Future of Sex
tagline
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Sex Tech Hackers Will Get ‘Touchy-Feely’ at Virtual Event This Weekend

  • How Learning from 2020 Can Give Us Sexier, Healthier Sex Lives in 2021

  • Designers Unveil Wildly Creative Fashions for Pandemic Living

  • This Stroker Gives Female-like Orgasms to Trans People and Men

  • Lora DiCarlo Responds to WOW Tech Group’s ‘Pleasure Air Technology’ Patent Claims

  • Sex Tech in 2021: What Industry Leaders Expect in the Year Ahead

  • VDOM’s ‘Cyber Penis’ Evolves Wearable Sex Tech for All Genders

  • When Will Male Sex Toys Go Mainstream?

Future of Sex is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home > Robots > Love Doll Buyer’s Guide: How to Find Your Ideal Synthetic Lover

RobotsSex Tech
Home›Robots›Love Doll Buyer’s Guide: How to Find Your Ideal Synthetic Lover

Love Doll Buyer’s Guide: How to Find Your Ideal Synthetic Lover

By Future of Sex
January 24, 2017
4253
0

Veteran doll owner shares tips that could save you time, money, and a headache.

(NSFW: Click here to visit the Bizarre Bazaar: List of Sex Robot and Love Doll Vendors)

So you want to buy a lifelike love or sex doll? But with several online vendors to choose from, selling many different types at a range of prices, starting your search can be a daunting task.

Fortunately, our friend Davecat has a wealth of advice to share since getting his first doll in 2000. Today he lives with three synthetic companions: Shi-chan, a RealDoll from Abyss Creations, Lenka from Anatomical Doll, and Miss Winter from Doll Sweet.

To make finding your ideal doll easier, we spoke to Davecat about tips and important factors to consider before hitting the “buy” button.

Buying from a manufacturer vs. a distributor

“If at all possible, to make absolutely sure you are getting the doll that you want from the company that you want, buy direct,” says Davecat.

A quick online search for love or sex dolls will bring up a slew of results. Many of them will be distributors, not the manufacturing company. However, if a doll you like is made outside your country, a distributor might be your only option.

To protect yourself from scams or disappointment, you can contact manufacturers to confirm licensed distributors. Some manufacturers may also list known scammers on their website. Davecat suggests speaking with doll owners, sometimes called iDollators, at the online forum Our Doll Community, if you want to check a seller’s reputation.

Silicone vs. TPE love dolls

Love dolls are generally made from one of two main materials: silicone or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Each has its own pros or cons.

Price

Silicone love dolls are more expensive than TPE, ranging from about $5,000 to $8,000—and can cost even more if you add a lot of custom features. On the other hand, TPE dolls cost closer to $2,000.

One reason for the price difference is TPE doll molds are hot poured and take less time to cure than cold-poured silicone dolls. This means they are easily mass produced. According to Davecat, its Asian companies that generally create mass-produced TPE dolls, while the U.S. companies build more artisan and unique silicone dolls.

Weight

Since silicone doll molds are cold poured, says Davecat, manufacturers can use more foam in construction, lowering the weight. A synthetic lover can’t move on her own, obviously, and carrying that dead weight can be a lot to manage. So whatever material you pick, make sure you consider how heavy a doll is before buying.

The lower weight has benefits in itself. Since 2003, many companies began putting neck bolts into dolls so you can suspend them from hooks. Get over any Frankenstein allusions and listen to Davecat who calls them “godsend.” They make dressing his companions much easier.

However, TPE dolls are too heavy for neck bolts and don’t try inserting your own. Davecat told us he has heard of someone trying to install a neck bolt into a TPE doll with disastrous consequences: it nearly tore off the skeleton because of the load.

Customization options

You can create your perfect partner by choosing several unique features. To name a few, you can pick eye color, eyebrow color, makeup, body size, nail color and type, as well as nipple color and size. OK, that’s several options, but there are even more.

One to consider is whether, if buying a female doll, you want one with a built-in vagina or not—referred to as cored or uncored. The upside of a removable vagina is it’s much easier to clean and replace if worn out.

You can also select skin color. Davecat’s tip is to request a sample from a company to check if it looks and feels how you’d like. You may also be able to buy genitals on their own, which could be a good idea of you want a cored doll. That was you can make sure they’re what you want before putting down several grand for the full doll.

Poseable vs non-poesable joints

You can buy a doll with two different types of joints: poseable or non-poseable. Knowing how you’d like to enjoy your love doll can help you decide which is right for you.

Poseable is the basic factory stock, says Davecat, which means a doll can be put into and hold various positions. If you’re buying a doll for photography, this is certainly the way to go.

But these stiff joints can be awkward in the bedroom, Davecat warns. “If you’ve got her arms in a certain position, you’ve got to manoeuver yourself to move her.”

