Finding the best anal dildos comes down to a few clear checks, not marketing photos. Our testing team judges these toys on what a photo can't show: body-safe material, base design, and the right size for your experience.
This guide covers how to pick a body-safe anal dildo by material, base shape, and size. We focus on evaluation criteria, meaning what we look for and what we tell buyers to avoid, instead of hype. Best for: first-time buyers who need the basics and returning buyers who want a size- and material-based shortlist.
Below you'll find how to shop, what an anal dildo is, a material comparison, picks by use case, safe-use steps, and common questions. Everything here helps you decide before you spend money.
Key takeaways
- Flared base first – only pick a dildo whose base is wider than the shaft so it can't slip in too far.
- Non-porous materials – silicone, glass, and stainless steel are body-safe and easy to sanitize.
- Start slim – beginners do best with a 0–1 inch diameter and a tapered tip.
- Lube is required – the anus doesn't self-lubricate, so use plenty of the right lube.
- Buy vs skip – this guide is for body-safety-first shoppers, and it flags who should wait and check a doctor first.
How to choose the best anal dildos
The best anal dildos are body-safe, non-porous toys with a flared base, sized to your experience level. Get those four things right, meaning material, base, size, and lube, and the rest is personal preference.
We rank those checks in order. Material and base are safety features, so they come first, and size and shape are comfort features you tune to your own body. If you want the full method behind our shortlists, see how we evaluate dildos.
Flared base: the non-negotiable safety feature
A flared base is the single feature no anal toy should skip. According to gofreddie, a flared base means the base of the toy is wider than the toy itself.
That extra width acts as a stopper. It keeps the toy from sliding in too far, which is the main safety risk with anal use. We treat a true flared base as a pass/fail check before we look at anything else.
Watch out for shapes that only look flared. A gently rounded end or a narrow handle is not the same as a true wider base. When we compare picks, we measure the base against the widest part of the shaft and drop anything that isn't clearly wider.
Body-safe, non-porous materials
Material safety comes before novelty, likeness, or branding, every time. Per gofreddie, silicone is non-porous and body-safe. Porous materials like jelly and TPR can trap bacteria you can never fully clean out, so we steer beginners toward non-porous picks.
Phthalates are a real concern in cheap toys. A 2023 study in PMC found phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors, in all tested sex toys at levels exceeding hazard warnings. The same study notes the CPSC limits phthalates to 0.1% of product weight in children's toys.
Adult toys aren't covered by that children's-toy limit, so a cheap toy with a chemical smell is a warning sign. We look for platinum or medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, or stainless steel, and we skip anything vague like "novelty rubber." For a deeper list, see our body-safe material options.
Size and shape for your experience level
Size is where most first-time buyers go wrong. She Bop's beginner guide recommends beginners stick to a diameter of about 0–1 inch. That's why a slim anal dildo with a tapered tip is the safest starting point.
A small anal dildo eases the entry and lets you build comfort over sessions. When you read specs, separate insertable length from total length, because the flared base and any handle don't go inside. The insertable number is what actually determines fit, so we always compare that figure rather than the headline length.
Shape matters as much as size. A tapered tip that widens slowly is far easier for an anal dildo for beginners than a blunt shaft.
Once you've built comfort, you can move up gradually. See our notes on sizing up safely, and our shape and texture guide for what to expect.
What is an anal dildo?
An anal dildo is a toy built for in-and-out anal use, with a flared base that keeps it from slipping in too far. That base is the main thing separating it from a regular dildo, which may have a suction cup or no base at all.
It also differs from a butt plug. A butt plug has a wide base and is meant to stay in place for a feeling of fullness. Anal dildos are made for movement, so if you want steady thrusting rather than a set-and-forget feel, an anal dildo is the right tool.
Anal dildos come in many styles, from a plain slim anal dildo to a curved shape aimed at prostate contact. The core rules stay the same across all of them: body-safe material and a flared base first, then size and shape to taste.
Anal dildo materials compared
These are typical category price ranges by material, not results from testing any single product. They give you a realistic budget before you shop.
Material | Typical price range | Key trait | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Silicone | 15–60 | Soft, non-porous, body-safe | Most users, beginners |
Glass | 25–70 | Firm, non-porous, holds temperature | Firmness fans |
Stainless steel | 40–120 | Heaviest, non-porous, very durable | Weight and intensity |
Realistic (platinum silicone) | 30–90 | Lifelike texture with a flared base | Realistic anal dildo seekers |
All four materials are non-porous and body-safe. She Bop notes that steel is the heaviest option, followed by glass and then silicone, so let weight guide you as much as price.
Weight changes the feel more than most buyers expect. Silicone is light and forgiving, which suits a first purchase. Glass and steel add firmness and hold temperature, so spend more only when you want those traits.
Best anal dildos by use case
Different bodies want different things, so here's how we match picks to goals. We name pick types, not brands, since the right specific model changes often.
- Best for beginners – a small anal dildo in slim (0–1 inch) tapered silicone with a flared base.
- Best realistic feel – a realistic anal dildo in platinum silicone with a flared base.
- Best for size progression – a firmer mid-size pick for when you're ready to size up.
- Best for firmness and temperature play – glass or stainless steel, which hold warmth or cold.
For our current shortlists, see our body-safe dildo picks, and if you're new to toys entirely, start with our beginner-friendly starter picks.
How to use an anal dildo safely
Lube is essential, not optional. As Ubie Health explains, the anus does not self-lubricate, so you need plenty of the right lube.
Match the lube to the toy. For the best lube for anal toys, water-based lube works safely with silicone toys. Silicone lube can degrade silicone over time, per gofreddie, so stick with water-based and reapply as it dries out.
Go slow and let your body set the pace. Add more lube than you think you need, breathe, and stop if anything hurts rather than pushing through it.
Warm up before you reach for the full size. Start with a smaller tapered tip and work up over a few minutes. This is more comfortable and lowers the risk of small tears.
Clean the toy before and after every use with mild soap and warm water. Non-porous materials rinse clean easily, which is a big part of why we recommend them.
Let the toy dry fully before you store it, and keep it away from other toys that could react with its surface. A little care here is why a good silicone, glass, or steel pick can last for years.
Final verdict: who should buy and who should skip
Buy an anal dildo if you put body safety first and want a flared base with a non-porous material like silicone, glass, or steel. Match the diameter to your experience, starting at 0–1 inch, and pair it with the right lube.
Wait and check with a doctor first if you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or a prostate condition. When in doubt, start slim, go slow, and size up only once you're comfortable. Follow those steps and the best anal dildos become a safe, long-lasting part of your kit.
Our overall rating: 4 / 5 — A body-safe silicone anal dildo with a true flared base earns top marks for non-porous, phthalate-free material, beginner-friendly 0–1 inch sizing, and an accessible 15–60 price range, docked because the anus doesn't self-lubricate so it needs generous water-based lube every time and a slow, patient warm-up to stay comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
Are anal dildos safe?
Anal dildos are safe when they have a flared base and are made from a body-safe, non-porous material like silicone, glass, or steel.
Do I need to use lube with an anal dildo?
Yes. The anus doesn't self-lubricate, so lube is required every time.
What's the difference between an anal dildo and a regular dildo?
The flared base is the key difference; it stops the toy from slipping in too far, which regular dildos may not offer.
Can I use an anal dildo for vaginal penetration?
Yes, if it's made from a body-safe material, but wash it thoroughly between uses to avoid moving bacteria.
What size anal dildo should a beginner start with?
Beginners should start with a 0–1 inch diameter and a slim, tapered shape.