Do Vibrators Feel Good? [Jan 2022]

Whether you and your vibrator are joined at the clit or you’ve still got your vibrator v-card, it’s no secret that vibrations are many people’s go too for toe-curling orgasms at the touch of a button. It does seem that most people agree on this though. A survey of female sex toy owners in the USA found that vibrators were the top pick with 18% more of the respondents owning a vibrator than a dildo.

There does seem to be a general consensus about the pleasurable power of vibrations, but it really does depend on the person, the type of vibration, and the context, among other things. So while I would like to answer the question, ‘Do vibrators feel good’ with a resounding and enthusiastic, ‘Hell yes they do,’ we’re going to take a more objective look at what things determine whether or not vibrators feel good. So grab your goggles and white coat because I’m about to drop some sexy science.

What Effects Do Vibrations Have on Your Body?

Before we get to the nitty-gritty of the human nervous system, let’s take a look at some of the positive ways vibrations affect our body.

Vibrations can have an analgesic effect, meaning they can reduce pain
They can help relax muscles
They increase blood flow to the area being vibrated

It didn’t take long for the Hitachi Magic Wand for people to realize the muscle relieving qualities of the Hitachi Magic Wand had other ‘relieving’ applications!

Now of course this refers to vibrations of a certain strength and in localized areas, full power, full-body vibrations would most likely leave you feeling anything but turned-on!

Do Vibrators Feel Good for Penis Owners and Vulva Owners?

The short answer is yes, vibrations can be incredibly pleasurable no matter what genitals you have! Vibrators have been mostly marketed towards vulva owners for a long time but luckily that has changed. Now there are plenty of vibrators designed to please vulvas, vaginas, penises, testicles, perineums, anuses, and prostates — there really is no stone left unturned!

If you’re intrigued by the joys of anal vibrators but quite sure if they’ll feel good, we’ve got you covered with a whole post on the topic.

That doesn’t mean penises and vulvas respond to vibrations in exactly the same way. Due to the differences in the amount of different specialized nerve endings, it has been suggested that clitorises are more sensitive to lower frequencies of vibration than penises. At the end of the day though, it’s all about trying things out as every body is unique!

The Best Vibrators For Different Body Parts

With vibrators specially designed for each and every stimulation sweet spot, to get the best experience, it pays to know what you want to stimulate. Here are my top picks to please every different part.

Clitoral Vibrator: We-Vibe Tango

Small but mighty and mightily rumbly. There’s a reason the original Tango remained a favorite for 10 years, and now we have been blessed with the new and improved Tango X. Use the lipstick end for pinpoint stimulation or lie it horizontally to let your labia get in on the fun. Our resident bullet vibe connoisseur, Rachel, was blown away by its power and prowess!

G-Spot Vibrator: Dame Arc

This vibrator’s got arcs in all the right places! The curved tip makes accessing your g-spot a breeze and saves your wrists from cramping up. Not to mention the silicone is as soft as silk and you’ll want to rub it all over you!

Dual Stimulation: Fifty Shades of Grey Greedy Girl Rabbit Vibrator

Whether you love or loathe the franchise itself, they sure know how to make a rabbit vibrator. Soft, strong, and ready to please the Greedy Girl delivers powerful pleasure inside and out. Our expert, Edwina, was more than happy with hers!

Penis Vibrator: Fun Factory Manta

The versatility of the Manta vibrating stroker really makes it stand out from the crowd! You can use it to stroke the shaft up and down, let the vibrations send your frenulum into overdrive, or even use it during penetrative sex! The little ridges also help to distribute your lube for slippery sensations all the way!

Prostate: Mantric Remote Control Prostate Vibrator

This prostate vibrator from Mantric is a real twofer that targets the prostate internally and externally through the perineum. The powerful vibrations and added remote make for plain sailing to prostate pleasure.

Why Do Vibrators Feel SO Good?

So the answer to this isn’t entirely clear but there are some interacting factors that explain why genitals and vibrators are the dreamiest of teams.

