The 11 Best Anal Sex Toys for Every Experience Level

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Ah butts, the great equalizer. Everyone’s got ‘em and the ability to feel immense tushy pleasure. Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve been around the booty block, we’ve got the best anal sex toys to make your anal exploration a thrilling adventure.

Of course, if it’s your first time using anal sex toys, it’s normal to feel intimidated and nervous — or even a little scared, especially if nothing has ever been up there before. Remember to go slow, communicate if you’re with a partner(s), and pay attention to what feels good — and what feels like too much. “The first thing to consider when you’re venturing into anal territory is how an anus becomes a pleasure zone for both male and female-bodied people,” says Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationship psychotherapist and resident intimacy expert at dating app, 3Fun. “People of all (or no) genders have a butt hole and it is a potential erogenous zone for everyone.”

We have lots of excellent anal sex toys to recommend for all levels of experience, but first, let’s go over a few cardinal rules of anal play to ensure you have a good time once you rev up your shiny new toy.

Anal Sex Toy Tips

“Stigma and shame just leads people to engage in anal without knowing what they’re doing,” Engle tells SheKnows. “The anus is very sensitive. It doesn’t lube up or naturally stretch the way a vagina does.” Because of that, there are a few things to know before jumping in with your anal sex toy. “If you go for anal sex immediately, without any warm up, you’re going to hurt someone,” Engle cautions. “You risk tearing, anal fissures, or a trip to the ER.” Yep, it’s that serious — so don’t skip any of these simple safety steps.

Lube it up. When it comes to any kind of anal play, “lube is your golden ticket,” Engle says. (And no, spit isn’t an acceptable substitution.) “Get yourself some reliable lube. The wetter the better,” Engle says. Without lube, you’re looking at potentially hurting yourself or your partner. For silicone toys, be sure to use water-based lube, such as, Sliquid H2O and KY Liquid, because silicone lube will bond with your silicone toys and cause damage (besides making them sticky and uncomfortable). However, if you’re using a metal or glass toy, definitely go with a silicone lube like Überlube — it will last forever and can be used in the shower!

Grab a condom. If you’re engaging in anal with a partner, make sure to have a condom handy, especially if you don’t know their current STI status, Engle says. (BTW, that’s always a good thing to talk about before having sex of any kind.) “The delicate tissue of the anus is highly susceptible to STIs,” Engle explains. “Safer sex is better sex.” That includes putting a condom on any penises or sex toys that are involved.

Start with a finger. Start opening things up with one well-lubed finger, then try two, then a small butt plug. Make sure to take your time. “The anus is not a muscle that naturally stretches to allow objects inside of it,” Engle says. “We know exactly what it’s primary physical function is, and it’s not an entryway. It needs to be gently stretched and kneaded.”

Keep it shallow. Whether you’re penetrating with a penis, toy, or finger, there’s no need to go super deep “You don’t need to shove anything super far up a rectum to feel sensation,” Engle explains. In fact, most of your anal nerves are within the first two inches of your anal opening. “This is a nerve-rich cluster that can be stimulated with fingers, a small (or large, depending on your experience level) butt plug,” Engle says. “There is a common misconception that because the anus is not a closed canal like the vagina, you should stick things up as far as they can go. This is not the case.”

Be patient. “Anal training can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months,” Engle says, so don’t rush yourself. “If you move too quickly, you could wind up in serious pain. The chances of getting to try anal again once you’ve hurt someone are slim to none. Better safe than sorry.”

Now that you’re lubed up, strap in (pun intended) and let’s get anal.

The Best Anal Sex Toys At a Glance

Best for pegging: Unbound Nudge

Best for first-time penetration: Aneros Progasm

Best for vibration-lovers: b-Vibe Novice Butt Plug

Best anal beads: Fifty Shades of Grey Pleasure Intensified Anal Beads

Best small plug: Tantus Little Flirt small plug

Best stainless-steel toy: Njoy Pure Plug

Best for long-distance lovers: We-Vibe Ditto

Best for intense vibrations: Earth Quaker Anal Vibe

Best for rimming: B-vibe Rimming Plug 2

Best for dual penetration: Silicone Love Rider Dual Penetrator

Best for prostate stimulation: Lelo Bruno

Anal sex toys for first-timers:

Anal sex toys for anal enthusiasts:

Anal sex toys for seasoned professionals:

Anal toys are an amazing way to change things up in the bedroom, explore your body fully and engage in pleasure that can’t get anyone pregnant. Anal play can be great for all bodies, but be sure to ease into this new level of play, embrace lube, and use condoms on your toys if you plan to use them with more than one person. Have fun, be safe, and get your great equalizer going.

A version of this post was originally published in 2018.

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