A fake or low-grade sex toy usually gives itself away before you use it: a price far below what the brand charges elsewhere, flimsy or misspelt packaging, no manual or warranty card, a strong chemical smell, and a seller who cannot say what the material is. If two or more of these show up, do not use it.
Copies of well-known toys do turn up in India, mostly through anonymous online listings. The risk is not only a toy that breaks; it is a toy made of unknown materials that sits against the most sensitive skin you have. These eight checks take a few minutes.
Eight checks before you use a toy
| Check | What genuine looks like | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Close to the brand’s usual price | A famous model at a fraction of the usual price |
| Packaging | Printed clearly, sealed, spelt correctly | Blurry print, spelling mistakes, no seal |
| Manual and warranty | A manual, care notes, often a warranty card | None at all, or a photocopied sheet |
| Serial or QR code | Some brands print a code you can check on their website | A code that does not check out where the brand offers checking |
| Smell | Little or no smell | A strong plastic or chemical smell that stays after washing |
| Material | Named clearly, for example silicone or ABS | “Silicone” that feels greasy or sticky, or no material named |
| Charging | The brand’s own cable, a neat fit | A loose cable, an odd plug, a toy that gets hot |
| Seller | A named business with contact details, returns and an invoice | No address, no returns, payment only by transfer |
Not every brand uses serial numbers or QR codes, so a missing code is not proof of a fake on its own. Look at the checks together.
Why fakes matter
Genuine body-safe toys use non-porous materials such as silicone, glass, steel and ABS. Copies often use cheaper soft plastics that may contain softeners such as phthalates (see phthalate-free), and porous materials that hold bacteria however well you clean them. Cheap batteries and chargers are another risk. Our guide to body-safe materials explains what to look for, and are sex toys safe? covers the wider question.
Where to buy safely
- A seller who names the brand and the material on every product page
- Clear contact details, a returns policy for faulty items and an invoice
- Prices that make sense for the brand
- Listings with real specifications rather than copied marketing text
- Our guide to buying sex toys online in India walks through it in more detail.
How LustSutra sources
We buy from brand distributors and ship from our own store house in India, and we stock body-safe materials only. You can see every maker we carry on our brands page, and how we work on our about page. Every order arrives in a plain box with free delivery and cash on delivery; see sex toys in India for the full range.
If you think you have a fake
Stop using it, take photos of the toy and its packaging, and contact the seller. If it came from us, email care@lustsutra.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number; our returns policy covers faulty items. If you have any skin reaction, see a doctor.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a sex toy is fake?
Look at the price, packaging, manual, smell, stated material and seller together. Two or more warning signs mean it is safer not to use it.
Is a strong smell a bad sign?
Yes. Body-safe silicone has little or no smell. A strong chemical smell that stays after washing suggests unknown plastics.
Do all genuine toys have a serial number?
No. Some brands print a code you can check online; many do not. A missing code alone does not prove a toy is fake.
Can I test whether a toy is real silicone at home?
Not reliably or safely. Buy from a seller who names the material and stands behind it.
What should I do with a toy I think is fake?
Stop using it, keep the packaging, and contact the seller about a return.
For adults 21 and over. Every order ships in a plain, unbranded box with free delivery and cash on delivery.