Explainer
Toy Materials Explained: Silicone, ABS, TPE and More
Sex toy materials compared: silicone, ABS, glass, steel, TPE, PVC and jelly, which are porous, how to clean each and what to avoid.
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Quick answer
The safest sex toy materials are non-porous ones you can clean completely. Silicone is the best all-rounder. ABS plastic, borosilicate glass and stainless steel are also non-porous, but they're hard. TPE and TPR are soft, cheap and porous, so they're fine for external sleeves and torsos if you clean and dry them carefully, but they're a poor choice for internal toys. Jelly and soft PVC are porous, and older or unlabelled ones may contain phthalate plasticisers, so avoid them for anything that goes inside the body.
The safest sex toy materials are non-porous ones you can clean completely: silicone is the best all-rounder, while ABS plastic, borosilicate glass and stainless steel are non-porous but hard. TPE and TPR are soft, cheap and porous, so they’re fine for external sleeves and torsos with careful cleaning and drying, but a poor choice for internal toys. Jelly and soft PVC are porous, and older or unlabelled ones may contain phthalate plasticisers, so avoid them for anything that goes inside the body. Material affects safety, cleaning, how long a toy lasts and how it feels, so it’s worth checking before anything else.
Quick comparison
| Material | Porous? | Feel | Boilable? | Lube | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone | No | Soft to firm, velvety | Yes, if solid and no motor | Water-based (patch-test silicone lube) | Vibrators, dildos, plugs, rings |
| ABS plastic | No | Hard, smooth | No | Any | Bullet and vibrator bodies, handles |
| Borosilicate glass | No | Hard, very smooth | Usually, if the maker allows | Any | Dildos, plugs, temperature play |
| Stainless steel | No | Hard, heavy | Yes | Any | Plugs, dildos, rings |
| TPE / TPR | Yes | Very soft, stretchy | No | Water-based only | Strokers, sleeves, torsos, dolls |
| PVC / jelly | Yes | Soft to semi-firm, can be sticky | No | Water-based only | Cheap dildos and strap-ons |
Silicone: the best all-rounder
Silicone is non-porous, so it can be cleaned thoroughly. It comes in everything from very soft to firm, warms to body temperature and lasts years with care. Solid silicone toys with no motor can usually be boiled.
Watch for: blends sold as “silicone”. A cheap toy with a strong smell or oily feel may be a mix. “Medical-grade” and “platinum-cured” are common marketing terms with no agreed sex-toy standard. A clearly stated material from a retailer that lists specifications is more useful than the label.
Example: solid silicone dildo
Bestvibe Lifelike Silicone G-spot Dildo with Suction Cup 7.87 In
- Material
- Silicone Retailer listing
ABS plastic: hard and non-porous
ABS is the hard plastic used for most bullet and wand bodies. It’s non-porous, light and durable, and transmits vibration well. It’s fine for internal use in slim shapes, though many people find it too hard for larger insertables. Clean it according to the toy’s water rating, not the material. The motor inside is usually the limit.
Glass and stainless steel
Both are non-porous, very easy to clean, and work with any lube. Glass is very smooth and can be warmed or cooled for temperature play (gently, never straight from freezer to boiling water). Steel is heavy and firm, which some people love for G-spot and prostate pressure. Check for chips or cracks in glass before every use.
TPE and TPR: soft but porous
Thermoplastic elastomer and rubber are what make most strokers, sleeves, torsos and dolls feel soft and lifelike. They’re cheap and usually phthalate-free, but porous. That means:
- They can hold bacteria and fluids even after washing.
- They need thorough drying after every use, and they may need powdering to stay soft.
- They break down faster, especially with oil-based products.
- They’re best kept to one user, with condoms on any internal TPE toy.
TPE is a sensible trade-off for an external sleeve or torso, where feel matters most:
Example: TPE torso
JASMIN - 5.5lbs Dual Tight & Teasing Channels Easy Grip & Storage Petite Sunny Fitness Girl Realistic Torso Male Masturb
Best for A first torso that is easy to lift, wash and hide.
A small, light TPE torso with two channels, the cheapest torso in the catalogue that we'd shortlist.
