As certified sexologist Gigi Engle notes, clitoral-sucking toys are v different from your typical vibrators. “Instead of directly stimulating the clitoris, they surround it with suction and air,” she says. “It mimics the feeling of oral sex.” Popular suction toy brands use different terminology (for instance, Womanizer uses “pleasure air,” while Satisfyer uses “air pulse”), but they all mean pretty much the same thing: extra lovin’ where you need it most.
Sexologist, educator, and intimacy consultant Goody Howard points out that clit-sucking vibrators also serve a dual purpose as nipple stimulators. “I love telling people that clit toys also make great nipple toys, and since nipples are connected to the same part of the brain as the genitals, that’s always a good time!” she says. Here’s what you should look out for when picking you new clit-sucking pal:
Consider the material
When it comes to vibrators, the material 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, Engle suggests looking for toys “made from body-safe or medical-grade silicone,” which work great with water-based lubes.
Find the right weight
Generally speaking, a heavier counterweight = a deeper vibration. But that doesn’t mean every toy with a powerful AF motor is going to be amazing. Toys also need to be balanced, so the vibration energy goes where it needs to go (like the contact area) and not anywhere else (like the handle, which would make your arm super tired). And sometimes, a lighter toy is preferable if you’re looking for something you can take on the go.
Check out the bonus features
As with all sex toys, the best clit-sucking vibrators tend to have a few key features: They’re fully waterproof (so you can use ’em in the tub or shower), they’re USB rechargeable, and—as Howard points out—they tend to have a number of different vibration patterns and strengths, ’cause variety is the spice of life. Ofc, a vibrator doesn’t have to have *all* these features to be worth the investment—it all depends on what functions matters most to you.