13 Creative Vibrator Alternatives That Can Get You Off in a Pinch

Ah, the pillow—the OG vibrator. Long before we humped our plastic, buzzy toys, many vulva-owners first masturbated using the pillow. If you want to get back to your roots and switch things up, a sex pillow might be the way to go. It’s technically designed to maximize comfort during sex, so you can hit all those angles without popping a joint or throwing you back out. But with a little bit of repositioning, and it can be used as a vibrator alternative, too.

Or just go with a classic, like these pliable cotton pillows you can twist and turn to your liking. Fold ’em up, slide ’em in between your legs, stack ’em on top of one another—for $19, the opportunities for pleasure are endless.

Another classic is undoubtedly the shower head. If you feel like getting dirty while you get clean, a handheld shower head can almost always do the trick. Especially if it comes with different settings and spray pulsations, like this one, which includes six different spray modes for you to explore. Talk about wet n’ wild.

Yep. As we’ve investigated before, you can safely masturbate with a bidet. “Water flow over the clitoral hood and labia will stimulate engorgement of the clitoral structures beneath the surface,” said board-certified gynecologist and sexual-wellness expert Christie Cobb, OB/GYN. “And that may be more pleasurable than direct stimulation of the clitoral glans.”

Just, ya know, be careful. It’s on your toilet, after all, so make sure it’s, ahem, clean.

We know you’ve all thought it: “Can I masturbate with this?” Yeah, you can, as long as it’s 1) clean and 2) you’re careful. Percussive muscle devices are strong—so if you’re sensitive down there or are just exploring for the first time, take it slow. Maybe put some buffer, like a pillow, between your vulva and the device to literally cushion the blow.

First up on the list of worthy vibrator alternatives is this tiny butt plug, which Finn says she recommends for those new to exploring anal pleasure. (Paired with a water-based lube, of course.)

“Butt plugs can be pleasurable because they create a sensation of fullness,” says Finn. “And the Snug Plug 1 has a slight weight to it, which intensifies the sensation of fullness without actually requiring that you use a bigger plug,” she says, adding that if you shift positions while wearing the plug, the weight inside the toy will move, intensifying the sensation more.

In terms of vibrator alternatives localized to anal play, anal beads differ from butt plugs, in that they are designed to be inserted and pulled out during play rather than left in. Anal beads feature a series of spheres fixed on a long (usually silicone) string with some kind of handle at the end that allows you to pull them out.

“When the beads go in, they massage the ring of nerves at the opening of the entrance,” Finn says. “And as the string is pulled out, the beads can create a pleasurable pop.” Some folks claim that having a string of anal beads pulled out of their bum during orgasm heightens the sensation.

If you’re just getting into anal play, Finn recommends the Cheeky Silicone Anal Beads ($16) “Super beginner-friendly, the starting ball is tiny, so you explore the sensation of something sliding in and out without it feeling aggressively large.”

Wand vibrators may be a classic, but there’s another kind of non-vibrating wand that belongs in your nightstand drawer: the Pure Wand. “This is a toy that anyone who enjoys penetrative play (of any kind) should have in their artillery,” says Finn.

Made of high-quality stainless steel, this 7.5-inch toy features a large bulb on one end and slightly smaller bulb on the other. Both bulbs, says Finn, “can be inserted into the vagina one to three inches along the front vaginal wall for targeted stimulation against the G-spot.” Wait until you’re aroused, then insert this heavy wand with lubricant.

The Spike is Unbound’s take on the Wartenberg pinwheel sensation toy. Not much bigger than a toothbrush, the Wartenberg pinwheel features a spiked roller ball on one end (rather than bristles) that are designed to roll across your skin. What sets this diverse toy apart from every other pinwheel on the market its three prickly wheels, meaning triple the pleasure.

“Dragging it along often-ignored erogenous zones like the inner arm, forearm, inner thigh, and collarbones can electrify parts of the body,” says Finn. “Depending on how hard you press down as you roll, you can create a scratchy sensation, pressure, or pain,” says Finn. But no matter how you plan to use the toy, first establish a safe word (with a partner you trust).

While this toy does have an “on” button, it’s still a vibrator alternative because it uses targeted puffs of air to stimulate you. “The sensation of the air can be felt right down the shaft of the clitoris to stimulate the inner erectile tissue, which is why it’s more likely to lead to orgasm than traditional vibrators,” says sexologist Jess O’Reilly, PhD.

Dr. O’Reilly says clitoral suction toys are a good option for those who aren’t a fan of vibration, or simply really love oral pleasure: “My clients who use the We-Vibe Melt say that it feels more like oral sex than any other toy.”

Want to peg your partner? Enjoy the sensation of a penis? Like feeling full? That’s what a dildo is for. “There are a million reasons someone might want to wear a dildo, have their partners wear one, use one on themselves, or use one on a partner,” says Finn.

The dildo market is wide and vast, but if you’re looking for a realistic model, look no further than the Carter. Handcrafted from dual-density, body-safe silicone, it’s the Rolls-Royce of dildos. At 7.5 inches long and about three fingers thick, it’s hefty enough for G-spot stimulation and long enough for A-spot stimulation. And, for advanced anal-pleasure lovers, it’s also a safe pick.

Double-ended dildos are, not surprisingly, dildos with a head on both ends. Some, like the Lovehoney Ice Gem, look like two dildos as one. Others, like the Rusé Double Dildo, have a U-shape that you can use solo for double-penetration. And others, like Fun Factory Share—which is the model Finn recommends for couples with two vulva-owners—have an L-shape.

Also known as a strapless strap-on, “the Share allows the person who is strapping on to also experience vaginal fullness,” says Finn. “This toy is also a great masturbation option for folks who don’t have an anatomical penis, but want to experience the sensation.”

If you are one of the 75 percent of vulva-owners who have ever found penetration painful, the OhNut—not so much a sex toy as a sex aid—may be able to help. “The OhNut is a set of stackable rings worn by the penis-owner or dildo-wearer that work as a buffer during penetrative play,” Finn says. You can stack one, two, three, or four of the rings at the base of the penis or dildo to control how deep it’s able to go into the body with each thrust. “It’s compatible with any kind of lube, and doesn’t feel invasive during play,” she adds.