The Best Butt Plugs Will Open Things Up for More Fun (2024)

When you realize you’re into anal play—or at least that curious about it—a good butt plug is the obvious next step. These versatile sex toys can be used solo or combined with all sorts of other toys: masturbation toys, oral sex toys, couples toys. And of course, butt plugs can serve as foreplay for anal sex—but they're great as a solo act, too.

There are a few key qualities to look for in a butt plug, which we'll get into in a sec. But the basics are simple: a flared base (so the butt plug can't get stuck inside you) and a tapered tip (to make the insertion process as comfortable and easy as possible). After that, the details—shape, material, design—become a matter of preference.

And of course, lube is non-negotiable for anal play—both for safety reasons and for comfort reasons. Silicone-based lubes last the longest, but can stain your sheets and will destroy silicone toys; water-based lubes, on the other hand, may need to be reapplied more often but can be used with any toy material. We've got a guide to the best lubes if you're looking for a new one.

Ready to try your first butt plug (or fifth, or fifteenth)? Here are some of our faves to incorporate into your sex life. Then, you can give anal beads a try.

The Best Butt Plugs, at a Glance

Feeling a little knock, knock at your backdoor? Plug it up with our top picks, right here.

• The Best Beginner Butt Plug: Tantus Little Flirt, $27
• The Best Butt Plug for Any Body: Tantus Neo, $27
• The Best Butt Plug Set: B-Vibe Anal Training and Education Set, $150
• The Best Vibrating Butt Plug: Lovense Hush 2, $119
• The Best Luxury Butt Plug: Njoy Pure Plug, $48
• The Best Weighted Butt Plug: B-Vibe Snug Plug 2, $55

Why should I use a butt plug?

“I love butt plugs,” says Dr. Evan Goldstein, an anal surgeon and the founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgical and Future Method. “They have so many benefits, from anal training and dilation to solo play to partner play.”

Many people use butt plugs to prepare for anal sex, since the anal sphincters take time to relax and open up. You could use your fingers for this (or have your partner use theirs), and many people do, but Goldstein recommends butt plugs instead, because fingers have drawbacks in this area. “I’m not a huge fan of fingering because jagged nails and multi-jointed fingers can unknowingly cause injury,” he says.

While butt plugs are a precursor to anal sex for many people, they aren’t just a means to an end (so to speak)—anal stimulation can feel great on its own, whether you pop one in before a masturbation session, keep one inside you while going down on your partner, or just wear one around the house for the thrill of it. “It’s like a set-it-and-forget-it toy that will help maximize pleasure,” Goldstein says.

Pleasure, after all, is the point of most sex toys, and anal sex toys can help you locate the spots that’ll give you plenty of it. “Another great benefit to using butt plugs is if you find one with more of a curved shape, they can take the guesswork out of stimulating the prostate or A-spot, for those with vulvas,” Goldstein says.

What should I look for in a butt plug?

Material

Avoid anything made from PVC and thermoplastic rubber: those materials often contain phthalates, a toxic ingredient that can lower your fertility and cause birth defects. And avoid anything prorous, since bacteria will thrive in those pockets no matter how much you wash the toy. Your best options: silicone, metal, hard plastic (like ABS plastic), or glass.

Goldstein especially recommends metal and glass butt plugs for a specific reason: “They are incredibly smooth and fully compatible with silicone lube,” says Goldstein. “I’m not a huge fan of water-based lubes for anal play because, unlike the vagin*, the anus doesn’t self-lubricate and needs as much help as possible to remain as slick as possible from start to finish. The best way to achieve this is by using a silicone lubricant." Since silicone lube dissolves silicone over time, leaching it into your body, metal and glass butt plugs will mean less needing to re-lube during play.

Size

In the world of butt plugs, size very much matters. Total beginners should seek out plugs with a diameter of 1” to 1.25”. Length is up to you, but the rectum curves upward after a few inches, so opt for a flexible material like silicone if you’re planning to use a longer butt plug.

Shape

Butt plug shapes are like snowflakes, though it's worth knowing how to figure out what you like. First and foremost, you need—need—a flared base, unless part of your kink involves trips to the E.R. for X-rays. There's a variety of ways to make a butt plug safe, says Goldstein: “Some butt plugs and anal dilators have a flared base, others have a suction cup for hands-free play, and others even have testicl*s to keep things realistic."

After that, you'll need to experiment with what feels best. Beginners should start small. Goldstein points out that many butt plugs have a “neck”—a thinner portion between the plug and its base that can help keep the plug inside you comfortably. But since a narrower neck could reduce the butt plug's effectiveness if you’re using it to warm up for being penetrated with something larger (whether a penis or a dild*), Goldstein suggests “a dilator [or plug] that maintains the same circumference all the way down to the base.”

How do I use a butt plug safely?

“Always start with a small toy, and gradually work up to large,” Goldstein says. “Be aware of your limitations and take ego out of it.” Anal play is a marathon, not a sprint!

