Credit:
Reviewed / Fun Factory / B-Vibe / nJoy
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Credit:
Reviewed / Fun Factory / B-Vibe / nJoy
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Made of stainless steel, the Pure Plug creates a deep sense of fullness without being overwhelming. It glides in easily and comfortably with any lube. Read More
This butt plug is great for beginners experimenting with anal play. You don't get many extras like vibration, but this means it's quite affordable. Read More
A small yet satisfying vibrating butt plug, it's easy to insert and comfortable for solo or partnered play. Read More
These anal beads stand out among the competition for their nod to clean, bacteria-free butt play. Offers lots of sensation due to its shape. Read More
Rotating beads vibrate seven different ways at six levels of intensity, making this vibrating anal plug unlike any other. It may intimidate beginners. Read More
Everyone has an anus, which means anal sex toys can be for everyone. Regardless of your gender or sexual orientation, the right butt plug, beads, or prostate massager can unlock unique sensations in solo or partnered play.
The anal region has a multitude of sensitive nerve endings, so even gentle stimulation can evoke sensations ranging from a flutter to a deep thrum. Individuals with prostates can focus on the P-spot for whole-body release. Those without can still find the grounded, expansive pleasure of anal penetration—especially when it nudges the G‑spot through the vaginal wall.
Anal sex toys come in countless variations, including stainless-steel plugs, small training sets, rumbly prostate massagers, and silicone monuments beloved by size queens (gender neutral). Because the anus isn’t the genitals, these toys give you a fresh palette of textures, pressures, and rhythms to explore.
But the absolute best anal sex toy is the nJoy Pure Plug (available at Njoy) . This stainless-steel classic is the perfect blend of elegance and function. It’s smooth, weighty, and easy to clean. And if you want to explore your back end, the Pure Plug is just the beginning.
The short answer? Anyone with a body and a little curiosity. Anal toys aren’t about a specific body type, gender, or orientation; they’re about sensation, exploration, and giving yourself permission to find new ways to feel good. Whether you’re a beginner looking to add a little pressure during other kinds of play, someone with a prostate chasing that deep, rolling P-spot orgasm, or someone with a vagina discovering how full, grounded, and expansive anal stimulation can feel, there’s an anal toy that can meet you exactly where you are.
Anal play also invites a different kind of intimacy, whether you’re flying solo or sharing the experience with a partner. It asks you to slow down, pay attention, and move with care—and that’s where some of the hottest, most connected sex happens.
Like with any other type of sex toy, body-safe materials are essential. Look for non-porous materials, such as silicone, stainless steel, and ABS plastic. Non-porous sex toys don’t harbor bacteria, are easy to clean, and can last for years with care. Porous materials, like jelly rubber or many elastomers, on the other hand, can trap microbes in the body of the toy where washing can’t reach them, which increases the risk of infection. No one wants a threesome between you, your anal sex toy, and the bacteria living in it. Instead, look for toys with the keywords “medical grade,” “platinum silicone,” or "non-porous."
A note about glass: Borosilicate glass is non-porous, and many of the sex toys made with it look beautiful. But also, while a shard of glass in the vagina might mean a trip to urgent care, a shard of glass in the rectum is a medical emergency. Stainless steel feels similar to glass, and while it may be more expensive upfront, the savings on medical bills speak for themselves.
Anal sex toys come in a variety of types that all offer different sensations. Butt plugs are ideal for slow build-up, long-term wear, or prepping for penetration, and are typically a bulb shape with a tapered tip for easier insertion and a flared base for safety. Dildos are ideal for deeper penetration, and come in lots of shapes but any that you use for anal sex should have a base that is significantly wider than the rest of the toy. Anal beads are inserted one at a time and create a unique popping sensation when you remove them during orgasm. Prostate massagers are curved or angled to stimulate the prostate. Many toys straddle a few of these categories, and also vibrate—and if your favorite doesn’t vibrate but you wish it did, you can always hold a vibrator against it.
