Plan for quality: Given where and how you’ll use a vibrator, quality counts. Be sure the materials used are safe, there are no sharp edges, and any seams are smooth and flush. Not only will you protect yourself from pinches or irritation, your vibrator will be easy to clean. Quality products—like all of those selected for the MiddlesexMD shop—are available in a surprising range of prices, which means it’s affordable to experiment.
Consider type: You may be interested in external (clitoral) sensation only, especially if this is your first vibrator. If you want internal vaginal stimulation as well, you may also want to consider an option that specifically targets the G-spot. And there’s a reason that vibrators are also called “massagers”: Some shapes and sizes are also good for loosening a knot of muscles in your neck.
Consider power: MiddlesexMD chooses vibrators with a range from “flutter” to “powerful,” because midlife women often need more stimulation for responsiveness.
Consider power source: Vibrators can be powered in several ways, by battery, recharging by conventional outlet, or recharging by USB connection. You may have convenience, environmental, or privacy reasons for choosing one or another. Battery-operated vibrators were once less strong than rechargeables, but that’s no longer dependably true--at least for the products sold in our shop.
Have grip or dexterity issues? If so, look carefully at where the controls are and how they’re operated. Buttons are likely okay; something that requires twisting might be more difficult. A smaller vibrator may be more difficult to keep appropriately placed. Some options, like the Fin, is designed to be held between to fingers or with a “tether,” which makes it easy to maneuver.
Consider materials: If you’re already a lubricant user and are committed to a long-lasting silicone variety, you’ll want to look for a hard plastic vibrator. Silicone vibrators suffer surface degradation from silicone lubricants. On the other hand, if you don't have a firm lubricant preference, silicone vibrators have a nice, more-human feel, and are less likely to feel cold.
Think about special features: Many but not all vibrators are now waterproof, which means you can use them in the shower, tub, or hot tub. As technology makes its way from our computers and phones to products like vibrators, other features are available: The Siri2, for example, can respond to and synchronize with nearby sounds, like the beat of mood music. For some women, that’s an attraction; others find it an unwanted complication.
