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Oct 27, 2024

The Best Sex Toys for Couples 2024 | The Strategist

The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here. The Strategist’s carefully chosen and

The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here.

The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here.

While almost any sex toy (from a high-design vibrator to a non-vibrating dildo) can become a couples sex toy, if you’re looking to try something totally new — or want some help mixing things up in the bedroom — there are plenty of clever, innovative sex toys designed specifically for couples. And you can take my word for it: I’ve been on the sex-toy beat for several years now and have written about almost every category of toy out there. To save you the trouble of trying out a bunch of duds, I rounded up some of my favorites and asked 12 experts to share the best couples sex toys — ones that are safe, easy to use, and, of course, lots of fun.

Update on October 24, 2024: Replaced Lelo Hugo with updated Lelo Hugo 2 model; updated prices and checked stock for all products.

Since the experts say you’ll want a different type of toy depending on the type of pleasure and play you seek, we’ve noted the type of toy from vibrators to rings to strokers.

You want to make sure you’re investing in toys that are made of high-quality, body-safe materials. Body-safe materials — which include silicone, glass, metals like stainless steel, and ABS plastic — are nonporous, so they are less likely to harbor harmful bacteria or viruses and are therefore more hygienic. A note: One toy on this list is made from a polymer blend, a softer plastic that can be porous. As such, it should not be shared with multiple partners.

While you can get up to plenty of fun with a non-app-compatible toy, one with app compatibility provides additional options for creativity and play in the bedroom — and is especially great if you’re a long-distance couple.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs. non-app compatibility: App compatible

The Sync from We-Vibe is a wearable, C-shaped vibe that is one of the best-loved toys in the category. I’m always impressed by We-Vibe: the strength of the vibrations, the very smooth feel of its silicone, and its products’ overall design are all top notch. The way the Sync works is fairly straightforward. One end is worn internally while the external part lays on the clit. That means you’re experiencing stimulation from penetration as well as from the toy at essentially every possible angle. What makes the Sync especially user-friendly is that the angle of the toy is adjustable, so it bends to more comfortably fit the wearer’s shape. Plus, it can be controlled with an accompanying remote (or an app if your partner isn’t in the same room), so you or your partner can adjust the settings without fiddling around with tiny buttons down there. Emily Morse, doctor of human sexuality and host of Sex With Emily on Sirius XM, sums it up: “The ultimate couples toy.”

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non–app compatibility: Non–app compatible

If the Sync seems too complicated and you’re looking for a simpler toy, you can try small external vibrators with vibrations that get stronger as you squeeze them with your hands. The Minna Limon is one example, and it comes recommended by Vanessa Marin, a licensed psychotherapist and writer specializing in sex therapy. It’s made to respond to the strength of your squeezes — the harder and more intense you want it to vibrate, the harder you squeeze it. So it’s both intuitive and ergonomic since there aren’t any buttons to fiddle with.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone and ABS plastic | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: App compatible

Those in long-distance relationships might want to try a rabbit-style vibrator from high-tech vibrator line Lovense, which Madeline Cooper, a clinical social worker and therapist who specializes in sexuality and relationships, recommended to us because it is app compatible. The app also has video-chat accessibility, which can be used while you’re operating the toy.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: App compatible

For those who prefer strictly clitoral stimulation, going for a wearable vibrator like the app-controlled We-Vibe Moxie is a good bet. The vibrator can be inserted into your underwear or underneath a pillowcase and is held in place by a detachable magnet that attaches to the outside. Sex expert and intimacy coach Davia Frost calls “the best ‘panty vibe’ on the market” thanks to its super-strong magnetic clip, which keeps it in place. And because it connects to the We-Vibe app via Wi-Fi, your partner can adjust the vibration settings from across the room — or across the world — directly from their phone.

Type: Vibrator | Material: ABS plastic | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

If you’re looking for an especially accessible couples sex toy, using a small external bullet vibrator that you can hold while having sex is a non-intimidating option. Carolanne Marcantonio, a licensed master social worker and sex therapist based in Brooklyn, says the We-Vibe Tango is “the smallest and strongest on the market.” It’s also rechargeable and waterproof, and it has a small button on the bottom that lets you try eight different settings of varying intensity. Since it’s about the size of your finger, you can easily place it on your clit during penetration, and it won’t get in the way. It’s versatile, too: “Anyone can use it — you can use it on the testicles, the inner thighs, nipples,” she says. “The sky’s the limit and the whole body’s covered in nerve endings, so we can really experience pleasure anywhere.”

