Choosing a dildo for the first time — or adding a new one to an existing collection — can feel surprisingly overwhelming. The range is enormous: realistic, abstract, glass, silicone, curved, straight, small, large, double-ended, suction cup, harness-compatible. Where do you even start?
The answer is simpler than the options suggest: start with what you actually want to feel, then narrow from there. This guide walks you through exactly how to do that — covering types, materials, sizing, and our current favourite picks from the Romantix collection. For a broader look at building your toy collection over time, our blog How to Build a Sex Toy Collection on Any Budget is a great companion read.
Step One — Identify What You Want It to Do
Before looking at a single product, ask yourself what sensation you're actually looking for. The answer determines almost everything else.
- Rigid (glass or metal) — firm, unyielding pressure that targets the G-spot or prostate with precision. Glass and stainless steel are also temperature-responsive — run them under warm or cool water before use for a completely different sensation. Non-porous, easy to sterilize, and beautiful objects in their own right. Our blog Glass Sex Toys: Why They're Worth the Investment covers this category in full.
- Realistic — designed to look and feel as close to a real penis as possible, with lifelike veins, realistic skin texture, and authentic proportions. The go-to for those who want the most natural-feeling experience possible.
- Double-ended — extra long with a head at each end, designed for two partners to use simultaneously. One of the most intimate shared toy experiences available.
- Suction cup base — designed to mount on any smooth, flat surface for hands-free use. Wall-mounted in the shower, on the floor, on a chair — the possibilities are significant. Also typically harness-compatible.
- Flared base — essential for anal use. Any toy used anally must have a base significantly wider than the shaft to prevent it from being drawn in past the point of safe retrieval. Non-negotiable for anal play.
- Curved for G-spot or prostate — a curved or angled tip that targets the G-spot (for vaginal use) or the prostate (for anal use) with the kind of firm, directed pressure that straight toys can't deliver.
Step Two — Choose the Right Material
Material affects everything — feel, safety, cleaning ease, and durability. Here's what to know:
- 100% medical-grade silicone — the gold standard. Non-porous, hypoallergenic, body-safe, and available in a range of firmness levels from very soft to nearly rigid. Easy to sterilize by boiling or dishwasher (no detergent). Always use water-based lube with silicone toys — silicone-based lube degrades silicone surfaces over time.
- Borosilicate glass — non-porous, completely body-safe, temperature-responsive, and extraordinarily smooth. Lasts indefinitely when stored correctly. Compatible with all lube types.
- Stainless steel — the firmest and heaviest option. Non-porous, fully sterilizable, and excellent for temperature play. A single quality steel toy lasts a lifetime.
- TPR / TPE / Pure Skin blends — softer, more affordable, and often very realistic in feel. The key limitation is that these materials are porous — they cannot be fully sterilized regardless of how well they're cleaned. Always use a condom with porous toys, clean thoroughly after every use, and replace them regularly.
For more on material safety and what to avoid entirely, our blog Top 5 Myths About Sex Toys Debunked covers the topic in plain terms.
Step Three — Get the Size Right
This is where most beginners go wrong — they overestimate. The most common mistake is buying based on what looks impressive rather than what will actually feel good. A toy that's too large is uncomfortable, intimidating, and ends up unused. A toy that's appropriately sized gets used — which is the only metric that matters.
The universal beginner advice: start smaller than feels necessary, both in length and girth. You can always size up as your body becomes more accustomed to the sensation — but a first experience that's too much is a significant setback. For anal use specifically, go considerably smaller than you would for vaginal use and progress very gradually over multiple sessions.
Material matters for size too — smaller toys should be more rigid for precision and control, while larger toys benefit from having more give to make them more comfortable to use.
Our Current Favourite Picks
The D — Master D 7.5" with Balls — FIRMSKYN
A thick, lifelike realistic dildo with balls — handcrafted for genuine satisfaction. The FIRMSKYN option delivers a firm, classic feel in a material designed for long-lasting use. For those who want the dual-density experience, the ULTRASKYN version has a soft exterior over a firm core that warms to the touch and closely replicates the feel of a real penis. A serious, premium pick for anyone who wants the most realistic experience possible.
Avant D4 — Sexy in Pink
Hand sculpted by a female designer and crafted for those who crave girth — the Avant D4 is a modern, beautifully designed silicone dildo full of curves and ridges that provide layered stimulation with every use. The strong suction cup base adheres to any smooth, flat, non-porous surface and is fully harness-compatible. An outstanding choice for anyone wanting a premium, body-safe silicone toy with serious aesthetic appeal.
Platinum Premium Silicone — The Tru Curve
From Doc Johnson — one of the most trusted names in the industry — the Tru Curve is made from TRUSKYN, a proprietary health-grade silicone that warms to body temperature and genuinely replicates the feel of real skin. At 6 inches with a slender, elegantly curved shape, it's designed specifically for G-spot satisfaction. Works with or without a harness. An ideal choice for G-spot exploration in a premium, body-safe material.
Adam and Eve Twisted Love Glass Dual Stimulator
An elegant double-ended glass toy crafted from superior shatter-resistant borosilicate glass. One end features a subtly curved shaft for deep G-spot massage; the other a smooth twisted plug for a completely different sensation. The raised blue swirls massage with every movement. Heat or cool for temperature play. Beautiful, completely body-safe, and designed for a lifetime of use — this is exactly the kind of toy that earns a permanent place in any collection.
Shop Twisted Love Glass Stimulator →
Uncut Emperor Dildo — Caramel
Hand-sculpted in Pure Skin TPR for an ultra-realistic, plush-soft feel — this one features a unique moveable foreskin that peels back just like the real thing. A sturdy suction cup base makes it hands-free ready, and the phthalate-free Pure Skin material is maintenance-friendly and easy to clean. For anyone who wants maximum realism in a softer, more affordable material, this is a standout option.
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Final Thoughts
There is genuinely no single right answer when it comes to choosing a dildo — only the right answer for you, at this point in your exploration. Start with what you want to feel, choose a body-safe material, go smaller than feels necessary, and give yourself permission to experiment. The best dildo in your collection will almost certainly not be the first one you buy — and that's completely fine.
Browse our full dildos collection at Romantix for the complete range. And if you'd like a personalised recommendation or have any questions, contact us — we're always happy to help, judgment free.
