Some baked cookies and planted herb gardens. Others amused themselves by being a little less virtuous.
Forty-two percent of people used sex toys more frequently during lockdown. Sales of sex toys soared so high, many retailers were unable to keep up with demand.
With time to spare, lots of couples finally gave their sex lives the nurturing it needed. Singles, meanwhile, kept themselves satisfied with erotic solo sex sessions.
According to UK’s biggest sex toy retailer, Lovehoney, the most popular lockdown sex toys were vibrators, dildos, couple’s toys, male strokers, butt plugs and love rings for couples.
I spoke to Bonny Hall, Global Product Director of Lovehoney to find out which were the products that flew off the shelves when we were locked inside – and which we should be investing in now.
“People are spending more on their pleasure,” Bonny says. “They are investing in products that are designed to last, made from quality materials, rechargeable and powerful.”
A lot of the products that are popular now, use technology that didn’t exist ten years ago.
(Full disclaimer before we go any further: Most of you know I do two ranges of sex toy products with Lovehoney. And, do blow my own trumpet a few times in this article!)
Air technology which stimulates without touching
Invented in 2013 by a German inventor who worked from his basement, the world’s worst-named sex toy – The Womanizer – is also one of the best-selling tech devices in the world. Micheal Lenke patented the ‘Pleasure Air Technology’ which stimulates your clitoris without even touching it. It feels totally different – a kind of gentle sucking and soft vibration – with devotees swearing they will never return to old-fashioned vibration again. It’s expensive (around £100) but it sold like crazy during lockdown for both solo and couple play. Try: The Womanizer Classic Rechargeable Clitoral Stimulator.
Rabbits that stroke your G-spot
Rabbits remain hugely popular with women who enjoy penetration. Now there’s a unique twist: a moving shaft which moves up and down to ‘stroke’ the G-Spot. The technology was developed just a few years ago and is revolutionising the way sex-tech uses robotic/mechanical movement for pleasure. Check this one out: The Happy Rabbit G-Spot Stroker Rechargeable Rabbit.
Toys controlled by your app
Covid-19 meant many couples were separated. But sex didn’t stop because of it. App controlled toys are perfect for couples who can’t be in the same room but want to still want to play together. Sex toys that work through the internet have been a favourite with long-distance lovers for years. Over the lockdown everyone discovered them and sales soared globally. Try this: Lovense Lush 2 App Controlled Rechargeable Love Egg.
Panty vibes that you wear in public
If you wanted to wear a panty vibe in public 20 years ago, the whole street would have heard it once you turned it on – and the power pack would be attached to your belt for the world to see, says Bonny. Today’s designs are smaller than they’ve ever been, comfortable to wear, silent, powerful and discreet. This remote control vibrator that fits snugly into a pair of knickers was one of the most popular couple’s toys during lockdown: Desire Luxury Rechargeable Remote Control Knicker Vibrator.
Old favourites get a revamp
One of the first toys in my very first range was a bullet. It remains one of the best sellers of all. During lockdown, small, discreet mini vibes sold out within days. Popular because of the tiny price and lots of other reasons, they remain one of the most versatile, most loved products of all. They’ve been around for years but are now more powerful and virtually silent. Here’s the top lockdown seller from my range: Tracey Cox Supersex Bullet Vibrator.
Couple’s kits
If you can’t travel, you have no reason to buy clothes, you can’t go the cinema and you’ve drained Netflix of content, what else are you going to do but have sex together? Sales of couples kits – designed to help couples explore novel sensations and be more adventurous – rose sharply during lockdown and continued to trend. Lovehoney sold thousands of the Wild Weekend Mega Couples Sex Toy Kit.
Bondage is big
Bondage kits have been popular for decades but new materials and designs have made them more comfortable and easier to use. My original bondage kit – the Tracey Cox Supersex Beginner’s Bondage Kit – includes tips on what to do when you’ve got each other tied up. One reason why it constantly sells out – with lockdown being no exception.
Vibrators for him
There’s been a definite trend towards discreet and powerful pleasure toys for men, Bonny says. This is the equivalent of a bullet for women: a vibrating stroker men can use during oral sex or masturbation. As technology advances and becomes more accessible, sex toys become smaller and more affordable. This is small and mighty: Lovehoney Ignite 20 Function Mini Male Vibrator.
Orgasm gels
Orgasm gels increase the sensitivity of the clitoris. They are usually bought as an add on – to use with another toy – but are becoming more and more popular with women who find they help them to orgasm. Solo sex sessions – not surprisingly – became the thing to do while waiting for the kettle to boil in our home office. One reason why the Tracey Cox Supersex Orgasm Gel also sold out. Another big lockdown seller: massage oils with changing scents that shift and move with our tastes over time.
