Interested in some booty action? We gotchu.
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Thinking about adding more butt stuff to your sex life? An anal plug is the place to start. Butt plugs are the best sex toys for getting acquainted with all the pleasure your backside has to offer, whether you're ready to try anal sex for the first time or make foreplay a little more backdoor play. And no, you don't need a prostate to reap these benefits. As certified sex therapist Shadeen Francis, LMFT, CST, tells Cosmo, "Anal plugs stimulate the sensitive nerve endings inside the anus and can lead to powerful orgasms." Um, hi, sounds good to us!
While there’s certainly a place for butt plugs in partnered play, they can also be a great way to test the waters with backdoor stuff on your own before diving into anal sex with a partner. In fact, anal surgeon Dr. Evan Goldstein recommends that beginners experiment with butt plugs solo first before trying 'em out with anyone else. And because all bodies and desires are different, you best believe there’s a wide range of anal plug options out there...though ofc, we tested and reviewed to find the very best for you.
From vibrating butt plugs to doctor-approved anal training sets to slim, beginner-friendly options for newbies, we got something for everyone So! Let's get to it and find the perfect plug for you, shall we?
Perhaps the least intimidating butt plug around: this slim, tapered bb from Unbound. Made from silky silicone, it's only 1.3 inches in diameter and features 4.25 inches of insertable length, making it an ideal pick for beginners (or anybody, really).
Glowing Customer Review: "Nudge is absolutely perfect—super soft, not intimidating, easy to safely insert and remove, super easy to clean (you can boil, too!), and feels so...snug! For me, this really adds a little extra to my self-love routine and has helped me change things up, which is fun partnered or solo!"
For a long-distance plug option, check out the Hush 2 from LOVENSE. It's available in four different size options—ranging from 1 inch to 2.25 inches in thickness—so you can select the best fit depending on your experience level and girth preference. And in addition to boasting 10 rumbly vibe settings, you can control this bad boy from any distance thanks to the LOVENSE app.
Glowing Customer Review: "My Hush 2 has become one of my favorite interactive toys. For me, personally, not having a lot of experience anally, this size is a good fit, and I am not worried about it slipping out at inconvenient times. Of course, the digital interaction is WONDERFUL (as is the case with all Lovense toys)."
Similar in appearance to anal beads, the graduated design on this hand-blown glass plug make this a super versatile toy for a variety of sensations. The first bead has a circumference of just 2.75 inches, making it ideal for beginners, while the last bead has thicker 4.6-inch girth for truly fulfilling anal stimulation. Plus, the borosilicate glass means that you can get as creative as you'd like with temperature play and makes it super easy to clean.
Glowing Customer Review: "The pressure inside when fully inserted is great, the base is comfortable for longer wear, and the glass is easy to clean. What isn't there to like?"
If you’re ready to get your booty backdoor-play ready, this is where you’re gonna want to start. According to Dr. Goldstein, an ideal dilator has a longer-than-average shaft, a tapered tip, and no neck. This set of five is ideal for beginners who are looking to explore anal play and work their way up over time. Plus, thanks to the flared base, they're suitable for regular use.
Glowing Customer Review: "After using this set for about a year, I have been able to slowly ease in and now enjoy some anal play with my partner. I loved that they were easy to clean, durable, and come in a good selection of sizes. Insertion was easy with a generous helping of water-based lubricant. This product really helped pave the way for self-exploration."
Like glass plugs, metal butt plugs are also compatible with all lubes and ideal for temperature play, and this stainless steel option from Njoy is the very best. Featuring an extra tapered head for maximum comfort and an easy-to-grip base ring, this beauty has a 1-inch-thick bulb and 2.5 inches of insertable length, and more advanced folks can always upgrade to the medium or large options.
Glowing Customer Review: "Easy-to-clean and oh-so-heavy, this plug gives you those good feelings you're searching for. It comes in several convenient sizes. Best plug I've ever used, and I could not be happier with it."
Designed with platinum-grade, soft-to-the-touch silicone, this no-frills butt plug from Maude is tapered and slim enough to work for most beginners, measuring just 1 inch in width with 3.5 inches of insertable length. And if you're looking for a slightly larger option, then you can always upgrade to the medium-size Cone (which, fyi, also vibrates!).
Glowing Customer Review: "Such a great product, especially for the price. Perfect for beginners and seasoned pros alike, it’s incredibly soft and suitable for many bodies. It’s comfortable and has a luxurious feel. Definitely a staple in my and my partner’s collection!"
