It’s National Masturbation Month! I know that sounds weird, but basically, this is a month for some self-reflection about the highly stigmatized but nearly universal act of self-love. It all started when President Bill Clinton fired then surgeon general Joycelyn Elders in 1994 for suggesting that masturbation should be a part of sex education. The retailer Good Vibrations marked May 7 as National Masturbation Day in her honor, but it has since expanded into a monthlong international extravaganza.
Everyone should feel safe and comfortable spending time on self-love and talking about it openly. Strip the stigma, talk about it, and celebrate it. It’s 2021! We’re living through a global pandemic. Who has time for Victorian social norms?
Due to the holiday, May has become a good time of year to pick up sex toys at a steep discount. There’s a lot to sort through, but we did our best to highlight the best sex toy deals from some of our favorite brands.
Updated May 20: I removed several toys that are no longer on sale and added Lora DiCarlo Tension Tamer deal, Lelo’s Ina 2 and Tiani 24K, and Tenga’s storewide deal.
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Sex Tech Deals
MysteryVibe Crescendo for $149 ($50 off): The Crescendo is one of my favorites. It’s a versatile toy for all kinds of play, all kinds of genitals, and all kinds of body parts. It has six internal motors, and that doesn’t just mean it’s powerful. This toy can deliver handcrafted vibration patterns up and down the entire length. You can customize them or select from preset patterns.
MysteryVibe Poco for $99 ($30 off): The Poco is a small toy, like a travel-size version of the Crescendo. It’s flexible, you can easily bend it into a position uniquely suited to your body, and it features two separate motors for powerful vibrations no matter how you bend it. It’s a good choice for vulvas and penises.
Lora DiCarlo Tension Tamer Bundle for $130 ($30 off): This bundle includes Lora DiCarlo’s unique “tapping” toy, which simulates the tapping of a fingertip. It’s a great choice for clitoral stimulation and definitely an experience worth checking out. The bundle includes coconut oil–based lubricant and massage oil Fluid Coco.
Tenga Kushi
Photograph: Tenga