The Complete Guide to Buying a Dildo

A dildo is an elongated toy used for vaginal or anal penetration. They generally do not vibrate, so most people enjoy them with thrusting or pressure. They’re great for solo play and can be used in combination with other toys—such as clitoral vibrators, penis toys, and anal toys. They're also wonderful to use with a partner. Dildos come in many different materials and can be soft, firm, curved, straight, bumpy, or smooth to suit your taste. Some toys are quite realistic, while others come in fun colours or unusual materials and are not meant to resemble a penis.

There are a plethora of options when it comes to dildos. Popular materials for these sex toys include silicone dildos, glass, stainless steel, rubber/latex, and elastomer. We created this handy guide to make finding your perfect dildo a delight!

Dildo Material

• Silicone is an ideal material for sex toys as it is flexible, soft, and smooth. It's either food-grade (safe for insertion) or medical-grade (tested on animals, suitable for permanent insertion such as silicone implants, and generally more expensive). Sex toys of both grades are considered safe for sexual purposes. Silicone also warms up to body heat. It's considered non-porous, which means that any commercial or natural lubrication or bacteria won't be absorbed, making it easier to clean. Soap and water are usually enough for cleaning, although silicone dildos without internal vibrators can also be boiled for sterilization for added cleanliness. 
• Silicone dildos are generally more expensive because silicone is an expensive raw material and the manufacturing process is more labour-intensive than making other soft toys. Many consider them to be a worthwhile investment—if taken care of properly, they will last a lifetime and save you money in the end. Most of our soft dildos are made of silicone. The Woody by Vixen is a popular choice and comes in multiple realistic and non-realistic colours. It has a fairly average length and width with a pronounced head for extra stimulation. 

NOTE: If a toy advertises itself as “silicon” or made of a “silicone blend” with as little as 10% silicone content, this means that most likely it is porous, cannot be boiled, and is of inferior quality compared to a 100% silicone toy.

• Vixskin is an innovative dual-density style of silicone started by Vixen Creations that has a firm inner core with a super-soft, realistic-feeling outer layer. The Vixskin counterpart to the Woody is The Mustang. 
• Vixskin and other dual density options might be the way to go if you want to experiment with using a larger sex toy. Many customers have noted that larger sized toys are easier to accommodate when made from Vixskin as the soft texture is more yielding and comfortable during penetration, especially with deep penetration that stimulates the cervix in the vagina. 

• Elastomer is a fabulous inexpensive alternative to silicone and many large scale toy manufacturers are now using it. It is somewhat porous and unlike silicone it will eventually break down and need to be replaced. It is, however, soft, non-toxic (does not contain phthalates) and latex-free. These are all great features to have at an inexpensive price point. The King Cock line is a great example of this type of toy. Elastomer toys also tend to be porous, which means that they are not completely cleanable and they are not boilable as other materials are. We recommend using them with condoms to be safe and for ease of cleaning. 

• Glass or acrylic are great options for beautiful, durable, and easy to clean sex toys. Glass can provide very firm pressure which is especially great for G-spot and prostate play. It also has a nice weighted feeling which some people quite enjoy. These sex toys are clear, non-porous, and great for temperature play. You can run them under warm or cool water for extraordinary sensations. Glass can sometimes be boiled or placed in the top rack of a dishwasher for added cleaning. The Blue Swirl is a popular choice with its added texture and colour. Glass dildos are generally not harness-compatible.

• Stainless steel offers pressure against places like the G-spot and prostate and an intensity of weight that is unparalleled by other materials. These toys are also non-porous, sterilizable, and worthy of displaying on your coffee table! The Njoy Pure Wand is a highly-reviewed sex toy that will find your G-spot without fail.  

Dildo Length

If you like your cervix stimulated during vaginal play, then look for toys 6″ or longer like the Leo. The Spur and Real Bent are good choices for those who do not want their cervixes stimulated. For people with larger bodies who may need a little length to get a dildo all of the way in, especially with a harness, a longer dildo often works better. For anal play, as long as the toy is soft, length makes less of a difference. You don’t always need something super long: folks with penises have a prostate that's 2-3″ inside the rectum (towards the belly-button); folks with vaginas have a perineal sponge approximately 2″ inside (also towards the belly button). Just about any dildo will stimulate those erogenous zones. 

