Anal toys for beginners come down to five families: plugs, beads, training kits, prostate massagers, and slim dildos. Each one does a different job, and the right first pick is smaller and simpler than most people expect. This guide walks through every type, what it feels like, safe sizing in real numbers, and the two rules that keep exploration comfortable.
In this guide
- What makes a toy safe for anal play?
- Types of anal toys at a glance
- Butt plugs
- Anal beads
- Anal training kits
- Prostate massagers
- Vibrating options
- Slim anal dildos
- How do you choose anal toys for beginners?
- Materials and body safety
- Lube: the non-negotiable
- Your first session, step by step
- Cleaning and hygiene
- FAQ
What makes a toy safe for anal play?
A safe anal toy has two features: a flared base and a non-porous, body-safe material. Everything else — shape, vibration, texture — is preference. The base matters because the rectum can draw objects upward, and unlike the vagina there is no natural stopping point. Planned Parenthood Toronto's anal play factsheet puts it plainly: choose something that "has a flared base so that it can be gripped and removed easily."
That rule has no exceptions. A slim vibrator, a smooth pebble-shaped massager, or a household object with nothing to grip can slip past the sphincter entirely, and retrieval sometimes means an emergency-room visit. Every design covered below — plug, beads, massager, dildo — includes a flared base, a retrieval loop, or a wide handle. If a listing does not show one, skip it.
Types of anal toys at a glance
Here is how the main types of anal toys compare, with typical Canadian price ranges based on what we see across body-safe brands.
| Type | Best for | Typical price (CAD) | Beginner starting width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butt plug | First-time fullness; wearing during other play | $20–$60 | 2.5–3 cm |
| Anal beads | Gradual sizing; sensation on insertion and removal | $20–$50 | 1–1.5 cm first bead |
| Anal training kit | Working up in size at your own pace | $40–$80 | Smallest piece ~2 cm |
| Prostate massager | Targeted internal pressure for penis-owners | $75–$150 | 2.5–3 cm |
| Vibrating plug or massager | Adding vibration once basics feel easy | $100–$260 | 2.5–3.5 cm |
| Slim anal dildo | In-and-out motion; partner play | $25–$60 | 2.5–3 cm |
Butt plugs: the classic first pick
A butt plug is designed to go in and stay in. The shape does the work: a tapered tip for easy entry, a wider body that gives a feeling of fullness, a narrow neck the sphincter closes around, and that essential flared base. Because it stays put once seated, a plug lets you get used to the sensation without managing constant motion — which is exactly why it suits a first session.
Plugs come in silicone (soft, warm, forgiving) and metal or glass (firm, heavier, easy to warm or cool). Beginners usually do best with a small silicone or smooth metal plug around 2.5 cm wide. If you want the full walkthrough, our step-by-step butt plug guide covers insertion, wear time, and removal in detail.
Anal beads: gradual by design
Anal beads are a series of spheres on a flexible shaft or cord, usually graduated from small to larger, ending in a loop or wide handle. You insert as many beads as feel comfortable — one is fine — and the signature sensation is the gentle pop of the sphincter opening and closing around each sphere, especially on slow removal.
Beads are one of the most beginner-friendly designs because the first sphere is often barely wider than a fingertip, and you control depth one bead at a time. Look for a seamless silicone strand rather than a cord with separate spheres; the one-piece design is far easier to clean. Avoid rigid beaded wands until you know how your body responds to the basics.
Anal training kits: three sizes, one pace
An anal training kit bundles two to four plugs in graduated sizes, so you can move up gradually over weeks instead of guessing which single size to buy. You start with the smallest piece — typically around 2 cm wide — and only move to the next size when the current one inserts easily and comfortably. There is no schedule; some people stay happily at size one.
Kits solve the most common beginner mistake, which is buying one mid-sized plug that turns out to be too much on day one. They also cost less than buying three plugs separately. This gradual approach is what "anal training" actually means: patient, comfort-led sizing up, never forcing anything.
