I know I say it every single time I post about a sex grinder, but I’m saying it again: I love grinders. I love them with or without motors, I love them with or without insertable bits, I just love them. Every time I get to try a new grinder toy, I love them even more! And I want everyone else to love them too!
One of the things I especially love is the innovation of grinders I see coming from indie sex toy makers. No offense to CalExotics or Orion, they make great grinders! Their grinders lack the personality, textures, and customization that fantasy toy brands are able to give customers. So, today, I’m sharing with you a selection of grinding toys from some of the top fantasy toy makers out there.
Before I shine the spotlight on some of the coolest sex toys I’ve used, I want to pause and help my readers learn a bit more about grinders. While I love them, I know that grinders are still a relatively new type of sex toy that not everyone has had the courage to try (yet).
Sex Grinders 101
What are sex grinders? Grinders, or grind pads, are a type of sex toy that are designed for external stimulation so the user can hump and grind against them. They can be used by any anatomy to achieve sexual stimulation of the genitals and erogenous zones. Some grinders have insertable parts, though a majority are designed for external stimulation only.
Who can use grinders? Anyone can! One of the things that I love most about grinders is that they can help people of any gender or anatomy achieve pleasure. For vulva having people, grinders can stimulate the clitoris, labia, perineum, and anus. For penis having people, grinders can stimulate the tip of the penis, perineum, and anus. Grinders go beyond gender & sex to focus solely on pleasure.
Who should use grinders? Grinders are perfect for people who love pillow humping, knee/thigh humping, and/or even titty fucking. People that enjoy using a saddle style vibrator, such as a Motorbunny, would also likely enjoy a grinder. They can be used for solo masturbation, as a couple’s toy, and, in my opinion, as an amazing addition to group play.
If you enjoy external stimulation, such as clit or perineum stimulation, grinders are a fun way to add a new texture of pleasure. Even the grinders that have insertable designs tend to also have means of simultaneous external stimulation.
How to use a sex grinder? Really, the only “rule” for using a grinder sex toy is that you hump & grind against it! I do highly recommend using a generous amount of lube for a smoother experience with less friction, drag and pulling. While friction can be a good thing, soft silicone tends to have more drag, and these toys tend to have texture that you’ll want to thoroughly enjoy!
For solo play, you can put a grinder on a chair or on a pillow to sit and grind against, or you can handhold the grinder while you lay back and rub it against your desired spot. For partner play, a lover can hold a grinder against your anatomy while they go down on you, or they can be placed on a thigh or a belly for you to hump.
Grinders can also be paired with vibrators to turn the stimulation up even further. Some of the sex grinders listed below have optional bullet holes or even magic wand attachment holes. The vibrator helps boost the stimulation to allow for shallower humps or hip movement, if desired.
What do sex grinders feel like? This really depends on the toy you’re using, as different textures provide different sensations. Generally speaking, the more texture there is, the more sensation you may feel.
Are there different types of grinders? Absolutely!! I see fantasy toy companies really driving a lot of innovation into the types of grinders available, so this list is subject to change, but here are the different types:
- Grind Rings or Grinder Cock Rings
- Vibrating Grinders
- Grind Pads or Grind Mats
- Fantasy Grinders
- Insertable Grinders
- Ejaculating Grinders
Something important to note about the different styles is that some grinders are multiple types of grinder in one. There’s a lot of crossover between the different styles!
I’m also going to show you some grinders that have straps as well as some handheld grinders. This is really where personal choice and physical capabilities are going to leave it up to you to decide what you need. Straps make it easier to secure a grinder to a lover’s thigh or a pillow, whereas handheld grinders are sometimes easier to use with a wand pressed against the base.
I know you’re ready for the juicy details, so, without further ado, let’s get this grinder party rolling!
8 Indie Toy Companies Making Unique Grinder Sex Toys
Uncover Creations
When I think of grinders, the first company that always comes to mind is Uncover Creations. My very first grinder, the Tentacle Grinder II, is one of my most asked about pieces in my sex toy display case and my most requested to try by lovers and scene partners. I’ve had it for several years now and it gets a lot of use by both my wife and I. I love feeling the tip of the tentacle rubbing against my clitoris, while my trans wife loves to feel the tip teasing her anus. I’ve got larger labia than some, and I actually prefer this type of labial stimulation over just a smooth vibrator against my labia. The texture really helps warm up the area thanks to horizontal bumps and the round suckers. A good lube rubbed along the tentacle really makes for an orgasmic ride as it stimulates the sensitive and often overlooked perineum.
