Butt Plug Buying Guide for Beginners: Types + Best Picks

on Jul 25, 2026

A butt plug is an anal toy designed to be inserted and worn -- unlike a dildo, which is used for in-and-out penetration, a butt plug has a tapered shape and a flared base that holds it securely in position. They are used solo during masturbation, during partnered sex, or simply worn for the sensation of fullness. This guide covers everything you need to know before buying one.

What Is a Butt Plug?

A butt plug is a tapered anal toy with a flared base that prevents full insertion. It is designed to be inserted into the rectum and worn in place -- held there by the sphincter muscle contracting around the narrowed neck between the plug body and the base. Unlike a dildo, you do not thrust with a butt plug. The sensation is one of fullness and pressure, and for people with a prostate, the position of the plug against the front wall of the rectum can produce prostate stimulation.

Butt plugs are used by people of all genders. The nerve-rich anal sphincter and the internal structures it connects to -- the G-spot wall in vulva owners, the prostate in penis owners -- respond to the pressure and fullness a plug creates in a fundamentally different way to penetrative thrusting. Many people find they enhance other sexual activity significantly when worn during masturbation or sex.

A butt plug is not about in-and-out movement. It is about the fullness, the pressure, and what that does to the surrounding structures while other stimulation is happening.

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Types of Butt Plugs

Type	Key Feature	Best For
Standard Silicone Plug	Smooth, tapered, flared base	Beginners, solo or partnered wear
Vibrating Plug	Built-in motor for added internal stimulation	More intense sensation, couples play
Jewel Plug	Decorative gemstone or crystal base, often metal body	Aesthetics, couples roleplay, extended wear
Large / Inflatable Plug	Larger insertable body or pump inflation	Experienced users, stretch training
Tail Plug	Decorative tail attached to the base	Pet play, costumes, roleplay
Prostate Plug	Curved to target the prostate specifically	Male prostate stimulation during wear

Standard Beginner Plugs

The starting point for most people. A smooth, tapered silicone or metal plug with a narrow neck and a flared base. The taper makes insertion easy; the narrow neck keeps the plug held comfortably in position; the flared base prevents it going further than intended. For first-time butt plug use, a plug with an insertable width of around 1 inch is the appropriate starting size. Browse the anal starter toys collection at H&A for appropriately sized beginner options.

Vibrating Butt Plugs

A standard plug with a motor that adds vibration from within. The vibration travels through the plug into the surrounding tissue, stimulating the nerve-dense sphincter and the prostate or G-spot wall depending on anatomy. Remote-controlled vibrating plugs are popular for couples play -- the wearing partner experiences stimulation during sex that the penetrating partner can adjust without interrupting anything. Browse the vibrating butt plugs collection for remote and non-remote options.

Jewel Butt Plugs

Metal or glass plugs with a decorative gemstone or crystal base that sits visibly outside the body during wear. Popular for their aesthetic -- partners frequently find them visually striking during sex. Metal bodies are non-porous and easy to sterilise. The smooth metal surface is also easier to insert than textured silicone, which makes jewel plugs a practical as well as aesthetic choice. The Booty Sparks jewel plug collection at H&A covers beginner to advanced sizes in multiple colours.

Large and Inflatable Plugs

For experienced users who have worked up in size. Large plugs provide intense fullness sensation and are used for stretch training over multiple sessions. Inflatable plugs allow gradual size increase with a hand pump, giving precise control over insertion size. Browse the large butt plug collection -- not appropriate as a first plug, but the range at H&A covers sizes from modest to significant.

Sizing for Beginners

Start with 1 inch or under: The widest point of a beginner plug should be around 1 inch in diameter -- roughly the width of two fingers. This is comfortable for insertion after proper warm-up and will stay in position without causing discomfort during extended wear.
The neck width matters more than the body: The neck is what the sphincter sits around during wear. A narrow neck is more comfortable for extended use. A wider neck means more stimulation but less comfort if worn for longer periods.
Taper is important: A more gradual taper means easier insertion. Steeply tapered plugs insert more quickly but require more confidence in size selection. For beginners, a gentler taper reduces the chance of discomfort mid-insertion.
Progress through a training set: Anal starter sets include multiple plugs of increasing sizes, designed to be used progressively over multiple sessions. This is significantly more comfortable than jumping to a target size in one session.

