A Vulva Owners’ Guide to Types of Vibrators

Are you aware of the different types of vibrating sex toys? From a clitoral stimulator to an oral sex simulator, read our beginners guide to vibrators!

With more than 1 in 2 women owning one, and many more curious, there will come a time in our lives where we want to pick our first vibrator. But, where to begin? We’ve got everything you –and your body- need to know to get started on your sexual wellness journey.

Or, maybe you want to choose your second, third or fourth toy. If you already include vibrators in your solo or partnered sex sessions, experimenting with different types of stimulation will keep you discovering your pleasure preferences.

This is a guide for vibrators designed for people with vulvas, and their pleasure anatomy. Let’s get started!

What Is A Vibrator?

A vibrator is not the same as a dildo. Dildos are designed for penetration, and usually don’t vibrate. Vibrators, well, vibrate and come in all shapes and sizes. Also, they aren’t just for internal pleasure – a lot of vibrators are for external stimulation and exploring our outer erogenous zones! That’s why vibrators are often categorised by the areas they stimulate; internal, external, dual.

Types of External Vibrators

Did you know that over 70% of vulva owners need external stimulation to reach orgasm? That’s why these types of vibrators make great first-time buys; you’re almost guaranteed to find them pleasurable. More so, many of us can find penetration uncomfortable or painful during sex, but these toys allow for sexual exploration and enjoyment without that worry.

The Clitoral Vibrator

The clitoris is the only organ in the entire body whose one function is pleasure. So, it makes sense that it’s a go-to masturbation spot. This type of vibrator is liked by people who enjoy stimulation on and around the clitoris. A clit stimulator massages the clitoral glans, and often makes the inner and outer labia plumper and more sensitive. Finding a vibrator that focuses on the clitoris nub and carries vibrations to the labia, like The Firefighter, will unlock a very pleasurable kind of dual-sensation.

The Bullet Vibrator

The classic, pocket-sized vibrator is a great way to upgrade your session from finger masturbation to using a toy. Although this compact style may be discreet, it’s precise stimulation on the clitoris is anything but. Well-known for packing a pleasure punch, a bullet vibe can offer up orgasms for solo quickies or during partner sex. The Surfer is designed with little fins so you can play with pressure and different techniques of clitoral touch such as orbiting or layering. A bullet is for direct and focused vibration on the clitoral glans, so layering can help if direct touch feels too much.

The Tongue Vibrator

Want to recreate oral sex? Tongue vibrators mimic gentle licks and flicks of oral, anywhere on your body. Passing a flexible, vibrating tongue-like tip over your body gives you a new way to experiment with your pleasure spots completely solo. Especially if you find nipple play arousing. A top tip to optimise the realistic sensations with a vibrator such as The French Lover is to add lubricant.

The Vulva Vibrator

For a more expansive type of stimulation, try a toy that cups the entire vulva. Like another hand between your legs, a vulva vibrator is shaped to fit and massage the labia, clitoral glans and very start of the vaginal opening all at the same time. An organic shape, like The Ballerina, means it sits in your palm naturally and can be used handsfree too. This all-encompassing stimulation allows for grounding, a masturbation technique known for its multiple orgasm potential!

Types of Internal Vibrators

When it comes to internal pleasure, it’s important to remember we don’t have to go deep. The first third of the vagina contains 90% of its nerve endings, so here’s where penetration can really feel stimulating. Size does not matter, more the technique that we use.

The G-Spot Vibrator

Vibrators designed for the G-Zone massage the vagina’s front wall, where the internal structure of the clitoris is also stimulated. Often shaped to imitate a come-hither-to action, these internal toys are angled to be inserted just inside. The Tennis Pro, a powerful but gentle G-Spot vibrator, can be used to also tease the vaginal entrance and build-up arousal to make penetration more pleasurable.

The Vaginal Vibrator

An internal multi-tasker? For those that want to go a little bit deeper or feel extra stimulation inside, opt for a longer vibrator. One with a curved head will give you the option of stimulating the G-Spot area or trying out sensations around the cervix further in. Ribbed edges, like those on The Romantic, will pleasure the lower third of the vagina at the same time.

Types of Vibrators for Internal and External Stimulation

Unlike dual-stimulators, there are also sex toys that are designed to work for both the vagina and the vulva to allow for some pleasure exploration. In or out, you decide!

The Versatile Vibrator

If you’ve never used a vibrator before, and are new to masturbation too, it’s good to start by working out what kind of pleasure you like. Is internal stimulation your thing? Or, do you prefer more of a vulval focus? A sleek design such as The Billionaire can be used as a bullet vibrator or a vaginal vibrator for a combined self-love session.

Other Sexual Tools

Lubricant

Add lube to solo or partner sex to increase the pleasure sensations or help with any penetrative techniques. Remember, always use water-based lubricant; it’s sex toy and condom compatible. It’s also handy to think about it like skincare, ensuring there’s no harmful ingredients that could irritate your vulva or vagina.

Sex Game

If you’re looking for some pleasure inspiration, try a sex game. Something like the pleasure slot machine can spark our erotic imagination and give us ideas on what erogenous zones to explore next. This is a game that can be used alone, or with a partner.

Erotica

Sexual fantasies, audio erotica and short sex stories... all of these can stimulate our sexual mind and unlock our emotional desire for sex. Use erotica to build arousal before or during your session with a vibrator.

Check out our how-to-choose quiz for a personal vibrator recommendation based on what you like!