Calming Your Nervous System Can Work Wonders on Digestive Issues and Anxiety, According to RDs. Here’s How

Cold water stimulates the vagus nerve, supporting physical, emotional, and mental regulation. Try an ice pack or cold water on your face if you don’t love the idea of cold showers or swimming in freezing waters (like me).

An estimated 40 percent of adults in the U.S. have tried anal sex—though that number may actually be higher, given the shame around honestly reporting sex acts. But until it’s 100 percent, I will be singing its praises because TBH, anal can be pretty great. “Your butt has among the highest concentration of nerve endings in your entire body,” says sex educator Tatyannah King. And as a result, “both internal and external anal stimulation has a lot of potential to be pleasurable,” she says. The best butt plugs, or toys designed to fit inside the butthole, are designed to offer some of both, whether you’re an anal newbie or aficionado.

In particular, King says that butt plugs can facilitate a pleasurable feeling of fullness and provide direct stimulation of the prostate or indirect stimulation of the G-spot, depending on your anatomy. Plugs can also serve as a feel-good stepping stone for anyone interested in trying anal penetration with larger things (like a penis or anal dildo) down the line, says psychotherapist Rachel Wright, LMFT, host of The Wright Conversations podcast, and teacher of the online workshop Butt Stuff 101.

“One of the coolest things about butt plugs is that they may be enjoyed by people of any gender, sexual orientation, or genital make-up.” —Rachel Wright, LMFT, sex educator and psychotherapist

If you’ve already come to the conclusion that there are a bunch of reasons to give butt plugs a try, you’d be correct! But picking the best butt plug for you can be tricky, as there are dozens of different types on the market, from vibrating butt plugs to textured options, silky-smooth silicone ones to hefty glass and stainless steel choices, and options ranging in size, length, and girth. Below, you’ll find a guide to help make buying a great butt plug as easy as possible, including what to look for, how to use it, and naturally, the best options on the market for beginners, advanced anal explorers, and everyone in between.

Best butt plugs at a glance:

Best overall: Doc Johnson Mood Naughty 1 – Small 3″, $24
Runner-up: Unbound Babes Nudge, $25
Best for beginners: Maude Cone, $30
Best on a budget: Durex Pop & Buzz Vibrating Butt Plug, $40
Best vibrating, beginner: b-Vibe Vibrating Snug Plug 1, $95
Best vibrating, advanced: FemmeFunn Funn Plug, $90
Best rimming: b-Vibe Rimming Plug Petite, $160
Best app-controlled: We-Vibe Ditto, $140
Best remote-controlled: b-Vibe Vibrating Jewel Plug S/M, $125
Best value: Cake Tush Pops, $32
Best beaded: Tantus Ripple Small, $31
Best textured: b-Vibe Texture Plug, $90
Best stainless steel, beginner: Njoy Pure Plug, $70
Best stainless steel, advanced: Le Wand Swerve, $135
Best glass: Biird Anii Glass Anal Plug, $39
Best thrusting: Playboy Pleasure Trust The Thrust Butt Plug, $110
Best for anal training: Doc Johnson Mood Naughty Trainer Set, $40
Best lifelike: Uberrime The Sentio Vaginal & Butt Plug, $59
Best for fantasy play: Cute Little Fuckers Princette Puppypuss Vibrating Butt Plug, $69
Best for prostate play: b-Vibe Rocker Plug, $90
Runner-up for prostate play: Aneros Helix Trident Prostate Tool, $55
Best with a tail: Tailz Fluffy Bunny Anal Plug, $36
Best luxury: Lelo Olga, $3,490

What are butt plugs?

Put simply, “butt plugs are plugs that go in the butt,” says sexologist Jess O’Reilly, PhD, host of the Sex With Dr. Jess podcast, sex expert at Lovehoney, and co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Seduction and Foreplay. These toys have a flared base and are designed to stay in the butt for an extended period of time—generally until the end of sexual play, or until the toy stops being pleasurable. (Most experts recommend keeping them in for 30 minutes or less, Dr. O’Reilly says).

Butt plugs are typically carrot- or cone-shaped. “Usually, they have a tapered tip for smooth entry, a broadened midsection that goes inside the anus, and then a tapered neck with a flared base that enables the toy to stay on the outside of the butt,” says Dr. O’Reilly.