Based in the UK, Uncover Creations was one of the first (if not THE first) fantasy toy company making sex grinders. According to Luke at Uncover Creations, “Our Tentacle Grinder 1 remains one of our best-selling products to this day.” What started with a few different tentacle grinders has grown into 23 different grinder options to select from, at the time I’m writing this (April 2025). One of their newest grinders, The Maw, is a fearsome vampire-esque creature mouth, complete with lips, fangs and a ribbed tongue that can be used for insertion or simply to grind against. I preferred using the ribbed tongue for insertion, as I found it a bit too wide to pleasurably stimulate my clitoris.
Straps are part of Uncover Creations’ signature style, with Luke at Uncover Creations sharing “We’ve got a signature style and shape that helps define us in the market. We like offering straps as it gives people the ability to strap them to pillows, chairs, thighs or hands. Or just take out the straps and use it manually. This versatility ensures our products can be enjoyed in multiple ways!”
However, not all of their products have straps, such as the Handheld Tentacle Grinder II. This miniature version of Tentacle Grinder II is an amazing accessible handheld grinder option. As someone with grip issues plus my plus size/short arm combo, sometimes gripping a toy to rub it against myself is not easy, however this handheld grinder allows me to slip 3 fingers in, lube it up, and rub it against my anatomy with ease. This is so much more comfortable for me than holding & rubbing when I’m using it against my wife’s perineum when we’re laying on our sides facing each other or with her in a spooning position.
Uncover Creations offers the following customization options: firmness, colour style, strap colour (if applicable), Silky Smooth upgrade (skip if you’re allergic to tree nuts/musk thistle or if you’re sensitive to smell), and option bullet hole (if applicable).
Faux Phallus
If tentacles and maws aren’t for you, don’t worry! Faux Phallus has 5 botanical themed grinders available, each a bit different from the others. As a big fan of florals, I am very drawn to Faux Phallus. Their Monstera Vibe Sleeve is a fantastic option for beginners, as the texture is slightly raised, with bumps in the pattern of a monstera’s split leaves that have gotten direct sunlight. It’s gentle texture and perhaps less “intimidating” than a tentacle or other creature. The Monstera Vibe Sleeve can be used with a bullet vibrator or slide a finger in for manual stimulation. When using it manually, I found myself rubbing a lot more by hand, whereas with a vibrator inserted in it, I did more hip movement to rub myself against it. Something that really stands out to me about the Monstera Vibe Sleeve is that you can use a long bullet vibrator, between 5-8” long, and the vibrator will essentially act as a handle, which makes it an accessible friendly grinder option for solo play.
Did I mention that Faux Phallus sculpts their designs by hand? With a couple of exceptions in their entire catalogue, everything is cast from clay/ceramic originals. As someone who used to work with clay, I am so impressed by that! Especially when it comes to a grinder like the Dahlia Grinder, the first grinder made by Faux Phallus. This is the opposite of the Monstera Vibe Sleeve, providing a ton of stimulation thanks to a lot of texture. Each of the petals sticks out individually, like a tickler. I found this one really comfortable to hold in the palm of my hand to press & rub it against my wife’s perineum until she was squirming in pleasure. I recommend a lot of lube with all grinders, and the key to this one is to make sure you’ve got lube on all sides of the petals to avoid any pulling of sensitive skin. You can use this one quite easily with a wand vibrator pressed against the base, though I bet the optional suction cup base may make that easier since it would give the wand a nook to keep it better in place.
Faux Phallus offers the following customizations: firmness, pour style (or color style), suction cup (if applicable), and optional matching squishy and/or coaster.
The Wandering Bard
Sometimes, grinders can look a bit more human too! Or, at least, humanoid. That’s where The Wandering Bard comes in with the Harpy Bust. Though grinders play a smaller role compared to dildos, according to Teenie from Wandering Bard, they play an important part of their business. The queer, D&D loving folks behind Wandering Bard recognized the importance of having variety for people who prefer external stimulation, and while their selection is currently small, they are hoping to expand their offerings in the future.
The Harpy Bust is an interesting inclusion on this list because it bridges the gap between stroker, or masturbator, and grinder. The breasts are perfect for humping, giving penis havers the sensation of titty fucking someone, but with a twist! Right above the breasts is a small feather detailing, which gives users some texture right on the lower tip of their penis, a very sensitive area. While I believe the Harpy Bust may be better suited for penis having people, vulva havers can still enjoy this one too, by straddling it sideways so the nipples stimulate the clitoris and anus.