Prostate massagers: targeted pressure
A prostate massager is a curved toy designed for penis-owners. The angled tip applies pressure toward the prostate — the walnut-sized gland a few centimetres inside, often called the p-spot — while a base or external arm rests against the perineum and keeps the whole design securely outside-anchored. Many people find the pressure itself is the appeal; hands-free models respond to muscle contractions rather than motion.
These run larger and cost more than starter plugs, so they are a natural second purchase after a small plug or beads feel easy. Our prostate massager guide covers technique, positioning, and what to realistically expect.
Vibrating options: add power later
A vibrating butt plug or vibrating massager adds a motor to the shapes above. Vibration can help the muscles relax and layers a second sensation over fullness, and remote or app-controlled models bring a partner into the experience. The trade-offs: higher price, charging, and one more variable while you are still learning what feels good.
Our honest advice is to treat vibration as an upgrade, not a starting point. A $25 silicone plug will teach you more about what your body likes than a $150 vibrating model bought on day one. When you are ready, look for a design with a strong flared base and a motor located in the body of the plug, not the base.
Slim anal dildos: motion-focused
An anal dildo is built for in-and-out movement rather than staying put. For anal use it must still have a flared or suction-cup base — a standard rule regardless of what the packaging says. Slim, smooth, and flexible beats girthy and textured for a first one; around 2.5–3 cm wide is plenty.
Dildos shine in partner play and for anyone who finds stillness less interesting than motion. If this is the direction you want to explore, our comfort-first positions guide pairs well with it, since angle and pacing matter as much as the toy itself.
How do you choose anal toys for beginners?
Choose by width, not length, and by material, not looks. The rule we give customers: a first anal toy should be no wider than 2.5–3 cm at its widest point, made of a non-porous material, with a flared base — and you size up only when the current size feels easy. Everything else is preference.
Match the type to what you want to feel. Curious about fullness while doing other things: small butt plug. Want maximum control over depth: anal beads. Planning to work up in size over time: anal training kit. Penis-owner curious about internal pressure: start small first, then a prostate massager. Motion with a partner: slim dildo. When in doubt, the smallest plug or bead strand is the safest first purchase — regret from too small is mild, regret from too large ends sessions.
Materials and body safety
Stick to non-porous materials: medical-grade silicone, stainless steel, sealed metal alloys, or borosilicate glass. Porous materials — jelly, rubber, PVC, TPE blends — can harbour bacteria no matter how carefully you wash. As Healthline's medically reviewed guide to sex toys and STIs explains, porous toys "have little tiny microscopic holes that can hold onto bacteria, dust, soap, and perfume even after you clean it," while "nonporous sex toys can — if you clean them properly — be completely cleaned."
That distinction matters more here than anywhere else, because the rectum carries bacteria you do not want transferred elsewhere. Silicone is the default recommendation: soft, warm, and easy to sterilize. Metal and glass add weight and temperature play, and their rigid smoothness makes insertion predictable. If a listing will not name its material, treat that as a no.
Lube: the non-negotiable
This kind of play requires lube every single time. Planned Parenthood Toronto is direct about why: "the anus doesn't naturally get wet, so have lots of lubricants on hand." A thick water-based lube is the beginner default — it cushions well, works with every material, and re-activates with a few drops of water.
One compatibility rule to remember: as the same factsheet notes, "silicone-based lubricants don't work well with silicone toys" — the lube can degrade the surface over time. Water-based lube works with everything, which is why it is the only bottle a beginner needs. Our silicone vs water-based lube guide breaks down the differences.
Your first session, step by step
Set aside 20 unhurried minutes. First, wash the toy and your hands, and trim nails. Second, warm up: apply lube generously to the toy and the area, and start with gentle external pressure — a fingertip or the toy's tip resting against the opening, no pushing. Third, breathe out slowly and let the toy in a little at a time, pausing whenever you feel resistance. Fourth, stop at comfortable: seated for a plug, one or two beads, partial depth for anything else. Fifth, remove slowly, especially beads.
