Curious about anal play but not sure where to start? You're not alone — anal is one of the most searched topics in sexual wellness, and for good reason: with the right toy and a little patience, it can add a whole new dimension to solo play or partner sex.
The good news is that getting started doesn't have to be intimidating. This guide walks you through everything: how to choose your first toy, what materials are safest, which products our customers love most, and how to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable from the very beginning.
Is Anal Play For Me?
Short answer: it can be for anyone. Anal play isn't tied to gender, sexuality, or relationship status. People of all identities enjoy it — whether solo or with a partner. The anal region is packed with nerve endings, which is why even gentle stimulation can feel intensely pleasurable.
For people with a prostate (often called the "P-spot"), anal play can hit this highly sensitive gland directly, leading to deeper, more full-body orgasms. For people without a prostate, the indirect pressure on the G-spot through the shared wall between the vagina and rectum can also be incredibly pleasurable.
The most important thing is consent, curiosity, and taking it at your own pace. Nobody should ever feel pressured into anal play — and if it's not for you, that's completely fine too.
Safety Rules Every Beginner Must Know
"Pressure = normal. Discomfort = slow down. Pain = stop. Learn the difference and you'll be completely fine."
Types of Anal Toys Explained
Butt Plugs
Designed to be inserted and worn. Great for a feeling of fullness during solo play or partnered sex. Comes in silicone, metal, and glass.
Anal Beads
A string of graduated balls meant to be slowly pulled out during orgasm. The sensation of each bead passing the sphincter is the appeal.
Vibrating Plugs
Butt plugs with a built-in motor. Add another layer of sensation — great for both solo and couples play.
Tail Plugs
Metal plugs with a decorative animal tail (fox, bunny). Popular for costume play and pet play scenes.
Metal & Glass
Firm, smooth, non-porous and easy to clean. Metal can be warmed or cooled for temperature play. Great for intermediate users.
Prostate Massagers
Curved to target the P-spot directly. Usually angled and often vibrating. Best after some beginner experience.
How to Choose Your First Anal Toy
Your First-Time Checklist
Size: Start Under 1 Inch Wide
Look for a toy under 1 inch (25mm) at its widest insertable point. A tapered tip — one that gradually widens — makes insertion far more comfortable than a blunt-nosed toy.
Material: Silicone, Steel, or Glass Only
Soft silicone is ideal for beginners — it's flexible, body-safe, non-porous, and easy to clean. Metal and glass are firm and non-porous (great for sterilization), but are better once you have some experience with insertion.
Base: Must Be Flared (This Is Non-Negotiable)
The base must be wider than the toy's body. T-bar, loop, or wide-flared bases are all fine. Vibrating plugs with a wider motor base also count. NEVER insert any toy without a proper base — even briefly.
Noise: Consider a Quiet Option if You Share Walls
Vibrating plugs vary widely in noise level. If discretion matters, check product descriptions for "whisper quiet" or "quiet motor" language, or stick with a non-vibrating plug to start.
Solo vs. Partnered Use
For solo play, any beginner plug works well. For couples, a vibrating plug with a remote control (like the Vibrating Plug below) adds a fun shared-control element. Tail plugs are popular for partner play and costumes.
Best Anal Toys for Beginners in Canada
All of these toys are available at French Postcard — Calgary's discreet adult boutique — with free shipping across Canada on orders over $99. All are body-safe, beginner-appropriate, and come with a flared base.
🌟 Best First-Timers
Love to Love
Bing Bang M Anal Beads
$29
Graduated silicone beads that start small and build up — the gentlest way to explore anal sensation. The bead-by-bead insertion lets you control exactly how far you go. Pull them out slowly during climax for an incredible finish.
Shop Now — $29
b-Vibe
Sleek Plug
$44
b-Vibe is a brand trusted by sex educators worldwide, and the Sleek Plug is their ideal starter. Ultra-smooth silicone, tapered tip, and a comfortable ring base. Simple, effective, and sized perfectly for first-timers.
Shop Now — $44💎 Sleek Metal Plugs
DORCEL
Diamond Plug — Rose Gold
$34
Stainless steel plug with a stunning jeweled base — practical and beautiful. The smooth metal surface makes insertion effortless (use water-based lube), and metal is the easiest material to sterilize. The jewel makes it a surprisingly popular gift.
Shop Now — $34
Playboy
Metal Tux Plug
$34
Polished stainless steel with a classic T-bar base — clean, minimal, and easy to handle. Small enough for beginners, weighty enough to feel satisfying once inserted. Can be warmed in hot water or cooled for temperature play.
Shop Now — $34📳 Vibrating Plug
Vice Distribution
Vibrating Plug
$69
If you want to combine the fullness of a plug with the pleasure of vibration, this is your pick. The remote control makes it fun for couples — one partner wears it, the other controls it. Comfortable for extended wear and powerful enough to feel through the partition wall. A step up for anyone who's tried a basic plug and wants more.
