Love the soft, wet sensations of oral sex? There are now sex toys designed to recreate some of those delicious feelings — from fluttering tongues and gentle licking to rhythmic clitoral air pulses.
Of course, no toy can perfectly replicate the wonderfully unpredictable talents of a human mouth. But oral sex toys can offer tongue-like, licking, flicking and sucking sensations whenever you fancy them — whether you're playing solo, with a partner or simply want to add something different to your usual routine.
The trick is knowing which type of oral sex toy creates the sensation you enjoy.
Here's our guide to licking, flicking and clitoral suction toys — and how to choose between them.
What Is an Oral Sex Toy?
An oral sex toy is designed to simulate some of the sensations associated with oral stimulation.
Rather than simply vibrating against the body, these toys may use moving silicone tongues, fluttering tips, rotating stimulators or changing air pressure to create sensations that feel more like licking, flicking, pulsing or sucking.
They're particularly popular for clitoral stimulation, but depending on the design they can also be explored on other sensitive external areas of the body.
And there isn't just one type.
Licking & Flicking Sex Toys
If it's the feeling of a tongue moving over the clitoris that you particularly enjoy, start here.
Licking sex toys generally use a soft silicone tongue, wheel or flexible tip that physically moves against the body.
Some flick rapidly back and forth. Others rotate or make circular movements. Add a little water-based lubricant and the sensation becomes softer, wetter and much more tongue-like.
Because there is physical contact with the clitoris, licking toys can also be easier to understand if you're used to fingers, tongues or traditional vibrators — place the moving part where it feels good and experiment.
Best for → Anyone who enjoys direct clitoral contact, licking and flicking sensations.
Sh! tip → Don't press hard. Let the moving tongue or tip do the work and experiment with positioning instead.
What Are Clitoral Suction Toys?
Despite commonly being called clit suckers, most clitoral suction toys don't literally suck your clitoris.
Instead, they use rapidly changing air pressure around the external clitoris to create rhythmic pulsing or throbbing sensations.
The important difference is contact.
Where a licking toy physically moves across the clitoris, an air-pulse toy can stimulate it with much less direct rubbing.
For some clitoris-owners, this feels surprisingly intense.
And because there isn't necessarily constant friction against the most sensitive part of the clitoris, some people find they can continue using air-pulse stimulation for longer than they would direct vibration.
If this sounds intriguing, our [guide to choosing a clitoral suction toy] goes into nozzle fit, intensity, positioning and the different styles available.
Best for → Anyone curious about focused clitoral stimulation without traditional direct vibration.
Sh! tip → Start on the lowest setting. Air-pulse stimulation can feel much more powerful than its innocent little puff-puff-puff suggests.
Licking vs Suction: Which Feels More Like Oral Sex?
They're actually quite different.
A licking toy is more likely to recreate the physical sensation of a tongue touching and moving across the clitoris.
A clitoral suction toy is more about rhythmic pulsing and pressure around the clitoris. Think less licking tongue, more changing pressure and throbbing stimulation.
Neither is universally better.
If you love direct tongue contact, try licking or fluttering stimulation.
If you particularly enjoy having the area around your clitoris gently stimulated without lots of rubbing, air-pulse suction may be more your thing.
And if your answer is both, obviously, there are toys combining more than one type of stimulation.
Licking + Suction Toys
Why choose?
Some oral sex toys combine fluttering or licking stimulation with clitoral suction, giving you different sensations within the same toy.
These can be particularly good if you enjoy edging or changing stimulation as arousal builds.
Start with gentle licking. Switch to air pulses. Go back again. Increase the intensity. Discover that you absolutely do have a favourite.
Combination toys can have more controls than simple clit-only toys, though, so if you're buying your first clitoral toy, there's nothing wrong with starting simple.
More functions don't automatically equal more pleasure.
What About Oral Sex Toys With Internal Stimulation?
You'll also find toys combining oral-style clitoral stimulation with an insertable vibrating shaft.
These are designed to provide internal and external stimulation at the same time — perhaps air pulses around the clitoris alongside vibration internally.
For the right body, that combination can feel wonderful.
The caveat is fit.
Vulvas aren't built to standard dimensions, so a fixed toy can't guarantee that its internal section will sit exactly where you want it while its external stimulator simultaneously lines up perfectly with your clitoris.
If you love simultaneous stimulation, they're worth exploring. Just expect a little experimentation with angle and positioning.
Can I Use an Oral Sex Toy During My Period?
Absolutely, if you want to.
Some people find their desire or sensitivity changes during their period, and there's no reason menstruation has to put pleasure on hold.
An oral sex toy can also be useful if you fancy external stimulation but you or a partner would rather avoid direct contact with menstrual blood.
Choose a toy that's easy to clean, follow its individual care instructions and wash it thoroughly after use.
And, of course, whether period play is appealing is entirely personal. Your period, your pleasure, your rules.
Can Oral Sex Toys Be Used for Rimming?
Some external licking, fluttering or vibrating toys can be used to explore sensations around the anus, provided the manufacturer's instructions say they're suitable for that kind of external use.
The anus has lots of sensitive nerve endings, so you don't necessarily need penetration to explore anal pleasure.
Hygiene matters here.
Never move a toy directly from the anus to the vulva or vagina without thoroughly cleaning it first or changing the barrier covering it. If you're switching between partners or body areas, a fresh condom can provide a simple hygiene barrier where the toy's shape allows one to be used safely.
Sh! tip → If you're planning on exploring more than one body area during the same session, decide beforehand how you're going to keep things clean. Much easier than remembering in the heat of the moment.
Can You Use Clit Suction Toys on Nipples?
Depending on the individual toy and its instructions, air-pulse stimulation can feel lovely on other sensitive external areas too.
Nipples are an obvious candidate.
Try a little water-based lubricant and begin on a low setting. You may find the sensation completely different from how the same toy feels around the clitoris.
Just don't assume that because a toy feels good somewhere, it's suitable for use everywhere. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for your particular toy.
Use Lube for Wetter, More Tongue-Like Sensations
This is one of our easiest tricks.
Add a small amount of water-based lubricant when using a licking or fluttering toy and those moving silicone tips suddenly feel much softer and wetter against the body.
With clitoral suction toys, a tiny amount of lube around the nozzle can also help create a comfortable seal.
But don't get carried away.
Too much lubricant around a suction toy can make positioning harder and leave the nozzle sliding around when you want it to stay put.
Sh! tip → Start with a drop. You can always add more.
How Do I Clean an Oral Sex Toy?
Clean your toy before and after use, following the manufacturer's instructions for its particular material and waterproof rating.
Pay particular attention to any nozzles, moving tongues, ridges or crevices where lubricant and body fluids can collect.
Don't assume waterproof means you can boil or sterilise a rechargeable toy — electronic toys generally require a different cleaning method from non-motorised silicone toys.
And if a toy has been used anally, clean it thoroughly before using it around the vulva.
Which Oral Sex Toy Should I Choose?
Forget about which toy has the most functions and start with one question:
What sensation are you trying to recreate?
Love the feeling of a tongue directly against your clitoris? Try a licking or fluttering toy.
Prefer rhythmic pressure without lots of direct rubbing? Explore clitoral suction toys.
Want both? Look at licking + suction designs.
Love internal stimulation at the same time? Consider a dual-stimulation oral sex toy.
And if you're not sure yet, that's half the fun.
No toy can promise to reproduce oral sex exactly — bodies, mouths and techniques are far too gloriously varied for that — but they can introduce you to a whole new family of sensations.
Ready to explore? Browse our clitoral suction toys or discover more oral sex advice.
