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Best beginner anal positions (and the toys that make them easier)

Comfort beats creativity the first few times. These positions keep you relaxed and in control.

Reviewed by · Prices checked · How we rank

The verdict

Side-lying is the most comfortable first anal position because your muscles stay relaxed and you can pause easily. Warm up first with a small plug from the MERCI Tush Trainer kit and use plenty of thick lube like Sliquid Sassy.

Our No. 1: MERCI Tush Trainer 3-Piece Silicone Butt Plug Kit

  • Easiest first position: side-lying.
  • Warm up with: MERCI Tush Trainer.
  • Lube: Sliquid Sassy, and lots of it.

Quick picks

  1. Best warm-up kitNo. 1 ↓

    MERCI Tush Trainer 3-Piece Silicone Butt Plug Kit

    Why it's here: Three sizes to size up slowly.

    $43 to $47.95

    Shop $43 at SheVibe
  2. Best lubeNo. 4 ↓

    Sliquid Sassy

  3. Weighted plugNo. 2 ↓

    b-Vibe Snug Plug 1

  4. Lift and relaxNo. 5 ↓

    Liberator Wedge

    $108 to $110

    Shop $108 at SheVibe

    ships free

At a glance

Compare the top 6

  1. 1MERCI Tush Trainer 3-Piece Silicone Butt Plug KitMERCI Tush Trainer 3-Piece Silicone Butt Plug KitBest warm-up kit$43 to $47.95Too new to rate$43 →
  2. 2b-Vibe Snug Plug 1b-Vibe Snug Plug 1Weighted plug$45Too new to rate$45 →
  3. 3b-Vibe Novice Plugb-Vibe Novice Plug$110 to $123.95Too new to rate$110 →
  4. 4Sliquid SassySliquid SassyBest lube$13.99Too new to rate$13.99 →
  5. 5Liberator WedgeLiberator WedgeLift and relax$108 to $110Too new to rate$108 →
  6. 6Magic Wand MiniMagic Wand Mini$95 to $102.50Too new to rate$95 →

Try these

The positions

1. Side-lying

Lie on your side with your top knee bent toward your chest. Your muscles relax naturally here, and you or your partner can go as slowly as you like. Start with the smallest Tush Trainer plug.

MERCI Tush Trainer 3-Piece Silicone Butt Plug Kit

2. Receiver on top

Straddle your partner or sit back onto a toy so you control the angle, depth and speed. Pause whenever you like; nobody moves unless you do.

3. Lying flat with a lift

Lie on your stomach with a wedge under your hips. It is relaxed, slightly shallow, and lets your partner kiss your back and shoulders the whole time.

4. Knees up on your back

Lie back with knees drawn toward your chest and a pillow or wedge under your hips. You can look at each other, talk, and reach a vibrator to your front.

5. Wearing a plug during other sex

Pop in a small weighted plug and keep it in during whatever else you are doing. It is a great way to get used to fullness before trying anything bigger.

b-Vibe Snug Plug 1

6. Child's pose

Knees wide, chest down on a pillow, hips up. Gentler than classic doggy because your body is supported, and it opens the angle naturally.

The ranking

Beginner anal toys for these positions, ranked

Ranked by demand, review quality, availability, and fit. Stars are owner review averages from the store or brand site, where there are enough reviews.

How we rank

No. 1 · Doc JohnsonPhoto at the top ↑

Best warm-up kit

MERCI Tush Trainer 3-Piece Silicone Butt Plug Kit

CSO Review: owned by our team
Too new to rate$43 to $47.95

Three graduated velvet-touch silicone plugs (4, 5, and 6 inches) with slim tapered tips and curved T-bar bases that sit comfortably between the cheeks.

Pros

  • Small, medium, and large plugs in one starter kit
  • Soft necks bend naturally as you sit or walk
  • Non-porous platinum silicone washes clean with soap and water

Cons

  • Non-vibrating set; pair with an external vibrator if you want buzz
  • Silicone requires water-based lube, not silicone lube

Why it ranks: Best warm-up kit: three silicone sizes to size up slowly before any position.

b-Vibe Snug Plug 1 by b-Vibe.
b-Vibe Snug Plug 1 by b-Vibe.
No. 2

No. 2 · b-Vibe

Weighted plug

b-Vibe Snug Plug 1

Too new to rate$45

Ships discreetly from SheVibe

Finger-sized. About 0.9 across. Around 55 grams. Same thin neck and T-base as the rest of the Snug line. The first weighted plug if 2 looks like homework.

