Sex toys come in all shapes, sizes, colors, styles, features, and functions. Choosing the right sex toy for you, however, can feel a bit daunting. 

In this stream, sex educator and marketing manager of Excitement Adult Stores Sharin’ Peter gives a tutorial on sex toy shopping and the steps you can take to find the right sex toy for you. 

1. Find the right adult store. 

Find a store that makes you feel comfortable. Stores such as Adam & Eve, SheVibe, Excitement, Babeland, Good Vibrations, and Pleasure Chest can be welcoming and fun. Choose a store with an exchange policy so you can test a toy and return it if it’s not right for you. (Don’t worry, stores don’t resell toys that’ve been bought back.) If going into an adult store is too hard, you can always shop online — though don’t sacrifice quality and safety for cheap online products. 

2. Ask questions 

The staff are there to help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so they can help narrow down your choices. To get an idea of what’s right for you, a staff member may ask some questions about your body, preferences, and interests. They may ask “What have you tried before?” to gauge your experience level and see what’s worked and what hasn’t. 

3. Do your research

Before buying a toy, read reviews of it online. Of course, every body is different and everyone will have their own experience with a toy. Getting a basic rundown on how people feel about a product, however, can be helpful. 

4. Narrow the categories. 

Think about the kind of experience you want. Do you want to create a sexy atmosphere? If so, maybe lingerie is what you’re looking for. Is it your first time buying a toy? Maybe you want something basic that isn’t penetrative like a cock ring. If you feel a bit more exploratory, check out the dildos and vibrators that come in varying sizes and intensity levels. You can also find sex toys for partnered play, and toys made specifically for various types of sensations. For example, you could get a sex toy for prostate stimulation or a masturbation sleeve shaped and textured like a mouth of vagina. Think about if you want to experiment with a kink. Perhaps you and your partner are exploring BDSM and want some whips or paddles or bondage material. 

5. Pick a toy that’s safe. 

Before buying a toy, make sure it’s been tested for safety and made of materials that won’t irritate your body. Toys made of such materials as silicone, stainless steel, ABS plastic or glass are better because they are non-porous and bacteria is less likely to get trapped in them. If you are choosing a toy for anal insertion make sure it has a base to stop it from completely going in so you can easily pull it out (and avoid trips to the ER). 

Choosing the right toy can take a bit of experimentation and research, but hopefully finding what works for you is a fun journey. You can also always try something and return it so long as the store has an exchange policy. With a bit of practice you may graduate to toys you’ve never even thought of using before. In the end, it’s all about fun and pleasure.