How to Choose a Vibrator

There’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of a good vibrator. However, choosing the right vibrator can be anything but simple. With the multitude of sizes, shapes, colors, functions and materials available it’s no surprise some women feel overwhelmed by the thought of having to select just one. Which vibrator will bring me the most pleasure? Which one is right for my lifestyle? Which one can I share with my partner? Finding the right vibrator can be a stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be. With just a basic understanding of your needs and an understanding of how certain vibrators can satisfy those needs you can find one that will make you happy long into the future. If you have a question about how to choose a vibrator after reading this section feel free to send us your question via email.

1. Decide on a Power Source

The first and most basic issue is the power source. It might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but the difference in performance between electric vibrators and battery-powered vibrators can be significant. The question you want to answer is: Would I prefer a portable vibrator that I can use where and when I like, or am I willing to sacrifice portability for a bit more power and the convenience of not having to replace batteries?

Electric vibrators are typically more powerful than battery-powered vibrators, but you need to have access to a wall socket to use them. It’s worth mentioning that battery-powered vibrators are not considered weak by any means, but it’s difficult for a few batteries to compete with the power supplied by a 110 volt wall socket.

Popular Electric Vibrators: Hitachi Magic Wand

Battery Powered Vibrators:

Most vibrators on the market today use batteries as their power source, and their popularity is warranted. Portability and price have combined to make battery power the most popular choice since the 1930′s. Battery powered vibrators come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and can be used almost anywhere. Certain models are even designed to be waterproof and can be used in the bath, pool, hot tub or any other body of water. Due to environmental concerns, Violet’s Closet recommends Rechargeable Batteries for battery operated toys to reduce waste.

Popular Battery Powered Vibrators: Jack Rabbit, Pocket Rocket, the Cone

Rechargeable Vibrators:

These toys combine the best aspects of both electric and battery-powered vibrators. More often than not, rechargeable vibrators are more powerful than comparable battery powered vibrators. Once fully charged they can be used for hours without having to recharge, which makes them convenient, and in the long run they can actually be less expensive to operate due to the savings realized from not having to buy replacement batteries.

Popular Rechargeable Vibrators:Lelo Lily, Gigi, Nea, Mia

2. Choose the Right Material

Vibrators are available in a wide variety of materials. Each material has unique characteristics that add functionality and a certain look and feel to the vibrator. On one end of the spectrum you have jelly, which is generally soft and flexible but can contain harmful phthalates. On the other end of the spectrum you have plastic, metal and glass, which are typically hard and inflexible. All of the other materials fall somewhere in-between, and your job is to consider what you want your vibrator to feel like.

Do you think you’d like the feel of softness and flexibility, or does the idea of something harder turn you on? Each material functions differently, and knowing what kind of stimulation you like along with which material will best provide that stimulation will help you choose the vibrator that will keep you happy for years to come.

Vibrator Materials:

• Plastic - Traditional, slimline and egg vibrators are most commonly made out of plastic, which is a durable and relatively inexpensive material.
• Silicone – It’s extraordinarily durable, hypoallergenic, non-porous, retains body heat and is available in a wide variety of colors.
• Jelly - most often soft, flexible and colorful. Jelly is a porous material that cannot be disinfected, so it’s not an ideal choice if you plan on sharing with a partner. It has also been linked with phthalates and off-gassing. We recommend using a condom with jelly toys.
• Glass - Most people don’t know that glass vibrators exist because they’re relatively new. Usually made of Pyrex, an extraordinarily tough and damage-resistant type of glass, glass vibrators are quickly becoming popular. They typically consist of an outer glass shell that houses a standard vibrator inside.
• Latex- Latex is soft but still firm, with a feel that is somewhere between plastic and jelly. The downside to latex is that some people have a fairly serious allergic reaction when they come in contact with it.
• Cyberskin – Cyberskin is soft like skin, warms up to body temperature quickly, and provides an experience that is quite different from materials like metal and plastic.

3. Vibrator Cleaning and Care Requirements:

Violet’s Closet highly recommends cleaning sex toys after each use, so it’s also a good idea to consider the care and cleaning requirements of each type of vibrator before making a final choice. It’s relatively easy for water to come in contact with the internal mechanical parts, so cleaning a vibrator requires care and caution. The best way to clean a vibrator is with a specially designed sex toy cleaner

• Plastic - soap and water, rubbing alcohol, sex toy cleaner
• Silicone – soap and water, boiling water, sex toy cleaner
• Jelly - mild soap and water, sex toy cleaner
• Glass - mild soap and water, sex toy cleaner
• Latex- mild soap and water, sex toy cleaner
• Cyberskin – mild soap and water, Cyberskin cleansing solution, sex toy cleaner.

