How We Will Experience Pleasure in 2026?
Jump To Section
- A New Year, A New Pleasure Era
- Toys to Watch Out For
- Fantasy Dildos
- App-Free Smart Toys
- Buying Local: Australian-Made Pleasure
- Wearables & Pleasure Jewellery
- Pleasure Practice's that are on the rise:
- Intentional Intimacy (aka Planning Sex)
- Body Literacy (aka Pleasure Mapping)
- Decoupling Orgasms From Pleasure
- So… Where Does That Leave Us?
- FAQs
A New Year, A New Pleasure Era
A few weeks ago, we officially closed the chapter on 2025, a year that gave us some truly iconic pleasure moments, standout innovations, and toys that delivered knee-shaking, toe-curling results. But that was then. A new year means new curiosities, new conversations, and a whole new way of thinking about pleasure in 2026.
Take a look back
To understand how we experience pleasure in 2026, we need to look back just a little. Late 2025 quietly planted the seeds for some big cultural shifts, from how we approach intimacy, to what we expect from our toys, to the role technology plays in our most personal moments.
So let’s take a look at the trends beginning to take root and the practices gaining momentum, 2026 is already shaping up to be very interesting.
Toys to Watch Out For
Fantasy Dildos
If fantasy dildos haven’t crossed your feed yet, your algorithm is clearly far more well-behaved than mine and honestly, I love that for you. Over the last decade, brands like Bad Dragon cracked the door open on creature-inspired pleasure, but what we’re seeing now is a full-blown renaissance.
Pink tentacle dildo sitting in the sand with the ocean behind it. What are fantasy dildos?
From dragon-like curves to tentacled silhouettes that blur the line between art and arousal, fantasy toys are no longer niche, they’re a statement. Big-name brands like XR are leaning hard into imaginative design, while bespoke makers like Darque Path are creating pieces so visually stunning you’ll want to show them off before you ever use them.
Fantasy toys speak directly to how we experience pleasure in 2026, where imagination, identity, and erotic curiosity are just as important as physical sensation.
App-Free Smart Toys
For a while now, “smart” pleasure has meant one thing: your phone. But a quiet shift is happening, and we’re very here for it. As tech becomes more embedded in our lives, pleasure toys are starting to push back, becoming smarter without demanding another app, login, or notification.
Examples of Smart Toys
Products like the LUX US couples kit from Kiiroo hint at a future where toys communicate directly with each other, no smartphone required. The result? Less screen time, more body time. In 2026, smart pleasure is about intuition and connection, not firmware updates.
Luxus by KIIROO
$299.95
Luxus™ – The Future of Shared Pleasure Luxus™ marks a new era in intimate technology, designed to bring partners closer through synchronized sensations and intelligent...… read more
Buying Local: Australian-Made Pleasure
This one is close to our hearts. Australia is having a serious pleasure moment, and the innovation coming out of WA in particular is impossible to ignore. Brands like Ilo Wellness and Pcock are bringing thoughtful, inclusive, and beautifully designed toys to market, made right here.
Leyla App-Connected Dual-Function Sex Toy
$149.95
ABOUT THE PRODUCTMEET LEYLA App-connected dual-function sex toy Description Leyla is a crescent-shaped pleasure device designed for intuitive, accessible play. With suction on one end...… read more
We’re calling it now: 2026 is the year Australian pleasure brands truly step into the spotlight. Supporting local isn’t just about ethics or sustainability, it’s about backing creativity that understands our culture, our bodies, and our desires.
Wearables & Pleasure Jewellery
Wearables aren’t new, but the attitude around them is changing. Pleasure jewellery has existed quietly for years, often hidden beneath clothing and secrecy. What’s different now is the confidence.
Satisfyer Sexy Secret
$139.95
The practical magnet allows the Sexy Secret to be placed discretely in your panties and stimulates the clitoris with its ergonomic shape and intense vibes....… read more
Pleasure culture is growing
As pleasure-positive culture grows and Gen Z continues to lead with unapologetic self-expression, discreet no longer means shameful. We’re seeing more people embrace wearable pleasure as a symbol of autonomy, confidence, and sexual empowerment, worn in public, owned proudly.
In 2026, wearables aren’t just about discretion. They’re about visibility, confidence, and rewriting what pleasure looks like out in the world.
Pleasure Practice's that are on the rise:
Intentional Intimacy (aka Planning Sex)
Intentional intimacy gets described in a lot of ways, but the most important part is right there in the name: intentional. When a couple comes together as a team and focuses on shared pleasure goals, that’s the sweet spot, literal couple goals.
Woman with pink hair journaling with headphones in.Plan, plan, plan!
Planning sex might sound clinical or awkward, but chances are you’ve already done it. Probably in your current relationship. And without even realising it.
Think back to the early dating days. You’d go out for dinner, have a great time, and after a while sex was almost a given. You stayed over at each other’s places, even when it was inconvenient, even when you had work the next day. That’s scheduling sex, just without the calendar invite.
