Ever wanted to feel like you’re in an early 2000s RnB song? Bump n’ grinding till the morning comes? SEXTECHGUIDE has investigated the history and technology of the grinder sex toy to satisfy your curiosity.
Over the past few years, as penetration takes more of a back seat, the ‘grinder’ designed for external stimulation has become an increasingly popular sex toy. From vibrating app-partnered options for naughty outdoor play to manual thigh-riding toys shaped like dragons for kinky fun, they can be great tools for enhancing intimacy between couples, LGBTQ+ partners, BDSM scenes, and solo play.
Grinder devices tease and stimulate nerve endings across the vulva, penis, or perineum to create a unique pleasure experience. They offer particularly strong orgasms for people with vulvas by indirectly stimulating the internal clitoris through the labia majora (the outer lips). Not to mention the physical motion of grinding your hips helps awaken and arouse your entire pelvic floor.
In this article, we’ll explore why these toys have surged in popularity and give you an overview some of the best options available on the market.
What is a grinder sex toy?
Versatile and delivering powerful orgasms, the grinder has become a sought-after sex toy in recent years, as evidenced by the growing variety of devices catering to this type of external stimulation.
These sex toys typically feature a dual-sided design—one side flat and smooth, the other ridged—allowing you to comfortably position them on pillows, thighs, and other surfaces.
Here’s an overview of the major types.
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Grinding pads
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Grinding ring
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Dual Action Grinders
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Vibrating grinders
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Palm crushers
Grinding pads come in various shapes and sizes and are primarily non-vibrating. They feature a flat side that can rest against any surface, including pillows or thighs, and a raised, textured side that you can grind against. Many include attached straps, helping you hold them firmly in place as you move your body against them rapidly.
These are the perfect grinders for dual action. Like the grinder pad, they offer a raised, textured surface for you to grind your clitoris or perineum against. However, these come equipped with a ring at the top so they can be placed around a penis or a dildo and used during sex or solo play.
These are the perfect grinders for dual action. Like the grinder pad, they offer a raised, textured surface for you to grind your clitoris or perineum against. However, these come with a ring at the top so they can be placed around a penis or dildo and used during sex or solo play.
Like the popular Bondara vibrating grinder or the Vibepad 2, these typically have a wider harness or saddle-like base so you can grind against the vibrating mounds on either side. Being larger, these toys excel at stimulating not just the clitoris but the wider vulva area as well. Some models offer the option for penetration with an attached dildo, allowing you to ride the grinder and stimulate both your G-spot and clit hands-free.
Palm crushers, like the Romp Wave, are small and easy to hold. These grinder toys are perfect for holding in your hand and grinding against. They come in both vibrating and non-vibrating varieties with various shapes. Simply press your vulva against the surface and use your hand to guide the toy against the specific area you want to stimulate.
As you can see, grinders are versatile sex toys that come in a range of designs, offering gender-neutral options with various shapes, colors, lengths, and patterns, giving you flexibility in how and where you use them.
Why grinders are gaining popularity
Grinders originally became popular sex toys as an alternative to internal use sex toys, allowing those with vulvas to stimulate the vulva as a whole instead of just focusing on the clit like suction or bullet toys.
One of the main reasons grinders have become popular over using pillows and other materials is they offer a softer surface to grind against. The majority are made of soft, flexible, body-safe silicone that allows users to mold them against their bodies easily without worrying about uncomfortable friction.
Initially starting as non-vibrating, circular pads with a soft side and a rigid side, they have slowly risen in popularity and now offer a range of designs, shapes, and sizes. Some of the most popular options include ones based on mythical creatures like tentacles and aliens, flowers, and other shapes, allowing people to explore their unique fantasies in the bedroom.
Since their introduction, grinders have evolved to include vibrating options that can be used solo or with a partner. Devices such as the OhMiBod Club Vibe can be placed within your underwear and connect via Bluetooth to an app or remote for partner control.
How to choose the right grinder for you
Choosing a suitable grinder toy comes down to your personal preference and the sensations you’re trying to achieve. We’ve also made you a handy chart as an overview of different devices below.