There are also butt plugs that are shaped like commas, which are usually marketed as prostate plugs, says Wright. ICYDK: The prostate is a chestnut-sized pleasure zone located a few inches below the bladder in most people assigned male at birth. “A butt plug with a slight curve and bulbous end will reach and apply feel-good pressure to it more easily than a standard, pine-tree-shaped butt plug will,” she says. (That said, people assigned male at birth can enjoy standard butt plugs, too.)

“One of the coolest things about butt plugs is that they may be enjoyed by people of any gender, sexual orientation, or genital make-up,” says Wright. After all, everyone has a butt.

Why should I use a butt plug?

“There are many, many reasons someone might be into butt plugs,” says Dr. O’Reilly. But all of them come down to a single word: pleasure.

As mentioned earlier, the anal opening is chock-full of thousands of nerve endings, which can get stimulated in a pleasurable way when a butt plug is being inserted, explains King. Once the plug is inserted, it can also apply pressure—and sometimes vibration—to the nerves lining the anal canal, which can also feel good, she says.

“If you have a prostate, a butt plug can provide pressure against that pleasure zone,” adds Dr. O’Reilly. Meanwhile, if you were assigned female at birth (and do not have a prostate), the plug can indirectly stimulate your G-spot (one of the internal vaginal pleasure zones), since the anal canal and vaginal canal are next-door neighbors, explains King.

You can also use a butt plug to “tip-toe into double penetration [aka penetrating more than one hole at once],” says Wright. Specifically, double penetration that features simultaneous vaginal and anal penetration can be an enjoyable way for people with vaginas to enjoy the sensation of being stretched or “filled up,” she says. Even combining the smallest butt plug with vaginal penetration can be incredibly intense, which can also foster greater communication and intimacy between the partners involved.

Because anal play is often considered “hardcore” or “kinky,” using a butt plug can also be arousing for individuals who are turned on by the idea of a little risk or taboo, and can help facilitate the exploration of certain BDSM dynamics, adds Wright.

What should I look for in a butt plug?

Flared base

“A flared base is the broad name for any base that is wider than the largest portion of the toy,” says Wright. It is essential for safe anal play, says King, because it prevents toys from getting lost in your rectum. Your rectum keeps going up and up and up to the digestive tract, she explains, “so if you lose your grip [on a toy without a flared base], you could end up in the ER,” she says. (This is not a concern for toys going inside the vaginal canal; the cervix separates the vagina from the rest of your body, keeping any toy from traveling too far.)

The flared-base design can also enhance your enjoyment of the toy. It might have a big ring to facilitate easy removal, for example, or be slim enough to fit comfortably between your bum cheeks. There are also flared bases designed in such a way that they help you lean into a particular kink or aesthetic, Wright says (think: a dangling tail added onto the end of a plug).

Material

Always pick sex toys that are made from non-porous materials, which are materials like silicone that are totally free from microscopic holes that could harbor bacteria. This is especially important for toys going inside the body, as the vaginal and anal microbiomes are incredibly sensitive to foreign pathogens. (Introducing a sex toy into your body that potentially contains bacteria or viral particles increases your risk of infection, irritation, or general discomfort.)

Dr. O’Reilly says people who are brand-new to butt plugs may want to opt for silicone, which tends to be softer than other body-safe materials like borosilicate glass and stainless steel. As such, silicone toys can provide a more subtle sensation.

Butt plugs made from steel or glass are good options for more experienced anal sex-havers who are particularly turned on by the sensation of internal pressure. The rigidity of steel and glass toys enables them to deliver a firmer, pressure-laden sensation, Dr. O’Reilly says. Steel tends to be the heaviest, while glass sex toys lie somewhere between silicone and steel options.

Size

“Plugs come in different sizes and shapes,” says Dr. O’Reilly. The best size and shape for you will depend on your particular anatomy and anal experience level. Beginners should opt for butt plugs specifically marketed as being for beginners, which will generally be no thicker than one inch and feature no more than three inches of insertable length.

