Sex Toy Trends 2026: Self-Care, AI, and Cuteness

It’s a well-known fact that sex sells. Well, sex toys anyway. YouTubers are doing sponsored ads for sex toy companies, mainstream retailers like Sephora are selling vibrators, and celebrities are even creating their own sex toy brands. Why are we so much more accepting of these items that used to be hidden away in bedroom drawers? And, more importantly, what will the future of sex toys hold? Let’s have a look at the sex toy trends we predict for 2026 and beyond.

Sex Toys as Self-Care

According to this Grand View Research Article, sex toys have been rising in popularity ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and this popularity is expected to continue. According to their chart, vibrators, sex dolls, and dildos are consistently the most popular types of toys being sold.

I don’t think that everyone being inside for a year or so was the only reason people started buying sex toys, since that wouldn’t explain why the market is expected to keep growing. I think part of the reason is that masturbation itself has been getting more popular. If not more popular, let’s just say it got a bit of a rebrand. According to one study, over 84% of Americans now see masturbation as a form of self-care, as opposed to just 54% in 2016. Books like Emily Nagoski’s bestseller Come As You Are tout the joys of masturbation, and for good reason.

Research shows masturbation has numerous health benefits, and let’s be honest, it is probably the most fun form of self-care out there. If I had the choice between five minutes of a guided meditation and five minutes with the Womanizer Next, I know which one I’d go for. It’s easy, instantly gratifying, and can be done alone. It’s the safest form of sex, and for women in particular, it can help us figure out what we do and don’t like in the bedroom.

From Girl Math to Girl Masturbation

I’ll be honest, I’ve started thinking of masturbation as a form of self-care or self-improvement, as opposed to just a thing I do when I’m in a mood. As this article from Dame points out, there is a bit of an uncomfortable element to this shift, namely an implication that women don’t get horny; they only masturbate for dainty, girly reasons. While I understand this perspective, I do think that women feeling more comfortable with their bodies and their pleasure is the most important thing. So, if some women feel the need to justify masturbating by mentally reframing it as an element of their self-care routine, with no more importance or moral weight than drinking a cup of herbal tea, I think that’s better than not masturbating at all.

How Companies Will Capitalize on Sex Toys as Self-Care

With such an emphasis on masturbation as self-care, I’ll be interested to see how toys start to reflect that attitude. I imagine that in the future, there will be more toys that fully embrace feminine luxury like the whimsical, fairy-princess inspired wands from Zalo.

On the flip side, I can also imagine more products like the Womanizer Wave. The Womanizer Wave is an actual shower head made in collaboration with Hansgrohe. It is designed to provide clitoral stimulation while functioning perfectly well as an actual shower head that no one would look at twice (unless they own one, too). With masturbation being seen more and more as part of self-care, it makes total sense that Womanizer would capitalize on that attitude, and find a way to integrate two self-care rituals in one. People have been masturbating in the shower, with the aid of detachable shower heads, for…well, a long time (not sure data exists on that), so making a shower head designed for that specific purpose is a genius move. With the success of the Wave, I can imagine other companies that specialize in more general self-care areas wanting to do collaborations with sex toy companies.

Sephora and Ulta both sell sexual wellness products, which makes sense, since that post-orgasm glow does wonders for the complexion. What company wouldn’t want to become a one-stop shopping spot for mascara, collagen supplements, scented candles, and rabbit toys? By making sex toys a part of self-care that’s no more scandalous than putting on your daily SPF (which you’re all doing, right? Right?), people are going to feel more emboldened to add toys to their cart, make them part of their routine, and destigmatize them even more.

No More “Pink Wands For Girls, Blue Fleshlights For Boys”

Most sex toy sites still divide their toys up into “For Him” and “For Her” sections, but I’m predicting a rise in toys that fall outside that binary. Cute Little Fuckers made it their mission to make products that could be used and adored by people of any gender. With their funky shapes and endless uses, these cute little fuckers might just pave the way for a new generation of sex toys that are more abstract and versatile.

Apps and AI

Technology will also play a major role in sex toys of the future. For example, Kiiroo has a wide variety of toys with functions that can be customized via their app. They also have devices that use AI to help bring fantasies to life. Their FeelMe AI app connects to their Keon automatic masturbator, and through machine learning technology, the masturbator moves in tandem with the action on any adult video you want to watch. Mimicking the movements, as well as the intensity of what’s going on onscreen, you can fully immerse yourself in the scenario of the video you’re watching. Well, maybe not fully. For that, you’d have to check out their VR headset, allowing for an even more powerful session.

But if you’re not into videos, then FeelConnect might be the way to go. FeelConnect is their more basic app that syncs with videos already intended to be interactive, and syncs with all their toys. It’s perfect for crafting a solo session, or having some fun with a long-distance partner. Or a partner in the same room, if you’re doing a little power-imbalance play.

Regardless of what exactly sex toys will look like in the next 10, 20, or even 50 years, one thing is clear: people are more willing to embrace their bodies and sexualities, and creative companies will strive to find ways to bring us even more pleasure.

Happy vibing!

Becky

Becky V is a Los Angeles native who loves indie bookstores, Broadway musicals, and a good cup of tea. She is passionate about sexual wellness and wants to make the world a better place one orgasm at a time!