If you’ve ever Googled the words ‘adult novelty’, ‘sex toy’, ‘vibrator’, ‘sexual aid’ (or any of the other terms used to describe intimate accessories), I’m pretty sure you found yourself wading through pages upon pages of manufacturers and online stores touting that they were the “#1 Store For Sex Toys” or the like.
Upon taking the chance and clicking through, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them looked pretty, seemed organized, offered affordable or competitive prices and included things like free shipping or added ‘free gifts’, but that doesn’t always mean they’re a decent company that puts the customer first. Simply put, being esthetically pleasing and having catchy online gimmicks can be deceiving, especially when it comes to sexual wellness products.
Having said that, I’m not here to air anyone’s dirty laundry or bash specific companies, I did that in my Open Letter To Manufacturers, Retailers and Consumers. Instead, I’ve decided to compile a list of my favorite manufacturers and retailers in the hopes of removing the guess work and making your shopping experience safer, more reliable, eco-friendly and hopefully stress free.
Rather than just providing links I’ve decided to create a series of featured articles that highlight many of my favorite companies; some make the goods (manufacturers), others simply buy and resell them (online/offline retailers). Regardless of the type of company I’m covering each referral is based on personal experiences, with no part being influenced in any way, be it financially or with me receiving products for the positive endorsement. I’m doing this of my own accord. Consider it my way of saying thank you for all the years of support from the companies that believed in me and showed me what the industry could look like if more people were better educated on all things related to sexual wellness and well being.
For my very first feature I’m going to be covering a company that I’m a huge fan of, and have been for years and years, Tantus Inc.
Personal Experience
One of the very first manufacturers I came to love and respect was Tantus, and for good reason; not only did they make some of the very best platinum grade silicone products on the market, they also took environmental responsibility and customer satisfaction seriously – areas that were definitely lacking in an industry overrun with big companies all looking to make a fast buck.
Outside the realm of ‘customer service’ they also worked hard to let the staff of retail companies know how valued they were; whether it was fun contests arranged to help motivate sales, the willingness to directly answer questions, provide a mini seminar on their products at a company arranged event or simply helping us to become educated on the varying materials, the folks at Tantus (mostly Mike and Metis) never let us feel like just another cog in the wheel. It was their attention to detail and personal growth that made me and every other staff member feel appreciated and important, something I remembered long after I had moved on from the brick and mortar store where I worked.
When I finally moved into creating videos Tantus was one of the very first companies I did a review for – on my own time, with my own product, bought with money (being a College student made purchasing products something that was few and far between). Not long after the video was online I unexpectedly received a box with a bunch of new products and a short card that read “thank you for all your hard work, we hope you like these – Tantus”. Once again the folks at the company had far exceeded my expectations, becoming the very first company to show support for what I did as a reviewer and educator.
*Note: to hopefully help motivate my fellow reviewers who may be having a hard time getting companies to invest in you, be it with product or financially, I want it to be known that for the entire first year that I made videos very few companies were willing to take a chance and help me grow (though that was almost 6 years ago and things were very different). Pretty much every letter or email I sent requesting a product was met with a politely worded rejection letter, and that’s when I was ‘lucky’ enough to get a response. It was due to companies like Tantus, who saw my potential from one little video, that I was able to grow and eventually make an honest living doing something I love – something I have never forgotten!
Over the years I’ve created quite a few reviews for Tantus products, be it written or video, and very rarely have I been less than enthusiastic about the product I was covering (the Little Secret Whisper was the only one that left me wanting).
Online Offerings
Being a relatively simple website compared to others on the market is just one of the many things that makes their online store top notch. Not only is it very easy to navigate, the streamlined design allows the customer to find what they’re looking for without getting lost within the pages. There are no heavy banners or distracting .gif images, no complicated or overwhelming product descriptions, no sexually immature wording or sexist leanings; instead, the website is gender neutral and gives male shoppers the opportunity to browse body safe anal products without being stereo-typed as ‘gay’.
*not that being gay is a bad thing, but instead to point out the fact that many other websites still haven’t moved forward in their thinking and accepted that many straight men actually enjoy anal play.
