Choosing a toy together: what do you look for as a couple?
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
7 min reading time
Most toys are designed for a single user. For couples, other considerations apply: controls, material when sharing, cleaning, and size. A no-nonsense buying guide with prices.
Most toys are designed for single users. As soon as there are two of you, the questions change: does this suit both of us, can we use it together without one of us having to lie still, and how do we handle sharing it? These are practical questions with practical answers — about material, operation, cleaning, and size.
This article is a no-nonsense buying guide for couples: no recommendations on what you should do, but an overview of what's available and what to look out for.
First the conversation, then the product
The most commonly purchased-and-never-used item is the toy that one person chose alone. A few things to tick off beforehand:
Who operates it? Some products have buttons on the device itself, others have a separate remote control. That difference determines who is in control.
Share or each their own? If you use a product together, material and cleanability become more important.
Sound. Thin walls, children in the house, a dog in the hallway — it's a legitimate selection criterion.
Budget. Below ten euros, you'll find simple battery-operated products; above thirty euros usually means a rechargeable motor and silicone.
Products designed for two
A couple's vibrator is a U- or C-shaped device that stays between both partners during intercourse. The shape does the work: one end remains internal, the other rests externally. It's important with this type that the shape fits your anatomy — a too-stiff brace won't stay in place, a too-flimsy one provides insufficient contact. Therefore, look at the stated length and the flexibility of the material.
The difference between €19.99 and €36.00 is mainly in the number of settings and the finish. Seven settings sounds like a lot, but most people practically use two or three.
Vibrating rings: small, inexpensive, with attention to size
A vibrating cock ring is one of the cheapest ways to add something for two. The ring sits around the base of the penis, with the motor on top. For this category, one rule applies more strictly than all others: the size must be right. Too tight is uncomfortable and unwise, too loose does nothing. When in doubt, choose a stretchy or flexible model, and keep usage brief.
That 3-pack is practical for a reason: you can try out which size feels comfortable without making three separate purchases. For models with batteries, they are included, but expect them not to last forever with this type.
Remote control: who turns the dial?
Products with a separate remote control shift control from one partner to the other. That's its entire function. Practical points: the range of a remote control is limited and doesn't work through every wall, and a second device means a second thing that needs to be charged or have a battery replaced.
Both models are rechargeable, which saves hassle with batteries in the long run.
Material and hygiene: the part that really matters
As soon as two people use the same product, material is no longer a detail. Silicone is the most commonly used material in this range because it is smooth, has no pores where dirt can get trapped, and is easy to clean — see for example the Hollow Strap-on Super Hero 16.5 cm – Silicone (€ 34.95).
A few rules of thumb that apply to the entire range:
Clean before and after use, not just afterward. Products stored in a drawer collect dust and lint.
Use a cleaner made for this purpose. The Toy Cleaner Odorless 120 ml (€ 7.95) is unscented, which is pleasant if one of you is sensitive to perfume.
Do not simply combine silicone with silicone lubricant. Water-based is the safe standard choice for almost everything.
Do not share anything without cleaning in between — and certainly not between different types of use.
Store separately. Different materials lying against each other can damage each other over time. Separate bags or a box per product is sufficient.
Lubricant: the cheapest thing that makes the most difference
Of everything you can buy, lubricant generally has the biggest impact on how something feels — and it's almost always the cheapest item in the basket. Water-based is the safest standard: it combines with silicone toys and condoms, and it can be washed out of textiles with water.
If you want to build up more slowly, massage oil is a logical start. The Massage Oil Set Almond, Coconut and Eucalyptus – 3x100 ml (€ 19.95) offers three scents in small bottles, so you can try out what both of you find pleasant. Note: oil and latex don't mix, and oil leaves stains on textiles. Place a towel underneath.
Starting without a device
Not every couple wants to start with a device. Erotic dice cost little, don't require batteries, and are easy to put away if they're not enjoyed.
Dice (€7.95) + water-based lubricant (€4.00) + toy cleaner (€7.95)
Around €35
Couple's vibrator (€19.99) + lubricant (€4.00) + toy cleaner (€7.95)
Around €55
Remote-controlled product (€25.00) + massage oil set (€19.95) + toy cleaner (€7.95)
The toy cleaner is in all three rows. That's no coincidence: it's the item people most often skip and most often end up ordering later.
In short
Choose based on how you want to use it, not on the number of settings. For rings, pay attention to the size and keep usage brief. Choose silicone if you're sharing, clean before and after, and keep water-based lubricant as your standard. And expect that the first product might not be a hit right away — that's why starting with something costing ten to twenty euros is more sensible than immediately buying the most expensive model.
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