The Wandering Bard Toys offers the following customizations: size, firmness, pour style (color style), optional glow in the dark, optional color splatter.
Twilight Meadow Creations
There are a number of vulva themed grinders available on the market, but Twilight Meadow Creations makes a special one: Raido is based on transmasculine anatomy, with an enlarged [pierced] clitoris. Raido is also the first toy from Twilight Meadow Creations that features an optional vibrator hole, though their vibrator hole is made for a smaller bullet vibrator, such as the Tango v1 or Viben Mighty Bullet. As someone who only sometimes enjoys tribbing, Raido’s enlarged clitoris & vibrator hole made rubbing it against myself was even more pleasurable than non-vibe tribbing. When I used this handheld grinder on my wife, she liked the stimulation on her perineum but she loved the stimulation on the underside of her girldick close to the tip. I found holding it to use on her very comfortable, as the base size is damn near perfect for my small hands. This is another one in which a 5-8” bullet vibrator can double as an accessibility aid, if you opt to get the vibrator hole!
According to a representative from Twilight Meadow Creations, Raido gets a lot of great feedback from customers and from transmasc individuals who feel empowered by the representation.
Twilight Meadow Creations offers the following customizations: Vibeslot (optional), firmness, and color customization (read their site thoroughly in regards to how they do customs! Or check out my review of their dildo, Nacken, for more information).
Godemiche
When it comes to grinder variety, there’s nobody doing it quite like Godemiche. They offer a huge variety of styles, ranging from grind rings to grind pads to handheld grinders to wand grinders to ejaculating wand grinders. But that’s not even all. For some of their Grind Rings and Grind Pads, you can even choose what type of texture you want, such as tall waves, bubbles, ridges, and more (depending on the product). One of the things I love most about Godemiche is how educational their site is when it comes to grinders. They provide a ton of information about their offerings and how to use them, which I know is a SEO strategy, but it’s also really important information for consumers like you. Having tried a grind ring before, I knew that I’d enjoy their Grind Ring, but I was very excited to choose between high or low mound options plus 9 different texture options. Ultimately, I selected the high mound with tall waves, which run horizontally over the mound. The high mound meant that when the ring was attached to my wife or to a dildo, I had direct clitoral stimulation to grind against and wow, do those little waves give me a big reaction! I didn’t get one, but one of the cool optional add-ons you can choose from with the Grind Rings is a V-Plate, a bullet vibrator attachment that slides onto the bottom of the Grind Ring.
Matt, a representative from both Godemiche and Odyssey Toys, shared that Godemiche developed the Grind Ring based on personal experiences and needs – looking to bring couples closer together with more stimulation and more intimacy. “We focus on making sure they perform as good as they look, which is the key driving factor as we love using all of our products as well as making them.”
The Grind Ring may have been their original innovation, but Godemiche didn’t stop there. Their Woodland Fantasy Body Wand Grinder was the first grinder I saw that has straps and a large hole for a magic wand style vibrator. That’s right, this grinder was designed to be paired with an Original Magic Wand, Doxy Original, or other large-head wand vibrators. Not only did this feel amazing during use as the flower petals caressed my clitoris, labia and perineum, but in pairing it with a magic wand, the Woodland Fantasy Body Wand Grinder became incredibly accessible. Rather than strapping it down and grinding against it, the wand enabled me to lay back and use the wand to move the grinder against my anatomy. Pro-tip: try not to get lube on the wand head so it is less likely to pop out of the grinder during use!
Godemiche offers the following customization options: mound height (if applicable), texture (if applicable), colour style, strap colour (if applicable), optional V-Plate add-on, optional lubricant add-on.
Odyssey Toys
Odyssey Toys and Godemiche are sister brands. I like to think of them as if Godemiche is the clean cut, well-behaved sister, while Odyssey Toys is the goth sister with darker, freakier tastes. Their grinder selection includes skulls, tentacles, cauldrons and dragons, all with a signature pour style that I believe is damn-near iconic. You may have noticed it with the Woodland Fantasy Body Wand Grinder from Godemiche that I showed you: details are highlighted with colors, with black silicone beneath to help those colors pop and show off the unique design of each of their grinder options. This pour style gives so much more depth to the designs, and even makes the skull on the Hexxus Wand Grinder look boardline realistic.
