TEMPERATURE PLAY 101: A GUIDE TO THE HOTTEST SEX TOYS

Dana (@danathehardway) is the lead copywriter for Lovers. She is passionate about writing, allyship, sex-positivity, and telling good jokes.

"It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes."
- Nelly

“It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes,” goes the early-aughts song by Nelly. You could definitely do that to beat the heat this summer, or you could put your new glass dildo in the fridge and explore a whole new way to cool down.

That’s right, we’re talking about temperature play. What direction are you turning your naughty thermostat? What makes your nether regions quiver with anticipation? The thought of that erotic shiver that comes with the sharp and smooth glide of a toy-turned-sexy-icicle? Or is it feeling the heat rise from between your thighs? Whatever turns you on, let’s get to it. 

QUICK LINKS:

1. What is Temperature Play?
2. What are Warming Lubricants & Sensitizers?
3. The Best Sex Toys for Temperature Play

Slimline Glass Dildo ($34.00)

What is Temperature Play?

An erotic form of sensation play, temperature play uses hot and cold elements to heighten the senses, meant to lead to stronger arousal and reactions. There are lots of ways to use temperature in erotic ways - trailing an ice cube down your partner’s body or dripping melted wax onto your body (don’t try this without reading up on it here) are two that come to most folks’ minds - but for the purposes of this blog, let’s talk about how you can experience these intense sensations by using sex toys.

What are Warming Lubes & Sensitizers?

A temperature play product that’s easy to start with is warming or cooling lube. This is a great solution for incorporating temperature play with sex toys you already have that can’t be warmed up or cooled down themselves.

Melt Warming Edible Glide ($18.50)

Warming lube is lubricant with additional ingredients like glycerol, that create thermoception when they come into contact with skin or natural body moisture. Cooling lube is (obviously) the reverse of warming lube and uses ingredients like menthol to give your bits a cool and sometimes tingling sensation.

Practically every lubricant company makes a version of warming and/or cooling lube so you can choose your favorite or take a few recommendations from our blog!

System JO Warm & Buzzy Stimulant ($19.50)

What are the Best Sex Toys for Temperature Play?

If you’re really looking to explore temperature play, an amazing way to do so is with steel and glass sex toys. Glass toys are made of borosilicate glass, so they are made to withstand temperature changes and don’t worry, there is almost ZERO risk of them shattering, inside of you or otherwise. There are some great ways to work with warmth and cold with glass toys.

WARNING: Do not put your sex toy in the freezer

Use that crisper drawer in your fridge! You’re not going to eat that sad-looking kale anyway, so toss it and put your glass dildo in there for about 30 minutes. We love the Purple Rain Ribbed Glass Dildo for this, since it’s a great size (7 inches), has a ribbed end for added stimulation, and looks nothing like a vegetable.

Purple Rain Dildo ($39)

For heating things up, place your sex toy in a bowl of warm water until it is up to the degree of toastiness you desire. The Mr. Swirly Glass Dildo is ideal for this because...well because it’s curved end and blue glass swirl make it look a bit like it could be a very pleasurable sea monster. Imagine it rising out of it’s warm watery lair, ready to please you with its heat! Rawr! 

Another way to both cool a sex toy down or heat it up is to hold it under running water until you reach the desired level of chill or warmth. This is definitely not the most earth-conscious method but bears mentioning in case you don’t have a bowl or fridge at your disposal. The Sweetheart Swirl Glass Dildo is our recommendation for this one. Because it’s pretty, that’s why.

Wicked Aqua Chill Cooling Lube ($16.50)

Want to incorporate more sensory play? Add a blindfold and let your partner tease you with a sex toy or turn off the lights and try the glow-in-the-dark Firefly Butt Plug. This medium sized glow-in-the-dark butt plug is super fun to look at and feels even better. But wait! What if you play with heat and cold at the same time? How you ask? With the Glass Dildo and Plug Set! Cool one off, heat one up, and let the waves of sensation roll in.

Want to see more? Check out our entire glass assortment and temperature play products below!

Shop All Temperature Play