Vibrating anal toys can go from buzzy to rumbly, with patterns that are steady, pulse, build, or jump around. Most people prefer rumbly, deeper vibrations to surface-level buzzy ones, especially given the muscular tissue in the anal region. Some vibrating anal sex toys work with remote controls or apps, which can make them options for discreet public play, long-distance partnerships, or anyone who likes to change the settings in the moment.
Butt toys broadly can be curved or straight. If you have a prostate, a curved toy—particularly one intended for prostate massage—that’s a little longer will hit the spot. If you have a vagina, a curved or straight toy of any length will stimulate the wall between your rectum and vagina. The sphincters have more nerve endings than the rectum, which means that generally, toys create a feeling of fullness via their diameter, rather than their length.
A note about the base: also known as the flange, a sturdy, big-enough base is the key to avoiding an emergency room visit from a toy getting lost inside you (which can really happen). At minimum, the flange should be 1” in diameter bigger than the widest insertable part of the toy. It should also be sturdy: some anal beads have loops with squishy ends, and these are only safe if your fingers are through them the entire time, which is why I would generally not recommend them. The flange can also determine what’s comfortable to do while the toy is inside you. If you want to wear it while receiving vaginal penetration, look for a base that’s off-center on the body of the toy, so it doesn’t get in the way. If you want to wear it while giving penetration, or discreetly under your clothes, a longer and narrower base that tucks between your cheeks can be more comfortable. If that’s the case, also opt for a slimmer neck.
Temperature play can give anal an extra sensory dimension. Use running tap water to warm or cool toys made from temperature-responsive materials, such as stainless steel or certain silicones. Never use boiling water or the freezer—anal temperature play (and any type of anal play) should feel good, never shocking or painful.
Proper care keeps your anal sex toys safe, hygienic, and ready to go when the mood strikes.
For non-porous materials like silicone and stainless steel, wash your toys thoroughly with warm water and antimicrobial soap after each use. You can also disinfect them (if they don’t have motors or batteries) by boiling for 10 minutes or running them through the dishwasher on the top rack. While I do not recommend using glass, some people prefer to. If you’re one of them, this note is important: Use warm, soapy water to clean, and avoid sudden temperature changes, unless you want that artful piece to become a mosaic.
For porous materials, the best-case scenario is to discard them immediately before they can cause an infection. The second best is using it with a fresh condom every time and retiring it the second it changes smell, color, or texture. However, it’s better to opt for a body-safe toy.
Hygiene is extra important with anal toys because the rectum is home to bacteria that shouldn’t be introduced elsewhere in the body. Always wash toys before and after use. If you’re planning on switching from anal to vaginal play, use a thoroughly cleaned toy or a fresh condom applied with clean hands to avoid infections like bacterial vaginosis.
When it comes to certifications, look for materials that include the words “body safe,” “phthalate free,” “medical grade,” or, in the case of silicone, “platinum silicone.” These labels signal that a toy is more likely to be safe. Brands that are transparent about their materials are a safer bet than mystery-meat silicone blends. And never assume you can identify what a toy is made of just by looking at it.
When it comes to storage, keep your anal toys clean and dry. If your toy comes with a storage pouch, use it. If it doesn’t, a clean cloth bag is a good option. As a minimalist, I tend to keep mine on a shelf in my nightstand. Avoid plastic storage options, which can trap moisture and promote bacterial growth.
When it comes to anal play, safety is important. While the vagina is a pocket, the rectum is an endless void with some surprisingly powerful suction. That’s why all anal toys need a wide, flared base that’s at least 1” in diameter larger than the widest part of the toy, or a reliable retrieval mechanism—otherwise, they can get sucked fully in and require medical removal.
Anal play is also different from vaginal or oral sex because the anal sphincter is made of delicate muscle tissue that doesn’t self-lubricate. Lots and lots of lube—preferably a thick, long-lasting one—makes the experience smoother and safer. You can even use a lube shooter to ensure it reaches deep enough. Go slow, stay in touch with your body, and stop immediately if you feel sharp pain. Anal play can lead to intense sensations, but it should never cause pain or discomfort.
