

Who should buy one?
Again, this isn’t your everyday vibrator. Remote control vibes are designed for couples to add a bit of excitement to everyday life.

Where to Buy

There are loads of places to buy vibrators nowadays; even some supermarkets sell them! However, if you think you’d blush a bit too much if you bumped into a friend with a vibe sticking out your shopping basket, here are some great websites to help you find your perfect vibrator.

Check out our affiliate sites:

PinkCherry.com
Lelo.com
AdamandEve.com
LoveHoney.com

Tags: Masturbation Vibrators Sex Toys Passion Play Foreplay

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About Ruby Thunderbolt

Ruby is a British writer - without the British reserve. She's unafraid (and excited) to try anything and everything and then tell everyone about it. She is about to get married and currently lives in wedding planning hell (or London).

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