Once you've given anal sex a go, it's safe to say you've experienced a whole new world. But if you haven't and aren't sure where to start, toys can help.
Anal sex toys are a great way to prepare or "train" the anus for penetration since the tissue there is prone to damage. "You want to start with smaller-size products and slowly work your way to larger ones, because if you rush to something too big too fast, you can cause scratching, tearing, or even scarring of the anal canal," explains Alicia Sinclair, founder and CEO of COTR Inc., the company behind go-to sex-toy brands b-Vibe and Le Wand.
You should also look for anal products that read "body-safe, hypoallergenic, latex-free, and phthalate-free," as these steer clear of potentially irritating or harmful materials. Silicone, glass, and stainless steel are typically best. Oh, and one more crucial pointer: "Do not buy any product for your butt unless it has a flared base," says Sinclair. "Products without a flared base can get lost inside the body." Uh...no, thanks.
To make the shopping experience easier (and less intimidating for you—because let's be honest, perusing a sex shop's anal aisle isn't the same as sifting through jeans on the rack), look no further than this expert-approved selection of the best anal sex toys.
If you prefer to invest in one plug instead of buying a whole set, consider this vibrating inflatable butt plug. With this, you'll still be able to work your way up to a larger size by using the palm pump. It can go up to a circumference of 9 inches and comes with a controller for the vibrator attached.
"The vibration is very intense, and no issues whatsoever with the pump," wrote one reviewer. "It is a great combo of stimulation! A former partner and I had a great time using it in bed and somehow took it up ten notches. 10/10 would buy again!"
This butt plug is available in two colors and is waterproof. You can easily clean the plug by boiling it, and use it to prep for other forms of butt play.
"This butt plug is great for penetrative play, but especially penis/dildo-in-vibration. The base is perfectly designed to not be in the way or uncomfortable during partnered play," says Javay Frye-Nekrasova, an Oregon-based sex educator.
Material
Silicone
Insertable length
3.35 inches
3
Best Anal Toy For Dual Stimulation
Frisky Double Delight Dual Penetration Vibrating Rabbit Cock Ring
3
Best Anal Toy For Dual Stimulation
Frisky Double Delight Dual Penetration Vibrating Rabbit Cock Ring
Who needs a third partner when you have this anal sex toy? This cock ring has an attached dildo, so the wearer benefits from the rabbit stimulating their perineum while the dildo anally pleasures the other.
If you need more convincing, just check out the rave reviews. "We tried this for the first time and love it. Well made, strong vibrations, and very pleasing for both of us," wrote one user. "[You can] use it above or below your penis for either hole and feel pleasure. It has a small diameter, but it's longer for better reach than other double penetration vibes we have tried."
Some toys are more flexible, while others are sturdier. These metal plugs have curves for an easy insertion process, and the wide base keeps it in place while avoiding over-insertion.
"These are easy to insert because they don't bend at the neck and lubricate easily. I like the weight of them and how easy they are to clean," wrote one reviewer.
Material
Metal
Insertable length
2.5-3.5 inches
5
Best Anal Beads For Beginners
Rocks Off Petite Sensations Pearls 7 Function Vibrating Anal Beads
5
Best Anal Beads For Beginners
Rocks Off Petite Sensations Pearls 7 Function Vibrating Anal Beads
This vibrating set of beads is just 2.75 inches wide and has three speeds to suit your comfort level. The toy is also completely waterproof and offers four different vibrating patterns.
And according to reviewers, it's definitely worth your buck. "I was never open to butt play, but this toy was perfect, not too big and just the right length!" said one user. "I thoroughly enjoyed the different vibrating settings, and this was a new experience for me, which I really loved! If you're new to anal, this is perfect."
If none of the previous options aren't your cup of tea, consider trying this vibrating butt plug from Romp. Its wide base makes it easy to remove, and it comes with four vibration patterns and six intensity levels. "This is a great option for more novice anal play folks that want to give vibration stimulation a go," says Frye-Nekrasova.
Once your tush has become accustomed to anal sex (or the like, via toys), the Tantus Ringo is your thicker, more advanced butt plug for a more filling sensation. The soft silicone pairs great with water-based lube for comfortable in-and-out action.
In other words, this is not for beginners. "This toy is MASSIVE and will require a lot of training before you'll be able to take it all," wrote one user. "However, if you're into an intense, pleasurable stretch, this will surely satisfy."
Includes extras to promote cleanliness, safety, and more
Cons
On the pricier side
B-Vibe created this set specifically for folks who want to ease their body into anal through three sizes of penetration featuring three different sensations (flexible silicone, vibrating, and weighted), explains Sinclair.
The 60+ page illustrated book, enema, and lubricant applicator that comes with these butt plugs "make this a complete experience—it’s our best-seller for a reason," she says.
Anal beads are a clutch way to experiment with butt play before anal sex, as they familiarize you with the sensation of fullness. The beads set off a pleasurable sensation as they're slowly pulled out of the anus. Use this to get a feel for what turns you on.
