Shopping for a new sex toy to play with should be fun, not intimidating. But with so many sex toys out there — in different shapes, sizes, materials, colors, vibrations, and more — it's not easy to narrow things down.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. We're here to help. Let's start by unpacking some of the basics.

More specifically, we're spotlighting one of the most popular sex toys, the dildo. The two materials you're likely to find with dildos are simple, but the differences are significant. Depending on your preferences, glass dildos and silicone dildos will give a different look, feel, and internal sensation.

It's time for a faceoff: glass dildo vs. silicone dildo. Let's break down what you need to know about both — and how they compare. 

Why Should You Choose a Glass Dildo?

 

You'd remember if you've ever laid eyes on a glass dildo. They're not just dildos — they're works of art. With a friendly, elegant feel and luxurious look, it's like the sex toy equivalent of fine china (except nowhere near as breakable).

While they've been around for a while, they aren't as mainstream as silicone dildos. If you haven't tried it before, you might even have some concerns.

Won't glass dildos break?

Would it be painful?

Once you dive into it, though, it's easy to see why glass is one of the materials of choice.

Here are some of the top reasons why a glass dildo would make a great choice. 

It's Hard and Unyielding

This comes down to a preference, but some people love the feel of glass. It's much harder than silicone, so it has an unyielding feeling inside of you. Since it doesn't bend, it's easy to catch on that G-spot or P-spot — even if you haven't been able to come from penetration before, the simulation with a glass dildo might change that. 

So if you like a more rock-hard feel, glass might be the best thing you ever knew you needed. 

It's Easy to Penetrate 

While the surface of a glass dildo is hard, it's also incredibly smooth and ultra slippery. All it needs is a quick lube, and it slides in with no problem. The smoothness also makes it easy to twist and turn while it's inside you, letting you enjoy every bump and curve.

It Has Texture 

What glass dildos lack in softness, they make up for in texture. It all depends on the dildo you choose, but you can expect to enjoy all kinds of fun and unique textures. Try something with intricate ridges, lots of bumps and swirls, or some elegant glass massagers.

Many dildos will come with the perfect curve to hit the spot.

It's Easy to Clean 

Compared to other materials like silicone, glass is non-porous. This means you don't have to worry about a buildup of bacteria that comes from daily use of more porous material — but you should still clean it. It takes a rinse with hot water and some mild soap, and it's ready to go. Then you can pop it back into its bag or case until you're ready to use it again — it's that easy. 

It's Great For Temperature Play 

With glass, you can unlock a whole new world of temperature play. Most kinds of glass used in sex toys are temperature safe, which means you can heat or cool them before use to experiment with the added sensation of a hot or cold drink.

It's Aesthetic 

Maybe this comes down to preference, but some people love the aesthetic look of glass. It has a more smooth, luxe, and sophisticated feel, while silicone toys tend to come in brighter colors. 

Try putting a glass dildo under the sunlight and watching it glow if you're not convinced yet. This is the kind of sex toy you could put on your shelf as decor (not that we're suggesting you do that, but you could if that's your vibe). 

It's Compatible With All Types of Lube 

Unlike silicone, glass dildos are compatible with all types of lube. If you get a silicone dildo and use a silicone-based lube, you could damage the product in the long run. But with glass, water- and silicone-based lubes are all on the table — whichever you prefer. 

Why Should You Choose a Silicone Dildo?

Now it's time to enter the world of silicone. The more popular and conventional choice out of the two materials, silicone, is hugely popular in the sex toy world. And it's not hard to see why. 

It's functional, easy to use, and has that classic velvety feeling. Whether it's a vibrating dildo, a silicone sex toy can make all your orgasmic dreams come true. 

Here are some reasons why people turn to the tried-and-true silicone dildo. 

Read: How to Clean your Sex Toy?

It Has a Softer Feel 

Not everybody loves the feeling of a rock-hard (or glass-hard) object inside them. If you're uncomfortable or turned on by the feel of something too hard, silicone strikes that perfect balance. It still has that ideal firmness to help you hit all the right spots, but it has a bit more give, so you don't feel like you have a foreign object inside of you.

It's More Realistic 

This softness also goes great with the next excellent quality of a silicone dildo: It's more realistic. It has that skin-like feel that comes with a natural penis, which can help you get in the mood. Some options even come with a practical set of balls or a veiny texture.

Some people need that soft, authentic feeling to have a mind-blowing climax. All you have to do is close your eyes, and you can imagine that the realistic dildo inside of you belongs to your partner or your hottest celebrity crush.

It's Bendable 

While some people love that unyielding feel of a glass dildo, it doesn't compare to the malleability of a silicone dildo. A more bendable sex toy is ideal if you want to set it at the perfect angle to hit your G-spot or P-spot.

Prefer more of a curve? Is it not quite hitting the right spot? Just pose it! 

It Can Vibrate  

The great thing about silicone toys is that there's more pleasure to explore than possible. Vibrating dildos, for example, can give you that extra stimulation you need to get to your most memorable orgasm yet. Some other vibrating dildos come with an internal stimulator and something to send those mind-blowing vibrations through your or your partner's clitoris. 

It Can Suction Cup

Are you tired of holding your dildo in your hands and doing all the work yourself? That's where suction cups come in handy. 

If you get a silicone dildo with a strong suction cup base, you can attach your sex toy anywhere: The bathroom floor, the wall of your shower, or even your bedroom door. This means you can explore some hands-free internal stimulation whenever you want it.

It Fits in a Harness 

If you want to get your dildo involved in some hot and heavy action with a partner, there's no better way than a strap-on. A silicone dildo is better suited to use in a harness when you want to move into partner play. 

It's Easy to Clean 

Like glass, silicone doesn't allow for bacteria buildup, and it's pretty easy to clean. Hot water and a mild soap will work for a surface clean. You can also deep clean it by immersing it in boiling water for a few minutes.

Read: How to Clean your Sex Toy?

So…Which is the Best Sex Toy Material? 

Here's the thing — we can give you the breakdown on glass dildos vs. silicone dildos, but the ultimate decision comes to you and your preferences.

Everybody is different — and everybody is different — so you'll respond differently to each type of material. Maybe you'll love the temperature play and hardness of a glass dildo, or perhaps you'll hate that cold hard feeling inside of you. Perhaps you want the vibrations specific silicone models offer, or perhaps it makes you feel numb (and not in a good way). It's hard to say if you haven't tried it yet — so don't be afraid to try different types to see which is best for you. 

Only you know your body best. It all comes down to the feel that you prefer. A great way to decide is to look through a range of different sex toys and see which one draws you in. Does a particular sex toy catch your eye and turn you on?

Pick one that you feel genuinely excited to try out. 

Glass Dildo vs. Silicone Dildo: Making the Right Choice

Whether you want the classic, realistic feel of a silicone toy or the unique and thrilling sensations of glass, glass, and dildo, sex toys are excellent for people of all genders and sexualities. Alone or with a partner, you can enjoy all the best qualities of either toy — or both! 

Glass or silicone can offer incredible pleasure, but you'll only get the most out of your experience if you buy with quality in mind.

That's where Peachwood comes in. Our ultra-smooth silicone and hand-blown glass are designed to maximize pleasure and longevity, so you can keep enjoying your dildos for years to come. Please take a look at our silicone dildos and glass dildos to make the comparison for yourself. 

Sources:

How to Clean Your Sex Toys So You Can Use Them Safely. (August 2020). Self. 

Can You Use Silicone Lube With Silicone Sex Toys?. Women's Health Interactive. 

How to Clean Sex Toys. (June 2021). New York Times.