buying-guides
Best Kegel Balls for Beginners: Picking Your First Set
10 September 2024 · 6 min
Best Kegel Balls for Beginners: Picking Your First Set
Most beginner Kegel ball sets fail because they're chosen wrong: too heavy, wrong material, or poor design.
This guide explains what to look for and recommends the best beginner sets.
What to Look For in Beginner Kegel Balls
Size
Diameter: 3–4 cm (1.18–1.57 inches). Larger = easier to hold (less chance of falling out).
Avoid: Tiny balls (< 2.5 cm). Hard to hold, frustrating for beginners.
Weight
First set: 25–35g maximum. Light weights let you focus on form, not just holding.
Avoid: Heavy sets (50g+) as first purchase. Too challenging; causes frustration and failure.
Material
Silicone: Non-porous, body-safe, easy to clean. Best for beginners.
Glass/Metal: Durable, but heavier (inappropriate for beginners).
Avoid: TPE or jelly. Porous, can't be properly sterilised.
Retrieval
Cord: Strongly recommended for beginners. Easy to remove if ball falls out or you need it out quickly.
Avoid: No cord. Creates anxiety if you can't easily retrieve the ball.
Number of Balls
Set of 2 or 3: A graduated set (different weights) is smart. Allows progression without re-buying.
Single ball: Fine if you only want one to try.
Best Beginner Sets by Price
Budget (Under £20)
Adam & Eve Beginner Kegel Balls (£10–18)
- Silicone, 3cm diameter, retrieval cord
- Light weight (perfect for beginners)
- Affordable, good starter set
Mid-Range (£20–40)
Elvie or similar app-free Kegel set (£20–35)
- Quality silicone
- Graduated weights (25g, 40g)
- Retrieval cords
- Allows progression
Premium (£40–100)
Graduated luxury sets (£40–100)
- High-end silicone
- Multiple weights (3–4 balls)
- Premium feel
- Unnecessary for beginners but nice if budget allows
Specific Top Picks for Beginners
Best overall beginner: Adam & Eve Kegel Ball Set (£10–18)
- Affordable, quality, beginner-appropriate weights
- Widely available
- Good reviews
Best value progression set: Mid-range graduated set (£20–40)
- Multiple weights without re-buying
- Allows natural progression
- Better value long-term than single-ball purchases
Best if budget is tight: Single silicone Kegel ball, 25–30g (£8–15)
- Cheapest entry
- Later buy additional weights as you progress
What to Avoid
- Heavy sets (50g+) for beginners. Too challenging; causes failure and abandonment.
- Tiny balls (<2.5 cm). Hard to hold; frustrating; risk of getting lost.
- Non-silicone materials. TPE degrades; metal/glass are heavy.
- No retrieval cord. Creates anxiety and difficulty removing.
- Expensive sets as first purchase. You don't know if you'll use them long-term.
How to Use Your First Kegel Balls
- Insert (usually while lying down): This is easier than standing.
- Stand slowly: Once inserted and in place, stand and move around gently.
- Hold for 10–15 minutes: The goal is simply to hold them in place.
- If they fall out: Normal for beginners. Re-insert and try again. This is practice.
- Contract gently to hold: Mild pelvic floor contractions keep them in place.
- Remove: Use the retrieval cord to pull gently.
Setting Expectations
First week: Balls might fall out frequently. This is normal. You're learning.
Week 2–3: Easier to keep in place. Your muscles are learning.
Week 4: Clearly easier to hold. You'll notice improvement.
Beyond: Progression to heavier weights, longer duration, more challenging.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Buying too heavy: Heavy balls for beginners = failure and abandonment.
Expecting instant results: Pelvic floor training takes weeks.
Feeling embarrassed if they fall out: Every beginner experiences this. It's normal.
Giving up after first failure: Learning takes time. Stick with it 5+ sessions.
The Progression Plan
Week 1–2: Light balls (25g), 10–15 minutes Week 3–4: Increase to 20 minutes Week 5–6: Move to intermediate weight (40g), 15 minutes Week 7+: Extend duration, or move to advanced weights
Final Recommendation
Buy a graduated beginner set (2–3 balls, weights 25–40g) for £20–35.
This gives you:
- Appropriate starting weight
- Built-in progression
- Better value than buying singles
- Flexibility to progress naturally
Avoid cheap single-ball purchases or heavy sets. A proper graduated beginner set is the smart investment.
See also: structured pelvic-floor training, kegel balls: techniques and benefits, and the difference between Ben Wa and kegel balls.


