For the month of September, Bustle’s Sex TBH package is talking about sex, honestly. We’re delving into how women approach the things they’re taught to be shy or embarrassed about in the bedroom — and, in doing so, we're liberating people to live their best (sex) lives. Let’s do it.
The sex toy industry is a $15 billion one, with 50 percent of women reporting that they tried their very first sex toy in their 20s. This isn’t just great news for companies who are constantly coming up with the next best sex-related toy, but great news for humanity: we're becoming more open-minded about sex toys as a society — and about trying out all different types of products.
But even while owning sex toys is so common, there is still very much a stigma attached to using them — and not everyone feels comfortable talking about them. But there is really no shame in talking about them or incorporating them into the bedroom, because in addition to providing pleasure, they could be the one thing that completely transforms your sex life. "Vibrators kind of level the playing field for women in the bedroom," Claire Cavanah, Babeland's co-founder, tells Bustle. "A lot of women really need the consistent stimulation on their clitoris to have the same experience as men have."
So in an effort to drive the sex toy conversation forward, I asked 14 women about their favorite sex toy. Here is what they said:
"My favorite toy is the Magic Wand. I'd had other toys that never seemed to add anything to the experience. But the wand was this life-changing experience. It opened the door to a whole new relationship with my body."
Magic Wand, $60, Babeland
"One of the most amazing sex toys I would recommend is the We-Vibe Tango. It's a bullet vibrator that's very portable and light, but it's something not to be underestimated. It's strong and very easy to use and it definitely gives pleasure most men fail to convey. I like being by myself sometimes, being the strong independent woman I am, so the We-Vibe Tango is perfect for those wine nights where you just want to spoil yourself".
We-Vibe Tango, $79, Babeland
"I'm 27. I'm a virgin and couldn't orgasm in masturbation at all before sex toys. My favorite sex toy is the 7 Wonders bullet, one reason being its great battery life. I haven't had to change them since I got it in February."
7 Functions Wonder Bullet, $12, Amazon
"I love the Minna Limon! It vibrates harder as you squeeze harder and can remember your patterns."
Minna, $119, Minna Life
"My favorite go-to toy is the Wahl All Body Massager. It is like a toned down, very reasonably priced Hitachi."
Wahl All Body Massager, $20, Walgreens
"The Pocket Rocket from Doc Johnson is the sex toy that changed my life! It was actually the first sex toy I ever used. It's small, easy to transport, and surprisingly powerful. For me, it's all about the clitoral stimulation, so this toy is a great economical choice."
Pocket Rocket, $18, Amazon
"My favorite sex toy is the We-Vibe Vibrator. Whenever I'm home alone thinking about my boyfriend (we're doing long-distance) I let him know I'm ready for him and he can make me wet, squirm, and beg for more until I finish — all from the push of a button on his phone."
We-Vibe Sync, $199, Babeland
"The Womanizer is unreal. It gets me off in, like, four minutes or less. It's not really a standard vibrator, though — it actually is more of a suction cup that releases air. I don't get how they do it, but it actually feels like oral sex."
Womanizer Deluxe, $146, Amazon
"I love using Fin, which you wear on your finger, with my partner during sex because it's small and non-intrusive unlike other couples toys."
"I was skeptical about the Satisfyer at first, because it looked nothing like the sex toys I've used or seen, but it's amazing. It gets me off quickly and it's super quiet. I just bought one for a friend."
Satisfyer Pro 2 Next Generation, $100, Adam and Eve
"I love small vibes for traveling, but the Womanizer2Go is good literally anywhere. Also, it looks exactly like lipstick."
Womanizer2Go, $144, Amazon
"I used to think I'd never like sex toys but rabbits changed everything for me after I heard about them on Sex and The City because they stimulate my clitoris and G-spot ."
We-Vibe Nova, $149, Babeland
"Not only is Crave's necklace vibrator a good vibe, but I feel so empowered wearing it around my neck. It's like, 'Yeah I'm sex positive and I have cool necklaces too'."
Crave Vesper, $69-149, Babeland
"My favorite adult toy is the LELO Gigi 2. This vibe makes me say OMG and was the most intense orgasm I've ever had! I can confidently say every woman would LOVE this toy!"
LELO Gigi 2, $149, Babeland
Sex toys aren't just about pleasure — they are about exploring your sexuality, too. Each toy is a unique way to get in touch with your body and take your exploration even further, so having one (or many) is nothing to be ashamed of. It means you're advocating for your sex life — and really, how badass is that?
