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9 best vibrators for solo pleasure

Practice self-love with these trusty toys that won't disappoint

Rebecca Reid
Thursday 13 August 2020 08:53 BST
From clitoral or vaginal stimulation, we’ve found the tool for you
From clitoral or vaginal stimulation, we’ve found the tool for you (iStock/The Independent)

It’s important to practice self-love and there's no better way to do so than with some solo pleasure.

Lockdown gave us some newly discovered leisure time for masturbation but just because restrictions have lifted doesn't mean you shouldn't still invest in yourself.

If you’re thinking about buying in a new sex toy – either as a first-time purchase or because you’re upgrading your old faithful – there are hundreds of options on the market.

Whether it’s a clitoral stimulator, bullet or g-spot vibrator it can get a little confusing trying to choose the right one for you. But, it really needn’t be overwhelming.

For the best in self-pleasure, read on for our comprehensive guide of the vibrators that are worth your investment.

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The best vibrators in 2021 are:

  • Best overall – Satisfyer pro 2 clitoral toy: £26.47, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for multiple orgasms – Womanizer premium: £169, Womanizer.com
  • Best bullet vibrator – We-Vibe tango bullet: £49, We-vibe.com
  • Best for couples – Lelo tiani 3: £103, Lelo.com
  • Best for stimulation of the entire vulva – Smile Makers the ballerina: £160, Beautybay.com
  • Best for different intensities – Hot Octopus AMO: £49.95, Hotoctopuss.com
  • Best for g-spot stimulation – Rocks Off Dalia g-spot vibrator: £15.74, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for combining with penetration – Sent To Thrill Felix: £51, Senttothrill.com
  • Best for using in the bath – Bathmate vibe bullet vibrator: £19.99, Bathmatedirect.com

Satisfyer pro 2 clitoral toy

satisfyer-pro-indybest-vibrator-.jpg

Best: Overall

  • Type: Clitoral
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 11
  • Dimensions: 16.5cm x 6.5cm x 4.6cm

A few years ago, various different sex toy companies started to claim that they had created a “totally new” type of sex toy. The assertions were met with some healthy scepticism but it transpired to be true. These pulsing or "sonar" vibrators really are something totally new. Many brands have their own version of the pulsing vibrator, the sensation of which is similar to experiencing oral sex.

The satisfyer pro is a reasonably priced example of this new sex tech. The design is a little more basic than in the higher-priced toys and it’s not quite so ergonomic. But, in terms of performance, it’s astonishingly impressive and costs less than £30. Plus, it’s quiet enough to be used in a shared house.

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Womanizer premium

indybest-womanizer-prem.jpg

Best: For multiple orgasms

  • Type: Clitoral
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: ABS, silicone
  • Vibration modes: 12
  • Dimensions: 15.5cm x 5cm x 3.5cm

Another example of pulsing technology but this time at the other end of the price spectrum. The Womanizer premium isn’t cheap – but it’s extremely impressive. It's almost silent, beautifully designed and pretty much guaranteed to hit the spot. If you’ve struggled to achieve multiple orgasms before, this might well be the answer. Users report having an entirely different, far more intense, type of orgasm once they started using this (or similar toys).

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We-Vibe tango bullet

indybest tango we-vibe.jpg

Best: Bullet vibrator

  • Type: Clitoral
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Phthalates, latex and BPA
  • Vibration modes: 8
  • Dimensions: 22cm x 7cm x 2 cm

The tango bullet is the classic of the bullet genre, a perfect gift, and destined to be kept for years to come and eventually replaced if it wears out. It’s got a round, generous vibration, rather than the thinner and sharper sensation that some cheaper bullets produce. Plus, it’s gloriously quiet and quick to recharge.

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Lelo tiani 3

indybest lelo-tiani-3.jpg

Best: For couples

  • Type: Vaginal and clitoral
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 8
  • Dimensions: 8cm x 4.5cm x 3 cm

The tiani could work for masturbation but it’s more aimed at couples. You wear it internally, so it follows the line of your body and stimulates your clitoris during penetrative sex (the vast majority of women can’t orgasm from vaginal penetration alone) and enables you to reach a climax during sex – quite possibly mutually with your partner, if simultaneous orgasms are something you’re aiming for. Lots of brands have mimicked this design but Lelo is the original and the best. It’s a full, rolling vibration and the tech is reliable enough that you can change settings at the touch of a button during sex.

  1.  £103 from Lelo.com
Prices may vary
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Smile Makers the ballerina

ballerina-indybest-.jpg

Best: For stimulation of the entire vulva

  • Type: Clitoris
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 7
  • Dimensions: 9cm x 6cm x 3.5 cm

Smile Makers launched a couple of years ago and is well known for being sold on Gwyneth Paltrow’s brilliantly bonkers Goop website. Its other toys are named after fantasy companions – the fireman, the surfer, the tennis coach.

