Solo play is one of the most important — and most consistently undervalued — aspects of a healthy sex life. Whether you're single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, taking time to explore your own body, understand your own responses, and invest in your own pleasure is not just acceptable. It's genuinely beneficial. Research consistently links regular masturbation to reduced stress, better sleep, improved mood, and a stronger understanding of what you need from partnered sex.
And yet many people — particularly those new to sex toys — feel uncertain about where to start when it comes to solo play. What should you buy first? What actually works? How do you build confidence with a toy you've never used before?
This guide answers all of that. Whether you're buying your very first toy or expanding a collection you already have, here's everything you need to know about solo play and the toys that make it better. If you want an even broader overview of the toy landscape before diving in, our Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Sex Toys covers every category in one place.
Why Solo Play Matters
Before we get into the toys, it's worth spending a moment on the why. Solo play isn't a consolation prize for people who don't have partners. It's a practice in its own right — one that builds self-knowledge, confidence, and a relationship with your own body that nobody else can give you.
People who understand their own bodies through solo exploration are consistently better at communicating their needs to partners. They know what kind of stimulation they respond to, what pace works best for them, and what they need to reach orgasm — information that makes partnered sex significantly better for everyone involved.
The health benefits are real too. Our blog Because Biology: Orgasms Help Cure More Than Just Headaches covers the science behind why regular orgasms are genuinely good for you — from stress reduction and pain relief to improved immunity and better sleep.
Building Confidence With Toys
One of the most common barriers to getting started with solo toys is confidence — specifically, the feeling that you're not sure what you want, that a toy might feel strange or clinical, or that you're somehow doing it wrong. Here's the truth: there is no wrong way to explore your own pleasure. The entire point is discovery.
A few principles that make the process easier and more enjoyable from the very first session:
- Start with the lowest setting. Whatever toy you're using, always begin on the most gentle mode. Your body needs time to warm up and become aroused before intense stimulation feels good — starting too intense too quickly can feel uncomfortable rather than pleasurable, which puts a lot of people off their new toy entirely.
- Give yourself time and privacy. Solo play under time pressure or in an environment where you feel exposed doesn't produce good results. Set aside genuine time — not a stolen ten minutes — and make sure your environment feels comfortable and private.
- Remove performance pressure completely. There is no finish line. You don't have to orgasm for a solo session to be worthwhile. Exploration without agenda is often where the most interesting discoveries happen.
- Try different positions. The same toy can feel completely different depending on angle, position, and how relaxed your body is. What doesn't work lying on your back might work perfectly on your side or stomach.
- Always use lube. Lube improves the experience with virtually every toy. It reduces friction, enhances sensation, and makes everything feel more natural. Browse our lubricants collection for body-safe options compatible with all toy materials.
The Best Toys for Solo Play
1. Bullet Vibrators — The Classic Starting Point
Small, discreet, powerful, and affordable — the bullet vibrator is the most popular first toy for a reason. It delivers focused clitoral stimulation with pinpoint precision, fits in the palm of your hand, and is available at every price point. For anyone new to vibrators who isn't sure what they want yet, a bullet is almost always the right starting choice.
Browse our vibrators collection for bullet vibrators with multiple settings and rechargeable batteries — these two features make the biggest difference to the experience.
Best for: First-time toy buyers, clitoral stimulation, discreet storage and travel.
2. Clitoral Suction Toys — A Different Kind of Sensation
If you've tried vibrators and found them too buzzy, too intense, or just not quite right, clitoral suction toys offer a completely different sensation. They use air pressure rather than vibration to create a gentle suction effect around the clitoris — many people describe it as significantly more intense and more similar to the sensation of oral sex than traditional vibration.
Suction toys have become one of the bestselling toy categories in recent years, and 2026 models are more sophisticated than ever — many now combine suction with vibration and heat for a multi-layered experience. Browse our clitoral stimulators collection for the latest options.
Best for: People who find direct vibration too intense, those curious about a sensation closer to oral sex.
