This Is the Perfect Vibrator for Beginners

Some people gab about their go-to grub spots, while others gush about reality TV—but my favorite thing to talk about is finding the best vibrator. (Yes, I’m very fun at dinner parties.) As a longtime sex journalist, I’ve had the privilege of getting my hands on more toys than you’d see in your local boutique sex shop…for free.

After trying dozens (and dozens) of toys, I can confidently say that some are easier to get a hang of than others—frankly, some vibrators can be downright intimidating to beginners. So when I do find a vibe that offers all the features I think first-timers deserve, well, I write articles about them! Currently, the buzzy new contender at the top of my list is the Biird Gii ($99, spectrumboutique.com)—here’s why.

What I look for

IMO, starter vibrators should have a versatile design, intuitive controls, and a few—but not too many—settings. While some sex toys (like butt plugs, anal beads, and rabbit vibrators) are made with specific functions in mind, for most newbies, I recommend devices that can stimulate multiple erogenous zones so you can safely explore your body.

Also key: Price. Plenty of other luxury sex toys are just as aesthetically pleasing (and potentially as effective) as the Gii is, but I never think it makes sense for first-time toy or vibrator users to invest a ton of cash up-front. After all, your first vibe will tell you a lot about your (or your partner’s) pleasure preferences. Through trial and error, you might learn that you enjoy buzzy vibrations rather than rumbly ones, or stimulation that’s more pinpointed than full-bodied. At $99, the Gii is less expensive than lots of its competitors—ideal if you’re still shopping around for the perfect fit.

Made for internal and external stimulation, easy to use, and ringing up under $100, this toy seems to meet all my requirements for a beginner vibe.

The design

Before the toy itself had a chance to woo me, its packaging did. While the cardboard parcel it’s delivered in is discreet, the multicolored container inside is anything but. The box’s beautiful exterior includes useful illustrations that detail exactly how to use the Gii. As a person who has tested hundreds of toys, I don’t personally need step-by-step tips—however, I appreciate this feature for beginners.

When I finally took this vibrator out of its box, two things stuck out: its texture and weight. The toy is made from a combination of two body-safe materials. The bulk of the wand is made from supersoft silicone that feels similar to skin, while the handle is made from ABS plastic that has a matte finish that feels luxe and silky.

Measuring seven inches long with one slightly bulbous end, the Gii is shaped similarly to many other G-spot vibrators (hence its name). “The curved body of the Gii helps reach the G-spot, a nerve-dense spot two inches inside the vagina on the upper wall that can feel pleasurable when stimulated,” says AASECT-certified sex educator Suzannah Weiss, CES MA, author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject. In fact, G-spot pressure can lead to a vaginal orgasm, a blended orgasm (when combined with clitoral stimulation), or a squirting orgasm for some people, she adds.

Unlike some G-spot wands (like Lelo’s Mona Wave or We-Vibe’s Rave 2), which have rounded heads, the Gii’s tip is more rectangular. This unique shape increases the amount of pressure the vibrator can apply to your internal hot spot when it’s inserted and removed, according to Weiss.

Before recommending a vibe, I look for user-friendly controls. Sure, high-tech features (like pre-heating capabilities, stand-by mode, and app compatibility) are all very cool, but not if figuring out how to use them makes you feel like you need an engineering degree. Generally, I look for sex toys that have a single button or a few that are clearly labeled, as is the case with the Gii.

I also was struck by how much lighter the Gii is compared to other toys I’ve had in my hands (and vagina). Heavier G-spot toys, like ones made of stainless steel (looking at you, Njoy Pure Wand), can apply firm pressure to the G-spot but aren’t always accessible to people with arm- and hand-strength limitations. Weighing less than three ounces, the Gii is lighter than most utensils are, making it fairly easy to hold.

How I tried it (and how it went)

To keep vibrator testing feeling fun, I usually make an evening out of it. So when I was ready to unwind and release, I locked my pup out of my bedroom for a little privacy and put on my favorite panties (heya, Proclaim). After spending ample time scrolling through my hidden photo album to get turned on, I took Gii out from my bedside drawer, lathered it in my go-to water-based lubricant by Coconu, and stripped down.

When it comes to solo sex, I tend to prefer external stimulation, so I started there. I pressed the broad side of the head against my labia, thus indirectly stimulating my clit. Hey, turns out Gii’s head isn’t just good for targeting the G-spot.

After my first orgasm, which came (heh) within minutes of powering the toy on, I pulled my undies down and shifted the Gii so that the edge was touching my bits. The result? Pinpointed clitoral stimulation. My clit is super-duper sensitive, so I’m not usually able to enjoy direct contact with vibrators. However, the first of the Gii’s eight settings is a subtle purr that was able to pleasurably stimulate my love bud without overwhelming it. Oh, and the toy is waterproof, so after all was said and come, clean-up was easy: I simply rubbed it down with fragrance-free soap, then rinsed it with warm water.

The next time I bedded the Gii was with my partner, when we gave the toy’s namesake a whirl. After some serious foreplay—kissing, oral, whispered words of love, etc.—we grabbed the Gii from the bedside table and put her to action. Despite never having touched the toy before, my partner figured out how to turn the vibe on and sample the settings in seconds, thanks to the buttons’ intuitive design.

The Gii’s shape made it easy to locate my G-spot. As soon as we slid the vibrator in, the toy radiated vibrations outward for all-encompassing pleasure. Internal stimulation with a toy doesn’t usually do it for me, but with my partner in my ear telling me to be patient, I was able to lean fully into the sensation. Eventually, while we were skin-to-skin, I had the kind of luxurious, full-body orgasm that erotica novelists write about.

Later, I reflected on one of my favorite Gii features: It’s whisper-quiet. Meaning, my partner and I were able to hear each other’s symphonies of release uninterrupted by the loud whirring of a motor.

The bottom line

My personal sexperience with the Biird Gii has proven to me that it’s totally up to the task of providing powerful stimulation. Meanwhile, my professional experience testing toys and writing about sex makes it clear that the Gii’s 17 vibration settings make it a sound investment for people with sensitive bits like me, as well as the power-hungry. Ultimately, it’s this vibe’s thoughtful, easy-to-use design that make it such an excellent choice for first-timers.

As my love affair with the Gii indicates, I think plenty of people who have experience using sex toys will love this toy too—in particular, those looking for a vibe made with your G-spot in mind.

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