APP Sextoys

Four things worth checking before you buy

Most app toys look similar in photos. The differences show up once you use them, and they come down to a handful of points.

• How far apart you'll be. Bluetooth reaches roughly across a flat, which is fine for the same room or a dinner out. Long-distance play runs through the app over the internet, so both phones need to be online and the partner holding the controls needs the app installed too.
• Where the toy goes. Vibrating eggs and small plugs suit wearing outside the house. For a night in, a flexible rabbit such as the We-Vibe Nova 2 or one of the curved G-spot models makes more sense. Satisfyer adds air pulse toys that work on the clitoris without direct contact, and Oninder's Bogotá range gives you a realistic vibrator in two sizes with a free app.
• What the app actually lets you do. Many apps let you build your own patterns, sync vibration to music or chat with a partner while you play. Some ask you to create an account and some don't. Read the permissions before you install.

Then there's charging and water. A toy you plan to wear for an evening needs a battery that lasts, and only models marked fully waterproof belong in the bath.

The worry that usually turns out small

Plenty of people hold back because they expect a fiddly tech project. Honestly, pairing takes about a minute. Most app toys also have buttons on the body, so if your phone dies or the connection drops, it still works as an ordinary vibrator. You won't be stuck with an expensive gadget that only behaves when the Wi-Fi does. If you'd rather skip phones entirely, a small mini vibrator or the wider vibrator range has plenty of simpler options.

About the electro models

Pretty Love's Hector combines vibration with gentle electro pulses, all set from the app. Start at the lowest level and increase slowly. Electro stimulation is for use below the waist only and isn't suitable if you have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device. Wash every toy with warm water and mild soap after use, and put a fresh condom on for each partner if you share (NHS 111 Wales). Keep the charging contacts dry while you clean them.