This Valentine’s Day, instead of splurging on fancy chocolates that are gone in a few blissful moments, we recommend investing in something that’ll really hit the spot…over and over again. What do we mean by that? Pick up a sex toy or accessory that’ll intensify your time under the sheets. A gift like that can last all year—and really, it’s a treat for both you and your partner.
“If sex feeds your bond, it isn’t just some extra fluff you should try to work into your day if you have time. When it’s part of the glue holding you together, it deserves some respect and dedication,” Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationship psychotherapist, previously wrote for SELF. “The point is scheduling time to engage in whatever activities make you feel more closely connected.” Bringing a new sex toy (or two) into your dynamic is one way to do just that.
There’s something for every body part, position, or kink (if you can dream it up, it probably exists!). To narrow down the many, many options, we asked sex therapists to name their all-time favorite pleasure products for couples. Below, they break down why their picks are exactly what you need for this Valentine’s Day. (Psst: They’re all on sale at Lovehoney for the holiday.)
Liberator Wedge Pillow
“A sex pillow can be a great way to introduce fun new toys without having to jump right into vibrators if you’re green to sex toys,” Engle tells SELF. And Liberator’s Wedge is one of the best out there—yes, there are actually a surprising number of styles available, so we’re not just saying that. “It’s great for customizing different sex positions and trying new angles, which can be a very fun way to spice things up for Valentine’s Day,” Engle says.
Wondering how to use it? Slipping it under the receiver’s hips during missionary to tilt their pelvis up “provides a better depth of penetration, depending on the angle, and it could also give more clitoral stimulation,” Megan Fleming, PhD, a psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist, previously told SELF (although the options are pretty endless).
Bonus: This pillow has a moisture-resistant liner to protect the foam inside, and its microfiber cover can go in your washing machine for ultra-easy cleanup.
Lovehoney Tie & Tease Pillow Present Bondage Kit
Lovehoney
Tie & Tease Pillow Present Bondage Kit
Yes, we’re recommending a bondage kit. No, you don’t need to freak out. Introducing blindfolds and restraints might feel a little scary at first but, according to Engle, embracing a mindset shift could help make BDSM more approachable—and trying it out could be just what your relationship needs.
“Fear and discomfort around bondage and kink typically come out of misunderstanding what BDSM is—and is not. It kind of feels like there is a ‘people who do kink’ camp and then a ‘vanilla people’ camp. It really isn’t this way at all,” Engle previously wrote for SELF. “Kink is super accessible to everyone—and a lot of us have either tried it or wanted to. If you’ve been having fantasies about tying your partner up, getting spanked, being spanked, getting blindfolded, etc., that is completely normal.” And Valentine’s Day could be the perfect time to make these dreams come true.
This bondage kit will help you embrace teasing each other—but in a good way. “This is a great choice for couples who are looking to add some novelty or just explore sensation play more,” Javay Frye-Nekrasova, MEd, a certified sex educator at Lovehoney, tells SELF. The kit includes a variety of accessories to play with, but they don’t have any bells and whistles that make them intimidating. “The blindfold allows you to build anticipation with your partner, and the restraints are soft and comfortable, making it a more pleasurable experience, especially for folks who are new to forms of bondage. The feather tickler allows for controlled and direct sensation play,” Frye-Nekrasova says. Multiple orgasms, here you (both) come.
We-Vibe Sync 2
We-Vibe
Sync 2 Remote Control and App Rechargeable Couple’s Vibrator
Looking to bring a vibe into the mix? Engle says the We-Vibe Sync 2 is one of her favorites. The U-shaped vibrator is flexible—the ridged end is designed to target your G-spot while the other end rests outside (hands-free!) to stimulate your clitoris. The Sync 2 is also slim enough to fit inside you alongside a penis or dildo during penetrative sex. “It really helps people with clitorises have orgasms during penetrative sex, so it’s a great toy for partner play,” Engle says.
The real kicker is that the vibrator’s three speeds and seven vibrational patterns can be controlled by the button on the actual toy, the included remote control, or the We-Vibe app. “It works well for couples who are long-distance, as well as those who just want to try something interesting,” Engle says. So if you can’t physically be with your partner this Valentine’s Day, don’t let that stop you from setting the mood and having fun from far away.
P.S. It’s also waterproof, in case you want to make your showers extra steamy.
Related:
- Vibrators 101: Everything You Need to Know (and the Expert-Approved Ones to Try)
- The Best Rabbit Vibe Is Actually a Snail
- You’re Gonna Want to Say Yes, Yes, YES to These Clitoral Vibrators
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