If you’re not sure what you like, Good Vibrations staff sex expert and sex educator Carol Queen, PhD, advises taking a look at vibrators that let you explore sensations. There are vibrators with several intensity levels or built with both a focused tip and a body that’s wide enough to cover more of the vulva. Even if you’re masturbating, condoms are helpful under a variety of circumstances. If you have a difficult-to-clean porous toy, condoms are an easy way to keep things nice and clean every time you use it. You might know from experience that even when you’re masturbating, you have to be in the mood, especially if you’re hoping to have an orgasm or two. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to loosen up and get some natural lubrication going. Let’s get one thing straight: there’s no conclusive evidence that shows that you can get “addicted” to your vibrator. That being said, it’s still a good idea to put some thought into how you would like vibrators to function in your sex life. Namely, do you want your orgasms to be the result of a vibrator, your own hands, your partner’s efforts, or a combination of the above?

Remember, always opt for toys made of sanitize-able, non-porous materials such as medical-grade silicone, hypoallergenic metals like stainless steel, and borosilicate glass. The best clitoral vibrators right now If you’re interested in orgasming (and who isn’t, really?), a clitoral vibrator can be a great place to start. For lots of people, clitoral stimulation feels amazing—and can be essential to orgasming (or to intensifying orgasm). So if you have a clit and you’re choosing sex toys, it might make sense to start with something that stimulates that part of your body because “it’s one of your best routes to orgasm and pleasure,” Heather Shannon, LCPC, a certified sex therapist and host of the podcast Ask a Sex Therapist, tells SELF. Also called clitoral vibrators, bullets come in all shapes and sizes. It’s one of the most versatile categories of sex toy, with everything from small, discreet options that are no bigger than a finger, to larger wands that double as massagers. Some have tiny “rabbit ears” – a nod to the classic rabbit vibrator – while others are topped with suction heads that use air to gently and safely stimulate the clitoris. How we test Oh, and in case you’re wondering, no, you won’t damage your nerve endings, no matter how intense of vibrations you use. That said, it’s possible to temporarily overstimulate yourself, which might mean you lose some feeling short-term. But don’t worry about any lasting damage. 8. Put a barrier between you and the vibrator if needed. Jess O'Reilly, PhD, a Toronto-based sexologist, says remote control vibrators are some of the most versatile sex toys on the market and can be used in endless ways to "facilitate playfulness" for the best sex ever, with or without a partner. "Not only does a remote control vibe allow you to weave eroticism throughout your day, but it often inspires you to flirt, tease, build anticipation and be more creative," she says.People skip this step all the time but shouldn’t! Chances are, your vibrator will come with a little booklet, including instructions for use and other important safety and maintenance information. In the very least, reading the instructions will give you a rundown of the controls. Believe me, you want to know before you play with it how to turn your vibrator on and off, as well as how to change between the various vibration patterns, if that’s something your toy has. 4. Don’t forget foreplay—even if you’re going solo. There’s a lot of vibrator fear-mongering out there, mostly from idiots who are threatened by female sexual empowerment. Worried that you might get addicted to a vibrator? Or that your male partners would be intimidated by your vibrator usage? Let’s bust through the BS and talk about how to make your vibrator a healthy part of your masturbatory life. What to Look for in Your First Vibrator

Like most sex toys, you can use many of these orgasmic, remote-powered gadgets on a variety of erogenous zones, even if they're designed for a specific part of the body, according to O'Reilly. "A clitoral panty vibe can be used against the vulva, along the perineum, around the nipples, across the balls, or up and down the shaft of a penis," she says. With that being said, if a toy is made specifically for external use, don't try to insert it in any of your or your partner's orifices — that could potentially lead to injury and a mood-killing trip to the hospital.If you'd like to experiment with some kinky BDSM play, Dr. O'Reilly recommends taking turns controlling the remote. "You'll both get the chance to tease and enjoy the thrill of anticipation," she says. "With all the options for vibration patterns and intensities, you'll always have something new to discover."

Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. There are some women out there who would be perfectly content having every single one of their orgasms originate from a mechanical motor. That’s totally cool; do your thing girl. But if you ever experience vaginal numbness or tingling, if you feel like you have to keep using higher intensity settings on your vibrator, if you notice less clitoral sensitivity, or if you feel like it’s becoming harder to orgasm without a vibrator, try taking a 1-2 week vibrator hiatus (these are all extremely unlikely possibilities, but they’re still possibilities). Your body may have become acclimated to vibration, but those effects will go away after a short break. No fear-mongering here! Every bullet vibrator on this list has been tested by our trusted Good Housekeeping Institute panel of more than 120 women, spanning all ages. They put each product to the test to make sure they met our high standards. Even if you’re not in the mood to whip out all the stops every time you want to use your vibrator, a little foreplay can go a long way. “Explore your body using the vibrator,” recommends Howard. “Try using it on the inner labia and outer labia and around the vaginal opening without actually inserting it—the whole area.” 5. Use lube, even if it’s just external. Whether your sex life is burning hot or looking a bit dim, the best remote control vibrators can help heat things up. These high-tech vibrators, thrusters, and erogenous-zone stimulators can give you wall-clawing orgasms, no partner needed. But if you do want to add another person to the mix, these toys are a non-intimidating way to give your partner (or yourself) control in the bedroom, no matter if they're near or far.Now, it’s time to grab your vibrator! Turn it on to the lowest power setting, and gently touch it to the surface of your clitoris. For some women, this will feel like hardly anything. For others, it might feel so intense that you leap off the bed. Clits vary wildly in their sensitivity, so it’s best to start super soft. If even the lowest setting is too much for you, try holding the vibrator against your labia, so that it’s not touching your clitoris directly. Or put a towel or blanket between you and your toy, or keep your underwear on. If you need more intensity, gradually increase the speed settings. (This is why I like the Limon so much; you simply squeeze harder for more speed, instead of having to fiddle with any buttons.) You’re looking for a setting that feels nice and moderate, not like it’s power-waxing your clitoris. It should seem obvious, but a lot of people forgo proper sex toy care, especially if they’re only using it for masturbation. But it doesn’t matter if you’re the only one using the toy—if it’s going on or in your body, it should be clean. “Not cleaning your sex toy because you’re the only one using it is like eating with the same fork for a month and not washing it,” says Howard. “Sure, it’s only your spit on it, but would you do that? No.” verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Condoms are also useful if you want to use a toy for both vaginal and anal play (which you can do as long as the toy is anal safe). To avoid moving bacteria from your anus to your vagina or urethra (and risking vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis or urinary tract infections, as SELF previously reported), use a new condom every time you’re switching holes. 10. Always clean and store it properly.