Anal play has a steeper learning curve than most toy categories, mostly because the safety rules are non-negotiable and the sizing questions are different from anything else in the store. This guide covers the one safety feature every plug you buy needs to have, how to pick a starter size that won't put you off the whole category, and the real differences between the silicone, glass, and metal plugs in our Butt Plugs collection.
Why the Flared Base Isn't Optional
This is the one rule that matters more than material, shape, or price: the base of any plug you buy needs to flare out wider than the widest part of the insertable shaft. Unlike other kinds of toys, the rectum doesn't have a natural stopping point the way other anatomy does — it's a muscular canal that can keep pulling an object further in. A flared base sits against the body and physically can't follow the rest of the toy inside, which is what makes retrieval possible and keeps a session from turning into an ER visit.
In practice, that means steering clear of anything marketed for anal use that doesn't have a distinct, wider-than-the-shaft base — no matter how tempting the price or the design. When you're comparing plugs in the collection, check the product's measurements: you want the base diameter to be noticeably larger than the diameter at the widest insertable point. Every plug we recommend below is built this way.
Choosing Your Starter Size
The instinct for a lot of beginners is to buy small and "work up," and that's the right instinct — but it helps to know what small actually looks like in real measurements rather than guessing from a product photo. A good first plug typically has an insertable length under 3 inches and a maximum diameter around 1 inch to 1.25 inches at its widest point. Tapered tips matter too, since a gradual taper lets your body adjust as you go rather than being asked to accommodate the widest point immediately.
A few good entry points from the collection:
- b-Vibe Butties B-Mine Heart Base Silicone Butt Plug — tagged beginner-friendly for a reason: compact, tapered, and soft.
- Booty Sparks Glow-in-the-Dark Glass Anal Plug, Small— specced at 2.5 inches insertable and 1.1 inches at its widest, about as low-commitment as glass gets.
If you'd rather not guess at all, a graduated training set removes the guesswork entirely — you start with the smallest piece and only move up once it feels easy, rather than buying a single size and hoping:
- b-Vibe Jewel Metal Training Plug Set — two sizes, explicitly designed as a training pair for new users.
- Rear Assets 3-Piece Metal Plug Kit — three graduated sizes (S/M/L) in one kit, so you're not rebuying as you progress.
The Three Materials We Stock
Silicone
Soft, flexible, and the most forgiving material for a nervous first try — it warms to body temperature and has a little give, which some beginners find less intimidating than a rigid material. It's non-porous when body-safe (meaning no bacteria hiding in microscopic pores), so it's easy to clean, but it's the one material here with a lube restriction — more on that below.
- b-Vibe Butties B-Mine Heart Base Silicone Butt Plug — $22.49
- Creature Cocks Glowtopus Glow-in-the-Dark Silicone Anal Plug — $34.96
Glass
Rigid, smooth, and body-safe when it's borosilicate glass (the same heat-resistant glass used in lab equipment and bakeware) — it's naturally hypoallergenic and has zero material restrictions on lube. Glass also holds temperature well, so it's the material of choice if you're curious about warm or cool temperature play. The tradeoff is durability against drops, not against bodies — treat it like a nice drinking glass.
Metal
The firmest, weightiest option on the list — no give at all, but that rigidity is exactly what some people end up preferring once they're past the beginner stage, since the constant, unyielding pressure feels different from silicone or glass. Like glass, it's non-porous and works with any lube type. It's also the best material for temperature play if you want a more dramatic effect, since metal holds heat and cold longer than glass.
Lube Compatibility by Material
Anal play requires lube every time, regardless of material or experience level — the rectum doesn't produce its own lubrication the way other anatomy does, so skipping it isn't an option. Which type of lube you reach for depends on what the plug is made of:
- Silicone plugs → water-based lube only. Silicone-based lube can react with silicone toys, breaking down the material's surface over time and shortening the life of the toy. When in doubt, water-based is always the safe default.
- Glass plugs → any lube type. Water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based lubricant are all fine on glass, so you can use whatever you'd otherwise reach for.
- Metal plugs → any lube type. Same as glass — the non-porous, non-reactive surface means no compatibility issues, so pick based on feel and staying power rather than material safety.
One more note for beginners specifically: use more lube than feels necessary, and reapply if a session runs long or things start to feel less smooth. You genuinely can't overdo it here.
Ready to browse? The full Butt Plugs collection has sizes and materials beyond what's covered here, once you've found your starting point.