There's already a post on this site comparing anal beads to butt plugs generally — this one goes further, into the butt plug category on its own: the different types available, how sizing actually works, and what materials mean for comfort and cleaning.
The basic shape, and why it matters
Every butt plug shares the same core design for a reason: a tapered tip for easier insertion, a wider middle for the sensation of fullness, and a narrow neck so your body can close comfortably around it. The flared base at the end isn't decorative — it's what stops the toy from being pulled all the way in, and it's a genuine safety feature rather than an optional extra. Never use anything for anal play that doesn't have one.
The main types
Classic/smooth plugs
No motor, no extras — just the tapered shape in a fixed size. The lowest-cost, simplest option, and a reasonable place to start if you just want to try sustained fullness without deciding on vibration yet.
Vibrating plugs
Add a motor, usually with multiple intensity or pattern settings. Some are worn during solo play, others during partnered sex for extra sensation while hands are otherwise occupied. Worth deciding whether vibration is actually what you're after, since it's the main thing pushing the price up over a classic plug.
Weighted plugs
Use internal weight rather than vibration to create sensation, particularly noticeable during movement. A different feel from vibration — subtler, more about awareness of the toy than active stimulation.
Jeweled plugs
Cosmetic gem or stone set into the base, otherwise the same as a classic plug. Purely an aesthetic choice, popular for people who like the visual as much as the function.
Anal training sets
Multiple plugs in graduated sizes, sold as a set rather than one toy. Designed for people working up to a larger size or to anal intercourse over time, rather than committing to one fixed size immediately.
Remote-control plugs
Vibrating plugs with a separate handheld or app remote, so a partner can control the settings. A partnered-play variant of the vibrating plug rather than a separate category — same considerations apply, plus range and battery life on the remote itself.
Sizing — start smaller than you think
Butt plugs are usually sold across a size range from petite/beginner through to significantly larger advanced sizes. If this is your first plug, start at the small end of the range regardless of how experienced you are with other anal toys — width matters more than length here, and there's no benefit to sizing up before your body is ready. An anal training set solves this problem directly if you know you want to progress over time.
Materials
Silicone is the most common choice — body-safe, easy to clean, and warms to body temperature quickly. Glass and stainless steel are non-porous, can be used with any lubricant type, and hold temperature (which some people specifically like — a steel plug can be warmed or cooled before use). Whatever material you choose, use plenty of water-based lubricant; the anus doesn't self-lubricate the way other tissue does, so this isn't optional the way it might be elsewhere.
Where to start if you're genuinely unsure
A small-to-medium classic silicone plug with a flared base is the lowest-risk first buy — no motor to worry about, easy to clean, and enough to get a clear sense of what sustained fullness actually feels like before you decide whether vibration, weight, or a graduated set is worth adding next.
Browse the full range in Butt Plugs. New to anal play generally? Start with Beginner's Guide to Anal Play: How to Start Safely and Comfortably, or read Anal Beads vs Butt Plugs: What's the Difference and Which Is Right for You? if you're still deciding between the two. For material safety and cleaning, see Safe, Body-Friendly Materials and How to Clean, Store, and Care for Your Adult Toys the Right Way.