Pros

  • Body-safe silicone

Cons

  • Small. You may outgrow it in a month
  • Still a plug. Lube. Flared base. Don't skip either

Why it ranks: Weighted, small and comfortable to wear during other play.

b-Vibe Novice Plug by b-Vibe.
b-Vibe Novice Plug by b-Vibe.
No. 3

No. 3 · b-Vibe

b-Vibe Novice Plug

Too new to rate$110 to $123.95

Small vibrating first plug. Soft silicone. The name is the pitch. For people who want a motor on night one and a size that does not pick a fight.

Pros

  • Body-safe silicone
  • Rechargeable motor

Cons

  • Beginner size. The motor will not save a bad angle
  • If you wanted weight and no buzz, that's Snug 1

Why it ranks: Slim vibrating plug with a remote for a relaxing first buzz.

Sliquid Sassy by Sliquid.
Sliquid Sassy by Sliquid.
No. 4

No. 4 · Sliquid

Best lube

Sliquid Sassy

Too new to rate$13.99

Free shipping at SheVibe over $68. Tempted to treat yourself? Add a silky lube and it all ships free.

Ships discreetly from SheVibe

Same clean Sliquid formula, thicker. Gel that stays put. The one people grab for anal or for a night that needs padding, not a thin slick.

Cons

  • Too thick for some vaginal nights. That's why H2O exists
  • Still water-based. It can dry if you wait too long

Why it ranks: Thick, cushioning water-based anal lube that stays put.

Official Liberator Wedge. Firm angled foam sex pillow in gray microvelvet.
Official Liberator Wedge. Firm angled foam sex pillow in gray microvelvet.
No. 5

No. 5 · Liberator

Lift and relax

Liberator Wedge

Too new to rate$108 to $110

High-density foam ramp with a 27-degree incline and removable microfiber cover that holds hips at the right angle without flattening mid-session.

Cons

  • Too big for a nightstand drawer; store it in a closet or at the head of the bed
  • Buy the moisture liner if you use lots of lube

Why it ranks: Lifts the hips for lying-flat and knees-up positions.

Official Magic Wand Mini. Compact white wand on a studio background.
Official Magic Wand Mini. Compact white wand on a studio background.
No. 6

No. 6 · Vibratex / Magic Wand

Magic Wand Mini

Too new to rate$95 to $102.50

The small wand. Still a wand. Broad rumble. Loud. Only for people who want that kitchen-tool motor and don't have thin walls.

Pros

  • Silicone head
  • Rechargeable handle

Cons

  • Not the same brute force as the full-size
  • Still louder than air-pulse

Why it ranks: A little front vibration helps many people relax into it.

Notes from Bedside CSO (Chief Sex Officer)

Notes from Bedside CSO (Chief Sex Officer)

Good first-time anal play is all about relaxed muscles, lots of lube and the receiver calling the shots. The right position makes all three easier.

Here are six beginner positions with the toy that helps in each, followed by the warm-up gear we rank for first-timers.

More position guides: Best positions for using a wand vibrator together, Best strap-on positions for beginners, Best positions for couples vibrators like We-Vibe Sync 2 and Chorus, Best sex wedge positions (Liberator Wedge, Ramp and more), Best positions for hands-free and remote vibrators

Before you buy

Buying guide

Warm up before any position

Start with a finger or the smallest plug, use far more lube than you think, and breathe out as you relax. Move up a size only when the last one feels easy. Silicone toys need water-based lube.

FAQ

Common questions

What is the easiest anal position for beginners?
Side-lying with the top knee bent. Muscles stay relaxed and it is easy to slow down or stop.
Should you use a plug before anal sex?
A small plug worn for a few minutes beforehand helps many people relax and get used to the feeling. A graduated kit like the Tush Trainer makes sizing up gradual.

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