Before we get stuck into a whole world of info on the dos donts and why the heck nots of anal play, lets kick things off with our top pleasure picks from our anal play selection:
1. Best for beginners
Hyssop
This 4-piece butt plug set, with its classic curves and crafted from the softest silicone, offers a spectrum of sensations designed to elevate your anal play experience! Giving you the option to start small and work your way up through the ranks in your own time!
2. Best anal toy for couples
Arnica
One customer called this butt plug set boujee! We totally buy into that. The brass colouring and green gem is going to look HOT inside your partner. Play with the different sizes; which is each of your favourites??
3. Best anal toy for prostate stimulation
Davana
Davana has those classic prostate hitting curves with an innovative twist – it not only vibrates but also rotates in a variable-speed circular stroking motion! Maximum satisfaction is somewhat guaranteed during anal play, with this little beauty.
4. Best anal vibrator
Quince
Wrapped in a luxurious, silky-smooth silicone layer, Quince offers a seamless and velvety experience that’s nothing short of divine. Quince is curated with a delightful array of 8 different rhythms to play with, allowing you to customise your pleasure and explore new sensations with every use.
5. Best anal dildo
Tansy Anal
Think of it as a glass dildo, meets anal beads, meets butt plug. The perfect all-in-one for ‘back door’ fun, what slogan that is! Tany anal’s ribbed glass shaft stimulates the super sensitive nerve endings in the anus or prostate, providing exquisite pleasure with every movement combined with an ergonomic handle not only to prevent it from fully entering but also for convenient control for yourself or your partner
6. Best aesthetic anal toy
Litsea
Litsea, the ‘goldilocks’ of the anal plug world. Not too big, not too small and certainly not intimidating. The texture and ‘slip’ of glass is perfect for beginners. This 4-piece butt plug set, with its classic curves and crafted from the softest silicone, offers a spectrum of sensations designed to elevate your anal play experience.
7. Best anal douche
Neroli
Neroli is an anal douche designed to make pre-play preparation a doddle, with its easy-to-use design and ample 160ml capacity, Neroli is perfect for beginners and experienced users alike.
Welcome to The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex Toys, your comprehensive resource for exploring the exciting and often misunderstood world of anal play! Anal is the marmite of the sex world – some LOVE it, some hate it, and some dismiss the idea of it before they’ve even tried it.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from beginner-friendly basics to toy recommendations for the most experienced anal lovers. We’ll dispel common myths and address concerns to ensure that all of your future anal endeavors are both enjoyable, informed, and met with confidence.
We told you we’d cover the basics, so, what is an anal sex toy? And why do people use them? An anal sex toy is quite simply a type of sex toy specifically designed with the intention to provide pleasurable and safe stimulation of the anal area. These toys come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, each for different preferences and experience levels. Use of anal toys can offer immense pleasure and a deeper understanding of your body and many people like to use anal toys to enhance sexual experiences and add variety to sexual activities. We certainly do.
Types of Anal Sex Toys (and Accessories)
Butt Plugs: An anally inserted toy, usually fairly small in size and teardrop shaped. Butt plugs have a flanged end at the base of the toy, designed to ‘plug’ the toy in place and prevent it from entirely entering and getting lost in the rectum. Because nobody wants that. Butt plugs often have a decorative end, such as a jewel, designed to be visible when inserted – like jewelry for your butt! They can be used as preparation for full penetrative anal sex or to increase pleasure by stimulating the anal nerve endings or prostate during sex or masturbation. They usually don’t vibrate, but there are definitely some pretty wonderful vibrating ones on the market (we’re looking at you, Quince).
Anal Beads: Not the kind of beads you’d want to wear around your neck for Sunday lunch with Grandma, but a tapered length of different sized spheres designed to be inserted anally. Anal beads are known to have smaller beads at the tip gradually increasing in size toward the base. The idea is to insert the ‘beads’ and subsequently remove them at a speed you find enjoyable. They usually have an external element, such as finger loops, used for retrieval and removal.
Prostate Massager: They’re kind of similar to a butt plug, but usually a fair bit bigger and yield the specific goal to stimulate the prostate (AKA the male G-spot). They also have an extra external element that rests on the perineum (that’s the cute little smooth area between the anus and the genitals). Prostate massagers usually vibrate, and commonly have a rotation feature too. Prostate massagers are often enjoyed paired with penis stimulation, but it is possible to achieve orgasm anally from the prostate stimulation alone, making this a pretty amazing toy!
