As if my own life didn’t have enough drama (Reader, trust that it did), I decided to become a marriage counselor. In the weeks leading up to my internship, I practiced my poker face. Even the most salacious story from my group chat’s weekly recap of online dating sexcapades was not getting a Housewives-worthy facial expression out of me anymore. It didn’t take long to learn, though, that folks weren’t coming to my office for storytime. For many, it was a question of discovering what actually made them feel good and excited to explore. And sex toys, such as remote-controlled vibrators, can help jumpstart that exploration. “If we don’t know what we like and don’t like, it’s difficult to communicate or find that with another person,” says Sarah Kelleher, LCSW and Sex and Relationships Psychotherapist. “Conversations surrounding technique, toys, and myth-busting are common. But I think they could be discussed more.”When it comes to introducing toys like partner-controlled vibrators into your sex life, Kelleher recommends leading with curiosity and including your partner in the research. She offers a simple script: Hey, babe, I know we talked about wanting to shake our sex life up. Do you want to look up some toys to buy? I’m feeling excited!YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 11 Best Sex Toys for Men, According to Horny ReviewersQuick Look at the Best Remote Control VibratorsBest Overall Partner-controlled Vibrator: We-Vibe Moxie Tease Us Vibrating Silicone Clitoral Vibrator Boxed SetBest Overall Bluetooth Vibrator: Lovense Lush 3Best Affordable Couples’ Vibrator: Tiani 3 Remote Control Couples Massager Best Budget Wearable Vibrator: JimmyJane Ascend 3 + Carpo Vibrating PantiesBest Vibrator Made For the Club: OhMiBod Club Vibe 3.0H Wearable Panty Vibrator Best Wearable Egg Vibrator: We-Vibe Jive 2Best App-controlled Vibrator: Lovense Hyphy App-Controlled Clitoral Vibrator Best Suction Vibrator: We-Vibe Melt 2 App Controlled Rechargeable Clitoral StimulatorBest Hands-free Vibrator: Svakom Phoenix Neo 2 VibratorBest Budget Egg Vibrator: Lovehoney Rechargeable Remote Control Small Love EggBest overall partner-controlled vibrator: We-Vibe Moxie Tease Us Vibrating Silicone Clitoral Vibrator Boxed SetThe Tease Us set is high on our list for its versatility and anatomical inclusivity. Unlike many sets, you can customize yours to fit your and your partner’s needs (and bodies). For example, this kit comes with a panty vibrator (Moxie). But it’s also available as a vibrating stimulation ring (Bond). Mix and match—Moxie and Bond, or opt for two Moxies or two Bonds. Additionally, the silicone toys have adjustable fits to help them work best for your body.The toys’ vibration settings can be controlled by an app or a remote control. The remote works up to distances of 3 meters, while the We-Vibe app lets you control each other’s toys even when you’re apart. To get started, you’ll configure your toy to your partner’s phone. Having the option to switch between the remote and the app makes this an ideal set for both in-person and long-distance play.(opens in a new window)We-VibeMoxie Tease Us Vibrating Silicone Clitoral Vibrator Boxed Set(opens in a new window)Available at LovehoneyBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best overall Bluetooth vibrator: Lovense Lush 3Lovense made a big claim when it released the Lovense Lush 3, dubbing it the “most powerful Bluetooth remote control vibrator.” Hard to live up to? Yes. Did Lovense deliver? Also, yes, according to many of the satisfied reviewers.While advanced Bluetooth connectivity and a super-strong motor are certainly draws, what makes the Lovense Lush 3 stand out from the crowd is that IRL, it doesn’t. The toy is discreet and quiet, meaning you can use it anywhere. And we mean anywhere. With a five-hour battery life, the Lovense Lush 3 is a solid option for your next date night with your partner.Also noteworthy: the Lovense Remote App. This isn’t your average remote-control HQ. The Lovense app has tons of curated vibration patterns for you and your partner to explore, and it makes it easy to hand off control, whether you’re across the room or across the country.(opens in a new window)LovenseLush 3(opens in a new window)Available at LovenseBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best affordable couples’ vibrator: Tiani 3 remote control couples’ massager Tiani 3 is a remote control vibrator that doubles as a couples’ massager toy. Unlike a lot of the toys on this list that are built with long-distance play in mind, this is a great option if you’re looking for a partner-controlled vibrator designed to enhance sensation during sex (for both of you).With its trademark SenseMotion technology, your partner can use the motion-sensitive remote to increase the toy’s vibrations with just a flick of the wrist. It features eight different intensity settings, from the faintest tease to a more intense pulse. It’s made from certified body-safe silicone designed to feel super soft and warm to the touch. The Tiani 3 is also fully waterproof, so you can use it in the bath or shower, too.(opens in a new window)LELOTiani 3 Remote Controlled Vibrator(opens in a new window)Available at LELOBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best budget Wearable vibrator: JimmyJane Ascend 3 + Carpo Vibrating PantiesWhen it comes to wearable vibrators, the luxury sexual wellness retailer JimmyJane makes easy-to-use, minimalist toys, and lingerie to match. The Ascend 3 is a pebble-shaped clitoral stimulator that can be used as a handheld toy, or worn when paired with JimmyJane’s lace panties.The underwear is designed with a little pocket where your typical panty liner would be, which is where you can slip the Ascend 3 once you turn the vibrator on and put it in Standby Mode. Once it’s in Standby Mode, the Ascend 3 can start taking signals from the included remote control, which you can pass to your partner for some discreet fun.While the Ascend 3 has one of the shortest battery lives on this list at 60 minutes, we appreciate that the remote only needs charging every 10 hours.