3. Rabbit Vibrators — Dual Stimulation
For people with vulvas who enjoy both internal and clitoral stimulation, a rabbit vibrator combines both in a single toy — the shaft provides internal stimulation while the smaller "ear" rests against the clitoris simultaneously. The simultaneous stimulation of both areas produces an experience that most single-function toys simply can't match.
If you haven't used a rabbit before, our dedicated blog Rabbits for Beginners covers sizing, settings, and how to get the most out of your first rabbit vibrator.
Best for: Dual stimulation, people who enjoy internal and external sensation together, those who want the closest solo experience to partnered sex.
4. G-Spot Vibrators — Targeted Internal Pleasure
G-spot vibrators are curved or angled to target the front wall of the vagina where the G-spot is located — approximately two inches inside, toward the belly button. Direct G-spot stimulation produces a different and for many people more intense sensation than standard internal stimulation, and is the most reliable path to female ejaculation for those who are curious about it.
Our blog Female Ejaculation: What Is It Anyway? covers the G-spot, female ejaculation, and the best toys to explore both in excellent detail.
Best for: Internal exploration, G-spot stimulation, those curious about female ejaculation.
5. Dildos — Sensation Without Motors
Not everyone wants vibration. Dildos provide the sensation of fullness and penetration without any motors, settings, or buttons to navigate — just pure sensation. They're available in an enormous range of sizes, shapes, and materials, from ultra-realistic to abstract, and from beginner-friendly slim designs to more advanced options.
For beginners, the universal advice is the same as always: start smaller than you think you need to. Browse our dildos collection for body-safe options at every size and material.
Best for: Those who prefer sensation without vibration, people who want complete control over pace and depth, anal and vaginal use.
6. Male Masturbators — For People With Penises
Male masturbators — from simple sleeves to fully featured devices like the Fleshlight — provide a sensation that manual masturbation alone cannot replicate. Textured internal sleeves, adjustable suction, and vibrating options all contribute to an experience that is both more intense and more varied than standard masturbation.
For a deep dive into the gold standard of male masturbators, our blog Fleshlight: The Ultimate In Men's Sex Toys covers everything from textures and accessories to cleaning and care. Browse our full masturbators collection for all options.
Best for: People with penises, those who want more varied and intense solo stimulation, stamina training.
7. Butt Plugs — For Everyone
Butt plugs are not just for people with prostates — they're enjoyed by people of all genders and orientations because the anal area is rich with nerve endings that enhance overall sexual pleasure when stimulated. A small beginner plug worn during solo play adds a sensation of fullness that intensifies everything else happening simultaneously.
Browse our butt plugs collection for beginner-friendly options in body-safe silicone, glass, and stainless steel.
Best for: Adding anal stimulation to any solo session, prostate owners, those curious about anal play for the first time.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping lube. We've said it and we'll say it again — lube makes every toy better. Every single time.
- Going too intense too fast. Starting on the highest setting is one of the most reliable ways to have a disappointing first experience. Always build up gradually.
- Buying based on looks alone. The most visually impressive toy in the collection isn't necessarily the one that will work best for your body. Read specs, read reviews, and prioritise material and function over aesthetics.
- Not cleaning the toy before first use. Always clean a new toy before using it for the first time — it may have been handled multiple times between manufacture and purchase. Our blog How to Clean and Care for Your Sex Toys covers the right cleaning method for every material.
- Giving up after one session. Getting to know a new toy takes time. What doesn't work on the first attempt often becomes a firm favourite after a few sessions once you've learned how to use it properly.
Final Thoughts
Solo play is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make in your own wellbeing — and the right toy makes the whole experience significantly more enjoyable and more revealing. Start with one toy that genuinely appeals to you, use lube, take your time, and let yourself explore without pressure or agenda. Everything else follows from there.
Browse our full collection at Romantix.com across every category — and if you have any questions about which toy is right for you, contact us. We're always happy to help, judgment free.
