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Best Overall
Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 Air Pulse Toy
Best for Suction and Vibrations
Biird Namii Suction Vibrator
Best Upgrade
Lelo Sona 2 Cruise
Best for a Slow Build
Lelo Sila Cruise
Designed to simulate the sucking or light lapping sensation of oral sex, clitoral suction toys are a relatively recent addition to the pantheon of sex toy superstars. Suction toys are a bit of an outlier in the industry—vibrators and dildos have a long and occasionally misogynist history as medical instruments used to induce orgasm as treatment for “hysteria” and “women’s problems.” But suction toys (also called clit suckers) are designed specifically to make people with vulvas feel good. Not only are they created with sexual pleasure in mind, but many of them, if not most at this point, have been designed by people with vulvas.
Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of suction toys solo and during partner play with people of various gender identities, genitals, and sexual desires. We’ve explored all erogenous zones, direct contact on favorable spots, and enjoyed every one of the vibration patterns and sonic waves that came our way. Based on such extensive research, I can say these are the cream of that particular crop, the absolute best clitoral suction toys on the market, some of which double as clitoral vibrators when you’re feeling saucy enough to spice it up.
If you’re interested in other kinds of sex toys, be sure to check our guides including the Best Sex Toys, Best Vibrators, Best Sex Machines, and Best Lubes.
Updated September 2024: We’ve added the We-Vibe Melt.
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How Do Suction Toys Work?
Photograph: Dariia Chernenko/Getty Images
Clitoral suction toys can be a bit of a mystery if you’re unfamiliar with their ins and outs. Vibrators contain motors that provide the vibration by just stimulating via shaking, but a suction toy is a little more complex.
They work by modulating air pressure with an internal diaphragm. They all have a mouth, and inside that mouth is a (typically) silicone membrane that an internal motor moves in and out. When you press the mouth against your body, it traps the air in there, keeping it from escaping. The movement of the membrane uses that air to create modulating high and low air pressure. Those changes in air pressure create the sucking sensation suction toys are famous for.
When Womanizer first launched this concept, it called this innovation “Pleasure Air Technology.” Although that technology still remains, other suction toys have come up with their own version that is just as good, if not better, depending on your preference.
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Photograph: Satisfyer
Best Overall
Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 Air Pulse Toy
Satisfyer is a name you’ll see come up when looking for suction toys, for good reason. The Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 (9/10 WIRED Recommends) has a simple but intuitive design, making it easy to get into place no matter what position you’re in—it also doesn’t have the price tag of a Womanizer. The Satisfyer Pro 2 has a soft silicone mouth, and it’s coated in a silicone outer layer so it’s grippy all over. The mouth is broad enough to gently encircle the clitoris and surrounding area so the stimulation isn’t too intense. It’s also waterproof so you can use it in the bath, which is always a plus for a toy, especially a suction toy—the Satisfyer provides a delightfully different experience when used while submerged in water.
It’s also a suction vibrator, so it provides suction clit stimulation and has vibration patterns you can turn on or off. During testing I found that the air pulse stimulation is so good that the vibration can feel a little extraneous on the Pro 2 Gen 3, distracting even. It’s also super easy for beginners. Some suction toys require you to read a small novella, but that’s not the case here. Turn it on, aim, and you’re on your way to whatever word you associate with sheer pleasure. For me, it’s cupcake and champagne, but I respect if yours is rotisserie chicken.
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Photograph: Biird
Best for Suction and Vibrations
Biird Namii Suction Vibrator
The Namii is something of a two-for-one. It’s super discreet, and provides many intensity levels when it comes to suction stimulation, but features a bulge in its bottom half that houses a motor to provide vibration wherever you need it. The combination of these rumbly sensations can bring you to new heights, especially if you’re already a fan of vibrators. It achieves this duality more successfully than the Satisfyer above, though I prefer the suction capabilities a little bit more on the Pro 2 Gen 3.
The high-quality silicone body is soft to the touch, and the rounded curvy shape of the Namii makes it easy to hold in a lot of different ways, each of which changes the mix of vibration and suction you experience. Plus, it includes an adorable charging stand that doubles as a night-light.
