🗡 Dildos

How We Test Dildos

Material verification comes first. I do a flame test and smell test on every silicone dildo to confirm it's actually platinum-cure, not TPE dressed up with a silicone label. Then I assess firmness, flexibility, surface texture, and how well the shape works for its intended purpose (G-spot, anal, harness use, whatever the brand claims). Suction cups get tested on tile, glass, and hardwood. Dual-density models get squeezed, bent, and compared against single-density versions of similar size. Scores weight material safety (40%), design and sensation (30%), value (20%), and brand reliability (10%). Full scoring breakdown on my testing page.

I also track longevity. A dildo that develops surface tears or loses its firmness after three months of regular use fails regardless of first impressions. Silicone should last years. If it doesn't, the manufacturer cut corners on the cure process.

Types of Dildos

How to Choose the Right Dildo

Start with purpose. G-spot stimulation wants a curve and some firmness. Harness play needs a flared base and enough rigidity to thrust without folding. Anal use demands a flared base, period, no exceptions. Decoration for a shelf needs nothing. Figure out what you're doing with it before you care about brand or price.

Size trips up first-time buyers constantly. Start around 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter and 5 to 6 inches insertable length. That's average, manageable, and enough to know whether you want bigger or smaller next time. Tantus Silk Small fits this range perfectly. Buying something massive because it looks exciting in the photos is how people end up with an expensive display piece they never use.

Firmness matters more than size for most people, and it's the detail that Amazon listings never mention. A soft dildo compresses during use and feels smaller than its measurements suggest. A firm one feels every millimeter. Brands like Mr Hankey's and Bad Dragon let you pick firmness at checkout. If you're unsure, medium is the safe bet. Too soft and it won't hold shape during thrusting. Too firm and it can feel clinical.

Budget reality: $25 to $35 gets you body-safe silicone from Tantus that'll last years. $60 to $90 gets dual-density realism from Vixen Creations. $100+ is custom territory with Mr Hankey's or specialty pieces like the Njoy Pure Wand. The jump from $25 to $60 is the biggest quality leap. Above $100, you're paying for customization and craftsmanship rather than a fundamentally better experience. My body-safe materials guide explains what you're actually getting at each price tier.

What to Avoid

• Any listing that says "silicone" but doesn't specify platinum-cure or medical-grade. At prices under $15, it's almost certainly TPE or PVC with a silicone label slapped on. Real silicone costs more to manufacture.
• Amazon for dildos, full stop. Counterfeits are rampant, material claims are unverifiable, and you can't flame-test a product before you buy it. Purchase direct from the brand or a vetted retailer like Lovehoney.
• Jelly, rubber, PVC, or "realistic skin" materials. All porous. All leach chemicals. The rectum and vaginal canal absorb those chemicals directly. This isn't a quality preference; it's a health issue.
• Dildos without a flared base if you're using them anally. The rectum creates suction. Smooth-based toys get pulled in. ER visits for retrieved objects are more common than anyone wants to admit.
• Buying based on photos with dramatic angles. Check circumference measurements at the head, mid-shaft, and base. Length alone is meaningless without girth context. Mr Hankey's publishes detailed measurements; most brands don't.

What material should a dildo be made of?

Silicone. Medical-grade or platinum-cure. If the listing says 'TPE', 'jelly', 'rubber', or 'realistic skin', walk away. Those materials are porous, which means they trap bacteria and can never be fully sterilized no matter how hard you scrub. Porous toys also break down over time and leach chemicals. The only exception to the silicone rule is stainless steel (like Njoy) or borosilicate glass, which are both nonporous and body-safe.

What's dual-density silicone?

A firm inner core wrapped in a soft outer layer. It mimics the feel of real skin over a firm shaft, which sounds gimmicky until you try it. Vixen Creations VixSkin line invented this and still does it best. Mr Hankey's and New York Toy Collective also make excellent dual-density toys. It costs more than solid silicone, but the realism difference is massive.

Do I need lube with a silicone dildo?

Yes. Always. Your body makes some natural lubrication, but silicone has more friction than skin, and things get uncomfortable fast without lube. Water-based only with silicone toys. Silicone lube bonds with the silicone surface and warps it over time. Check my lube guide for specific product recommendations.

What size dildo should I start with?

If you've never used one, start around 1-1.25 inches in diameter and 5-6 inches insertable. That's roughly average and manageable for most people. The Tantus Silk Small or a Vixen Mustang are both great starter sizes. Don't buy something massive because you think you should. You can always size up later, but a bad first experience can put you off dildos entirely.

How do I clean a silicone dildo?

Soap and warm water for regular cleaning. For a deeper clean, you can boil pure silicone dildos for 3-5 minutes, spray with a 10% bleach solution and rinse, or toss them in the top rack of a dishwasher (no soap, hot cycle). This makes silicone dildos ideal for sharing between partners when properly sanitized. My cleaning guide covers all of this in detail.

Are cheap dildos safe?

Cheap silicone dildos, yes. Tantus starts around $25 for body-safe platinum silicone. Cheap dildos made of unnamed materials, absolutely not. Price alone doesn't determine safety, but the material does. A $25 Tantus is infinitely safer than a $15 jelly dildo from a brand with no website. Check the material listing before you buy, and if it doesn't explicitly say 'platinum silicone' or 'medical-grade silicone,' skip it.

Glass or stainless steel dildos: are they worth it?

For specific use cases, absolutely. Glass and steel are nonporous, last forever, and can be heated or cooled for temperature play. The Njoy Pure Wand is one of the best G-spot toys ever made regardless of material. Downside: no flexibility, and dropping one on a tile floor is going to hurt your wallet. They're a great second or third toy once you know you like firm internal stimulation.

Can I use a dildo with a suction cup for hands-free play?

If it has a suction cup base, yes. Stick it to a smooth, flat surface like tile, a mirror, or a hardwood floor. Tantus and Mr Hankey's both offer suction cup bases on many models. The suction only works on non-porous surfaces, and it loosens over time if the surface is dusty or wet. Test the grip before you commit to a position.