Anal Dildos: An anal dildo is the same as a regular dildo (a sex toy that is shaped to resemble an erect penis) but with a flanged end to prevent the toy from entirely entering the rectum, making it safe for anal play. Take a look at our Dill range for an example.
Anal Douche: A douche is a device that can be used to flush water into the rectum to remove any residual feces or smells.
What Are Anal Sex Toys Made Out Of?
The most common materials used for anal toys are silicone, plastic, jelly rubber, metal, and glass. Our favorite materials for booty toys are silicone, sanitary-grade metal, and glass because they’re all body-safe, durable, and easy to clean! Materials like jelly rubber and plastic can often be porous, meaning they can absorb bacteria and be almost impossible to clean fully. Porous toys must be used with a condom for that reason, which isn’t always ideal.
Besides thinking about things like durability and cleanliness of a sex toy material, many people (us) also like to consider how environmentally friendly their toys are. As a sex toy company built with sustainability at the forefront of our ethos, we’ve thought about this a lot! Infinitely recyclable, reusable, and renewable, glass is an incredibly environmentally friendly and sustainable material. Knowing this, we created the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing range of high-quality borosilicate glass sex toys. The range includes our charming flower petal butt plug, Litsea, and our versatile 6” glass dildo x anal beads x butt plug hybrid, Tansy Anal.
P.s. If you’ve never heard of glass sex toys before, don’t panic! This glass will not break inside of you. They’re made of super strong (like, Hercules strong), body-safe borosilicate glass. The most you need to do is double-check for any potential chips before use. It’s also temperature resistant (amazing for temperature play, we highly recommend!) As well as our glass collection, we also have a recycling scheme, The Second Coming, for our electronic vibrating toys. When your toy comes to the end of its life cycle, you can simply pop your toy in the post (after you’ve finished mourning, of course) and we’ll recycle them via a process called “e-waste recycling”. Find more details about The Second Coming here.
How to Choose the Right Anal Sex Toy for You
So there’s a plethora of anal toys to choose from in all kinds of different weird and wonderful (and sometimes intimidating) shapes and sizes, and you’re not quite sure which option is right for you? Have a think about what you want from your toy, the use you’re intending it for, your experience level, what material you’d like, and your budget. Those are all really important factors to consider! Are you wanting to use your toy in the shower? If so then make sure it’s waterproof!
Above all, sex is about trying things and figuring out what you like. If something looks appealing to you and fits your criteria, then it’s a great idea to try it! We do have some recommendations, of course…
If you’re a beginner and looking for your first anal experience, we’d recommend a set of butt plugs in varying sizes, like Arnica or Hyssop. Both are sets of butt plugs ranging from small to large, either set would be a wonderful opportunity to start small and work your way up to see what you enjoy the most. Arnica is an enchanting set of three jewelled weighted metal butt plugs, and Hyssop is a sleek set of 4 buttery smooth silicone butt plugs with suction cup ends. Non-vibrating butt plugs are a really good place to find your feet in the world of anal play. They can be used for enhanced pleasure during masturbation or intercourse, or can be used to aid in preparation leading up to something bigger, or perhaps penetrative anal sex.
For anyone who’s looking to explore prostate stimulation (AKA the male G-Spot or the P-Spot), we highly recommend a prostate massager like Davana. Crafted with high-quality silky silicone, Davana has more curves than Kim K and has both vibration and a rotation feature. If you’ve never tried one before, a prostate massager is guaranteed to unlock new and unknown anal pleasures.
Maybe you want to spice up your relationship with some anal play? Take a look at some anal beads like Vetiver. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of your partner slowly inserting, teasing, and removing each bead, one by one, with a gentle pull of the finger looped end.
For those on a budget, a simple butt plug like Litsea or some anal beads like Vetiver would be superb options. Or you can make the most out of your money by going for something versatile like Tansy Anal, our incredible glass anal dildo that combines all the best parts of a butt plug, anal beads, and a dildo into one pretty little 6-inch package.
How to Prepare for Anal Play
Anal play can be a very intimate experience and can require a level of vulnerability for those participating, especially if you’re new to butt stuff! It’s so common (and totally natural) for there to be worries about things like making a mess or a potentially painful encounter. There are several ways you can prepare for anal activities to make your experiences more enjoyable.