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Photograph: Lelo
Best Upgrade
Lelo Sona 2 Cruise
Lelo’s Sona 2 Cruise is the Cadillac of suction toys and the preferred toy of masturbation aficionados of everyone everywhere. It’s curvy all over, features fancy accents like a chrome backplate, and everything about it—right down to the packaging—screams pure luxury.
There’s more to the Sona 2 Cruise than looks though. The 10 intensity settings provide a wide spectrum of pleasure, making sure you can tailor the experience to be as intense or as gentle as you’d like. Additionally, the Cruise in its name means it’s got a little extra oomph hidden in reserve, meaning it has legit cruise control mastered. When pressed tightly against your body, it automatically ramps the intensity to help build and guide you to a satisfying finish. The shape of the Sona 2 Cruise also fits perfectly into your hand during use; it almost feels like holding an ergonomic mouse but with far more exciting results.
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Photograph: Lelo
Best for a Slow Build
Lelo Sila Cruise
The Lelo Sila Cruise is the perfect clit suction toy for anyone looking for a slow build and wants to know their clit is encased in body-safe silicone at the same time. The suction is deliberately gentle, even on its highest settings. This toy will help you slow down and appreciate every moment, like engaging in edging (which you should try if you haven’t). But when it’s time to ramp things up, it has some extra power set aside for such an occasion. The Cruise in its name means it will automatically intensify the suction when you press it against your body tightly.
During testing, WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe noted that the wide mouth allows for more diffuse stimulation, which only adds to the delightfully teasing experience the Sila provides.
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Photograph: Lelo
Best Suction Toy for Penetration
Lelo Enigma
Lelo’s Enigma is soft, curvy, and luxurious, with multicolored chrome accents and a bold black exterior. That boldness carries through into the experience of using it too. The Enigma isn’t just a suction vibrator—it’s a mind-boggling experience with multiple sensations that just might make you need to address it in your next therapy session because it’s truly life-changing. Oh, and it’s a partially internal suction vibrator, to boot.
It’s designed for penetrative use, to provide G-spot pulsation internally, while the suction portion of the toy is nestled against the clitoris providing hands-free suction stimulation. It’s not a toy I’d recommend for a first-time user of suction toys, but if you’re experienced with vibrators and toys of this type, and want to try something new, then Enigma will blow your mind.
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Photograph: Maude
Best Water-Based Lube
Maude Shine Organic Water-Based Lube
Suction toys work much better with lube present, for the same reason a suction cup sticks better when you lick it. Using a suction toy without a little preexisting wetness can make it hard to get the most out of the suction sensation it provides.
The Shine lube from Maude is a banger. It’s slick and spreadable without being thick or gluey, and it doesn’t dry into a sticky finish like some water-based lubes can. It’s a great lube to pair with a suction toy. Check out our Best Lubes guide for other recommendations.
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Photograph: Amazon
Other Good Suction Toys
Honorable Mentions
We’ve tested dozens of clitoral suction toys, and there are only a select few we’d call the absolute best in any given category. The others are here. These are still good suction toys, and you should check them out if you’re still shopping around.
- Lovehoney Rose for $50: The Lovehoney Rose is another example of a “rose” suction toy: wide on one end and narrow on the other. This design makes it easy to use solo or with partners. The mouth is on the smaller side, so it provides pretty intense stimulation even on the lower settings. The mouth is removable for easy cleaning too, which is always appreciated so you don’t have to break out the cotton swabs.
- Lelo Sona for $39: This is the older version of the Sona 2 Cruise, and it’s still a good suction toy. It doesn’t have the “Cruise” functionality nor the luxe chrome elements. It is cheaper though.
- Satisfyer Pro 2 for $50: This is an earlier model of the Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3. It doesn’t have a silicone outer shell, so the part you handle is hard plastic. It’s also not as gentle on the low settings or as intense on the high settings.
- We-Vibe Melt for $149: We-Vibe was late to the party on suction toys but certainly made up for that with the Melt. Fully charged, it runs for two hours and can be used long-distance thanks to the We-Connect app, and its Pleasure Air Technology will take you (and your clit) on a well-deserved ride.
