Butt Plug Beginners’ Guide: How to Choose the Right One

Butt plugs have moved from the fringes of the sex toy world into the mainstream over the last decade, and they are now one of the most popular categories of toy bought by curious beginners. If you are thinking about trying one for the first time, the choice of size, shape and material can feel overwhelming. This guide walks through the three decisions that matter most (size first, material second, shape third), explains how to use a butt plug safely, and answers the questions almost every first-time buyer wants answered but never quite asks out loud. Whether you are buying for yourself or a partner, you will find everything you need below. Browse the beginner butt plugs collection at our online sex shop for the styles best suited to first-time use.

What Is a Butt Plug and What Does It Do?

A butt plug is a sex toy designed to be inserted into the anus and held in place by a flared base. The shape is intentional: a tapered tip for easy insertion, a wider body to deliver the sensation of fullness, and a narrow neck that lets the sphincter close comfortably around the toy and hold it securely. The flared base sits outside the body and is the most important feature of any butt plug, because it stops the toy from being pulled inside. The pleasure comes from a mix of sensations. The anus has thousands of nerve endings, and many people find the feeling of fullness alone deeply satisfying. For people with a prostate, a butt plug can also deliver indirect prostate stimulation. For people with a vagina, the proximity of nerves shared between the rectum and the vagina means a butt plug can intensify other forms of stimulation happening at the same time. Some people wear them as part of foreplay, some during sex, and some simply for the standalone sensation. There is no wrong way to enjoy one.

How to Choose The Right Size Beginner Butt Plug

Size is the single most important decision you will make, and almost every problem first-time users have comes down to starting too big. The two measurements that matter are insertable length (how long the toy is from base to tip) and maximum width or diameter (the widest part of the body). For a true beginner, the standard guidance is an insertable length of around 3 inches and a maximum width of around 1 inch or less, roughly the diameter of a finger. That is small for a reason: the anus is not designed to stretch in the way the vagina is, and starting comfortably is essential to building positive associations with anal play. From there, you can progress over weeks or months to a medium plug (around 1.25 to 1.5 inches wide) and eventually a large one (1.75 inches and beyond) if you want to. The full small butt plugs collection covers the beginner end of the spectrum, and if you are serious about progressing in stages, a graduated butt plug kit is the most cost-effective way to do it. A training kit gives you three or four progressively larger plugs in one box, so you can step up at your own pace without having to rebuy every few weeks.

Which Material Should You Opt For?

Once size is settled, material is the next decision. Material affects how the plug feels in use, how easy it is to clean, and how durable it is over time. The four most common options for beginners are silicone, glass, metal and decorative jewel style plugs. Each has different properties and suits a slightly different style of user.

Silicone

Body safe silicone is the default recommendation for almost every beginner. It is soft, flexible, warms to body temperature quickly and forgiving in feel, which makes the initial insertion noticeably easier than rigid materials. Look specifically for “100% medical grade silicone” on the listing, because cheaper toys sometimes blend silicone with TPE or PVC, which are porous and harder to clean properly. Silicone is non-porous, easy to wash with soap and warm water, and lasts for years with reasonable care. The only catch worth knowing is that silicone lubricants react badly with silicone toys and degrade the surface over time, so always pair a silicone plug with a water-based lubricant rather than a silicone one.

Glass

Glass butt plugs are made from borosilicate (the same toughened glass used in laboratory equipment), so they are far stronger than they look. The appeal is the smooth, hard surface, the weight (which delivers a different kind of fullness from silicone), and the option to warm or cool the toy in water before use for temperature play. Glass is non-porous, dishwasher safe and beautifully easy to clean. It is firmer in feel than silicone, so it is usually a better second purchase than a first, but a small glass plug paired with plenty of lubricant is perfectly manageable for a beginner who already knows they enjoy the firmer sensation.

Metal

Metal butt plugs (usually stainless steel or aluminium) sit at the heavier end of the material spectrum. The weight is part of the appeal because the sensation of a metal plug at rest is noticeably more present than that of silicone. Metal is hygienic, body safe and compatible with any type of lubricant, including silicone-based. The downsides are the temperature shock on first insertion (warm it in water beforehand) and the firmness, which makes a slightly smaller starting size the wiser choice when stepping up from silicone.

