So you're easing into anal play - hello and welcome! Despite how infrequently we may talk about this type of sex, you're not alone, and there are so many exciting ways to ease into it. Case in point: many people are experimenting with sex toys like Butt Plugs behind closed doors, as evidenced by the hundreds of options on the market, from weighted and warming designs to vibrating and glass creations. But before we take an up-close look at all the different choices, let's start with the butt-plug basics, shall we? Ahead, Cécile Gasnault, brand director of the aptly named sex-toys and accessories brand Smile Makers, answers all your questions about butt plugs.

What Are Butt Plugs?

Butt plugs are penetrative products designed to stimulate the anal region, Gasnault explains. "For male-bodied people, it can help to massage the highly erogenous prostate. For female-bodied people, it can come and titillate nerves that also interact with the clitoral region and can be an indirect way to exert pressure on the G-spot region by pushing against the vagina." She adds that "some female-bodied people also like to use it as a way to create a tighter feel in the vagina."

How to Choose a Butt Plug

When choosing a butt plug, it's important to consider the materials it's made of and its shape and size. "Material-wise, it's important to make sure that it's body-safe and that the surface is nonporous to be easy to wash," Gasnault says. "Glass or silicone toys can both feel great, but beginners might feel more comfortable starting with silicone, which has a very soft touch."

Likewise, she recommends that those easing into anal play "start small." In other words, look for toys that "present a rounded and narrow tip for easier insertion," she says. "Make sure that your toy also has a flare at the base for safety" (aka, so it doesn't get stuck). Yikes.

Expert Tips For Using a Butt Plug

The key to using a butt plug is to take your time. Gasnault recommends "plenty of foreplay, or 'outercourse,' to help prepare the body and relax through pleasure." She explains that "getting the head [of the device] in is the part that can feel the most uncomfortable," adding that using "plenty of personal lubricant" can help ensure the experience is pleasurable.

Your surroundings matter, too. "Make sure you are in a comfortable and safe space where you will be undisturbed, light a candle, play soft music, or do whatever makes the space most comfortable to you," says Megwyn White, clinical sexologist and director of education at the sex-toy brand Satisfyer. "Take a deep breath to further relax and listen to your body, noting what feels good and what does not."

Excited? Ahead, we've rounded up the best butt plugs of 2023, with insight from experts on why they love them.