Vibrators

What is a vibrator?

A vibrator is a sex toy that gives pleasure through vibrations you can adjust. It has a small motor inside, powered by a rechargeable battery or by batteries, and almost all of them have several intensities and patterns. You use it externally, on the clitoris, nipples or penis, or internally, in the vagina, alone or with a partner. It helps you find out what kind of stimulation you like and, with a partner, adds variety.

Owning one is very common. According to two Indiana University studies published in 2009 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 53% of women (Herbenick et al., 2009, J Sex Med) and 45% of men (Reece et al., 2009, J Sex Med) in the United States had used a vibrator at some point.

Types of vibrators

There is a type for every area you want to stimulate, and each has its own page.

• Clitoral suction toys: stimulate the clitoris with air pulses, without touching it, like those from Satisfyer or Womanizer.
• Clitoral vibrators: for external stimulation. Flat or rest-on ones are not inserted: they sit on the clitoris and labia and spread the vibration across the whole area. There are also finger vibrators and wearable butterflies.
• Rabbit vibrators: stimulate inside and the clitoris at the same time, with a shaft for the vagina and an external arm.
• G-spot vibrators: curved to reach the G-spot, on the front wall of the vagina.
• Massage wands: wands have a wide head and strong vibration, for external use on the clitoris and for massage.
• Mini vibrators: small and discreet, handy for starting out or for travelling.
• Eggs and bullets: the egg is inserted into the vagina and the bullet is mostly used externally, on the clitoris. Some come with a remote or an app.
• Couples vibrators: designed to be used during penetration; U-shaped ones are worn.
• Remote-controlled toys: operated with a remote or a phone app, so you can hand control to your partner.
• Fully waterproof (submersible) vibrators: sealed for use in the shower or bath.
• Vibrating ducks: external massagers shaped like a rubber duck, made for the bath.
• For men: for the penis or the prostate. There are masturbators with vibration, cock rings that vibrate and prostate stimulators with a wide base among the anal toys.
• Classic and realistic: straight or penis-shaped, for penetration with vibration; some rotate, thrust or heat up. They have no page of their own: they are on this one.

What the studies say

In the Indiana University study of women, a survey of 2,056 Americans aged 18 to 60 (the exact usage figure was 52.5%), using a vibrator was associated with better sexual function: more desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasms. Those who had used one recently scored higher on most of the areas measured (Herbenick et al., 2009, J Sex Med). It is an association, not proof that the vibrator is the cause.

Among men it is not unusual either. In the Indiana study of men, a representative survey of 1,047 men aged 18 to 60, the exact figure was 44.8%, alone or with a partner, and 10% had used one in the last month (Reece et al., 2009, J Sex Med). In another representative US survey, 43.8% of heterosexual men had used a vibrator at some point, almost always during sex with a female partner (Reece et al., 2010, J Sex Marital Ther). And among 25,294 gay and bisexual men surveyed, 49.6% had (Rosenberger et al., 2012, Arch Sex Behav).

As a couple, most of the vibrator users in a survey of 2,056 women said they felt comfortable using it with their partner (Herbenick et al., 2010, J Sex Marital Ther). In another, with 3,017 women, 69.7% said they reach orgasm more often, or enjoy penetration more, when they or their partner stimulate the clitoris at the same time with a finger or a toy (Hensel et al., 2021, PLoS One).

On their own, in a study with 27,931 participants, the highest orgasm frequencies were associated with stimulating the clitoris with a vibrator or a dildo, with watching porn or erotica and with stimulating it by hand (Hewings-Martin et al., 2026, Arch Sex Behav). All of these studies record what people report and which things go together; none proves that the vibrator is the cause.

What the product listings say: materials, water, battery and size

We counted what the listings in this category say in October 2026. Of those that state the material, nine in ten contain silicone: six in ten are silicone only and almost three in ten combine it with ABS plastic. TPE and TPR, which are softer but porous, make up fewer than one in ten.

Of those that say anything about water, two in three state “Fully waterproof (submersible)” and almost one in three “Water-resistant (not submersible)”; a few say splashproof only. When they give the protection rating, the most common is IPX7.

Almost four in five vibrators are rechargeable and the rest run on batteries, mostly AAA. When the listing gives the battery life, in four out of five it is between one and three hours of use (two is the most common), and charging usually takes about two more. Three in four have between 7 and 12 vibration modes. Very few listings state the noise level: those that do range from 50 to 68 dB.

Among those that are inserted and give a measurement, more than half have 10 to 14 cm of insertable length; one in four is under 10 and almost one in five is over 14. In diameter, two in three are between 3 and 4 cm and only one in six is over 4.

How to use a vibrator for the first time

Charge it fully or put in fresh batteries, and wash it before its first use. Start on the lowest intensity and externally, without going straight to the clitoris: try the thighs and labia first and move closer gradually. Use a little water-based lubricant, externally too. Move it, hold it still, press more or less and change modes until you find what you like. If it is inserted, do it slowly and only when you feel ready.