Your other option is a doll with loose joints, which some people may prefer for lovemaking.

Shipping

Before you make any purchases, you’ll want to understand a company’s shipping practices.

First off, Davecat advises budgeting $1,000 extra than what you think you’re paying for your doll. As many online shoppers know, unexpected fees can pop up—especially when buying from a foreign country.

Sellers should let you know about important shipping costs in advance, but don’t take it for granted. Tell a company where you live, even if it’s in the same country, and ask about any fees you’ll need to be aware of, including custom and import fees.

Also, love dolls don’t necessarily just show up at your door after ordering them. While a foreign company might ship to your country, it might not ship to your state. So you may have to drive several hours to pick her up from the airport, or arrange for another delivery service.

As for insurance, Davecat says most companies insure dolls before shipping, but double check. Be sure also to inspect dolls for damage or other issues as soon as they arrive. That way you can inform the company right away and get problems resolved more easily.

On your way…

We hope our love doll buyer’s guide helps you choose your ideal synthetic lover. And thanks again to Davecat for sharing his views so we can all learn from his experience.

If you don't know where to start your search, check out our page listing vendors for sex robots and love dolls here [NSFW].

Is there anything else you want to know about? Or do you have some tips we should know about? Please share your questions or comments below.

Image sources: Davecat

Future of Sex

Launched in 2011, Future of Sex has grown to become the world’s leading publication on how technology is changing human sexuality, today and tomorrow. It provides deep, insightful coverage of the edge of sex technologies and possibilities, including sex robots, remote sex, immersive adult entertainment, human augmentation, virtual sex, as well as dating and relationships.
Previous Article

Would You Let an App Play Matchmaker ...

Next Article

Dildo It Yourself: Open-Source Strap-on Project Targets ...

Related articles More from author

  • Robots

    Sexbot Brothels: What Are the Pros and Cons of Robotic Sex Workers?

    May 28, 2017
    By Tom Woodley
  • Robots

    Robotic Lovers and Artificial Companions: Future Sexualities Part 1

    May 12, 2016
    By M. Christian
  • Robots

    The Early Makings of a Talking Sex Robot

    May 12, 2016
    By Future of Sex
  • conversations around male sex toys
    Sex Tech

    When Will Male Sex Toys Go Mainstream?

    January 9, 2021
    By Eleanor Hancock
  • Robots

    Sexbot Surrogates That Birth Human Babies Are a Close Possibility, Says Scientist

    May 26, 2017
    By M. Christian
  • Robots

    Satisfy a Robot in Free Online Sex Game Erotica Robotica

    May 25, 2016
    By Antony Scholefield

  • A beautiful Indian woman.
    Remote Sex

    The Phone Sex Revolution in India

  • RobotsSex Tech

    Celebrity Doppelgängers, an Oral Sexbot, and More Lifelike Sex Dolls at AVN 2019 [PHOTOS]

  • Immersive EntertainmentVirtual Sex & Entertainment

    Vorze Cyclone Review: A Force of Sexual Nature

  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Realistic Sex Games

    Review of the Best Most Realistic Sex Games You Can Play [UPDATED]

    0
  • Multiplayer Online Sex Games

    Review of the Best Massively Multiplayer Online Sex Games

    0
  • Sex Games for Mac

    The Best Sex Games for Mac

    0
  • Best Sex Game Apps for Couples

    The Best Sex Game Apps for Couples for 2020 [Updated]

    0
  • The Best RPG Sex Games of 2020

    0

Like Us on Facebook

Latest Tweets

  • Follow creators from across the world as they explore intimacy in the digital age for the Rainbows End: Sex Tech Ha… https://t.co/uf4NQQ8PiJ

    23 hours ago
  • "While the sex industry thrived in certain sectors due to rising demands for sex-related products last year, it now… https://t.co/FxiDajAGRu

    Jan 19, 2021
  • Meet @VDOMATL, a medical-grade silicone “cyber penis” that can be worn by all genders. Snap attachments in uniquely… https://t.co/0gGd03DVba

    Jan 17, 2021
  • Future of Sex writer @marcuskdowling speaks to @wearehpg CEO Dominnique Karetsos on how self-expression via sex tec… https://t.co/OYSoXQjFN8

    Jan 17, 2021
  • "Last year showed how important it is to maintain health and emotional balance and it couldn't be a better time to… https://t.co/9lAnFDeCMl

    Jan 17, 2021
Follow @futureofsex

Follow us

  • Home
  • About
  • ADVERTISE
  • Contribute
  • Story Ideas?
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2011 - 2020 Future Exploration Network
This website or its third-party tools use cookies to improve user experience and track affiliate sales. To learn more about why we need to use cookies, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

By clicking the agree button or continuing to browse through the website, you agree to the use of cookies. Accept Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary