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These are the Top 5 Sex Toys of the Pandemic—And the One That Will Take 2021 By Storm

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Sex toys are the new essential. Reports say that sales of sex toys have surged in the past year; after March 2020, what used to be called playing with ourselves morphed into what’s now termed sexual wellness and became a national health imperative alongside meditation and zero emissions. Indeed, we now hear the bedsides of America purring with a million rechargeable devices (because disposable batteries are so Sex Toys 1.0). But what exactly is behind that groundswell of stress relief-via-orgasm? We reached out to our friends at Ella Paradis, one of PureWow readers’ favorite sex toy retailers, to ask what really moved over the past 12 months. And not only that—we're able to predict a top seller for this year, based on what users already loved.

What Toys Are Top Sellers?

First, the facts: During lockdown—quelle surprise—44 percent of Ella Paradis poll respondents said they masturbated more frequently than before the pandemic. What’s more, 84 percent of those surveyed said they bought new sex toys during this time. A glance at their purchases reveals two surprises: a) Top sellers were vibrators, not dildos (which a 2018 study identified as America’s then-most-popular toy). And b) They all have a clitoral stimulation component, usually alongside a penetrative element. Here are the most popular—and at well under $100 for most of them, we dare you not to add to cart.

The 25 Best Couples’ Sex Toys (Because We All Need *Something* to Look Forward to Tonight)


top sex toys of pandemic rabbit
Ella Paradis

1. better Love Rabbit Lily Vibrator

With ten speeds, two quiet motors and a uniquely shaped clitoral stimulator next to four insertable inches of shaft, this has all your needs covered. And it’s waterproof.

top sex toys of pandemic womanizer
Ella Paradis

2. womanizer Premium Clitoral Stimulator

Air technology clitoral stimulation is the air fryer of sex toys—the new tech that’s all the rage. This model comes with two stimulation heads in different sizes and basically, it never actually touches your body. You just hold it next to your clitoris and choose between 12 levels of air pressure that fans say gives them more intense orgasms than they’d previously experienced. I thought I'd had an orgasm before... mind you only a few, as it was very difficult for me,” says one reviewer. “But I've now realized those experiences were nothing compared to the multiple orgasms I had the first time using this today.” Also, this model is super-quiet, you know, in case you want to be really private with your air frying.

top sex toys of pandemic butterfly
Ella Paradis

3. better Love Butterfly Clitoral Stimulator

“When I first got this I thought it was pretty small,” says one reviewer of this 4.6 inch silicone suction device. “But give it time and work out a position that feels good and it will blow your mind.” Ten suction vibrations range from subtle to intense, and it’s easy to charge for up to 90 minutes of use.

top sex toys of pandemic mock hero
Ella Paradis

4. better Love Blowfish Clitoral Stimulator

This two-in-one vibrator sold over 100,000 units last year, and happy users praise its combination suction port at one end and flicking lever called “the magic tongue” on the other. And while it has seven suction modes, it keeps quiet: “I love having this toy, it's so silent that you wouldn’t even notice it's on,” says one user. “I love the two-sided pleasure, for this gives you more options on how you use this baby.”

best sex toys of pandemic satisfyer
Adam & Eve

5. satisfyer Pro 2 – Next Generation

The longer handle here is key, because the 6.5-inch device allows for more maneuverability than smaller devices. Additionally, the scoop-shaped tip hugs your clitoris to apply whichever of the 11 power levels you choose, from slow and gentle to fast and hard. Puffs of air alternate with suction. “This is one of the best toys that I've ever purchased! I didn't think that it would be so strong, but I barely made it to the fourth mode (of 11 modes total) and had an intense orgasm,” one reviewer says. “The noise does get loud but it's worth using it, and if it's an issue then you can take it in the shower with you and put it underwater for less noise.”

Buy It ($50)


top sex toys of pandemic womanizer duo
Ella Paradis

6. Womanizer Duo Stimulator & Vibrator

It's a clitoral stimulator and a rabbit vibrator—which means it builds on the success of the original Womanizer, which uses SmartSilence tech to deliver quiet puffs of air when placed near the skin, and a standby mode when it's not. And the rabbit vibrator has 12 intensity levels and 12 modes, to stimulate that exact spot you're looking for. Basically, this is engineered to provide multiple orgasms (and increase their intensity). If you became a sex toy fan during the pandemic, you're ready to explore this more, better, faster device.


dana dickey

Senior Editor

  • Writes about fashion, wellness, relationships and travel
  • Oversees all LA/California content and is the go-to source for where to eat, stay and unwind on the west coast
  • Studied journalism at the University of Florida