
What Are Anal Beads?
By Cassie Mørch / November 28, 2022
Are you also curious about these whimsically baubled anal toys? Are you honestly also a bit confused as to what they’re for and why people like them so much? As fascinating and pretty as they can look, they also tend to look a bit intimidating! So let’s go on a little journey together into the world of rippling pleasure and shivering sensations with anal beads!
In this post, I will take you through the following points:
What are They… Actually?

Alright, let’s go back to the basics! Anal beads typically consist of a series of balls or “beads” in different sizes on a “string” – often with a little gap between the beads to create some contrast in the sensation.
Different from butt plugs that are designed to stay in place, anal beads provide you with a more dynamic sensation as they are pushed in and out of the anus.
The beads themselves are typically inserted into the anus one by one and the slowly pulled out by the handle. As every bead is either pushed into or pulled out of the anus, this toy stimulates all the sensitive nerve endings around the anus and sphincter.
Why Are People Into This Feeling?
The unique sensations of anal beads comes from the motion! When the many nerve endings around the anus are stimulated as the anus stretches over the individual beads again and again – in whichever tempo is most pleasurable to you – it creates this rippling sensation that sends shivering pleasure throughout your body! If you’ve got good timing and slowly pull out the beads during orgasm, this may just elevate the experience in ways you couldn’t believe!
Depending on the size and sturdiness of your toys, the beads will also stimulate the inner walls of your rectum, as more and more beads are inserted. That’s why anal beads are also perfect for stimulating the prostate!
Read more about how to use anal beads to maximize your pleasure here!
Types of Anal Beads
This unique sensation from inserting and removing these baulbs in rhythmic wonder can vary greatly depending on the type of toy you’re using. There are so many different designs for specific purposes, sensations, or anatomies. There’s something for everyone!
Design is not the only factor that contributes to specific sensations. The material of your beads can be a game changer!
Let me walk you through some of the different types of butt beads and what they’re good for stimulating!
Silicone
Silicone is a great material for any and all sizes of anal beads – and they’re probably also the most popular. The smooth surface can provide a soft landing for the sensitive anus.
This very natural-feeling material gives a little and makes for a flexible experience when carefully inserting and removing the beads through the anus. Silicone is body-safe, non-porous, super soft to the touch, and very easy to clean! These Fifty Shades of Grey Silicone Anal Beads are great if you’re interested in this material!
Glass
Glass anal beads offer a totally different experience from silicone! These toys are firm, unyielding, and weighty. If that’s more your style when it comes to things going up your butt, then this might just be the material for you!
Check out our review of this Beaded Sensual glass dildo (that obviously doubles as anal beads) from Lovehoney!
Metal
This material has many pros and cons in common with glass. Like glass, these babies, can provide you with firm and weighty fulfillment. They’re also great sex toys for temperature play.
The only real difference in use between your glass and metal anal beads, like this nJoy Fun Wand is that the metal ones are just a tad bit heavier and extremey durable and almost ubreakable!
Vibrating
Want to step up your beaded pleasure? Combin the rippling sensation from the in-and-out motion of the beads with a vibrating motor inside your toy!
With these b-Vibe vibrating anal beads, you can even let your partner control the vibrations with a remote control!
Check out our selection of the best vibrating anal beads for your rumbly pleasure!
Small
Are you a complete beginner or maybe just not a big fan of stretching your anus over bigger beads?
Small anal beads, like these Hustler Playthings beads have a perfect gradual sizing that starts out really small. This way you can control how much bead you can handle. Remember, you don’t have to put the whole thing in, you know!
Large
On the other side of that spectrum is, of course, people longing for more extreme sensations of stretching!
Larger designs like these Cannonball Giant beads are perfect if you have outgrown your small and medium sized anal toys!
Here are our top picks of large anal beads for ultimate fulfillment!
Long
Looking to extend that rippling sensation when you’re having your anal beads pulled out of you? And do you enjoy the sensation of the beads slowly filling you up during insertion?
Then these 16 inch Performance beads are perfect for you!
If you’re interested in other models, we’ve selected a few of the best long anal beads right here!

Prostate Stimulating
Obviously, anal beads are not a gendered toy. Anyone who desires to experience and enjoy these intense sensations can and should!
That said, there are some that are specifically designed to stimulate the prostate. These toys will often be longer and firmer to go deeper and massage the prostate better.
Check out our review of this Lovense Edge 2 Prostate Vibrator with a beaded design!
And here are some more suggestions for the best anal beads for men!
Before You Dive In…

Okay, now you’re hopefully closer to knowing what these babies are all about and why they feel good! But let’s get some things clear before you jump head first into an anal cavity, beads a-stringin’!
As always, anal play requires a bit of preparation and a relaxed body and state of mind! We have already created a little guide for the beginners. Read more about anal beads for beginners here!
Some of the preparation for any anal play can include some cleaning. Generally, emptying your bowels before anal play is a good idea. Douching is not always necessary buit it can help some people feel more comfortable and confident. If you’re looking for some guidance on anal cleaning before going to town on your butthole, we’ve got you covered here at Bedbible!
In case your fun ends up escalating any further, it’s always good to be prepared – especially if you’re completely new to butt stuff! Don’t worry. Whether you’re wondering how to do anal, how to finger your ass (or your partner’s), or whether butt plugs or anal beads are the way to go for you – we’ve got you covered. You just focus on enjoying your little anal adventure!
Enjoy the ripples, the shivers, the fullness, be safe, and have fun!