For people who enjoy kinky sex, a fetish or kink is simply an unconventional way of expressing one's sexuality, as long as it follows the principles of being safe, sane, and consensual and does not cause any harm or discomfort to anyone involved.
When practised correctly, incorporating your preferred types of kinks into your sex life can add excitement and deepen the sexual connection with your partner. Better yet, it can improve your mental health. For this reason, we have established a list of kinks and fetishes worth exploring.
Prepare to have your socks well and truly knocked off by the many different activities we have compiled in our list of kinks worth exploring. There are so many options out there, but we have narrowed it down to 30 of the most popular kinks and fetishes.
Don't be afraid to explore the world of kinks; you might be surprised by the wide range of interests and desires that exist, and what may seem strange to you could be one of the most common kinks in the world and a major turn-on for someone else.
Read on for our comprehensive kink list, as well as some handy hints on exploring different types of kinks.
30 Kinks and Fetishes You Should Know Including the Most Common and Popular
Age Play
Age play is a fetish where one partner takes on the role of a different age during sexual activities, such as a teacher/student or parent/child. This is one of the most popular kinks among many in the kink community.
Auralism
Auralism is a fetish for listening to sounds, such as someone's voice or music. This kink is more uncommon compared to other popular kinks.
Autoplushophilia
Autoplushophilia is a fetish for stuffed animals or plush toys. This is a lesser-known fetish and is considered one of the more uncommon kinks.
BDSM
BDSM stands for Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism. It's a consensual power dynamic between partners, involving dominance and submission, and is one of the most popular kinks you’ll find on this kink list. (Read: How to become a swinger)
Blood Play
Next up on our list of kinks is blood play. Blood play is a fetish for blood or gore, often involving cutting or needle play. This kink is less common and can be considered a dangerous practice if not done in a controlled and safe environment.
Breath Play
Breath play involves restricting or controlling a partner's breathing during sexual activities. This kink is not as commonly explored compared to other popular kinks and with good reason - it can be extremely dangerous if not done safely.
CBT
CBT stands for Cock and Ball Torture and is a fetish involving inflicting pain to the testicles. This is one of the more popular kinks among people who enjoy a little pain in their sexual experiences.
Consensual Nonconsent
Consensual nonconsent is a fetish involving the consensual roleplay of non-consent. This kink is not as commonly explored compared to other popular kinks.
Cuckolding
Cuckolding is a fetish where one partner derives pleasure from their partner having sexual relations with someone else. This is one of the more common kinks on this list, particularly among people who enjoy exploring different power dynamics in their sexual experiences. (Read: Best cuckold sites to find cuckold couples, bulls and hot wives)
Degradation
Degradation is a fetish involving being verbally or physically humiliated during sexual activities. This kink is a common fetish among people who enjoy exploring power dynamics and surrendering control in their sexual experiences.
Dirty Talk
Dirty talk is perhaps the most, if not one of the most common kinks on our list. This is, of course, a fetish involving the use of explicit language during sexual activities. This kink is popular among people who enjoy adding a little extra spice to their sexual experiences.
Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism is a fetish involving exposing oneself in public. This kink is not as commonly explored compared to other popular kinks and should only be acted upon with caution and in a safe and consensual environment.
Feet
Many people in the kink community have a fetish for feet or footwear. It is one of the more popular kinks on our list and is enjoyed by many people. It can involve foot worship or tickling.
Female-led Relationships
A female-led relationship is where a woman takes on a dominant role with her partner. This kink is becoming more popular among people who enjoy exploring power dynamics in their sexual experiences.
Financial Domination
Financial domination is a fetish where one partner gives control of their finances to another. This is one of the most popular kinks among people who enjoy surrendering control of their sexual experiences.
Gags
Gags are a fetish involving the use of gags during sexual activities. This is one of the more common kinks among people who enjoy exploring power dynamics and surrendering control in their sexual experiences.
Hosiery
Hosiery is a fetish for stockings or tights. This is a common fetish among many people and can involve wearing hosiery during sexual activities or simply enjoying the sight of it.
Humiliation
Humiliation is a fetish involving being humiliated or ashamed during sexual activities. This kink is a popular fetish among people who enjoy exploring power dynamics and surrendering control in the bedroom.
Impact Play
This kink involves hitting, spanking, or slapping during sexual acts. This type of play is often considered a subset of BDSM, and it is important to establish clear boundaries and communication with partners before engaging in impact play.
Mummification
Mummification is a fetish in which a person is wrapped up tightly in materials such as cloth or plastic wrap, creating a feeling of restriction and sensory deprivation. This kink is considered a part of the BDSM community, but it is one of the more uncommon kinks when compared with different kinks under the umbrella, like roleplay or exhibitionism.
Nipple Play
This is a kink that involves sexual stimulation of the nipples. This can include sucking, biting, or pinching the nipples. Nipple play is considered one of the more common kinks and is often enjoyed by many people as a form of sexual foreplay.
