Sex toys for gay and bi men come down to three smart choices: the right toy type, a body-safe material, and a lube that won’t damage it. This guide covers the main types of toys guys use, why non-porous silicone, glass and steel are easier to keep clean, what lube is safe for toys (for silicone toys, a silicone-free water-based lube), and how to clean and store everything so it lasts.
Your toy guide, in three parts
Types of sex toys for men
Prostate massagers, plugs, rings, dildos and strokers: what each one is for, and how to pick a body-safe material when you’re starting out.
What lube is safe for toys?
Water-based vs silicone-based lube with silicone, glass and steel toys, and why our Slick lubes are labeled 100% silicone-free.
How to clean sex toys
Before-and-after cleaning by material, getting lube residue off, drying, and storing toys so they stay in shape.
Why a body-safe silicone toy is the easy first pick
Materials matter as much as shape. Non-porous materials like medical- or platinum-grade silicone, borosilicate glass and stainless steel have a smooth surface you can wash completely. Porous materials like jelly, PVC and many TPE/TPR blends have tiny pores that can hold on to lube and residue, so they’re harder to get fully clean and often wear out sooner. If a listing won’t tell you what a toy is made of, that’s your cue to keep shopping. Full breakdown: types of sex toys for men and their materials.
Toys, lube and clean-up: the short version
| Toy material | Lube that’s usually a safe match | Basic clean-up |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Water-based, silicone-free lube (e.g. Slick Satin). Many makers advise against silicone lube on silicone toys. | Warm water and mild unscented soap or a toy-safe cleanser; follow the maker’s care card. |
| Glass / stainless steel | Water-based or silicone-based, per the maker. | Warm water and mild soap; dry fully. |
| Hard plastic (ABS) | Water-based is the safe default. | Wipe or wash; keep motors and charge ports dry. |
| Porous (jelly, PVC, TPE/TPR) | Water-based; check the maker’s guidance. | Gentle wash, dry fully, store separately. Consider a condom over porous toys and replacing them sooner. |
General guidance. Your toy maker’s instructions always win.
Lube built for toy play
Our Slick Satin is a water-based lube labeled 100% silicone-free, and its product page lists it as toy-safe and latex-safe, so it’s an easy match for silicone toys. Slick Platinum is also labeled 100% silicone-free; it contains avocado oil and its page doesn’t state toy or latex compatibility, so check your toy maker’s guidance first. More in What Lube Is Safe for Toys?.
For clean-up, The Lube Cleanser is a pH-balanced wash its product page describes for intimate areas, surfaces and toys, and the 2 oz bottle is labeled to remove silicone from your skin and surfaces.
Not sure which lube fits your toys?
Ask The Lube Connoisseur, The Lube Club’s private AI lube guide and 4-question Lube Quiz for gay and bi men 18+. One of the quiz questions is simply “Toys or no toys?”
Sex toys for gay men: FAQ
What are the best sex toys for gay men to start with?
There’s no single best toy. Most guys start with something small and simple, like a beginner plug, a cock ring or a slim prostate massager, made from body-safe, non-porous silicone. See Types of Sex Toys for Men.
What does body-safe silicone toy mean?
It usually means the toy is made from non-porous, medical- or platinum-grade silicone, which can be washed completely. Look for a stated material on the box or listing; if it isn’t listed, choose another toy.
What lube is safe for toys?
Water-based lube is the safe default for nearly every toy material. For silicone toys, use a silicone-free, water-based lube like Slick Satin, which is labeled 100% silicone-free, and always check the toy maker’s guidance.
How do you clean a sex toy?
Wash it before and after every use with warm water and a mild, unscented soap or a toy-safe cleanser, following the maker’s instructions. Keep motors and charge ports dry, let it dry fully, and store it in a clean pouch.
Does The Lube Club sell sex toys?
No. The Lube Club makes lube and clean-up products, like Slick Satin, Slick Platinum, The Lube Cleanser and cleanser cloths. This toy guide is free education to help you take care of the toys you already have.
Keep reading
- Types of Sex Toys for Men: A Beginner’s Guide
- What Lube Is Safe for Toys?
- How to Clean Sex Toys (and Store Them Right)
- Toy-Safe Lube Guide, Part 1: What Works
- Toy-Safe Lube Guide, Part 2: How to Clean & Store Toys
- Anal Lube 101
- Sex Hygiene for Men
General education for adults 18+, not medical advice. Always follow your toy maker’s care and lube instructions, and talk with a licensed clinician about pain, irritation, bleeding or anything that worries you. The Lube Club doesn’t make or sell toys; product facts here are from our own labels and product pages.