Scarleteen
Suction vibes showed up on the scene in the early aughts, and the world of sex toys has never been the same since. These days, almost every sex toy manufacturer has their own version, giving interested parties a plethora of options to choose from.
Unlike vibrators, which stimulate by making direct contact with your body and buzzing against your bits, suction toys use pulses of air and gentle air pressure changes to stimulate nerve-dense areas without actually touching them directly. Some people experience the sensation from suction vibes as smoother and softer than a traditional vibrator, while others report that it delivers the targeted power they yearn for.
Why air suction toys?
What does it do? These toys utilize air pulsations to create a sucking or throbbing sensation that can feel like oral sex. Instead of vibrating directly against your skin, a suction toy has a hollow nozzle that creates a seal over the clitoris, nipples, or any other sensitive areas that can be placed inside the opening of the toy, pulling and releasing air in rhythmic bursts.
What body part or parts is it for use with? These personal devices are often marketed as “clit suction toys,” “clit stimulators,” or “clit suckers”, but their focused airflow can be focused on any nerve-dense body part, including nipples, ears and necks, parts of the penis and the external portions of the clitoris.
Most suction vibrators are designed specifically for external use, though a few companies carry vaginal and G-spot wands which sport suction-providing nozzles at the end for internal sucking. There are also a few rabbit-style, dual-stimulation toys that have a sucking clitoral attachment instead of the traditional vibrating one paired with another part of the toy, one without suction, intended to go inside the vagina.
To date, there are no suction toys designed for internal anal stimulation. For safety’s sake, remember that it’s important to only put things in your anus that have a flared base that can keep the toy rooted outside of your body. Unlike the vagina, things can get lost inside the anus in a way you can’t get them out by yourself. If you want anal stimulation, look for toys designed specifically for it.
What’s it feel like? It is different for everyone! The intensity and patterns of the air flow vary from suction toy to suction toy based on factors like motor size, intensity settings, and nozzle shape, size, and material. Additionally, everybody’s body responds differently to different sensations.
Some people say they feel like light, butterfly kisses, while others describe it as a pleasurable tapping. Meanwhile, some people find the sensation too powerful, or even uncomfortably intense.
Quick facts
What materials are they made of? Most suction toys are made from silicone and/or ABS plastic, both of which are body-safe materials that can be disinfected. When shopping, pay special attention to the material of the mouth. Silicone is skin-soft, flexible, and cushiony, while ABS plastic is more rigid and has no give. People who like a gentler touch should opt for the former, while people who crave intensity might be better-suited with the latter.
Is it loud? Most suction toys are quiet, and when powered up, sound more like a humming fan than a power tool. However, some of these toys become louder during real-life use when they touch your skin or are used with lubricant (more on that ahead). That said, most are discreet enough that they can be utilized behind closed doors without other people overhearing.
Is it beginner-friendly? While suction toys are popular, they have a steeper learning curve than something like a bullet vibrator. The angle you hold the toy, as well as how close (or far) you hold it from your body, impacts the sensation. Additionally, it may take some trial and error to determine what intensity you prefer, as well as how aroused you have to be before introducing the toy.
Do I need anything besides the toy to use it? You can use a suction toy on its own. However, applying a dollop of lubricant that’s safe for your toy (water-based lubes always are; lubes with silicone may not be) to your body and the rim of the nozzle generally makes the experience smoother and more comfortable. The lube also creates a seal between your skin and the toy, which facilitates the experience. Lube can feel like saliva, too, which helps the sensation feel more like receiving oral sex.
Are suction toys safe?
Yes, suction toys are considered very safe when used as intended. You may have heard myths that sex toys can permanently desensitize your genitals or that using them during solo play can make it harder to enjoy sex with a partner later. The truth is, these and other toys absolutely cannot permanently alter your body nor “ruin” partner sex forever.
How can you keep it clean? You can clean most suction toys with water and fragrance-free soap. If your toy is waterproof, you can hold it under the faucet without fretting, but if the toy is just water-resistant, splash-proof, or marked as not being waterproof, you should use a soapy washcloth.
Cleaning suction toys requires a bit more time and diligence than toys with fewer nooks and crannies, like bullet vibrators or wand massagers. A q-tip can come in handy for cleaning the nozzle, which may be too small for your fingers to fit. Just wet the end and swirl it around the inside.
How to use it?
The vast majority of suction toys are designed for external use and are safe to use on genitals, nipples, necks, or anywhere else your heart desires.