Be intentional!
Intentional intimacy is simply doing that on purpose. With communication, motivation, and yes… sometimes an actual plan. It’s a huge part of how we experience pleasure in 2026, where connection is prioritised just as much as spontaneity.
Body Literacy (aka Pleasure Mapping)
This one’s big. People are finally understanding that genitals aren’t the only pleasure zones on the body, and that penis in vagina sex isn’t the only way to get off. Groundbreaking, honestly.
Learn your partners body
When couples tell me they want to “try something different,” I often suggest a simple challenge: pleasure your partner without touching their genitals. Suddenly, creativity kicks in.
You start exploring the body properly. Finding places to kiss, lick, rub, squeeze, or tickle. And the best part? Communication becomes unavoidable.
Does this feel good?
Do you like it when I do this?
Get Curious
That curiosity, exploration, and feedback loop is central to how we experience pleasure in 2026, less performance, more awareness.
Pleasure mapping can be done alone!
You can practice pleasure mapping solo, too. Try moisturising your body with intention: slow, thoughtful, present. Pay attention to how different touches feel on different parts of your body and check in with yourself as you go.
It’s a tip I picked up recently, and honestly? It resonated hard.
Woman touching her thighs while wearing fishnet lingerie. Dark blue and purple lighting adds sexual ambiance.
Decoupling Orgasms From Pleasure
This is something we’ve been seeing more and more over the past few years, particularly among cis men and penis owners. There’s a deeply ingrained myth that if everyone doesn’t climax, the sex was a failure.
That’s what we call goal-oriented pleasure, and it can be incredibly intrusive. When orgasm becomes the finish line, it adds pressure, pulls focus out of the moment, and honestly? It can make sex less enjoyable for everyone involved.
Is an orgasm always needed?
Of course, it matters that everyone is having a good time. And this is absolutely a conversation to have with your partner before making any assumptions. But here’s the reframe: maybe sex isn’t about climax at all.
Maybe sex is play.
Maybe it’s two consenting adults exploring each other’s bodies, with no expectation beyond connection, curiosity, and pleasure. This shift is a big part of how we experience pleasure in 2026. Less performance. Less pressure. More presence.
Man and woman holding each other close, the man is gently kissing the woman's neck. What can decoupling orgasms do?
When we decouple orgasms from pleasure, we create space for slower sessions, softer moments, and intimacy that doesn’t need a “grand finale” to be valid. And ironically? When the pressure comes off, orgasms often show up anyway, just without the anxiety.
So… Where Does That Leave Us?
If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that pleasure in 2026 is less about ticking boxes and more about tuning in. Less performance, more presence. Less pressure, more play.
From the toys we invite into our bedrooms, to the way we communicate with our partners (and ourselves), how we experience pleasure in 2026 is intentional, imaginative, and unapologetically personal. There’s no single “right” way to do pleasure anymore, just the way that feels good for you.
Whether that looks like scheduling intimacy, exploring new sensations, letting go of orgasm goals, or simply staying curious, this new pleasure era invites us to slow down, check in, and actually enjoy the ride.
And honestly? We’re very excited to see where it takes us next.
FAQs
What toys should I be looking out for?
Some toys to look out for coming into 2026 are fantasy dildos and smart toys that don't use an app. These toys have been growing in popularity in 2025 and will continue into 2026 with more options.
What are fantasy dildos?
A fantasy dildo or fantasy toy are products that go outside the usual toy realm. They will usually be a dildo that isn't the shape you would usually expect. Popular ones include tentacles, ones that follow the theme of popular fantasy creatures like dragons or creatures from mythology like hellhounds.
What are app free smart toys?
Most people know about smart toys that use an app on your phone, but a smart toy that doesn't use an app is one that uses other technology to create interesting experiences with your partner. One such toy is the Kiiroo LuxUs, this toy uses magnets to add new levels of spice to your sex life.
What pleasure practices are on the rise?
There are a few pleasure practices that are on the rise. These are: Intentional Intimacy (Planning sex), Body Literacy also known as pleasure mapping and decoupling orgasms from pleasure.
What is intentional intimacy?
Intentional intimacy is when you intentionally do things to further your intimacy. The most important part is right there in the name: intentional. It's when a couple comes together as a team and focuses on shared pleasure goals. It all comes down to intent.
What is body literacy?
Body literacy, also known as pleasure mapping is learning both yours and your partners body. Learning where you and them liked to be touched, what makes you or them feel good. It's more than just trying things, it's trying and then learning things to use in the future.
Is an orgasm always needed?
Short answer no.
When engaging in any sexual activity an orgasm is nice. But it's not always needed, the journey and the pleasure that you experience during can be just as enjoyable. It can help you feel closer to your partner and more connected when you both aren't trying to 'reach the goal'
