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A techy upgrade on the humble hand job plugs anals
We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with manual masturbation (sometimes known as wanking, playing with yourself, wrangling the snake, we could go on...). After all, we’ve been doing it for centuries, often without complaint.
Well, primates have. A recent study by University College London suggests that self-gratification has a long evolutionary history amongst primates, and was most likely present in the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes.
However, the sex tech revolution that began in the 1960s has led to a boom in automated sex toys and, specifically, male masturbators. These penetrative playthings, often designed to mimic the female vagina, aim to stimulate your entire length and, essentially, take all the hard work out of a hand job.
‘Toys are fantastic tools for enhancement, not replacements,’ explains Intimacy Expert and Mentor Brenden Durell. ‘I encourage the use of sex toys as a way to deepen intimacy, whether solo or with a partner. They are a powerful way to rekindle the fire if you've felt a lull in your connection with yourself or your partner.’
Sold? Great, because below we’ve asked experts in the field to get you up to speed, sharing details on the various types of male masturbators and their top tips for beginners. Plus, our sex writer has scoured the shelves to find the very best on the market right now.
Read our complete guide to the best sex toys for men to amplify your next self-pleasure sesh.
There’s a whole host of options when it comes to style, shape and size, so here's a rundown of your options:
Simply put, strokers are the non-vibrating variety of penis sleeves, designed to be manually moved up and down while an array of nubs, ribs and dips stimulate your shaft. Arguably, they are one of the most beginner-friendly sex toy styles and are fairly kind to your bank account.
Take this palm-sized plaything from Lovehoney, designed to squeeze and tease as you direct it up and down. Or give your imagination a well-deserved break with this alien vagina. Yeah, really.
The clue is in the name, but these manual strokers have been designed to give your imagination a well-deserved break. Again, they come lined with an array of abrasive add-ons, like raised nubs, ripples and perfectly-placed air pockets to somewhat replicate real vaginas.
You might have also heard these referred to as ‘Fleshlights,’ but that title should be reserved for offerings from the brand itself. The insides of these (totally indiscreet, unless you often leave massive torches laying on your bedside) penis pleasers are often modelled after the anatomy of famous porn stars like Riley Reid and Stoya Destroya.
These are penetrative penis covers with added bells and whistles, otherwise known as vibrating, shaking (and sometimes warming) motors.
However, this name is often used to — in our opinion, too broadly — group together all male sex toys, the logic being that all styles (external vibrators, cock rings, prostate massagers etc.) help to improve your masturbation game.
So let's all agree to use the right terminology and save that title for penis cosies that caress, squeeze and please, yeah?
Looking to restock your toy box? Read our tried and tested sex toy reviews, from cock rings to penis pumps, prostate massagers, lube and condoms.
We're going to request that you let your imagination run wild here because explaining the exact sex position in which we 'beat the meat' is just not something we're going to do.
But for the sake of transparency, we will admit to reading hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews to see what (satisfied) shoppers had to say. We then called in a range of strokers, pocket pussies and motorised masturbators to personally test ourselves.
If you're intrigued by the idea of a male masturbator but are not yet convinced one is worth your hard-earned dolla, start with a TENGA Egg. These single-use masturbation sleeves offer a similar feel-good sensation to other toys in this category without the financial commitment.
To the naked eye, this (in our opinion, cracking) sex toy may look small. But the fact they're made from super-stretchy elastomer means your chosen player should meet your, uh, requirements.
Once in position on the tip of your penis, just wrap your hand around it and stroke up and down. Then ditch once you're done. Granted, this means they're not particularly eco-friendly, but for a once-in-a-while posh wank, they're pretty much perfect — particularly as each is lined with a different pattern of textured nubs. An eggcellent stocking stuffer if you ask us.
Thanks to prostate massagers like the LOKI Wave and the HUGO 2, LELO is beloved by many men and prostate owners. Launched in July of 2024, the LELO F1S V3 may be newer to the brand’s product line-up but it’s already a best-selling male masturbator.
Insert your penis into this stroker, turn it on, and it immediately goes to work stimulating with SenSonic technology — AKA pleasurable pulses that travel down your tool. While you can up the ante by moving this toy up and down, you don’t have to; our testers all agreed that it was pretty damn powerful on its own.
The biggest draw for the LELO FS1 V3, however, is the fact that it is outfitted with AI. Yes, really. Listening and learning what you like, the technology then delivers tailor-made vibrations.
Even better news: this penis stimulator can also be connected to the LELO app, which enables long-distance lovers to control the vibration patterns from afar.
The Fun Factory Manta earns gold for its ingenious, ergonomic design. This open-ended vibrator features velvety soft silicone 'wings' that wrap around your willy where they then work overtime supplying rumbly vibrations.
