A Comprehensive Guide to Anal Toys

At a Glance

• The main categories: Anal toys fall into four types — anal beads, prostate massagers, anal plugs, and cock rings used during anal play. Each delivers a different kind of stimulation and suits different experience levels.
• Size and material are the two decisions that matter most: Start small and work up over sessions. Silicone is the safest material: non-porous, phthalate-free, and easy to clean. Always choose a toy with a flared base — without one, a toy can travel inside the body and become a medical emergency.
• How anal beads work: They are inserted bead by bead, with stimulation peaking when removed — ideally during orgasm. Always use a toy with a retrieval loop or T-bar handle at the base.
• What a prostate massager does that a regular toy doesn’t: Prostate massagers are curved specifically to target the prostate. Some add vibration, rotation, or a come-hither motion. For AMAB people, this direct stimulation is what makes the difference between a good experience and an exceptional one.
• Cleanup is not optional: Wash toys immediately after use with a dedicated sex toy cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry before storing. Skipping this step allows bacteria to build up and puts you at risk every time you use them again.

As booty play becomes less taboo, people of all genders are taking more interest in the tushie. With all sorts of anal toys made to bring the pleasure of stimulation into your sex life, you might not understand what they actually do, how to use them, or what they can feel like.

Whether you're new to anal sex or are an avid booty connoisseur, GIDDI is here to help you on your journey to the orgasmic joy of anal toys.

But first, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an anal toy:

• Size: Size matters when it comes to anal comfort. Start small and increase the size to prepare your anus for comfortable penetration.
• Materials: Silicone or stainless steel? While many booty lovers enjoy the heavy pressure of metal butt plugs, silicone is non-porous, phthalate-free, and latex-free.
• Design: Do you enjoy a gentle poke or a full-fledged butt stretch? Each toy offers a different sensation.

Luckily, there are a few different options to choose from when picking out an anal toy. They all provide different sensations and can be used in various sexual experiences.

The best thing to keep in mind is to have patience. It takes some trial and error to figure out what feels best for you and what parts of anal play you enjoy the most.

At GIDDI, we've crafted this handy-dandy guide to walk you through the different types of anal toys and everything you need to know about choosing the right toy for you and/or your partner!

So suit up explorer, here's your treasure map to the pleasure palace.

What Are Anal Toys?

Anal toys are precisely what they sound like: sex toys designed to stimulate the inside or exterior of the anus. While shape and size may vary, anal toys are designed specifically for the anus, considering the sensitive tissues in and around the anus, the shape of the inside of the anus, and the different pleasure points.

When used correctly, anal sex toys can be a perfect tool in the bedroom to make anal play more pleasurable for maximum orgasmic bliss.

Why Should I Use Anal Toys?

If you still aren't sure how anal toys would play an exciting role in your sex life, GIDDI is here to fill you in!

Prostate

Cisgender men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) have an added opportunity for stimulating the prostate — a walnut-sized gland that sits behind the penis and bladder. They are present in AMAB and are crucial for reproduction purposes.

The prostate makes prostate fluid, which is one of the main components of semen. It can be stimulated internally or externally, depending on what you are trying to achieve.

When properly massaged, the prostate can feel "heavenly." Because it is loaded with nerve endings, the prostate is incredibly sensitive (in the best way). The prostate gland swells when you are aroused, and many people find that putting direct or indirect pressure on it during sex creates a mind-blowing orgasm!

Switch It Up

Incorporating anal toys into your life can provide new ways to experience anal pleasure. It can also be a great way to switch things up in the bedroom when you're in the mood for something different from vanilla sex.

If you normally masturbate only by stimulating your penis, you might be looking for ways to make masturbation feel new and exciting.

Similarly, if you are in a long-term relationship (or are just looking for a way to try new things with a partner), anal toys can be the perfect way to spice things up. If this sounds like you, maybe it's time to add anal masturbation into the rotation.

Our Favorite Anal Toys

Now that you are ready to experience the pleasure of the prostate and explore anal sex with yourself or your partner, it's time to figure out what anal toy is best for you!

Anal Beads

Anal beads are sex toys made up of a series of beads ranging in size, from small to extra-large, and connected through the middle by a string. The beads are smaller at the tip and larger at the base. Their shape provides an easy way to work up to the larger beads without going too far into your anus.

Anal beads are designed to feel the most stimulating when they are removed. Because of this, most people remove them during climax. They also can be pulled in and out of the anus to provide a different sensation.

Just remember to douse the beads with a high-quality water-based lubricant, like our Hydrogel Water Based Anal Lube, and start by slowly inserting one bead at a time. Remember to choose anal beads that have an easily graspable loop or a T-shaped handle at the very end so they can be removed and not risk getting stuck in your anal cavity.

Prostate Massager

Prostate massagers are sex toys that can be used when you're playing solo or with a partner, and they are designed to fit comfortably in your anus and stimulate your prostate.

Prostate massagers can come in many sizes and are made from different materials, including glass, steel, or silicone. They can also have a feature that causes them to vibrate, which provides extra sensations.

Prostate toys can also have different types of motion meant to simulate life-like massage. These motions include come-hither, circling, and pressing, among others.

At GIDDI, we have a curated collection of prostate massagers that are safe, easy to use, and perfect for anal masturbation.

