As a beginner, delving into the world of anal play can feel daunting, partly because of some unfortunate misconceptions surrounding different forms of anal sex.
One of the most common misconceptions about penetrative anal play is that it’s inherently painful. However, this definitely doesn’t have to be the case! In fact, it’s totally possible to have a comfortable, pleasurable first experience with anal play.
If you’re interested in exploring this type of sexual play, either by yourself or with a partner, we recommend starting out by investing in a beginner-friendly butt plug.
Paired with high-quality lube and the right insertion technique, a butt plug designed for beginners will help you to enjoy your first venture into anal play. A beginner butt plug can also be the first step to playing with other more advanced plugs and toys.
We’ve tried out the most popular butt plugs for beginners on the market and chosen our top 8 to review for you today!
OUR TOP PICK
Lynx Aluminum Alloy Heart Anal Plug
EDITORS CHOICE
Naughty Cove Small Anal Butt Plug
BEST VALUE
Lovehoney Butt Tingler 10 Vibrating Butt Plug
OUR TOP PICK
Lynx Aluminum Alloy Heart Anal Plug
Generally speaking, beginners to anal play will want to choose a small butt plug with a smooth, tapered surface that’s easy to clean.
This Aluminum Alloy Heart Anal Plug from Lynx ticks all of those boxes and more!
While the plug measures 3.3 inches in total length, the insertable piece is only 2.5 inches long, making this plug a good size for beginners. It’s not intimidating or difficult to insert, but still big enough for satisfying play.
Because the Lynx Heart Anal Plug is made of aluminum alloy, it’s really easy to wipe clean. Plus, the non-porous nature of the aluminum ensures that no bacteria will be harbored by the material. This is also a great material for temperature play!
The neck of this plug is quite slim, which is a good thing because wider-necked plugs can sometimes fall out, especially while you’re still getting used to them.
Our only small criticism of the design of the Lynx butt plug is the fact that the base is fairly small. It’s not so small as to be a cause for concern, but it can occasionally feel as though it’s about to get lost.
Although the base isn’t quite small enough for this to happen, it can still be a little stressful.
Pros
- 2.5 inches – Beginner-friendly
- Aluminum alloy – Easy to clean
- Slim neck – Stays in place
- Features ABS heart – Decorative and appealing
Cons
- Small base – Insert carefully
EDITORS CHOICE
Naughty Cove Small Anal Butt Plug
Not only is the Naughty Cove Small Anal Butt Plug totally beginner-friendly, but it’s budget-friendly, too!
This affordable butt plug is made of medical-grade silicone, which has a couple of advantages when it comes to using your new butt plug, as well as one disadvantage.
On the plus side, the medical-grade silicone feels very soft and is hypoallergenic, so you’ll get to enjoy a comfortable, skin-safe experience.
However, even though this type of silicone is extremely hygienic, it’s still a porous material, which means that it’s not as easy to clean effectively as metal or glass.
While the total insertable length (3.8 inches) of this butt plug is at the upper end of what we’d recommend for beginners, the slimline, 1-inch diameter makes for easy, painless insertion.
Besides, there’s no need to insert the entire plug the first time if you don’t feel comfortable – just relax, try different positions, and do what feels good!
If you’re worried about the plug getting lost (a common fear amongst beginners), the wide, flared safety base on the Naughty Cove plug should provide some reassurance. The base also doubles as a suction cup for hands-free, solo fun!
Pros
- Medical-grade silicone – Hypoallergenic and soft
- 1-inch diameter – Easy insertion
- Flared safety base – Features suction cup
Cons
- Porous material – Not the easiest to clean
BEST VALUE
Lovehoney Butt Tingler 10 Vibrating Butt Plug
If you’re looking for a butt plug that has some advanced features without being overly expensive, we recommend our mid-range pick: the Lovehoney Butt Tingler 10 Vibrating Butt Plug!
Lovehoney’s Butt Tingler 10 measures 3.5 inches in length. This is neither an extremely small nor a large plug size, but it’s ideal for beginners.
This butt plug has a total of 5 vibration settings, controllable through the bullet vibrator inside the plug.
There are 2 settings for speed (fast and slow) as well as 3 vibration patterns, so you can tailor the experience to your own pleasure! Alternatively, you can simply remove the bullet vibrator and enjoy the plug without vibrations.
The t-shaped base is wide enough to keep the plug securely in place, even with the vibrator turned up to the maximum setting.
Unfortunately, while the silicone material delivers comfort and flexibility, it’s porous, so eliminating all bacteria is more challenging than it would be with a metal or glass plug.
Pros
- Silicone construction – Soft and flexible
- 3.5 inches – Beginner size
- T-shaped base – Secure fit
- 5 vibration settings – 2 speeds and 3 patterns
- Removable vibrator – Versatile
Cons
- Silicone material – Porous surface
RUNNER UP
B-Vibe Novice Plug
When it comes to anal play, it’s definitely worth spending more on high-quality materials, expert construction, and advanced functions. And that’s exactly what the B-Vibe Novice Plug provides!
Because the silicone construction is seamless, you shouldn’t experience any unwanted friction or discomfort, either during or after insertion. Just remember to clean this plug extra thoroughly after use due to the porous material.
The B-Vibe Novice Plug’s compact design makes this an ideal plug for beginners, while the wireless remote included with the purchase means the Novice Plug is perfect for playing with a partner!
In total, the B-Vibe Novice Plug has 21 vibration settings, with 6 different speeds and 15 vibration patterns. Because of the wide range of settings, this plug is one of the best on the market for beginners who are interested in experimenting with different sensations.
