Quick answer: Your first anal toy should be a small, smooth, tapered silicone plug with a flared base. Skip anything large, textured, rigid, or made from porous materials. A graduated set (two to three sizes) gives you the best value because you can progress at your own pace without buying new toys each time. We stock a curated range from trusted brands in our butt plug collection, everything has been vetted for body-safe materials and proper flared bases.
You've decided you're ready for an anal toy and now you're staring at a wall of options shaped like things you've never seen before. Plugs, beads, probes, trainers, vibrating, non-vibrating, smooth, textured, it's a lot. This guide cuts through the confusion. We'll tell you what actually matters for your first purchase, what to avoid, and how to pick something that'll make you glad you tried this instead of shoving it in a drawer after one awkward attempt.
The five things that actually matter
When you're choosing your first anal toy, these five features are the only ones worth thinking about. Everything else is a bonus for later.
1. Material: medical-grade silicone, full stop
Your first anal toy should be medical-grade silicone. It's non-porous (meaning bacteria can't burrow into the surface), body-safe, easy to clean, and has just enough give to be comfortable. Silicone also warms to body temperature, which helps it feel less like a foreign object once it's in.
Avoid anything labelled "jelly," "rubber," "TPR," or "TPE." These are porous materials that harbour bacteria no matter how well you clean them. They're also often mixed with plasticisers that can irritate delicate tissue. Hard plastic and metal toys exist and are fine for experienced users, but silicone is more forgiving for beginners.
2. Shape: tapered tip, smooth body, no surprises
A tapered (gradually widening) tip lets the sphincter adjust millimetre by millimetre instead of trying to accept the full width at once. This is the single most important design feature for a beginner toy. A blunt-tipped toy, even a small one, will feel harder to insert because the sphincter has to stretch to full width immediately.
The body should be smooth. Ridges, bumps, and beads are for later, when your muscles are trained and you're actively looking for texture. Right now, smooth is your friend.
3. Size: think smaller than you think
Beginners consistently overestimate what they can comfortably start with. Your first plug should be roughly finger-width at the widest point, around 2.5 to 3cm in diameter. That might look tiny in a product photo, but it's the right starting size for an untrained sphincter.
A graduated set with two or three sizes (roughly 2.5cm, 3.5cm, and 4.5cm diameter) is the best investment because it grows with you. You'll use the smallest one first, then progress over days or weeks.
4. Base: flared, T-bar, or retrieval loop, non-negotiable
Every anal toy must have something that prevents it from being fully inserted. The rectum has a natural suction effect, and a toy without a proper base can travel beyond the sphincter and become very difficult (and very embarrassing) to retrieve. This is not an edge case, emergency rooms see it regularly.
Flared bases (wider than the body of the toy) are the most common. T-bar bases sit between the buttocks more comfortably for extended wear. Retrieval loops or cords work for beads. Whatever the mechanism, it has to be there. No exceptions.
5. Vibration: helpful but not required
Vibration does two useful things for beginners. First, it helps the pelvic floor muscles relax, which makes insertion easier. Second, it adds pleasure to what might otherwise feel like a neutral stretch. But vibration isn't necessary, a good non-vibrating silicone plug does the job fine. If budget is a factor, prioritise quality material and shape over vibration.
Types of anal toys (and what we'd actually recommend)
Butt plugs
The classic starting point. A plug has a tapered tip, a wider body, a narrower neck, and a flared base. The narrowing at the neck lets the sphincter close around it, holding the plug in place hands-free. This is what most people should buy first. Wear it during solo play, during partnered sex, or just around the house while you get used to the feeling.
If you want a smooth, no-fuss single plug to start with, the CurZertal Beaded Butt Plug by Curio is a good call, despite the name it's actually a smooth design, and it's one of the most affordable ways to get started.
Anal beads
A series of connected spheres that increase in size along the strand, inserted one bead at a time. The pleasure comes from each bead passing through the sphincter on the way in and (especially) on the way out. Good for people who want stimulation from movement rather than static fullness.
The Zarmati 2 Beaded Butt Plug by Curio has two beaded zones that build sensation gradually, a nice entry point. When you're ready for more, the Zarmati 3 adds a third bead for a fuller stretch. The Zeder Medium is another option that sits between plug and bead territory.
Prostate massagers
Curved toys designed to reach the prostate gland. They usually have an angled head and an external arm that presses against the perineum. Brilliant if prostate stimulation is your goal, but the shape can be a bit confusing for absolute beginners because the curve means you need to know which direction to angle it. The Opler Prostate Massager by Curio has dual motors and a shape that targets the prostate with precision, worth looking at once you're comfortable with basic insertion.
Anal trainers (graduated sets)
Sets of two to four plugs in incrementally larger sizes. This is the most practical purchase for anyone following an anal training program. The MyMy Plug Set by Ditto gives you three metallic-finish plugs in small, medium, and large. The MiMi Plug Set is a similar trio in a different finish. And if you want a non-vibrating option, the Fervent Gala Set by Excellent Power gives you three sizes to progress through at your own pace.