That same muscle tissue also needs help relaxing. Using a smaller toy a few hours before using a bigger one, or starting with a graduated set and working your way up over a longer period, can help. So can a warm shower or even deep breathing exercises. Especially if you’re new or getting back into butt stuff after some time away, it’s always a good idea to go slower (and use more lube) than you think you need to.
Lube with anal sex toys is a must. Unlike the vagina, the anus does not self-lubricate, so lube is essential both for comfort and for protecting your body. Without it, friction during anal play can cause painful and risky microtears.
A good lube for anal toys should be thick and long-lasting. Silicone-based lubricants are more durable than water-based ones, but they’re not compatible with silicone toys, so proper pairing is essential. In the moment, keep your lube in easy reach: anal tissue will absorb some of it and friction will wear more away, so being able to reapply whenever you want is key. Finally, avoid numbing lubes. Anal sex toys are about your sensation and experience, and numbing creams not only rob you of the full range of sensation but also can hide signals from your body telling you that something is wrong.
Go slow, stay curious, and listen to your body. Anal play can be incredibly fun, but rushing it can turn an exciting experience into an uncomfortable one.
Start small. Choose a beginner-friendly toy with a slim girth, a tapered tip, and a flared base—or opt for a set with multiple sizes to try as you explore your preferences. Use a generous amount of lube and then add a little more, reapplying as necessary. If you’re using anal sex toys as a preamble to something larger, like a penis, dildo, or fist, give yourself a few weeks to work up to that.
Anal is better if you’re relaxed and unhurried. Take your time, and get turned on with other types of stimulation first. If you’re anxious about the chances of seeing poop, try out your toy in the shower to alleviate concerns about cleanup. Additionally, you may not be able to fully insert the toy on the first try, which is perfectly normal. Success is a journey, not a destination. If anything feels painful or sharp, or there’s a lot of resistance that relaxation and more lube don’t alleviate, back off and try again another time.
Finally, set yourself up for success: make sure you feel unhurried and comfortable, maybe with a sex blanket or towel under you and a good playlist queued up. Your first time and every time should be about pleasure and exploration.
Also, when you’re done, you may find that your butt is really holding onto your anal toy. Since removing an anal toy, especially a plug, can feel like having an incredible poop, it might be psychologically easier to remove your toy in the bathroom.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now, and sex toys are no exception. Lovense, for instance, lets you sync its prostate massagers and other toys with an AI-based app that matches the motion of the toy to what’s happening onscreen in real time. As AI continues to grow, expect deeper integrations, including AI-generated patterns and personalized content.
I’ve been covering sex toys since 2011, for websites including Autostraddle (where I was NSFW editor), the Daily Beast, Nylon, and elsewhere. For this article, I prioritized anal sex toys that are likely to hold up over years of use. I considered materiality, user reviews, and which toys have lasted the longest in my personal collection and home testing.
I have used every toy on this list at least three times, with the exception of the Snug Plug 7 (I love the Snug Plug 6, but the 7 was a bit beyond me during the time period of writing this review). Also, while I love the Pure Wand, I am unable to personally weigh in on how it feels with a prostate. For all toys, I reviewed user comments on product listings and any relevant Reddit discussions.
Everyone has a different body and different preferences, so the best anal sex toy isn’t universal. But to save you some time and trouble, here are the top picks from other sexperts.
Like the experts, individual sex toy owners all have different bodies and correspondingly different opinions about the best anal sex toys.
Remember that the best anal toy works for you over time. Stainless steel may last for decades, but your preferences and what your body can tolerate can change over time. Keep an eye on how your tastes evolve and let your collection change with you.
Ryan Yates
Contributor
Ryan Yates has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor.
They have been reviewing sex toys and sexual health products since 2011, among other writing and editing. Their bylines include The Daily Beast, Nylon, Electric Literature, Refinery29, and, of course, Reviewed. Yates was Autostraddle’s NSFW Editor from 2013 to 2018, and wrote the notorious NSFW Sunday column from 2011 to 2021.
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