Regardless of what size your toy is, “be sure you’re always using copious amounts of lube,” Dr. Goldstein says. Again, your butt doesn’t self-lubricate like a vagin* does, so you need to apply lots of lube, both at the start and throughout. If it comes down to overusing lube or finding yourself in pain, you won't regret having to buy another bottle of lube.

On that note: some anal lubes contain numbing ingredients like lidocaine. These are often marketed as useful for “relaxing” the anus, but should be avoided. Pain is a useful signal your body is sending you; if you take away your ability to feel rectal pain during anal penetration, you might miss crucial warning signs of oncoming injury. Not to mention, wouldn’t you rather actually feel it when you’re masturbating or having sex?

Lastly, “despite what the name might suggest, butt plugs should not be left in for extended periods of time,” Dr. Goldstein says. “When you leave toys inside for too long, it can cause swelling in the region, leading to hemorrhoids and/or tearing, especially when it’s time to take the toy out.”

The Best Beginner Butt Plug: Tantus Little Flirt

This silicone toy has pretty much every quality a beginner-friendly plug should have: it’s slim (about as wide as a finger), has a tapered tip for easier insertion, and has a comfortable base that won’t dig into your cheeks. It’s affordable, too, so if you discover you’re not that into anal play, you won’t have wasted a ton of cash.

Pros: Good size and shape for beginners; comfortably curved base; easy to clean; affordable
Cons: Can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; not particularly curved to hit the prostate

The Best Butt Plug for Any Body: Tantus Neo

Materials: Silicone

This simple anal plug has broad appeal because of its easy insertion: It’s tapered and slim enough to work for many beginners (provided you go slow and maybe warm up with a finger or two beforehand), but still big enough to satisfy more experienced users. The curved base is comfy as hell, and so is the super-smooth silicone surface of the plug itself. If you’re not sure what plug to get, this is an excellent pick for just about anyone.

Pros: Tapered tip for easier insertion; comfortably curved base; easy to clean; affordable
Cons: Can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; may be too large for some users; not particularly curved to hit the prostate

The Best Butt Plug Set: B-Vibe Anal Training and Education Set

Butt plug makers B-Vibe have put together an impressively well-rounded butt plug training kit for anal newbies, containing three differently sized silicone butt plugs (one of which vibrates), to get your backdoor ready for various girths. Plus, this training set includes a lube applicator, an enema bulb for cleaning yourself out beforehand, a guide to anal play 101, and a travel bag to stash it all in. You couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the world of butt stuff for the first time, though advanced users might learn a thing or two, as well.

Pros: Comes with three different-sized butt plugs ranging from 1 inch to 1.6 inches in diameter; different sensation options: vibrating, weighted, and regular; includes enema, lube applicator, storage bag, and instructional book on anal play; comfortable, flexible bases
Cons: Can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; doesn’t come with its own lube; not particularly curved to hit the prostate

The Best Vibrating Butt Plug: Lovense Hush 2

With its simple shape and modest size, this would be a great beginner-to-intermediate plug even if it didn’t vibrate … but it does. You can cycle through its deep, rumbly vibration modes with the Lovense app, create your own patterns, and even synch them to music. This rechargeable silicone plug also comes in a few other sizes, so if you enjoy the motor, shape, and app functionality but want to size up at some point, you can do that.

Pros: Powerful, rumbly vibrations; multiple size options available; can be controlled via app, long-distance or close-range; comfortable shape and size for beginners; waterproof; quiet
Cons: Can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; not particularly curved to hit the prostate and would require a separate prostate massager

The Best Luxury Butt Plug: Njoy Pure Plug

It’s unusual to find a butt plug that could be described as gorgeous and classy, but this one undeniably is. Being made of gleaming stainless steel, it has an exciting weightiness to it in use, and naturally heats up to your body temperature as you use it. The high-quality metal butt plug comes in three different sizes, but the middle one is, as a grown-up Goldilocks might say, just right.

Pros: Curved to hit the prostate (or the G-spot, indirectly, through the vagin*l wall); can be used with any kind of lube; flat looped base is comfortable and makes removal easier; comes in three sizes; great for temperature play
Cons: May be too firm for some users; naturally cold to the touch unless you pre-warm it

The Best Weighted Butt Plug: B-Vibe Snug Plug 2

Many people enjoy the feeling of fullness that a butt plug can provide, and that sensation is even more pronounced when there are little weights inside the plug like this one has. The weights not only make the plug feel heftier and more filling, but also shift around slightly whenever you move.

Pros: Weighted for a feeling of pressure and fullness; comfortable size for beginners; multiple size options available; flexible neck for comfort
Cons: Tip may be too blunt for beginners to easily insert; can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; no curve for prostate stimulation

The Best Self-Thrusting Butt Plug: Doc Johnson A-Play Thrust Adventurous

Once you insert this plug and turn it on, it pulsates in and out slightly, creating a sensation that’s sort of halfway between vibration and thrusting. You can control it with the included wireless remote control, so increasing the thrusting speed is quick and easy.