4. Vibrator Volume Levels

Does noise level matter to you? There are some vibrators that are very quiet, and some that are a bit louder. The general rules are:

• Electric vibrators tend to be relatively quiet, producing a soft electric hum.
• Battery-powered vibrators are usually a bit louder, but that will vary from style to style and brand to brand.
• Rechargeable vibrators fit in-between with some being quieter due to new materials and design.

5. Consider Lubrication

It may be good to know before you buy a vibrator which types of lubrication will work best. Generally, water-based lubes are the preferred choice for vibrators and other adult toys. Water-based lubes won’t damage any of the previously mentioned sex toy materials and they work extremely well. The following is a list of the different types of lubrication and which sex toys they’re compatible with.

• Water-Based Lubrication:Containing mostly water, water-based lubes will not stain your clothes or sheets, are safe with all sex toys, and are often pleasant tasting.
• Silicone-Based Lubrication:Silicone-based lubes are a high-tech version of water-based lube. Silicone lubricant is safe to use with all sex toys except those made of silicone or Cyberskin.
• Oil-Based Lubrication:Oil-based lubes consist of common oils such as vegetable oil and is not recommended for use with sex toys. Oil-based lubes are OK for masturbation and generally considered safe for consumption.
• Petroleum-Based Lubrication:Petroleum-based lubes are made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly. As their name implies, petroleum-based lubes contain primarily petroleum products. Examples include Vaseline, baby oil and K-Y Jelly. It is important to know that Petroleum will dissolve latex, and should not be used with latex toys or latex condoms.

6. Select the Vibrator Style that Works for You.

Do you think you’d enjoy a vibrator that would stimulate just your clitoris? Would you prefer that your vibrator stimulate your G-Spot? Perhaps you think you’d enjoy simultaneous clitoral and G-Spot stimulation. The type of stimulation you choose is critical to your success at finding the right vibrator.

Ask yourself: What kind of stimulation you like is to think about what you enjoy when you’re masturbating or having sex with a partner. Do you orgasm when you or your partner stimulates your clitoris, or do you find direct clitoral stimulation too intense? Do you crave deep G-Spot stimulation, or do all of your best orgasms come from clitoral stimulation?

Types:

• Traditional Vibrators: Slim, straight, between four and eight inches in length, and are usually (although not always) made of plastic, adjustable, allowing the user full control over the vibration level. The hard plastic outer casing helps maintain the strength of the vibrations by transferring them directly from the motor, making them a good choice for people who think they might like the feel of stronger vibrations but who don’t want to purchase an electric vibrator.
  • Popular Traditional Vibrators: Lelo Gigi
• G-Spot Vibrators: Shaped like a traditional vibrator, with the exception that they’re curved at the end to allow contact with the G-Spot. If you want to try a G-Spot vibrator, be sure to look for one made of plastic or a firm jelly material so it doesn’t bend when it’s inserted. The best G-Spot orgasms come when you apply firm pressure, so you want to be sure the vibrator can withstand that kind of stress without flexing too much.
  • Popular G-Spot Vibrators: Lelo Gigi, Lelo Liv
• Clitoral Vibrators: It seems to be a fact of life that many women can only reach orgasm, or prefer the orgasm they have from direct clitoral stimulation. These vibes offer powerful direct clitoral stimulation while the user is free to sit back and enjoy the sensations. Clitoral vibrators offer powerful clitoral stimulation that are just not possible during manual stimulation.
  • Popular Clitoral-Only Vibrators: Lelo Nea, Lelo Lily
• Electric Vibrators: Most electric powered vibrators are designed to stimulate the clitoris. The Hitachi Magic Wand, for example, is a large personal massager that isn’t designed for insertion. Its large head and powerful vibrations are best suited for direct clitoral stimulation. Electric powered vibrators usually double as muscle massagers and are constructed of high quality materials. These vibrators usually come with an extended warranty from the manufacturer and typically last for many years.
  • Popular Electric Vibrators: Hitachi Magic Wand