How to Choose a Dildo: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Experienced Users

Dildos are one of the most purchased sex toys, yet often one of the most poorly chosen—often due to a lack of clear information at the time of purchase. Too big, wrong material, unsuitable texture: a bad first dildo choice can hinder an exploration that should have been a true discovery. This guide is here to prevent that.

Whether you are a beginner or already experienced, here is everything you need to know before choosing your dildo.

The Material: The Most Important Criterion

Before size, before shape, it's the material that should guide your choice—it determines safety, tactile sensation, and the toy's lifespan.

Medical-grade silicone is the absolute benchmark. Non-porous, hypoallergenic, easy to sterilize, and compatible with water-based lubricants, it is the safest and most durable material. A quality medical-grade silicone dildo can last for years with minimal maintenance.

TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and PVC offer a softer texture and an ultra-realistic appearance, which explains their popularity in anatomical dildos. They are slightly porous, requiring more careful cleaning and the use of a condom if you share your toy.

Borosilicate glass is an often underestimated option. Rigid, smooth, compatible with all lubricants (including silicone-based), and perfectly hygienic, it is particularly effective for precise G-spot or prostate stimulation thanks to its uncompromising firmness.

Stainless steel shares the same advantages as glass—rigidity, total hygiene, compatibility with all lubricants—with added weight that creates much-appreciated sensations of fullness.

The Shape: Realistic or Non-Realistic?

Realistic dildos faithfully reproduce male anatomy—visible veins, sculpted glans, sometimes integrated testicles. Their familiar shape makes them accessible to beginners and appreciated by those seeking a sensation close to natural intercourse.

Non-realistic dildos, on the other hand, play on ergonomic shapes designed for stimulation: a curved head to target the G-spot or P-spot, a wavy texture to accentuate sensations with each movement, abstract shapes that imitate nothing but offer a different sensory experience. For G-spot stimulation in particular, a slightly upward-curved head makes all the difference.

Size and Diameter: Where to Start?

This is often where beginners make a mistake: overestimating the ideal size. The length of a dildo is not what matters most—it's the diameter that determines the sensation of fullness and, most importantly, comfort during insertion.

For a first use, a diameter between 2.5 and 3.5 cm (1 to 1.4 inches) and a length of 13 to 16 cm (5 to 6.3 inches) is a good starting point. Beyond that, progression should be gradual—there's no point in forcing it, and much to gain from taking your time.

For experienced users looking to explore more intense sensations, larger diameter dildos or extra-long models meet specific desires that develop with experience.

Features: Suction Cup, Harness, Vibrations

A suction cup dildo can be used alone, attached to any smooth surface—shower, floor, wall—for a hands-free experience. It is also compatible with most harness belts, making it versatile for couples.

A harness-compatible dildo is designed to be inserted into a harness belt and used by a partner. This is a very popular option in our couples collection.

A vibrating dildo combines penetration and vibrations—it's technically a vibrator, but the line is thin. If you're unsure between the two, consult our guide on vibrators to distinguish them.

Lubricant: Essential, Not Optional

Regardless of the dildo chosen, lubricant is not an accessory—it's a necessity. It improves comfort, protects mucous membranes, and extends the toy's lifespan.

Simple rule: with a silicone dildo, exclusively use a water-based lubricant (silicone degrades silicone). With a glass or metal dildo, all lubricants are compatible. Find our selection of lubricants and intimate wellness products in the Wellness collection.

In Summary: How to Choose?

If you're a beginner: opt for a medical-grade silicone dildo, of moderate diameter (3 cm or 1.2 inches), with a simple, slightly curved shape, and invest in a good water-based lubricant.

If you're experienced: explore rigid materials (glass, metal) for more precise sensations, or larger diameter models if that's what you're looking for.

In all cases, take the time to read product descriptions and check the material composition before buying—a good dildo isn't necessarily expensive, but it must be safe.

Discover our complete selection of dildos, chosen for the quality of their materials and the diversity of their shapes.