From sex toy safety to supply chains: why testing vibrators isn’t as fun as you might think

The unsexy truth behind reviewing vibrators; thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts; and last-minute flower delivery

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When people learn that my job as a sexual wellbeing specialist involves reviewing vibrators for the Filter – as their official Vibe Rater, if you will – they assume I’ve got it easy. That my work, in every conceivable way, must be a pleasure. But I get my hands dirty, probing everything from sustainability to sensitive data security to supply chains, to ensure buyers don’t get (non-consensually) shafted. Vibrators are coming out from under the covers. They used to feel shameful and secretive, picked from a mail-order magazine or a poky shop with blacked-out windows; today, we’re infinitely more liberated about toy ownership. We’re putting our hands in our pockets, too: the global sex toy market was valued at approximately $37.5bn last year, and it is projected to climb to $83.85bn within the next decade.

But navigating this sprawling landscape can feel overwhelming. And while “adult appliances” may now be 10 a penny, it’s not uncommon for top-end devices to cost hundreds. Reading a switched-on guide before you buy is a must. Here’s a little insight into some of the things I had to consider when writing mine.

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