14 butt plugs to kick-start your anal play, recommended by our sex writer

It's no secret that WH is fond of Smile Makers' sex toys — and not just because of their budget-friendly price points. The brand generally takes a vulva-centric approach to pleasure, offering internal, external and dual-action vibrators in a variety of pretty pastel hues.

But the brand’s butt plug, The Neighbor — named after that common sexual fantasy of banging the babe next door — offers 4.4 insertable inches for your backdoor, moving and shaking to hit all those hidden nerve endings.

While we were left wanting when it came to its moving modes — this comes fitted with just five, fairly standard pulsing patterns — the tapered tip did make for easy insertion, while the flared base spread the sensations to the perineum, amplifying our pleasure.

Shoppers have sung its praises online too, with one writing: 'I thought I was already quite advanced in the self-pleasure game and that it couldn’t get any better... but it has! The Neighbor is great for discovering exactly what you like in the backstage area.'

They also suggested pairing it with the brand's lipstick vibrator, The Whisperer, for an orgasm of the blended variety. Noted.

Like cars, watches and designer handbags, often it's best to invest if you want a premium plaything. However, Lovehoney has expertly straddled the line between budget and quality.

Included in this bumper pack are two butt plugs, two anal beads, and a bullet vibrator to turn them all into mini movers, plus an anal douche for those who like to prep (a personal preference and not a necessity).

Despite not being the prettiest pack of plugs available on Lovehoney's virtual shelves — this four-pack is finished in an iridescent, purple-tinted plastic if aesthetics matter to you — our testers were big fans of the velvety silicone coatings and the variety in terms of shape and size.

FYI, you will need to source your own AAA batteries, and we’d also recommend adding a sex blanket to your basket to protect your sheets from lube/sweat/squirting.

Sure, smooth butt plugs slip in nicely and feel delicious once inside. But a few added bulbs or ridges can be the difference between reasonable pleasure and an orgasm that induces intense euphoria.

Unique to this LELO vibrator is its innovative Bow-Motion technology — essentially the vibrations mimic full-on penetration, moving up and down the probe’s length to give an insight into what the deep end of butt stuff might feel like.

Just load with lube (we recommend you stay loyal and try LELO’s hydrating Personal Moisturizer) before choosing between one of eight pulsing patterns and customising the intensity with the –/+ buttons.

Fitted with four beads, each a little larger than the last, this will work for beginners and experienced players who want to work their way up to derrière doggy.

If you like it, then you should have put a ring on it... or up it. This anything-but-discreet butt plug comes with a bejewelled head (choose between blush pink or raunchy red) to ensure you look your best from every angle.

But that derrière decoration also doubles as a stopper, preventing it from travelling any further than retrievable. We should warn you that doggy style could end with an interesting bruise on your partner's pelvic region, so do stick to missionary or mutual masturbation.

Available in a 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch size, this is another tailored to backdoor beginners — or fans of temperature play. Simply submerge in a bowl of warm or cool water (avoid the extremes if you don't want to damage your toy) for 10 minutes beforehand. Then slick with a gel-like water-based lube and head north.

Coco De Mer may be best known for its intricately decorated bras and bodies, but the female-founded brand has also nailed its sex toy offerings. Every (powerful) vibe in The Pleasure Collection has been coated in two layers of super-soft chocolate silicone before being packaged in a luxe vegan leather carry case.

This Remote Plug is effectively two toys for the price of one, as the wireless remote quakes itself, programmed to deliver 10 pulsing patterns. The plug carries the same 10 options and comes fitted with an extra-wide flared base to share the fun with your perineum.

While not the lightest plug — this weighs in at around 200 grams — and a little wider than some others in our edit, we’d argue this is strictly for those after intense anal attention.

It seems we're suckers for rose gold accents... and intense booty-shaking power. This tulip-shaped vibrator offers rumbly (as opposed to buzzy) sensations — AKA lower frequency waves that travel further throughout the body.

But it's the unique base that had us sold, with Bondara swapping out the usual flared base for a loop handle that gives you maximum control over depth and angle.

As with most sex toys nowadays, this one's USB rechargeable, meaning you can take it worldwide — or to the shower, as it's splashproof too.

But if you're wondering what it's actually like to use, this review matched many of our teams’ experiences: 'This feels great and seems to add an extra tightness during penetration which creates an amazing feeling on my G-spot!'

Satisyfer is our first port of call when hunting for a fun take on a classic. Maybe a clit sucker dressed up as a seal is totally your vibe (sorry), or perhaps you fancy a glow-in-the-dark ghost which offers oral on demand?

