Beginner’s Guide to Sex Dolls

Whilst I regularly feature sex doll retailers at my website, the sad truth is that I do not review them. Living in a small apartment up until recently has always restricted the products I can purchase, and sex dolls are among the list of things I’d rather admire from afar. Of course, being a sex writer means that I still know a hell of a lot about them, and I regularly keep up with industry news to find out what new “lifelike” innovation is next. But with no actual resources regarding dolls on my website, I’ve never had anywhere to direct those with questions before. So for today’s new post I figured it was finally time to fix that and take a closer look at this weird and wonderful world with my very own Beginner’s Guide To Sex Dolls.

What Is A Sex Doll?

“Sex dolls are objects designed to intimate the body in shape and size.”

Whilst dildos and pocket pussies can realistically emulate genitals, sex dolls are any product that takes this one step further by including additional parts of the human figure, such as the buttocks or torso, and often the entire body! Whilst the majority represent the female form, a wide variety is available to suit all tastes, including fantasy options. 

But what’s the point? Well, in addition to being a lot of fun, sex dolls offer a range of benefits you won’t find in traditional sex toys:

• The closest you can get to the real thing in a solo sexual experience. Take masturbation to the next level, or use the time to practise your technique.
• Not just for singles, sex dolls allow you to enjoy threesomes with a partner without the difficulties that come from opening up your relationship or finding someone who’s interested. 
• A risk-free way to try new things, sex dolls are ideal if there’s always something you’ve wanted to experiment with, and also offer a great stand-in if that experience isn’t something your partner is into. 
• They don’t have to just be for sex. Full-body dolls make excellent companions and can help combat loneliness and grief. 

How Are They Made?

Like any product, sex dolls are conceptualised and designed to meet a variety of different needs and budgets. 

Sometimes they may be intended to represent a particular person, such as a porn star or celebrity. However, more frequently sex dolls will be made to cater to different tastes, such as blonde hair or a petite body, and will often feature oversized or fantasy proportions.

Knowing a little bit about how they are made is the first step to purchasing one. For instance, you may want to think about weight, as the heavier your doll is, the more difficult it will be to manoeuvre. Another consideration is material, for which there are two main choices…

Silicone vs. TPE

Typically available in either silicone or TPE, both materials have pros and cons, with the choice being down to your preferences and how much you’re willing to spend. 

Medical-grade silicone is widely considered the best material for sex dolls as it is non-porous, latex-free, phthalate-free and hypoallergenic. However, because of this it is also the most expensive and usually reserved for premium dolls. It will reject odours and stretch to accommodate you, and since the material is durable it will not wear out or lose its shape over time. With proper care, a silicone sex doll will last a lifetime.

TPE, on the other hand, is thought of as a more approachable material. Often softer to the touch than silicone, sex dolls made out of this material typically feel and look more lifelike, and can be used with all forms of lubricant. Yet being porous means they can harbour bacteria and odours, and over time they may begin to lose their shape or break down. Because of this, TPE sex dolls are often cheaper, making them best for beginners before upgrading to a more costly silicone doll or for those who would rather have a variety of dolls rather than one premium product. 

What Types Are There?

Whilst any body part can be a sex doll, there are three main categories which determine the areas that are included on your doll, along with its weight, size and price…

Butt or Ass Dolls

For those who want something more lifelike than a dildo or masturbator, a butt / ass doll is the perfect solution. Still quite light and compact compared to other types, these dolls typically include either a vagina or penis, anus (which may or may not be penetrable), buttocks, and often extend to provide the start of the thighs and stomach too. If you just want an elevated or more realistic masturbatory experience without the added fantasy of a chest, head or feet, this is for you.

Torso Dolls

One step up, torso dolls include everything a butt doll has, but with the addition of a chest. This is a great option for those who aren’t looking for the companion fantasy that comes with full-body dolls and if storage space and weight is a concern. Plus, they’re a lot cheaper too, and specialist love doll stores like Tantaly cater entirely to this variety. Those who enjoy squeezing breasts or the touch of a chiselled six-pack during sex will feel at home with one of these. 

Full-Body Dolls

Finally, the pinnacle of the sex doll is, of course, the full-body doll. Coming with all the features of a torso doll, plus much more, full-body dolls include legs, feet, arms, and everything else you’d expect to see on a real body. Particular care is placed on the heads and faces, to ensure they look realistic and attractive whilst avoiding the uncanny valley, and this also allows for a greater variety of dolls to cater to every taste. For those who want a realistic experience and have the space and money to spare, this is a fantastic investment. 

On that note, the more you’re willing to pay, the more “real” your doll can become. Premium brands and specialistic suppliers like Betterlovedoll offer customisable full-body dolls, allowing you to match your desired head and body and then select from a range of other features, such as internal heating, touch-activated moans, breathing systems, and even implanted human hair! Many dolls also come with internal skeletal systems, which allow them to be posed and stand upright, all of which helps deepen the fantasy. 

Sex Doll Accessories

When purchasing a sex doll, it’s always worth checking out what other accessories are available. If you’re looking at a full-body or even torso style, lingerie and other clothing such as nightdresses and robes can be great to have on hand, as can lubricant (although if you select a silicone doll, make sure to only use water-based fluids with it). Some stores also offer replaceable eyes, wigs, teeth and even tongues to change up the appearance of your doll, alongside penis attachments for when you want to switch genitals. Finally, if you can’t afford a premium internal heating system, an external heating rod is a must-have. Simply place it in your preferred orifice to warm your doll to a realistic body-temperature before play.

How To Care For Your Sex Doll

When your doll first arrives, you can give it a light clean. After this, you’ll want to clean any orifices immediately after use, whilst the rest of the doll can be cleaned every few weeks depending on frequency of use. 

For general cleaning, simply wipe the body of the doll down with soap and water, using a non-abrasive sponge. Avoid getting the head and neck too wet, and then pat with a towel and leave to air dry. Once dry, you can apply talcum powder to the doll’s skin to protect it and avoid friction damage. 

For the vaginal or anal tunnels, a more thorough clean is needed. A irrigator or douche will be helpful here, as it will allow for the hole to be flushed with soap before being rinsed out with clean water. Alternatively, some brands offer UV sterilisation rods to speed up the process, and a few even double as a heating rod at the same time! After this, renewal powder (available at most retailers) can be applied, which will prolong the life of your doll whilst enhancing pleasure. 

Finally, in case anything goes wrong, such as tears or stains, it’s worthwhile picking up a sex doll repair kit with your order, for which Tantaly’s is a godsend for TPE. Then, for storage you have a choice between a case, if privacy is on your mind, or hooks which allow for the doll to be stored in a closet just like clothes on a coat hanger. Alternatively, if you’d rather not purchase an additional storage option, just ensure that your doll is kept in a cool dark place in either a sitting position or lying on its back, without wearing any tight or dark fabrics.

Got questions or have a request for my next guide? Let me know and I’ll get back to you.

Further reading:

• Beginner’s Guide To Sex Toys
• Beginner’s Guide To Butt Plugs
• Sex Toy Materials Guide
• Guide To Realistic Sex Toys

This post was sponsored by Tantaly but as always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in this post.