Oh, and did I mention that Odyssey Toys now offers ejaculating grinder options?! Matt from Godemiche and Odyssey Toys told me that “the ejaculating versions of our wand grinders was a natural progression, giving the user a powerhouse of pleasure with the dildo/grinder/wand combination.” The Ejaculating Hexxus Wand Grinder is another one where the use of a wand makes for an accessible option, allowing you to lie back while you pump & grind. The clitoral stimulation wasn’t very intense due to less texture on the skull where my clitoris met the silicone.
Odyssey Toys offers the following customization options: firmness, color style, cum tube (if applicable), strap length (if applicable), strap color (if applicable), optional lubricant add-on, optional Doxy Original Wand Massager add-on (if applicable).
Uberrime
This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about Uberrime, and it certainly won’t be the last. With 7 grinders in their line up currently, Uberrime is a powerhouse of production. I ordered myself the Alia Alien Grinder a few years back, curious how a handheld grinder would test against a grinder with straps. As a fan of the Alien franchise, well, I just had to get the little facehugger! Something that really sets the Alia Alien Grinder apart is the tail: the feeling of it sliding between my labia added extra pleasure that I wasn’t entirely prepared for the first time I used it. As a handheld grinder, this one is a little bit smaller than others, which made it a little more challenging to use on myself unless I sat on it. When using the Alia Alien Grinder on my wife, the texture was more pleasurable for her on her perineum than it was on the tip of her girldick, thanks in part due to the raised, spiky-ish texture. We both enjoyed it the most when paired with a magic wand.
Uberrime offers the following customization options: firmness, base color, optional second color add-on.
Paladin Pleasure Sculptors
If I was giving out awards for Most Clever Brand Name, Paladin Pleasure Sculptors, or PPSculptors, would win for the way their name shortens down. Technically, PPSculptors only has one grinder model, Calypso. Calypso is a fantasy grinder based on a merfolk vulva, complete with scales and fins. You might think of it as a “merussy”. Similar to Raido by TWC, Calypso has a shallow groove that allows for a tiny bit of penetration, great for people with a t-dick, enlarged clitoris, or for use on the tip of a penis. My favorite way of using Calypso was to sit on it while at my desk, grinding against it while writing. The large size made this one a bit less comfortable for me to hold while using it on my wife, however because it is so soft and squishy, it performed similarly to a stroker when folded around her shaft.
Now, technically speaking, PPSculptors only has that one grinder on their list of models, however when Linda at PPS suggested Alara and Illex could be used as grinders, I immediately saw how that would work. Alara, a double headed toy, can be used in several ways for grinding: first, by grinding against the external sides, or second, by spreading the arms open and allowing for stimulation to the front and back of your anatomy, or third, by pressing the arms together and grinding against the edges of the arms, or fourth, by inserting one arm while the other is used for external stimulation. What’s really cool about Alara is that each of the four wide surfaces have a unique texture, with the outer sides having a lighter texture than the inner sides. Each of those unique textures provides a different sensation when grinding against them.
Illex is another tentacle grinder, however the texture on this one is vastly different from the tentacle grinders I shared earlier from Uncover Creations. This one is suckers on suckers on suckers! Or, turn it the other way and enjoy the horizontal low waves that provide a more gentle stimulation. The horizontal low waves have a slightly raised peak that runs like a vein from the base to the tip. You can absolutely use Illex by holding one end in front of you and one end behind you and moving it back & forth between your legs against your anatomy, similar to how the Genie in Disney’s animated Aladdin movie did with a towel. You can also partially insert the tentacle, while grinding against the rest of the shaft, or you can lay it on its side and rub your anatomy against whichever of the two textures you prefer.
Paladin Pleasure Sculptors does not offer customizations. They do drops every other Saturday at 2pm CST, and their drops are quite popular. Scope out their selection on Twitter or BlueSky prior to drop days to get an idea of what’s available during the next drop.
How to Clean & Care for Sex Grinders
Cleaning sex grinders is mostly easy! If there is no internal motor, which applies to all of the grinders I’ve shared here, you have a few different cleaning options:
- Wash with warm water and an unscented, non-silicone soap or toy cleaner
- Remove any straps and boil in water for 5-10 minutes
- Remove any straps and soak in a 1 part bleach/water mixture (Do not boil bleach!)
- Remove any straps and run through a dishwasher on the sanitize cycle with no detergent
Now, I hear you on how hard it can be to clean toys with lots of texture, and the solution is actually really simple: use a small, extra soft toothbrush.
Because soft silicone can be sticky, it’s always best to at least rinse, if not fully wash, your toy before using. The softer the silicone, the more lint, dust, hair, etc it will attract.