How to Use a Butt Plug

1

Get aroused before any insertionThe anal sphincter relaxes significantly with arousal. Attempting insertion before arousal makes everything more difficult and less comfortable. Spend time on other stimulation first.
2

Apply lube generouslyWater-based lube on both the plug and the anal opening. The rectum has no natural lubrication. Apply more than you think you need and keep the bottle within reach.
3

Insert slowly, following the taperApply gentle pressure and allow the sphincter to open around the taper at its own pace. Do not force. The widest point will pass the sphincter and the plug will be held in position by the neck. This may take 30-60 seconds of gentle pressure at first.
4

Confirm the base is fully outsideCheck that the flared base is completely outside the body and in contact with the external skin. This is the safety check -- if the base is not fully external, the plug is too far in.
5

Use, then remove by pulling gently on the baseTo remove, grip the base and pull gently. The sphincter will open around the taper and the plug will slide out. Do not pull quickly. Breathe out and relax the sphincter before pulling.

Browse Butt Plugs at Healthy and Active

The full butt plug range at H&A covers beginner options, vibrating plugs, jewel plugs, large plugs, and tail plugs. Use the links below to browse by type.

Beginners - Start Here Anal Starter Toys Collection Beginner butt plugs and anal starter sets at appropriate sizes for first-time anal play. Includes training kits with progressive sizes and beginner-friendly shapes. The right place to start before considering larger options. Browse collection

Start Here Vibrating Plugs Vibrating Butt Plug Collection Plugs with built-in vibration -- remote-controlled and standard options. Adds internal stimulation during wear. Browse by remote control and vibration intensity. Browse collection Jewel Plugs Booty Sparks Jewel Butt Plug Collection Metal and glass plugs with decorative gemstone bases in multiple colours and sizes. Smooth metal surface is easy to insert and non-porous for thorough cleaning. Beginner to advanced sizes available. Browse collection Large Plugs Large Butt Plug Collection Advanced-size plugs for experienced users. Includes standard large plugs and inflatable options. Not a starting point -- for those who have worked up to larger sizes over multiple sessions. Browse collection Tail Plugs Butt Plug Tails Collection Plugs with decorative animal tails -- fox, cat, bunny and more. Used for pet play, costume wear, and roleplay scenarios. Tail plugs are available in beginner and intermediate sizes. Browse collection Full Range All Butt Plugs at Healthy and Active Browse the complete butt plug range -- all types, all sizes, all materials. Filter by size, material, and features to find the right plug for your experience level and preferences. Browse all

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a butt plug safe to use?+

Yes, when used correctly. The key safety rules are: always use a plug with a flared base that cannot be fully swallowed, use plenty of water-based lube, go slowly and do not force insertion, and remove the plug if you feel any pain. Silicone, metal, and glass are all body-safe materials. Avoid porous materials like rubber or jelly. Do not use a butt plug without a flared base -- toys without a base can become lost internally and require medical attention to retrieve.

What size butt plug should I start with?+

Start with a plug whose widest insertable point is approximately 1 inch in diameter. This is comfortable after proper warm-up and sits securely without being overwhelming. An anal starter set with multiple increasing sizes is the best purchase for a complete beginner -- you can work up through the set over multiple sessions rather than guessing which size to buy first.

How long can you wear a butt plug?+

Extended wear is common and generally safe for plugs made from non-porous body-safe materials. Most people are comfortable wearing a plug for between 30 minutes and a few hours. Remove immediately if you feel any discomfort, numbness, or change in sensation. Very long-term wear (multiple hours) is not recommended for beginners and requires a smooth-necked, properly sized plug to avoid sphincter fatigue.

Can you use a butt plug during sex?+

Yes. Wearing a plug during vaginal penetration is a popular use case because the plug adds fullness that many people find intensifies the sensation of penetration. It also positions against the G-spot wall in vulva owners or the prostate in penis owners during sex. Vibrating plugs worn during sex with a remote-controlled component are a popular couples toy. Ensure the plug is fully seated and comfortable before starting penetrative sex.

What is the difference between a butt plug and a prostate massager?+

A butt plug is designed to be worn in place, stimulating through fullness and pressure. A prostate massager is specifically curved to apply direct pressure to the prostate gland when inserted and typically used with in-and-out movement or rocking motion. Some plugs are curved toward the prostate and blur this line. If prostate stimulation is the primary goal, a dedicated prostate massager will target the gland more precisely than a standard plug.