Material Types
- All products here feature body-safe silicone external surfaces
- Premium models ($100+) typically use medical-grade or platinum silicone
- Budget models (<$50) may use ABS plastic components with silicone coating
Waterproof Ratings
- Fully waterproof (submersible): WeVibe Moxi+, Cute Little Fuckers Starsi, Romp Wave, Pulse Slide
- Splash-proof (shower-safe): Ruby Glow Dusk, Vibepad2, Lovehoney Dual Rider, OhMiBod Club Vibe 3.OH
Control Options
- App + Remote: WeVibe Moxi+
- Remote only: OhMiBod Club Vibe 3.OH, Vibepad2, Pulse Slide
- Manual controls: Ruby Glow Dusk, Cute Little Fuckers Starsi, Romp Wave, Lovehoney Dual Rider
Charging Methods
- USB-C (Fast Charge): Cute Little Fuckers Starsi
- Magnetic USB: WeVibe Moxi+, Ruby Glow Dusk
- Standard USB: All others listed
Warranty Information
- 2 years: WeVibe Moxi+
- 1-2 years: Ruby Glow Dusk, Cute Little Fuckers Starsi
- 90 days – 1 year: All others listed
How to use your grinder toy
Grinder toys provide versatile pleasure, whether you’re seeking a sensual genital massage or looking to heighten sensation during foreplay. These versatile toys work perfectly for solo play, foreplay, or during penetrative sex.
Adding lube can create smoother movement and new sensations, but always make sure your lube is compatible with the toy material. Avoid silicone-based lubes with silicone toys – stick to water-based options to prevent the material from breaking down or becoming tacky during use.
Depending on your preferences, there are several ways to enjoy a grinder sex toy, which we’ve outlined below.
Solo-play
Position the grinder on a flat surface and straddle it so it rests against your vulva or penis. For smaller grinders or vibrating pads, you might need to hold them against your desired area and move them in a rubbing motion for optimal stimulation.
For more intense pleasure, try combining grinders with other toys like dildos, vibrators, or clit stimulators. If you want hands-free options that offer both grinding and penetration, consider investing in a dual-action grinding toy that lets you enjoy multiple sensations simultaneously.
Couples play
Either have your partner place the grinder against their body for you to straddle and grind against. During sex, you can also use the grinder to rub against the clit in doggy style as your partner penetrates you or place the grinder between you and your partner’s gentiles to stimulate both at the same time, much like how you can use a wand vibrator to do so.
Another way couples can use their grinder toy is in BDSM scenes, with vibrating grinder toys (especially ones that offer a separate remote so one partner can control the speed, frequency, and vibration patterns) being the perfect edging toy for a naughty submissive, such as the popular WeVibe Moxi+, a wearable grinder.
Caring for your toy
Although your grinder sex toy is made of non-porous material, there are still gaps where dirt, dust, and bacteria can accumulate, so cleaning it after every use is essential for maintaining its longevity.
A simple solution is to clean it with warm water and soap, then rinse thoroughly. Using a clean toothbrush between the ridges for a deeper clean ensures you don’t miss any spots before patting it dry. Alternatively, you can use a specialized sex toy cleaner before drying it with a clean towel.
Besides cleaning, safely storing your grinder in its original box or a dedicated sex toy bag prevents damage and keeps it in optimal condition.
The future of grinder toys
Looking ahead at what’s next for grinder toys, it’s fascinating to consider how they might evolve. The current market already offers an impressive range – from tentacle and dragon-themed crushers with intricate ridges for enhanced sensation, to user-friendly vibrating pads that sit perfectly on pillows or thighs for comfortable grinding sessions. But the potential for further development seems boundless.
The sex tech industry is increasingly moving toward smart connectivity, and grinders are likely to follow this trajectory. Some already sync with VR experiences or connect via Bluetooth to smartphones for long-distance control.
Some people may find that future grinders, perhaps with haptic feedback technology, could provide more realistic sensations, mimicking the pressure and movement of a partner. There’s also room for advancement in materials science – perhaps developing silicone blends that more closely resemble human touch or incorporate warming elements for a more lifelike feel.
In sum, why grinders are a must-have
Grinders offer a unique way to explore and elevate pleasure, whether solo or with a partner. From compact, non-vibrating models that excel at targeted pleasure to larger, hands-free vibrating grinders designed for hands-free use, these toys accommodate virtually every preference, anatomy, and experience level.
They’re particularly valuable for those exploring external stimulation of the vulva or perineum, couples looking to enhance their intimate connection, or BDSM enthusiasts seeking tools for sensory play and power exchange. The beauty of grinders lies in their accessibility – they’re approachable for beginners yet sophisticated enough to satisfy experienced users.
As designs continue to evolve and incorporate new technologies, grinders are positioned to become even more intuitive, responsive, and pleasurable. For anyone looking to expand their pleasure horizons beyond traditional vibrators or penetrative toys, grinders offer a refreshing alternative that celebrates the joy of external stimulation and rhythmic movement.
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