Buying guide
Choosing an anal toy for the first time
The best first anal toy is not the one with the most ambitious name. It is a purpose-made toy with dimensions you understand, a gradual shape and a substantial base or handle that stays outside the body. Add enough compatible lubricant and an easy way to keep hold of the toy, and the decision becomes much simpler.
Start with the experience you want: a plug that stays in place, beads that introduce changing widths or a curved toy designed for prostate stimulation. None is the official beginner choice. The right first option is the one whose shape, widest point and care routine all feel manageable to you.
The non-negotiable detail: the base stays outside
Unlike the vagina, the rectum does not end in a closed space. An anal toy therefore needs a broad flared base, a substantial external arm or a retrieval handle designed to remain outside. A small decorative flare is not automatically enough; compare it with the widest insertable part and imagine gripping it with lubricant on your hands.
The Something Forbidden Silicone Butt Plug shows the basic anatomy clearly: a tapered insertable body, a narrower neck and an external finger-loop base. Its compact proportions suit a first shortlist, but the more important detail is visible at the base: you can see what stops it travelling further and how it is meant to be removed.
Do not substitute a bullet, a straight vibrator or a household object simply because it looks insertable. Urethral toys belong to an entirely different specialist category and are not part of beginner anal guidance.
Plug, beads, prostate toy or set?
These formats create different experiences, not a ladder from basic to advanced.
| Format | What to compare | A useful first-purchase question |
|---|---|---|
| Plug | Widest point, neck, base and firmness | Can I picture every measurement and grip the base easily? |
| Beads | Each bead's width, spacing, flexibility and handle | Does the size change gradually enough for me to stay in control? |
| Prostate toy | Curve, insertable length, external arm and controls | Is the shape manageable without relying on the product name? |
| Graduated set | Every item's dimensions and material | Would I still be happy buying this if I never used the larger pieces? |
A plug is often the easiest silhouette to read. The Love Butt Training Kit lists three silicone plugs with diameters of 2 cm, 2.4 cm and 3 cm. Those numbers make it possible to choose a starting point; they are not a timetable. There is no requirement to progress through the set.
Beads feel different because the width changes along one flexible product. The Pretty Love Rigdon Vibrating Anal Beads combine graduated beads, an ergonomic handle and 10 listed vibration functions. That means there are three decisions to make—shape, vibration and control—not simply whether the toy is labelled for beginners.
Read the measurements in a fixed order
Product photography is excellent at mood and unreliable at scale. Read the dimensions in a fixed order:
- Insertable length: the section intended to enter the body.
- Maximum diameter or width: the broadest insertable point.
- Taper: how quickly the toy reaches that width.
- Neck: the narrower section on a plug that affects how it sits.
- Base or handle: the external part you need to retain and remove it.
Draw the listed diameter on paper. If only circumference is supplied, do not treat it as diameter; ask for clarification or choose a product with clearer specifications. Words such as small, trainer and beginner are merchandising labels, not shared industry measurements.
The Satisfyer Booty Call Set uses three different shapes with ascending diameters and retrieval rings. The Nexus Anal Beginner Kit takes another approach, combining 20 mm silicone beads, a small silicone plug and a douche. Compare exactly what is included rather than assuming every starter kit follows the same plan.
A douche is optional, not a prerequisite for anal play. If a kit includes one, treat it as a separate product and follow its own instructions; this beginner guide does not cover douching technique.
A training set gives you choices, not homework. The next size is optional, and comfort is a perfectly good place to stop.
Firmness and finish change the feeling
Two toys with the same diameter can feel very different. A firm toy holds its curve and transmits pressure directly; a softer one flexes more but may need extra control during positioning. Read the complete material and construction description rather than relying on body-safe as if it were a material name.
Run clean fingers over a new toy before use. The surface should be intact and the external base should not flex so much that its purpose is defeated. Follow the exact product instructions for lubricant and cleaning, especially with mixed materials, motors or charging contacts.
The Take It Slow four-piece set is a useful reminder that even products in one box may need different handling: it contains static and vibrating plugs, beads and a douche. Treat each piece according to its own shape, power and care instructions.
Prostate-shaped does not mean universally beginner-friendly
Prostate toys are usually curved for angled internal pressure and may add an external perineum arm. Bodies, curves and insertable dimensions vary, so a prostate label is not a promise that the toy will suit every person—or that the prostate needs to be the goal of a first experience.
The Nexus Bendz Prostate Edition has a bendable dual-density silicone shaft, separate shaft and base vibration, a remote and an external perineum section. That is a very different ownership proposition from a simple plug. Compare the curve, controls, charge routine and external base, then decide whether those features genuinely make your first experience easier.
Lubricant and a gradual pace matter most
The rectum does not provide enough natural lubrication for penetration. Use plenty of lubricant that is compatible with both the toy and any condom or barrier, and add more when glide reduces. Water based is a practical starting point for many toys, but the labels on both products take priority.
Begin externally, stay in control of the handle or base and let a gradual shape do its job. If the toy vibrates, start with its lowest setting while you learn how the shape feels. Do not use numbing products to hide discomfort; pain is useful information.
Stop for sharp, increasing or persistent pain, unexpected bleeding, numbness, dizziness or any symptom that concerns you. Seek medical advice for severe or continuing symptoms. If a product cannot be removed, do not let embarrassment delay urgent medical help.
Cleaning, barriers and the route home
Clean the toy before and after use exactly as its instructions require, then let it dry completely before storage or charging. Motors, seams and mixed materials can change the correct method.
If a toy is shared, the NHS advises washing it between uses and using a new condom each time. Change the condom or clean the toy before moving it between people or body openings. A toy that is easy to wash, dry and store is usually a better first purchase than one whose care routine you already dislike.
Your first-toy shortlist
- It is explicitly intended for anal use.
- It has a substantial flared base, external arm or retrieval handle.
- Insertable length and maximum width are clearly stated.
- The taper and firmness look manageable to you.
- The base remains easy to hold with lubricant present.
- Controls, if any, stay reachable.
- Lubricant and cleaning instructions are clear.
- You can stop and remove it without pressure to “progress”.
Frequently asked questions
What size anal toy should a beginner choose?
There is no universal first size. Compare the exact maximum diameter, insertable length and taper with something you can see, such as a ruler or a circle drawn on paper. Choose clarity and control over a beginner label.
Are beads or a plug easier for a first toy?
A plug has one main widest point; beads introduce several changing widths along a flexible toy. Either can work when the measurements, external handle and intended use are clear. Pick the movement you actually want.
Can any dildo be used anally?
No. Choose a toy intended for anal use with a broad flared base or another substantial external retrieval design. A suction cup or decorative base is not enough unless it provides a reliable external stop.
Do I need a prostate toy?
No. A prostate-shaped toy is one option for people who want targeted angled pressure. A simple plug, beads or no internal toy at all are equally valid choices.
Are urethral toys a type of anal toy?
No. Urethral insertion is a separate specialist activity with different anatomy and risks. This beginner guide does not cover it.
Continue shopping and comparing
Shop our warehouse sale online at 50% off retail, with same-day dispatch, free standard shipping over $150, discreet billing and plain packaging. Or compare product scale and bases in person at Alexandria or Rydalmere.
