Which Butt Plug Should I Buy?
By Zoey Unicorn · 8 min read
If you want the short answer first: for a first butt plug, buy a small one in silicone, glass, or metal, with a flared base and a smooth taper, that measures about an inch across at its widest point and roughly three inches long in the part that goes in. Pick the material you like the look and feel of, because all three are body-safe, and skip anything that does not have a wide base. That one rule matters more than brand, color, or price.
The rest of this guide covers how to choose between materials, what the sizes really mean, whether you want a plain plug, a vibrating one, or one with a tail, and which brands you will find on the site. I do all the buying for The White Unicorn myself and have tested most of what I sell, so I have a strong opinion about what makes a good first plug: something small, something smooth, and something you will not feel silly about owning.
Silicone starters and training kits
Start with the base, always
Before material or size, look at the bottom. A butt plug needs a flared base that is clearly wider than the neck of the toy, so it cannot slip past the muscles and travel where you do not want it. Gems, hearts, and rings are all fine as long as the base is wide and flat enough to sit against your body. If a product photo shows a toy that tapers straight down with no flare, it is not a plug, and it is not what you want.
Silicone, glass, or metal
Silicone is the easiest place to start. It has a little give, it warms up to your body temperature, and it forgives a slightly rushed first try better than anything hard does. The one thing to remember is that silicone toys and silicone lube do not mix, because the lube can break the surface of the toy down over time. Reach for a water-based lube instead, such as Pjur Back Door, which is made for anal play. If you want to compare lubes, our Lube 101 guide breaks down the differences.
Glass and metal are the smooth, firm options. They are non-porous, they wipe clean in seconds, and you can run them under warm or cool water for a little temperature play before you start. Because they do not flex, they ask for patience, so use plenty of lube and go slowly. Check glass for chips or scratches every time you pick it up, and retire it if you find any. Our body-safe materials guide goes deeper on why these materials are the safe ones.
Metal and gem plugs
What the sizes actually mean
Size is the question people ask most, and the honest answer is that small is not a consolation prize, it is the right place to start. As a rough guide, a small plug is about three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a quarter across at its widest point, with about two and a half to three and a half inches that can be inserted. A medium runs around an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half wide. Large and extra large go well past that and are for people who already know what they like.
Two numbers matter on any product page: the insertable length and the widest diameter. Total length includes the base, so it can make a toy look bigger than it is. If a page only gives overall length, check the photos with a ruler in mind, or look for a graduated set that includes several sizes so you can work up when you are ready.
How long it takes to feel comfortable varies a lot. For many people the first session is mostly about getting used to a feeling of fullness, and it can take a few tries over several days or weeks before it feels easy. Short sessions, plenty of lube, and stopping the moment it hurts are the whole plan. If you have pain that does not ease, bleeding that does not stop, or anything that worries you, that is worth raising with your doctor. Do not push through pain. The step-by-step version lives in our guide to using a butt plug for the first time.
Glass plugs
Function: plain, vibrating, or tailed
A plain plug is the simplest choice and the one I would point a first-timer toward. It does its job by being there, and the fullness is the whole sensation. A vibrating plug adds a motor, which some people love and others find too much on day one. If you are curious, treat the vibration as an upgrade for later, and look in the vibrating plugs collection when you are ready. App-controlled plugs from Lovense let you or a partner adjust the buzz from a phone, and the B-Vibe rimming plug adds rotating beads at the neck for a very different sensation.
Vibrating and app-controlled plugs
Tail plugs are the playful end of the range. A fluffy fox tail, a bunny puff, or a long unicorn tail turns the toy into part of a costume or a pet play scene, which is its own pleasure. They are usually slightly heavier at the base because of the tail, so choose one in a size you already know you are comfortable with rather than using it as your first ever plug. If pet play is what draws you in, our Pet Play 101 guide covers the headspace side.
Tail plugs
Looks matter more than people admit
There is no rule that says the toy you use in private has to be plain. A gem base, a heart, a bright color, or a soft pastel shade can make the whole thing feel less clinical, and feeling relaxed is a real part of how comfortable it is. Choose the one you are happy to look at. Just make sure the pretty part is the base, which sits outside your body, and that the part that goes in is smooth, seamless, and free of ridges or sharp edges.
Color also helps with practical things. A lighter plug shows when a toy needs cleaning, and a bold color is easy to find in a drawer. Whatever you pick, wash it before and after every use with warm water and a toy-safe cleaner, and store it on its own so it does not touch other toys. Our guide to cleaning your toys has the details.
Brands you will see here
You will find a wide mix when you browse. NS Novelties makes the Rear Assets line, which is an affordable place to start. Booty Sparks is known for jeweled glass and gem plugs. Crystal Delights does glass plugs and glass tail plugs, Blush has a range of silicone and vibrating options under its Anal Adventures name, and XR Brands and Global Novelties cover many of the tail and novelty styles. At the splurge end, b-Vibe makes premium plugs and sets, and Lovense makes app-controlled vibrating ones. You do not need a famous name for a good first plug, you need the right shape, a flared base, and a body-safe material.
Related questions
How long until a butt plug feels comfortable?
It depends on your body, your lube, and how relaxed you are. Many people need a handful of short sessions before it feels easy, and some take longer. If it keeps hurting after you have relaxed and used plenty of lube, stop and try a smaller size another day.
Can I use silicone lube with a silicone plug?
It is best not to. Silicone lube can slowly damage the surface of a silicone toy. Use a water-based lube with silicone plugs, and keep silicone lube for glass or metal.
Is it normal to feel like I need to use the bathroom?
Yes, that is one of the most common first sensations, because the fullness can feel a lot like needing to go. It usually settles after a few minutes. Go to the bathroom before you start so you feel more at ease, and if you have ongoing pain or bleeding, check in with your doctor.
When you are ready to look around, the full butt plugs collection is a good place to start, and our butt plug vs anal beads guide is worth a read if you are still deciding between the two. If this is your first time with anal play, our Every Body, Every Love hub collects more of the guides that help you feel at ease.