1. Make sure it’s something you (and your partner(s)) want to do
This sounds obvious, right? But it’s not uncommon for anal play to be a one-sided desire in a relationship or partnership. Anal play isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and if it’s not yours, that’s totally okay and you’re allowed to set boundaries. As with any sexual activity, everybody involved should be enthusiastic and consenting! That’s alwayssssss step number 1!
2. Douche (if you want to)
When thinking about how you might prepare for anal play, you might think about how you can make sure everything is cleanly. After all, you’re going to be playing with the part of your body that you quite literally poop from.
A good start would be to wash the anus and surrounding area with soap and water, and your next option would be anal douching, which is a method of cleaning out the rectum using (you guessed it!) a douche. A douche is a small device that flushes water into the rectum to remove any residual feces or smells.
Fun fact: your body will naturally keep poo up high and out of the way in the colon until you’re ready for a bowel movement, meaning douching is not actually necessary for mess-free anal play! Aren’t our bodies wonderful? In the same breath, douching can still be incredibly beneficial for confidence and peace of mind. It’s completely normal to be worried about poo making an appearance, and while totally optional, douching can ease your worries and prevent you from getting stuck in your head at a time you should be solely thinking about pleasure.
If you do decide to douche, we’d recommend Neroli, our anal douche, and to keep to the following instructions around 30 minutes to 2 hours before playtime.
- Fill the douche with warm water.
- Insert the nozzle into the anus (be sure to use a dash of lube for comfort and ease of insertion).
- Gently squeeze the bulb, allowing the water to enter and cleanse the anal canal and rectum.
- Remove the nozzle and allow the water to exit via the anus.
- Repeat until the water flows clear.
It’s a good idea to do this over the toilet, and you should limit anal douching to no more than once per day and no more than 2-3 times per week to avoid irritating the lining of your rectum.
3. There’s no such thing as too much lube
And we mean it! The more lube, the better. Think slip ’n’ slide. The less friction, the more comfort, and the more comfort, the more pleasure. Because, and don’t forget, there’s definitely such thing as not enough lube.
Unlike the vagina and the mouth, the derrière is not self-lubricating. We repeat! The derrière IS NOT SELF LUBRICATING! Well, if you want to get technical, there is a small amount of mucus produced by the anal ducts when the rectum is getting ready to dispel a big ol’ poop… but while it might be just enough lube to push a poo out, it’s definitely not enough to put things like toys, fingers, and penises in.
Too little lube, or disregarding lubricant altogether, can result in discomfort, tears in the rectal lining, a ticket to haemorrhoid city, and if the penetration is penile, injury to the penis such as tearing of the frenulum (commonly known as the banjo string). Ouch to all of the above.
When choosing a lubricant, always make sure it’s compatible with any toys or condoms you might be using. You usually can’t go wrong with a water-based lube like Simply Lube.
Simply Lube is a vegan, cruelty-free, and kind-to-your-skin personal lubricant. It’s made with 99.2% organic ingredients and comes in a compostable bottle (so that you can fuck yourself without fucking the planet!) and of course, it’s water-based, which means it’s toy safe and condom compatible. Simply Lube comes in two editions, Aloe Vera and Wild Strawberry!
4. Keep a towel or some wipes nearby (just in case!)
Yes, even though your body will naturally keep poo up high and even if you’ve douched in preparation, there’s still always a possibility of poo making an appearance during anal play. And let’s make this totally clear, if that happens, it’s normal and it’s nothing to make a big deal out of! Anyone who is grown up enough to participate in anal play is also grown up enough to understand that it’s possible for fecal matter to be present in your literal bum hole.
This is why it’s always a smart move to keep some wet wipes or a towel handy so that if anything does appear, it can be promptly, discreetly, and respectfully wiped away.
5. Start small and build up to bigger
It can be a good idea to ease yourself into anal play, rather than diving right into full penetration or a toy bigger than you might be used to. A finger, a butt plug, or some anal beads would be a good place to begin. You could even opt for a set of variously sized butt plugs, so you can start small and gradually move up in size as the area stretches and you become more comfortable with insertion. There’s no need to dive right in with the end goal! Enjoy the journey to getting there.
How to Clean and Take Care of Your Anal Sex Toys
Cleaning and maintaining your anal sex toys is essential for hygiene and longevity, and all sex toys should be cleaned before and after every use.
