How should I choose my first vibrator or dildo?

I’m about to be 18, and I think I’d like to buy a vibrator or a dildo. Do you have any suggestions for a good starter? Is it safe to buy one online? Where would you recommend purchasing it? Anything else I should know?

Different kinds of stimulation feel good to different people. If you masturbate or have sex, you probably have some idea of what you like best, which should help you figure out what to look for. Vibrators and dildos can be expensive, so many people start with something relatively inexpensive and simple.

If you know you really enjoy clitoral stimulation, an “egg” of “bullet” vibrator might be a good place to start. If you like penetration, a traditional dildo or a penis-shaped vibrator might be better. Since the vibrator can be turned off and used as a regular dildo, it is the more versatile option. Many sites have recommendations for first time buyers, which are usually simple, small, gentle, and easy to operate toys that have sold well.

There are also vibrators that provide simultaneous penetrative and clitoral stimulation (“dual-action” or “rabbit” vibrators), g-spot vibrators, vibrators that have many different speeds, vibrators that have rotating parts, waterproof vibrators, and vibrators with various combinations of these traits. Fancier vibrators that don’t break quickly tend to be more expensive. As you figure out what feels best to you, it may make sense to invest in a nicer product that fits your preferences.

It is generally perfectly safe to buy sex toys online. There are some precautions that should always be taken when ordering something online that may be particularly important when ordering sex toys. Make sure the site has a good privacy policy (it’s good if it’s reviewed by TRUSTe) and check if the site is verified by a service like VeriSign or rated by a site like BizRate. Endorsements from well-known magazines or sex advice websites are also a good sign that a site is legitimate.

There are tons of good sex toy websites, including babeland.com and mypleasure.com. Amazon.com sells some sex toys, as do some well known drugstore websites, like drugstore.com, though they have a smaller selection than specialty stores. It’s nice to use sites that have rating systems for sex toys. Look for highly rated toys and see if people describe what you’re looking for in their reviews.

As a college student, you should try to take into account how much noise it might make if you buy a vibrator. Many vibrators are loud enough to be heard through dorm room walls. This is something that is often mentioned in product reviews, and some sites specifically rate noise for each product. No vibrator is silent, but it will probably pay to look for one that’s not notoriously loud.

Recommendations: Three vibrators you might try, including a bullet vibrator and a rabbit vibrator.