Walk into any well-stocked shop and the wall of shapes can feel like a quiz you never studied for. This guide sorts the main types of dildos into plain categories, explains which materials are safe to put in a body, and gives you a simple path to picking a first one. No hype, no jargon — just what each shape does and who it suits.
In this guide
- The eight families at a glance
- Main types of dildos
- Body-safe materials
- Beginner sizing
- Choosing yours
- Anal use and the flared base
- Cleaning, lube, and storage
- FAQ
The eight families at a glance
| Type | Best for | Typical price (CAD) | Key trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic | Lifelike look and feel | $25–$90 | Sculpted detail, soft dual-density options |
| Non-realistic | Sleek, abstract designs | $25–$120 | Smooth or ribbed forms, easy to clean |
| Curved / G-spot | Internal spot stimulation | $30–$100 | Angled tip aimed at the front wall |
| Suction-cup | Hands-free solo play | $25–$60 | Base sticks to smooth surfaces |
| Double-ended | Two partners, or depth control | $40–$120 | Insertable at both ends |
| Vibrating | Motion plus vibration | $60–$250 | Motorized; some app-controlled |
| Fantasy | Colour, sculpture, imagination | $40–$150 | Dragon, tentacle, and glow designs |
| Harness-compatible | Partner strap-on play | $30–$90 | Wide base fits an O-ring |
What are the main types of dildos?
Almost every design on the market is one of eight families, and most differ by base, curve, and texture rather than anything mysterious. Here is what each one actually does.
Realistic
A realistic dildo is sculpted to look and feel anatomical, often with a soft outer layer over a firmer core. People choose this style for familiarity, and many include balls that double as a grip. The trade-off: heavy texture takes slightly more care when washing.
Non-realistic
These are the sleek, sculptural shapes — smooth cones, gentle waves, ribbed columns in bold colours. With no crevices, they are the easiest style to keep clean, and their neutral look feels less charged for some first-time buyers. Firmness varies widely, so check the product description.
Curved and G-spot
A pronounced curve points pressure at the front vaginal wall, the classic route to g-spot stimulation. The same angle works for the prostate when the toy also has a flared base. If targeted internal pressure is your goal, this family beats a straight shaft every time.
Suction-cup
A suction cup base sticks to smooth tile or fitted furniture, freeing both hands. That makes this the default hands-free option for solo play, and the wide base means many are also safe for anal use. Suction strength varies with the surface — glossy and non-porous surfaces hold best.
Double-ended
Long and flexible, a double-ended design offers an insertable tip at each end. Couples can share one, and solo users fold it to control depth with a hand on the free end. Because both ends are insertable, wash it as carefully as two separate toys.
Vibrating
Add a motor and the line between categories blurs: a vibrating dildo is essentially a shaped vibrator. Some thrust, some warm up, and app-controlled models hand the settings to a partner from anywhere. Expect higher prices, charging cables, and water-resistance ratings to check before bath use.
Fantasy
Dragons, tentacles, glow-in-the-dark rainbows — fantasy designs are where independent makers play. Shapes are often dramatic, so read the measurements rather than judging from photos. Reputable makers pour these in platinum silicone; avoid mystery-material lookalikes at suspiciously low prices.
Hollow and harness-compatible
A harness-compatible toy has a wide, stable base that seats behind the O-ring of a strap-on harness. Hollow versions fit over the body, which some people use to keep partner play going regardless of erections. Our strap-on harness guide covers O-ring sizing in detail.
Which dildo materials are body-safe?
Three dildo materials are broadly considered body-safe: platinum-cure silicone, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel. All three are non-porous, so bacteria have nowhere to hide and a proper wash actually sterilizes the surface. Glass and steel add weight and temperature play — warm or cool them in water before use.
Porous materials are the ones to avoid. As Healthline's medically reviewed guide puts it, "Sex toys made out of porous materials have little tiny microscopic holes that can hold onto bacteria, dust, soap, and perfume even after you clean it." That list includes jelly rubber, PVC, TPR, and TPE — common in bargain toys, sometimes with a strong chemical smell from phthalate plasticizers.
| Material | Porous? | Care level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum silicone | No | Easy — boilable if no motor | The default body-safe choice |
| Borosilicate glass | No | Easy | Rigid, great for temperature play |
| Stainless steel | No | Easy | Heavy, firm, pricey |
| ABS plastic | No | Easy | Fine for external-heavy use |
| Jelly / PVC / TPR / TPE | Yes | Cannot be fully sanitized | Skip for anything insertable |
Our rule is short enough to memorize: if the listing won't name the material, don't put it in your body. Platinum silicone, borosilicate glass, and stainless steel are the only three we recommend inserting.
What size should a beginner choose?
