Dildo Buying Guide: Types, Materials, Sizes & App-Controlled Options

Type the word “dildo” into any search engine and you’ll get bombarded with hundreds of shapes, sizes and price ranges, enough to make anyone close the tab. If this has been you on more than one occasion, we’re here to tell you that you’re not overthinking it as a dildo is one of those purchases that feels deeply personal, with finding the “right” one depending entirely on your body, goals, and honestly, your mood on any given night.

If you’re unsure about what dildo to get, this guide will break down the real differences between types, what “insertable length” actually means for you, and which features (yes, including app control) are worth paying attention to.

Whether you’re shopping for women’s dildos, exploring options built specifically for men, or trying to figure out if a remote control dildo is worth the extra coin then the goal here is the same: help you understand what you’re actually buying before you make the purchase.

Ready to browse while you read? Here's the full dildo collection to keep open in another tab.

At its core, a dildo is an insertable toy designed for penetration, without a specific built-in handle or motor requirement (even though now most dildos include both). Unlike a vibrator, which is generally used for both external and internal stimulation, dildos are shaped specifically with penetration and the sensation of fullness in mind. Some are rigid, others are flexible, while others thrust on their own, with some even doing all of the above.

Shape matters more than most people would expect too, as a slightly curved shaft can make G-spot or prostate contact guaranteed, while a more straight design can give you control over depth and angle. There’s genuinely no wrong answer here, just different tools for different goals.

Here's a quick breakdown before we go deeper into each category:

Thrusting dildos are pretty self explanatory as they do the work your wrist usually would. Instead of manually moving the toy, an internal motor drives it in and out at adjustable speeds.

The Lovense Spinel is a great entry point here. It's a portable thrusting, vibrating, and heating dildo with a suction cup base and interchangeable attachments, so you can adjust the experience without buying a whole new toy. If you'd like to see how it holds up in real use, we broke it down further in our Spinel review.

If you’re looking for something with even more range of motion, or you’re looking to graduate from the Spinel, our Mini Sex Machine is a compact, app-controlled thrusting machine built for hands-free sessions in tighter spaces. And if you want to go all-in, the full-size Lovense Sex Machine delivers deeper, faster, more consistent thrusting for people who already know they like intensity.

One thing worth noting before you buy: thrusting toys can create a rhythm that’s harder to replicate manually, which is why so many people describe the sensation as more hands-free than a standard vibrating dildo, even at similar speeds.

This is the category most people have in mind whenever they hear the word “dildo”, and for good reason. Vibrating dildos combine both the penetrative sensation of fullness with buzzing stimulation, often targeting the G-spot or clitoris (or even both at once).

Our hero pick here is the Velvo, which is the world’s first patented rolling bead rabbit dildo. Velvo uses rotating beads, which create a rolling sensation from the opening of the vagina straight up to the G-spot, while the external arm handles clitoral stimulation, making this toy feel different and unique in comparison to most dildos on the market.

If you’re looking for a more entry-level dual stimulation dildo, the Osci 3 uses a heating, thumping motion for both the clit and G-spot simultaneously. If you’re looking for a more traditional dual stimulation dildo, check out our full rabbit vibrator lineup to compare.

All of Lovense’s vibrating dildos come with multiple intensity settings and an unlimited vibration pattern library using the Lovense Remote app, so you’re not locked into a single sensation once you find a toy that you like.

Adding a suction cup base to your dildo turns it into a hands-free tool. Stick it to a wall, the shower floor, or literally any flat surface, and you’ve suddenly got yourself a hands-free sex toy, opening up way more positions than you’d expect.

The Mission 2 is our go-to recommendation here since it uses touch-sense technology, meaning the vibration responds to deep you insert it, so the intensity naturally builds as you move. New to suction cup toys entirely? Our suction cup dildo guide for beginners walks through placement, angles, and getting the suction to actually hold.

Double-sided (or double-ended) dildos have an insertable end on both sides, making them a natural fit for partnered play where both people want penetration at the same time. Some are rigid and shared between two people; others, like strapless strap-ons, are worn by one partner and inserted into both bodies simultaneously.

