Sex machines are one of those devices that sound a lot more intimidating than they really are. If you’ve heard of them, it might have been in an eye-catching endcap at the adult toy store next to the more typical vibrators you’re there for. However, they can be an exciting addition to your sex life or an accessibility tool for people who can’t do all of the manual labor that sex requires. But which do you buy? You definitely do not want to buy a thrusting machine of poor quality. Don’t worry, I tested an array with a few partners to find the best sex machines that are safe yet stimulating.

Be sure to check out our other sex-related buying guides, including the Best Sex Toys, Best Vibrators, and Best Clitoral Suction Toys.

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Why Would You Want a Sex Machine?

Sex is a very human activity that doesn’t seem to mesh well with something that can be described as a “machine.” However, there are several reasons why a full-size machine might be appealing as a way to either augment your sex life with a partner or enjoy yourself on your own.

• Accessible adventures. It’s unavoidable that sex takes a lot of physical work. It’s also unavoidable that, over time and for a variety of reasons, human bodies sometimes struggle to do physical work. If you have a physical disability or chronic injury/pain, sex machines can help perform some of the labor sex requires, leaving you and/or your partner(s) free to connect in less strenuous ways.
• Stimulating specificity. Everyone’s body is different and not everyone experiences pleasure in the same way. One person might enjoy penetration, while another person can only have an orgasm via clitoral stimulation. Some people are highly sensitive to the slightest touches, while others require intense sensations to reach their pleasure peak. Sex machines can offer a variety of sensations that are difficult to achieve with more typical sex toys.
• Exciting experimentation. Novelty is a mainstay of many healthy sex lives, and for most people it’s hard to get much more novel than a sex machine. Not only is the idea of using a sex machine novel in itself, but many of our picks provide a lot of creative options for having sex in positions or dynamics that aren’t possible otherwise.