(opens in a new window)Jimmy JaneAscend 3 + Carpo Vibrating Panties(opens in a new window)Available at JIMMYJANEBuy Now(opens in a new window)BEST VIBRATOR made for the club: OhMiBod Club Vibe 3.0H Wearable Panty Vibrator Another notable wearable panty vibrator comes from OhMiBod. Like the Ascend 3, the Club Vibe 3.0H is a clitoral stimulator. As the name suggests, this wearable vibrator is designed for taking your bumping and grinding at the club to new levels. It actually has a Club Mode that vibrates to music or other ambient sounds.That’s not its only function, though. It also has a Groove Mode that vibrates to curated pulse patterns. Like many of the toys on this list, you can hand over control to your partner using the included remote.(opens in a new window)OhMiBodOhMiBod Club Vibe 3.0H (opens in a new window)Available at LoveLife ToysBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best wearable egg vibrator: We-Vibe Jive 2For a different kind of wearable vibrator, consider the We-Vibe Jive 2. This wearable egg vibrator sends vibrations to the G-spot, and vibrations travel through the outer tail for a dual-stimulation feel.Unlike wearable panty vibrators, We-Vibe’s Jive 2 can be adjusted to fit your body best. And like the others, it’s whisper quiet and discreet enough to use at home or out in public. We also appreciate the versatility of its control settings: you can hand over the remote to your partner, or use the We-Vibe app to control the vibrator.(opens in a new window)We-VibeJive 2(opens in a new window)Available at We-VibeBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best APP-CONTROLLED vibrator: Lovense Hyphy App-Controlled Clitoral Vibrator Another pick from Lovense, the Hyphy app-controlled vibrator gives all its attention to the clit. It also offers a wider range of vibrational frequencies from low to high. On the highest intensity side, it provides 12,000 vibrations per minute, designed for clitoral stimulation or nipple play. Meanwhile, the lower frequency side reduces the intensity to 5,000 vibrations per minute, making it better for slower sessions and internal exploration.The vibrator comes with three different silicone attachments and can be controlled through the Lovense app, where you can program up to 10 preset modes and control the vibrator, near or far.(opens in a new window)LovenseHyphy App-Controlled Clitoral Vibrator(opens in a new window)Available at LovenseBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best suction vibrator: We-Vibe Melt 2 App Controlled Rechargeable Clitoral StimulatorWith a nearly 5-star rating, the We-Vibe Melt 2 is a quality clitoral stimulator—especially if you’re already plugged into the We-Vibe app through your other toys. The We-Vibe Melt stands out from other picks on this list because it uses more than just vibration technology: it also utilizes pulsing and sucking sensations to bring you to powerful clitoral orgasms.Plus, it has 6 suction patterns, all of which you or your partner can control in the We-Vibe app. And it’s totally silent. Truly versatile, it can be used solo, or during sex with your partner.(opens in a new window)We-VibeMelt 2(opens in a new window)Available at We-VibeBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best hands-free vibrator: Phoenix Neo 2 VibratorApp-controlled vibrators aren’t just for play with your partner. There are plenty of Bluetooth vibrators out there that are perfect for adding more excitement to your solo sessions, too. Take the Phoenix Neo 2 Vibrator, for example. It can be used totally hands-free, thanks to its snug fit and malleability, which help it adjust to a comfortable placement.You can use the Bluetooth Fee Connect App to control intensity levels, pick from preset patterns, and even sync the Phoenix up with videos or music. And if you do choose to bring a partner in, you can hand over the controls to them.(opens in a new window)SvakomPhoenix Neo 2 App-Controlled VIbrator(opens in a new window)Available at PinkcherryBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best budget egg vibrator: Lovehoney Rechargeable Remote Control Small Love EggShopping for a toy that’s super simple? Try Lovehoney’s silicone Love Egg toy. Grab your favorite lube and slip the egg inside to start enjoying hands-free stimulation wherever you are.The small remote-control egg vibrator has seven vibration patterns and four intensity levels. Taken together, you can find your own sweet spot. We also appreciate that the Lovehoney Love Egg is designed with a long retrieval cord, keeping safety in mind. It’s got plenty of 5-star reviews on Lovehoney, with customers praising its quality and ease of use.(opens in a new window)LovehoneyRechargeable Remote Control Love Egg(opens in a new window)Available at LovehoneyBuy Now(opens in a new window)How to pick the best remote-controlled vibrator For YouWe’re taking Kelleher’s advice to heart and talking about all things remote-controlled vibrators. Whether you want to bring your partner in on the fun with a partner-controlled vibrator, or you’re looking for a high-tech Bluetooth vibrator you can use on your own, I’ve selected toys designed with both pleasure and safety in mind.“Approaching your body with calm, warm curiosity rather than judgment is key,” she says. Overwhelmed about where to start? Kelleher poses some guiding questions for exploring new toys: “What are you trying to achieve? Is it a new sensation? Is it one that offers a certain type of stimulation that is difficult to reach? Is it a versatile toy? This will help in determining what type of toy might be the best fit.”For couples in long-distance relationships (or just spending time away from each other), app-controlled vibrators can be a great place to start since they offer a way to keep sharing sexual intimacy even when IRL is off the table. Meanwhile, partner-controlled vibrators can also be a good fit when you’re exploring kinks together, like relinquishing control to your partner or arousing each other in public.With that in mind, I’ve combed through reviews from satisfied shoppers and spoken to experts to give you a launching point for your own explorations.And remember: “We don’t need to judge what you do or don’t find intriguing,” says Kelleher. “We’ve had enough of that.”The post 10 Mind-Blowing Remote Control Vibrators for Couples appeared first on VICE.