Each toy can be different to clean depending on its type, material, and whether or not the toy is waterproof. It’s important to read the manufacturer’s advice for each specific toy.
For a thorough clean, it’s recommended to use a cleaner specifically for sex toys, like Simply Toy Cleaner! That way you can make sure it’s compatible with the material of your toy and be certain it’s doing the job properly. In the case of any toy cleaner, always follow the instructions on the bottle.
When it comes to storing, first of all, make sure the toy is fully dry post-clean before putting it away and then the general rule of thumb is to keep your sex toys in a cool dry place, but again, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s advice for each individual toy. Sex toys also often come packaged in a cute little storage pouch or case to keep the toy dust-free. Ours certainly do!
Safety During Anal Play and When Using Anal Sex Toys
Just like any other sexual encounters, it’s important to be safe when participating in anal fun! Things to think about include making sure your toys are made with a body-safe material (like silicone, borosilicate glass, or sanitary-grade metal), making sure you clean your toys properly and thoroughly before and after every use with a sex toy cleaner, and listening to your body both with what feels good and when something doesn’t feel right.
Anal play shouldn’t hurt, and if it does, stop! While anal sex can be uncomfortable if not done properly, it should not be painful. With proper lubrication, relaxation, and communication, it can be a pleasurable experience. Pain is often a sign that you need to slow down, use more lube, or try a different angle.
Sexually transmitted infections are still very much possible with anal sex. It’s always recommended to protect against STIs with a condom. With anal play, there’s also the added element of feces containing bacteria. Bacteria from poo particles coming into contact with the penis or vagina puts you at increased risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections).
During penetrative anal sex, using a condom is essential to prevent spreading the bacteria into the urethra of the penis. Protection will also prevent bacteria from entering the mouth or vagina if you’re switching holes, but only if you use a new condom when moving bases!
When it comes to anal sex toys (pun intended), it’s also important to use a condom if you’re sharing the toy(s) with a new, casual, or non-monogamous partner, or again, if you’re switching holes with the toy(s). In these cases, you’ll need to change the protection whenever the toy is swapped from person to person. Putting a condom on the toy and then sharing the condom would be the same as just sharing the toy without the condom, so make sure you switch them up between each of you! If a toy is only being used on one person, a condom isn’t a necessity as long as you’re cleaning the toy thoroughly between uses (and between holes).
As we touched on a little earlier, the material of your toy does come into consideration in the safety department. If your anal toy or dildo is made of a porous material (meaning it can absorb bacteria), like jelly rubber, some kind of barrier protection like a condom will actually be necessary with every use, no matter how thoroughly you’ve cleaned it!
Lastly, before any kind of butt stuff and anytime you’re using toys with a partner, always always always ask for consent before going anywhere near their bum and before using a toy on another person. Even if they’ve already consented to the sex! “Can I touch you here?” or a simple “Can I use this toy on you?” is all it takes!
Anal Myths and Misconceptions
We serve to you, five of the top myths and misconceptions when it comes to anal sex and anal play. Let’s put them to bed, shall we?
1. “Only gay men enjoy anal sex”
Enjoying anal sex doesn’t make you gay. Can somebody shout it louder for the people in the back? Enjoying anal sex doesn’t make you gay!
Anal is for everybody who has a bum hole, and everybody who likes playing with bum holes. Anal play can be enjoyed by people of all genders and sexual orientations. It’s a matter of personal preference and can be a pleasurable experience for anyone.
The only anal sex scenario that would make you gay, is if you’re a man and you’re having anal sex with another man. And you’re enjoying it.
It’s actually very(!) common for straight men to enjoy anal stimulation, as most men have a prostate gland. The prostate is located between the penis and the bladder, and can be incredibly pleasurable when stimulated via the anus. A lot of straight men enjoy pegging, which is when a woman penetrates a man’s anus with a strap-on dildo. Again, it’s a common misconception that pegging makes a man gay, to which we ask; Fellas, is it gay to have sex with a woman?
2. “Anal penetration is painful”
At its worst, anal sex can be uncomfortable. It shouldn’t be painful!
If you feel pain, it could be for one of the following reasons.
- Not enough lube! The wetter the better!
- Tensing. Maybe you’re not relaxed enough, and it’s causing you to tense up.
- You might need to take it a little slower.
- The position is uncomfortable – try another one!
- Starting off too big for your experience level. If you’re not used to anal, starting with something on the smaller side, like a butt plug or a finger, can help you ease into it and make the experience more comfortable.
