How To Use Different Types Of Vibrators For Intense Orgasms

Gabrielle Kassel

Been wanting to invest in a buzzy bud but feel overwhelmed by the options? Already own a vibrator but can’t figure out how to use it best? Trying to understand all the hoopla around these toys? This guide is for you. 

Below, learn more about the 8 most common vibrator categories, tips on how to use one, and the health benefits of using a vibrator during solo or partnered play. 

The Benefits of Vibrator Play

Let’s get this out of the way: Orgasms are a possible happy side effect of using a vibrator! And orgasming comes with a variety of perks, such as decreased pain, improved mood, and lower stress levels. But (and this is important!) an intense orgasm is neither the only benefit, nor a guaranteed benefit of using one. 

Designed to provide ongoing stimulation, the main benefit of vibrators is that they provide physical pleasure. In fact, research has linked vibrator use during partnered play to increased satisfaction in the bedroom. Considering that using a vibrator with a partner requires increased communication, and the vibrator itself may provide sensations that the human body physically cannot, these findings should not be surprising!

What’s more, vibrator use may also be beneficial for people with sexual dysfunctions, such as erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, and ejaculatory dysfunction, according to a recent study published in the journal Sex and Relationship Therapy. Pretty impressive! 

Using a vibrator can help you explore your body, gender and sexuality, too. 

The Different Types Of Vibrators, Explained 

All vibrators can take you to Pleasure City. But the type of pleasure a vibrator provides depends on a number of factors such as the shape, size, and intensity of the vibrator. 

To help you figure out which type of vibrator is best for you, learn more about 8 most common types of vibrators. 

Shaped like karaoke microphones, wand vibrators are designed to provide external stimulation to everything from backs and buttcheeks to cocks and clits. Larger than most other kinds of vibrators, these vibrators are able to hold a larger motor, which means they provide more intense vibrations. 

Best for: Power-hunters, massager-lovers, and anyone looking for a toy that can be used (almost) anywhere on the body. 

These tiny vibes often masquerade as pocketbook treasures. There are lipstick-shaped bullet vibes, ring-shaped bullet vibes, and so many more. 

Thanks to their bite-sized motors, the vibrational quality of these cuties is usually light and buzzy. 

Best for: People with sensitive bits, strap-on sex-havers, and anyone in the market for a discreet toy. 

While many types of vibrators are focused on pin-pointed stimulation, palm-shaped vibrators are designed to cover the external genitals, providing broad sensation to all the surface area beneath. 

Due to their smooth, curved shape and feel, palm shaped vibrators are an especially great option for couples who are using a vibrator during penetrative sex, and for transfeminine folks interested in “mapping” a vulva onto their body. 

Best for: People who prefer more general stimulation, and gender-explorers. 

Vibrating dildos, G-spot vibrators, and any other vibrator designed for internal vaginal stimulation can be considered an internal vibrator. These toys are usually designed to simultaneously provide a sense of fullness and stimulate all the nerve-endings inside the vaginal canal. 

Best for: Pleasure-seekers who love to be vaginally penetrated, and anyone exploring G-zone or A-spot orgasms. 

Any vibrator with one longer arm for penetration and one shorter arm for external (usually clitoral) stimulation — which allows for simultaneous internal and external stimulation — can be classified as a rabbit vibrator. 

Rabbit vibrators earned their name for the ear-like shape of the clitoral attachment on early versions of dual stimulators. Luckily, most modern rabbit vibrators have zero animal-esque parts. Phew. 

Best for: People who enjoy dual stimulation, and anyone interested in exploring blended orgasms. 

Anal vibrators are exactly what they sound like: vibrators designed to go into the rear. This includes vibrating butt plugs, vibrating anal beads, and vibrating prostate massagers. 

What sets anal vibrators apart from other vibrators with a similar shape? All anal vibrators have a flared base. Unlike the vaginal canal, which has an anatomical stopping point (the cervix), the anal canal does not. That means unless a toy has a ring or substantial handle to keep the toy anchored outside your body, it can get swallowed up by — and stuck in — your back hole. Don’t become a funny emergency-room story – only use butt toys for butt stuff.

Best for: Literally anyone with a butt! (Spoiler: That’s everyone). 

Vibrating c-rings, necklace and ring vibrators, finger vibrators, vibrating strapless strap-ons, and panty vibrators all fall under this broad category. The beauty of these buzzy options is they allow for hands-free stimulation. 

Best for: People looking for hands-free stimulation, and exhibitionists.  

How To Use A Vibrator, Exactly

There is no wrong way to use a vibrator.  If you’re using the vibrator in a way that feels good to you (or whoever you’re using it with) you’re using it correctly! Period. 

Before you use a vibrator, it’s important to make sure that it’s body safe! 

Stainless steel, glass, ABS plastic, silicone, and Pyrex are all common body-safe sex toy materials, but silicone and ABS plastic are the two most common vibrator materials you’ll see, because of the way they’re able to transmit vibrations. 

If you already own a vibrator but it’s not made out of one of the aforementioned materials, that means the toy won’t get completely clean even after a good washing – because the material has microscopic holes in it. Ugh. To continue using the toy and protect yourself from pH-disrupting bacteria, simply cover the toy with a condom!

Babes, don’t skip this step! Truly, nothing hijacks pleasure quite like pressing the ‘off’ button when you meant to hit the ‘^’ or ‘+’  button. 

Meaning, spend time learning all of its unique curves, corners, divots, bumps, and lumps. Run your hands along its length, palm its underbelly, stroke its handle, and finger its tip. This romancing will give you insights into how you might use the vibrator during sexy time. 

When you’re ready to use the toy, rather than dropping trou and i-m-m-e-d-i-a-t-e-l-y bringing the buzzy bud to your bits, use the vibrator on your non-genital erogenous zones first. Including: Your neck, bum cheeks, inner thighs, armpits, chest tissue, and hands. 

For people with sensitive junk, jewels, and juicy bits, the cloth barrier may actually enhance the experience and keep your nerves from getting overstimulated. For people who enjoy (or need) the direct vibe-to-genitalia contact, this stopover can enhance arousal, leading the eventual orgasm to feel even better. Win-win. 

If/when you lower your underwear, try a variety of angles and pressures! Hold the toy to the side of, under, right above, and directly on top of your hot-spots. Experiment with letting the vibrator rest on your bits (less pressure), as well as grinding the toy into your body, and placing it on a surface to lie on top of it(more pressure). 

A dollop of lube can make all vibrator play more pleasurable by increasing slide and decreasing irritating friction. 

Just remember that silicone vibrators can’t be used with silicone-based lubricants. Why? Silicone sticks to itself, which means silicone-based slippery stuff can warp the shape of your toy. 

Your move: Pair your silicone vibrator with a water- or oil- based lube. Generally, water-based lube needs to be reapplied more frequently than other kinds of lubes, so if you’re using a silicone toy (and oil-safe condoms), I recommend using oil-based lube – which will enhance your pleasure throughout the duration of your play.