Why You Can Trust CNET Best Vibrator for 2023
From bullets to air suction, these are the bestselling and highest-rated vibrators out there.
Editors' note: This story contains frank discussions of sexual wellness that may not be suitable for younger readers.
Move over neon-colored and animal-themed vibrators from the '90s and early '00s. Today's vibrator's are sophisticated and designed to prioritize safety and function as well as pleasure. There's a vibrator out there for every taste and preference, whether you like a simple bullet or something more elaborate.
As candid conversations about women's sexuality in TV shows and movies have become commonplace (who could forget the Rabbit
from Sex in the City?), we've seen more folks buying sex toys and more advanced sex toys hitting the market, designed for every need or desire. According to a 2017 survey, vibrators make up more than 70% of the sex toys owned by people who identify as women.In this sex-positive climate, shopping for the best sex toys has never been easier. Gone are the days of visiting a sleazy adult shop to find a toy. Today, you can buy some of the best vibrators on Amazon, at Urban Outfitters and even from Walmart. And modern adult-oriented stores like Good Vibrations and Babeland also offer inviting shopping experiences and large, curated selections to choose from. Your choices include everything from simple, single-setting vibrators to vibes with multiple vibration patterns, along with more advanced devices that mimic human movements like thrust or oral sex through the use of microrobotics.
Our picks for the best vibrator include models to suit every preference and budget, whether you want a toy that's entirely focused on clitoral stimulation or something penetrative for internal stimulation.
A quick primer on vibrators
"If you look at the categories of vibrators, you can kind of pare down everything into wands, 'twice as nice' and bullets," says Coyote Amrich, director of purchasing and product development for Good Vibrations and Babeland.
Bullet and wand vibrators do the same thing -- external stimulation on parts of your body, such as the clitoris. While "bullet" often describes small, bullet-shaped vibrators, Amrich uses that label more broadly to categorize vibrators that focus on clitoral stimulation and aren't specifically designed to be inserted into the body. You can find bullets in countless designs, from a lemon to a tube of lipstick and everything in between.
Wand vibrators have a handle with a rounded top that vibrates, and they're available in many different sizes. Twice as nice vibrators are designed to be inserted into the body to stimulate the G-spot and have an appendage that also stimulates the clitoris at the same time. That Rabbit vibrator that took the world by storm is a "twice as nice."
As vibrators have become more mainstream, the types of products available have expanded. For example, in the last few years, so-called air suction devices have seen a surge of popularity, starting with the launch of the Womanizer (yes, I also cringe at that toy name) a few years back. Because of their popularity, there are air suction devices on this list, too.
Whether you're new to vibrators or want to add to your toy collection, these are some of the best vibrator styles and models you can buy today. We'll update this list periodically as we review new products.
If your idea of the best vibrator is a basic vibrator or an entry-level device, buy this. The PlusOne Vibrating Bullet is made of body-safe silicone, it's rechargeable, waterproof and only costs $10 -- which is far less expensive than many battery-operated plastic models you can find. It has 10 vibration settings and more than 1,000 five-star reviews, so it's a safe bet.
If and when you're ready to upgrade from a bullet vibrator to something bigger and insertable, try the Je Joue G-Spot Bullet Vibrator. Yes, I know Je Joue calls it a bullet, but it's bigger and more versatile than its name suggests. It has a bulbous tip designed to stimulate the G-spot, but it can also be used for external simulation.
With five speed settings and seven vibration pattern options, it'll work for most people's stimulation preferences. The soft-touch silicone and jewel-toned color makes it look far more sophisticated than many inexpensive plastic vibrators out there.
Maybe you want to find the best vibrator that at first glance doesn't look like one. Enter Pep, a small, quiet egg-shaped vibrator that could be mistaken for a high-tech makeup sponge or skincare device.
For such a small package, it packs a lot of features with five speeds, three vibration patterns and a fully waterproof design (up to three feet). The unique shape allows you to experiment with different types of stimulation, and the squishy feeling of the silicone makes it more comfortable against your body than a rigid plastic vibrator -- trust me.
For less than $50, it's a fantastic option for beginners and anyone who's already got toys in their arsenal.
You can't talk about the best vibrator without talking about the Magic Wand. This classic vibrator has been around for decades and is still one of the best selling toys on the market. In fact, it's the top-selling vibrator for both Good Vibrations and online adult store Lovehoney.
"The Magic Wand is still our No. 1 seller. We carry other wands, but it's still the best. It has a reputation like no other," says Amrich. The $70 model has a classic design that provides powerful vibration and must be plugged in while in use, while the newer, rechargeable model is $150.
