THIS ENTRY WAS POSTED ON September 23, 2021 BY ALEX.
Pursuing a kinky lifestyle is much easier to do now than ever before. Back when the Pleasure Chest first opened in the early 70s, folks would have to go to adult or underground stores to purchase leather (even if it was just a studded belt). Kink has often been relegated to an ‘alt’ lifestyle and not catered to by mainstream brands, but more and more we’re seeing that change. We see chest harnesses and collars with big O-rings incorporated into outfits as everyday accessories. We watch movies and television shows that navigate the life of a dominatrix working at a dungeon or the ups and downs of a rocky BDSM relationship. Whether or not the larger culture wants to admit it, kink is here to stay and it demands visibility.
Left: A still from "Fifty Shades of Grey" featuring various floggers. Right: A still from Netflix's "Bonding" featuring a dominatrix and her submissive pup.
There have been plenty of kink products that have come and gone over the years, but some of them have stuck around and proven their timelessness. And thanks to ever-evolving technology, there are also a few products that have come out in the last handful of years that have completely turned the BDSM game on its head. Here is our list of the top kink items that have had the biggest impact in the world of kink!
Classic Rope
Rope may seem like such a classic mainstay that you wouldn’t think to put it on a list, but hear us out: rope is one of the most versatile and affordable BDSM products you can add to your collection. There are plenty of materials, lengths and colors to choose from and so many ways to use it! You can create body harnesses and makeshift cuffs or attach the rope to a suspension ring to anchor the one you’re tying up. The rope pictured above is a bestseller from Doc Johnson. It’s 32 feet long and made of cotton which is nice and soft on the skin. The standard length provides versatility and the price point is beginner-friendly!
Liberator Furniture
While these items aren’t exclusively kink-related, they can definitely be an accessory to some BDSM fun. They may look like regular angled pillows, but they offer so much more than support. The wedges from Liberator allow folks to get into challenging positions much easier as well as achieve angles for deeper penetration and G-spotting. Some of the Liberators (like the one pictured on the left) can be attached to cuffs or even have toys mounted to them! Liberator calls themselves “the greatest invention for sex since the bed” and, you know what? They’re not wrong!
Kink Pump / Bloom Pump
These pumps from Doc Johnson are our most technologically advanced pumps for vulvas. They’re designed to fit against curves comfortably due to the soft silicone that covers the plastic rim of the chamber. They both also vibrate with various intensities and settings. Simply place the pump over the vulva and it practically does all the work for you! The Bloom in particular comes with different attachments that can be used directly on the clitoris and nipples as well. It’s also designed to be hands-free! We've come a long way since the old-school squeeze pumps of yesteryear, haven't we?
Restraint Kits
Great for beginners and experts alike, restraint kits are a necessity when building a kink collection. The convenience of getting to try out multiple products with one purchase is great, especially now that there’s so much to choose from when it comes to BDSM. There are kits that come with cuffs, blindfolds and some kind of impact instrument (like the Sex & Mischief Intro Kit pictured on the right) and kits that come with attachments like hogties or spreader bars (like the Saffron Spreader Bar & Cuff Set pictured on the left). Now, instead of having to buy everything separately, you can get one handy kit and see what you like or don’t like!
Portable Machines
We are truly living in futuristic times. We live in a world where you can purchase your very own fuck machine and have the power normally reserved for kinky porn sets in the comfort of your own home! It has long been an industry goal to get these machines in stores and, although they’re still somewhat few and far between, they’re becoming more popular every day. The Kink Fucking Machine Power Banger by Doc Johnson (left) is an innovative thrusting machine with an adjustable arm. The Cowgirl Unicorn Premium Sex Machine (right) is a strong vibrating base for whatever attachment you place on top, making it super versatile! Pretty soon we’ll each have one in our homes right next to our treadmills, right?
Neon Wand
The power of E-Stim! Once a category that was extremely niche, electro-stimulation has slowly become a popular interest amongst kinksters. Fun fact: the first E-stimulation product was a medical device called the Violet Ray made in the early 1900s. So, after 100 years, it’s about time E-stim got its time in the spotlight! The Neon Wand (pictured above) is a great introduction to E-stim. It’s not quite as intense as other E-stim products but it still provides a great range of sensations from its 4 attachments. It’s also high-quality and well-made. The silicone coating on the body of the wand protects the wand-wielder from feeling the electricity traveling through it. If you’ve been wanting to explore this type of stimulation, the Neon Wand is the obvious choice.
The Legend of the Doc
One of our longtime favorite companies, Doc Johnson (who make 4 [!!!] of the items listed above), has been a participant in expanding the kink industry since their beginning 45 years ago. Doc Johnson makes a lot of classic items, many of which are at an excellent beginner-friendly price point. If you’ve ever stepped foot in any adult store anywhere, you’ve definitely seen a Doc Johnson toy. Some of their classics include:
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Mood Anal Trainer Set |
Classic Dong |
Bust It Squirting Realistic Cock |
Their dildos and plugs rank amongst their most popular products. We love them for their fun approach to innovating products by making them more accessible (hello, portable fuck machines!) while still maintaining affordability. Here’s what our friends at Doc Johnson had to say when we reached out to see what they’ve been up to and what they’ve got coming next!
What has changed about Doc Johnson over the years?
So much has changed since Doc Johnson began in 1976, but the most notable is probably the world’s views on our industry. Because the population has allowed sex toys to become less taboo and more mainstream, we’ve been able to adjust our branding from marital aids and products to focus on individual pleasure as well.
What is something you want folks to know before choosing their first toy?
People should choose their first toy based on what they crave. A lot of rabbit or prostate vibrators can be intimidating, so the customer shouldn’t be afraid to start small. They can always try new things once they discover what they like in the products.
What is something more experienced folks might not think about when choosing a toy?
That simple and beginner are not synonymous! Users don’t need to always outdo themselves and attempt a larger size or stronger voltage. All sizes and types of toys can provide pleasure.
What’s in the future for Doc Johnson?
Doc Johnson is going to keep doing what we love: bringing high quality, innovative products to market and working hand-in-hand with our partners to make sure we know what the consumer wants.
What do you think is missing in the toy world that Doc Johnson brings to the table?
Doc Johnson has a complete range: products for all genders, sexualities, experiences, and price points. We're a one-stop brand, providing quality options for every lifestyle.
What’s your “desert island” toy in Doc Johnson’s entire catalog?
For clit-havers: The Original Pocket Rocket
For penis-havers: A Main Squeeze stroker
Thanks, Doc Johnson! You can keep up with their ever-expanding catalog of products here.