Dildos are one of the most popular sex toys available, for both women and men.  While all dildos, to a greater or lesser extent, simulate the shape of an erect penis, there is a wide variation in how true to life they are.  And few sex toys can match dildos for the variety of colors they come in.

Some dildos are designed to look and feel exactly like a real penis, matching the dimensions and shape of an erection, and are covered by imitation skins that are scarcely distinguishable from the real thing.  This sort of dildo tends to be made out of soft, semi-rigid rubber.

At the opposite extreme are dildos made from hard materials, such as plastics or metal, which are rigid in form, and often only vaguely resemble a penis in shape.  Some of them feature a two-pronged style, intended for simultaneous insertion in the vagina and anus, while others have a small extension that provides direct clitoral stimulation during vaginal penetration.

Because dildos are only inspired by the shape of the male anatomy, not limited by it, there are some that are quite large – big dildos that are bigger than the penises of all but the most notorious male porn stars.  While not for everyone, a big dildo such as this can be an interesting change of pace – and it's much easier to find a dildo of the appropriate size than an available man who's similarly well hung.

Still other dildos are even more diverse in design, such as the double-headed dildo, which is intended for use by two women at the same time, or the strap on dildo, which is a dildo that comes with a fitted belt.  The strap on is designed to be worn by a woman, enabling her to either penetrate a man anally, or to penetrate a women vaginally or anally.  There are even some dildos that combine elements of the strap on dildo with the doubled-headed dildo, allowing the woman wearing the strap on to also enjoy penetration while penetrating another person.

Although some people confuse the two, or use the two words interchangeably, the line between dildos and vibrators is really quite simple: vibrators move under their own power, dildos do not.  That said, when using either a dildo or a vibrator, there is always time for lubricant.

After using a dildo, it is important to clean it as soon as possible.  Different materials require different cleaning methods, but all the most common options are covered in this article about Sex Toy Cleaning Tips.  If you are engaged in sex play where the dildo may be inserted into more than one orifice, or more than one person, it is a good idea to put a condom on the dildo, and change it over each time you change the dildo's use.  This is good safe sex practice, and also has the pleasant effect of making the dildo easier to clean.