"I was new to anal play and wanted to play with some beads to start off. These are the perfect ones!! They're sturdy, comfortable, and flexible," wrote one user. "They feel amazing and go in very easily. The loop to get them out is really useful too!"
If you're looking to take things slow, investing in a three-piece set like this glass one could help you adjust at your own pace. It also has a simpler aesthetic if colorful butt plugs aren't for you.
"This training set is terrific. Borosilicate glass is easy to clean and sterilize, and they look very attractive both on the shelf and during play," chimed one user.
The Loki Wave is designed to stimulate you using a "come-hither" motion, according to the brand, offering perineum and prostate vibration at once.
You can use it to get used to having something in your backdoor or as an anal toy. "We bought this product due to the various recommendations from others. We were skeptical to start, but it has now become a favorite in the bedroom," wrote one user. "Simple to use and will melt your brain in minutes. 10/10, Highly recommend."
Sometimes the smallest features on a butt plug make all the difference. "This plug is for lovers of different forms of stimulation," says Frye-Nekrasova. "The swirl grooving enhances the stimulation of the rim as it's being inserted and removed for additional pleasure." If you want a toy that can be used vaginally as well, this plug can do both.
If anal sex makes you nervous, no worries—these soft, flexible buffer rings from OhNut will help you keep your cool.
How they work: Your partner wears them (as many as needed) on their penis or strap-on during penetration to help manipulate depth inside you.
And if you're worried about these getting in the way, you can rest easy: reviewers have mentioned how simple they are to incorporate. "We were able to have a totally worry-free session for the first time ever, and [my partner] says that it didn't even feel like the buffer prevented anything from going in, since it still let our bodies connect at other parts," wrote a user.
Uberlube is a great lube option for anal adventurers, says Megan Fleming, PhD, a clinical psychologist and sex and relationship expert. It contains vitamin E and is silicone-based, which she adds is perfect for anal play because it lasts longer than a water-based lube.
"That being said, it's not safe for silicone toys," Fleming explains—still, feel free to try it with stainless steel dildos.
Made from medical-grade stainless steel, this sleek dildo works perfectly well up the anus and/or vagina for G-spot and/or P-spot fun, respectively. (Just be sure not to switch back and forth between the two areas without cleaning your toy first.)
"Seems to just get better and better the more I play with it, and it gives me the best orgasms," said one user. "If you want to explore the world of prostate orgasm, then this is the right tool for you. The small end is great to start and to get warmed up with, but the big end, once in, will make you see stars."
Material
Stainless steel
Insertable length
8 inches
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16
Best Flexible Anal Beads
Fifty Shades of Grey Pleasure Intensified Silicone Anal Beads
16
Best Flexible Anal Beads
Fifty Shades of Grey Pleasure Intensified Silicone Anal Beads
If you're open to using anal beads but prefer something with less girth, these might be just what you need. "These flexible anal beads will allow you to explore depths of pleasure while still being comfortable," says Frye-Nekrasova. You can use them during solo play or during sex, and the various sizes are beginner-friendly.
Material
Silicone
Insertable length
7.5 inches
17
Best Anal Toy For Penis Owners
Lovehoney Classic Combo Silicone Ball Ring with Anal Beads
17
Best Anal Toy For Penis Owners
Lovehoney Classic Combo Silicone Ball Ring with Anal Beads
This product is catered more toward penis owners. It has a base that wraps around the testicles that can be used with the anal beads attached. It's perfect for "lovers of multiple forms of stimulation," says Frye-Nekrasova. "[It offers] penile and anal (prostate) stimulation at the same time with just the right amount of flexibility for maximum comfort."
A beginner-friendly vibrating butt plug is the next best thing after anal fingering, and this one checks all the boxes: small, made with body-safe materials, USB-rechargeable, and fine for shower use. Woot!
Another fun fact: it can be controlled with a remote. "Fun that it comes with a remote so my partner can control what this cute plug does. Easy to use and clean. Smooth silicone and strong motor for the size it is," wrote one reviewer.
A quick warning: Coconut oil can break down latex condoms. That said, "if you don't have to use a condom, use coconut oil," suggests Jenni Skyler, PhD, from The Intimacy Institute. "It's just a good, solid ingredient without having to worry about what a lube entails," she adds.
Also, "listen to your body" when it comes to lube, Skyler says. Even thicker lubes and oils might need repeated application—so make sure you're staying in tune with your body's and your partner's needs.
This set has absolutely everything you need to get started, says Fleming: "There [are] two butt plugs, there [are] anal beads, there's a prostate massager, anal douche, and a bullet vibe," she explains. "You have the options."
She adds that, while it's definitely a little more expensive to invest in a bundle of toys, "it gives you an opportunity to play with different sensations." So, if you're not sure exactly what you (or your partner) like, this set is a great way to try it all.
Marissa Gainsburg is the Features Director at Women's Health, where she oversees the magazine's news-meets-trends Warm Up section and Love & Life section. After receiving her journalism degree from the University of Florida, Marissa has spent the past eight years in NYC with her dog Bentley, writing and editing fitness, nutrition, health, sexual health, mental health, relationship, and travel content. She's held previous positions at Self, Allure, and Cosmopolitan.