Post contains affiliate links. Choosing new sex toys is undoubtedly fun, but sometimes it can be a tricky task. There’s just so much out there, it can be a bit overwhelming. One of the first decisions you have to make is what your newest sex toy will be made from. Different materials feel different in the body and provide different sensations; but what is the best material for sex toys?
- Quick Answer: What Is the Best Material for Sex Toys?
- Sex Toy Materials at a Glance
- Unsafe Materials for Sex Toys
- Why Cheap Sex Toys Often Use Unsafe Materials
- Body Safe Materials
- What is the Safest Material for Sex Toys?
- TPE vs Silicone
- Best Body-Safe Materials by Toy Type
- How to Tell If a Sex Toy Is Body Safe
- Choosing Safe Sex Toy Materials
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Material for Sex Toys?
The safest materials for sex toys are:
- Medical-grade silicone
- Borosilicate glass
- Stainless steel
- ABS plastic
These materials are non-porous, body-safe and easy to clean, making them much safer than porous materials like jelly rubber and PVC. Some materials like TPE are more of a middle ground; widely used in realistic toys, but requiring more careful cleaning and maintenance.
Sex Toy Materials at a Glance
If you just want the short version, here’s a quick comparison of the safest and least safe sex toy materials.
Material | Body Safe? | Porous? | Found in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical-grade silicone | Yes | No | Most vibrators, plugs, suction toys | Soft, flexible, easy to clean, avoid silicone lube |
Borosilicate glass | Yes | No | Dildos, temperature play | Strong, smooth, dishwasher safe |
Stainless steel | Yes | No | Plugs, dildos, BDSM toys | Heavy, durable, easy to sterilise |
ABS plastic | Yes | No | Bullets, suction toys, vibrator shells | Hard, hygienic, often combined with silicone |
TPE / TPR | Conditionally | Yes | Male masturbators, sex dolls | Soft and realistic, but requires thorough cleaning and drying |
Jelly / PVC / Vinyl | No | Often yes | Cheap novelty toys | Can contain harmful chemicals, best avoided |
Silicone blends | Usually no | Often yes | Budget toys | Sounds better than it is, still not ideal |
Rubber / Cyberskin | No | Yes | Realistic toys | Porous and difficult to keep hygienic |
Unsafe Materials for Sex Toys
Before we talk about the best materials for sex toys, we’ll start with a list of the materials that are a big no-no.
Despite being potentially dangerous and harmful, you can still find sex toys made from unsafe materials available for sale. Unsafe toys are most definitely best avoided and if you already own some, the only good place for them is in the bin.
Porous Materials
Why are they unsafe?
No matter how hard you try to clean them properly, porous toys can be impossible to keep clean and safe. In time, they will grow and harbour mould and harmful bacteria which can cause reoccurring infection. Definitely not my idea of a good time.
What should I avoid?
Porous toys are those made from elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and anything referred to as a silicone blend. Some of these materials, particularly TPE, are commonly used in realistic toys, but require much more careful cleaning and maintenance.
Toxic Materials
Why are they unsafe?
Toxic toys can leach chemicals which could cause burns and when we’re talking about genitals, that’s not a good idea at all. They can also leach phthalates, which are are chemicals that aid in binding things together and make plastic more flexible. These have been linked to all manner of health issues.
What should I avoid?
Toxic materials include jelly, rubber, cyberskin, vinyl and PVC and vinyl. As well as phthalates, other chemicals to look out for and avoid include trimethyltin chloride, phenol, carbon disulfide, toluene and cadmium.
Why Cheap Sex Toys Often Use Unsafe Materials
Many very cheap toys use unsafe materials, because they are significantly cheaper to manufacture than silicone or stainless steel, which we explain in more detail in our article on the dangers of cheap sex toys.
Unfortunately, these materials can absorb bacteria, break down over time and even contain potentially harmful chemicals.
If you’re unsure whether a toy is body-safe, it’s always worth checking the materials list before buying. If you’re considering a budget toy, it’s worth reading our guide on buying cheap sex toys safely before making a decision.
Body Safe Materials
Body safe materials for sex toys are silicone, stainless steel, ABS plastic, glass, wood (when made with certain treatments/finishes), aluminium, titanium, ceramic and stone (again, only certain types of stone and with certain treatments/finishes).
With the exception of silicone, they are all hard materials.
What is the Safest Material for Sex Toys?