Start around 2.5–3.5 cm (1–1.4 in) in diameter and 12–15 cm (5–6 in) of insertable length. Girth determines comfort far more than length does, because you control how much length you actually use. Check the listed insertable measurement, not the total — a suction base or balls can add several non-usable centimetres.
Firmness is the overlooked spec. Softer blends flex with the body and forgive angle mistakes; firmer cores deliver more targeted pressure to a specific spot. If you are between two sizes, take the smaller one — an ambitious purchase that sits unused in a drawer helps no one.
How do you choose a dildo?
If you are wondering how to choose a dildo without guesswork, decide in this order: material first, then base, then size, then shape. Material is a health decision; the rest are preference.
Ask four quick questions. Where will it be used — vaginal only, or possibly anal (which requires a flared base)? Do you want hands-free solo play, partner use, or harness use — each points to a different base. Do you want targeted pressure (firm, curved) or an all-over feel (softer, straight)? And does vibration matter enough to justify charging one more device?
Budget guidance from our own shelves: a body-safe silicone starter runs $25–$40 CAD, and there is no need to spend more for a first toy. Our best dildos in Canada roundup compares specific in-stock picks at live prices if you want named recommendations.
Can you use a dildo for anal?
Yes — but only one with a flared base, and that rule has no exceptions. Unlike the vagina, the rectum can draw objects fully inside, which is why anal-safe designs are built, in the words of Planned Parenthood Toronto's anal play factsheet, so a toy "has a flared base so that it can be gripped and removed easily." A slim shaft with a wide suction or harness base qualifies; a straight wand with no base does not.
Add generous lubricant and go slower than feels necessary. For technique, pacing, and hygiene, our anal play safety guide goes deeper than this overview can.
From the Red Pleasures shelf. Everything above applies to any retailer's catalogue — but if you want a verified body-safe starting point, Red Pleasures stocks the 5-Inch Firm Silicone Dildo with Suction Base in Pink ($29.71 CAD), a beginner-friendly firm silicone shape with a hands-free suction base, and the 7-Inch Glow-in-the-Dark Rainbow Silicone Dildo ($35.47 CAD), a playful harness-compatible option with a suction cup. Both are non-porous silicone, and both ship with discreet shipping across Canada and the USA from our Ottawa-based team.
How do you clean, lube, and store one?
Wash before first use and after every session with warm water and mild unscented soap; pure silicone, glass, and steel toys without motors can also be boiled for deeper sanitizing. Cleaning matters even more if a toy is shared. Healthline's reviewers are blunt about it: "Any STI that can be transmitted through sexual activity can be spread via a shared sex toy." A condom over a shared toy is a simple extra layer.
Pair silicone toys with water-based lube as your default. The same Planned Parenthood Toronto factsheet notes that "silicone-based lubricants don't work well with silicone toys" — a bad pairing can make the surface gummy. Our silicone vs water-based lube guide and toy cleaning guide cover the details. Store each toy dry, in its own pouch — some materials react when left pressed together.
FAQ
What is the most beginner-friendly type?
A smooth, non-realistic silicone model around 2.5–3 cm in diameter with a suction-cup base. It is easy to clean, works hands-free, has an anal-safe base, and typically costs $25–$40 CAD — the most versatility per dollar of any family.
What is the difference between a dildo and a vibrator?
A dildo has no motor; a vibrator does. The line blurs with vibrating models, which are shaped like the former and powered like the latter. If you mainly want vibration, start with a dedicated vibrator instead.
Are fantasy designs body-safe?
They can be. Reputable fantasy makers pour platinum-cure silicone and publish material details. The risk is lookalike imports in unnamed rubber blends — apply the same material rule you would to any other toy before buying.
Do glass toys break inside the body?
Borosilicate glass — the same family as laboratory glassware — is highly resistant to breakage in normal use. Inspect any glass toy for chips or cracks before each session and retire it at the first flaw.
What does dual-density mean?
A firmer inner core under a softer outer layer, mimicking flesh over structure. It is common in higher-end realistic designs and costs more than single-density equivalents, but many people find the feel worth the premium.
Can any suction-cup toy be used anally?
Usually, because the wide base prevents it from slipping fully inside — the same job a flared base does. Confirm the base is genuinely wider than the shaft and stays outside the body at all times.
How much should I spend on a first one?
$25–$40 CAD buys a genuinely body-safe silicone starter in Canada. Higher prices buy dual-density feel, glass or steel, or motors — worthwhile upgrades later, unnecessary for finding out what you like.
What lube works with a silicone toy?
Water-based lube, always. Silicone-on-silicone can degrade the toy's surface, and oil-based products are hard to wash out and can weaken latex condoms. Water-based formulas are compatible with every material in this guide.
Shop the full collection: Dildos at Red Pleasures
Related reading: our best dildos in Canada picks, the strap-on harness guide, and how to clean sex toys safely.