Of course, the first thing to decide upon is what type of toy you’re looking for.

This will depend on what your partnership looks like, what body parts you both have, what kinds of stimulation you prefer, and how you want to use your toy.

Do you want a toy for the clit, penis, vagina, anus, or somewhere else? Do you like very strong or rumbly vibrations? Do you want something to use during sex or for foreplay?

When you’re searching for a couples’ sex toy, keep an eye out for what it’s made from.

Generally, you want to stick to body-safe, non-porous materials like silicone, ABS plastic, steel and glass.

Porous materials like PVC, TPE, jelly, vinyl and rubber, on the other hand, have microscopic holes on their surface that can harbor germs and dirt. This makes them very difficult to clean and potentially unhygienic to use inside the body.

If you’re after an insertable toy, size matters 100%. One of the biggest mistakes novice sex toy buyers make is overestimating how much they can take, and their too-big toy often gets stored away forever after an unsuccessful session.

External toys also have a size consideration to make, especially if you want to use them during sex. Stick to something smaller or low profile if you want it to stay out of the way.

Battery-powered sex toys are alluring for their affordability, but they’re often more trouble than they’re worth. They can produce buzzier, weaker vibrations, and can actually end up costing you more in the long run.

Are you interested in the prospect of controlling your partner’s pleasure? Or perhaps you’re in a long-distance relationship and would love to connect with your partner by having them control your toy from wherever they are?

In that case, look out for couples’ sex toys that have physical remote controls or app-compatibility. Many companies offer these features, but Lovense, We-Vibe, Kiiroo and Satisfyer are some of the most famous.

It can sometimes be difficult to figure out whether a sex toy is waterproof or not, and exactly how waterproof it is. That’s why we tell you in every Adorime review!

The basic things to know are that “waterproof” or “submersible” generally means that the toy is fully waterproof, and can be used in the bath or shower (and is very easily cleaned, too). “Splashproof” means that it can withstand some droplets, and can be run under the faucet for a short amount of time, but not submerged. Non-waterproof toys should be kept away from water completely.

And finally, don’t forget to check how easy the sex toy is to use!

Are the buttons placed conveniently? Is the toy heavy or bulky to hold? Is the accompanying app simple to use and easy to connect to?

Often, the best way to find these things out is to read the user reviews, though reading a Adorime review is helpful, too!