10 things to know before you buy your first dildo

If you just want to remember three things: choose a non-porous material like silicone or glass, compare the insertable length and diameter instead of the total length, and choose a base that fits how you plan to use the dildo. If you want to use it anally, the base needs to be flared. If you want to use it hands-free or with a harness, it needs a suction cup or a flat base.

The rest is about preference – realistic or fantasy shape, soft or firm – and about care. Below, we go through all ten points. The entire range is in the category "dildos.

The points are in the order they usually matter: first what affects safety and hygiene, then what affects how the dildo feels, and last the practical stuff.

The material is the most important choice, because it determines how well the dildo can be kept clean. Silicone and glass are non-porous: the surface doesn’t absorb liquid or odor and can be cleaned properly. Softened PVC and other soft plastics are porous and can be cleaned but not sterilized. If the manufacturer doesn’t declare that the material is phthalate-free, that’s a reason to choose something else.

Glass is a good material for anyone who wants something hard and smooth. Satisfyer Dazzling Crystal 2 is, according to the manufacturer, solid borosilicate glass, and glass doesn’t require any plasticizers at all. The downside is that glass is brittle and heavy.

Total length includes the base and the suction cup. What can actually be inserted is the insertable length, and the difference can be significant.Silexd 17.6 cmhas, for example, 13.6 centimeters insertable, andMythology Kuno Utopia13 out of 15.5 centimeters. If the manufacturer only lists one length, assume it is the total length.

For most people, it’s the width that determines how comfortable a dildo feels, especially at the beginning. Compare the diameter to something you already know works, for example fingers or a previous toy. Silexd 17.6 cm is listed as 3.5 centimeters in diameter, Kuno Utopia to 4 centimeters, andKing Cock Elite 20 cmto 5.4 centimeters. One centimeter sounds like a little, but it’s a big difference in circumference. Watch out that some manufacturers list circumference instead of diameter.

A realistic dildo mimics a penis with the glans and veins. A fantasy dildo has an entirely free shape, and a glass dildo is often smooth or has ridges and bumps. Shape is a matter of taste, but a bent shaft or a shaped head is often aimed at the G-spot or the prostate –Gildo Glass Dildo No. 4is an example. Compare the models in the guides forrealistic dildos, glass dildosandfantasy dildos.

Silicone dildos come in different hardness levels, but few manufacturers publish a measured value. Double density means that a firmer core lies under a softer outer layer, so that the dildo feels soft but still holds its shape. Both Silexd and King Cock Elite are built this way. Glass is the other extreme: completely hard and without any give.

A suction cup lets you attach the dildo to a smooth, even surface like tile or glass, and use it without holding it. It also makes the dildo stable when it’s sitting on a table. The suction cup is often what makes a dildo fit into a harness—read more in the guide about “how a strap-on works.

For a dildo to be used anally, it needs a flared or wide base that prevents it from sliding in completely. This is the most important safety feature for anal use. Gildo No. 4 has, according to the manufacturer, a flat base that makes it safe for anal penetration, and Kuno Utopia is indicated by the manufacturer for anal use—but the base diameter is not published, so check it once you’ve received the product. Dazzling Crystal 2 lacks a flange, and Satisfyer does not state the model for anal use.

For a silicone dildo, you should use a water-based lubricant. Silicone-based lubricant can make the silicone surface swell and become porous. Glass, on the other hand, tolerates all types of lubricants, even silicone-based—this is stated by both the Satisfyer and Gildos manufacturers. Oil and coconut oil leave a film that’s difficult to remove and should not be used with a latex condom. See the guide to “lubricant.

Clean the dildo before and after use with mild soap and lukewarm water or a sex toy cleaner, and let it air-dry. Check the manufacturer’s temperature limits before heating or cooling it. For example, Satisfyer states that Dazzling Crystal 2 must never be placed in boiling water or the freezer, only in water up to 60 degrees or in the fridge.

Glass should be checked for chips and cracks every time. A damaged glass dildo should not be used. A silicone dildo that becomes sticky or dull has been damaged and should be replaced.

If you can imagine using the dildo with a partner later, choose one that is harness-compatible. Then the same dildo can be used in a harness.Fun Factory Rydehas two ridged shafts, a suction-cup base, and a harness-compatible base, and can be used both for penetration and externally. King Cock Elite is harness-compatible but larger, and fits better as dildo number two than as the first one.