Rabbit toys with a clitoral sucking feature, specifically, combine internal vibration with targeted stimulation of the glans clitoris. This dual stimulation design makes it a little more complex than single-function and single-button toys, but with lube, patience, and a little body attunement, you’ll get the hang of it. Generally, it’s best to start by guiding the longer limb into your vagina before fixating the nozzle over your external genitals. If you find you need clitoral stimulation before sliding anything into your vagina, you can get that from fingers, a different kind of toy, or some other way first.
Can I use it alone? Yes! Suction toys are fantastic additions to solo sex. These toys can be a particularly great masturbation toy for those who enjoy oral sex—or are curious about what it might feel like—but don’t have a partner to explore with. They also work well for some with hand or finger mobility limitations, as minimal maneuvering is required once the toy is in position.
Can you use it with a partner? If so, how? You bet! Enjoying pleasure with a toy is just as valid as enjoying it without one. If you wind up liking the sensation of suction toys and want to make them part of sex with a partner, you can talk with them about using toys together. Many people find that adding toys makes partnered sex more fun and more connected.
Moreover, thanks to their long-lasting motors, suction toys can provide consistent stimulation for durations that the human body physically cannot. These toys can come in handy if neck, jaw, or other pains make it uncomfortable for your partner to give oral sex, or to be engaged in oral sex for an extended period of time. Plus, they are convenient to have nearby during mutual masturbation or other kinds of sex. Many suction toys have a slim profile so that they can even fit seamlessly between bodies during intercourse, if you like, including face-to-face and from-behind positions.
Where to get it?
Is there something I can find at home? Not that’s safe, no. Suction toys utilize specialized technology to pulse air at controlled speeds and intensities. This effect cannot be safely replicated through any other kitchen, bathroom, or household item with a nozzle or sucker. In fact, using objects designed for different purposes—like vacuum attachments, oral tools, or facial pore cleaners—can be dangerous as uncontrolled or excessive suction can cause pain, bruising, or even serious injury to sensitive tissue.
If you’re curious about suction toys, your best bet is to purchase one from a reputable brand to ensure it’s body-safe. However, if you aren’t married to the suction, other household items can be DIY-ed to deliver different sensations.
Where can I get it? You’ll be able to find suction toys online and at in-person sex shops. At many feminist and queer-friendly sex shops, employees and educators prioritize providing accurate, shame-free information. Thus, it’s uncommon for them to request age verification just to browse or ask questions. That said, purchasing toys may still require you to confirm your age, depending on local laws and store policy.
What do they usually cost? There are suction toys available at every price point, with some basic options ringing up for just $25 to $50. However, higher-quality picks will cost you $120 to $220.
Here’s the thing: Suction toys are one of the few sex toy categories where spending a bit more can actually make a big difference in comfort, durability, and overall experience. Options at the higher price-point often come with multiple nozzle sizes, which allows you to customize the toy based on the size and shape of the body part you’re looking to stimulate. More expensive options are also more likely to be quieter during use and usually also have steadier motors, which means the air pulsation sensation remains consistent without random drops in intensity.
Plenty of people have good experiences with the lower-cost options, but if you want quieter performance, a customizable fit, and a smoother sensation, a slightly higher investment can be worth it.
How should I pick the right one for me?
The two factors that make the most significant difference when using a suction toy are its shape and the size of the mouth.
Some suction toys are ball-shaped stimulators that fit in your palm much like a lemon, while others are long and narrow, similar in shape to a banana. There are also rabbit-style suction toys, which have one internal arm designed to vibrate internally as the external arm sucks you externally.
Ultimately, the best shape depends on what feels most comfortable for you to hold and use, based on factors like arm strength, preferred positions, and whether you plan to use the toy solo or with a partner. Generally, long, slender models work well for partnered play and for people who like to pleasure themselves while lying face-down (prone). Meanwhile, rabbit-style suction toys are often better suited for more experienced toy users who know they enjoy the sensation of internal fullness paired with external stimulation.
The size of the nozzle can make a big difference, too. At baseline, you want an opening that is large enough to fit over the area you’re most interested in stimulating (i.e., clit or nipples). If the mouth is too small, the air may struggle to reach the desired area, and some suction vibes’ openings are just too small for larger clitorises. Extra-large nozzles can help spread the suction over a wider surface area, giving a gentler experience that can feel better for people who are sensitive or brand new to suction toys. Most people enjoy and can use a nozzle somewhere smack dab in the middle.