The most common mistakes are starting at maximum intensity, using it without lubricant, putting silicone lubricant on a silicone vibrator, taking one that is only splashproof into the shower, storing it damp or touching other toys, and choosing the first one for being big rather than comfortable.

Lubricants and condoms

Water-based lubricant works with any vibrator. Silicone-based lubricant only works if yours is entirely ABS plastic, metal or glass.

You can put a condom on a vibrator: it is handy for sharing it, for moving from one area to another without stopping to wash it, and with porous materials such as TPE or TPR. If the condom is latex, do not combine it with oils or with lubricants containing oil, because they damage it; if you have a latex allergy, there are latex-free condoms.

Care and safety

Store it clean and dry, in its pouch or a cloth bag and apart from other toys. Dry the charging port before charging and, if it runs on batteries, take them out when you will not be using it for a while.

For anal use, only use vibrators with a wide base: the anus has no stop and a toy without a base can slip inside. Those designed for this are in anal toys. If you go from anal to vaginal use, wash it first or change the condom. If more than one person uses it, use a new condom for each: in a study in Mexico of 324 men with HIV who have sex with men, sharing sex toys was an independent risk factor for hepatitis C (Mata-Marín et al., 2022, PLoS One).

If you notice pain, stinging or numbness, stop and rest. With a wound or an infection, wait until you are better.

When a vibrator is not what you are looking for

If you want penetration without vibration, that is a dildo: in its classic form it has no motor and you set the pace with your hand. There are vibrators shaped like a dildo, straight or realistic, that do both. If direct vibration on the clitoris is too much for you, a suction toy stimulates it with air pulses, without touching. To work the pelvic floor, many people use Kegel balls. And if you are looking for something for both of you that is not a vibrator, there are more ideas in sex toys for couples.

How to choose

• Area: external (clitoris), internal (G-spot) or both at once (rabbit).
• Size: the listing gives the insertable length and the diameter; to start with, something slimmer is better. The midpoint of those that give the measurement is 12 cm insertable and 3.5 cm in diameter.
• Material: the listing states it. Silicone is soft and non-porous; ABS plastic is rigid and smooth; TPE and TPR, softer but porous, need a more thorough clean.
• Rechargeable or battery: rechargeable is more convenient; battery-powered is usually cheaper. The listing gives the battery life and charging time if the manufacturer publishes them.
• Water: “fully waterproof (submersible)” for the shower; “splashproof” only withstands a little wetting, and “water-resistant (not submersible)” should not go into water either.
• Remote or app: for playing as a couple or at a distance.

Vibrators: frequently asked questions

Which vibrator should I choose if it is my first?

A small external one, such as a mini vibrator or a bullet: they are simple, discreet and good for finding out what you like. If you would rather start internally, a slim silicone one.

What types of vibrators are there?

For external use, clitoral vibrators, suction toys, wands and bullets; for internal use, G-spot vibrators and eggs; for both areas at once, rabbits. For two, couples vibrators and those with a remote or app.

What is a flat vibrator?

It is a wide, flat rest-on vibrator that is used externally and is not inserted. They are among the clitoral vibrators.

What is the difference between a vibrator and a dildo?

The motor. A vibrator vibrates and a dildo, in its classic form, does not. Some vibrators are shaped like a dildo and do both.

Are there vibrators for men?

Yes. For the penis there are masturbators with vibration and cock rings that vibrate, and for the prostate, stimulators with a wide base.

Rechargeable or battery-powered?

Rechargeable if you will use it often: you do not have to buy batteries and it is usually more powerful. Battery-powered if you want something inexpensive to try.

How long does a vibrator battery last?

Between one and three hours of use in most of those that state it, with about two hours of charging. Check “Battery life” and “Charging time” in the listing.

What does fully waterproof (submersible) mean?

That it can go under water. If the listing says splashproof, it can take a little wetting when you wash it, but it cannot be submerged. When the manufacturer gives the protection rating, submersible ones are IPX7 or IPX8.

Are vibrators noisy?

It depends on the model. If the manufacturer publishes it, the listing gives it as “Noise level”, in decibels: the lower it is, the less you hear.

Which lubricant should I use?

With silicone toys, water-based lubricant. Silicone-based ones can damage the surface of a silicone toy.

Are vibrators safe?

Yes, if they are made of a non-porous material (silicone, ABS plastic, metal or glass) and you clean them well. Check the material in the listing.

Can I use a vibrator with my partner?

Yes. There are vibrators designed for two, for use during penetration or with a remote. According to the brand We-Vibe (2022), 78% of couples who tried one of its vibrators said it helped them explore more together.

How do I clean my vibrator?

With warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner, before and after use, and let it air dry. Do not boil it: it has a motor and a battery. If it is not submersible, do not put the whole thing in water.

Do vibrators reduce sensitivity?

There is no evidence that using them often causes permanent loss of sensitivity. If one day the area feels less sensitive, a few days of rest is usually enough.

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