What happens when a vibrator comes into contact with your genitals?

Our genitals are dense with sensitive nerve endings. The clitoris alone, which has no other purpose apart from pleasure, has 8000 nerve endings. Penis owners, fear not — you’ve still got plenty of sensitive nerve endings that are just waiting for some good vibrations! Different types of nerve endings pick up on vibration. Pacinian corpuscles, which respond to vibration and pressure, are found in the genitals together with free nerve endings that respond to many different inputs.
The information is transferred up the pudendal nerve, which is like the sensory highway for the genitals.
The sensory information is transferred up the spinal cord to different areas in the brain.
If the context is right (i.e., it’s a sexy situation), your brain will interpret the stimulation as sexually pleasurable and it will set off a chain reaction of arousal.
Arousal (from vibrations or anything else that tickles your pickle) increases blood flow to the genitals, particularly the penis or clitoris, causing the areas to swell. This swelling makes it easier to stimulate the deep nerve endings, making you even more sensitive to the magic of the vibrations.
The vibrations also increase blood flow to the pelvic floor muscles which play a significant role in sexual pleasure and orgasm.

But what if Your Vibrator Doesn’t Feel Good?

So after all the hype and reviews claiming out-of-body, intergalactic orgasms you buy yourself a vibrator only to be left feeling confused, disappointed, and wondering what you were doing wrong. Don’t despair! There are plenty of reasons a vibrator might not work for you and plenty of things you can try.

Vibration Strength

Vibrators come in a broad range of intensities ranging from a gentle buzz to a full-on jackhammer. If you find that the sensation from your vibrator leaves you overwhelmed or numbed, you might need a less powerful vibrator. The soft silicone of the Mimi Soft on a low setting is great for gentle yet satisfying stimulation. On the other hand, if you’re vibrator doesn’t quite get you going and leaves you feeling frustrated and craving more, you might need a more powerful vibrator — the Magic Wand is one of the most powerful you can find.

Type of Vibration

You may have heard the terms buzzy/rumbly to talk about vibrators but did you know they feel very different from each other and some people have a strong preference for one or the other. Buzzy vibrations stimulate neves nearer the surface of the skin whereas rumbly vibrations stimulate deeper into the tissue.

Stimulation Surface Area

The shape of your vibrator determines whether it provides more precise and concentrated pinpoint stimulation or broad stimulation. The tip of a bullet vibrator will give you pinpoint stimulation, whereas the head of a magic wand delivers stimulation across a broader area.

Motion and Pressure

You can try applying more or less pressure to vary the intensity or making different movements such as circling, rubbing, or intermittent stimulation.

Location

Everyone’s genitals have different preferences. Some vulva owners crave direct clitoral stimulation whereas others find it overwhelming or even painful. The same goes for people with penises. Try to use your vibrator on more or less sensitive areas to see how your body responds.

Try a Totally Different Type of Stimulation

If you’ve tried all the tips above and vibration just isn’t for you, that’s totally ok — the important thing is that whatever you are doing, it should feel good. Luckily, we live in a wonderful age full of choice when it comes to stimulation! Clitoral suction vibrators provide deeper stimulation without even touching the clitoris and blowjob machines are a great way to stimulate oral sex for penis owners.

Dead Vagina Syndrome: Can You Use Your Vibrator Too Much?

Dead vagina syndrome is the quite frankly terrible name given to the idea that using your trusty vibrator too long can leave your clit numb and unresponsive to other types of touch. Thankfully, there is a lack of any real evidence to back this up. You might find that your clitoris feels less sensitive or even numb after an intense session but this should only be temporary. If you do experience prolonged numbness, you should get it checked out.

That’s not to say that going full blast with a magic wand seven hours a day is a good idea! If you only use strong vibrators, for example, you might become dependent on that specific stimulation and find it difficult to orgasm by other means. To avoid this, it’s good to switch things up now and again — try a different type of stimulation (e.g., clitoral suction or a stroker), use a gentle vibrator, and savor the slow build-up, or go old school and let your fingers work their magic!