Where do I get birth control and which one should I get? What does an orgasm feel like? How the hell do you do butt stuff? We answer all these questions in our new column about sex. Say hello to The Big O.
by Trisha O’Bannon
Toys are the unsung heroes of sex. There’s a toy for every need – from stimulating your clit, to orgasm to delaying orgasm, from solo aides, to intimate couples massagers.
If you’ve ever been even just a tiny bit curious and found yourself Googling sex toys, you’ll know that there are just. So. Many. Damn. Kinds. Should I pick up a dildo or a vibrator? What brands should I choose? Why is everything so expensive?!
You can definitely shop around for sex toys online, especially if you can’t quite muster up the balls to walk into a sex shop, but I always recommend looking at and feeling out the products in person. An online review or description is nothing compared to actually experiencing the sensation, and something that sounds like it’s what you want may not actually deliver.
Analie, the manager at local sex shop Love Corner, says that some customers will go to great lengths to test out their toys…without ever setting foot in their shop. “May nag-tetext sa amin…demo mo daw ang item sa kaniya. Bayaran niya ang isang araw mong sweldo, basta demo mo sa kanya in a private place.”
They don’t actually do private demos, so don’t get any ideas. But if you’re still too shy to step foot in a sex store and want to know where to start, here’s a list of sex toys at every price point, and for every kind of pervert out there.
For the Newbie
Antony (Pretty Love)
This waterproof g-spot vibrator is just the right size to get the job done without being intimidating. If you want something discreet but powerful for your first toy, Antony hits all the sweet spots with 10 vibration functions, all for under a thousand bucks.
Price: P900
Master Orgasm (Pretty Love)
True to its name, the Master Orgasm is a solid introduction to the world of full-sized sex toys with 7 different modes. It’s also USB rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about springing for batteries every time you run out of juice.
Price: P3120
Mia 2 & Liv 2 (Lelo)
If you want to buy a sex toy but don’t want to announce it to the world, the Mia 2 is a discreet USB-chargeable lipstick vibrator that looks right at home in your purse or on your desk. If you want something a bit bigger, spring for the Liv 2, a sleek but powerful mid-size vibe. The price tag is a bit steep since Lelo is one of the top luxury brands, but all of their products do come with a 1-year warranty and 10-year guarantee.
Price: Mia 2, P6760; Liv 2, P9300
For the More Adventurous
Luxe Sex Harness (Chisa)
This sex harness doesn’t come with a penis with which to peg your partner, but it does work with any suction-cup dildo.
Price: P1500
Kegel Master (Magic Motion)
Kegel exercises are used to strengthen your pelvic control, helping support your uterus, bladder, and other organs. But this is a sex toy list, and yes, kegels can also improve your orgasms. The Kegel Master helps you work out your PC muscles, and also comes with an instructive app to guide you through the process.
Price: P3250
Ina Wave (Lelo)
The Ina Wave boasts 10 vibrating intensities and patterns, an adjustable clit stimulator, and a curved tip to reach your g-spot. Unlike other vibrators, this one also has Lelo’s WaveMotion technology which provides a rising and falling “come-hither” motion while it vibrates.
Price: P11,880
For Him
Cobra (Pretty Love)
Cock rings are meant to help men last longer in bed, but the Cobra is not just your run-of-the-mill cock ring. It comes with a clit stimulator as well as a sensor button that makes the ring vibrate when you thrust, providing extra sensations for you and your partner.
Price: P650
Egg & 3D Sleeves (Tenga)
Tenga eggs are only single-use, but they’re also super cheap and come in a wide variety of textures. They even have Keith Haring eggs, if you ever wondered what it feels like to fuck some art. The 3D sleeves, on the other hand, are reusable – with the added bonus of looking like a great accent piece for your bedside table.
Price: Egg, P280; 3D Sleeves, P1580
Spotty (Nomi Tang)
Spotty is a good toy to have lying around for solo play or for sex. With 5 vibration modes and 3 revolving functions, this luxury prostate massager is a must-have for guys who want to up their pleasure.
Price: P5850
For Couples
Partner Toy (Couples)
Couples massagers are meant to be worn by women during sex to heighten pleasure, while still leaving space for her partner’s penis (or fingers, or another toy). Partner Toy is a no-nonsense multi-function vibrator that won’t break the bank.
Price: P1900
Lust (Pretty Love)
In the mid-range, we have the uniquely-shaped Lust couples massager by Pretty Love. It has not one, not two, not ten but THIRTY individually adjustable vibrations that pulse through two motors. The downside is that the controls are on the toy itself, but that’s a small price to pay for the sensations it gives.
Price: P6490
Sync (WeVibe)
My favorite toy on this entire list! The WeVibe Sync is the best in the couples massager market. It’s features dual stimulation, adjustable points, magnetic charging, and several different pulse modes. You can control the Sync with the remote up to 10 feet away, or via the free We-Connect app from anywhere in the world for some long-distance loving.
Price: P12,000
For Kinksters
Rope (Miz Zee & Love Toy)
Want to learn the intricacies of the art of shibari, or just need to restrain your partner for a hot romp? Rope is your friend. Both synthetic and cotton ropes are easy to clean and work with, making them perfect for beginners.
Price: Miz Zee synthetic rope, P235/10 meters; Love Toy cotton rope, P480/10 meters
Deluxe Bondage Kits (Love Toy)
You can choose from 6 different bondage kits to spice things up in the bedroom. Each kit contains a combination of three items: a mini-flog, tickler, handcuffs, ball gag, or blindfold.
Price: P1340-P2380
For the Backdoor
Butt Plugs (Black Mont)
Black Mont has butt plugs for every level of anal play, starting at a small 2.5” all the way up to 5-inchers. The soft silicone material means that these are a good choice for first-timers, and can be worn for long periods of time without any discomfort.
Price: P390-P1080
Jewel butt plug
This stainless steel butt plug might feel heavy for beginners, but the payoff is a more intense experience (especially if you incorporate hard spanking during sex). They’re easy to clean and compatible with all types of lube. And hey, nothing beats a bejeweled booty.
Price: P1090
Ditto (WeVibe)
Take butt stuff a step further with the Ditto, a vibrating anal plug. Like the Sync, the Ditto can be controlled via a remote or the We-Connect app on a phone.
Price: P8000
This is just the tip of the pleasure iceberg. There are literally thousands of different brands and toys, and finding the one that fits your needs and desires is easy with the right guide. Love Corner, where you can buy all of these toys, has very helpful and knowledgeable (and, most importantly, non-judgmental) staff that you can get recommendations from. They also have a loyalty program (of which I’m, of course, a member) where you can earn points for every P10 you spend. And if you spend at least P3000 – an easy amount to blow, believe me – you’ll also get free items to add to your collection.
Though it can be a little awkward at first, you’ll have no regrets once you bust out the toys. So, suck it up, and visit your nearest sex store! Play time isn’t just for kids anymore.