- About 5.5 lb
- Two channels
- Fully waterproof TPE
- Weight
- 5.5 lb Manufacturer-stated
- Channel depth
- 5.12 in / 4.53 in Manufacturer-stated
- Material
- TPE Retailer listing
- Weight
- 5.5 lb Retailer listing
See how to clean TPE vs silicone and our TPE vs silicone sex dolls guide for more.
PVC and jelly: the ones to avoid internally
“Jelly” toys are usually plasticised PVC. A Danish Environmental Protection Agency survey found jelly toys made with up to 70% phthalate plasticisers. Oil-based lube made far more of those chemicals migrate out of the toy. Most products in that survey posed no risk in normal use, but some carried risks for pregnant or breastfeeding users. Many modern PVC toys are labelled phthalate-free, but they’re still porous and often smell.
If you own one, use a condom on it every time and replace it when it changes texture or smell. Our Fetish Fantasy hollow strap-on review looks at one popular PVC toy.
Lube compatibility
Water-based lube is safe with every material, so it’s the default for any toy:
Water-based lube
Bestvibe - 120ml Ultra Smooth Water-Based Lubricant Toys & Condom Compatible
- Silicone lube works with glass, steel and ABS. It can damage some silicone toys, so patch-test first.
- Oil-based products can break down TPE, PVC and latex condoms. Avoid them with soft toys.
Our lube compatibility guide goes into detail.
How to tell what a toy is made of
Be cautious if a toy:
- has a strong chemical smell,
- feels oily, sticky or tacky,
- has no material listed, or only vague terms like “skin-safe” or “silicone-like”,
- is extremely cheap for its size.
Buy from retailers that list materials, dimensions and water ratings. If in doubt, treat it as porous: use a condom and keep it for external use.
Caring for each material
- Non-porous (silicone, ABS, glass, steel): wash with warm water and mild soap; boil solid silicone, glass or steel if the maker allows.
- Porous (TPE, PVC, jelly): wash with warm water and mild soap, dry completely, store separately, and replace when they show wear.
How to clean your sex toys safely covers every type step by step. For firmness rather than material, read soft vs firm dildos.
Frequently asked questions
Is TPE body-safe?
TPE is generally phthalate-free and widely used in strokers, sleeves and dolls, but it's porous. Bacteria and fluids can get into the surface, so it can't be sanitised the way silicone can. Clean and dry TPE thoroughly, keep it to one user, use condoms on internal TPE toys, and replace it when it gets sticky or smelly.
How can I tell if a toy is really silicone?
Silicone usually has no smell, a smooth or velvety feel, and a stated material on the listing. A strong chemical smell, an oily or sticky surface, or no material listed at all suggests a blend, TPE or PVC. Be wary of very cheap toys labelled only "silicone-like" or "skin-safe".
Can I use silicone lube with silicone toys?
It depends on the toy and lube. Some silicone lubes can bond with some silicone toys and leave the surface tacky. Use water-based lube by default; if you want silicone lube, patch-test it on the toy's base first or check the maker's guidance.
Can I boil sex toys?
Only solid, non-motorised silicone, glass or stainless steel, and only if the maker allows it. Never boil TPE, PVC, jelly or anything with electronics.
Is phthalate-free the same as body-safe?
No. Phthalate-free means the toy doesn't contain one group of plasticisers, but a phthalate-free PVC or TPE toy is still porous. Body-safe usually means non-porous and free of harmful additives.
Is ABS safe for internal use?
Yes. ABS is non-porous and is widely used for bullet and vibrator bodies. It's hard, so many people prefer it for external toys or slim insertables.
Sources
- Survey and health assessment of chemical substances in sex toys (Survey of chemical substances in consumer products no. 77) — Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Toys sold as "jelly" were plasticised PVC with up to 70% phthalate plasticisers; oil-based lubricant greatly increased plasticiser migration; most products posed no risk in normal use, but some carried risks for pregnant or breastfeeding users.
- Different types of penile constriction rings — Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Recommends body-safe materials such as silicone or elastomer and notes porous rubber and leather can harbour bacteria.