Silicone Sex Toys vs. TPE: What’s the Difference?
Is your sex toy sexy and safe, or are you risking it for an orgasm? You might not have given much thought to the materials in your favorite dildos and sex machine attachments, but they can mean the difference between pure long-term pleasure and a short-term investment. This is why at Motorbunny, we've switched our signature range to 100% premium silicone attachments.
While TPE remains a viable material for its texture and economic value in the sex toy industry - silicone, in most cases, is a better long-term investment. Superior, sexy, and safe are precisely what you need from a sex machine attachment. Why is it not the standard, and what makes silicone so special? Let's unpack that in this article.
You'll learn about these topics in this article:
- But It’s Just a Dildo…Why Does it Matter?
- What to Look for When Choosing a Sex Toy Material?
- Silicone - Should Be The Standard
- Why Silicone is a Top Choice
- Understanding the TPE Woes
- TPE’s Role in Sex Toys
- Comparing: Silicone vs TPE
- What About Other Sex Toy Materials?
- Why Silicone IS The Superior Choice
By the end of this article, you will know everything you need to know about the differences between silicone and TPE sex saddle attachments and why, in most cases, silicone is the better material for the job.
So strap in, or strap on! Let's get into it.
But It's Just a Dildo...Why Does it Matter?
It's not just a dildo, sex machine attachment, or pleasure product—your genitals are essential parts of your body, both for pleasure and function, and should be treated with care. What you use on or inside them can affect your health, putting you at risk for infections, irritation, or even more serious concerns like cancer. That's why choosing the right material for your sex toys is crucial, especially when it comes to attachments for your riding dildo machine.
Two of the most commonly used materials are silicone and TPE, both chosen for their texture and durability. However, as research into the materials we use for pleasure products has advanced, it's become clear that silicone stands out as a safer and superior option for sex toys.
This guide will explain why choosing the right material—especially silicone—is crucial for your safety, comfort, and long-term pleasure.
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What to Look for When Choosing a Sex Toy Material?
Choosing the right sex toy material is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Safety and durability are essential since these toys or sex machine attachments will likely come into contact with or be inserted into your body.
Sex saddle attachments can be a significant investment, so choosing a material that is both safe and long-lasting is essential.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered.
Safety and Body Compatibility
The material of your riding dildo machine attachment should always be body-safe and hypoallergenic, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies. Whether you’re looking for something for internal use or external stimulation, ensuring the material is non-toxic and suitable for intimate contact is crucial.
Durability and Longevity
Frequent use can cause some materials to degrade over time, so durability is essential. Fuck machine attachments, for example, need to withstand vigorous use. Opt for materials known to last, especially if you plan on using the toy often.
Consider whether you're exploring different attachments to try out new sensations or investing in a long-term option that will be perfect for regular use and its durability.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Given that sex toys and Bluetooth sex machine attachments are frequently inserted into the body, they need to be easy to clean and disinfect. Some materials are more hygienic than others. Non-porous materials are the best choice as they don’t harbor bacteria. This ensures your favorite toys will stay safe and clean with regular maintenance.
Sensation and Texture
It’s all about the sensation. Different materials and textures offer a variety of feelings, but it’s essential to choose one that is body-safe and easy to clean. A high-quality material will enhance the experience without compromising safety.
Another consideration is whether you are looking to try out new sensations first before investing in more expensive options.
Price and Value
While more affordable options can be appealing, investing a bit more in a high-quality saddle sex machine attachment can offer added benefits, especially for regular use. Lower-cost materials, while budget-friendly, may not be as durable and may require more careful cleaning or the use of protective barriers such as a condom or dental dam. However, they can be ideal for temporary use or for trying out new styles, for example, it is a great idea to use more affordable attachments at play parties or special occasions such as trying them with a new partner.
Silicone is a popular choice for those looking for both safety and durability, but TPE also has its place as an option for riders who want to explore new sensations.
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Silicone - Should be The Standard
Silicone is a premium, non-porous material made from medical-grade materials. Unlike many other sex toy materials, silicone is designed to be long-lasting and completely body-safe, making it one of the best options in the world of sex toys.