- You could have an underlying medical issue in that area, such as haemorrhoids or anal fissures.
3. “You need to douche before anal play otherwise it’ll be messy”
Anal douching is totally optional and is for peace of mind and confidence more than anything. Your body naturally keeps poo out of the way of any areas you’d be penetrating, storing it in the colon until you’re ready for a bowel movement, meaning it’s unlikely to be ‘messy’ even without douching.
However, there’s always a chance of some residual feces being present in the rectum whether you douche or not, but it shouldn’t be a large amount and can be easily, discreetly, and respectfully wiped away with a spare towel or a wet wipe.
4. “Women can’t enjoy anal stimulation, because they don’t have a prostate”
False! People of all genders, including women and those without a prostate, can enjoy anal play. The anal area still has many nerve endings that can provide pleasure, and many women find anal play super hot!
5. “No need for lube, a bit of spit and you’ll be good to go!”
While you can get away just using a bit of hawk tuah for vaginal penetration, anal penetration needs more! The anus is not self-lubricating, and a lack of lubricant can cause pain, discomfort, bleeding, and haemorrhoids. For a comfortable and safe experience for everyone involved, lube is necessary!
More FAQs about Anal Sex Toys and Anal Play
Can you lose things up there?
Yes. But not as long as you use toys specifically designed for anal use. Anal sex toys will have a flanged end or a ‘stopper’ to prevent anything from getting lost in the tunnel. If there’s no flanged end on your toy, or you’re putting random everyday objects up there, the sphincter muscles are super strong and can pull the toy or object inside of you, beyond your reach and potentially ending in a visit to A&E. And you might find that embarrassing enough that you’ll wish you too, could also be swallowed up by your anus with no return. So make sure you’re using the proper toys!
Toys designed for vaginal use, like dildos and vibrators may not be suitable for anal use, because unlike the anus, things cannot get lost in the vagina, as there’s only so far it can go.
My partner wants to try anal play, but I’m not really into it. What do I do?
Communication is so key, and if your partner wants to try something, but you don’t – just tell them that! A respectful sexual partner, while they could be disappointed, will understand and accept your boundaries after you’ve discussed them.
It’s important not to feel pressured into trying something new (like anal) if it’s not something you’re interested in. If a partner is putting pressure on you, show them the front door! And to be clear, that’s not a euphemism. Literally show them the front door and say adios!
How do I convince my partner to try anal?
You don’t! If anal play is something you’d like to try with your partner, communicate that to them and be respectful of their decision should they not want to take part. Hope that helps!
Can you use anal sex toys in water?
We’re seeing more and more waterproof options in the sex toy industry, and most non-vibrating anal toys will be waterproof by default. Regardless, you should still always check the description and manufacturer’s instructions to check whether or not they can be used in water. This is especially important with vibrating toys because there are electronics involved!
Will anal play smell?
It’s common to be worried about unpleasant smells during anal play, and yes there’s always a possibility of odors occurring during play, but it shouldn’t be anything too crazy! There are things you can do to minimize smells, like cleaning the area and anal douching.
Can anal sex toys cause damage?
When used safely and correctly, anal sex toys should not cause damage. However, using toys that are too large, not using enough lubrication, or inserting anything too quickly can cause discomfort or injury. As long as you go slowly, use plenty of lube, and listen to your body, you’ll be fine!
What kind of lube should I use?
There are different kinds of lube and it’s important to make sure the one you decide to use is compatible with your toys and/or condoms. We recommend water-based lube, as it’s usually the overall safest option. It’s almost always safe to use with sex toys and condoms.
Silicone-based lube is usually compatible with condoms, and some sex toy materials, such as glass and metal, but it can break down and degrade the material of silicone toys. Oil-based lubricant is compatible with most sex toys, but is not safe to use with condoms as it can break down the material of the condom, making them less effective.
Can I use anal sex toys for vaginal/clit play, too?
Sure! You can totally use your anal toys in different areas too. However, due to bacteria in the rectum, anything that has been used anally will need to be washed thoroughly with a toy cleaner before it goes anywhere else. Otherwise, you may end up with a higher risk of BV (Bacterial Vaginosis), UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections), and other infections.
If you’re using condoms over your toys, the condom will need to be changed for a fresh one after it has been used anally to prevent bacteria from spreading via the condom.
