Buying sex toys in India (without skulking into some shady gully)
Forget diamonds, vibrators are a girl’s best friend
The year is 1998. Carol Queen, staff sexologist at an adult entertainment and intimacy store in San Francisco called Good Vibrations, came to work to find something wholly expected. A day earlier, Episode 9 of Sex and the City‘s first season had aired: The Turtle and the Hare. It had caused quite a stir. A lot happened in that episode – Big told Carrie he didn’t want to get married. Samantha tries to give someone an image makeover, and Miranda introduces Charlotte (and the audience) to the dual-action vibrator, also known as the Rabbit. Queen told Forbes she was shocked to see “a line of women waiting to come into the store, I’m pretty sure we sold out of them that day. We had people asking for the Rabbit by name.”
Even 25 years later, buying sex toys in India is still not as simple as walking into a local store and asking for one. Even when a dedicated adult wellness store like Kama Gizmos opened in Goa, it shut down just one month later after public protest.
Online, though, business is booming. India’s sex toys market was valued at USD 91.34 million in 2020. It’s expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.87% until 2026. And entrepreneurs and consumers alike have taken note. Mostly because we, as a society, are becoming more willing to explore our sexuality and actually say the word ‘sex toy’ out loud. However, our enthusiasm is often thwarted by the price tag that comes with even the smallest and simplest-looking bedroom accessory. Then, the in-grained shame kicks in again. Can I really spend Rs. 6,000 on something like this? What if it breaks? Do I take it to an electrician?
The good news now is that there are companies like Sangya Project who just launched India’s first locally-manufactured intimate massager. It even comes with a 1-year warranty inclusive of repairs and servicing. What more could a girl ask for?
No matter what the law says — and it can be ambiguous — people continue to buy sex toys in India. Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code could be invoked to restrict the sale and advertising of sex toys under the obscenity law, but there is no outright ban on the sale or ownership of sex toys. The Constitution also upholds privacy as a fundamental right, so here’s your cue to treat yourself within the comforts of your own space.
A dummies’ guide to owning and buying sex toys in India
If this is your first time buying sex toys in India (or anywhere), you might want to start slow. Finding what’s going to work for you can be fun and exciting, but the number of options may get overwhelming.
Think about what kind of stimulation you’re looking for
Before buying a sex toy, take some time and think about your desires and preferences. What type of stimulation are you looking for? Do you prefer clitoral or vaginal stimulation? What are your turn-ons? Being in touch with your desires will help you select a bedroom accessory that meets your needs.
Size matters
Sex toys come in all shapes and sizes, so choose one that fits comfortably and works for you. If you’re new to sex toys, consider starting with a smaller toy, such as a bullet vibrator that’s usually under 4 inches long, before moving on to larger ones. A larger toy may offer a fuller sensation, while smaller ones create targeted stimulation.
Look for high-quality materials
If you’ve ever ventured into the wilds of Colaba Causeway and Sarojini Nagar, it’s possible that among the various trinkets being sold, you spotted some old-school-looking plastic sex toys placed alongside which looked flimsier than a neta’s election promise. Opt for toys made from medical-grade silicone or phthalate-free body-safe materials to protect your health.
Read reviews
Reading reviews about sex toys might sound funny, but they can be seriously helpful. Genuine user experience reports can help you make an informed decision. Look for those that detail the toy’s performance, how it works for different bodies, how long it lasts, and whether it lives up to the hype.
The different kinds of sex toys
There’s a whole world of pleasure to explore with the extensive array of sex toys now available to Indian customers online. There are sex toys that different genders and sexual orientations can enjoy for some solo time and even ones that couples can use.
The most common ones are vibrators, dildos, bum plugs and beads, strap-on dildos, and penis rings. You can get as creative as you like, adding some nipple clamps or handcuffs into the mix if that’s what you’re into.
Women can start slow with vibrators – all shapes and sizes – which can provide clitoral and vaginal stimulation. If you want to move towards penetration station, then browse the selection of dildos to find a shape and size you’d be comfortable with. They can be used vaginally and for anal play, but ensure you clean them before switching them up.
For men, the most common sex toys include vibrating penis rings and masturbators or ‘flesh lights’, which allow penetration into a fold that simulates the feeling of a vagina.
Maintenance of sex toys
Maintenance is a decidedly unsexy word, but it’s not very complicated. To keep things safe and hygienic for you and your partner, you should invest in a sex toy cleaner. These are specially formulated to clean without leaving any harmful residue.
Before buying any sex toy cleaning liquids, gels or sprays, learn whether it’s suitable to use with the material that your sex toy is made of. Sex toys can be made of porous materials, like elastomer varieties, which are tagged as skin-safe rubber, PVC and latex, and non-porous materials, like silicone, hard plastic, glass and metals like stainless steel.
If a sex toy cleaner contains a high quantity of alcohol, it can damage the integrity of the material. You’ll want to ensure that your toy is waterproof before rinsing it under a tap or doing a monthly hot water boil. Store sex toys in dry, clean, hygienic packaging.
Safe places for buying sex toys online in India
If the thought of buying sex toys in India is giving you acidity, be assured that these websites are audience favourites and discreet in their shipping and packaging.
My Muse might be the most aesthetic intimacy and wellness brand we’ve encountered. They make kits and combos that do some of the planning for you – for example, pairing a fun sex toy with some lube (which is important) and an erotic card game you can play with your partner. They’ve got combo kits for couples and solo toys, including their best-selling vibrators, lube, and wipes to clean up after. The best part is that you can make your own kit, which would make a great gift for a friend or partner and yourself, too.
Love Depot’s got your back when it comes to pleasure of any kind. They’ve got a huge range of products to choose from that will make sure you reach the big O solo or with your partner(s). Whether you’re looking for something fancy or on a budget, they’ve got options for everyone.
Besharam hosts the products of over 200 international brands, so be assured that they will have some seriously sexy toys, games, and apparel for you to choose from. They’ve superbly organised their website to make your selection process easier, breaking it up into women, men, couples, and LGBTQIA-friendly products.
Lovetreats is among the first few companies on the scene that streamlined and simplified buying sex toys in India. Besides their diverse collection of intimate accessories, they also have a blog section where the team actively busts myths, answers frequently asked questions, and shares important sex-ed with readers looking to get to know their bodies (and partners) better.
That Sassy Thing has one of the best water-based sexual lubricants we’ve tried. The good news is that all their orders of our favourite toy Lit from their collection come with a free DTF personal gel lubricant. Lit is small and compact but packs a punch. The suction technology can simulate the sensations and pleasure of oral sex.
Manzuri has all the quality offerings of their peers, but what drew eyeballs was an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on the India subreddit board where they answered questions about various sex toys, the process of buying sex toys in India, and sharing important information about safe sex. Along with their online store, they run Get Cliterate, an inclusive and sex-positive sex education initiative on Instagram that’s accessible to all.
While That’s Personal’s products are as diverse and exciting as the rest, it’s not their products, per se, that they’re known for. It was a yearly activity that we looked forward to with the same excitement of getting a yearly Diwali bonus. They used to (up until 2020) do a yearly report called India Uncovered with insights and analysis of all the sex products trends, India’s buying habits, and more.
At first, it felt like dirty secrets were being aired out into the open. But it was the first time we’ve seen any analytical work on sex habits and preferences in India, and it was definitely eye-opening.
