Floggers have four variables: material, weight, length and tail thickness. A good rule of thumb for length: Choose a flogger that’s about the length of your arm from shoulder to fingertip. Lighter-weight floggers are easier to control but require more effort with hardcore masochists. Thinner tails tend to be stingy and thicker tails thuddy.

Whips come in different varieties, such as stock whips and bull whips, but most have four parts: handle, thong, fall and cracker/popper. Beginner? Consider a stock whip that’s 4 feet long max, learn correct techniques and practice on an inanimate object — whips can cause severe injury to you and/or your lover if not used properly.

Got a schoolteacher or riding master fantasy? A crop or cane earns high marks for demanding obedience. Crops are usually leather or PVC, while cane materials include leather, wood, bamboo, metal, rattan and acrylic. Shorter crops and canes are easier to control, while longer ones increase the range of motion and intensity.

Pro tip: Strike on fleshier parts of the body and avoid the joints.

Make a lasting impression with a paddle that spells out a choice word, or go for a blank slate in leather or wood. Want something heftier? A hammer looks and feels impressive — and is easier to wield than it looks. Both paddles and hammers can adapt to a range of impact intensities.

Pro tip: Start softly to warm up your partner’s body — it can help with more intensity later.

Brand new to kinky delights? Sensation toys, such as a Wartenberg wheel or vampire glove, make for a great entry point — no training needed. More experienced? Use them to round out your impact play and give your arm a well-deserved break.

Pro tip: Sensation play can break up more intense impact experiences, and the contrast can help your lover go deeper into the pleasure zone.

Your plaything just might drool over a traditional ball or rod gag — and look great doing it. Really want to take command of a sexual situation? A specially shaped gag can bring them to their knees.

Pro tip: If the breath restriction of a traditional gag is too much, try one with holes for better breathability.

Why face reality when you can slip into fantasy with a blindfold or hood? When choosing a hood, consider comfort, breathability and which parts of the face (if any) you want to leave exposed.

Pro tip: Combine a cutout hood with a blindfold or gag separately to customize the restriction level.

Bunnies and puppies and cats, oh my! These pet play hoods are just the thing for those who like their bedroom play on all fours. To go doggy style in one fell swoop, choose a kit with a bone gag, tail and collar. As with other hoods, consider comfort and breathability. Neoprene has a bit of give, while leather adds a most appropriate aroma.

Pro tips: As your pet’s trainer/handler, come up with some training exercises ahead of time to further the fantasy.

One of the most popular forms of BDSM play, cock and ball torture doesn’t have to actually be torturous; it can be less about pain and more about boosting sexual pleasure and producing stronger erections. But if you do feel like prescribing pain, start gently, as everyone’s pain threshold is different. CBT can incorporate consensual humiliation as well.

Pro tip: If you see unintended swelling or color loss, stop immediately and remove any devices.

Clamps do some of your dirty work for you, inflicting pain while leaving your hands free for other things. Or they can be more like jewelry, adding just a bit of pressure. Any chains can, of course, be more than simply decorative, however: You can pull them, add weights, hook them to a collar or simply play connect the dots.

Pro tip: If your lover is new to clamps, consider using an adjustable version to find their sweet spot.

The doctor is in. Whether your “patient” needs to be thoroughly examined or have a hole or labia spread for greater access or stimulation, a speculum or spreader can be just the right treatment.

Pro tips: Wash your hands first. Sterilize your device before using, keep it on a sterilized surface and don’t switch it between bodily holes without resterilizing.

Also known as a vacuum erection device, the penis pump is the most popular type of genital pump. While these pumps can’t permanently change cock size, they can help maintain an erection without medication. Choose one with a quick-release for the easiest exit.

Pro Tip: Add a cock ring at the base of the penis to keep all that blood flow right where you want it.

The gifts that keep on giving! Unlike with a vibrator, the increased sensitivity from these pumps can last after the device is removed. It can help someone achieve climax — or a more powerful climax.

Pro Tip: Use a clit pump over the entire clitoris, including the hood.

Caging the penis can be highly liberating, as it gives total control over erections to someone else. But chastity devices aren’t just for submissives or masochists; wearing one can build anticipation to make for eventual mind-blowing orgasms.

Pro Tip: Keep a second key handy, just in case.

The size of the plate/covering lets you choose how strict to be with your submissive’s sex allowance. A wider plate allows no touching at all, while a narrower one offers some wiggle room.

Pro tip: If your lover will be wearing it for a while, choose a model with small holes for ventilation and urination.