The curved bulb on Fun Factory's beginner-to-intermediate Bootie plug makes it great for prostate play or more targeted anal play, as you're able to maneuver it around easier. There's also a wide T-bar base that's designed to fit comfortably between the butt cheeks, and best of all, this bulbous plug comes in three size options, ranging from 1.1 inches in diameter to 1.6 inches.
Glowing Customer Review: "There was no 'searching' for the right spot, because as soon as I fully inserted the Bootie, it was there. That wide head provided just the right amount of pressure. Unlike many curved toys, the Bootie felt equally as nice during thrusting as it did with a pressing motion...[and] for anal use, this is definitely the perfect butt plug for long-term wear."
With its sleek shape and modest size, this silicone cutie from Unbound would be a great beginner-to-intermediate plug even if it didn’t vibrate...but it does! Fully waterproof and USB rechargeable, this bb (which is 1.5 inches thick with 4.25 inches of insertable length) has 5 speeds and 5 patterns for you to explore, as well as a unique circular handle for easy removal.
Glowing Customer Review: "This plug is everything I wanted and it still blew me away! It's smooth and easy to insert, waterproof, and the vibration settings have me peaking in seconds! I've used it every night since I got it. Highly recommend!"
With 2.5 inches of insertable length, this temperature-responsive metal plug has a flared base and slim neck for easy insertion—plus, the sassy silver fox tail is so damn cute. And for a lil more girth, you can always upgrade to the medium version of this plug.
Glowing Customer Review: "This has to be one of my favorite toys. The size of the butt plug is perfect and comfortable, so I am able to go around as a sexy fox for my partner! The tail is so soft and good quality!"
While this vibrating anal plug is an A+ toy if you're just getting started with butt play, we promise that even more experienced users can have a good time with this. It's equipped with 10 different functions and a flared base—plus, ya simply can't beat the price. And even though it's battery-operated, it's still fully waterproof. Get it in a 6.5-inch-long version if you want a bit more oomph.
Glowing Customer Reviewer: "WHAT A TOY! The plug itself is extremely easy to insert using water-based lube and is comfortable once inserted. The vibrator's different functions really keep anal play exciting and makes the whole experience extremely pleasurable. Since buying this toy, I have purchased other larger anal vibrators that still can't pack a punch like this one can."
With nearly four inches of insertable vibrating, rotating, and thrusting fun, this bb's here to help ya thrust 'til ya bust. All 12 of the different functions can be controlled using a single button located on the bottom of the device, and it's a v approachable size for beginners and experts alike.
Glowing Customer Review: "I only made it through about half of the settings before I was shooting like a wild man. The vibrations are fantastic and the thrusting action is so good. I plan on wearing this toy out in no time flat, it feels so good."
Looking for a lil ✨pizazz?✨ Then get this precious and petite aluminum plug from Lovehoney, which features 2.5 inches of insertable length, a pink heart-shaped gem on the base, and enough weight to give ya an amazing feeling of fullness. And like all metal toys, this plug is compatible with all lubes and able to be used for temperature play. It's also available as a 3-inch and 3.5-inch plug.
Glowing Customer Review: "I found it to be really comfortable for first-time use with lube—big enough to be satisfying but small enough that it was comfortable to wear for a good period of time. Added bonus of it looking super cute, [and I] felt like it 'prettied up' an area that is not always the prettiest."
A great graduated option, this cutie boasts three bulbous beads of increasing size, two power motors, and 12 tantalizing massaging modes. Everything can be controlled with a button on the wide, flared base, and with a 3.8-inch girth at the widest point, this plug shouldn't feel *too* intimidating.
Glowing Customer Review: "I had wanted to try anal for a while and finally decided to give it a try with the Lolli Plug 2. I have found a new wonderful pleasure. It was a breeze to slowly get used to this toy, and the many different vibration patterns always gives me options."
Yep, this adorable lil creature is, indeed, a butt plug—but it's so much more than that, too. Designed for all genders and able to be used both internally and externally, this rechargeable, waterproof silicone vibrator (which is 1.7 inches thick with 2 inches of insertable length) features a ring of independently buzzing legs on one side and a larger curved vibrating head on the other, so you can use it however you damn well please.
Glowing Customer Review: "Amazing! I am so incredibly happy with my order. These toys are sooo soft and fit into so many places on and in and around the body. I’ve had a lot of fun exploring the possibilities! Plus, hella cute!"
Dr. Goldstein especially loves butt plugs created with prostate play in mind, since "upward-curved toys take the guesswork out of finding the sometimes elusive spot and can reduce the risk of injury." A prime example: this bestselling prostate massager, which comes with six vibe settings, dual motors, and TONS of power.