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

Originally marketed as a muscle massager, the Magic Wand (formerly the Hitachi Magic Wand) was released in 1968 and quickly became perhaps the most popular vibrator on the market. All these decades later, it’s still a favorite of sex experts and consumers across the board. It’s known for its power and strong, rumbly vibrations, but the one and only drawback of the Magic Wand can be its rather large size. Until now. The brand recently launched the Micro, a small-but-mighty bullet-size version of the Magic Wand, with three speeds and three patterns, that is small enough to slip into your pocket and perfect for partner play.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

If you prefer something that keeps your hands free, try Dame’s Eva vibrator. The vibrator sits on top of the clitoris and has wings that tuck under the labia. And since you just press a button and it vibrates, you don’t have to hold anything in place with your partner.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: App compatible

If you’re intrigued by C-shape vibrators but you’re looking for something that can also take different shapes, including a flat line, try the Crescendo from MysteryVibe. It’s so adjustable you can bend it in any number of positions to target any number of spots, and it’s a favorite of writer and sex relationship expert Shelby Sells.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

If you’re looking for a versatile vibrator that can work for many different types of bodies, I also recommend Wild Flower’s Enby. One side of this silicone toy is smooth and the other is ribbed, with three intensity levels and three patterns. The whole thing is very flexible, so you can wrap it around a penis, using the textured side as a stroker; lay it flat and ride it for clitoral stimulation; slide it in between partners; or slip it into a harness. I loved mine so much I gifted one to a friend, who enthusiastically reported back that it was great when used with a partner.

Editor’s Note: The Enby 2 is currently out of stock, but you can sign up for a restock notification on Wild Flower’s site.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: App compatible

While it’s easy to focus mostly on your clitoris and G-spot, there are also plenty of erogenous zones along your entire vulva that can (and should) be explored. MysteryVibe’s latest launch, the Legato, is a flexible vibrator designed to do just that. The toy is seriously versatile: It utilizes four different motors placed around the body of the toy to cycle through sixteen intensity levels and eight preset patterns. Plus, the accompanying app can be used to save your favorite vibration modes. And, because of the open O shape of the design, it can be easily worn during penetrative sex.

Type: Vibrator | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non app compatible

Dame’s Fin is shaped like a pebble and has grooves on either side so you can hold it between your fingers. This extension-of-your-fingers design is both super low profile and easy to hold during sex with a partner. However, it has a relatively low motor and only three speeds, so it’s probably best for those who are more sensitive, since it doesn’t have quite the same power as other vibes on this list.

Type: Stroker | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

Lelo is well known for its beautifully designed toys and strong vibrations, and its prostate massager, Hugo, is no exception. “Aesthetically pleasing, remote controlled, and anatomically well made,” says Lateef Taylor, pleasure-based sex educator and kink trainer, adding that it is great for those with or without prostates: “It also pulses and has different patterns, so it’s really versatile.” Plus, it’s waterproof.

Type: Air-suction | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

If traditional vibration isn’t your thing, an air-suction toy might be more up your alley. The Melt uses pulses of air to mimic the sensation of oral sex and creates extremely deep orgasms as a result compared to a standard vibrator. The Melt “creates a smooth and seamless pulse,” says Samantha Bard, co-owner of the Williamsburg sex shop and event space Shag. Plus, it is compatible with an app you can use to customize patterns and share with a partner, who can control it from across the bedroom — or across the country. You can use the Melt alone, but sex blogger and toy critic Cy Smash told us it can be fun to try with a partner. “The fact that it is compact with a narrow rim” means it doesn’t take up too much real estate on the vulva, which Smash explains leaves “plenty of room for penetration.”

Type: Ring | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: App compatible

Morse also loves the We-Vibe Pivot, which she describes as “kind of a twofer,” since it has really strong vibrations — you could just use it as a clitoral vibe as well as a ring for partners with penises.

Type: Ring | Material: Polymer | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

If you’re someone who deals with vaginal pain during sex, the Ohnut, a series of interlocking silicone rings, can really help. You can put it on a penis or on a toy, and it controls the depth of penetration. “For some cis men, the feeling of having their whole penis enveloped is really nice, so for them it helps to receive pleasure and feel stimulation, especially if their partner can only handle shallow penetration,” says Marcantonio. It can also work well for people experimenting with anal play who want to start with shallow penetration before working up the the full length of a penis or a toy. A note on material: While the original Ohnut was designed in silicone, that made it incompatible with silicone lubrication, so it switched to a polymer. While the brand asserts that Ohnut’s polymer is body safe because it is not permeable with the typical amount of pressure applied during intercourse, they do recommend that Ohnut be used with only one other sex partner.

Type: Stroker | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

If you’re interested in something a little less intimidating than a cock ring, a penis stroker is a good bet. In our roundup of best sex toys for men, the Manta was named one of the best strokers. “It’s unlike any other sex toy on the market,” says Lisa Finn, a brand manager and sex educator at Babeland. “The soft, velvety silicone head is contoured to flex around the penis and is designed with ridges along the inside of the wings that hold lubricant in place for added sensation.” Its very slim profile makes it ideal to use with a partner, and Kit Richardson, buyer for the Museum of Sex and the MoSex Shop, adds that it’s perfect if you’re looking to “intensify a BJ.”