Why Silicone is a Top Choice
When it comes to sex toys and attachments, silicone shines for several reasons:
- Body-safe and hypoallergenic: Silicone is one of the safest materials available. It’s non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and free from harmful chemicals so it won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin.
- Non-porous and easy to sanitize: Because they are non-porous, silicone toys and attachments don’t trap bacteria or fluids, making them easy to clean and disinfect. This ensures that your toys stay hygienic and, most importantly, safe for repeated use.
- Durable and long-lasting: Silicone is well known for its durability. It can withstand heavy use without breaking down or losing its shape, making it an excellent investment, especially if you plan on having your toys last the test of time.
- Provides realistic, smooth sensations: Silicone’s texture is smooth and realistic, making it ideal for users who want a realistic experience that feels like the real deal.
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Understanding the TPE as an Option
But what exactly is TPE, and why have many brands transitioned away from it as the standard for riding dildo machine attachments? Let’s see why it plays a crucial role in sex saddle machine attachments and other sex toys.
What is TPE?
TPE, or thermoplastic elastomer, is a softer, porous material often found in more budget-friendly toys. This material is well known for its texture and the sensations that it has to offer. While we believe Silicone is a superior material in most cases, we continue to offer some TPE attachments as an option.
TPE Pros and Cons
- Pros: TPE is valued for its affordability, flexibility, and soft, realistic texture. It can feel extremely lifelike, which makes it appealing to anyone who is looking for a more natural feel without breaking the bank.
- Cons: One of the considerations with TPE is its porous nature, meaning it can absorb bodily fluids and bacteria - presenting a challenge when it comes to cleaning. The porous nature of this material means that it won’t last as long as silicone will and as such will be more of a shorter-term investment. TPE is ideal for temporary or occasional use - but users who are looking for longer-term durability should opt for silicone.
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TPE’s Role in Sex Toys
TPE is one of the most commonly used materials in entry-level automatic sex machine attachments and some male sex toys. It's one of the best ways for users to explore new sensations without breaking the bank. Its affordability and texture have cemented it in the sex toy industry as a practical solution for anyone who wants to experiment before making a bigger investment.
One of the areas in which TPE shines within the sex toy market is male-focused toys. This boils down to the fact that its soft, flexible feel closely mimics real skin. It is the ideal texture for anyone who wants a natural, realistic experience. Unlike durable silicone, TPE brings a unique, immersive feel that’s just right for products such as Motorbunny’s Jiggle Butt - a penetrable attachment for men. It is responsive and offers users the chance to get a lifelike feeling that is not quite possible with silicone.
While TPE is best suited for casual or occasional use, users might opt for silicone if they are looking for a more durable and low-maintenance option.
Comparing: Silicone vs TPE
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let's compare Silicone and TPE directly.
Each material has its own pros and cons, so understanding how they compare can help you make an informed decision when investing in a new attachment.
Body Safety
- Silicone: Silicone is non-porous, meaning it doesn’t absorb fluids or bacteria, making it one of the safest materials for sex toys. It’s also hypoallergenic, so you can trust that silicone sex saddle attachments will be safe for both internal and external use.
- TPE: TPE, in contrast, is a porous material, which can make it more challenging to clean thoroughly. For this reason, TPE attachments are often best suited for single-partner use or external stimulation. Another way that users can ensure a little more safety is by using a barrier such as a condom with insertable attachments. Its soft and realistic texture appeals to those looking for a lifelike feel, but it requires extra care for long-term hygiene.
Durability
- Silicone: Silicone is highly durable and built to last. It retains shape, resists heat, and can endure heavy use without breaking down. This makes silicone toys a long-term investment—you won’t need to replace them as often, even with regular use.
- TPE: TPE offers a softer and more flexible lifelike feel. This also means that it will not last as long with frequent use. While TPE ride-on sex machine attachments are ideal for occasional or experimental use, they can experience wear and tear more quickly, especially if not carefully maintained. Make sure to check the instructions or the packaging for any maintenance and cleaning instructions.
Cleaning and Maintenance
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Silicone: Silicone is incredibly easy to clean. You can wash it with simple soap and water or even boil it for a thorough disinfection, making it a low-maintenance option for those concerned about hygiene. Non-mechanized silicone sex toys, such as sex saddle attachments, can also be put on the top shelf of the dishwasher for extra cleaning.