During solo play, simply situate your shaft between its arms and let the vibrations bring you to orgasm. Or move the toy up and down as you might your fist.
You can also place the Manta at the base of your penis during partnered intercourse. This will transform your penis into a vibrator and enable everyone to feel the vibes. Or bring on the best blowjob of your life by holding the fluttering wings against your testicles/perineum while your partner goes down on you.
One way to zhuzh up your solo sessions is with the Arcwave Voy. To use it, slide your penis inside before twisting the central section of that camera lens-lookalike to cycle through the eight different settings.
Disclaimer: these modes use varying pressures, not vibration patterns, to stimulate your penis. Essentially, rather than mimicking oral sex, this simulates your best handiwork.
The open-ended structure makes the Arcwave Voy as easy to clean as male masturbators get. And because it’s super compact, plus comes with two protector lids for each end, it's also the perfect travel companion.
It's worth mentioning that this stroker can also be a great addition to partnered play. Just place it at the base of your shaft while receiving oral sex, leaving your super-sensitive frenulum exposed.
Dubbed the world’s first 'guybrator' when it was launched back in 2013, the Hot Octopuss Pulse Duo Lux has more than a decades' experience of making penis-owners — and their partners — come.
Shaped like a taco shell, this penis sleeve is designed to swathe your shaft with sensation. The inside of the toy is lined with little platelets that oscillate (read: move back and forth) against your penis. But the best part? Once in place, the Pulse stays on its own which frees up your hands for other things.
To be clear: It isn’t just the inside of this penis toy that vibrates — the outside does, too. In fact, the underbelly of the toy has its own motor, which means the sensations it transmits are intense.
If using this toy with a partner, experiment with positioning the 'bulky' side of the Pulse on the top of your penis and having your partner straddle you. From here, hit one of the two Apple Watch-style remotes to cycle through the eight speeds.
Don’t let the fact that the Arcwave Ion looks like a kitchen appliance keep you from exploring the pleasure it can offer. This automatic male masturbator directs (pleasurable) pressure waves to your frenulum — the very sensitive area on the underside of your penis where the head and shaft meet. We like to think of it as the male equivalent of the clitoris.
Described as a pleasure air stroker, once your penis is inside the Ion, the toy uses air stimulation, much in the same way that clitoral suction stimulators do.
Other perks of the Arcwave Ion include the fact that it has an open top for easy clean-up, is totally waterproof, which keeps bathtub masturbation on the table, and is lighter-weight than competitor strokers.
If you’ve wound up on the naughty side of TikTok — or have a partner who has — you’ll have heard of The Rose, a clitoral suction stimulator that has gone viral for its discrete shape and pleasurable technology. And now there is a version for those with penises, known as The Male Rose.
Our sex writer describes it as such: 'Making up this eight-inch toy — which really looks like nothing else but a pleasure accessory — is a jelly-like translucent sleeve, built to bend and bow with your natural movement. On either side, you'll find a (rechargeable) bullet vibrator, intended to spread the motion far and wide.' Read our full review here.
In terms of the sensations it delivers once turned on, she (with some input from her plus-one-with-a-penis) added: 'There's no ignoring it's plastic wrapped around your dong, but with plenty of lube, it does feel like a blowjob from a partner keen to please.' Fun!
From a sheer design standpoint, the Lovense Gush is a champ. Made from stretchy silicone, this ultra-adjustable penis sleeve can wrap around shafts of all sizes. Designed to be totally hands-free, it will stay on your penis, providing feel-good sensations without requiring any movement from your arm, wrist, or hand at all.
The toy can be paired with the Lovense app, which enables you to switch between the 10 different vibration patterns. Its app capabilities also make it a great option for long-distance relationships.
Whether you’re controlling the toy via your smartphone or your long-distance lover is taking the reins, doing so ensures some serious fun — and even gives you the option of syncing the sensations to music.
Let's get you up to speed: there are nine types of masturbators in the Flip family, including the Flip Zero, the Flip Zero Gravity EV and the new Flip Orb, available in Sunset Orange or Ocean Blue.
The Flip Zero EV is a flip phone-style masturbator that, when closed, engulfs your entire penis, before using an intense combination of internal ribs, dips, orbs, vibration and (optional) pressure pads to get you off. In fact, TENGA claims the Flip series houses its 'most intricate internal details yet,' resulting in, arguably, the most intense sensations yet.
The ergonomic hourglass shape makes it easy to hold with one hand, while guiding it up and down the length of your member — although it's also partner play-friendly, so suggest your other half puts in a shift too. Back to that flip function: the fact this opens wide allows for incredibly easy cleaning. Simply rinse, wash with warm soapy water and leave to air dry on the stand/storage case (yep, it doubles as both and almost looks like a Bluetooth speaker when stowed).
