Sure, plain, old-fashioned sex is great, but when you add the best sex toys for couples to the mix, everything just gets better. If you’ve already got a drawer packed with the best vibrators, you know that a bit of buzz can lead to fireworks in the bedroom—but that’s just the beginning for partnered play, according to sex experts.
Sex toys for couples allow you the chance to experiment with different positions and explore new sensations or fantasies you might enjoy, explains Elana Gottfried, a clinical psychotherapist and certified sex therapist. As you expand your horizons, you might find that you enjoy sex—all forms of it, from foreplay to mutual masturbation to intercourse—more and more. In fact, “without toys, most of us will never experience the maximum potential of our orgasms,” explains Evan Goldstein, MD, founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgical, a health practice specializing in gay men’s sexual health. Who doesn’t want that?
Some people might feel “intimidated or shameful” about using toys in the bedroom because they think it means they aren’t good enough at sex, Dr. Goldstein continues. “Because of the stigma, communication is key,” so breach the subject carefully and when you’re both in a good mood. Who knows? Your partner may have the same desires you do, even if they seem unreceptive.
Our top picks
Which sex toys are best for couples?
As Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, tells Glamour, any toy can be a couples toy. But if you want something tailored to the experience of partnered sex, she says, you should specifically look for wearables, including penis rings and dual-ended vibrators, that are designed to stay in place. These options make great investments because they allow both partners to enjoy heightened sensations without being taken out of the moment—no awkward adjusting or positioning necessary. Consider these types of couples vibrators, too:
- Wand vibrators allow sensual, full-body massage during foreplay, then targeted vibration during sex.
- Suction toys mimic the feeling of oral sex while you’re being penetrated or masturbating with a partner.
- Panty vibrators help explore public play with remote controls and designs that are easy to slip into underwear.
- Strap-on dildos switch up roles in the bedroom by allowing people with vaginas to penetrate their partners.
- Long-distance sex toys can be used from another room…or country.
What we’re looking for
- Materials: Body-safe silicone is the gold standard for sex toys, and ABS plastic and stainless steel are also common and safe.
- Features: Waterproofing, long battery life, ergonomic handles, and app or Bluetooth connectivity aren’t necessary, but they certainly add to the experience of using a toy.
- Expert approval: We turned to Elana Gottfried, a clinical psychotherapist and certified sex therapist, sexual health expert Evan Goldstein, MD, Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, certified sex educator Suzannah Weiss, professional sex toy reviewer Amanda Chatel, and Glamour’s resident toy testers and editors to share their favorite picks. To widen our scope, we take online reviews into account, too.
Our rating system
- A: Luxury materials, tons of vibration settings, glowing feedback from testers and reviewers, generous warranty, USB-rechargeable battery, exceptional battery life, bonus features like waterproofing and multiple motors
- B: Nice materials, some vibration settings, positive feedback from users, generous warranty, rechargeable battery, good battery life, bonus features like waterproofing
- C: Acceptable materials, limited vibration settings, generally positive feedback, no warranty, non-rechargeable batteries, limited battery life, possible lack of waterproofing, but cheaper price point that makes it worthwhile
Oh, and before you get started, make sure you’re stocked up on personal lubricant to keep things frictionless. We asked sex therapists, educators, and our very own toy testers to share the couples sex toys they love most. From G-spot vibrators to remote-controlled toys, reviewers and pros say these are the best of the best. (And yep, you can totally use them alone whenever your partner is away.)