Having said that, the brand hasn't strayed too far from the norm with this anal probe, just offering it in an on-trend sage and with a few useful extras on its competitors. First, the twin motors that double the power directed between your cheeks, as well as 12 pre-programmed patterns — most of which are a lot more interesting than the usual rhythmic on/off styles.

One satisfied shopper shared this insight: 'I've never had an anal orgasm in my life ... until I found this plug here. WOW!'

Let's be honest: great sex is messy, impulsive and fun, so when you're in a spontaneous mood and don't know what's on the agenda tonight, you want your toys to follow suit.

This clever little device comes with a flexible base that bends up to 90° in any direction, plus a remote control. So, you can explore your wildest fantasies in a variety of positions without having to stop and adjust the settings.

But Hot Octopuss' real USP is its decision to pack two motors into every plaything — one Treble, which offers surface-level stimulation, and one Bass, which delivers deep rumbling vibes that travel all the way to your toes.

First up, don't mistake this (killer) vibe for a pair of old-school tanning bed sunglasses. Secondly, if rimming — the oral pleasuring of the anus, also known as analingus — is your favourite form of foreplay, listen up.

This flat, figure-eight-style vibrator mimics the tongue, flicking and licking your downstairs via 12 vibration modes. But unlike a human partner, this won't fall victim to poorly-timed jaw cramp or jealousy. Hallelujah!

However, we wouldn't say this is one to be exclusively used during solo sessions. The fact that it can be remotely controlled via the (free) Satisfyer app makes it perfect for a spot of power play. Just don't blame us if you end up fighting for the spot of sub.

Sex toys that look just like a human orifice may be your thing, but some others, like our sex writer Sophie, prefer to match their butt plug to their interior style — which makes total sense if you plan on leaving it within easy reach at your bedside.

If you fall among the latter, you’ll appreciate that the Apex butt plug is entirely customisable, with shoppers given the option to choose their plaything's size (small or medium) and colourway (you've got 66 options, including iridescent and marbled shades, plus another seven that glow in the dark).

Thanks to the well-placed bulges along its shaft, this hybrid sex toy from Godemiche comes with the benefits of both a butt plug and anal beads, those nobbles providing delightful sensations on the way in and out. Just load with lube and expect to buckle under the pressure.

Just when you thought you'd seen it all, this expandable, vibrating butt plug steps into the fray. That's right, this is no ordinary ass tickler so prepare to be filled like never before.

Similar to your standard butt plug, it's designed to be slipped into your back door. But once inside you can use the hand pump to (we advise slowly) increase the girth.

Some of our testers didn't love the fact that the remote controlling the single vibration setting (it's a persistent pattern, although you can vary the intensity with that slider on the front ) is wired, meaning tangles could interrupt your flow. But given it comes in at under £20 and offers two styles of stimulation, we reckon it's a con we can cope with.

Good news, party people! Now you can transform your anal sex party into a technicolour rave and keep going all night long with this glow-in-the-dark plug.

Like others in our lineup, the Godemiche bestseller has a tapered tip for easy entry followed by a reasonable-sized bulb. We say that because it's large enough to stay put during even the most vigorous of sessions, but not large enough to bring with it a side of pain.

Again, this is a customisable option, with shoppers able to select between a small and medium size plus a range of 'glow' colours. FYI, Barbie (and Ken) would totally approve of the hot pink shade.

This advanced piece of kit is better suited to experienced anal fans who are ready to take things up a notch. Admittedly, it was designed with men and people with prostates in mind, but anyone with an orifice can get involved.

Case in point: one husband claims it's replaced his wife's regular rabbit vibe, writing: 'It's so good I bought a second one for my wife. But she doesn't have a prostate you say? Doesn't matter. The way she is built, it works like a rabbit vibrator, the angle of the shaft working her G-spot hard.'

We particularly like the curved shaft and bulbous tip, working in tandem to ensure this stimulates his entire P-zone with minimal effort. But the real bonus is the LED light panel which helps him remember his favourite mode without cycling through them all.

Lovers of Cosplay will love this swishy silver faux fox tail which will instantly level up your roleplay. At the end of that 16-inch tail is a 135g steel butt plug, offering firm, filling sensations, which can be amplified if submerged in warm or cool water for a few minutes beforehand. Yeah, we've thought about you temperature play fans.

Granted, it's not the most practical if adding lube and various edible extras into the mix, but it'll certainly have you embracing your wild side.

In fact, one customer shared this insight into her love life: 'Since hitting my 30s, a new and exciting sex drive came over me. After CAREFULLY letting my boyfriend insert it, the instant empowering confidence that came over me was crazy!'