Dildo Width

The average dildo is 1.5″ wide, though many people prefer going on the smaller or larger side of average. The Woody and Mustang are popular, average-sized dildos, and some of our best sellers. A beginner to anal play may prefer something thinner such as The Mistress or Fuze Velvet. Sex toys that have ripples that vary in width offer more sensation, which is better for short intense sessions than longer marathon pleasure romps that might leave you sore after. A great example is our very own stainless steel Steady with ribs for anal or vaginal pleasure. For something on the softer side, try the Maia Kendall silicone dildo. The Tantus Curve also has some great texture and a curvy shape with satisfying ridges for the G-Spot.

Dildo Shape

A dildo with a base is absolutely essential for safe anal play. For harness play, a thick, wide base is also the most practical to ensure that it stays in place, as thinner bases tend to slip out.

Dildos with testicles offer not only a realistic look but also extra stimulation on the upper pubis (a.k.a. the mons) and clitoris for the harness wearer. Vixskin Johnny is a great dildo for dual pleasure in a harness. Some other toys have ribs that sit against the same area that also give the harness-wearer stimulation such as the Fuze Ace or ME2 Probe. The Vixen Mustang Royale has an extra cushion at the base that gives added stimulation and comfort to the harness-wearer with a gentle ridge just at the right spot. 

Double-ended dildos double your pleasure! Those that fit in a harness, such as the Nexus are designed for pleasure for the harness-wearer in the vagina on the inside and clitoral stimulation on the outside as well as for penetration of their partner. The Fuze Tango can be used without a harness in the same manner for pleasure for both, however, using it with a harness will ensure it remains better in place for increased control and positioning. 

The Luna Alive can also be used by two partners without a harness. Another harness-less option is the Njoy Fun Wand, which offer two dildos in one with different sizes on either end depending on your mood.

A Dildos for Every Job

Vibrating Dildos

Vibrating dildos offer additional stimulation for both partners if used in a harness, although some harness-wearers find they can be numbing when left vibrating in the same spot without movement for a while. Other people find that vibration for the harness-wearer can increase blood flow and arousal to the genital area—it all depends on your own experience. Many people on the receiving end of this style enjoy the added sensation. Some of our bestselling vibrating dildos are the Woody Vibrating and the Fuze Velvet.

Suction Dildos

If you are looking to secure a dildo to a wall or floor, then a suction base is essential. Many dildos have a base that will allow it to attach to flat surfaces, such as the Fuze Flame and Colours Pleasures. If you have a dildo with a flat base, you can attach a double-sided suction cup to the base which will then enable it to be attached to a wall, floor, another flat dildo, or surface. 

G-Spot and Prostate Stimulation

If you are looking for a dildo especially for G-spot or prostate stimulation, you'll want something with a prominent curve that will rub the anterior wall. Dildos like the Pure Wand are specifically designed to hit the sweet spot. For dildos that can be used with a harness, check out the Tantus Curve.

Dildos for Packing

Packing dildos are soft enough so that they can be worn under clothes as a “package.” Most packing dildos, like the Mr. Right are not practical for penetration, although some like the Shilo Pack and Play can be used for both. Some are circumcised and others are intact. If you want to be able to use it at the urinal, the Form Function Number One STP (Stand-To-Pee) allows you to urinate through it while standing up. All packing dildos come in a variety of flesh tone colours. 

Comfort

Some people, especially those with sensitive clitorises or without much fat on their pubic bone, can experience discomfort from repeated pressure underneath the dildo. Using a Driver Pad that hooks onto a harness or Sili Saddle that sits under the base of the dildo can add extra cushioning to the body to minimize discomfort so that you can focus on pleasure to both you and your partner.

 

Dildos offer an amazing world of sensations, so experiment and try different things to see what works for you. We hope this guide has been a helpful tool for finding your perfect dildo.