Nylon
Some people enjoy a nylon kink. This is a fetish that involves an attraction to or sexual arousal from nylon clothing or materials. This kink is often considered a form of sexual fetishism and is enjoyed by many people who have a preference for the feel and look of nylon.
Objectification
A fetish in which a person is treated or viewed as a mere object rather than a subject. This can include being ordered around, used for sexual pleasure, or otherwise treated as though they are not human beings. Objectification is considered a kink that falls under the BDSM umbrella, but it is not a popular or widely-accepted kink.
Orgasm Control
A kink that involves denying or delaying someone's orgasm for sexual pleasure. This can involve sexual teasing, denial, or forced orgasm. Orgasm control is a popular kink within the BDSM community, and it is often enjoyed by those who enjoy the power dynamic that it creates.
Praise
A fetish in which a person is sexually aroused by receiving praise, admiration, or worship. This can include verbal praise, physical worship, or other forms of flattery. Praise is considered a kink that falls under the BDSM umbrella, but it is not as commonly seen as other popular kinks like BDSM or roleplay.
Pregnancy
There is a fetish that involves sexual arousal from the idea of pregnancy, whether it be one's own or someone else's. This kink is considered a form of sexual fetishism and is often enjoyed by people who have a strong interest in the idea of pregnancy and childbirth.
Roleplay
This kink is where partners engage in sexual acts while assuming different roles, such as teacher and student, boss and employee, or doctor and patient. We consider roleplay as one of the most popular kinks on this kink list. It is enjoyed by many people who find it exciting to take on different personas in the bedroom.
Switch
A term used to describe a person who enjoys both dominant and submissive roles in BDSM play. A switch is capable of taking on either role and often finds pleasure in switching between the two.
Urophilia
A fetish in which a person is sexually aroused by urine or the act of urination. This kink is considered a form of sexual fetishism and is not as commonly seen as other popular kinks like BDSM or roleplay.
Voyeurism
A kink in which a person derives sexual pleasure from observing others engaging in sexual acts or intimate activities. This can involve watching through a window, peeping through a keyhole, or other forms of non-consensual observation. Voyeurism is considered one of the more common kinks among our comprehensive list of kinks, but it is important to obtain consent from all parties before engaging in this type of behaviour.
In conclusion, these are just some of the many different kinks and fetishes that exist within the sexual community. It's important to remember that all forms of kink and fetish are valid as long as they are practised safely, sanely, and consensually. Whether it's BDSM, impact play, or a more obscure fetish like mummification, exploring your sexual desires and kinks can lead to greater self-awareness and increased intimacy with partners.
Tips for exploring different kinks and fetishes
Now that you’ve seen our impressive list of kinks, let’s dive a little deeper into how you can go about exploring different kinks. We hope that with our comprehensive kink list, we have allowed you to familiarise yourself with the different types of kinks on offer. Now, we’ll leave you with 6 key tips to help with your exploration.
Aftercare
When experimenting with new sexual acts, particularly those that involve BDSM, it's crucial to practise aftercare. Due to the rush of endorphins you experience during sex, which causes a euphoric feeling, it’s quite common to experience a “drop” when it ends.
Having a plan for post-play activities such as cuddling, eating and drinking, or watching a comforting show can enhance the experience and foster a deeper connection. You may also seek the guidance of a kink-friendly therapist or sexuality professional to ensure that your desires are explored in a healthy and satisfying manner.
Learn About Kink
If you're new to kink, it's helpful to gather information from sex experts. Understanding more about kink can make you feel more confident and less intimidated. You can even read and learn about kink together with your partner if you're interested in exploring some of the entries on our list of kinks.
Research online by exploring Reddit threads, kink and BDSM educational blogs, or sex-positive educators on Instagram and TikTok. Learning about the types of kink you want to try with a partner is a great way to start an open conversation.
Open Communication
It's essential to have an open dialogue with your partner about exploring kink, whether both of you are interested or you are suggesting it. Learning about kink together with a partner can encourage open communication and help you both explore what interests you. For example, join the top bdsm dating sites, follow some kinky person to learn about the culture of kinks
Creating a safe and non-judgmental space with your partner is crucial when discussing kink. Be open and honest about your desires and the kinks you may be interested in. You may be surprised at what your partner is open to.
Negotiate Limits
Before engaging in kink with a partner, it's important to make sure both of you know what is and isn't okay. Make your boundaries clear by creating a list of things you are not comfortable with and sharing it with your partner. Clear communication is key.
Choose a Safe Word
A safe word is a clear and quick way to communicate "No" during kink play. This word signals to your partner that you want to stop the current kink activity. It's especially helpful if you're new to kink and not sure what you like or don't like.
Remember, Kink is About Mutual Pleasure
When exploring kink with a partner, remember that it's about mutual pleasure for all parties involved. Negotiating limits and open communication with your partner(s) is crucial to ensure everyone enjoys the kink being practised, whether they are receiving it or not.