Getting yourself a vibrator is one of the simplest things you can do to learn what your body actually enjoys.

Choosing one feels harder than it is. There are five shapes worth knowing about, a handful of things that genuinely make a difference, and a sensible price range that gives you something you'll still be using years from now.

Short version: start with a bullet or a suction toy and a small bottle of water-based lube. Around £40 to £80 buys something well-made; spend more only when a specific feature earns it. The LELO SONA Cruise is the one we come back to most often, and yes, it sits at the upper end of that range, but for good reason.

What "for beginners" actually means

A first vibrator is one you can use without prior experience. It doesn't mean basic, and it doesn't mean less good.

Most people are figuring out what kind of sensation they enjoy, and a vibrator is a useful way to do that because it responds directly and consistently to what you do. The point isn't to solve anything. It's to find out what feels good.

The shapes you'll come across

Five categories worth knowing. Most beginners start with one of the first two.

Bullets - small, handheld, used externally on the clitoris. The most common first vibrator. Look for one with a few intensity levels rather than a single on/off setting.

Suction toys - these create a gentle suction sensation on the clitoris. A different feeling from vibration entirely, and the one most people remember the first time they try it. The LELO Sona range defined the category when it launched in 2017.

Wands - larger, more powerful, with a broad and rumbly vibration. The original Hitachi Magic Wand was marketed as a back massager in the 1960s.

Rabbits - internal shaft and external arm, designed to do both at once.

G-spot vibrators - curved internal toys that apply pressure to the front vaginal wall. These tend to make more sense once you know what you enjoy externally.

If you're starting fresh, a bullet or suction toy is usually the easiest entry point.

What actually matters

Material - Silicone is the standard. Body-safe, easy to clean, lasts for years. ABS plastic and stainless steel are also body-safe but firmer in the hand. Avoid anything described as jelly, rubber, or unverified TPE/TPR - it's porous and doesn't last well.

Controls - A few intensity levels and one or two buttons is enough. For mobility considerations, remote or app-controlled toys make a real difference.

Noise - Worth thinking about if you share a house. Bullets are generally quiet. Wands tend not to be.

Waterproof - A fully waterproof toy can be used in the bath or shower and is easier to clean. If it's truly submersible, the product page will say so explicitly.

Power - USB-rechargeable is the modern default. Battery-powered toys still have their place, especially for travel.

How much to spend

You can buy a working vibrator for under £20, and it will often do exactly what it needs to do.

My first vibrator was a £7 gold bullet from a little shop on the high street. It ran on AA batteries and got through them at a ridiculous rate. I seemed to be buying batteries constantly, though never from the same shop, so there was no poor shopkeeper keeping count. It was also the toy I had my first orgasm with.

I love a beautifully made vibrator, but that little bullet taught me something useful: you do not have to spend a fortune to find out what feels good.

There are real trade-offs at the lower end - weaker motors, shorter lifespan, less consistent performance.

Around £40 to £80 is the sweet spot for something well-made that you'll keep using. Good materials, reliable motors, something you're unlikely to replace quickly.

Above that, premium brands like LELO start to make a noticeable difference in feel, quietness, and refinement. They're not necessary, but they are meaningfully better made, and they last for years.

The three we'd choose

Around £30 - Svakom bullet. Body-safe silicone, USB-rechargeable, simple. A straightforward first toy that does the job.

£99.99 - LELO SONA Cruise. A suction toy with Cruise Control, which holds the intensity steady when you press closer. Waterproof and USB rechargeable. Often the one people return to after trying a few others.

£140+ - LELO Smart Wand 2. A powerful wand with a broader, rumblier feel. Best if you already suspect you prefer stronger, more diffuse stimulation.

Your first time

There's no right way to do this, but a bit of setup helps.

Give yourself time and privacy. Make sure the toy is charged. Start on the lowest setting and move slowly. A small amount of water-based lube makes everything feel smoother.

An orgasm might happen, or it might not. It doesn’t always have to be the point. The point is learning what your body responds to without any pressure. Getting to know yourself, at your own pace.

With a partner

Bring a vibrator into partnered sex by trying it together and telling each other what feels good - you learn more about what each other enjoys. Bullets and finger vibrators fit easily during sex itself; larger toys come into their own during foreplay. Works across relationships and dynamics.

Cleaning and care

Warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap before and after each use. Dedicated toy cleaners do the same job.

Use water-based lube with silicone toys - silicone lube degrades silicone over time. Our cleaning guide and lube guide have more if you want them.

Keep the charging port dry, even on toys that are waterproof at the body. Many brands offer warranties of a year or more - the product page or the maker's site will say. A well-cared-for vibrator lasts years.

A few things people ask

Is it normal to want a vibrator?

Yes. A 2022 cross-country survey of nearly 12,000 people, published in the Journal of Sex Research, found that UK women have the highest vibrator ownership rate in Europe - around 80% of British women surveyed reported they own or have owned one. You're in extremely good company.

Will I become reliant on it?

No. There's no evidence for that. You can still orgasm in other ways too!

What should I start with?

A bullet or a suction toy. Both are external and both are easy to use.

How much should I spend?

Whatever feels comfortable. £40 to £80 is a strong range for something that will last.

One last thing

Your first toy does not have to be the last word on what you like - it is simply a way to start finding out. Have a look through our edit of body-safe vibrators. Pop a small bottle of water-based lube in too.

Citations

  • Hald, G. M., Pavan, S., & Øverup, C. S. (2024). Do Sex Toys Make Me Satisfied? The Use of Sex Toys in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, and the UK. Journal of Sex Research, 62(5), 735-749. Read here