How To Use A Vibrator In The Butt Safely & Fun Options To Try

Using a vibrator for anal penetration can be more arousing and comfortable than a non-vibrating sex toy. Here’s how to do it safely and with the right toys.
Photograph Of Woman Holding Vibrating Anal Bead Set
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A vibrator in the butt feels good — to some people — and it can also be a great way to experience pain-free anal penetration if a smaller (and more comfortable) toy is used.

But there are important safety concerns to consider before you try it.

Here’s what you need to know about putting a vibrator in your butt:

  • Only use vibrators made for the anus — ones with a tapered tip and wide base that prevents them from slipping all the way inside the anus because they can get stuck — requiring medical intervention for removal.
  • During anal play, ample lubrication is a must. It’s important to not only use an anal lube but to select one that is safe for your toy’s material, which will prevent degradation or damage.
  • When using a vibrator in your ass, always start small (narrow) and go slow to prevent injury or pain as you become accustomed to it, working your way up to larger sizes if or when you are ready to do so.
  • Do not switch your vibrator between orifices (such as your vagina and anus) without cleaning it, as this can introduce anal bacteria to the vagina, potentially leading to infections (such as a UTI).
  • When in doubt, use toys that were specifically designed for anal play.

If vibrations feel good in and around your genitals, chances are they may feel great in your anus, too.

But you can’t use the same vibrator for both and expect similar results.

Before putting a vibrator in your ass, there are a few things you need to know to keep yourself safe.

Things To Know

How To Use A Vibrator In The Ass – Safely

Photograph Of Zoë Holding The Prostate Massager Included In Lovehoney's Advent Calendar For Him

You should approach using a vibrator in your butt the same way you’d use any other anal toy.

Dr. Susan Milstein, a human sexuality health educator on our medical review board, said it’s important to have “a conversation with your partner to make sure you’re both into it” before you engage in this type of sex play.

Before using a vibrator in your ass, make sure that you’re also:

Use A Vibrating Anal Toy

These vibrators — when they’re well-made — are designed specifically for the anus.

Look for vibrating butt plugs, anal beads, or prostate massagers.

They should have a tapered tip for easier entry and a wide base so your vibrator won’t get lost in your rectum.

If you stick something up your butt that’s not meant to be there, it can be “sucked” inside your anus and your sphincter may squeeze it up into your rectum.

You definitely don’t want to make that trip to the ER if you can possibly help it.

Add Plenty Of Lube — More Than You Think You Need

Anytime you do anything with anal penetration — with or without sex toys — the best and most important rule of thumb is to always use lube.

This is still true when you use a vibrator.

Lube reduces friction, which makes anal penetration easier and less uncomfortable.

Make sure your anal lubricant is right for the vibrator you’re using.

In general, silicone sex toys need water-based lube, as silicone lubes will degrade their material and damage the toy itself.

Other sex toy materials (such as ABS plastic) will do well with silicone lube, which is thicker and lasts longer.

Start Small, Slow, And Low

As with all things anal, you don’t want to try to shove the biggest vibrator you own up your butt on the first (or even tenth) try.

This is especially true if you’re new to anything touching your ass like this.

Look for a small anal vibrator, probably smaller than you think you need.

My first butt plug was the size of my pinkie, and while I thought it would be easy to handle, it felt like as big as a penis going in the first time.

Start on the lowest setting of your vibrator, especially until you learn what feels good on or in your anus.

Gently and slowly ease your toy into your anus, but only if you want to experience penetration.

If you don’t, keep those buzzing vibes on the outside.

External vibrations can feel good, too, and may be all you need or want.

I always start with a low setting, pre-penetration, which feels like a pleasant hum against the anus.

Once the vibrator is inside, I usually turn up the intensity.

Stop If You Feel Pain

We strongly recommend against numbing lubes for a big reason: pain is a signal that something isn’t right.

And when you’re putting a vibrator up your ass, you need to know when things have gone wrong.

While pain commonly occurs during anal penetration, it’s not required.

You can experience backdoor fun without the burning, searing, excruciating pain you expect.

Only penetrate as far as you comfortably can.

Stop when (or if) you feel pain, and only start again once your body relaxes and allows further penetration.

“Or save it for another day,” Dr. Milstein explained.

“If you start to feel pain, you can always continue other types of sex play, so don’t feel like you need to go back to anal if it was hurting,” she advised.

It’s not uncommon to spend multiple sexy sessions getting your butt used to handling the entire length or girth of your anal sex toy and it’s okay to take it in steps.

Don’t Alternate Between The Vagina And Anus

You might be tempted to use your anal vibrator in your vagina, but doing so without cleaning it first can transfer bacteria from the anus to your vagina, potentially leading to a urinary tract infection.

