Diva's Vibrator Buyer's Guide
Diva's Vibrator Buyer’s Guide
Darlings, are you in the dark when it comes to vibrators? Is the
array of products on the market causing your head to spin and your
blood sugar to drop? I wrote this article for those of you who
are either new to these must-have sex toys for women, or for those who
are baffled by the myriad of available products out there. But
first, I want to share the following points with you about the use of
vibrators:
- There is nothing wrong with using a vibrator, period.
- Using a vibrator doesn't make you a lesbian, so relax
- A vibrator is not a replacement for “the real thing”
- Vibrators can stimulate in ways the tongue or fingers cannot, no matter how good your lover or spouse is.
- Getting off with a vibrator just before going to sleep is a great alternative to pharmaceutical sleep aids
- The amount of choice you have with today’s vibrators is astounding
Now ladies, what should you consider when purchasing a vibrator?
Unless this is just an impulse buy (I do a lot of those), some thought
should go into your purchase to ensure you get a toy you’ll be
happy with. Below are some things to think about before going to
the store or shopping online:

Where will you use it?
On vacation. Think small, light, and possibly waterproof
depending on whether you might use it in the hot tub or on the beach
In the Bedroom. For this location you have a lot of
flexibility. Consider larger, more durable units,
battery-operated or plug-in, and multi-function varieties. The
vibe you choose for your bedroom will be your main one, so spend some
money and get a good one.
Shower / Bathtub / Spa. Definitely a waterproof vibe is in order,
but you might also want to look at ones that feature flashing lights or
glow in the dark, for example.
In the car. Go with something small and portable. For the
car it should be small enough to fit in the glove box without getting
crushed.
How long will you use it for?
For Years. Get a good one if you are the type of person who takes
care of your toys and if you plan to keep your vibe for a long
time. Spend some money; you'll be glad you did. You may
even want to consider a high-end, platinum or other exotic type of
vibrator if you intend to hold onto it for many years.
Temporarily. If you will only use the vibrator a few times or
less, go with an ultra cheap, Chinese-made model without a lot of bells
and whistles.

Battery Considerations
-
A more powerful toy generally requires bigger batteries and this equals a bigger/heavier toy
-
C and D battery-powered toys are heavier and bulkier
-
Quantity of batteries. A vibe that takes fewer batteries will be lighter and cost less to operate
-
Consider rechargeable batteries, particularly those with a rapid
recharge time of 15-20 minutes. Large warehouse stores are a good
place to find them. With rechargeable batteries you'll save money
in the long run, particularly if you are an avid toy user.
Noise
Less power does not always equal less noise. Less noise is beneficial
to avoid detection, that is, unless you prefer the thrill of getting
caught! Noise is a consideration when you wish to avoid bothering a
sleeping spouse, lover, or roommate. A toy that is too noisy may
turn you off of using it or may ruin the mood
Materials
Rubber – This material is
widely available and gives vibrators that use it a softer feel.
There are different kinds of rubber available, with some softer and
nicer than others. Some vibrators are solid rubber all the way
through, while others are made of hard plastic with a thin rubber
sleeve covering the inner core. Rubber vibrators may also feature
ribbing, grooves, or nubs for increased stimulation. These
properties make rubber a good choice for toys that you intend to use
for deeper penetration.
Silicone – Is very
sanitary in that it lends itself to easy cleanup and is not porous like
other materials may be. Silicone has a nice feel to the
skin. Silicone toys are less common than plastic or rubber toys,
although widely available
Plastic (hard) – The
cheaper vibes are made of hard plastic. These vibrators tend to
be entry-level types that work well as “starter” units for
those just getting into toy play or those looking for inexpensive
travel or disposable toys. Plastic vibrators tend not to be good
for deep penetration as there is no “give”, preventing them
from conforming comfortably to your body. They are best for
clitoral stimulation with minimal penetration.
Rubber Sleeve over Plastic
– Some manufacturers soften an otherwise hard plastic vibrator
through the use of a rubber sleeve that fits over the vibrator.
The rubber reduces but does not eliminate the hardness of a plastic
vibrator.

