Whether it’s your first time buying a sex toy or not. For some people, it still remains a bit of a gamble. How do you know if the toy you’ve set your mind on will be a good choice? Below we list the most common mistakes when buying a sex toy for you.

Cheapness is expensive

Let’s get right to the point. Sex toys don’t have to be expensive. You can buy great toys for an amount between €30 and €60. But keep using your brains. If you are looking for a good sex toy, the price is not the only thing you should pay attention to. However, sex toys that are made of better materials and also have better performance can be more expensive than toys made of cheaper materials and with less power under the hood. So don’t go for the very cheapest model, but think of it as a ‘depth investment’ (no pun intended).

Where you buy

Another old Dutch saying goes: if something is too good to be true, it probably is. So that vibrator you found on that Chinese website for half the money? It could very well be a fake. Marketplaces like Alibaba, Amazon and eBay are very convenient, but no matter how well these parties do their best; every now and then you run the risk of getting a counterfeit product.

Therefore, only buy on such a marketplace if the seller is known. But even better: buy from parties who get good reviews and who have a clear return policy. The NBRplaza shop is an affiliate shop of EDC. That is the party behind EasyToys. So that means it’s a reliable Dutch company you’re buying from, with its own customer service and clear terms and conditions.

Size matters

One of the trickiest things about buying a sex toy online is figuring out how big it is. The thickness (diameter) of a toy is especially important. Both too big and too small is not pleasant. It is also just hard to imagine the size. That’s why it is wise – if you are in doubt – to compare the dimensions with, for example, your fingers, or a banana, or another object. Five centimeters thick? How many fingers is that?

Make sure photos of toys are placed in context (i.e., in a hand, or next to a lipstick) so you have an idea of their true dimensions. Sometimes toys are much smaller than you think. Or much larger.

Body-safe materials

Fortunately, there are fewer and fewer items for sale at reliable (web) stores that are downright unsafe. But be aware that the legislation for sex toys is not well regulated. Even in countries like the US. As a result, you may just end up buying a toy made of materials that are not safe to bring into contact with your most intimate parts. Certain types of plastic – and especially plastic containing plasticizers (phtalates) – are toxic. Other materials are porous, allowing bacteria to accumulate.

So pay attention to what kind of material your toy is made of and do research before you buy anything.

The right lube

Seriously. You can graduate on the topic of lubricants. Fortunately, the regulations for lubricant have been changed. Do you find it all just complicated? Then observe the following maxims:

• Always use plenty of lubricant with a sex toy. Always. It makes sex so much more fun! Therefore, always buy lube with your toy.
• Do not use silicone-based lubricant with a toy made of silicone. Water-based lube is compatible with all sex toys.
• If you often suffer from a vaginal (fungal) infection, use a water-based lubricant that does not contain glycerin and parabens.
• With butt plugs and other anal toys, always use a lubricant specifically for anal sex (but without numbing effects).
• Never use an oil-based lubricant if you are also using a condom.

Still want more information about lubricant? Then read these articles:

How harmful is glycerine in personal lube?

Everything you need to know about silicone based personal lubricant

Hygiene and cleaning

Before you buy a toy, it’s important to take a moment to think about how to clean it. How easy is the toy to clean? Are there any edges or ridges on it where dirt and bacteria can easily accumulate? Is the toy waterproof, so you can easily rinse it under the tap? Or do you have to take the toy apart completely? A good review of a toy also covers cleaning and hygiene.

Google for reviews

Don’t rely on what the selling party says about its own products. There are plenty of reviews online of the most popular sex toys. Compare reviews before you buy a product. With a few minutes of googling you will be a lot wiser. Here at NBRplaza we also write regular reviews about sex toys, but there are plenty of other bloggers where you can find information.

Still not sure?

Any questions left? Don’t hesitate to ask the in our forum, by mail or on Twitter (in DM).