You would not eat off a plate made of mystery, so why put mystery anywhere else? Here is a plain-English tour of the usual suspects.
| Material | What it feels like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Smooth, silky, flexible | Non-porous and easy to clean; use water-based lube with silicone toys |
| ABS plastic | Hard, glossy | Non-porous, compatible with most lubes |
| Jelly / TPE / TPR | Soft, squishy, realistic | Porous, so it can harbour bacteria and is harder to clean; a condom over it helps |
| Glass / metal | Heavy, cool, firm | Check for chips or cracks before each use |
Porous means “has tiny holes”. Those holes can hold on to bacteria, which is why softer, squishier materials need extra care (and often a condom). If a product page does not say what it is made of, ask us and we will check with the maker before you buy.
The sniff test: a strong chemical smell is a red flag. Pop it back and tell us.
Matching lube to material? Try our Lube Match tool.
Care note: general information only, not medical advice. If you have an allergy, check the full materials list before buying and stop using a product if it irritates.