If you do opt to use your anal toy vaginally, always make sure to clean it thoroughly between orifices or cover it with a fresh condom, if you’re using one over your toy.

Best Vibrators For Anal Use

Dual Butt Plug & Prostate Massager
Satisfyer Backdoor Lover Plug Vibrator Satisfyer Backdoor Lover Plug Vibrator
$47.99
Pros:
  • Super Smooth And Soft Silicone Covers A Narrow Neck With A Wide Base, Creating Optimal Comfort During Use
  • 12 Vibration Settings To Find The Best Stimulation And Extremely Flexible To Adapt To Your Anatomy
  • Completely Waterproof With An IPX7 Material For Use In Jet-Propelled Water Environments (Like Hot Tubs)
Cons:
  • The Wider Tip May Be A Bit Much For Newbies
Bottom Line: This vibrating anal plug doubles as a prostate massager, offering 12 vibration settings to choose from, which are all conveniently controlled through a single, One Touch button. The Backdoor Lover is highly flexible and bendable to accommodate various anatomies, but the round, bulbous end may be a little intimidating for those who are brand new to anal play.
Flexible & Hands-Free
We-Vibe Vector We-Vibe Vector
$139.00
Pros:
  • This Prostate Massager Provides Internal And External Stimulation And Uses A Remote So You Can Go Hands-Free
  • Soft, Smooth Silicone For Extra Comfort
  • Flexible Shape To Fit Nearly Any Butt
Cons:
  • This Might Be A Little Intimidating For Newbies
Bottom Line: During the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge, my husband John tried this one personally and said, “It went in nice and easy, thanks to the silicone construction. The vibrations on the prostate and perineum were out of this world! The remote was an added bonus, especially since I could control both sets of vibrations — that feature knocked this one out of the park.”

Want to learn more? John reviewed the We-Vibe Vector on day 5 of the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge:

Perfect For All Experience Levels
Adam & Eve Vibrating Bumpy Bead Set Adam & Eve Vibrating Bumpy Bead Set
$39.95

[Note: Get the Bumpy Bead Set for only $29.96. Use code "WHI25" and get 25% off from Adam & Eve — a specially negotiated discount we secured after independent review during the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge.]

Pros:
  • Anal Beads Are Perfect For Users Of All Experience Levels
  • Multiple Styles Give You Plenty Of Ways To Play And The Removable Vibrator Lets You Play With And Without Vibrations
  • Different Sizes Let You Move Up In Intensity As You Become More Experience
  • These Beads Are Entirely Waterproof
Cons:
  • The Vibrations Are Very Buzzy And If This Sensation Is Not One You Enjoy, You May Prefer To Use The Beads Without The Bullet Vibrator
Bottom Line: During the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge, reviewer Zoë admitted to being “a bit nervous” before using these beads. “I wore the anal plug around the house for a bit and found it to be pleasantly stimulating and sensual,” she said. “I also enjoyed experimenting with the different anal beads included in the set before adding the bullet vibe to the equation.” She added that “it’s extremely buzzy and can be felt from one end of the plug to the other.”

Women’s Health Interactive writer and product tester Zoë reviewed the Vibrating Bumpy Bead Set on day 6 of the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge:

Why People Enjoy A Vibrator In The Ass

Close Up Photograph Of Anal Vibrator Attached To Bullet Vibrator

The reasons people like a buzzing sensation up their butt are varied and unique to the individual.

The most common reasons include:

  • The anus is extremely sensitive and filled with nerve endings that don’t get a lot of stimulation. On the right setting, vibrations can be extremely pleasant for some.
  • Vibrators may help reduce the discomfort of anal penetration. Whether it’s the buzzing itself or the arousal (or both), if you’re feeling good, it allows your body to relax, making penetration easier.
  • A vibrator in the ass can make sex better for one or both partners by adding extra sensations.
  • Wearing a vibrating butt plug or another anal toy can be a kinky way to explore public play — without anyone knowing — or dominance and submission, depending on who’s controlling the vibrations.

A recent survey asked women who enjoy anal stimulation how they liked to play.

About 40% of them enjoyed anal stimulation — with or without a sex toy — externally, meaning on their anus but not inside it.

Another 35% enjoyed “anal shallowing,” which involves slight penetration — about a knuckle deep.

No matter how or why you enjoy using a vibrator on or in your ass, you’re certainly not alone.

What Does It Feel Like?

From my own experience with vibrating butt plugs, I can tell you that they are my favorite form of anal play.

Non-vibrating toys are never as comfortable as I’d like them to be.

But the vibrations from a vibrating butt plug feel pleasant and my entire body relaxes as I become more aroused.

The vibrations (and vibrators) I enjoy most feel like a surround sound, throbbing hum and less of a buzz once the toy is inside my butt.