Glowing Customer Review: “W.O.W. That was out of this world. It was my first time using a sex toy and it gave me my first p-orgasm within 30 seconds of using it. The powerful vibrations from this small toy is incredible!”
It’s the grown-up version of playing ponies, this time with a very kinky twist. This body-safe glass dildo is sturdy enough for fun on its own; the ponytail makes it fun for role play adventures.
According to Dr. Donna Oriowo, LICSW, M.ED, owner and lead therapist at AnnodRight, anyone can benefit from giving butt stuff a try—including those with vulvas. "With the pudendal nerve, direct stimulation to the anus can also stimulate the vagina," she tells Cosmo. "Plus, we know that with all those nerve endings in the anus, only 20 percent of them are in active use to keep things working. The other 80 percent is all about sensation." And there's only one way to unlock that 80 percent: with experimentation and touch.
Francis agrees, pointing out that different plugs can provide totally different experiences as well. "Some plugs feel good for the pressure of fullness, some arc towards the prostate in people who have them (or the A-spot for people with vulvas), and some even pulse or vibrate," she explains. What's not to like??
Ofc, you'll want to start small and work your way up, especially if you're a newbie. As Francis points out, the tissues of the anus are delicate and sensitive, so be gentle with yourself. "If after exploring stimulation of the sensitive opening from the outside you'd like to try penetration, start small," she says. "Always start smaller than you think: a little finger perhaps, or a narrow toy (with a flared base, of course)."
First things first: Lube is your friend, and we C-A-N-N-O-T emphasize that enough. "Before you grab the butt plug, though, you have to remember that, unlike the vagina, the anus is not self-lubricating," says Dr. Oriowo. "This means you have to use lube. Don’t be shy with it, either—use just a bit more than you think is enough. Better to have more lube than less."
The type of lube you use matters, too. "As a tip for your lube choice, think about what you might like to do in your butt play session," Francis suggests. "Silicone lube is long-lasting but can be hard to clean and can't be used with silicone toys. Water-based lube is friendly for everyone, but you will need to reapply. Oil-based lubes give a lot of slip but, depending on the ingredients, can contain allergens and will absolutely stain your bedsheets."
When using a butt plug, sex and pleasure educator Luna Matatas suggests opting for silicone lube or a thicker water-based lube. As she previously told Cosmo, "For butt stuff, we want the lube to linger. Silicone lubes are a popular choice for anal enthusiasts because a little goes a long way, so they last longer."
Dr. Goldstein warns that leaving a toy inside your body for extended periods can irritate and inflame the sphincter muscles around the neck of the plug, making it tricky to remove (especially if it’s too small or the shaft is too short). “Less is always more when it comes to duration,” he says. “If you're someone who loves the pressured sensations of the butt plug staying put, then I recommend you start slow, with just a few minutes, and then you can gradually go for longer periods of time.”
Not sure where to get started? Here are some tips on finding the butt plug of your dreams:
As with all sex toys, the material of your anal plug matters, 'cause you def don't want to irritate your most intimate areas with a poorly-made toy. It's best to steer clear of toys made with PVC, as those tend to be more porous and pretty much impossible to fully sanitize (not to mention they may contain toxic chemicals called phthalates). Instead, Francis suggests looking for toys made from non-porous, body-safe materials. "You have many options, such as silicone, glass, porcelain, and metal," she says, and it all depends on the sensation you wanna experience.
You'll notice that many of the best butt plugs include a wide handle at the base, and this isn't just an aesthetic choice. According to Francis, beginners should look for butt plugs "with a flared base to prevent the risk of the toy getting pulled into your anal canal and lodged inside," and tbh, it's not a bad idea for users of ALL experience levels to stick to plugs with a flared base.
Not to state the obvious, but beginners should start with smaller, narrower butt plugs and work their way up rather than taking the plunge with a jumbo-sized plug. "You can always go up in size as smaller toys become more comfortable," Francis explains. "Even if over time you fancy yourself a bit of a size-slut, look for toys that start narrow and gradually increase in size to make insertion more comfortable."
Chaise Sanders is an Associate Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers anything from lifestyle and beauty to entertainment and style. Wanna upgrade your skincare game? She's got you covered with the best facial cleansing brushes. Or maybe you're in need of a new true crime show to binge? Got that covered too! Prior to joining the Cosmo team, Chaise was an editor at Country Living (also part of the Hearst fam) where she interviewed celebs like Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes and even Martha Stewart. Now, as one of the Big Apple's newest residents, there's a good chance that you can catch her checking out an Insta-worthy cafe or spending way to much $$$ in vintage stores.
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
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