Betty's Guide to the Perfect Dildo Material For You
Dildos are beautiful and versatile toys for solo play or play with a partner and the variety on the market is virtually endless. Love at first sight is a real thing when you’re shopping for dildos but we have seen many folks lead astray by a pretty picture, so here are some tips to finding a good material for your play purposes.
Dildos come in a wide array of materials from silicone, to glass, metal, jelly, and thermoplastic rubber, not to mention several branded “realistic feeling” materials. Different materials are great for different purposes and some need extra care and caution. Here are our recommendations for the best dildo materials in an array of scenarios:
Vaginal Penetration
Silicone – YES - Soft and supple with or without a firm inner core, silicone dildos are the way to go for quality and durability. They also come in a staggering array from hyper-realistic to slim and discreet. You can find our Silicone Dildo Collection HERE.
Glass, Metal, and Wood – YES - Because of the firmness of these materials, they are not for everybody but if you like a firm touch on your g-spot or prostate, these materials are non-porous, body safe, and easy to keep clean. All 3 materials are great at conducting heat or cold for some nice temperature play and don't worry, wood dildos are treated with a body safe, non-porous coating. You can find our Glass, Metal, and Wood Dildo Collection HERE
TPR/TPE – PROCEED WITH CAUTION – This material is porous but it is wonderfully pliable and there are some great, affordable dildos made with this material. Wash with an antibacterial toy cleaner, or soap, and keep it somewhere that the material can breathe to get the longest, safest use out of this material. Au Naturel Dildos by Blush Novelties are made of TPR and have a gorgeous, soft exterior. You can find them HERE
Realistic/UR3/Real Feel/Realskin – PROCEED WITH CAUTION – These materials and soft and lifelike but can become tacky so they need a dusting of corn starch to keep them smooth. DO NOT USE TALC POWDER as it will irritate your delicate skin. Warm, soapy water, or antibacterial toy cleaner are best to prolong the life of your toy and keep it safe. Our most popular Realistic dildos are the King Cock Line and you can find them HERE
Jelly/PVC – NOT RECOMMENDED – Although toys in these material are very affordable, that comes with the price of porous material that often smells strongly of chemicals. Cheap jelly toys can leach phthalates, which are harmful gasses and that’s why we don’t carry them at Betty’s Toy Box. The safest way to use these toys is with a condom.
Anal Penetration
Silicone – YES - Absolutely great for anal because they can be boiled or cleaned in a bleach solution for worry free play. The texture of silicone for anal is appealing for beginners because it has some give to it.
Glass, Metal, and Ceramic – YES - A fantastic choice because of how easy they are to clean. And as with all toys of these materials, temperature play is an added bonus because they can be heated or cooled for extra thrills.
TPR/TPE – NOT RECOMMENDED – Because of the bacteria in and around the anus and the porosity of this material, you really should be using a condom with toys of this material if you’re using it for anal, particularly if you plan on using it for anything else.
Realistic/UR3/Real Feel/Realskin – NOT RECOMMENDED – For all the same reasons as TPR/TPE
Jelly/PVC – NOT RECOMMENDED – Condoms, condoms, condoms.
Strap on and Harness Play
Silicone – YES - Makers of high end silicone like these Dillio dildos by Pipedream really know how to design fantastic harness compatible dildos. You can find details about the harness capability of each dildo we carry in its product descriptions
Glass, Metal, and Ceramic– YES - Although there are many harness compatible dildos out there in these great materials, you will need a sturdy harness because they tend to be on the heavy side.
TPR/TPE – YES – Many dildos in these materials are made for harness play and incorporate the ability to be placed in an O ring harness. Follow the cautions for vaginal and anal play, depending on how you’re using your dildo and harness
Realistic/UR3/Real Feel/Realskin – YES – Because dildos of these materials tend to be hyper realistic, they are great in a harness but use the same cautions you would use for any porous material.
Jelly/PVC – YES – Again, these dildos tend to either super realistic looking or colorfully fun, and many are made for harnesses. We recommend condoms when using these toys for penetration however.
Oral Simulation
Silicone – YES - As long as it has been thoroughly cleaned beforehand
Glass, Metal, and Ceramic – YES – Non-porous plus the added sensitivity of these materials to heat and cold make them extra fun. Warm it in your mouth before using it on yourself or your lover.
TPR/TPE – NO – Because you just can’t get this material clean enough, stay away from putting it in your mouth.
Realistic/UR3/Real Feel/Realskin – NO – Again, these materials are too porous and can harbor bacteria. They also need dusting with corn starch, which is not a pleasant sensation for oral.
Jelly/PVC – NO – These materials are just not safe for oral use because they can never be completely cleaned.
Sharing with Others
Silicone – YES – Boil it, use a bleach solution, or put it in the dishwasher and you’re ready to share with friends. Assuming you aren’t passing it directly back and forth, of course.
Glass, Metal, and Ceramic – YES – These are great toys for anybody with multiple partners because they can be completely sanitized between uses.
TPR/TPE – NO – Cover toys with a condom for safer sharing
Realistic/UR3/Real Feel/Realskin – NO – Bacteria hides in the pores of these dildos, making them unsafe to share without using a condom
Jelly/PVC – NO – If you insist on using toys made of these materials, make sure you’re the only one using them unless you plan on covering them with a condom.