Vibrating anal toys
Plugs or probes with a motor inside. The vibration adds pleasure and helps muscles relax. The Hum Vibrating Butt Plug by SODA has two vibration zones and a beginner-friendly shape. The Purr Vibrating Butt Plug is curved and double-ended, designed to hit the right spots once you've got the basics down.
What to avoid (the beginner red flags)
- Anything without a flared base. We've said it three times now. We'll say it again. No base = no purchase.
- Porous materials (jelly, TPR, TPE, rubber). They can't be properly sanitised and they degrade over time.
- "Novelty" toys from unregulated brands. Those A$10 mystery-material plugs on certain marketplaces aren't worth the savings. Body-safe silicone costs what it costs.
- Large sizes for your first purchase. Your enthusiasm is noted. Your sphincter disagrees. Start small.
- Textured toys for your first time. Ridges and bumps feel great once you're trained. Before that, they're just uncomfortable.
- Numbing lubes. Some brands sell "anal ease" or numbing lubricants. Pain is your body's signal to slow down — numbing it doesn't fix the problem, it hides it. Use thick water-based lube instead.
How much should you spend?
A quality beginner plug in body-safe silicone starts around A$15 AUD. A graduated set runs A$45-A$65 AUD. Vibrating options add to the cost. You can spend less, but below A$15 you're almost certainly getting questionable materials. You can spend more, but for a first toy, a simple quality plug is all you need.
Our picks by experience level
Brand new to anal play: Start with the CurZertal Beaded Butt Plug or the smallest plug in the MyMy Plug Set. Both are smooth, affordable, and small enough to build confidence without overwhelming you.
Ready to train up: Grab a graduated set, the MyMy or MiMi, or the Fervent Gala Set. Three sizes means you progress at your own pace without rebuying.
Want vibration: The Hum Vibrating Butt Plug is the gentlest intro to vibrating anal play. The Purr is a step up for when you want that curved, targeted stimulation.
Prostate curious: The Opler Prostate Massager is designed specifically for this, with dual motors and a shape that hits the right angle.
Browse the full butt plug collection to see everything we stock.
How to use your first toy
We have a full Anal Training Step-by-Step guide, but here's the short version.
- Shower first. Apply lube to the toy and to yourself. Generous. Then add more.
- Position the tapered tip against the anus. Don't push. Hold gentle, steady pressure and breathe deeply.
- On a deep exhale, the sphincter will start to release. Let the toy ease in at its own pace.
- Once seated, just hold still. Breathe. Let your body adjust to the feeling. That's it for the first time.
- Remove slowly on an exhale. Clean the toy with warm water and mild soap.
Cleaning and storage
Wash silicone toys with warm water and mild unscented soap after every use. For a deeper clean, non-vibrating silicone toys can be boiled for 3 minutes or run through the top rack of a dishwasher (without detergent). Vibrating toys should be surface-washed only.
Store in a clean cloth bag or individual container. Don't let silicone toys touch each other during storage, the material can react and degrade over time. Most toys come with a storage pouch. Use it.
Related reads
Complete Guide to Anal Play · Anal Training Step-by-Step · Pegging Guide for Beginners · Prostate Pleasure Guide
FAQs
Can I use a regular vibrator for anal play?
Only if it has a flared base or retrieval mechanism specifically designed for anal use. A standard vibrator designed for vaginal or clitoral use does not have this safety feature. It might seem like it's "big enough" not to get lost, but the rectum's suction effect is stronger than you'd think. Don't risk it.
Silicone lube or water-based lube with silicone toys?
Water-based, always, with silicone toys. Silicone-based lube can bond with silicone toy surfaces, causing them to degrade, become tacky, and harbour bacteria. If you strongly prefer silicone lube's longevity, put a condom over the toy first, that creates a barrier between the lube and the silicone.
How do I know what size to start with?
If you can comfortably insert one finger, start with a toy around 2.5cm diameter (roughly finger-width). If two fingers feel fine, you can start at 3-3.5cm. When in doubt, go smaller. You can always size up.
Do I need separate toys for anal and vaginal use?
Ideally, yes. Even with thorough cleaning, having dedicated toys for each area reduces cross-contamination risk. If you only want to buy one toy, always use it anally last (not before vaginal use) and clean thoroughly between uses. A condom over the toy makes switching safer.
Are metal or glass anal toys safe for beginners?
They're body-safe materials and easy to clean, but they're rigid, which means they don't give at all when the sphincter clenches. Silicone has some flex, which is more forgiving during the learning phase. Once you're comfortable with insertion and removal, metal and glass toys offer interesting temperature play and easy cleaning.
Sources
- Herbenick, D. et al. (2015). Pain experienced during vaginal and anal intercourse. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(4), 1040-1051.
- Goldstein, I. et al. (2017). The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine. Springer.
- Reece, M. et al. (2010). Prevalence and characteristics of vibrator use. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(s5), 262-276.
- Sexual Health Victoria — sexual health support in Australia.