I’m only one person, though, so I asked other anal-loving vibrator fans I know to see what they think.

“I struggle to find words in our language that can adequately describe the sensations experienced,” said Cate Ellink, erotic author.

She noted that an anal vibrator feels like “tiny tremors moving to earthquake and volcanic eruption!”

Someone else on Twitter told me that what they feel depends on the toy they use.

“[With] some toys it can be just a tingling sensation,” they said. “Other times when it’s angled right with the right setting, it’s leg-twitching.”

FAQs About Using A Vibrator Anally

If you’re curious about using a vibrator in the butt, you’re likely full of questions — and we’ll answer them below.

Why Does A Vibrator In The Ass Feel Good For Guys?

In general, the ass is genderless.

We all have nerve endings that don’t get a lot of attention — and when the anus is stimulated with a finger or a vibrator it can be pretty arousing, at least for some people.

But for cis-guys, and anyone with a prostate, a vibrator up the butt taps their infamous P-spot.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and is located between the rectum and the base of the penis.

When stimulated just right, like with a vibrator, a guy can experience mind-blowing, explosive orgasms — and possibly even multiple orgasms.

What Would Happen If You Put A Tiny Vibrator In Your Ass?

The only tiny vibrator in your ass should be a small butt plug, prostate massager, or anal beads with a wide base.

Anything else — like a bullet vibrator, for instance — could easily get stuck up your butt.

Even worse, if it’s small enough, your vibrator could be lost up your ass.

If you can’t get it out on your own, you will need to go to the emergency room.

What Happens If You Lose Your Vibrator In Your Ass While It’s On?

An injury is possible if a vibrator is stuck in your butt for too long — or gets stuck while on too high of a setting or without enough lube.

Dr. Milstein, the human sexuality health educator we spoke with earlier, said that if the vibrator “doesn’t stay lubed, you can have issues not only with discomfort but rectal perforation and internal bleeding.”

If a vibrator becomes lost in your butt — first, try not to panic, as tensing up could actually send your vibrator further into your rectum.

Next, if your vibrator uses a remote or an app, go ahead and turn it off.

This will help to reduce the risk of internal injury.

Now it’s time to try to get your vibrator out very carefully.

You’re going to need to try to push it out, slowly and carefully.

This will feel like you’re doing a massive number two (having a bowel movement) — or for those with experience —  like you’re pushing out a baby.

By bearing down, you or your partner may be able to reach into your ass (yep, I said it) and pull out the vibrator.

If that doesn’t work, head straight to the ER.

Getting it out may require surgery, and you don’t want to wait any longer than necessary.

How Long Can You Keep A Vibrator Running In Your Anus?

You can keep a vibrator in your ass as long as it’s comfortable and well-lubed.

Dr. Milstein said that “you can keep a vibrator in all day” if it is comfortable for you to do so.

“As long as you keep it lubed up it’s not about time, it’s about comfort,” she explained.

You shouldn’t feel pain, but you also shouldn’t feel numb.

Numbness can be a sign of loss of blood flow just as much as pain can mean you’re injured back there.

Use your body’s signals as your guide, because everyone’s body is different — one person may tolerate anal vibration for 5 minutes while another can leave their vibrator running for an hour or more.

How Deep Do You Put A Vibrator In Your Ass?

You can safely insert an anal vibrator as far as it will go — until the base of the vibrator touches your butt — or until you’ve reached your limit of personal comfort.

Whichever comes first.

Ultimately, the depth of your vibrator’s insertion should be based on what feels good to you.

People with lots of anal experience may be able to handle longer, thicker toys while newbies may only be able to handle an inch or two at most.

Again, it’s about how comfortable everything feels.

If you feel pain or anything other than fan-fucking-tastic, you’ve gone too deep.

What Size Vibrator Feels Good In Your Ass?

Any size vibrator can feel good, but it often depends on your experience level and how your body handles anal penetration.

For newbies, start small and only try larger toys when (and if!) you want to.

If you’re feeling less than satisfied with the stimulation from your usual anal vibrator, and you’ve changed the settings or you’re not getting the stretch or the full feeling you prefer, it may be time to move up a size.

Moving up to bigger vibrators in increments, as this will save you from feeling unnecessary discomfort and pain when you play.

In Conclusion

For some people, using a vibrator for anal penetration can be more arousing and comfortable than using a non-vibrating sex toy.

The most important thing to remember is that you should always use a toy made for your ass — one with a flared base that will prevent it from being pulled all the way inside your anus.

That, lots of lube, open communication, and plenty of patience will help you to have the best and safest anal experience with a vibrator.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our How To Use A Vibrator and Everything Vibrators hubs, in-depth and evolving resources that comprehensively explore all aspects of vibrators from the different types and how to use them, to materials and safety — created to help you achieve the sexual pleasure you deserve.