The bullet is the small workhorse of the vibrator drawer. A metal or plastic cylinder the size of a thumb holds a motor and a button. Press it to the clitoris, nest it against a cock ring, drop it into a hollow plug, or hold it to a nipple. It does one job: local buzz.

Cheaper bullets run on watch batteries and die at the worst moment. USB-rechargeable versions last longer and usually offer a few patterns. Noise varies. Some whisper. Others sound like an electric toothbrush, which matters in a shared apartment.

Because the contact patch is tiny, a little lube or even water on the tip can change the feel from sharp to gliding. Do not yank a bullet out of a body cavity by the charge port. If you want internal use, pick a model with a retrieval cord and a sealed cap.

Everyday realities

• A sleeve or cock ring adapter multiplies what a single bullet can do.
• Caps that unscrew can leak; magnetic charges avoid that seam.
• Rinse the nose after use so lint does not ride the next session.
• If the tip chips, throw it out rather than sanding plastic smooth.