Anal Toy Materials Guide Australia - Silicone, Glass, Steel & Rubber Overview

Anal toy materials are the substances that make up butt plugs, dildos, and beads, each chosen for how it feels, how firm it is, and how safe it stays inside your body. Silicone, glass, and stainless steel are the main options, and each one changes the way a sex toy performs during solo or partnered play.

About Anal Toy Materials

Anal toy materials refer to the core substances used to manufacture butt plugs, anal dildos, beads, and other insertable sex toys. The three most common options are medical-grade silicone (soft and flexible), borosilicate glass (firm and smooth), and stainless steel (heavy and precise). Some sex toys also feature decorative crystal or gem finishes on top of a core material, which adds visual appeal without changing the sex toy's actual strength or how it cleans.

Each material serves a different purpose based on how your body responds to it and what kind of sensation you want. Silicone is the most forgiving for daily or extended wear because it bends with your body and warms up quickly. Glass stays firm and cool, making it ideal for temperature play or visual appeal. Stainless steel offers dense weight and unmatched control for advanced play. Anal Lubes work alongside any of these materials and are essential for comfortable, safe insertion.

What makes Anal Toy Materials different

The material you choose directly affects how the sex toy feels, how long it lasts, and how you care for it. Silicone is forgiving and body-warm, glass is rigid and thermally responsive, and stainless steel is dense and cool. Unlike generic "sex toys," anal sex toys demand materials that are completely body-safe, non-porous, and able to withstand repeated cleaning and sterilisation. Anal Dildos showcase these material differences clearly, since firmness and weight directly shape how the sex toy sits inside your body and how much control you have over depth and pressure.

Types of Anal Toy Materials

The most common anal toy materials break down into four distinct categories based on how they perform and feel.

Medical-Grade Silicone. Soft, flexible, and non-porous, medical-grade silicone is the most popular choice for anal toys because it adapts to your body, warms quickly, and supports long sessions. It's easy to clean and forgiving for first-timers or anyone doing extended wear.

Borosilicate Glass. Hard, smooth, and completely non-porous, glass anal toys offer rigidity and visual appeal. They heat and cool easily, making them excellent for temperature play, and they're fully sanitisable. Anal Beads often come in glass for this reason, since the smooth surface glides comfortably and the material is durable enough for repeated use.

Stainless Steel. Dense, cool to touch, and extremely durable, stainless steel anal toys provide precision and weight for advanced play. They tolerate full sterilisation and are ideal when control, pressure, and long-lasting performance matter most.

Decorative Gem Finishes. Some anal toys feature crystal or gem coatings over a core material like silicone or glass. These add visual appeal and aesthetic style without changing the sex toy's underlying strength, flexibility, or cleaning method.

How they compare

How to choose an anal toy material

Start by thinking about what you want from the experience. If you're training gradually or doing longer sessions, silicone is forgiving and warms to your body temperature, making it easier to relax into. If you want firmness, visual appeal, or temperature contrast, glass is your answer. For maximum control and weight during advanced play, stainless steel delivers precision and won't flex under pressure.

Consider also how often you'll use it and what kind of cleaning you're willing to do. Silicone is the easiest to maintain with warm soapy water or boiling. Glass can be warmed or cooled safely and fully sanitised. Stainless steel tolerates the most intense sterilisation methods and lasts longest without degradation. Anal Vibrators add another layer, since the material affects how vibration feels and how easily the sex toy warms up. Match the material to your body, your play style, and how much maintenance you're comfortable with.

Tips from the Adultsmart team

Hard-won pointers from the Adultsmart team, alongside our panel of sexologists, educators, and adult-industry contributors. Meet our experts →

After years of helping customers with anal toy materials, we've learned that most people underestimate how much material choice matters. First-timers often think "it's just a sex toy," but the difference between a silicone plug and a glass one is night and day. Silicone feels forgiving and warm, while glass is unyielding and cool. Start with silicone if you're new to anal play, then branch out to glass or steel once you know your body's preferences.

Size and material work together in ways people don't always expect. A small stainless steel plug feels much heavier and more intense than a larger silicone one, even though it's physically smaller. If you're moving up in size, consider staying with silicone longer than you think you need to, because the flexibility makes the transition gentler. Rushing to larger sizes in firmer materials is a common mistake that leads to discomfort and frustration.

Never assume all silicone feels the same. Medical-grade silicone has a specific firmness and texture, and it's worth paying for the real thing rather than cheaper imitations. When you're comparing anal toys, check the material label carefully. Glass and stainless steel are straightforward—what you see is what you get. But silicone quality varies, and body-safe, medical-grade silicone will feel smoother, last longer, and clean up more easily than budget alternatives.

Care and cleaning

All anal toy materials are non-porous and easy to sanitise. Silicone toys can be washed in warm soapy water or boiled for deeper cleaning. Glass toys tolerate boiling, cooling, and full sterilisation without damage. Stainless steel can be boiled, cooled, or even dishwashed, and it polishes easily if it picks up minor marks. Inspect your sex toys regularly for cracks or scratches, especially near gem bases, and store each material type separately to protect the finish and prevent discolouration.

Learn more

If you're curious about how material choice affects sensation and design, there's plenty to explore. Our blog covers everything from beginner guides to advanced techniques, and real-world examples like the Maro Kawaii 2 Japanese Sex Toy show how thoughtful material selection creates standout products. Read more to deepen your knowledge before you buy.

Why shop Anal Toy Materials at Adultsmart

Ready to find the right one for how you play? Adultsmart stocks a carefully selected range of anal toys in silicone, glass, and stainless steel, all from trusted brands that prioritise body safety and quality. We ship discreetly to anywhere in Australia, and your billing appears private on your statement. Trusted Australian adult retailer — discreet, knowledgeable, and here to help.