Anal Toys for Beginners: How to Choose Your First One

What makes a toy suitable for anal use

Not every toy is designed for anal use, and the difference matters. The anal canal has no natural stop, so a toy made for this purpose must have a base wider than the rest of its body. Without it, the toy could slide in completely.

• Plugs are the usual starting point. They are short, with a tapered tip, a widest point and a base, and they are made to be held in place rather than moved.
• Dildos can be used anally only if they have a flared base. If the base is not wider than the body, leave it for vaginal or external use.
• Anything not made for the purpose does not belong here. Household objects have no safe base and are often porous or have edges.

Five checks before you buy

1. Is there a wide base that cannot pass through?
2. Is the material non-porous? Non-porous silicone is easy to clean and does not hold on to residue.
3. Is the surface smooth, with no seams or edges?
4. Is the size small enough to begin with? You can always go up later.
5. Does the maker say what it is made of? Be wary of any toy that does not.

On their product pages, SILEXD plugs are described as body-safe, non-porous and phthalate-free certified, with a soft outer layer over a firmer dual-density SILEXPAN® core.

Start smaller than you think

Beginners tend to choose too big. A small size lets you learn the sensations without forcing anything, and it makes the next step an easy decision rather than a necessity. If you want actual measurements, our butt plug size guide compares every size of the SILEXD plugs, and the size and firmness guide explains how firmness changes the feel.

A gentle way to approach the first sessions

There is no schedule you have to follow, but a gradual approach works for most people:

1. Start without a toy. Outer massage and a well-lubricated finger let you see how your body responds. Our guide to making anal masturbation pleasurable and safe walks through it.
2. Only when you feel relaxed, try a small toy with a wide base, with plenty of lubricant.
3. Keep early sessions short, and stop the moment anything hurts.
4. Move up in size only when the current one feels easy, not because of a timeline.

Plugs to start with

Here are three SILEXD plugs to look at. Check each product page for size, base and current availability, or browse all SILEXD plugs.

Plug Model 2 M

A SILEXD plug in SILEXPAN® liquid silicone, non-porous and body-safe. See the product page for size and availability.

Plug Model 1 M

A plug from the same Model range, in the same non-porous SILEXPAN® liquid silicone. Compare both pages to choose a size.

Cherry Fantasy Collection

From the Fantasy collection: bolder design, same material standard. Check the product page for current availability.

Two habits that make the difference

Always use plenty of lubricant, because the area does not produce its own. With SILEXPAN® products, our lubricant compatibility guide recommends water-based or aloe vera-based formulas and advises avoiding silicone-based and oil-based ones.

Clean the toy straight after use with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, dry it completely and store it in a fabric bag away from sunlight and heat. The full routine is in our cleaning and care guide. If you share a toy, use a condom and clean it between uses.

Common beginner mistakes

• Skipping lubricant, or using too little. Reapply whenever you need.
• Rushing. Relaxation matters more than any technique.
• Choosing by looks. Shape, base and material come first.
• Using a toy with no flared base.
• Ignoring pain. Discomfort is a signal to stop, not to push through.

For independent information, see NSW Health's Play Safe guide to anal sex and the International Society for Sexual Medicine's Q&A on the risks of anal sex.

Frequently asked questions