Of the types of body safe materials from which sex toys can be made, in my opinion, the best materials for sex toys are:
Body Safe Silicone
Silicone is probably the best material for sex toys as, as well as being safe it’s so versatile and can be used to make everything from wearable vibrators to butt plugs.
It’s the only body-safe material that can be soft and bendy, which is a huge plus when you’re making toys that have to fit different anatomies, and it comes in any colour or shape so can be super realistic, if that’s your thing.
Silicone sex toys can be cleaned safely with soapy water or toy cleaner or in the dishwasher. Once in a while you can sterilise them and remove any odours by boiling, or even baking (as long as they don’t have batteries of course!).
The only down sides of silicone toys are that they don’t like silicone-based lubes, and they tend to be a bit more expensive than the unsafe materials (although cheap body safe sex toys are available), and fluff and hair does tend to stick to it which can be annoying, but of course it’s absolutely worth it.
Are silicone sex toys always body safe?
Most high-quality silicone toys are body safe, but it’s important to check that the product uses 100% medical-grade silicone rather than a silicone blend. Silicone blends can sometimes contain porous materials.
Glass
Borosilicate glass is a good option for sex toys – particularly dildos – because it is a material that is neither porous nor toxic, and it doesn’t change form in high temperatures. They are surprisingly robust and look really pretty too!
To clean glass sex toys properly, you can stick them in the dishwasher. Job done.
Glass sex toys are ideal for temperature play as they can be made warm or very cold. Just don’t go from one extreme to the other – for instance from the freezer into a boiling pan – or it may crack.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel sex toys look pretty sleek and they’re very solid and pretty much indestructible. There is something of a BDSM vibe about stainless steel sex toys, I always think, which just isn’t the same with something made of pastel squishy silicone. They’re a really good choice for butt plugs or anal hooks (pictured above) as they’re really easy to clean; stick it in the dishwasher, in some bleach, or in boiling water.
ABS Plastic
ABS plastic is a hard, non-porous plastic that is commonly used in high-quality vibrators, including many clitoral suction toys and bullet vibrators.
It’s considered body-safe because it does not absorb bacteria and is easy to clean. While it isn’t flexible like silicone, it’s often used for the outer shell of vibrators where durability and hygiene are important.
Many suction toys like the Satisfyer Pro 2 and the Biird Lumii combine ABS plastic with silicone components, giving you the best of both worlds.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is one of the most common materials used in male masturbators (like Fleshlights) and realistic sex dolls. It’s designed to feel soft, flexible, and skin-like, which is why it’s often used in toys that aim to create a more realistic experience.
Compared to silicone, TPE is usually softer and more ‘squishy’, which many people prefer for strokers and realistic toys, however, TPE is slightly porous. That means it requires more careful cleaning and drying after use to prevent bacteria or mould developing over time.
If you’re using TPE toys regularly, proper maintenance is essential.
You can read our guide to cleaning sex dolls and TPE toys properly.
TPE vs Silicone
Silicone is non-porous and easier to clean, making it the safest and lowest-maintenance option. TPE, on the other hand, is softer and often feels more realistic, but requires more care to keep hygienic.
For most people:
- Choose TPE for realism and feel
- Choose silicone for ease and hygiene
Best Body-Safe Materials by Toy Type
Toy Type | Best Material |
|---|---|
Clitoral suction toys | Silicone + ABS plastic |
Vibrators | Silicone |
Dildos | Silicone, glass, stainless steel |
Butt plugs | Silicone, stainless steel |
Temperature play toys | Glass, stainless steel |
How to Tell If a Sex Toy Is Body Safe
Quick checklist:
- Check the materials list
- Avoid “silicone blends”
- Be wary of extremely cheap toys
- Buy from reputable retailers
- Look for medical-grade silicone.
- Check for the ISO 3533 international standard, which ensures safety requirements for sex toys and guarantees that every sex toy is is safe for reasonable and foreseeable use, and that materials are safe for contact with the genitalia and/or anus.
Choosing Safe Sex Toy Materials
When choosing a sex toy, the material matters just as much as the design.
High-quality materials like silicone, stainless steel and borosilicate glass are body-safe, easy to clean and designed to last. While cheaper toys made from porous materials might seem tempting, they can pose hygiene and safety risks over time.
If you’re ever unsure, look for products made from medical-grade silicone or other non-porous materials, and buy from reputable retailers.
Your body will thank you for it.
Related posts:
