This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Sex toys are more widely available than ever before, making it tempting to spend a lot of money to build up your arsenal. But it can take a minute to find your preferences, and when you consider that sex toys aren’t usually a return-friendly product (though we’ve found a few that are), the allure of a budget-friendly pick is extra potent.
Whether you’re looking to get your first toy ever or have buzzed yourself to infinity and beyond before, we’ve gathered some of the best budget sex toys out there.
Is it safe to buy cheaper sex toys?
Budget-friendly does not mean cheaply made. Quality was a non-negotiable when compiling this list. After all, it’s not worth saving a few pounds if you’re using an unsafe toy (and not in the fun NSFW way) to put on your genitals.
We’re betting you want to avoid anything that can easily harbor bacteria, so we chose toys that use body-safe, non-porous materials, like silicone, metal, and borosilicate glass. The greater the porosity of a toy, the easier bacteria can thrive in it, even if you’re regularly cleaning it after each use (as you should with any toy).
That’s not to say that porous materials like PVC, rubber, TPE, or even some silicone blends are entirely unsafe — it’s just that they require a lot of special care to maintain that safety, and should always be used with a latex condom.
When buying budget, knowledge is power and diligent care is key.
What should you expect when buying a budget sex toy?
So what’s the big trade-off with a cheaper sex toy?
As you might’ve anticipated, you won’t be up to your ears in fancy features like the self-moving rabbits of the Lelo Ina Wave 2, the automatic pulsating of the Womanizer Premium 2, or the orgasm tracking of the Lioness Vibrator 2.0, which all cost hundreds of pounds. You’re also less likely to find Bluetooth-activated toys worth using.
Does that mean luxe toys are simply better? Absolutely not. There are plenty of high-end toys that former Mashable culture reporter Jess Joho described as “a living nightmare.”
What you’re more likely to find in the affordable sex toy range are features that stick to the basics. That might mean three to five vibration settings instead of 11, or a toy with water resistance instead of full-on waterproofing. Its design might be simpler in looks and function, with one button that serves as an off/on and setting switch.
If you’re thinking “none of those things sound like huge cons,” it’s because they’re not. Budget-friendly sex toys can be pretty damn great, too.
What is the best cheap sex toy?
We’re not going to try and tell you which sex toy should be top of your list, or which one you must love or there is something wrong with you. Instead, we’re here to lend a helping hand in the form of a selection of cheap recommendations. There should be something for everyone in this list. You just need to pick a favourite from the bunch.
These are the best sex toys under £50 in 2023.