Shop Now — $69⚖️ Weighted Plugs (Next Level)
b-Vibe
Snug Plug 1
$78
b-Vibe's signature weighted design. A small steel ball inside the silicone body creates a gentle interior movement as you move — a rumbly, satisfying sensation that regular plugs don't offer. The smallest of the Snug Plug line and perfect once you've gotten comfortable with insertion.
Shop Now — $78
b-Vibe
Snug Plug 2
$79
Slightly wider than the Snug Plug 1 — the natural next size when you're ready to explore more. Same weighted interior, same high-quality silicone. A beloved product that many customers come back to again and again after starting with the #1.
Shop Now — $79🦊 For Fun: Tail Plug
Pink Elephant
Real Fox Tail Small Plug
$79.99
A petite stainless steel plug with a real fox tail attached — popular for pet play, costume play, and anyone who wants to add a theatrical element to their bedroom adventures. The steel plug itself is a comfortable beginner size. The tail is soft and lush. Comes with a storage bag.
Shop Now — $79.99🧴 Don't Forget: Relaxing Gel
Love to Love
Easy Peasy Anal Relaxing Gel
$39
Designed specifically for anal play, this gel combines a lubricating base with a mild relaxing complex to help the muscles ease open naturally — without numbing. Important note: numbing products are not recommended because they mask pain signals your body uses to tell you to slow down. Easy Peasy relaxes without numbing, so you stay safe and in control.
Shop Now — $39Lube: The Rule That Makes or Breaks Anal Play
There is no such thing as too much lube for anal play. The rectum produces no natural lubrication at all — which means without lube, even the smallest, softest toy will cause friction that's uncomfortable at best and damaging at worst.
Here's what to use:
- Water-based lube — Safe with all toy materials including silicone. Needs more frequent reapplication but is compatible with everything. Best for beginners.
- Silicone-based lube — Lasts much longer and feels luxurious. Do NOT use with silicone toys (it can degrade the material). Great for metal or glass anal toys.
- Hybrid lube — A blend of water and silicone. Longer-lasting than pure water-based but gentler on silicone toys than pure silicone lube. A popular middle ground.
We have a full guide to choosing the right lube here: Best Lube for Sex Toys Canada 2026.
How to Clean Your Anal Toys
Cleaning anal toys is non-negotiable — every single time, before and after. Here's how to handle different materials:
Silicone
Wash with warm water + antibacterial soap. Pat dry. OR boil for 3 minutes (non-vibrating only). Air dry completely before storage.
Stainless Steel
Fully non-porous. Boil, run through dishwasher (top rack, no soap), or wash with antibacterial soap. Metal is the easiest to sterilize.
Vibrating Toys
Wipe down with a damp cloth + toy cleaner. Never submerge the charging port. Check if waterproof before rinsing under a tap.
Tail Plugs
Clean the metal plug end as above. Gently spot-clean the tail with a damp cloth. Never fully submerge real fur.
Store toys in individual pouches or bags to prevent material degradation from contact. Keep away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best anal toy for beginners in Canada?
For beginners, a small silicone butt plug or graduated anal beads are the best starting points. The b-Vibe Sleek Plug ($44) and Love to Love Bing Bang M anal beads ($29) are top picks for first-timers — both have tapered tips, flared bases, and are made of body-safe silicone. Always use plenty of lube alongside either choice.
Is anal play safe for beginners?
Yes — anal play is completely safe when done correctly. The three golden rules: always use a toy with a flared base, always use plenty of lube, and always go slow. Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain (as opposed to pressure or fullness, which are normal). With the right preparation, most beginners have a positive first experience.
What size butt plug should a beginner start with?
Look for a plug under 1 inch (25mm) in diameter at its widest insertable point. A tapered tip — one that gradually widens — makes insertion far more comfortable than a blunt toy. You can always size up over time. Starting too large is the most common first-timer mistake.
What lube should I use with anal toys?
Water-based lube is the safest all-around choice for anal play — it works with every toy material. Silicone lube lasts longer but should not be used with silicone toys. Never use oil-based products anally. Use far more lube than you think you need — the anal canal produces no natural lubrication on its own.
What is the difference between a butt plug and anal beads?
A butt plug is designed to be inserted and stay in place — it provides a feeling of fullness and internal pressure. Anal beads are a string of graduated balls meant to be inserted and then slowly pulled out during climax, creating a pleasurable sensation with each bead. Plugs are generally easier for beginners to start with; beads are great for people who want dynamic stimulation.
How do I clean anal toys?
Silicone toys: wash with warm water and antibacterial soap, air dry completely. Non-vibrating silicone can also be boiled for 3 minutes. Metal and glass toys can be boiled or run through a dishwasher for full sterilization. Vibrating toys: wipe down with a damp cloth and toy cleaner — never submerge the charging port. Clean before and after every use, and never share toys without a condom or thorough cleaning.
Shop Anal Toys in Calgary or Online
All products in this guide are available at French Postcard — Calgary's trusted adult boutique. Discreet shipping across Canada on orders over $99.
Browse All Anal Toys →© 2026 French Postcard | 4014 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB | frenchpostcard.ca