The best part about the X-10 anal beads is the fact that they are silicone. Not only that, but the beads are graduated. It's a great feature when you're just starting in anal play, as working your way up in size eases you into the wonderful world of anal orgasms. Once you become familiar with the smaller beads, inserting the larger beads is not only easy but also very enjoyable. They are incredibly versatile, and can be used during solo play with a vibe or with a partner during sex. The firm but giving silicone material makes it fairly easy to insert them by yourself, although having a partner insert them can be a huge turn-on and a great prelude to sex.

To me, using them with a partner is more enjoyable than using them solo. My favorite way to use them with a partner is to have him lube all of the beads, and insert them during foreplay. Then I get on top of him in the reverse cowgirl position and as I am orgasming, I have my partner pull them out at a decent and steady pace. It often results in a very intense mind blowing, toe curling orgasm.

These beads have an odd smell at first, almost a rubbery smell which can throw off a person who doesn’t use silicone toys. As long as you wash them a few times before first use, the smell goes away. They are tacky to the touch since they are silicone. Firm but slightly squishy makes them great when being pulled out. However, because they have a little more give to them than other anal beads, they require just a bit more push to get them in. Overall, I'd say the texture is great for a newbie, or for someone looking for a change from the usual non-silicone anal beads.

The beads are well designed with a nice large and flexible retrieval loop at the end so there's no need to worry about losing them inside. When I saw the pictures online before ordering, I was a bit apprehensive because they appeared to be quite solid and large. However when they arrived I quickly realized that the size of the beads isn't intimidating at all, especially for someone new to anal beads like myself. My favorite part of the size is that it has a really small bead at the end and goes up to just large enough without making you uncomfortable. My only complaint is that they were too long for my tastes, being my first set of beads and all, but for someone who is more experienced, it should not matter.

Now as far as the overall design, these beads really win my vote because of their flexibility. You can pull them from just about any angle without them pinching or having a hard time. For an anal virgin, this is a great tool. It allows you to discover the hot spots that really get you going, and sometimes it really is all about the angle. I love pulling them out slightly angled up.

The best part of this toy is that it can be used solo or with a partner. For solo play, I really enjoy getting all the beads in while using a vibe on my clit, and slowly drawing them out while getting close to orgasm. Now when I use them with the hubby, I prefer to do reverse cowgirl and have him pull them out fairly quickly as I orgasm. It's quite a strong orgasm that way. There is a downside to these, with that being that they cannot be properly sterilized to share, and everyone knows that sharing is caring, especially with something that makes you feel really good. I’ve never noticed any messiness with them but if you’re concerned about having a mess to deal with afterwards, then by all means, make sure you’re all cleaned out by using an enema beforehand.

Using a water based lube with the beads has given me the best result and it the only way to go with silicone toys. That being said, there are many ways to care for it. The top two ways I keep them clean is by using the Before and After Antibacterial Adult Toy Cleaner, and in a pinch, hand washing them with antibacterial hand soap and very hot water. Then I set them on a paper towel to air dry. I'd definitely recommend letting them air dry after cleaning, no matter how you decide because silicone picks up dust and lint like a magnet. Storage should be in a clean lint free environment away from curious cats, and I would definitely recommend washing before reusing just in case there is any residual dust.