Two bourgeoning vibrator manufacturers, both based in Europe, are offering smarter toys for women that are ergonomic, waterproof and designed to hit all the right spots. Also, newly available in most supermarkets and drugstores, are packages of condoms—marketed to females—which include a disposable vibrating ring for extra stimulation during intercourse.

LELO (Luxury Erotic Lifestyle Objects), a Sweden-based company founded in 2003, has a new premium vibrator, the Ida, which melds form and function in a small egg-sized toy that can be cradled at the end of your fingers and hugs the clitoris. Unlike many other vibrators, the Ida is for external use and has a silicone shell that makes it completely waterproof, easy-to-clean, and long lasting. The LELO Ida is powered by an internal, rechargeable battery and plugs into the wall using an AC adapter.

“They can be totally submerged in water and they’re manufactured to last,” said Ken Cory, a Sex Educator/Sales Associate at Good Vibrations on Valencia Street in San Francisco. “The Ida vibe is more like an appliance than a novelty product, which is the way most sex toys tend to be made.”

Another vibrator manufacturer, Emotional Bliss, offers several newer designs of vibrators that focus on either the outer vulva, or the first two inches of the vagina. According to their Web site, Emotional Bliss (a British company), aims to produce tasteful, comfortable products that help women “experience powerful orgasms”. All of the company’s vibrators are made using medical-grade plastics and incorporate ergonomic design for ease of use, and are only available in the United States through Good Vibrations.

“These are all part of the new, smarter sex toys,” said Cory, who like all Good Vibrations employees went through 40 hours of sex education and product training. “These take into account the fact that only the first couple inches of the vulva have nerve endings that respond to vibration, so they’re designed to stimulate those areas specifically.”

Another development in the female sex toy arena is the availability of a disposable vibrating ring, manufactured by Trojan and marketed to women under the Elexa brand name. The ring is supposed to provide extra stimulation for both partners and comes packaged with one lubricated condom. The soft silicone ring, worn around the base of the penis, is attached to a vibrating bullet-sized capsule with a super lightweight battery that lasts 20 minutes.

The Elexa line is being carried in grocery and drugstores like Safeway, Albertson’s and Walgreens. This gives women the opportunity to buy the new toys without having to visit an adult bookstore. Making it even more convenient – Elexa products are being stocked in the feminine hygiene isle in addition to the condom section.

The vibrating ring is not available in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas or Virginia – all states with anti-erotic-massager laws, which Trojan declined to challenge.

And just in case men were beginning to feel left out, a new line of prostate stimulators from Aneros has been hugely successful at Good Vibrations and with online distributors. The Aneros Next-Gen toys aim to massage the prostate and male g-spot using a patented hands-free mechanism.

“A lot of anal toys have mostly been either dildos for in-and-out to create a feeling of fullness and penetration, or butt-plugs that just go in and stay put to create stimulation while you’re doing other things,” said Cory. “The Aneros uses a much smarter design.”

So if you’re looking for something new to stimulate your sex life - whatever your tastes may be – there’s a good chance toy manufacturers have designed a new “smarter” way to help you get it done.