Aside from manufacturers offerings the website also has some fun educational features like a video entitled “Not In Your Butt”, hosted by DuckyDooLittle (I love her!) which explains what you shouldn’t stick up your butt, an information page that helps customers learn what it means for a product to be healthy for both the body and the environment (or “Healthy and Green”), a closeout section that offers some amazing deals on a selection of fantastic items (sign up for their newsletter so you’ll know when big deals go on – trust me on this one!), and a page devoted to Sex Ed articles written by Metis back in the day, that still ring true today.
The Goods
Tantus products aren’t the only things found on the site, between body safe lubricants, bath products, games and gift options, harnesses (for couples play), and some amazing metal goodies, there’s lots to choose from. For those of you questioning why I might be mentioning this; with the amount of attention the folks at the company pay to eco-friendliness, quality and body safety, you can rest assured that they will only offer the very best of the very best. Aside from that, you can do most of your shopping in one place without any worry or extra shipping fees.
For those of you that value discretion, each Tantus product comes respectfully, professionally and beautifully packaged in clear a box that shows it off the way it deserves. There’s nothing that’s rude, unprofessional or embarrassing, only the word “toy” and some suggestions regarding what the product may be used for. You could definitely buy any of the products and not have to worry about what someone would think should they come across them unexpectedly.
*Not that owning toys is anything to be ashamed of, shit in my world it’s something I’d congratulate you for!
Taking it that extra mile, each product is shipped in a plain brown box, with nothing on it that may alert the delivery person or receiver to what’s inside. Just another small detail that makes them so fantastic!
From anatomically correct butt plugs to ergonomically designed dildos, a variety of products specifically for males to any of the other products Tantus manufactures, you can rest assured they’re quite possibly some of the best sexual wellness products you can get your hands on. Designed with your pleasure in mind, each offering is free of the harsh chemicals you’ll likely find in lesser products made by big name corporations, while also being free of latex (great for those of you with latex allergies). They’re also virtually non-porous (meaning they don’t absorb bodily fluids, lube or bacteria) and make clean up a breeze. If that wasn’t enough, they’re also waterproof, odorless, hypoallergenic, hygienic and non-toxic. Basically put, they’re amazing and everything you want in an intimate accessory!
Although the vast majority of the products created by Tantus are Ultra Premium silicone, they also manufacture a line of aluminum beauties called Alumina, with each one being interchangeable (as Ducky Doo Little said, “they’re like tinker toys for your butt!”) and providing a large assortment of options when it comes to your exploration in the bedroom or beyond.
Final Verdict
Whether it was taking a stance and helping to educate consumers and resellers, making a concerted effort to offer the best of the best in regard to quality, ease of use and safety, choosing not to use words like ‘sex toys’ and instead calling items sexual wellness products/intimate accessories (which helps elevate the general concept towards sex/sexuality) or being one of the more eco friendly manufacturers within the industry, Tantus has consistently demonstrated what it meant to be the best of the best.
If you’d like to help support great companies that work hard to maintain an air of professionalism, value discretion, understand their customers and offer some of the most badass products around, I highly suggest you keep Tantus Inc in mind. You’ll thank me for it later.
My Haul Of Tantus Toys
*pictured above (back row left to right): Tantus Flex, Tantus Cush, Tantus Little Secret Tease, Tantus Little Secret Kiss, Tantus Little Flirt, Tantus Ripple, Domo Kun (PHOTO BOMB!), Tantus T-Rex (it’s a BEAST!), Unnamed Tantus Prototype (YAY for feeling special!), (middle row) Advanced Tantus Beads (in ELECTRIC BLUE! the picture does not do them justice. I have no clue if you can get them anymore *sad face*), (front row left to right) Tantus Curve, Tantus Ryder (I managed to get the badass Neon Green in a closeout sale. Lucky me!!), Tantus Silk Small, Tantus Faerie (no longer available – it’s clear with SPARKLES!!), Tantus Charmer, Tantus Stroker XL.
Not pictured but part of my collection (I couldn’t fit it all in one pic): Tantus Vamp, Tantus Acute, Tantus B-Bomb (It’s too big. I’m working my way up to it), Beginner Cock Ring, Bend Over Intermediate Kit, Tantus Delta, Tantus Theta, Tantus Pi, Tantus Omega, Tantus Deuce 1 and 2, Tantus Goddess, Panty Play, Tantus Little Secret Whisper, Tantus Little Secret Touch, Tantus Little Secret Spoon… I’m sure there’s more I’m forgetting.
