Appearance isn't everything when it comes to dildo decisions: Texture, Shape, and Size are the other Big 3 determining factors.
It's easy to overlook this important factor, texture. How many lines and ripples and bumps *you* like matters—and it can totally change how much pleasure you get from any specific dildo!
3 Kinds of Dildos
The three major "realism levels" we can class any dildo into correspond strongly with the toy's texture level, too. What I mean:
- Abstract Dildos are frequently smoother than life. They can have sleek, gliding surfaces—just smooth, clean shapes—with minimal texture. Non-phallic, abstract sex toys can include a very slick silicone finish. They're also ideal for folks who prefer non-realistic shapes and smoothness anally.
- Realistic Dildos have different amounts of noticeable skin lines and veiny textures. Some have prominent, popping ridges (coronas); others are smaller-headed. In general, realistic dildos offer a medium amount of texture: more vs. abstract toys, but less than fantasy toys. Uberrime's Optimo, Maxime, Supero, Teres, Amante, Uberous, Bella, and Aveo silicone dildos fit this statement well: medium-level of skin line texture.
- Fantasy Dildos can be a texture-palooza! A frenzy of ripples, dragon plates, suckers, spikes, bumpity-bumps, bulging knots, and more. Fantasy toys can aim for larger than life: not only in size, but in the amount of texture you feel. As you stroke a hyper-textured fantasy toy—thrusting it by hand, or riding on it—you're likely to sense the dildo's unique non-realistic stimulation points more clearly vs. the comparative smoothness of a human peen.
So How Do You Know How Much Texture?
If you're not certain how much texture you like in your dildos, I suggest going for a moderate option. Neither the slickest, nor an uber-rippled fantasy dildo. Solid choices are:
1. If you're attracted to human penises, or you want to f*ck your partner with a real-looking dong: Teres for a standard-sized dildo, or Reservo medium for a foreskin-up dildo.
2. The Damn SynJav is "fantasy lite": Smooth overall, with a couple streamlined waves to add more.
3. The Damn Alien is IMO a fantastic intro fantasy toy, with 3 levels of polished ripples: good for G-spotting as it's literally three times the stimulation as you move the toy, or you ride down onto it.
For fantasy dildos & other high-texture toys: Moderate lines will deliver some texture, some extra feeling. Whereas a ton of small beads, closely stacked on top of each other as in the Hydrus, will offer the most extreme sensation (even in soft silicone!) and may be draggy for sensitive users.
Choosing Fantasy Dildos: Look and Feel
Personal preference is huge when it comes to fantasy toys. These creative toys are so distinctive, and can involve much imagination. The actual "fantasy" element is one factor that may or may not matter you personally: I mean, whether the idea of having sex with a dragon, or a long tentacle, or an extraterrestial gets you turned on at all.
Of course fantasy dildos can all be in good humor, too: The "dragon" dildo theme can make you smile because it's goofy, for example.
Just consider what you think: What do you find funny, or scandalous in a sexy way; or do imaginative creatures just not turn your crank at all, when it comes to choosing a sex toy? There's no wrong answer.
Look is primarily important: whether you enjoy how the dildo appears. Uberrime Dildos' expansive selection of 42 different colors gives you serious options here, as you can combine several and get all kinds of distinct marbled looks.
For me, I think fucking a silicone "dragon" is fun in a silly way, as an occasional sideline. The wide bulge + rippling back-plates of the medium Ardor dildo are simply interesting: good-different, when I want a change of pace from realistic dual-density silicone toys.
But alien dildos have always been my top interest among fantasy toys, since I love the Star-Trek-esque idea of progress and cooperative communication with other living creatures, somewhere, far away out in the galaxy and beyond. Of course this is all in good fun, too, since subspace and travel via wormholes are sci-fi fantasy for sure—but hey, give me a good sexy alien with a modicum of humanoid resemblance, and I'm very happy. It's phallic texture plus!
Are You Using a Good Lubricant with Your Silicone Dildo? Comfort
Lube, lube, lube! 97% of vaginal users will find textured silicone toys more comfortable when they employ a good lubricant.
And even more for anal play, since natural anal lubrication is minimal. You gotta have the lube.
Silicone sex toys, such as Uberrime's U.S.-sourced & platinum-cured silicone, are compatible with water-based lubricants, hybrid (water + minimal silicone blended in) lubricants, and natural oil-based lubricants.
I've always been a fan of Sliquid lubricants for being less chemical-based, and use Sliquid Silk the most myself, for both vaginal and clitoral play; but there are more less-processed lubricants starting to become available.
By "natural oil-based" I mean lubricants that are derived from plant oils and not overly refined / not hydrogenated. Petroleum oils (vaseline) are not safe sex lubricants, as their usage correlates with infection. Extra-virgin coconut oil, for one, is a great slick lube for anal since it lasts so long without drying out—but doesn't have processed additives like parabens or glycerin, which enters into your cells' protective lining and dries out that tissue.
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Phallophile Reviews has been goin' strong with a deep love of silicone dildo reviews—all the feel 👐 details!—and composing critical vibrator guides, plus butt plug findings & a multitude of sexy adventures, since 2017.