Sex Toy Materials Guide: Silicone, TPE, Metal

Silicone: The Benchmark Material

A sex toy materials guide starts with silicone because silicone is what everything else is measured against. Medical-grade silicone is non-porous, which means bacteria cannot harbour in the surface. It is body-safe at every level: free from phthalates, BPA, and the plasticisers that cause concern in cheaper materials. It is durable, does not degrade with regular cleaning, and can be fully sterilised by boiling or dishwasher (top shelf, no detergent).

The Gem Joy, Slender Sensual, and Plunge Plug butt plugs are all silicone. The Tri-morphic Ball Stretcher is silicone. When a product description lists the material as silicone, this is what that means, and it is worth paying the premium over porous alternatives when hygiene and longevity matter to you.

One important note: silicone-based lube degrades silicone toys over time. With silicone toys, always use water-based lube.

TPE and Rubber: Affordable but Porous

Why Porosity Matters

TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is the material in many masturbators, sex dolls, and some cheaper butt plugs. The Firm Knuckle Bust-A-Nut TPE Masturbator is an example. TPE has a soft, skin-like feel that is genuinely popular and is the reason it is stocked across the industry. The issue is that TPE is porous.

Porosity means the material has microscopic holes that bacteria can enter and live in, even after washing. You can rinse a TPE toy and remove surface contamination, but you cannot fully sterilise it in the way you can with silicone or metal. Over time, TPE toys can also begin to smell, change texture, or degrade, particularly if stored in contact with other materials or in heat.

Harm Reduction With TPE

We stock TPE products because the feel is genuinely different from silicone in ways some people prefer, particularly for masturbators and strokers where the texture and softness are the point. This is an honest acknowledgement of that trade-off.

The practical guidance: do not share TPE toys without using a condom. Replace TPE toys when they begin to change texture or smell. Do not store them in sealed bags or in contact with silicone toys. Wash thoroughly after every use with warm soapy water and allow to dry fully before storage.

Metal: Firm, Sterilisable, Long-Lasting

Stainless steel and aluminium toys are at the other end of the spectrum from TPE. The 380g Stainless Steel Ball Stretcher and 830g Steel Ball Stretchers and the Knub Stainless Steel Butt Plug are examples. Metal is fully non-porous, can be boiled for complete sterilisation, and will last indefinitely with minimal care.

Metal has a firmness and weight that is genuinely different from any other material. It does not flex at all, which makes size accuracy important. It conducts temperature, which makes it excellent for temperature play: warmed in hot water or cooled briefly in the fridge before use, the sensation changes considerably. Store metal toys dry to prevent any surface marking.

Glass: Underrated and Versatile

Borosilicate glass, the kind used in Manatomy’s glass dildos like the Furrowed Glass Dildo and Love Wand, is fully non-porous, can be boiled, and is harder and firmer than any other toy material you will use. Glass toys are also excellent for temperature play, more responsive to temperature change than metal.

The smooth, unforgiving surface of glass is either a feature or a limitation depending on the sensation you are looking for. For prostate stimulation or precise pressure, the firmness is an advantage.

ABS Plastic: Fine for External Use

ABS is the hard plastic used in most vibrator bodies, pump cylinders, and external device housings. It is non-porous and safe for external use. For any toy where the hard plastic is making sustained internal contact, it is worth checking whether the coating or material is specifically rated as body-safe.

Materials to Avoid

Jelly rubber or PVC toys without a body-safe coating are the category worth steering clear of. These materials often contain phthalates (plasticisers linked to endocrine disruption) and are porous. They are increasingly rare in reputable shops, but if a toy is described only as ‘soft rubber’ or ‘jelly’ without further specification, ask about the material composition before buying.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Needs

For anal play: silicone, metal, or glass. Full sterilisation matters when toys are used internally.

For masturbators and external strokers: TPE is acceptable with proper care, knowing its limitations. Silicone strokers exist and are easier to clean.

For ball toys and cock rings: silicone for flexibility, metal for weight and permanence.

For budget decisions: the extra cost of silicone over TPE for anal toys is worth it. For external masturbators used solo, the choice is more of a trade-off.

Shop the range: silicone toys