True to their name, the best bullet vibrators are compact, cylindrical sex toys usually shaped like, well, bullets (or tubes of lipstick). I’ve reported on sex toys for almost five years now and can say, based on extensive research with experts and reviewers, that they’re one of the most popular sex toys, especially for beginners to vibrators. Their small size is a big plus for anyone who values convenience, discretion, and who feels intimidated by larger toys. The vibes are usually easy to hold, straightforward to operate (just turn it on and explore how it feels across your body), and more affordable compared to other toy types. They’re also extremely versatile to use—during solo play as a clitoral vibrator and nipple stimulator, as a sex toy for couples during foreplay, or even slipped into a strap-on to provide extra buzz during penetrative sex. If I’ve convinced you that you want one of your own, take a look at my list of the best bullet vibrators, as evaluated by sex experts and Glamour testers (like me) alike.
The best bullet vibrators, at a glance
Here’s a quick summary of the bullet vibrators we tested and how they measured up. It’s worth noting the FemmeFunn Bougie’s long two-hour run time, as well as the number of intensities it offers (20). That said, our favorite bullet vibrator for beginners (the Maude Vibe) has only three vibration modes, but my, are they powerful. I own it and it continues to knock my socks off (not literally). If you choose a silicone sex toy, be aware that you should never pair it with silicone-based lube, which can break down the material.
Jump to a closer look at each vibrator.
Your questions about bullet vibrators, answered
How we chose bullet vibrators
To narrow down our selections for the best bullet vibrators, we spoke with sex experts and asked Glamour editors and writers to test various top-selling models. Each vibrator was evaluated with the following criteria in mind: ease of use (how simple it was to use and shift between modes; how comfortable it was to grip for long periods); performance (whether its vibration settings as intense as the company claimed; how gentle, intense, and varied were its delivered sensations); battery life (each toy needed a minimum of an one-hour run time—and it needed to actually last that long); and value (how effective were its offered features for the cost? Beginners, after all, may not want to spend as much on a new toy).
How to use a bullet vibrator
Bullet vibrators are easy to use and excellent for the teasing of erogenous zones (including the nipples, clitoris, labia, and perineum). The tips are slightly pointed, which can produce targeted sensations that feel amazing to some. Though vibrating bullets are largely used for external stimulation, a rare few (like the Je Joue G-Spot Bullet) are suitable as G-spot vibrators.
There’s a wide range of bullet vibes that let you get even more creative: Some attach to penis rings and suction toys like dildos, act as finger vibrators, or are remote-controllable. That extreme versatility makes the toys great investments; they’re so approachable in design and price range.
What to consider when shopping for a bullet vibrator
- Material: You’ll find most bullet vibes are made of body-safe silicone or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, though experts nod to the former as the safer choice. “It’s a great material—it can be softer or firmer, but it’s nonporous and easy to clean,” Carol Queen, PhD, a staff expert at online sex-toy store Good Vibes, previously told Glamour. ABS plastic is cheaper and nonporous, but it’s harder to clean, as it has limited heat tolerance and could break down when chemically disinfected. The vibrators in this story are all made of silicone, ABS plastic, or nonporous stainless steel (and should be, crucially, paired with only water-based lube).
- Battery life/run time: Nothing kills a buzz like a sex toy running out of steam right as you’re warming up (or overheating). Most bullet vibes are rechargeable, but you’ll want to keep an eye on how long they last. The longer, the better, right?
- Waterproof: If you plan to bring your bullet vibe into the shower or tub with you, make sure it’s completely waterproof (a.k.a. “submersible”).
- Vibration modes and intensity: First-timers may want to find a bullet that has multiple vibration settings so you can start light and work your way up to more intense patterns as you figure out what’s best for your body. Everyone’s threshold for intensity is going to be different, so take your time to explore all the various vibrations that your bullet offersSometimes bullet vibes have only one speed and pattern, or three, or—hell—11, if you’re up for exploring.
- Shape: Though the bullet vibrator’s name pretty much spells out its shape, its umbrella includes a range of widths. You’ll find vibes shaped a bit like cigarettes, ovular eggs, lipstick, and even with little clit-tickling ears.
- Jess O’Reilly, PhD, a Toronto-based sex expert and author of The Ultimate Guide to Seduction and Foreplay: Techniques and Strategies for Mind-Blowing Sex
- Laurie Mintz, PhD, a psychologist, author of Becoming Cliterate, and emeritus professor of the psychology of human sexuality at the University of Florida
- Carol Queen, PhD, a staff expert at online sex-toy store Good Vibes
- Javay Frye-Nekrasova, MEd, a sex educator and Lovehoney sex expert
- Suzannah Weiss, MA, MPS, a certified sex educator, Glamour toy tester, and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject
- Amanda Chatel, a Glamour sex writer who has tested over a thousand toys
- Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor and sex-toy writer who’s reported in this space for over four years