The ballerina is something a bit different. It’s designed to stimulate the whole of your vulva, not just your clitoris. This would be a great buy for someone who has grown tired of their usual toy but doesn’t like anything too intense on their clitoris. It’s not super silent but could easily be covered by a Spotify playlist.

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Hot Octopuss AMO

indybest-hot-octopus-amo.jpg

Best: For different intensities of vibration

  • Type: Clitoris
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 11
  • Dimensions: 9.5cm x 2cm x 1 cm

You can buy any number of bog-standard bullets for around £10, and they may or may not work for you. If you’ve outgrown the cheap toy you purchased before masturbation became your regular hobby, this would be a great next step. It still does all the basics, but the unusual shape means that you can have different intensities of vibration depending on how you use it.

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Rocks-Off Dalia g-spot vibrator

rocks-off-g-spot-vibrator.jpg

Best: For g-spot stimulation

  • Type: Vaginal
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 10
  • Dimensions: 15cm x 5 cm

Looking to get fully acquainted with your g-spot? This affordable yet powerful vibrator is a compelling option. It has ten settings and the kind of fulsome vibration that you would expect to find in a much more expensive toy.

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Sent To Thrill Felix

felix-indybest-.jpg

Best: For combining with penetration

  • Type: Clitoral
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 7
  • Dimensions: 11cm x 3 cm

Lots of people prefer indirect stimulation when they’re masturbating. The Felix has two prongs, which you place either side of your clitoris, similar to the rabbit ears on a rampant rabbit, but in a smaller package. This is a great toy to involve in your sex life with another person and to combine with penetration. It's not quite as quiet as some of the others we tested but would be impossible to hear from the next room if you were under the duvet.

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Bathmate vibe bullet vibrator

indybest bathmate.jpg

Best: For using in the bath

  • Type: Clitoral
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Material: Silicone
  • Vibration modes: 10
  • Dimensions: 7.5 x 2 x 2 cm

Another way to change up your masturbation routine is to try doing it somewhere other than your bed – a prime option being the bath. Vibrators that are safe for bath use are also great if you live in a shared house, especially if you don’t have a lock on your bedroom door or just need some extra privacy. This bullet packs quite a punch for its size and price and is totally water safe.

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Vibrators FAQs

Types of vibrator

Vibrators can provide stimulation to the clitoris, g-spot and vagina, and come in all different shapes and sizes. These are the main types:

  • Suction: Designed to give the same sensation as oral sex, these work by creating a vacuum through suction or air. The Satisfyer pro 2 clitoral toy (£26.47, Amazon.co.uk) is a prime example of this type of vibrator
  • Bullet: A small vibrator that is designed for external stimulation and doesn’t need to just be used on the clitoris – you can use it around the nipples , the perineum or the vulva. Unsure which one to choose? Our writer raved about the We-Vibe tango bullet (£49, We-vibe.com)
  • Wand: This type of vibrator can be used clitorally and vaginally, and has powerful vibrations
  • Rabbit: Rabbit-style vibrators offers both clitoral and G-spot stimulation at the same time. They get their name because they have an arm that protrudes out, which resembles bunny ears.
  • G-spot: Designed to be used internally, a g-spot vibrator has a curved tip and bulbous head. Looking for a g-spot vibrator? Turn to the Rocks Off Dalia g-spot vibrator (£15.74, Amazon.co.uk)

Features of a vibrator to consider before you buy:

There are a number of important things you should think about before buying a vibrator, all of which are outlined below:

  • Type of stimulation: Consider whether you’d rather clitoral or vaginal stimulation, or both
  • Ease of use: You ideally want something that is very easy to use, so pay attention to details such as how effortlessly it is to change the vibration mode
  • Dimensions: Check the size of your vibrator to make sure you don’t want one that is bigger or smaller
  • Settings and speeds: The number of speeds and pulse types varies per vibrator, so make sure yours has the right combination to fit your mood
  • How it is powered: Battery-powered vibrators tend to run out of charge quite quickly, whereas some others can be recharged using a plug or USB
  • Noise level: If you’re worried about being overheard, look out for a quiet vibrator

The verdict: Vibrators

The best sex toy for you right now is going to depend very much on what you enjoy. If you're looking for a treat that won’t break the bank, the satisfyer pro will be a brilliant addition to your life. You can't go wrong.

If you’re looking to upgrade the toy you most enjoy and are after more intense, longer orgasms then the womanizer premium will almost certainly deliver. If you’re a rampant rabbit fan looking for a change, try the Felix.

Voucher codes

For more discounts on bedroom essentials, try the links below:

Looking to broaden your sexual horizons? Read our guide to the best sex toys for couples

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