When it comes to storage, this is where you need to be mindful of these guidelines:
- Do not store soft silicone toys next to any non-silicone toys. If you’re not sure if another toy is actually silicone or not, better to be safe than sorry and store separately or so they are not touching
- Do not store next to any sharp or abrasive materials, as these can cause rips and tears
- Some brands have optional storage bags, which makes storing easier and safer. Allow the toy to dry thoroughly before storing in a bag.
Lubricant is your best friend when it comes to grinders, unless you really like a LOT of friction! Most toy companies recommend using soft or super soft silicone for grinders, which does have a lot of drag. “Drag” refers to the feeling when you run a finger over the silicone. Even the smoothest of surfaces on these soft silicone toys has more drag than glide. Water-based lubricants are recommended to use with the toys I’ve shared here. My personal favorite is JO, though I recommend getting the Anal Thick formula or the Gel Original for a slightly thicker formula that lasts a bit longer than their normal H2O.
Before You Buy a Sex Grinder…
I asked the companies I collaborated with on this guide what advice they’d give to a first time buyer, and here’s what they shared:
- “Think about what kind of stimulation you prefer in other scenarios. Soft, or harder? Do you like high-intensity textures or smoother, gentler textures? Vibrations? (There are grinders with holes for bullet vibes!) You can also think about how you like masturbating. Would you rather hold something in your hand, or grind against something like a pillow? Then you have a starting point, and somewhere to go from.” – Twilight Meadow Creations
- “For folks who are just starting their journey into grinders consider your sensitivity vs how much texture would be pleasant. Another thing to consider is if you do want any internal stimulation, some fantastic grinders also feature small dildos to also provide that too.” – Teenie from The Wandering Bard
- “Lots of things come into play with this, but things like the mound or texture height make all the difference for different people. Some people need the texture presented closer to their body, so something like our Coffin Grinder which elevates the texture works great for those people, or other people may want wider flatter surfaces if their clitoris is more pronounced naturally so something like our Tenox Grinder or Lor’dan Part II may be better suited there. So we always try our best to ensure these kinds of details or questions are thought about when advising product selection, the same goes for Firmness – the thicker or bulkier designs are often better suited to our Extra Soft firmness, as they will naturally feel firmer as they are denser” – Matt from Godemiche & Odyssey Toys
- “Cheeky answer: Buy from us! In all seriousness, go for a softer silicone. This will provide more comfort. You can always go firmer if you need a little more.” – Luke at Uncover Creations
My Pro-Tips for Maximizing Your Pleasure
- Be prepared to try sex grinders in a number of ways before you find the best way for you. Expect to sit on them, straddle them on a pillow, handhold as you lie back, and have a lover use them on you. Experimenting can be sexy and fun!
- Use a lot of lube! All of the toys I’ve mentioned today are made with body-safe silicone, which means you should use a water-based lubricant with them. Personally, I found that a thicker gel-like lube helped a lot, but any water-based lubricant can do the trick. If you have pubic hair, thoroughly applying lube to your anatomy as well as the grinder can help reduce uncomfortable pulling.
- If you like vibrators, get the optional vibrator hole/attachment (or the wand grinder) whenever possible! Seriously!
- Have fun! Sit on a grinder while you work (from home)! Make a game out of using a grinder or two with a lover, such as playing a video game while grinding and the loser has to pleasure the winner until orgasm.
How I Selected The Brands
There are a lot of companies that make grinders, more than I could possibly do deep dive reviews on. I wanted the brands to have unique grinder designs, be sex work friendly, use body safe materials, and fall under the indie fantasy toy maker brand umbrella. I also wanted brands who I know to be trustworthy within the industry. I did not exclusively reach out to brands that I already have relationships with or offer affiliate programs, as my main goal here is to help my readers learn about one of my favorite types of sex toys.
None of the brands included in this article paid for sponsorship or better placement. For full transparency, here’s how you’ll know if links are affiliate links or not:
- Faux Phalls – not an affiliate – BlueSky
- Godemiche – not an affiliate – BlueSky
- Odyssey Toys – yes affiliate – BlueSky
- Paladin Pleasure Sculptors – not an affiliate – BlueSky
- Twilight Meadow Creations – yes affiliate – BlueSky
- Uberrime – yes affiliate – BlueSky
- Uncover Creations – yes affiliate – BlueSky
- Wandering Bard Toys – not an affiliate – BlueSky
If you’ve found my guide helpful, please consider using my affiliate links to shop or sending me a small gift from my Throne wishlist as thanks!