If you're reading this, you've probably already decided you want to try. What you need now isn't permission — it's the safety information that should have been the first result, but usually isn't.
This guide does three things. It gives you the three rules that prevent most first-time regrets. It explains the material, size, and lube basics in plain language. And it picks nine real toys from our NZ catalog, all under $80 NZD, grouped by where you actually are right now — not by what makes for an impressive listicle.
Three Rules Before You Buy Anything
These three rules are the difference between "I tried it once" and "this is part of my life now." Read them before you scroll to the product picks. They matter more than which toy you pick.
Size up gradually — your first toy is not your final toy
The most common first-time mistake is buying something too big. The body doesn't accommodate a large toy comfortably on day one, no matter how relaxed you are. Start small — meaning under 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) at the widest point — and only consider sizing up after you've used the entry toy comfortably several times.
"Several times" means weeks, not days. The tissue learns over repeated sessions. Rushing this is how people decide anal play "isn't for them" when really, the toy was wrong.
Lube is non-negotiable — different from vaginal lube needs
The anus does not self-lubricate. Without lube, friction will hurt and can cause small tears. Use more than you think you need, and reapply during longer sessions. Water-based lube is safe with every toy on this list and with skin. We'll get into silicone-based lube further down.
Body-safe silicone only — why "TPE" and "jelly" aren't worth saving $5
Body-safe silicone is non-porous, which means it doesn't trap bacteria. TPE and jelly toys are porous — they hold onto bacteria even after cleaning, and they can break down chemically when stored next to other porous toys. The price difference between a porous toy and a silicone one is rarely more than $5–$10. Pay it.
What "Body-Safe" Actually Means
Silicone vs TPE vs jelly — porosity and cleaning
Silicone is non-porous, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean with warm water and mild soap. TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is softer and cheaper but porous — bacteria sit in the surface and re-emerge no matter how thoroughly you clean. Jelly toys often contain phthalates, which leach into the body. Avoid both, even for "starter" purchases.
Stainless steel and glass — when they make sense
Both are non-porous, easy to clean, and dishwasher-safe. They're also heavy and don't flex, which means they're not a great first material — but for some people they're the favourite long-term toy because they hold temperature (warm water before use feels different to cold). The metal gem-based pick further down is a good entry-level steel option if you're curious.
What to avoid completely
Anything labelled "jelly," "rubber," "PVC," or with no material specified at all. If a listing doesn't say what it's made of, assume the cheapest possible material.
Picking the Right Size for First Time
The width rule (much more important than length)
For first-time anal play, the toy's widest point matters far more than its length. Aim for under 1 inch (2.5 cm) at the widest insertable point. Length is largely irrelevant for sensation at the entry stage — the tissue that responds to stimulation is in the first inch or two of insertion.
Why a flared base is mandatory
Without a flared base — a wider stopper at the bottom — toys can travel internally and require medical removal. This is not theoretical. Every toy on this list has a flared base. If a product doesn't, do not buy it for anal use, no matter what other features it has.
When to size up — and when not to
Size up only after the current toy is genuinely comfortable, not just "manageable." If you're tensing up, breathing shallow, or finishing the session relieved it's over — that's not the time to go bigger. The next jump up should feel like a curious next step, not a stretch goal.
Lube: What Beginners Get Wrong
Water-based vs silicone-based — pros and cons
Water-based lube is safe with every toy material — silicone, TPE, steel, glass. It washes off easily, doesn't stain, and works with condoms. Downside: it dries out faster and needs reapplying. Water-based lubes are the universally safe choice for beginners.
Silicone-based lube lasts much longer and feels silkier. The catch: it reacts with silicone toys and can degrade the surface over time. Only use silicone lube with stainless steel or glass toys.
Why you need more than you think
A dollar-coin-sized amount on the toy is the absolute minimum. Most beginners use a tenth of what they actually need. If anything feels dry mid-session, stop and add more — do not push through.
What NOT to use as a substitute
Coconut oil, lotion, vaseline, soap, saliva. Coconut oil sounds natural but it traps bacteria, damages condoms, and can disrupt vaginal flora if you switch zones. Lotion and vaseline degrade silicone. Soap causes irritation. Saliva isn't enough. Use actual lube.
Very First Time Picks (Under $30 NZD)
These three picks are the safest entry points in our catalog. All have flared bases, all are body-safe, all are under $30 NZD. Pick the material that interests you most.
20CM Silicone Ball Butt Plug — $9 NZD
The entry-level silicone pick. Slim profile at the insertable end, flared base, body-safe silicone. The "20CM" refers to total length including the base and handle — the actual insertable width is small and well within beginner range. Easy to clean, easy to store, easy to keep using.
1pcs Metal Anal Plug With Gem Base — $9 NZD
The stainless steel option at the same price. Heavier than silicone — that weight changes the sensation in a way some people prefer once they're past the very first session. Dishwasher-safe, lasts indefinitely if you don't drop it. Hold it under warm running water for thirty seconds before use to take the cold edge off.
Cute Pineapple — $20 NZD
A slightly larger silicone pick for people who want to start a half-step up from the slimmest options. The textured silhouette adds light variation in sensation without adding any actual difficulty. Still firmly within beginner-friendly territory.
Want the wider range? Shop all butt plugs by size →
Exploring Next Step ($25–$40 NZD)
If the entry toys have become routine, these are the next sensible step up. Two of these are graduated sets, which means you don't have to guess your next size — the kit comes with three options.
Adult Silicone Butt Plug Anal Plug Unisex Sex Stopper 4 Different Size Adult Toys — $25–$32 NZD
The training-set approach. Four progressive sizes means you can move up at your own pace without buying a new toy each time. Same body-safe silicone across all four. This is the most efficient way to find the size that actually fits your body — most people end up using the second or third size long-term, not the largest.
