Types of Butt Plugs Explained
Every type of butt plug covered in one guide: what each type is, how it works, who it suits and what to consider before buying.
Butt plugs come in a wider range of types than most buyers realise when first exploring anal play. Each type is suited to a different use case, experience level or pleasure goal. Understanding what each type actually does makes choosing the right one straightforward rather than overwhelming.
This guide covers every major type: classic, vibrating, app-controlled, inflatable, jewelled, stainless steel, borosilicate glass, prostate-curved and training kits. Each is explained with its specific features, who it suits and what to consider before buying.
Classic Butt Plugs
The foundation type. A classic butt plug has a tapered tip for easy insertion, a wider body that creates the fullness sensation, a slim neck that helps the sphincter hold it in place and a flared base that remains external throughout. No motor, no inflation, no special features. Available in body-grade silicone, stainless steel, borosilicate glass and hard ABS plastic.
Best for: Beginners, extended wear, everyday use, anyone who wants a simple reliable experience without feature complexity. The classic type is also the most versatile for wearing during other sexual activity.
What to consider: Size is the critical decision here. Choose the smallest diameter appropriate for your experience level and progress gradually. The quality of the silicone matters: look for explicitly stated body-grade or medical-grade specification from a reputable retailer.
Vibrating Butt Plugs
A classic plug shape with an integrated motor producing vibration. Most modern vibrating plugs are rechargeable via USB, waterproof to IPX7 and offer multiple vibration modes (steady, pulse, escalating, wave patterns). The motor may be in the body of the plug or in a removable bullet that inserts into the toy.
Best for: Experienced beginners who are already comfortable with basic plug use and want to add active stimulation. Prostate stimulation (vibration directed at the prostate is significantly more intense than static pressure alone). Use during masturbation or partnered sex where the additional stimulation elevates the overall experience.
What to consider: Motor quality varies enormously. At cheaper price points, motors are often noisy, weak and vibrate unevenly. Mid-range and above (approximately £40 to £80) offers consistent quiet vibration across modes. Check IPX waterproof rating before any water use. Do not boil or dishwash a vibrating toy regardless of material.
App-Controlled Vibrating Plugs
A vibrating plug with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, operated via a smartphone app. The app typically provides control over vibration pattern, intensity and timing. Most also allow partner control from any distance, making them popular for couples in the same room or geographically distant.
Best for: Partners who want remote control play, long-distance couples, people who want precise pattern customisation beyond the fixed modes of a standard remote-controlled toy.
What to consider: App quality and connectivity reliability vary significantly between brands. Budget app-controlled plugs frequently have unreliable connections or limited app functionality. Established brands at £60 and above generally offer more reliable performance. Test the connection before any use that depends on it working consistently.
Inflatable Butt Plugs
A plug that can be expanded inside the body after insertion using a hand pump attached by a tube to the toy. Insertion occurs at the smallest deflated size, then the plug is gradually inflated to a larger diameter once inside. This allows adjustable size within a single toy and controlled progressive dilation during a single session.
Best for: Experienced users who want variable size from one toy, people training toward larger sizes who want gradual controlled expansion, or people preparing for anal sex who want a progressive warm-up tool.
What to consider: Not appropriate for beginners as a first purchase. The inflation mechanism requires care during cleaning. Never over-inflate beyond a comfortable level. Always test deflation before insertion to confirm the mechanism works. The deflated insertion size is typically 1.5 to 2.0cm diameter, suitable for users with basic anal experience.
Jewelled Butt Plugs
Stainless steel or occasionally glass plugs with a decorative gem, crystal or heart-shaped jewel set into the base. The gem is entirely external and visible. The insertable body is smooth polished steel or glass with all the properties of those materials. The jewel is purely decorative.
Best for: Aesthetic appeal in partnered settings, short sessions where the visual element is part of the experience, anyone who wants the properties of steel in a visually distinctive design.
What to consider: The base gem is a design feature and does not affect function. All cleaning considerations are those of the base material (steel or glass). Some jewel settings use adhesive: check that the gem is secure before use. The metal body and rim of the base make jewelled plugs firm and less forgiving than silicone, so appropriate sizing is particularly important.
Stainless Steel Butt Plugs
Solid polished stainless steel with a smooth non-porous surface, heavier than silicone equivalents and with a distinct weight sensation during wear. Fully compatible with all lubricant types (water-based, silicone-based and oil-based). Can be warmed or cooled for temperature play. Easiest of all materials to deep clean: dishwasher-safe and boilable.
Best for: Experienced users who want the weight sensation, people who enjoy temperature play, anyone who prioritises longevity and ease of cleaning above all other factors.
What to consider: The weight and firmness of steel make correct sizing more important than with silicone. A steel plug the same diameter as a silicone plug of the same diameter will feel more intense because it does not flex. Start at the lower end of your comfortable size range when moving to steel.
Borosilicate Glass Butt Plugs
Smooth, hand-crafted or precision-formed borosilicate glass with a distinctive aesthetic. Non-porous, fully compatible with all lube types and capable of temperature play (cooled or warmed before use). Artisanal designs offer unique visual appeal. Rigid like steel but lighter.
Best for: Temperature play enthusiasts, people who want the smooth non-porous properties of glass with a lighter weight than steel, decorative and artisanal designs.
What to consider: Only use borosilicate (tempered) glass, not standard glass. Inspect for chips or cracks before every use: any surface damage means retire the toy immediately. The rigidity of glass means the same sizing caution applies as with steel.
Prostate-Curved Plugs
A plug designed with a forward curve or angled tip to direct internal pressure toward the prostate gland, which sits anterior to the rectal wall approximately 5 to 7cm inside the anal canal. The curve angles the body of the plug toward the navel during wear, creating sustained contact with or pressure toward the prostate through the rectal wall.
Best for: People with a prostate for whom prostate stimulation is the primary goal. These plugs deliver significantly more targeted prostate contact than a straight plug worn in a neutral position.
What to consider: The angled shape requires correct insertion technique to be directed toward the prostate rather than away from it. Tip toward the navel, not toward the spine. Experienced with basic plug use before moving to a curved prostate design.
Anal Training Kits
A set of two or three plugs in graduated sizes (typically small, medium, large) sold together for systematic progressive training. Working through the kit over multiple sessions conditions the sphincter toward larger sizes in a controlled, gradual way. Usually body-grade silicone in a classic tapered shape.
Best for: Beginners who want to train progressively toward larger sizes or more comfortable receptive anal sex. Better value per plug than buying sizes individually. The most systematic approach to anal training available.
What to consider: Progress to the next size only when the current size feels fully comfortable: no stretch sensation, no significant resistance on insertion, no discomfort during wear. There is no fixed timeline for this progression — it may take a few sessions or many depending on the individual.
Types at a Glance
Which Type Is Right for You?
If you are new to anal play: classic non-vibrating silicone in a small size. If you want to train progressively: a training kit. If you have basic experience and want more: a vibrating plug. If you have a prostate and want to target it specifically: a prostate-curved plug. If you want weight, temperature play or the easiest cleaning: stainless steel. If partner control is a goal: app-controlled vibrating.
For help matching type to size, see how to choose a butt plug. For material safety in full, see butt plug materials and body safety.
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