Whether you’re on your 100th toy or you’re just starting out your adult toy journey, buying sex toys can be a bit of a nightmare. Why? Well, you’re buying something that’s going to be either touching or going into your body, and you’re going to be spending your own money in the hope that your sex life will be enhanced, improved, or even saved!
So, it’s essential to take things slow, do your research, and do a bit of comparison before you go ahead and splurge on a new toy. As they say, when it comes to buying the best sex toys, only fools rush in.
So, before buying a sex toy as a companion while you’re watching mature live free cams, what are the necessary steps that need to be taken? In this article, we’re going to give you the ultimate guide to buying the best sex toys in 2022, whether you’re completely new to the game or you’re looking to take your sex toy collection to the next level.
Concern 1: Materials
To kick off our sex-toy buying guide, our first bit of advice is about sex toy materials. If you’re a seasoned toy enthusiast, you might already know your silicone from your TPE, but if you’re at the debut of your sex toy journey, these are important things to take into consideration before buying an adult toy.
Here’s what you need to take into consideration when it comes to sex toy materials:
Is my sex toy porous or non porous?
When it comes to sex toy materials, almost everything that needs to be known can be resumed by asking the following question: is my sex toy porous or non-porous? Porous materials (such as soft plastics, rubber, and jelly) are difficult to clean, as they contain tiny microscopic holes on the surface where bacteria can nestle in and grow, even after cleaning.
Non-porous materials (silicone, metal, glass, and certain hard plastics) are much easier to clean and are not penetrable by bacteria. It’s always best to opt for non-porous toys, and this should always be a factor in your decision-making process.
How do I clean each sex toy material?
How you clean your sex toys is going to be a major factor in how you feel about your toy after a couple of uses: if every time requires full sterilization in boiling water and you live with roommates, your toy might end up spending most of its time in the nightstand drawer.
As we explained above, cleaning sex toy materials will all come down to whether or not the toy is porous. Non-porous toys can be cleaned fully with just some soap and water. Porous toys can never be fully cleaned, and you might want to consider using a condom with these types of toys, especially if you’re sharing them with a partner.
What is the best sex toy material?
If you’re looking for the safest and easiest sex toy mateiral to clean and use, you want to opt for non-porous toys. Non-porous toy materials include the following:
- Silicone
- Certain hard plastics
- Glass
- Steel
Concern 2: Durability
Durability is another key factor when it comes to making sure that you’re buying the best sex toys. You don’t want to invest $100 for the toy to break down after only 6 months of use. It can be the case that certain toys will stop working after a year’s use, but we’re talking about the cheapest of the cheap: $20 for six months of fuss-free orgasms doesn’t sound too bad, after all!
How to look out for the most durable sex toys:
- High quality material (silicone, glass, steel)
- Rechargeable vs. battery-operated (battery operated toys are typically less durable)
- Free warranties (toys with a warranty tend to imply a longer durability – companies won’t give out one-year warranties for toys that they know will break in 3 months)
- Cleaning instructions – the more complicated the cleaning instructions, the higher the chance that your toy might be susceptible to external damage and break down easily
Concern 3: Price
For some, price will be the most important factor when buying a sex toy. If you’re looking for the best sex toys, you’re going to want to reserve a budget upward of $50 at least: however, certain ultra-advanced sex toys now retail for over $200. The sex toy industry is a competitive market, with new technological advances meaning that the price of a top brand vibrator can now rival the price of a mid-market smartphone.
What’s the best strap on?
If you’re looking for an a good strap on, you’re going to want to shop around online and definetly read reviews to find the best ones, and try to have realistic expectations if you have a tight budget. Shops such as Lovehoney, Shevibe, and Adam & Eve sell affordable, well-made sex toys that won’t break the bank.
How to save money when buying sex toys:
- Try to find online discount codes or first-purchase discounts for major sex toy retailers, such as Lovehoney
- Read sex toy reviews online for real, authentic reviews of cheaper toys
- NEVER shop on Amazon – there’s no way to guarantee that your toy is authentic or body-safe
Concern 4: Partner Use
The final concern in our sex-toy guide is about partner-use: will your toy be shared? Will your toy be enjoyable during sex with a partner, or will it be bulky and fiddly to use as a pair? Will it add to the overall sexual experience?
When buying a toy to use with a partner, you want to make sure that there’s an element of sharing going on – your sexual partner will typically want to join in the fun, not simply observe! If your toy is more solo-focused, you might want to leave it in your nightstand for your fun solo sessions.
Great partner toys include the following:
- Remote control feature
- Double-ended toys
- Hands-free vibrators
- BDSM accessories, such as sex pillows, handcuffs, bondage
- Butt plugs
Final Points…
Before rushing off and buying your next sex toy, it’s important to remember all of the above, along with some logistical points. One of the most common concerns people have about sex toys is making noise, so you’ll want to consider this before making a purchase.
Some other key factors include charging capacity (cable vs. battery) and if your toy is travel friendly. Your living situation will play a role in how often you can use your toy, so make sure to factor it into your buying process.