Two signals to respect: discomfort means pause and add lube; pain means stop for the day. Nothing about anal play should hurt — pain is information, not a hurdle to push through. A full safety primer lives in our anal play safety guide.
Cleaning and hygiene
Wash before first use and immediately after every session with warm water and gentle, unscented soap or a dedicated toy cleaner. Healthline's reviewed guidance is worth quoting because it applies doubly to anal use: "Any STI that can be transmitted through sexual activity can be spread via a shared sex toy." If a toy will be shared, wash it between users or, as Planned Parenthood Toronto suggests, "putting condoms on toys can help keep them clean."
Never move a toy from anal to vaginal use without a thorough wash or a fresh condom over it. Dry completely before storage, and keep silicone pieces from resting against other silicone items. Full material-by-material instructions are in our toy cleaning guide.
From the Red Pleasures shelf. Nothing in this guide requires a purchase from us — but if you want a vetted starting point, these are the beginner-appropriate pieces we currently stock at our Ottawa-based shop, with discreet shipping across Canada and the USA. The b-Vibe Jewel Heart Metal Anal Plug Training Set ($43.90 CAD) is a graduated metal trio with easy-grip gem bases. The b-Vibe Bounce Beaded Silicone Anal Plug ($42.00 CAD) blends a bead-style graduated shape with a plug's stay-put base in seamless body-safe silicone. And Sliquid Sassy Thick Water-Based Anal Gel ($16.95 CAD) is the thick, glycerin-free water-based lube we recommend alongside either.
FAQ
What is the best anal toy for a beginner?
A small tapered butt plug or a graduated bead strand, in body-safe silicone or smooth metal, no wider than 2.5–3 cm, with a flared base. Both let you control pace completely. An anal training kit is the better buy if you already know you want to size up over time.
What size should a first butt plug be?
Around 2.5 cm at the widest point — roughly the width of two fingers. Length matters far less than width. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller one; a plug that feels easy builds the comfort that makes the next size possible.
What is an anal training kit?
A set of two to four plugs in graduated sizes, from about 2 cm wide up to 4 cm or more. You use the smallest until it is fully comfortable, then move up at your own pace. It replaces guesswork with a progression you control.
Do I need special lube for anal toys?
You need lube, but not necessarily a special one. A thick water-based formula is ideal for beginners: it cushions, works with silicone, metal, and glass alike, and cleans up easily. Skip numbing lubes entirely — pain is a signal you need, not one to switch off.
Are anal toys only for men?
No. Everyone has the same ring of nerve endings at the anal opening, so plugs, beads, and slim dildos feel interesting regardless of anatomy. Only the prostate massager is anatomy-specific, since it targets a gland that only penis-owners have.
Can you wear a butt plug all day?
No — keep sessions short. Most guidance suggests taking breaks after 20–30 minutes, and never sleeping with a plug in. Extended wear can irritate tissue and restrict circulation. Build duration the same way you build size: gradually and comfortably.
Are metal anal toys safe for beginners?
Yes, if the piece is smooth, sized small, non-porous, and has a flared base. Metal is heavier than silicone and completely rigid, which some beginners find more predictable on insertion. Warm it under warm water first; cold metal is a shock.
How do you clean anal toys?
Wash with warm water and gentle, unscented soap or a toy cleaner after every use, before any switch between partners or body areas, and before first use. Pure silicone, steel, and glass pieces without motors can also be boiled for a deeper clean. Dry fully before storing.
Do anal toys hurt the first time?
They should not. With a small size, generous lube, and a slow pace, the sensation is pressure and fullness, not pain. If something hurts, stop — pain means too big, too fast, or not enough lube, and pushing through it is how people get hurt.
Shop the full collections: Anal toys at Red Pleasures and anal training kits.
Related reading: our butt plug beginner guide, the anal play safety guide, and how to clean sex toys safely.