“It can take a while to build up your tolerance for the more sizable anal penetration devices,” says King. Trying to go too big, too soon can make the sensation not just painful, but dangerous, she says. The tissues lining the anal canal are as delicate as a softboy’s heart, and are susceptible to micro-tears, she says. Ouch! You simply won’t be able to use a butt plug that is bigger than your current tolerance level, she says, making your purchase a waste. (Unsurprisingly, you can’t return a used butt plug.)

Vibration

Some butt plugs vibrate, adding an additional layer to the experience.“Vibrating butt plugs can transmit rumbly vibrations inside the anal canal that stimulate the G-zone or prostate,” explains Lisa Finn, sex educator at sex-toy emporium Babeland.

Most vibrating butt plugs come with a remote control so that you do not need to reach behind you and/or into your cheeks to moderate the intensity. If you are planning to use your vibrating butt plug during solo sex and you have any mobility limitations that would make pressing small buttons between your legs difficult, choosing a remote-controlled toy is essential.

Some butt plugs can also be controlled via a downloadable app on your phone. Whereas remote controls can typically only moderate the motor if they’re within 30 (or so) feet of the plug, an app can be used to adjust the vibration settings of a toy from wherever—so if you’re looking to use a vibrating butt plug with a long-distance lover (see: the best long-distance sex toys), you’ll want to choose one with app-based controls.

How do I use a butt plug safely?

1. Start with foreplay

You can use butt plugs during solo or partnered sex. But before you start, ahem, plugging away, King recommends spending at least 15 minutes getting in the mood. “Spending ample time on foreplay will prepare the body to become as aroused as possible, which helps your butt muscles to relax enough for butt-plug insertion to be pleasurable,” she says. Foreplay looks different for different people but could include kissing, nipple stimulation, oral sex, fingering, butt massage, and playing with other toys.

2. Use lube (and lots of it)

The anal canal does not self-lubricate, “so you need to make sure you’re applying a generous amount of store-bought anal lube to the plug and your hole, and continuing to add more when needed,” says Dr. O’Reilly. This is not the time to be stingy.

An important note: If you’re using a silicone butt plug, be sure to use a water-based lube rather than a silicone-based lube, which can deteriorate the material of a silicone sex toy over time, King says.

3. Take it slow

“Anal penetration should not be painful, so move slowly,” says Dr. O’Reilly. (Once more for the people in the back: Anal penetration should never, ever be painful!)

“Start with something small,” Dr. O’Reilly suggests. At first, that might even just be a pinky finger. “Gradually, you can increase the depth of penetration, as well as the size of the penetrating device [or body part] as the body becomes accustomed to anal penetration,” she says.

How to clean a butt plug

Given that butt plugs go into the bacteria-laden place where poop comes out, it’s especially important to clean them post-use. “Most butt plugs will have cleaning instructions from the manufacturer right on the box,” says Dr. O’Reilly. Typically, this will involve washing with fragrance-free soap and water. “[This] will properly clean any toy made from a non-porous material,” says Finn, as are all of the toys on this list of best butt plugs.

Alternatively, you can use a store-bought sex toy cleaner. And some toys can also be placed into boiling water or thrown on the top rack of the dishwasher to better sanitize them (but check the label first).

23 best butt plugs, according to sex educators

Best overall:

Doc Johnson Mood Naughty 1 – Small 3″ — $24.00

The butt plug metaphorically rocking a gold medal around its neck is the Doc Johnson Mood Naughty 1. This small anal plug is about the size of your pinky finger: one inch in diameter at its thickest part with three inches of insertable length. “It has a really nice, graduated tapered tip for easy insertion,” explains Finn. It’s made of body-safe silicone, meaning it’s flexible enough to move with your body.

While the base of the toy is flared enough to keep use safe, it isn’t so bulky that it is uncomfortable for longer-term wear. You could wear this plug while lying on your back—like during missionary sex, for example—without feeling like there’s a massive toy in your butt, says Finn.

Material: Silicone
Dimensions: 1 x 3.5 inches
Insertable length: 3 inches
Vibration: No
Power type: N/A
Waterproof: Yes

Pros:

Beginner-friendly length and girth
Slimmer flared base for comfortable long-term wear
Waterproof
Easy to clean

Cons:

Not motorized
Like other silicone toys, incompatible with silicone-based lubricant
Not optimal for prostate stimulation