That's generally the same way I group things for beginners. I'm a little less strict on how long it lasts, but I classify good for beginners as well made enough to last you a while, vibrations that aren't generally crazy strong, and a non-intimidating size/shape.

I think this is an excellent point. When I was first looking into sex toys (especially vibrators since they were such a mystery) I wanted to try a few different types and didn't want to drop a lot of money on something that might not work for me.

I 100% agree - could not have said it better myself

I agree with that. A basic toy does not need to be cheap, but I can see how it can happen--a person may be apprehensive to invest a lot of money into something they don't know will work, or how, or what to look for.

I agree with this, not all inexpensive toys are cheaply made and a beginner may not know exactly what they will really enjoy so then can try new things without spending a lot of money.

Gotta agree with Sir

I also sometimes feel the same as you P'Gell

Right. When I said "cheap" I meant poorly made.

I also think "beginner" toys should be ones that DO come with multiple vibrational settings. Some women have never had an orgasm, and if she tries a one speed, "cheap" plastic toy, with surface buzzy vibrations and doesn't get any satisfaction with it, she may think "vibrators don't work for me, I can't Come from sex, I'm hopeless." I actually SAW this happen a while ago, when I was on a group for women with Persistent Arousal Syndrome (an other topic) a LOT of these women were using really horrible, poorly made vibrators, because someone told them these cheap, badly made, low vibration ones were "for beginners" and they got no good from them, and were more miserable than ever.

With a toy with multiple speeds, a woman can find her OWN vibrational preference. Not all beginners have oversensitive clitorises. Some women, even from the beginning, have High Orgasmic Thresholds and as beginners to sex toys, may not realize that not all vibrators are the same, and think they are incapable of having orgasms. If we think "gentle" toys are always for beginners, these women will be left cold. And, they may not even think to buy a better, or more useful toy. Some women actually do give up on ever having an orgasm.

Also, many women assume "All sex toys are equal." They don't know the business the way many of us do, and assume if the $10.00, crappy, buzzy, pinchy vibe they bought at Spencer's doesn't bring them to Orgasm, then ALL vibrators are just as bad.

Although I do agree, most toy "beginners" aren't going to start with a Pure Wand. I know my second toy was a rather expensive Fun Factory AND my Wahl. Not what most people would consider "beginner toys" but unlike a lot of newbies, at the time, I did a lot of research. Most women simply assume the poorly made vibrator is the norm for the industry and may give up on toy altogether, missing a LOT of good experiences, many will NOT go out, after a bad experience with a poor quality toy and spend more money the second time. Whereas, if she had used a GOOD toy from the beginning, she would have had a better experience and learned a lot about herself and her body and maybe gained an interest in even better and more interesting toys and sex techniques.

A GOOD quality toy, with more than one speed and good, rumbling vibrations is, IMO, perfect for "beginners."

I also think we need to get over the idea that all newbies to sex toys are new to sex. I had been having sex for DECADES before I ever got my first sex toy. And I needed a large, girthy, strong toy. A lot of women discover sex toys in their 30s or beyond, and are already experienced in real world sex. For these women (like in my case) a little tiny pocket rocket or nothing other than a bullet won't hit the spot. I didn't buy a bullet until I was well "experienced" with sex toys. And even then, it was more for warm up as I have rarely ever been able to orgasm with it. We need to realize that not all toy "newbies" are girls in their teens or early 20s. Many NEED strong and large toys, too.

I agree here. My first toy was on a whim, it wasn't great but certainly peaked my interest. I think women would be put off if the entry into the sex toy world was $100 or so.
Yes, I have had some useless toys but even so they were part of my learning experience. When someone asks for a suggestion, I will recommend something in the $25 range, even less. It is unfortunate that some of the stand alone stores sell so much junk at exorbitant prices. This also discourages users.
And also as we should know, every toy, regardless of price, doesn't work for everyone.

Yeah, I don't choose cheap toys but the ones that are simplistic and not crazy sex party going on.

These are also really good points. You make sense, you do!

At the very least, if we say "beginner" perhaps we should clarify. "Beginners to penetration may not like this..." or "Beginners to anal..." and so forth.

My question is the vibration thing. How to talk about that. Maybe just "for those that know they like intense stimulation" or something to talk about Wahl/Hitachi products? I don't know, this has always irked me. The conflation of beginner with complete newcomer to sexual activity, which is definitely false as you point out.

I think you're making a LOT of sense, Carrie Ann.

I agree. There is a huge difference between a late teen-early 20something girl who has only been having PIV or penetrative sex for a few months or is still not sexually active being a "Beginner to sex AND sex toys" and a 25+ or 30something woman, who has sexual experience but wants MORE of that experience and is just starting out on her Journey to the Land of Toys.

As you and Sybarite said, maybe we should scrap the term "beginner" altogether, as it can mean SO many different things.

Oddly enough, though, the Wahl was part of my first purchase of sex toys. I was not a "beginner" to sex, as I said. I was over 35, and having only had one sex toy, a realistic vibe of suspect material, picked out and "Gifted" to me by My Man, I then wanted something strong to help with waning (but once healthy) orgasmic ability. My once hair trigger orgasmic ability had taken a hard hit due to early peri-menopause, so I needed strength, and had experience in girth, due to My Man and I being together since forever. I bought the Boss Lady and the Wahl, as my very first sex toy purchase on my own.

Exactly. I often compare toys power to the Hitachi or the Wahl, especially if the vibrations are strong. I assume a lot of (although not all) women are familiar with them. (And it always gets me when I see a review for a $19.99 plastic pocket rocket who someone has awarded a "Vroom" of 5. I always think, "No way, that's Hitachi and Wahl territory!") Maybe for someone with one or two toys, this is their strongest one, but I think a 5 on the Vroom scale is reserved for only a few select toys. (Yeah, I'm becoming a Toy Snob. )

In fact, I do know some women whose only sex toy is a Hitachi.

I think because many of us here have many sex toys and many have started "early" in their sexual experiences with toys along with partnered sex, that some of us may see sex toys in a really different light than new comers to these items.

P'Gell: I think because many of us here have many sex toys and many have started "early" in their sexual experiences with toys along with partnered sex, that some of us may see sex toys in a really different light than new comers to these items.

YES.

We realized years ago that my wife always seemed to come down with a nasty infection shortly after using sex toys. In fact it got to the point that we had sworn off sex toys completely, until we discovered the more body friendly materials.

I touched on this on another thread somewhere else, but I'll say it again. I feel that so many of the CRAP toys being sold are actually a disservice to the entire industry.

After people have a bad experience they take their business elsewhere. Certainly you won't go back to a new restaurant if it made you sick the first time you ate there. Sex toys are the same way. People who purchase toys that taste and smell like old tires marinated in gnarly chemicals, or weak vibrators with unfinished edges and faulty wiring, will be reluctant to try again. Lets just say the crappy toys leave a bad taste in their mouths.

Well designed quality toys that are appropriately sized and reasonably priced will lead to satisfied customers. Satisfied customers become repeat customers. This is especially important when dealing with customers placing their first order, beginners. I wonder if Eden has studied this at all. When a new customers first purchase turns out to be crap, do they come back for more crap?

As far as saying that a product is good for beginners, why would someone say that an over sized, $90 rabbit made from a low scoring non safe material was great for beginners? I recall reading something like that in a review recently. I'm not sure which product it was, but I bet you've all found yourself reading a review and wondering, "why would they say that?".