Type: Stroker | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

The Pulse from London-based Hot Octopuss is branded as the world’s first “guybrator.” A better way to describe it might be somewhere between a vibrating cock ring and a masturbation sleeve. The toy cups the penis, and, as Morse explains, “It’s not really a vibrator, but it oscillates on the underside of the penis, where there’s this really sensitive spot.” There’s also the Pulse Duo, which is designed for couples, where the base of the toy also vibrates; that means a partner can simultaneously get stimulation by rubbing against the device as the male-bodied partner is getting pleasure from the oscillation. It’s a great device for foreplay or for partners who prefer non-penetrative sex.

Type: Harness | Material: Nylon and velcro | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

A strap-on is, in some ways, the ultimate couples toy — and Frost likes harnesses from SpareParts, which “use velcro instead of those shifting buckles that just drive you crazy.” Its styles range from boxer briefs to panties and all include inserts for vibrators as well as dildos.

Type: Dildo | Material: Silicone | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

To pair with the harnesses above, dildos from New York Toy Collective are Frost’s go-to because, “as far as internally and weight-wise, they feel like an actual penis.” They also come in a range of skin tones and fun colors. The brand’s most popular model, the Shilo, is made from posable, latex-free silicone and has a unique head designed for G-spot and prostate stimulation.

Type: Pillow | Material: Microfiber | App compatibility vs non-app compatibility: Non-app compatible

Another nice option for those trying to get a slightly different perspective is a sex cushion like the Liberator Wedge. “For a lot of women and men, there are certain positions that can be really uncomfortable, but when you elevate your pelvis with this wedge, it can help make things a little easier,” says Morse. It can help with G-spot stimulation, make oral sex more comfortable, and assist with certain positions like doggy style.

Type: Chair | Material: Foam and microvelvet | App compatibility vs. non–app compatibility: Non–app compatible

And if you’re looking for even more elevation, this ergonomic chaise longue from Liberator is a worthwhile investment. “It’s on the expensive side, but it’s a good option for those who are older or maybe have some disabilities, because it allows you to be in various positions without contorting your body too much,” she tells us. It features a machine-washable cover and moisture-proof inner liner —”so you can just hurry up and wipe it up,” says Frost — and comes in a variety of colors, like this Porto Red. Plus, the middle pillow is removable “so you can get into this nice groove to masturbate or practice some self love.”

Type: Candle | Material: Shea Butter, jojoba oil, soybean oil | App compatibility vs. non–app compatibility: Non–app compatible

And if you want to experiment with temperature play, a massage-oil candle can be a fun way to start. “When you light the candle, it becomes massage oil, and it has a spout so you can pour it easily. But pour onto your hand first so you don’t burn your partner,” advises Megan Fleming, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in sex therapy and marriage counseling. Marcantonio also recommends massage-oil candles and says that JimmyJane makes candles that smell great and are even moisturizing. “It’s a lot of fun because you can build a whole experience — if you’re using a blindfold and have already lost one sense, then warm wax being dripped on you can feel especially good,” she says. Just take note: “The oil is only for external use, it’s not lube.”

Type: Candle | Material: Soy wax and parrafin | App compatibility vs. non–app compatibility: Non–app compatible

If you and your partner want to take your temperature play a little further, you could try soy-wax play candles. The reason the material matters is because soy wax has a low temperature point, making it the least hot at melting point and, in turn, the safest. “If you want to take it to the edge a little bit, you can try paraffin wax. I never recommend beeswax because it’s the hottest,” explains Frost. These candles are a blend of low-temperature soy wax and paraffin. Frost also recommends patch testing the wax beforehand (when you’re not in the heat of the moment) and advises “dripping the candle far away from the body, and not up-close.”

• Samantha Bard, co-owner of the Williamsburg sex shop and event space Shag• Madeline Cooper, clinical social worker and therapist• Lisa Finn, a brand manager and sex educator at Babeland•Megan Fleming, licensed clinical psychologist• Davia Frost, sex expert and intimacy coach• Carolanne Marcantonio, licensed master social worker and sex therapist• Vanessa Marin, licensed psychotherapist and writer specializing in sex therapy• Emily Morse, doctor of human sexuality and host of Sex With Emily on Sirius XM• Kit Richardson, buyer for the Museum of Sex and the MoSex Shop• Shelby Sells, writer and sex relationship expert• Cy Smash, sex blogger and toy critic• Lateef Taylor, pleasure-based sex educator and kink trainer

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