Anal Plug

An anal plug is a sex toy designed to fit inside your anus and stay there while you partake in sexual activity. It is shaped to stimulate your prostate, providing extra pleasurable sensations during masturbation or other sexual activities with a partner. It's also fairly simple to use, which is a bonus for beginners.

But if you've "been there and done that" with your basic anal toys, you'll want to consider textured butt plugs. Built for a totally new sense of experience, textured butt plugs feel good in the rectum because our rectum bends and twists, and these plugs are designed to reflect your booty's natural curves to offer a little somethin' with those natural movements.

Keep in mind that if the anal plug doesn't have a flared base, this may increase the chance of getting sucked into the body and stuck in the colon. There are quite a few different models of anal plugs on the market, but you should never buy one without a flared base.

Our Vulcan Vibrating Prostate Plug has all the features that make a prostate plug safe and enjoyable.

Penis Ring

Although a penis ring isn't technically an anal toy because it is not designed to penetrate the anus, it can still be used for anal play.

A penis ring is designed to apply pressure to the penis (and sometimes the balls), but a vibrating penis ring can also provide an added pleasurable sensation to the receiver during penetrative anal sex.

There are a few things to consider when deciding to buy a penis ring, such as material, size, and comfort, and you want to be sure to choose one that is safe and easy to use.

MOBY, our vibrating pleasure ring, checks all these boxes and more! MOBY is easy to secure and comfortable to use. It has nine different vibration modes, which allow you to enjoy a range of stimulation and maximize your orgasms.

How To Use Anal Toys

Once you are ready to start using anal toys, it's important to remember that you can't just dive right in. Take your sweet time and the necessary steps to help your body prepare for anal play. It can be done solo or with a partner, and it can be incredibly sensual and erotic.

Preparation

Once you have the toy you want and the proper lube, you might want to do a few other things before starting.

First, it's best to have a towel nearby or underneath you while using a toy. If you need to wipe the toy off or lay it down during sex, it won't get thrown on the floor or wiped off with a nearby T-shirt.

Next, before trying to insert any toys into your behind, you'll want to warm the area up first. Start by massaging the anus and waiting until your body feels fully relaxed and ready. It can even be helpful to insert a lubed finger or two before inserting any anal toys.

No matter what, just remember to go slowly and take deep breaths.

Lube

Your anus doesn't naturally self-lubricate, so you need to choose a good lube before diving into any anal play.

Without lube, using anal toys can be painful and even cause some mild bleeding afterward due to tears in your anal tissue. Even without tearing tissue, using anal toys without lube is just uncomfortable.

We get it — it's a lot to think about, but using the right lube is essential.

Water-based lube is safest to use on toys, and it is easy to wash off clothes or sheets. However, you also want a lube that is thick enough for anal play and won't require frequent reapplication.

Safe Insertion

Cock rings cannot be inserted into the anus, but anal beads, prostate massagers, and prostate plugs can. There are a few different techniques for each of these toys, but they all need plenty of lube. Make sure both the anus and the tip of the toy have a generous amount of lube on them.

Once you are ready for insertion, you can use these tips to help the process go smoothly:

• Anal beads: Slowly push the first, smallest anal bead inside you and allow your body to get used to the sensation. Once you are ready, move the second, larger bead inside. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with the feeling.
• Prostate Massagers: Slowly insert the head's tip until the widest point is at the external muscle. Slowly rock the massager back and forth until the entire head is inside the anus. Once the massager is inside, you can leave it in place or slightly move it in a circular motion if that feels good to you.
• Prostate Plug: Slowly push the prostate plug past the external muscle. Then, you can angle the plug up about 45 degrees and push it in a little further. Angle it down 45 degrees and push it farther. Repeat these steps until it is fully in place.
• Cock Ring: Slowly slide the lubed penis ring onto a flaccid or semi-erect, lubed penis.

No matter what toy you are using, remember that this process should never be painful. Some toys may provide a new, unusual sensation, but do not force it if it's too uncomfortable! Pick another toy or try it again another time.

Cleanup

After anal play, make sure to clean the toys right away. If you do not properly clean your toys after usage, there can be a build-up of bacteria, making them unsafe to use in the future. Cleaning them immediately after sex can also prevent STIs from spreading through the use of the toy.

There are a few different ways to clean your toys, but the best is to buy a mild soap designed to wash sex toys. Otherwise, you risk buying a soap that is too harsh or even unsafe for contact with the body. This can lead to a deterioration of the toy or irritation on your most sensitive parts!

Our FoamFresh Sex Toy Cleaner is the perfect way to clean your toys safely. It is an anti-bacterial, triclosan, alcohol-free soap with Olive Leaf, Thyme, and Lavender extracts – making it safe for all toy materials yet tough on germs.

To use this soap, simply apply the foam directly onto the toy. Allow 10-15 seconds for the foam to sit on the toy, then rinse it with warm water and let it dry completely before storing it away. It's as simple as that!

We also recommend our UV sterilizer bag, which kills 99.9% of all germs that may cause infection and disease in less than three minutes. It also doubles as a storage case for your toys!

Conclusion

Anal sex toys are perfect for exploring prostate play, even if you've never tried them before. But once you've comfortable inserted your anal toy of choice, you may feel extra full inside, have an urge to pee, or even bring yourself close to orgasm. Some may also enjoy masturbation or partnered stroking while exploring the P-Spot.

When you're ready to finish, angle it up, turn on the vibrations and let the power of the P-Spot lead you to ecstasy!