The Huffington Post
The Knude Society/ Bellesa We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. This might sound dramatic, but I’m forever grateful I live in an age where sex toys are more normalised than ever. Just think about it: for hundreds of years, men’s pleasure has reigned supreme. And good for them – who doesn’t want to maximise their pleasure in life? But everyone should have equal opportunity to get off, and unfortunately, the orgasm gap persists in 2026. We still know criminally little about the female body; I mean, the clitoris has literally just been mapped in the same way as the penis. Plus, that eight in 10 women need clit stimulation to orgasm is still a little-known fact (they’re not teaching you that in sex ed, are they?!). But, here to save the day is sex toys. While pleasure devices have been around for millennia (the oldest dildo we know of traces back to around 28,000 years ago ), today pleasure devices are readily available everywhere you look. From drug stores like Boots, to supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Tesco, you don’t have to go far to find a buzzy bedmate that suits all your needs and desires. Keep reading to find out our selection of the best sex toys to shop in 2026, as well as how to use them. What are the types of sex toys? We get it, shopping for sex toys is kinda overwhelming. There are thousands to choose from, and after a while they can blend into one. Sex toys fall into a few categories, explains Gigi Engle , a sex and relationships therapist and author of Kink Curious: A Guide to Exploring Your Kinks, Dispelling Shame, and Staying Safe: External toys: Vibrators or suction toys for the clitoris, such as bullet vibrators, and palm vibrators. Internal toys: These can either be vibrating or non-vibrating, like dildos or G-spot wants. Dual stimulation toys: Get you a toy that does both stimulate the external clitoris and internal vaginal structure (or sometimes prostate). Anal toys: Can be either vibrating or non-vibrating, like butt plugs, anal beads, and anal dildos. Couples’ toys: Designed specifically for shared experiences or partnered play, like double-ended vibrators, double-ended dildos, or toys that sit on the vulva for clitoral stimulation during partnered sex. How to find the right kind of sex toy for you If at this point you’re thinking you can’t possibly choose between these toys, don’t worry! There is no ‘right’ answer as to what kind of sex toy to try. “Sex toys are for pleasure and exploration, there is no hierarchy that makes one better than the other,” Engle explains. “The only thing that makes a sex toy the ‘best’ is if it’s the best for you, and aligns with how your body responds.” Before buying a sex toy, it can help to experiment to find out what kind of sensations you enjoy. “Figure out what feels good for your body,” Engle recommends. “Do you prefer external touch, penetration, steady pressure feelings, or lighter touch? This is information that acts as feedback to help you figure out what kind of stimulation is right for you, based on what your body actually responds to. You want something that echoes your body preferences.” The good news is you don’t need a sex toy to do this – all you need is your fingers, or a partners’ mouth. But if you want to go all-in with sexperimenting with a toy, there’s no shame in trying out a cheap sex toy. “ It’s ok to go cheaper if you’re new to them, because it is about exploration,” Engle explains. “It can be helpful to have a few different kinds to experiment with. Once you know what you really like, that’s an opportunity to invest in a more luxury brand if that’s your game.” If you are going to go cheap, though, there are a few important factors to consider when buying a sex toy to make sure it’s safe. What to consider when buying a sex toy To make sure your toys are body-safe and easy to use, Engle points to what to consider when buying a sex toy. Body-safe materials Medical-grade or body-safe silicone, glass, stainless steel, and ABS plastic are all safe, because they’re non-porous. “If you have something made of jelly and non-ABS plastic it can be porous and trap bacteria, which can cause yeast infections and BV,” Engle explains. “These can also contain phthalates, which have been linked to cancer, so you have to be careful with materials.” Power While vibrating toys can be battery-powered, Engle says USB rechargeable toys should be favoured. “These come with your own cord and sometimes a carrying case to keep them dry, safe, and make sure they don’t gather dust,” she says. Rechargeable toys are also better for the planet, and generally, you’ll have a better idea of how much charge is remaining compared to battery-powered toys. Usability and safety There are a ton of toys out there, and let’s be honest, some of them aren’t good. Look for toys that have intuitive toys with a range of speeds and settings, Engle advises. “Around six settings is useful,” she says. “How it feels in your hand and against your body is an important indicator of whether it’s going to be pleasurable for you to use.” You might also want to consider whether a toy is waterproof, in case you want to use it in the shower, bath, or hot tub (if you’re blessed enough to have one). Noise If you live with family or flatmates, noise can be a factor in whether you buy a toy. “ Lots of toys will tell you if they’re going to be quiet,” Engle explains. “A big rumbly wand is going to be quite loud, so it can be helpful to look into that before you get it.” Smaller toys are generally less noisy, as are those that have a single motor or function. How I tested the best sex toys I’ve been testing sex toys for the last four years, so I’m always on the look out for the latest and best sex toys on the market. I tested each toy for factors such as how easy they were to use, their power, settings, and whether they were waterproof. Some of these toys are new, while others are old reliables. Best sex toys to shop in 2026 How to use a sex toy Never used a sex toy before? Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science. But if you need a little advice, these are Engle’s tips for how to use a sex toy: Go slow: It’s not about diving in and going haywire, try the lowest setting first to see how that feels, and go from there. Lube: Use plenty of water-based lube, which is good for sex toy compatibility. Stay away from silicone lubes if you’re using silicone sex toys, because they can degrade the quality of your toy. Explore: Experiment with different kinds of touch, and try to stay connected to your body with lots of deep breathing. It’s not about performing or getting to orgasm necessarily. While must of us want that, it’s about what feels good for you. Orgasm will come (pun intended): Even if orgasm doesn’t happen in your first few sessions, it will likely build up after practising with your toy and understanding your body better. No pressure: Try to stay relaxed, keep a curious and open mind, and try to discover what works for you. This is about enjoying and enhancement, rather than performing. Related... ‘It Was Like An Exorcism’: The Sex Toys Making Waves In 2026 Women Over 50 Share What Sex After Menopause Is Really Like Oral Sex Lovers Will Love These 9 Clit Suction Vibrators
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