Pros
- Seamless silicone – Super comfortable
- Compact design – Beginner-friendly
- 21 vibration settings – 15 patterns and 6 speeds
- Includes wireless remote – Perfect for partnered play
Cons
- Silicone – Extra cleaning required
RUNNER UP
Lovehoney Small Heart Glass Butt Plug
Glass butt plugs are typically less comfortable to use than other plugs because of their rigidity. For this reason, this type of butt plug is usually recommended to users with a little anal play experience.
However, this Small Heart Glass Butt Plug from Lovehoney is beginner-friendly. You might want to try a slightly more flexible plug first, but if you use enough lube and play gently, this plug shouldn’t cause any issues.
Specifically, this plug is made out of borosilicate glass, which is both hypoallergenic for skin-safe play and easy to clean after use. All you need is some toy cleaner or soap and water!
Additionally, glass butt plugs like this one are excellent for temperature play. You can either warm up or cool down the plug using water in just a few seconds.
At 3 inches insertable length, the Small Heart Glass Butt Plug is a beginner-friendly size but is also large enough to feel satisfying when you’re no longer a novice.
When you’ve finished using this plug and cleaned it thoroughly, you can store it in the convenient velvet storage bag included in the purchase.
Pros
- 3 inches – Beginner size
- Glass construction – Ideal for temperature play
- Borosilicate glass – Hypoallergenic and easy to clean
- Includes velvet bag – Easy storage
Cons
- Rigid – Not the most comfortable
RUNNER UP
Sexbaby Small Metal Rabbit’s Tail Butt Plug
Did you know that you can get beginner-friendly butt plugs with tails? This Small Metal Rabbit’s Tail Butt Plug from Sexbaby is perfect for combining pet play with anal play, even if you’re a complete newbie!
The stainless steel plug is easy to wipe clean after use and feels comfortable despite being rigid thanks to its smooth surface.
Measuring just 2.24 inches in length, the plug is a very beginner-friendly size, but the slim neck will ensure that it doesn’t fall out at any point.
The tail component is made of a very soft faux fur material, which feels great against the skin. Since the fur is not real, this product is suitable for vegans!
One thing we would like to point out, however, is that the tail is definitely on the small side, meaning that it doesn’t stick out very far. This could potentially make this plug an awkward fit, depending on your body type.
Pros
- Stainless steel – Smooth and easy to clean
- 2.24 inches – Small size
- Slim neck – Secure
- Faux fur tail – Soft and vegan-friendly
Cons
- Small tail size – Not very prominent
RUNNER UP
Phanxy Vibrating Anal Beads Butt Plug
Anal beads are a popular alternative to butt plugs when it comes to anal play. However, some butt plugs, like Phanxy’s Vibrating Anal Beads Butt Plug, combine the two with the addition of a vibration function for an exciting, stimulating experience!
If you’re thinking that a vibrating anal bead butt plug sounds a little intense for beginners, don’t worry! Phanxy has designed this plug to be beginner-friendly while remaining suitable for more experienced users.
The first bead at the tip of the plug is only 0.78 inches wide, so it’s the perfect size for novices. The slim joints between the beads mean that you can easily leave the plug inserted at whatever length feels comfortable for you.
Eventually, if you want to, you can work your way all the way down to the base, which is 1.4 inches in diameter.
The surface of this plug consists of skin-safe silicone, which is smooth for comfortable insertion and won’t cause allergic reactions. However, the downside to silicone plugs, as we know by now, is that they require a bit more care during cleaning due to the porous material.
Phanxy’s Vibrating Anal Beads Butt Plug has 7 vibration settings for a versatile, sensual experience.
The battery is built-in and rechargeable, so you never need to worry about replacing batteries. Just charge the battery using the included USB cable for 90 minutes of uninterrupted play!
Pros
- Silicone surface – Smooth and skin-safe
- 0.78-inch tip – Beginner-friendly
- 7 vibration settings – Versatile
- Built-in battery – Rechargeable
Cons
- Porous material – Requires extra cleaning
RUNNER UP
Sexysamba Anal Trainer Jewel Butt Plug Kit
If you know that you’re interested in exploring the world of anal play and eventually starting to test your limits, you could always invest in a set of butt plugs! This way, you get your starter plug as well as some larger plugs to try out when you feel confident.
In our opinion, the best butt plug kit on the market is the Anal Trainer Jewel Butt Plug Kit from Sexysamba.
The smallest plug in the set is 2.75 inches long and 1.1 inches in diameter, which is an optimal size for beginners. The medium plug is 3.1 x 1.3 inches, while the large plug measures 3.5 x 1.6 inches.
Both the small and medium plugs are beginner-friendly, and even the large size isn’t too intimidating.
All plugs in this set are made of aluminum, which is an easy material to wipe clean and won’t harbor bacteria under the surface since it’s non-porous.
The smooth metal surfaces also make for easy insertion, while the heart-shaped bases are large enough to stop the plugs from slipping the wrong way.
Our only word of warning with regards to this butt plug set is that aluminum is a rigid material, so make sure to take it slow!
Pros
- Small, medium, and large plug – Ideal for progression
- Aluminum construction – Smooth insertion and easy cleaning
- Starting at 2.75-inch length – Beginner-friendly
- Heart-shaped base – Secure and decorative
Cons
- Rigid material – Insert carefully
Final Thoughts
Our selection of the best 8 butt plugs for beginners makes it clear that anal plugs come in many different shapes, materials, and sizes.
Beginners will want to choose relatively small plugs with large bases and slim necks for security. There are pros and cons to both flexible and rigid materials (silicone is more comfortable but less easy to clean, while metal and glass are smoother and easier to clean but less comfortable).
Ultimately, it’s up to you which plug you choose to start your journey into anal play – just make sure to move at your own pace, know your limits, and have the right lubrication and cleaning products on hand.