Jewel and Decorative Plugs

Jewel butt plugs, sometimes called princess plugs or rosebud plugs, combine a silicone or metal body with a decorative crystal at the base. These are popular as gifts, for couples play and for anyone who enjoys the visual element as well as the sensation. They function exactly like a standard plug, so the size and material rules above apply. The jewel butt plugs collection at Whipple Tickle covers small through large sizes in a range of colours and finishes.

What Shapes and Styles Are There to Consider?

Beyond the basic plug shape, a few specialist styles are worth knowing about, even at a beginner level. Vibrating butt plugs add a small motor to the body of the toy, delivering vibration alongside the sensation of fullness. They are popular for solo and couples play alike, and modern vibrating butt plugs typically come with multiple speeds and patterns operated by a small remote. Weighted plugs have a small metal ball inside a silicone body that shifts as you move, adding a subtle, dynamic sensation rather than the fixed feel of a standard plug. Training kits, as mentioned in the size section, are sets of three or four plugs in increasing sizes, designed to be used over weeks or months to gradually build comfort with larger sizes. For the absolute simplest first purchase, a basic silicone plug at a small size and a single bottle of water-based lubricant covers everything you need. Anal beads are a different but related category, with multiple small spheres on a flexible cord rather than a single plug shape. They suit a different style of play, with the sensation coming from the in and out movement rather than from sustained fullness. Take a look at the anal beads collection if you want to compare.

How to Use a Butt Plug Safely

Using a butt plug for the first time is straightforward as long as you follow a simple sequence. Rushing any of these steps is the most common reason beginners have a bad experience, so build the time in.

Preparation and Lube

Empty your bowels naturally an hour or two before play. There is no need to use enemas or specialist anal douches for casual use, particularly with smaller plugs that do not reach far inside the body. A warm shower or bath beforehand helps relax the body and is the easiest way to get ready. Lubricant is non-negotiable for anal play. Unlike the vagina, the anus produces no natural lubrication of its own, so a generous amount of anal lubricant is essential every single time. Water-based lube is the safest universal choice and pairs with every toy material. Apply lube generously to both the plug and the entrance, and keep the bottle within reach to top up if needed.

Insertion

Position matters. Lying on your side with knees drawn up, or on your back with legs raised, are the two easiest starting positions because they relax the pelvic floor naturally. Press the tip of the plug gently against the entrance and apply slow, steady pressure rather than pushing hard. Take a deep breath in, and ease the plug in on the exhale as your body relaxes. If you hit resistance, stop, breathe and try again with a little more lubricant. The plug will slide past the widest point of its body, and the sphincter will close around the narrow neck, holding it in place. If it does not go in easily after a couple of attempts, the plug is too big, and you should size down rather than push through. There should be no sharp pain at any point. Mild stretching is normal; pain is not.

Wear Time and Removal

Beginners should aim for short wear times to start: 15 to 30 minutes is a sensible first session, building up gradually over multiple sessions if you want to wear one for longer. Two hours is the maximum most experts recommend for any single session, because longer wear can affect blood flow in the surrounding tissue. Listen to your body. To remove the plug, take another deep breath and gently pull on the flared base on the exhale, easing it out at the same angle it went in. Never pull abruptly, and never leave a plug in overnight, no matter how comfortable it feels.

Cleaning and Storage

Wash your plug before and after every single use, without exception. Warm water and a mild antibacterial soap are sufficient for silicone, glass and metal, or use a dedicated sex toy cleaner for convenience. Pay attention to the base and any textured areas, where residue can collect. Glass and metal plugs without electronic components can also be boiled for two to three minutes or run through the top rack of a dishwasher without detergent for a deeper clean. Vibrating plugs should be wiped clean carefully, avoiding the charging port, and never submerged unless the listing specifies they are fully waterproof. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth, then store in a fabric pouch or the original packaging, separately from any other silicone toys (silicone toys can react with each other in storage if they touch over time). A well-cared-for plug will last for years rather than months.