Glass (hard) – As you can
imagine, glass vibrators are hard and do not flex or bend at all.
However, they are ultra-cool looking, functional, and come in many
exciting shapes and designs. Some are almost too pretty to use,
tempting you to put them on display in a case rather than actually
using them.
Titanium (The Diva's choice)
– You won’t find too many vibrators made of this material
due to its expense. Titanium vibrators can easily run several
hundred dollars – but hey, you’re worth it, right? As
with the glass and plastic vibes, titanium vibrators don’t flex
or conform to your body. Some titanium vibrators are made from
medical-grade titanium and can be boiled for sanitation, are
waterproof, and dishwasher safe. If you’re a clean freak or
simply like to spoil yourself with luxury, this material might be right
for you.
Functions and Options
Multi-speed – cheaper
vibes will either turn off or on – that’s it. The
better models feature multi-speed operation with a control mechanism
allowing the user to select different rates of vibration.
Remote Controlled – there
are both wired and wireless remote controls available for some
models. There is a special thrill that comes from having your
lover remotely adjust the level of sensation you receive from a
particular toy.
Internet Enabled – Some
vibrators on the market allow the toy to be controlled via the
Internet. Your special friend can instant message you while at
the same time interacting remotely with your vibrator to send chills of
pleasure down your spine.
Cell phone Enabled –
There are products available to turn your cell phone into a
vibrator. When your lover sends a text message or calls you, the
vibrator attachment connected to the phone starts to buzz. I find
these types of toys to be somewhat gimmicky, but if you can’t get
enough use out of your cell phone talking into it all day, you may want
to check out one of these toys.
Waterproof – Not every
vibrator is waterproof. You specifically need to look for this
feature on the package. A waterproof vibrator is a sensible
choice for the pool/hot tub or the bathtub/shower.
Anatomically Correct –
Decide whether you want a penis-shaped vibe or one with different
contours. Personally, my lover provides me with all the cock I
need (grin), so in my vibrators I tend to look for smooth, sensuous
shapes or ribbing for a more intense climax.

G-spot Stimulation – Does
your lover have difficulty hitting your joy button? Don’t
despair ladies, as certain vibes are designed specifically for G-spot
stimulation. They have a shape that lends itself to easier G-spot
interaction than with standard vibes.
Combined anal and vaginal stimulation
- This feature is typically found on “rabbit” type
vibrators, although not exclusively so. Generally these types of
products feature a standard-looking vibrator with a secondary, smaller
tickler or protrusion for the anus. There are some very advanced
vibrators on the market with combined anal and vaginal stimulation,
some of which have been reviewed on this site.

Colors
Get a vibe in a color that fits your style and who you are. Have
fun with it. You might pick a Diva-ish pink or choose a color
that matches your sheets, for example. Widely available colors
include:
- Clear
- Fleshtones
- Pink
- Purple
- Chrome
- Many others
Price
- From around $5 to $550+ (medical-grade titanium and 24K gold plating at the high end)
- Don't too cheap or you sacrifice quality, unless you plan on throwing it away.
- Consider a kit that includes a vibrator and other products you
want or need as it may offer more value than buying each product
individually
- Shop around and compare, both online and traditional retail

Adult Film Star Endorsement
The quality and functionality of a vibrator is not dependent on
celebrity porn star endorsement. While you will see a lot of
packaging featuring major adult film stars associated with a vibrator,
it is not necessary to buy one of these products in order to get a
quality toy. In my experience non-celebrity endorsed sex toys are
just as good. What is more important is who the manufacturer is
and their reputation. If buying a vibrator endorsed by some hot
film star makes you feel like a star yourself, then by all means go for
it.
Warranty
- 90 Days is typical, but are you really going to return a vibrator
that you used once and didn’t like? Manufacturers count on
you being too embarrassed to return the toy in order to keep their
warranty returns low.
- Purchase with a credit card with a buyer's assurance program to
give yourself additional protection, particularly when buying from
vendors you are not familiar with.
- Check store refund policy before purchasing.
Ease of Cleaning
Be careful buying vibes with the following properties as they are more challenging to keep clean:
- Nubs, ridges, spirals, and grooves
- Porous materials
For convenience, when purchasing a vibrator, you may want to pick up
some antibacterial toy cleaner at the same time. Hygiene is an
important part of long term sex toy enjoyment.

Other Considerations and Advice
- Lubrication compatibility. Check before buying to make sure
the vibrator you choose will be compatible with your favorite
lube. Some lubricants may be recommended for not use with some of
the materials found on certain vibes
- Appearance
- Manufacturer. Go with a name brand, well-known adult toy
manufacturer. There are many reputable firms out there; be sure
to do a little research on the company so your satisfaction will be
assured. In general terms, the manufacturers who have been in
business for many years have built solid businesses based on quality
products.
- Texture (ribbed, spiraled, raised nodules and similar)
- Don't share. A vibrator should be a very personal thing. I don't recommend sharing with anyone.
- Scented? You won’t find too many of these on the
market, but there are some scented adult toys out there. The ones
I’ve seen have been silicone-based with a chemical additive to
the silicone to produce a lasting scent. Most people seem to
prefer unscented sex toys, but the choice is up to you.
- Buying online vs. Traditional retail. Online is discrete
and safe; just be sure to use a secure, reputable site. Look for
the small lock symbol at the bottom of your browser bar. Pay with
a credit card.
- Own several vibrators for different occasions
- Vibrators don’t make great gifts, except unless the gift is for yourself or perhaps as a gag gift for a bachlorette party.
So there you have it, darlings. Now that you know what to look
for in a vibrator, it’s time to shop! I suggest you start
by perusing some of our product reviews – click here. Enjoy!
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