25 best vibrators to buy in 2023, according to the women who have tried them
Investing in the best vibrators reigns supreme as the easiest way to enhance masturbation, foreplay and partnered sex. Stat. Necessary, since orgasms are a crucial part of your wellness regime, acting as a mood-booster, natural pain killer and sleep enhancer.
Of course, you're probably already masturbating or having great penetrative sex (or both), but there's always room for experimentation and improvement. And that's where high-quality vibrators come in. Their impressively powerful motors serve-up heightened orgasms on tap.
Of course, the sex toy world is a burgeoning one, with brands from Dame to LELO all offering their own bestsellers. As such, shopping for a new vibrator can be a tad overwhelming. So, we've done the hard (~ahem~) work for you and tested a whole bunch of clit vibrators, rabbit vibrators, bullet vibrators, couples vibrators and remote control vibrators to whittle things down to the best. This lot deserve a spot in your bedside table drawer. TikTok-trending Rose toy included.
Meet the expert:
- Annabelle Knight, Sex & Relationships Expert at Lovehoney
What is the best type of vibrator? | What is the best vibrator for a person with a sensitive clitoris? | What is the best vibrator for clitoral stimulation? | Everything else to consider before buying a vibrator | How we tested the vibrators in this edit | Our full vibrator reviews.
The best vibrators of 2023, at a glance:
- Best vibrator overall: LELO Sona 2 Cruise, £129, LELO
- Best rabbit: LELO Soraya Wave, £229, LELO
- Best budget: Frisky 10 Function Silicone Rabbit Vibrator, £24.99, Lovehoney
- Best bundle: Self-Exploration Bundle, £84.95, Smile Makers
The number of sex toy stores is burgeoning.
What type of vibrator is best?
Before you settle on a new vibrator too quickly, it’s worth getting clued up on the different types of vibrator – and exactly how each of them will change your sex life. Forget what you thought you knew: not all vibrators are made equal.
- Bullet vibrators are for clitoral stimulation and external stimulation of erogenous zones. They're small, discrete and often quite affordable. They're also great for first time vibrator users, ‘cos they’re pretty simple and don't tend to have too many settings to confuse things. “They can also be paired with other compatible toys (such as a cock ring) to make them vibrate,” adds Annabelle. We recommend this classic bullet vibrator from Smile Makers.
- Clitoral vibrators tend to be larger than bullet vibrators, but they serve up more powerful vibrators. They also often use sonic wave technology to create airwaves around your clitoris and suck it upward, stimulating the feeling of oral sex and foreplay, and can, says Annabelle, “lead to heightened stimulation.” For really good vibrations, we recommend LELO's Sila.
- Rabbit vibrators serve up internal and external pleasure at the same time, which can result in a blended orgasm. The main shaft of the vibrator is insertable, while the rabbit ears stimulate your clitoris simultaneously.
- Wand vibrators are versatile vibrators designed for external use only. They're often quite large and not always cordless, but they can be used all over the body to stimulate areas like the vulva and nipples. Wand vibrators vibrate at lower frequencies than bullet vibrators, for an intense experience. We recommend this mains powered magic wand vibrator from Lovehoney. Annabelle's tip? “They can still be used as a massager if you want!”
- G-spot vibrators are designed for internal use and, Annabelle explains, "are often curved in a particular way to make [your G-spot] that much easier to reach. That is, the cluster of nerves on the front of your vaginal wall. They’re often ergonomic in design. We recommend Smilemakers' The Tennis Pro for reaching that sensitive area.
What is the best vibrator for sensitive people?
“The first thing a person with a sensitive clitoris needs to look for when buying a vibrator is the available speeds and patterns – a vibrator with a higher range of speeds will give you more chance of finding one that's right for your level of sensitivity,” explains sex and relationships expert Annabelle.
“Next, you may want to consider a clitoral suction vibrator rather than a bullet or wand, as the sensation can feel more gentle,” she added. “Something like the Lovehoney x Romp Switch, which has 6 different intensity levels, would be a good place to start.”
“If vibration is more your thing, then a Mini Wand is a better option than the larger counterpart, as it will be less intense. This one also has 10 different intensity levels.” For internal stimulation, Annabelle adds, "If you want to avoid the clitoris completely, then a G-spot vibrator - like the Womanizer OG - is a perfect way to reach orgasm.
“It’s also a good idea to keep your knickers on. If you’re super sensitive creating a bit of a barrier between you and the toy can be a great way to get used to the new sensations of the vibrations.”
What is the best vibrator for clitoral stimulation?
Penetration alone doesn't actually result in orgasm for most people with vaginas. In fact, only 18% of clit-owners can reach the big-O without clitoral stimulation of some kind according to a study in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy.
The best vibrator for clitoral stimulation will be one which mimics oral sex through contactless “sonic wave technology" or suction technology. LELO are the leaders in this field, but many other brands – from UNBOUND to Lovehoney – have released their own sonic wave iterations. It creates airwaves around your clitoris to suck it upward, and means that don't need direct contact to experience intense clitoral stimulation.
Everything you need to consider before buying a vibrator:
When buying a new sex toy, there are a few things to think about – besides the type.
- Does it have customisable settings? Check what speed settings and vibration modes they have, and whether you'll be able to mix things up depending on your mood.
- Is the vibrator rechargeable? You might pay more for a rechargeable toy, but they're cheaper in the long-run since you don't have to keep buying batteries.
- Is the vibrator loud? You might wish to try and find a vibe that operates silently, particularly if you live in a shared house and want to be discrete about things.
- What are the dimensions of the vibrator? Are you happy with the size?
- What is the vibrator made from? If you want a velvety feel and something which won't irritate your skin, silicone is most often the way to go. Avoid anything containing phthalates (chemicals used to increase flexibility) as these chemicals have links to health risks. Also, look for the ‘phthalate-free’ certification on the box for optimum safety.
How we tested the best vibrators:
Without giving you too much information that you – quite frankly – don't need, the vibrators ahead have each been tested by a member of the GLAMOUR team for a period of at least one month. They've been used largely during masturbation, but sometimes partnered sex too, and we've rated them based on design, battery life, intensity of orgasm and number of vibrator types and speed settings. Trust us – every vibrator below is worthy of your money.
On top of our hands-on reviews (forgive the pun), we've also put no less than 20 hours of online research into each model to ensure that our round-up provides you with only the best sexual wellness devices. From perusing customer reviews (of which, there are many), to assessing the quality of materials – think: silicone vs. ABS plastic – we feel we'll pulled together the crème de la crème of vibrators so you won't be spending your money in vain. Researched, tried and tested.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.