Adult Silicone Anal Plug Dildos Bullet Vibrator Butt Plugs Sex Toys — $35 NZD
The first vibrating pick on this list. The vibration is gentle — designed to introduce the sensation, not overwhelm it. Use the lowest setting for the first few sessions. Vibration changes how the body responds, and it changes how long the session feels — both can be a lot at once if you stack them with everything else new.
Anal Explorer — $37 NZD
Purpose-built starter from the same product family. Geometry is more refined than the cheaper picks — slightly tapered tip, comfortable mid-section, stable flared base. If you want a single "step up from entry" toy that isn't a set, this is the pick.
Trying Vibration ($26–$55 NZD)
Vibration is a different category, not a "more advanced" version of non-vibrating play. People who didn't enjoy a static plug sometimes love a vibrating one, and vice versa. If the earlier toys have become routine and you're curious about what a buzz adds, start here.
Male Beaded Vibrating Anal Plug with Steel Balls — $26 NZD
The cheapest vibrating pick that's still genuinely beginner-friendly. Beaded shaft adds variation as the toy moves, internal steel balls add weight to the vibration. Single button control, no app required. Good first vibrating toy because the vibration is firm but not aggressive on default settings.
APP & Remote Control Vibrating Anal Plug | 10 Modes | Crystal Diamond Design | Unisex Sex Toy for Women & Men — $55 NZD
The mid-tier vibrating pick. Ten modes is genuinely useful — once you've used a single-mode toy for a few sessions, the variety starts mattering. App control adds the option of solo play with hands free for other things, or partnered play where the other person holds the control. Bluetooth-only pairing — nothing transmits over the internet during use.
Why vibration changes the experience (and why beginners often jump to it too fast)
Vibration recruits a different set of nerve endings than static pressure. For some people it's an instant yes; for others it's overwhelming on day one. The mistake is buying a high-end vibrating toy as a first purchase because it has more features. Start with something static, get used to your own response, and add vibration once that's comfortable. The order matters more than the price.
See the full anal vibrators range when you're ready.
After-Care, Cleaning, Storage
Cleaning in 60 seconds with warm water + mild soap
Body-safe silicone toys clean in under a minute. Warm water, mild fragrance-free soap, rinse thoroughly. No alcohol, no harsh cleaners — they damage silicone over time. Pat dry with a clean towel. That's it.
Drying and storing — why direct contact between silicone toys matters
Silicone toys can react with each other if stored in direct contact — the surfaces can soften or discolour. A cloth bag or a separate drawer pocket per toy is enough. Keep stainless steel and glass toys in their own padded space — they're indestructible but can scratch silicone if stored together.
When to retire a toy
Silicone toys last for years. Retire one if the surface gets tacky, if there's any visible damage, or if you can smell anything coming off it even after thorough cleaning. Steel and glass last indefinitely barring a drop on a hard surface — inspect for chips before each use.
How Your Order Arrives in NZ
Plain courier bag, no branding on the outside or invoice
Every 1sttoy order ships in an opaque courier bag with no brand markings, no product names, no explicit imagery. The sender on the label reads as a generic NZ courier handle. Nothing on the outside, nothing in the inbox preview, hints at what's inside.
NZ Post / Aramex timelines
Standard delivery is 2–5 business days from our NZ warehouse. You'll get a tracking email that reads as a generic delivery notification — product names are not in the subject line or body preview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it hurt the first time?
Not if you size right, use enough lube, and go slow. Pain is the body telling you something isn't working — usually the toy is too wide, there isn't enough lube, or you haven't relaxed. Stop, breathe, add more lube, and ease off if it's not improving. The body learns over multiple sessions; do not push through pain.
What size should I start with?
Width under 1 inch (2.5 cm) at the widest insertable point. Length under 4 inches (10 cm). Both picks at $9 NZD above are well within this range. Sizing up should happen over weeks, not days.
Why does it need a flared base?
Without a flared base, a toy can travel internally and require medical removal at a hospital. This is not a theoretical risk — emergency departments see these cases regularly. Every toy on this list has a flared base. If you ever see a toy for sale that doesn't, do not use it anally regardless of price or features.
Can I share an anal toy with a partner?
Only with a condom barrier, or after thoroughly cleaning between users. Body-safe silicone toys can also be boiled for three minutes for full sterilisation between users. TPE and porous toys cannot be sterilised — share only with a fresh condom each time, and replace the toy more often.
Water-based or silicone lube for anal?
Both work. Water-based is safe with every toy material on this list — start here. Silicone lube lasts longer and feels silkier but reacts with silicone toys — only use silicone lube with stainless steel or glass.
How do I clean it properly?
Warm water and mild fragrance-free soap for silicone. Soap and water plus a quick boil or dishwasher cycle for stainless steel and glass. Avoid alcohol-based cleaners and harsh detergents on silicone — they degrade the surface over time.
Do I need numbing cream or desensitiser?
No — and this is the most important answer on this page. Numbing creams that circulate online for anal use are dangerous. Pain is the body's signal that something is wrong. Numbing it doesn't fix the cause; it just prevents you from noticing the damage as it happens. If you feel like you need a numbing cream to use a toy, the toy is wrong for you, or the size is wrong, or you need more lube and a slower start. Address the cause.
Ready to Pick One?
If you're starting from zero, our pick for first purchase is the 20CM Silicone Ball Butt Plug at $9 NZD — it's the safest, slimmest, easiest-to-clean entry option in the catalog, and it leaves room in your budget for proper lube.
Plain courier bag. No branding on packaging or invoice. Standard NZ Post / Aramex timelines, 2–5 business days.
Browse all anal toys (60 in stock) →
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