The internet is providing us endless options when it comes to sex toys and this, to some of us, might be confusing when you want to choose a “companion” for the long run. Walking into a sex shop isn’t a walk in the park either, as you see them all at once, from vibrators to dildos, to clit suckers or any other product that’s designed to make you reach the climax that you seek. So what should you look for when it comes to buying a sex toy?

Let’s start with a little bit of history.

Dildos have evolved a lot since the early incarnations of sex toys. From unripe bananas or camel dung dipped in resin (yes, you’ve heard that right), ancient civilizations have used a lot of “phallic-shaped things” in order to satisfy their sexual desires. The first iterations of these come from 29.000 BC, where Neanderthals began carving rocks into phallic shapes.

So what are the important aspects?

Some of the most important factors when choosing a dildo are the following: Size, Shape and appearance, firmness, materials and care and last but not least, purpose of buying. I will describe every aspect in the paragraphs that follow, so let’s start.

Size

Few things suck more than spending money on an exciting new sex toy, only to realize when it arrives that the size is way off from what you had pictured. Maybe it’s too small to really be fulfilling or too big for you to even use at all. This is an extremely easy mistake to make, especially in this age of buying toys online where you can’t view the item in person and pretty much have to rely on the website’s photos and measurements.
The first mistake a lot of people make when toy shopping is only focusing on the length measurement. Because in nearly every situation the thickness of a sex toy is going to be more important than its length, and toys of the same length can have dramatically different girths.

Shape and appearance

Dildos come in many shapes, from smooth to ridges or even bumps and swirls. Some dildos are straight and others may have different curves. All these features are built in for specific purposes, and let’s take curves as an example, they can help aim a toy at the prostate or the G-spot. So choosing the right shape is essential.
Some people prefer that their dildos are far removed from the penis in design and feel, and some are more traditional, where the look and feel of a real penis is really important. Fortunately for everybody, dildos have a lot of designs and colors, so you just have to know what entices you.

Firmness

This is mostly a thing of personal preference, even though firmness can sometimes even effect functionality. In general, softer toys may require more lubrication for ease of penetration, especially during strap-on use. Some may enjoy firmer toys for certain types of stimulation, including prostate and G-spot play, but by no means is this true for everyone. You may find you prefer different toys for different types of play.

Materials and care

Dildos can be made from various materials, including silicone, glass, metal, wood, hard plastics, and many kinds of soft plastics and rubber. Each material has its own special qualities and pros/cons. And there are different ways in which you have to clean them, and I explained it in this article.

Purpose of buying

Will this be for solo play, partnered play, or both? Are you going to use it in the bath or shower? Are you going to travel with this toy? Do you want a toy that’s USB chargeable or battery-powered? All these are important questions that you need to ask yourself before you buy your perfect dildo, so put your priorities in a list and then start browsing for what you truly need.

In the end, don’t feel pressure to find the “perfect” toy. Instead, think about it as starting your collection. With every purchase, you’ll learn something about your preferences. By asking yourself a few questions and being mindful about where you shop, you can pick a toy you’ll love among the crowded market.