Walking into your first sex toy purchase—whether online or in a store—can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of options, conflicting reviews, and a lot of products that look nothing like what the photos suggest. If you’re feeling lost, this guide is for you.
Start With the Basics: What Matters Most
Before anything else, focus on three fundamentals:
- Body-safe material: Only liquid silicone, glass, stainless steel, or hard plastic. Nothing else for internal use.
- Right size for you: Smaller is almost always better for first timers. You can size up later.
- Simple design: Fewer features means fewer things to figure out, worry about, or do wrong.
Best Types of Toys for First-Time Buyers
1. Classic Vibrator
A simple, traditional vibrator is the most universally recommended first toy. Look for:
- Smooth surface (no texture for your first toy)
- Moderate size (5-6 inches insertable, under 1.5 inches diameter)
- Body-safe silicone or hard plastic
- Waterproof for easy cleaning
2. Small Silicone Dildo
Non-vibrating dildos are an excellent first choice—especially if you want to focus on specific sensation without vibration. A small, smooth silicone dildo teaches you about your own anatomy without added complexity.
Look for: tapered tip, moderate size, liquid silicone, suction cup base (for hands-free options).
3. Beginner Anal Plug
Anal play beginners should start with a small, specifically designed anal plug—not a modified dildo. The key features:
- Very small diameter (under 1.25 inches)
- Tapered tip for easy insertion
- Wide base to prevent slipping inside
- Body-safe liquid silicone
4. Suction Cup Dildo
Hands-free toys are actually easier for beginners because you don’t have to worry about grip, angle, or hand fatigue. A moderate-sized suction cup dildo lets you focus on sensation rather than technique.
What to Avoid as a Beginner
- Jelly or rubber toys: Porous, can harbor bacteria, often contain unsafe plasticizers. Avoid entirely.
- Oversized toys: Bigger is not better when you’re starting. Pain from oversizing creates negative associations.
- Extreme textures: Deep ridges, aggressive knobs, or pronounced textures for your first toy. Mild texture is fine; extreme is not.
- Cheap clones: If a toy is priced far below market rate, the material is almost certainly unsafe. A quality beginner silicone toy typically starts around $30-40.
- Products without material labels: Reputable brands always label their materials. If you can’t find it, don’t buy it.
The Price Question: How Much Should You Spend?
You don’t need to spend $200+ for a quality toy, but very cheap toys ($5-15 for a dildo) are almost always made from unsafe materials. A reasonable budget for a quality beginner toy:
- Minimum: $25-35 for a basic liquid silicone dildo
- Recommended: $40-70 for a well-reviewed brand with good return policy
- Premium: $80-150 for a top-tier brand with lifetime warranty
Where to Buy
Online: Better selection, easier comparison shopping, more privacy. Stick to retailers that specifically sell body-safe products and have clear return policies.
In-store: Good for seeing products before buying, but staff knowledge varies widely. Adult boutique chains tend to have better-trained staff than convenience-style adult stores.
What to avoid: Gas station “novelty” stores, unbranded Amazon listings, any retailer that doesn’t clearly state toy materials.
The Bottom Line
Your first sex toy should be small, body-safe, simple, and from a reputable brand. That’s it. Everything else is personal preference. The best toy is the one that fits your body, your comfort level, and your curiosity—with no shame attached.
Explore Mutanttoys’ beginner-friendly dildo collection—all body-safe liquid silicone, moderate sizing, and honest product descriptions.