Be warned that this vibrator is very powerful and gives intense stimulation, so it probably shouldn't be the first vibrator that you buy.
If you'd prefer a more compact wand, or one that's battery operated, try the Vibratex Mystic Wand Vibrator ($80). It's made by the same company as the Magic Wand, but is much smaller and easier to travel with.
Neither of the above wand vibrators are fully waterproof, so if you're looking for that particular feature, try the Satisfyer Wand-er Woman. It's waterproof (IPX7), comes with five vibration intensities and 10 different patterns and has an extra-long wand massager design to help you reach basically anywhere, which is helpful for people with larger bodies or limited mobility.
If you're looking for an upgraded version, check out Satisfyer's new Double Wand-er, which has interchangeable heads.
Bender is the opposite of a rabbit vibrator -- it's smaller, more minimalist and bendable -- but this vibrating toy is designed to work just like one. You can bend this small vibrator to fit your body, a huge plus if you feel like most vibrators don't work with your anatomy. Because it's so compact, you can use it with a partner too. It has 10 vibration speeds and patterns and is made from body-safe silicone.
The Womanizer was the first air suction toy of its kind and it completely transformed the sex toy industry. It uses pulses of air and gentle vibrations on and around the clitoris to simulate the feeling of oral sex and oral stimulation, and because of that, it's become hugely popular in the last few years.
The Womanizer Premium 2 is the brand's newest version, which it calls the "Prada of sex toys." It's fully waterproof and offers 14 intensity levels to fit most anyone's needs and has an autopilot feature that controls the pulses of air and vibrations for you. "It's really a great option because it has Smart Silence, so when it's touching your body, it turns on and then when you pull it away from your body, it turns off," says Amrich.
I totally get that $200 is a lot for a sex toy you might not like until you try it. That's where Satysfier comes in. Its Pro 2 model offers a similar clitoral stimulation to the Womanizer, but for much less. It also has a whisper-quiet motor and is waterproof. You don't get all of the same features as you would with the Womanizer Premium (like the autopilot or Smart Silence features), but at that price, I wouldn't expect them.
If you want vibration and air suction, try the newer Pro 2 Plus which combines both sensations.
This two-in-one vibrator has a far more modern design than the original Rabbit vibrator. It's more advanced too. It uses "WaveMotion technology" that allows the larger arm of the Ina Wave 2 to curl in the same way human fingers making a "come hither" gesture do. That finger-like motion stimulates the G-spot, while the external arm acts as a clitoral stimulator.
Another highly praised rabbit-style vibrator is the We Vibe Nova ($149), which features a flexible arm that moves with you and has 10 vibration settings.
If you struggle to achieve an orgasm and can't pinpoint why, the Lioness Vibrator 2.0 was designed for you.
It uses built-in sensors to see how your body responds to it in real time, and offers insight on what kind of stimulation works best for your sexual pleasure via a companion app. Even if you don't struggle to have an orgasm, but just want more data on the ones you have, this is your best bet. Of course, you'll have to be OK with using a vibrator that collects anonymous data about you.
All of those sensors and data don't come cheap though. This luxury sex toy will set you back a couple hundred dollars.
How I chose these products
To pick the best vibrator products for this list, I started with data on the bestselling vibrators from some of the biggest online adult stores, including Good Vibrations, Babeland and Lovehoney. I consulted with experts in the field about the current product landscape and picked brands that have a reputation for creating high-quality products. I also scoured sites that review sex toys for recommendations.
I only chose vibrators made out of body-safe, nonporous materials: 100% silicone (not silicone blends) and hard plastic. According to Planned Parenthood, sex toy products made from silicone blends, jelly rubber, PVC, vinyl, TPR, TPE, elastomer or other rubbery plastics can absorb germs that can lead to infections, even if you wash them diligently.
Look out for knockoffs
While shopping for vibrators online -- especially on Amazon and eBay -- you'll see a ton of knockoffs. By that I mean products that look like the ones listed here, and may even have similar names, but are less expensive than the name-brand ones. Buying one of these cheaper vibrators isn't like buying cheap knockoff Apple AirPods. Cheap headphones might have so-so sound quality, or might break down after six months, but they won't harm you. But because you use a vibrator on sensitive parts of your body, using one made out of unsafe materials can cause serious health issues.
There are two things to watch out for: a suspiciously low price, and no information on what it's made of. If you find a vibrator that looks just like an expensive vibrator with a much lower price tag, or one that doesn't specifically call out what materials it's made of, steer clear.