It’s been a long time since sex toys graced the mainstream culture. Although they were subject to taboo and social stigma, adult gadgets are now as common as anything else. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean everyone understands the difference between different types of them. Dildos and vibrators are so similar at first glance that you can’t blame laypeople for not knowing what separates them.
And in case you’re one of them, it’s your lucky day. We’re here to go through the ins and outs of these two classic toys. We’ll also help you choose the perfect one for you. Not only will you understand how to differentiate them, but you’ll also learn about everything they offer. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
The Difference in Function
Although both toys are phallic-shaped, they don’t have that much in common. Sure, they’re sex toys and serve to please, but they do it in two completely different ways. Moreover, dildos and vibrators come from different materials. But one thing’s for sure — both are great!
Dildos
Dildos are sex toys purely meant for insertion. They can work all your holes. And like many toys, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some even have a pair of balls on them, depicting a human penis faithfully. But that’s not all — you can get dildos looking like animal dongs as well.
As we’ve said, these boys stimulate your body by penetrating it. And since they’re used purely manually, it’s up to you how deep and how fast they’ll pound you. Namely, you can play with them in so many ways, even if they aren’t mechanical. Some dildos have suction cups that you can attach to a surface, meaning you can position yourself in various ways and simulate real-life sexual intercourse.
Vibrators
On the other hand, vibrators don’t aim to please you by insertion. They’re mechanical, meaning you don’t have to do all the work yourself. Depending on the model you choose, a vibrator will have different vibration speeds and modes. That way, you’ll be able to mix up your masturbating routine.
Like we’ve said, these guys vibrate (the name says it all), and so you can use them all over your body. You can please the inside of your vagina as well as just your clitoris. And if you choose to stimulate your clit, the best option is to use a bullet vibrator. But some can do both (rabbit vibrators), which means they penetrate and rub against your clitoris simultaneously.
But the fun doesn’t stop with your genitals. On the contrary, vibrators can stimulate most of your erogenous zones. That is what separates them from dildos — they serve more functions.
The Materials
Another difference between vibrators and dildos are the materials they are made of. Although dildos come in more shapes and sizes, vibrators don’t lack that far behind. It’s important to say that like other premium toys, vibrators and dildos feature only body-safe materials. Therefore, in most cases, people won’t have trouble fitting them inside their bodies.
Older dildos were usually wooden, but you can still find these types of toys nowadays. Moreover, some of the best dildos are made from expensive types of wood that serve to pleasure your body even better. Nevertheless, most of these manual boys come from body-safe plastic. Also, you can find them from jelly, silicone, TPE, ceramic, etc.
When it comes to vibrators, they’re mostly TPE, jelly, or silicone. The thing is, they vibrate and move. That makes it hard for more firm materials to come in use. Some expand, go left and right, up and down — you get the point. But what some toys they lack in materials, they offer with their multiple functions.
Which One to Choose?
Picking a toy can be a lot harder than you’d think. Since there are so many great ones out there, people often get confused with what they want and need. So if you add to that the fact that both have great qualities, it all comes down to personal preference.
It’d be best to get both and see how they function in your hands (and between your legs) before you say one is better than the other. But you can always write down on a piece of paper what you want from your toy. Do you want to be in control, or do you want it to go on random mode and play with you without your knowledge of what’s next?
Dildos might be better in recreating that phallic look since some have vain textures and a realistic head. Also, some pack a pair of testicles for you to enjoy too. But then again, vibrators might be more discrete and worn like necklaces. We know — it’s a tough choice to make, but it’s all up to you in the end.
Once again, our advice would be to get both but cheaper. That way, you can try them out in all sorts of ways, finally deciding what’s better for you. Afterward, gift yourself a more expensive and premium version of the one you enjoy more.
Safety Reminder
It’s important to mention some safety tips, no matter which toy you decide on. Although they’re made from body-safe materials, you can still hurt yourself if you’re not careful. Just like for real sex, it’s always better to lube both your toy and your body. That way, you’ll make the penetration more enjoyable and the possibility of hurting yourself almost nonexistent.
In addition to that, you must keep your toys clean at all times. Once you’re done playing around with them, wash or clean your toy with an adequate liquid or material. Depending on the vibrator or dildo you choose, you’ll see what the best way to keep them tidy is on the package it came in.
Hygiene is especially important if you’re willing to try anal action with either of these toys. There’s no reason to tell you what lies inside your rectal canal. So, cleaning both your booty and toy before and after the use is key. Also, don’t switch holes with the same toy without condoms. Mixing the bacteria from your anus and vagina can result in numerous nasty infections you don’t need. You might also want to know these things about sex toys from Buzzfeed.