Pros: Motorized weight creates a thrusting sensation; can be controlled via the included wireless remote
Cons: Remote requires an AAA battery (plug itself is rechargeable); may be too long and/or wide for some users to enjoy comfortably; no curve for prostate stimulation; can’t be used with silicone-based lubes

The Best Warming Butt Plug: Lora DiCarlo Tilt

Know how you naturally feel more relaxed in a hot bath than a cold one? The same principle applies to your butt, which is why this self-heating butt plug is genius for temperature play. It warms to 104 degrees Fahrenheit making insertion easier and boosting overall pleasure and comfort, whether you want stimulation to the cl*tor*s or perineum. Its two anatomically targeted motors are wonderful, too.

Pros: Warming function; good curve for prostate stimulation; two independently controlled motors, to stimulate both internally and externally; waterproof
Cons: May be too large for some users; can’t be used with silicone-based lubes

The Best Long-Distance Butt Plug: Lovense Edge 2

If you’re in a long-distance relationship, or you like having phone sex when you or your partner are traveling, this plug is a must-have. It connects to the Lovense app so anyone with internet access can control it from anywhere in the world. With its two motors and adjustable curve, it’s also one of the most prostate-focused toys on this list. Users can customize the vibrations, which ultimately leads to over 100,000 unique vibration patterns that are like a special gift to the wearer.

Pros: Great curve for prostate stimulation, which can be adjusted to suit users’ preferences and anatomy; two motors, to stimulate both internally and externally; controllable remotely (close-range or long-distance) via app; waterproof; quiet
Cons: Can’t be used with silicone-based lubes

The Most Innovative Butt Plug: B-Vibe Rimming Plug 2

Analingus (or, you know, eating ass) is a popular activity these days, and for good reason: the anal opening is extremely sensitive, regardless of gender or anatomy. This toy attempts to replicate that feeling, with little beads that rotate around the neck of the plug while the tip vibrates inside you. It’s overwhelming, to say the least, but in the best way possible.

Pros: Unique rotating sensation is similar to getting rimmed; seven rotation settings and six vibration patterns; comes with a remote control that can change the toy’s settings from up to 30 feet away
Cons: May be too large for some users; can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; no curve for prostate stimulation

The Best Butt Plug for Hands-Free Pleasure: Aneros Helix Trident

This innovative plug is designed to stroke against your prostate each time you squeeze your butt muscles around it, so it provides a surprising amount of hands-free pleasure whether you're using it solo or with a partner. Its base stimulates a pressure point on your perineum, too, for a multi-point sensation that's almost impossible to get otherwise.

Pros: Hands-free prostate stimulation; base stimulates perineum; can be used with any kind of lube; good size for beginners
Cons: Head may be too blunt for some beginners to insert easily

The Best 2-in-1 Butt Plug: B-Vibe Vibrating Snug & Tug

Half-butt plug and half-co*ck ring, this toy stimulates a lot of different areas at once, and can even help you maintain a stronger boner for longer. It's got 10 vibration functions, too, making it a mind-blowing multitasker.

Pros: Six vibration patterns and four intensity levels; attached co*ck ring promotes stronger erections; plug is weighted to create a sensation of pressure and fullness
Cons: Ring and plug can’t easily be used separately; no curve for prostate stimulation; can’t be used with silicone-based lube; can be difficult to put on and take off; plug tip may be too blunt for some users to insert comfortably

The Best Glass Butt Plug: Crystal Delights Crystal T-Handle Plug

Glass is a great material for butt plugs because it's firm, smooth, works with any kind of lube, holds temperature well, and is easy to clean. This one has a slim base that's designed to fit comfortably between your cheeks. With its 1.3-inch diameter, this plug should work well for butt-stuff beginners and intermediate users alike.

Pros: T-shaped base for comfort; great for temperature play; can be used with any kind of lube; good size and shape for beginners
Cons: May be too firm for some users.

The Best Anal Dilator Set: Future Method Glass Anal Dilator Set

Goldstein created this set for his company Future Method, with the goal in mind of helping users "train" their butts for larger penetration, like anal sex. "It’s a three-piece anal dilator set made out of glass," he explains. "Each one is made of body-compatible glass and was designed with a longer-than-average body without a neck to ensure stability and synchronous opening of all three anal sphincters." The tapered tip and frictionless glide (assuming you use enough lube) make using these a breeze, even for newbies.

Pros: Consistent diameter allows anus to dilate more easily; comes with three different sizes; tapered tip for comfortable insertion; can be used with any kind of lube; works well for temperature play
Cons: May be uncomfortably long or firm for some users

The Best Realistic Butt Plug: Uberrime Sentio