- TPE: TPE toys require special care. Since they’re porous, they can’t be boiled or easily sanitized, and harsh cleaning agents can degrade the material. Thus making them better suited to users who don’t mind the extra care needed or as occasional use riding dildo machine attachments.
Price and Value
- Silicone: Silicone toys often come with a higher upfront cost, but their durability and safety make them a worthwhile investment. You won’t need to replace them as frequently, and they’ll provide a longer-lasting experience.
- TPE: TPE toys are understandably more affordable, making them a popular choice for the budget-conscious, or anyone looking for a temporary attachment. While cost effective if you are looking to use these attachments regularly you might need to re-invest in the same one regularly.
TPE toys are more affordable, making them a popular choice for anyone who wants to explore new sensations without breaking the bank, or anyone looking for a great temporary attachment. Though initially cost-effective, TPE’s shorter lifespan and higher maintenance needs may lead to more frequent replacements, depending on use.
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What About Other Sex Toy Materials?
The sex toy industry offers a wide range of materials, from latex to glass and even metals like stainless steel. You may be wondering how these compare to silicone and why they aren't ideal for dildo machine attachments. Let’s break it down.
Latex
Latex is well-known in the sex industry, primarily for its use in condoms and fetish wear. So, if it’s safe for condoms, why not for riding dildo machine attachments? The biggest issue is allergies. Between 1-6% of the general population is allergic to latex, which increases among those frequently exposed to it. Chances are, you know a few people with this sensitivity.
While latex is affordable and offers a smooth, flexible texture, it degrades quickly and requires regular maintenance. Plus, determining when it’s no longer safe can be tricky. For these reasons, latex has never been a popular choice for insertable sex toys, especially for use with machines.
Glass
Glass sex toys, particularly dildos, and plugs, are known for being smooth, non-porous, easy to clean, and undeniably luxurious. They’re visually striking and offer a unique experience. However, because glass is breakable, it’s not suited for use with sex machines. If you love the look and feel of glass toys, it’s best to reserve them for manual play.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is commonly found in plugs and bullet vibrators. It’s sleek, durable, body-safe, and incredibly easy to sanitize, making it an excellent material for handheld toys. However, its rigidity makes it less ideal for thrusting machines like the BUCK or riding sex saddles such as the Motorbunny, which require more flexibility.
Jelly
Jelly toys are soft, squishy, and visually appealing but come with serious risks. Many jelly toys are inexpensive and often contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, which give them their characteristic softness but can also disrupt hormones and increase the risk of cancer.
In addition to the chemical concerns, jelly toys are porous, which can harbor bacteria and become unsafe over time, as proper sanitation isn’t possible. While they may look fun, they pose too many health risks to be considered safe.
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Silicone IS The Superior Choice: But TPE Has a Place
When it comes to deciding whether a material is the superior choice for a sex toy, it is clear that silicone is the one. It outshines TPE in almost every way, with the exception that TPE feels more realistic. Both materials offer great sensations - and the choice often comes down to personal preference.
Silicone is a daily workhorse in the sex machine attachment industry and offers unbeatable investment value. Not only is it safe, but it also offers unmatched versatility. It retains its shape, resists heat, and feels smooth and pretty realistic while being gentle on the skin. Whether you're using it in vibrators, dildos, or sex machine attachments for your Motorbunny, silicone is the gold standard for anyone who values safety and longevity.
That’s not to say that TPE hasn’t got its benefits - it has its purpose for some male attachments and is ideal for anyone who needs a temporary attachment, or wants to explore new sensations with their sex saddle! It is also a budget-friendly way to get more bang for your buck at sex parties where you might not want to keep the attachment after!
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Silicone: The Best Choice for Safe, Lasting Pleasure
If you're looking for amazing, long-lasting pleasure that is entirely body-safe and gives you a lifelike feeling - silicone sex machine attachments are the way to go. That being said TPE is a solid contender in the realm of real-life texture sensation and affordable entry-level attachments for the sex saddle explorers out there! Whichever material you choose - make sure you hop on and have fun!
Ready to experience the difference? Explore Motorbunny’s range of premium silicone attachments - elevate your playtime!