Materials guide
Porous materials can harbor bacteria and can't be fully sanitized. Non-porous materials can.
Silicone Body-safe
Non-porous and phthalate-free. Platinum-cured is the gold standard. Boilable if there's no motor. Be wary of 'silicone blend' or 'silicone feel'.
Glass Body-safe
Borosilicate glass is non-porous and can handle temperature changes. Soda-lime glass is cheaper and can crack under thermal stress. Inspect for chips.
Stainless steel Body-safe
Non-porous and very durable. 316L is the grade to look for, since it resists corrosion better than 304.
ABS Body-safe
A hard, non-porous plastic used for vibrator housings. It contains no phthalates.
TPE/TPR Caution
Soft elastomers that don't need phthalate plasticizers but are porous. They can hold bacteria and degrade, so clean well and replace them.
PVC Caution
Often softened with phthalates. Some brands state theirs is phthalate-free, but it's still porous.
Jelly Caution
Usually a soft PVC or rubber blend. Porous and often contains phthalates. Best avoided.
Phthalates Caution
Plasticizers used to soften PVC. Tantus notes that rubber, PVC, vinyl and jelly toys often contain them.
Wood (sealed) Body-safe
Fine when sealed with a body-safe finish that stays intact.