We'll let the experts take this one. Specifically, Rika Adachi, Global Marketing Manager at TENGA:
'It is undeniable that the market for sex toys for penises is becoming more popular and normalised than ever. With a greater acceptance and positive attitude towards men’s pleasure products, what was once a very taboo subject is now being elevated by design-led brands such as TENGA.
'Despite this, there are a few pitfalls that consumers need to look out for when deciding to buy a male pleasure product.'
First on Adachi's checklist: brand.
'Badly made sex toys can be very dangerous, especially because they are intended for use on the most sensitive parts of the human body.
'Consumers should go for a recognised brand with a good reputation, as they will take the necessary measures aimed at ensuring that they only use high-quality products. This will also mean that their products meet the required safety regulations and standards, and have been rigorously tested to ensure they’re perfect for use.'
Adachi also urges shoppers to watch out for counterfeit items.
'The quality of the materials used in these fake items cannot be verified. This means that they could be made from cheap materials containing toxic chemicals.
'The best way to spot fake products is by taking notice of the brand details. For example, making sure the brand name is spelt correctly and the logo is the actual design.'
But — and in our opinion, most importantly — Adachi insists you work out what your desires are before making a purchase.
'Everyone's got different tastes when it comes to what pleases them, so make sure you find something that suits your desires. In that sense, TENGA offers over 200 products, varying from strong to gentle sensations, stretchable to solid-cased items, and even ones that vibrate.'
Because we're fully aware not all of you may be comfortable with the idea of technology teasing your tackle, we asked an expert for his take.
'Sex toys are incredible tools for enhancing pleasure, whether solo or with a partner,' details Durell. 'I've found that they expand both capacity and threshold for sensation.
'One of the great advantages of using toys is the deep sense of curiosity they invoke. Whether you're alone or with a partner, there's a sense of anticipation and wonder about what sensations will arise.'
He continues: 'Toys are fantastic tools for enhancement, not replacements. I encourage the use of sex toys as a way to deepen intimacy, whether solo or with a partner.
'It's a powerful way to rekindle the fire if you've felt a lull in your connection with yourself or your partner.'
And for those wondering about the benefits of regular masturbation more generally...
'The benefits of masturbation, especially in the form of edging — the practice of masturbation without climax — include orgasm without ejaculation, increased orgasm control, heightened pleasure, support in managing premature ejaculation, and much more.
'Essentially, it’s an ancient technique that allows you to 'practice your craft' before the 'game'.
'The major benefits that my clients and I have experienced with this technique include discovering new pleasure points within the body, slowing down to be fully present with ourselves, and creating a fresh way to experience dopamine without ejaculating.'
Because not all of us are well acquainted with techy teasers, Durell's shared his top tips:
'Put on your adventurer's hat, because you are now an explorer! Having an open and clear mind is key.'
When it comes to toys, try using them in different positions (on your back, on your knees, or if you fancy your own private sex show, standing in front of the mirror) and locations. The time of the day, the lube you choose to use and the environment around you may also impact your experience.
Make sure to think about what's going to make you feel comfortable. Consider putting on some background music or Netflix if you're worried about your flatmate or neighbour catching on. And if you're worried about a potential mess, invest in a sex blanket to spare your sheets.
'I always tell my clients that creating a space free from judgment, shame, and fear allows you to experience the most profound pleasure of your life,' adds Durell, who recently appeared as an intimacy expert on Netflix's Too Hot To Handle.
'Life offers many pleasures, and body pleasure is a huge gift — one that we all deserve to experience safely and consistently.
'In a nutshell, remember to have fun!'
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a sex and fitness journalist committed to helping people feel the best they can in their bodies. In addition to Men’s Health, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.
Sophie Donovan is the Sex and Relationships Senior Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and Men’s Health. Sophie is passionate about everything sexual wellness, offering her readers honest reviews on vibrators, BDSM for beginners, sex essentials like lube and condoms, plus feminine hygiene products such as period pants. She also spends her working week quizzing sexperts on their top tips for a satisfying sex life.
Sophie’s journalism career began in 2019 when she completed News Associates’ 22-week NCTJ fast-track Multimedia Journalism course and was awarded a Gold Standard Diploma. Accepting a place on The Sun’s Trainee Scheme, she gained experience on the newspaper’s print Showbiz, Production and Fabulous Magazine teams. After completing the graduate programme, she worked for Dear Deidre, where her role included publishing a weekly advice column offering sex, financial and mental health support, plus assisting with the launch of the brand’s Instagram page and first podcast series.
Outside of work, Sophie can either be found working on her love/hate relationship with running or dragging her friends to yet another F45 class. You can follow Sophie on Instagram @soph_don / @sextingthecity.
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