Bead It! How to Use Anal Beads Solo or With a Partner

Life’s full of simple pleasures. A Drag Race marathon in your pajamas. A glass of wine with the dolls. Anal beads up your butt.

But even the little joys require practice and care. You can’t expect to memorize the best reads in just one afternoon or gag your friends with a CVS rosé. Putting sex toys in your asshole is no different. 

It’s always a good idea to practice proper technique when engaging in butt stuff. Whether you’re learning how to cream your prostate or perfect your pounding to wow your man, Grindr has a string of helpful advice that’s dotted with pearls of wisdom. Here’s everything you need to know about how to use anal beads.

What are anal beads?

Anal beads are exactly what they sound like — smooth, rounded beads or balls that go in your anus. What do anal beads do? They make you (and/or your partner) cum, of course!

The beads are attached to a flexible string or rigid shaft and are typically made from body-safe materials like silicone, plastic, or glass. Like any other sex toy designed for penetration, anal beads should have a flared base or loop for easy removal. This little safety feature can save you from an embarrassing trip to the emergency room.

If you’re building up your sex gear collection, you’ll find enough anal bead varieties to stimulate you every day of the week. They can be hard or soft, rigid or flexible, bent or straight. There are vibrating anal beads and run-of-the-mill manual stimulation wands. They can come with uniformly sized bulbs or balls that increase in size. 

Anal beads 101: Making the most of your first time

Wait a second, stud. Before you load up your Lelo shopping cart, heed some helpful advice: 

Buy a beginner’s set

For the good of your man clam, start small. A bearded daddy in an Olympian toga isn’t going to award you a glowing golden anal bead trophy for inaugurating your asshole with stiff, baseball-sized beads. (That does sound kinda hot, though.)

You know what you like inside your booty hole, Little Miss Goldilocks, so choose the size and shape that feels just right. And if you’re new to anal play, some bead sets contain balls as small as a pearl, making exploration easier. 

Starting with small beads before graduating to a proper set of Papa Bear balls will help you get used to the sensation. Choose a model with several beads of increasing size (as opposed to uniform beads) to measure your pleasure like a wedding ring. As you get comfortable using them, you can try larger beads, different shapes (like a straight stick with egg-shaped balls or a curved shaft with heart-shaped beads), or even vibrating toys. 

Choose the right material

A good rule of thumb when selecting penetrative sex toys is to choose a nonporous material. This guarantees bacteria won’t get into microscopic holes you can’t completely sanitize.

The most common nonporous materials are ABS plastic, glass, medical-grade silicone, and stainless steel. Some crystals, wood, and stone are nonporous with the right coating, but you should exercise caution. Always read the fine print for cleaning and safety instructions.

Stock up on your favorite lube

Your bussy might be moist, but it doesn’t produce enough natural lubricant for comfortable anal penetration. And spitting on your anal beads when you need lube in a pinch isn’t ideal, either. 

It’s always best to keep lubricant on hand. Remember: Different lubes are designed for different materials and uses. 

• Silicone-based lube is long-lasting, slippery, and ideal for longer sessions, although it can stain sheets and degrade silicone anal beads. Silicone-based lube is also excellent for experimenting with in the shower since it doesn’t wash away.
• Water-based lube is another good choice, although it can’t be used in the shower and may require reapplication for marathon sex sessions. 
• Oil-based lube also lasts long, although it’s harder to wash off fabric. It’s ideal for transitioning a sexy massage into sensual assplay. Just remember that oil-based lube can break condoms and damage products made of latex and other certain synthetic materials, such as neoprene. 

Take it slow

Slow and steady wins the orgasm. Like any new toy, you should start by getting comfortable with an educational masturbation session.

You can get in the mood by playing with your penis and balls, watching porn, or massaging your body. Apply plenty of lube and explore the outside of your anus with the tip, carefully pushing the first bead into your ass. Gradually insert one bead at a time as far as is comfortable, moving them in and out to hit the right crevices and stimulate your prostate. 

Play with other sex toys

It’s totally possible to ejaculate from prostate play alone, but most men need extra stimulation. Although a hand will do just fine, you can double the sex toys to double your fun. Strokers, vibrating cock rings, or masturbation sleeves can keep your shaft occupied while you focus on your hole.

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How do anal beads work: A step-by-step guide

Whether you’re using anal beads on you or your partner, here’s Grindr’s step-by-step pleasure process:

1. Douche and lube up

First, give your hole a good rinse. Then, using the advice above (we hope you were taking notes), choose a lube and apply it generously. 

2. Set the scene

And we don’t just mean candles and your favorite D’Angelo album. Lay out a towel and keep tissues handy to clean up any accidents (which, if they do occur, are completely understandable; it is your asshole, afterall).

3. Find the right position

The old-fashioned face-down spread eagle is the most straightforward position to comfortably explore solo or give your partner easy access to your junk. For deeper penetration, doggy-style sex positions will help you angle the toy downward toward your prostate. Mix and match until you cream your sheets. 

4. Just the tip

Play around with your sphincter, gently inserting the tip into your anus. If you’re using anal beads on your partner, be sure to check in before every new bead. 

5. In and out

Unlike butt plugs or vibrators, anal beads are designed to stimulate your nerves when they’re pulled out. After you get two beads deep, you can practice pulling the anal beads in and out.

Try to find your prostate, which is located about two inches inside your butt against the front wall of the rectum. Trust us, you’ll know when you find it.

6. Pull out

Pulling the beads out in one fell swoop will stimulate the nerve endings in your ass and unlock an Earth-shattering orgasm. 

7. Clean up

Keep your anal beads squeaky clean. Use mild soap and warm water and dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. Avoid heavy-duty disinfectants, bleach, or fragrant soaps that can irritate the skin. For safekeeping, store your anal beads in a storage bag with a fabric that won’t leave lint, like poly satin, silk, or a ziplock. 

Gotta catch ’em all

If you’re building up your collection, start with these three types of anal beads:

1. Silicone: There’s a reason most penetrative sex toys are made out of silicone. It’s generally safer (read: not toxic), durable, and a very rare allergen. Silicone tends to be more expensive, but when it comes to penetrative sex toys, the only thing you should be pinching is your ass — not pennies.
2. Vibrator: Vibrating anal beads intensify and prolong the good sensations, especially when you rub over your prostate. A vibrating tip can also stimulate your penis, balls, and perineum, which will relax your sphincter and let the anal beads in with ease. 
3. Discreet: A travel set of anal beads is the perfect gift, whether it’s for you or the man in your life. Discreet anal beads are typically skinnier with flexible strings, making them easy to pack up for a late-night rendezvous. 

Get a bead on the local hotties with Grindr

Ready to catch more beads than a topless girl at Mardi Gras? Tons of men on Grindr are ready to stuff a ball into your backhole. Download the Grindr app today and find a guy who’ll drive you wild, one bead at a time.