19 best anal sex toys for everyone

When it comes to choosing what type of product works for you, there are a few things to take into account. For a start, will you be using your toy solo or during partnered sex? Strap on items are often more practical for partnered sex, but this also comes down to personal preference. If you're more experienced with anal play, think about what it is in particular you like about it, including how deep you like to go and whether a smaller or bigger toy will be more pleasurable for you. Plus, what kind of sensations are you into? Anal beads offer a bumpier shape that some people enjoy, but others don't. Take the time to experiment to figure out what works for you.

Many anal sex toys are based around prostate stimulation, which is a stimulation point that people with penises have that allows them to orgasm via anal penetration. However, anal play can still be very enjoyable if you don't have a prostate, and many anal sex toys are now designed to be gender neutral.

How to use an anal sex toy for the first time:

If this is your first time experimenting with butt play, you might feel tense and nervous, and that’s totally natural. If you have a vulva, you were probably a little tense and nervous when you first started using penetrative rabbit vibrators or having partnered vaginal sex. It’s the same with anal sex — and practice makes perfect.

Queen gave our partners at GLAMOUR US some tips, advising that you should “be in a comfortable spot where you feel safe; make sure you are with a person you can trust; take deep breaths; really take your time,” and adding, “Beginner anal is not quickie material. When it’s time to play with a partner, they must go slow, and the person being penetrated is in charge — the person with the anus says when they are ready, how deep, how fast, and when it’s time to stop.”

You might have heard of people using numbing cream in order to minimise the discomfort you might feel when inserting toys or having sex with your partner, but this isn't a good idea. According to anal-toy seller B-Vibe, using numbing creams can increase the chances of your actually hurting yourself. “[Numbing creams] make it easy to keep going even when the lube has run dry or your body tightens up, so it’s a lot more likely that you’ll hurt yourself,” B-Vibe’s blog explains, adding that it’s similar to a visit to the dentist. If you’ve ever been given anaesthetic before getting a filling, then you may have accidentally bitten your cheek, not even knowing you hurt yourself. Hours later, your pain receptors are no longer blocked, and now they’re communicating with your brain that, whatever you did to yourself, it hurts.

Plus, it’s good to know when you’re in pain so you can add more lube, adjust positions, slow down, or just stop entirely. Anal sex shouldn’t hurt and if it doesn't feel good, don't feel like you need to soldier on. With practice, water-based lube, and prioritising relaxation above all else, anal should be pleasurable and awesome.

Do you need lube when using anal vibrators?

Unlike the vagina, the anus doesn’t self-lubricate, so lube is a must when using anal sex toys. Which lube you should get is based on what material your toys are made from. If you have silicone toys (and a lot of toys are silicone), try not to use silicone-based lube; go for water or gel-based lubes. “Lube is a must and should be applied to the anus, the toy, or the body part you’re using to insert and stimulate, and — if you have a lube shooter — into the rectum itself. More lube is almost always better,” Queen says.