Throughout my career, I’ve frequently covered sex & relationships, which means that I’ve gained a reputation for knowing a lot about sex toys. A friend once called me “Sex-Toy Santa Claus” because I had a habit of bringing a tote bag full of vibrators to parties and passing them out to anyone who was curious about them. Needless to say, I’m a bachelorette party pro.
I’m happy to recommend specific toys to friends. I know all about TikTok-viral vibrators, and I have strong opinions on sex-toy materials—make sure they’re body safe, people because that $7 Temu vibe is not worth a bacterial infection. But I’m still not entirely sure what earns a sex toy the label “travel friendly.”
Searching my inbox, I find dozens of public relations’ emails touting “travel-friendly sex toys” and “sex toys you can sneak past TSA.” A quick Google search turns up hundreds of similar results. They include bullet vibes, rabbits, suction toys and even wands. Many claim to be smaller than your regular degular sex toys, but in my opinion, this comes down to the type of toy itself.
Bullet vibrators are always going to be pretty small, and G-spot toys are always going to be pretty big. There are some exceptions: There are mini-wands and mini-rabbits on the market that might be useful options for some people. But, if you strongly prefer one type of toy, why let your vacation plans decide what you use?
Similarly, some people are looking for a quieter sex toy for travel, which I totally get if you’re sharing an Airbnb with your friends or family. But if you’re staying in a hotel room solo or with a partner, a quiet buzz is far from the worst thing people can hear through the walls. My advice, which is influenced by more than a decade of apartment living, is to let your neighbors tell themselves it’s a fan or a white noise machine. It’ll be fine.
Personally, I’d love a travel-friendly sex toy that is nearly impossible to start buzzing in your suitcase. During my last apartment move, one of my duffles started loudly humming. Some brands promise travel locks that keep them from turning on en route; however, I haven’t found any of these that actually work all that well. (Of course, I haven’t tested all of them on the market, and brands are free to send theirs my way.)
Instead, my best recommendation is to opt for a battery-operated toy and take the batteries out, or let a rechargeable toy die and then recharge it at your destination. And then there’s the recharging itself to consider. If you’re traveling internationally, you might need to bring a travel adapter to make sure your toy stays at full power.
As for the Transportation Security Administration operators, they’re pros and have seen it all.
“Please just don’t be weird about it. We see toys like that all the time,” wrote one TSA agent on Reddit. “Sure it’s a little funny sometimes, but we’re used to it.”
As long as your toy is clean and—even better—stored away in its pouch, I say there’s no reason to buy a new one just so you can pretend it’s something else, like a vibrating rubber duck, maybe? The good ol’ “muscle massager”? A small, phallic piece of art? Of course, if you’re traveling to a country where sex toys are illegal, it’s a good idea to leave your toy at home anyway. You can go analog for that trip.
Despite my own considerable collection, my sex-toy advice is similar to what I imagine Marie Kondo might say: If you’ve found one that brings you joy, there’s no reason to buy another just for travel. In many cases, the best sex toy for travel is your favorite sex toy—whatever it is. If you adore a sizable Hitachi Magic Wand, maybe a checked-bag fee is worth it for you. If not, then it’s a good time to slip a trusty bullet into your overnight bag.
Of course, I can’t write about sex toys without giving recs, so if you have the urge to shop ahead of your next vacation, here are some solid options:
- Dame Zee Bullet Vibe, $25: Any bullet vibrators is a good choice if you’re looking for a compact toy. This is one of my favorites, thanks to its fast charging time and three speeds.
- Maude Vibe, $52 : This sleek, simple design is so chic it’s literally been carried in art museum gift shops. The rounded tip is perfect for targeted external stimulation. Plus, it’s under 5 inches long.
- Magic Wand Micro, $80.50: Full-sized wands take up considerable room in your carry-on. This micro-sized option is under 5 inches long but provides deep, powerful vibrations.
- Unbound Babes Puff, $48: Fans of suction toys love this adorable mini option. In fact, it’s the brand’s best-selling toy.
- Lovehoney Purple Slimline Rabbit Vibrator, $34.99: Rabbit toys are another style that’s hard to shrink down, but this version does.
