10 Sex Toy Brands Created By And For Women (Because Who Knows Us Better?)

There are many misconceptions and taboos when it comes to talking about women's pleasure as men have long been seen as the ones who are more overtly sexually active. However, women masturbate too! Society has taught us that our pleasure is an afterthought or that finding our orgasm is some kind of urban myth — the Holy G-Spot, if you will. A study published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy surveyed over 2000 women aged 18-60, and a whopping 53% reported using a vibrator. This statistic demonstrates that women are actively seeking ways to enhance their sexual pleasure and are open to exploring the benefits of sex toys.

Now, let's tackle the elephant in the room: the lack of open conversations about pleasure and sexual wellness. Why are we still hush-hush about something so natural and empowering? It's time to break those silly taboos and have real talk about our needs and desires. Understanding our bodies, finding what floats our boat, and having mind-blowing experiences is what it's all about. Society often perpetuates the notion that female pleasure is secondary or even irrelevant, but we know better. We understand the profound impact that sexual wellness can have on our overall well-being, confidence, and relationships.

So we're shouting out some awesome sex toy brands created by and for women because they just get us. They know what we're all about and what makes us tick (or shiver uncontrollably). By supporting these women-centered sex toy brands, we take back our sexual autonomy and amplify our voices in the sex industry.

That Sassy Thing founder Sachee Malhotra said it perfectly when she spoke to The Ladies Compartment: "I want women to own their sexuality, and I think we've begun the journey as a brand." After struggling with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Sachee had difficulty finding products that would help her with her symptoms, including painful periods and vaginal dryness, while the only ones out there catered to men's pleasure. In essence, That Sassy Thing is a sex toy brand and a self-care brand combined.

The playful brand is all about the charm with its witty product descriptions, but of course, its vibrators are the real heroes. The "Salty Personal Massager" (named for its resemblance to a salt shaker) is incredibly discreet and comes with 10 different speeds. If you're more old school, they haven't forgotten about what they call the "OG Personal Massager" which looks like your average vibrator.

That Sassy Thing isn't just about orgasms; it also champions inclusivity and body positivity. The brand believes that pleasure should be for everyone, regardless of size, shape, or background. Its range of toys caters to a diverse array of desires, ensuring that every woman can find her perfect match. For instance, on the POV section of its site, the brand includes a video series featuring disabled people, in an effort to create "disability-affirming spaces" for them to openly talk about their sexuality.

Maude takes the idea of a tacky sex shop and turns it completely upside down with its range of incredibly simple, sleek designs that look more like a minimalist skincare brand. Maude isn't just about toys; it's got a whole range of pleasure essentials to elevate your experience. From silky smooth lubricants to sensual bubble bath products and candles to enhance the mood, this brand has you covered. 

Why is Maude causing such a buzz? The company knows that pleasure should be a luxurious experience, and its sleek designs could give any fashion house a run for its money. But don't let the chic exteriors fool you because these toys are all about pleasure with a playful twist. Take their "Vibe" for example — it's like the James Bond of sex toys, with multiple settings that will leave you shaken and stirred in all the right ways. And their "Cone" is like the ultimate pleasure alarm clock, waking up your senses and sending you waves of pleasure from head to toe.

Maude's founder, Éva Goicochea, told Glamour that the brand has made an effort to make pleasure a simple human experience. She explained, "This space has historically been monopolized by giant companies that focus on men. And in the last five years, the response to that has been the launch of very female-focused companies. But I think sex is for everyone — it's human — so making it highly gendered isn't necessarily helpful in encouraging conversations between partners."

Unbound started out as a subscription box service for co-founders Polly Rodriguez and Sarah Jayne Kinney, before launching a catalog of what is currently over 50 of its own products. Rodriguez was inspired to create the brand after getting diagnosed with cancer at the age of 20 and going through early menopause. She told Refinery29 that a friend who was a nurse advised her to buy a vibrator due to her cancer treatment and low libido. However, the stores were tacky and not a comfortable shopping experience for women.

Getting it off the ground, however, was no easy feat, as Rodriguez explained: "It was especially heartbreaking when I would go out to pitch some of the female angel investor groups. They were often the ones that were the most prudish. It surprised me. I thought the women would understand why buying sex toys was a terrible shopping experience."

The brand is a fun mix of vibrators, dildos, handcuffs, and lubes, which come in different categories like beginner, external, internal, quiet, and couples. They've got a whole range of pleasure accessories that will make your inner kinkster squeal with delight, from luxurious restraints that will make you feel like a seductive secret agent to tantalizing massage oils that will leave your skin glistening and begging for more.

Ti Chang first created her line of jewelry that doubled as sex toys called INCOQNITO in 2008 before meeting Michael Topolovac. The pair teamed up and launched what is now Crave, a line of incredibly sleek vibrators that are so aesthetically pleasing they could double as a piece of art on your nightstand, or even around your neck in the case of the "Vesper."

Crave takes the idea of a tacky sex shop full of mannequins with ripped crotchless fishnets, massive purple dildos, and vintage porn, and turns it on its head. The brand is the exact opposite of what is available in the mainstream for women today, and gives them exactly what they're looking for: a sex toy that contributes to a truly intimate experience. The newest "Duet Flex" has 12 different vibration patterns, all due to a community of "beta-testers" who you can thank after the best orgasm of your life.

Chang was one of the only female industrial designers when she first started out, telling The Creative Independent, "I think people have to recognize we are still in a transitional time where we're not seeing equity in the workplace, especially where you're starting out ... instead of viewing it from a place of disadvantage, it's an opportunity. But you have to be realistic in that it's not going to be easy."

MysteryVibe is not just about the average female orgasm, or simply masturbating with a vibrator; the brand takes a scientific approach to the most intimate needs of men and women. It has created devices that aim to take on our most important sexual issues like menopause or the postpartum period.

The site is easily navigated and has an area in which customers can learn about the science of the devices and find the right toy for themselves depending on the issue they're having, including examples like urinary incontinence, premature ejaculation, pain disorder, and arousal disorder. The range of toys is as adaptable as a chameleon, with an uncanny knack for bringing pleasure to every nook and cranny of your body — like a vibrator that can bend, flex, and contort to fit your unique needs and desires. The sex toys can also be connected to an app, allowing you or your partner to control the intensity. One of the most popular products is the world's first flexible vibrator, called the "Crescendo 2," which mimics human fingers and can be adjusted depending on what you want to be stimulated.

Co-founder Stephanie Alys gave CEO Magazine her advice for women in their careers, telling the outlet, "Every time you worry about going after an opportunity, applying for a job, negotiating a pay rise or shouting about your success, ask yourself, 'What would a man do?' And then do that. No shame."