Why Are Glass Sex Toys So Popular? (And Are They Safe?)

The aesthetics of toys is something that fascinates me, and glass toys are no exception. They look beautiful, but are they actually usable? Do they even work, let alone have benefits that other types of toys don’t? Or are they better suited as decorative objects owned by mildly pretentious people trying to seem kinky? I’m always wary of anything that seems like a gimmick, so I was determined to investigate! Spoilers ahead: I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

Safety First!

Let’s get this out of the way—yes, glass toys are safe to use. On the surface, the idea of a glass sex toy sounds insane. It reminds me of the urban legend of the girl at my college (or maybe it was your college—urban legend, after all) who inserted a lightbulb inside herself and it shattered. One shudders at the thought…

But don’t worry; of course glass sex toys are designed with safety in mind. Glass toys are made of borosilicate glass, which is meant to withstand a great deal of pressure. Even if you dropped one, it would have to be from a very tall height before you could break it, so it’ll definitely be safe inside you. As with any pleasure toy, double check the safety standards of the one you’re going to buy, and please avoid any that are suspiciously cheap. I’m sure there are some toys out there that don’t meet those high standards, so double check that your toys are made from body safe materials and come from reputable companies.

What Kinds of Toys Can I Get?

The most common types of glass toys are dildos, anal beads and butt plugs, which makes sense when you think about it. Any kind of toy that requires a motor would immediately lose that clean, clear aesthetic, since you would see the motor underneath it. Unless a company was doing a ‘90s throwback sex toy, which would actually be really cool.

The limitations of glass toys mean that they’re not ideal for people who primarily rely on external pleasure to get them going. Unless rubbing up against a smooth glass surface really does it for you (and who am I to judge?), old fashioned silicone vibrators might be the way to go if you’re just not into internal pleasure.

What Makes Them Great

One cool (or hot, depending on your preference) aspect of glass toys is that their temperature can be changed without any kind of internal mechanism. Just pop a glass toy in the fridge or run it under some warm water, and you’ve got an extremely versatile product on your hands (or wherever else you want to put it). Temperature play can be extremely sensual, so combining that with the smooth feel of glass…I can see the appeal.

Another aspect of glass toys worth noting is that they’re obviously extremely rigid. While I’m usually a fan of toys with plenty of squish, I get why stiff ones have their place. If you want to target a particular pleasure spot, a rigid toy made of glass will be able to hit that spot with more precision than silicone. They also have more weight to them than the average silicone toy, especially one without a motor. I think that oftentimes toys with a bit of heft to them are more easily maneuvered than lighter, more flimsy-feeling toys.

Of course glass models are also very, very smooth, and glide in without any friction. If you’re like me and love the silky smooth feel of high-quality silicone, then a glass toy might be the next step for you.

Low Maintenance

Despite their elegant looks, glass toys are easier to care for than your average silicone toy. Unlike silicone toys, they can be used with any type of lubricant. They are also easy to clean; a lot of them are even safe to put in the dishwasher or sanitized with boiling water (obviously check the care instructions before doing either of those things). They’re non-porous, meaning they don’t harbor bacteria like jelly or rubber toys can (or jade, in the case of that infamous Goop egg), making them a very hygienic option if you’re a fellow germaphobe.

If you’ve ever owned a glass teapot or a glass bong, you know that even the tiniest trace of substances will be immediately visible, if not magnified. With silicone toys, especially ones with lots of ridges, it’s easy to assume they’re clean after a quick rinse. But with glass toys, it’s visible at a glance whether they’re ready to be used again. Not to be gross, but that’s probably another reason why they’re popular as butt plugs. The fact that they’re clear can also help to make sure they’re safe. Any cracks or chips will be immediately visible, in a way that, say, a broken internal mechanism on a silicone vibrator wouldn’t be.

They Look Amazing

Let’s be honest, one of the main ways glass toys appeal is simply how incredible they look. They look like works of art (specifically Chihuly, I guess), and they are far more elegant than any silicone toy could hope to be. Even ones with wild colors and crystals embedded in them still manage to look classy, while something like the Zalo Sweet Magic toy lineup looks almost childish by comparison.

Not for Beginners

I think another aspect of their appeal is that they really aren’t designed for beginners. Considering how stiff they are, I can’t ever see myself recommending one to a first-time sex toy buyer. But if anything, I think that adds a level of sophistication to the toys. They’re not for everyone, so I think that owning one implies that the buyer in question knows exactly what they like and isn’t afraid to make it a beautiful display piece. Similar to tentacle or furry toys, they are clearly meant for people who know just what they want, and are well past the point of initial exploration.

While glass sex toys may not be for everyone, they definitely add something unique to the sex toy market, and I can’t wait to see what innovations there are in the world of glass sex toys.

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!