Our Lapis is a flexible, double-ended strapless strap-on with three independently controllable motors and a bendable neck that adjusts to fit different bodies without a harness required (though one's included if you want the extra stability). It's a popular pick for couples exploring role reversal, and it comes up often in our guide to dildos for lesbian couples as a way to share sensation without either partner missing out.

Contrary to popular belief, dildos are not exclusively for individuals with vulvas as dildos for men have existed for quite some time, mostly stimulating the prostate. If you’ve never heard about the prostate before, it is a gland which sits a couple inches inside the rectum, which, when stimulated, can produce very intense orgasms that external stimulation generally cannot provide.

The Edge 2 is built specifically for this, with an adjustable, dual-motor design that lets you fine-tune the angle and pressure until it lines up with your body. For something smaller and more anal-focused rather than strictly prostate-targeted, the Hush 2 (1.5 inch) is a beginner-friendly butt plug. Curious how these fit into a broader routine? Check out our guide to anal dildos for men.

Generally, people often use these terms interchangeably, but they’re built for different jobs with different goals in mind. A dildo is more often than not shaped for penetration and fullness, while a vibrator is built around a buzzing sensation, often used externally on the clitoris or inserted to rest against the G-spot.

The lines blur constantly now, since most modern dildos include vibration, and plenty of vibrators are fully insertable. The real question isn't "which is better" but instead which sensation you’re chasing.

We go into a lot more depth on this exact question in our dildo vs vibrator guide for beginners, if you want the full comparison. In practice, a lot of people end up owning both, using a dildo for penetration-focused sessions and a smaller vibrator for quicker, external-only ones.

Unfortunately, there’s no product out there that could be described as the “best dildo” and you’d have to find one that matches what your body wants and how you plan on using it. We put together a few things worth thinking through before you buy:

If you're shopping for anal dildos specifically, the flared or T-bar base isn't optional, as it's what keeps the toy from getting fully absorbed into the body.

It's also worth thinking about noise level and portability if privacy matters to you, and about battery life if you're planning longer sessions. None of these details are dealbreakers on their own, but stacking a few of your priorities together usually points pretty clearly toward the right toy.

How you use a dildo matters just as much as which one you buy. A little intention goes a long way toward making the experience feel good instead of just functional.

Flying Solo

Solo play is the easiest place to figure out what you actually like, without worrying about anyone else's pace. Start slow, use plenty of water-based lubricant, and let your body guide the angle and depth rather than forcing anything.

Suction cup dildos genuinely shine here since they free up both hands. For more ideas on positioning and technique, our best dildo sex positions guide covers combinations that work well whether you're solo or not.

Partnered Use

Dildos open up a lot of partnered possibilities, especially the app-controlled kind. With Toy Sync, one partner's Lovense toy can move in real time with another's, meaning the motion or vibration of one device directly mirrors the other.

The Velvo works especially well for this, its rolling bead sensation, when synced with a partner's toy through Toy Sync, turns solo intensity into a shared rhythm both people can feel building together. It's also a solid option for long-distance couples who want intimacy that isn't limited by proximity.

We cannot go any further without stating that cleaning your dildo is NOT optional, as it directly affects both hygiene and how long the toy actually lasts. The good news is that most Lovense dildos are built to make this simple, especially the ones with a fully waterproof rating.

If you're sharing a toy between partners, or switching between anal and vaginal use, clean it thoroughly between each use. Learn more on how to clean your dildo in our sex toy cleaning guide.

There's no universal "correct" dildo, just the one that matches your body, your comfort level, and whatever kind of night you're planning to have. Whether that means starting simple with a vibrating dildo, going hands-free with a suction cup, or bringing a partner into the experience with app control, the right fit is out there.

Take your time, start with what feels manageable, and don't be afraid to size up (or switch categories entirely) once you know what you like. Shopping for a dildo shouldn't feel like a test you can fail, there's no wrong choice as long as it feels good and works for your body. When you're ready to look, the full dildo collection is a good place to start comparing.