What to Know Before You Buy Your First Vibrator
If you're buying your first vibrator, you really only need to know a few things: what kind of stimulation you want, which features will make the toy easy and comfortable to use, and how to look after it once you bring it home. The short video on this page walks through those basics, with English captions available if you'd rather read along.
A vibrator is simply a motorized toy that produces vibration for external, internal, or combined stimulation. There isn't one right type for everyone, and you don't need to know exactly what you like before you buy your first one. Shape, size, controls, and intensity all come down to personal preference.
Research also suggests that vibrator use is common among adults. One 2021 study of 800 sexually active U.S. women aged 18 to 35 found that 79.9% had used a sex toy, while other research has reported lifetime vibrator use among both women and men in the U.S.
The rest of this guide follows the same basics covered in the video: how to choose a vibrator you'll actually want to use, what the main designs are intended for, how to keep things comfortable and safe, and how to clean, charge, and store your toy afterward.
How to Choose Your First Vibrator
Choosing your first toy is all about keeping things approachable. It doesn't have to cover every base or be your forever favorite; it just needs to be a comfortable place to start.
Where you want sensation: Start by thinking about where you want to feel it. External vibration on the clitoris and vulva is a simple starting point because you can move the toy in tiny increments and feel what each small shift changes. Internal shapes bring pressure and curves, and some toys combine both at once.
Intensity and controls: Look for a toy where you can change the speed easily with one hand without having to look. Starting gentler than you think you need, and working your way up, always feels better than starting at full blast and backing off.
Choosing your material: Material matters mostly for cleaning. Smooth surfaces like silicone, glass, and hard plastic, and wipe clean easily, while softer jelly and rubber materials are harder to properly clean. Our guide to vibrator materials compares them in more depth.
Power source and lube: A rechargeable toy saves you from hunting down loose batteries at an inconvenient moment. And always plan on getting lubricant right from the start. A water-based lubricant is the safest choice as it's compatible with almost all sex toy materials.
Exploring Vibrator Styles: From Bullets to Wands
Vibrators come in many different shapes because every body and preference is unique. Here are the main categories vibes fall into and how they work, so you can picture how it fits your style:
Bullets, eggs, and fingers: Bullet and egg vibrators are small, simple, and external, making them an approachable first buy. Finger vibrators use a loop or sleeve to stay attached to your hand so you can guide them naturally.
Targeted and wand massagers: Clitoral vibrators and air-pulse stimulators stay external for focused sensation. Wand massagers feature a broad head and long handle to spread sensations over a wider area without straining your wrist.
Internal, thrusting and dual-stimulating shapes: G-spot vibrators use a curved tip to press toward the front wall, while classic straight vibrators can be used internally or externally. Rabbit and dual-stimulating shapes work inside and outside at the same time, while thrusting vibrators add automated piston-like motion for hands-free internal movement.
App-controlled, wearable and anal options: App-controlled vibrators let you or a partner adjust patterns and speeds remotely from a smartphone. Couples, panty, and wearable vibrators stay in place during shared play so your hands stay free. Anal vibrators form their own essential category because they require a secure, wide base to prevent the toy from slipping inside.
Our guide to finding the best vibrator for you goes into even more detail, so you can narrow down which vibe you want to start with.
Sex Toy Safety: Consent, Lubricant, and Sharing Safely
Consent is part of comfort, not a separate formality. Either person can pause, slow down, or change what they’re doing at any point, whether it’s your first time using a toy together or your hundredth. If you want to introduce a toy, talk about it beforehand rather than making it a surprise, and choosing one together can make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable.
Lubricant can reduce friction and make toy use more comfortable. The Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) notes that lubricant is especially important with anal toys because the anus does not self-lubricate like the vagina does. The same guidance recommends using toys with a wide base to help prevent them from being drawn inside the body. If a toy does become stuck and you can't retrieve it, seek medical care rather than trying to wait it out.
Sharing toys is common, but it’s worth taking a few precautions. A survey of US women found that about a third had shared a sex toy, while only around 14% of those who shared regularly used a condom on the toy. If you share a toy, use a fresh condom on it for each person and wash the toy between use on different body areas. With a condom, use a water-based or silicone-based lubricant. CDC condom guidance warns that oil-based lubricants can weaken latex condoms and increase the risk of breakage.
How to Clean, Charge and Store A Vibrator
Taking care of a sex toy is simple, but it’s a step many guides rush past. Wash your toy with warm water and a mild, unscented soap or a dedicated toy cleaner before and after each use. Proper cleaning helps reduce the spread of bacteria and infections, which is why medical guidance treats it as a basic part of toy care. In the study mentioned earlier, 81.8% of women said they cleaned their toys regularly, and 73.2% used soap.
Before cleaning a motorized toy under running water, check the manufacturer's instructions to see whether it’s water-resistant or fully waterproof. This varies by toy, so don’t assume that a rechargeable or motorized toy can be rinsed. Some can be washed under the faucet, while others should be wiped carefully, especially around the controls, seams, and charging contacts.
Once it’s clean, let the toy dry completely before storing it. Keep it clean, dry, and separate from other toys, and follow any storage instructions from the manufacturer. If the toy came with a storage pouch or case, using it can help keep the toy protected between uses.
For rechargeable toys, check the manufacturer's charging instructions before the first use. Fully charge the toy if recommended, and recharge it after use or when the battery is low so it’s ready the next time you want it. Avoid charging or storing the toy in a damp place, and keep the charging port dry unless the manufacturer specifically says otherwise.
For material-by-material detail, our guide to cleaning sex toys and our sex toy materials and safety guide are worth a look once you know which type of material you have.
Where to Shop for Your First Vibrator
Ready to browse? Explore vibrators at Adam & Eve and use a few simple questions to narrow down your options: where you want to use it, how much control you want over the settings, and how easy it will be to clean. If you’re buying your first toy, starting with something simple can make it easier to figure out what you like.
It’s also worth picking up the basics you’ll need to care for it. A compatible lubricant and toy cleaner can make using and maintaining a new vibrator easier from the start.
Want more guidance before you choose? Our beginner guides for vibrators cover everything from choosing your first toy to using and cleaning it. There’s no rush and no single right way to start. Shop at your own pace, learn what appeals to you, and choose what feels comfortable.
