Sex-cessories: Your Guide to Bedroom Toys

There are almost as many different types of vibrators as there are vaginas. Small ones, big ones, plastic ones, silicone ones, battery-operated, plug-in, remote-controlled, finger-mounted, extra-quiet—the list goes on. At its most basic, a vibrator is meant to stay on the outside of the body and stimulate the clitoris, or anywhere else you find pleasurable, to help achieve orgasm. (Jimmyjane Iconic Pocket vibrator, $35, Jimmyjane.com)

Some women enjoy G-spot stimulation, so these vibrators are designed with a bulbous head to be inserted into the vagina. Different varieties come in glass, plastic, or realistic-feeling silicone. The popular “rabbit-style” vibrators are G-spot vibrators that include an extra arm for simultaneous clitoral stimulation. (G-Gasm Delight G-Spot Vibrator, $19.95, Adamandeve.com)

Whether they’re made of glass, silicone, or metal, and whether they’re futuristic or realistic, a dildo is designed to be inserted into the vagina or anus to simulate the thrusting of intercourse, either solo or with a partner. They come in many different sizes to fit different bodies and can usually be mounted onto a harness for hands-free use on a partner. Most dildos are designed to vaguely resemble an erect penis, and dildos earmarked for anal play have a broad base that prevents them from sliding all the way inside. (Mustang VixSkin Realistic Dildo, $109, Goodvibes.com)

A basic silicone cock ring either fits around the base of the penis for extra sensation or around both the penis and testicles to intensify an erection and delay ejaculation. Some models have small vibrators attached that can either be used with a partner or during masturbation. Cock rings aren’t designed to be worn for long periods of time, however, and should be removed immediately at the first sign of pain, numbness, or cold. (RingO Cock Rings, $14 for three, Babeland.com)

These soft foam shapes provide support to help you and your partner get into positions that allow deeper penetration at new and different angles. The assortment of ramps, wedges, pillows, and other shapes can be combined and customized, and they also make great accessories for those with physical limitations that make holding one position difficult. (Liberator Hipster, $132, Liberator.com)

Where regular dildos are made to slip in and out, the taper-shaped butt plug is meant to stay snugly inside the rectum. They come in different sizes, shapes, and materials and are meant to be left in place during other activities, providing a pleasurable sense of fullness. Butt plugs usually have a flared base that prevents them from being inserted too far, and some come with vibrating features. (Ryder Silicone Anal Plug, $30, Goodvibes.com)

Strings of anal beads are meant to be inserted into the rectum for the pleasurable sensations they arouse as they glide in, or they can be removed during orgasm to intensify the contractions. Many other anal sex toys are made with bead or bulb features to provide the same feeling. (Anal 101 Intro Beads, $9.99, Edenfantasys.com)

Ben-Wa balls are the vaginal version of anal beads, but with the added bonus that using them can tone your pubococcygeus muscles, much like Kegel exercises. Although the balls are often used during foreplay or non-penetrative sex, they can also be worn during the day to strengthen the pelvic floor. (Lelo Luna Pleasure Beads, $47, Adameve.com)

Originally designed as an alternative to a doctor-administered prostate massage, which is intended to help maintain prostate function, the Aneros stimulates the prostate and the perineum for harder and more numerous orgasms, used alone or with a partner. (Aneros MGX, $48, Aneros.com)