Yet to get your hands on a masturbator sex toy for your penis? Well, we think that it’s about time you did! Known for creating harder, stronger, and longer lasting orgasms, masturbators, also referred to as strokers, come in all sorts of designs ranging from your basic manual stroker, to multi-function vibrating wands.

How to Choose a Masturbator Sex Toy

With a lot of varying choices on the market, choosing the perfect one for you can take some navigating - especially for first time users. So, with the guidance of Sex Educator Emma Hewitt, we have created a step-by-step guide on how to choose a penis masturbator – and we’ve thrown in a couple of our top recommendations too!

What Is a Masturbator Sex Toy?

A masturbator is a toy that’s designed to stimulate the penis. Usually consisting of a soft, super flexible material, masturbators feel incredibly realistic and skin-like. You can stroke, you can squeeze, or you can sit back and see what comes naturally.

Some styles attempt to simulate penetrative or oral sex, while others just add some extra sensation to a classic hand job or can even be used along with oral sex. Masturbators aren’t strictly for solo use - incorporating one of these toys into partnered play can help take your intimacy to the next level! Explore mutual masturbation, enhance your foreplay, and even combine with oral sex. Masturbators are great for masturbation, but can also help you and your partner learn more about each other’s bodies and what turns you on!

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Masturbator

When it comes to choosing a masturbator, it all comes down to personal preference. There are several aspects to consider before going ahead and making a purchase:

Price and Budget

Masturbators not only come in all shapes and sizes, but also in a wide range of prices.! The best one for you may not be the most expensive, either. It’s important to understand your budget before shopping for a masturbator, as this will reflect the functions, features, and quality of the masturbator you buy.

Manual vs Automatic

Do you want a typical masturbator, or do you want one with all the latest bells and whistles? There is a large variety of functions masturbators can have – some vibrate, others heat up, and some can even stroke your shaft for you! Ask yourself: Would you like to take control of the pace and intensity, or would you rather sit back, relax, and let the toy do the work?

Materials and Textures

Every masturbator has a different texture, and each texture pleases your penis in a different way. Some textures primarily stimulate the head, others the shaft, or stimulate all parts equally. When shopping for a masturbator, the kind of texture you’re buying is important to consider, as this is the most impactful part of the masturbator!

Material is also an important consideration. Cyberskin and TPE are the most common and create a lifelike feeling. Silicone is also common and has a smooth, slick feeling. Depending on what kind of masturbator you’re shopping for, the material and therefore the feel, can be very different!

Want to learn more about sex toy materials? Read our Sex Toy Material Guide.

Types of Masturbators Explained

Anatomical Masturbators (Fleshlight)

If you know anything about sex toys, you’re most likely already familiar with the brand Fleshlight. Paving the way for other sex toy brands, Fleshlight has gained the title of number one manufacturer of ‘male’ sex toys, solidifying itself as a household name. But what makes them so special?

With extremely realistic designs, super-soft, life-like interiors, and lifelike Cyberskin, it is no wonder why Fleshlight is so popular. If you’re looking for an ultra-soft anatomical masturbator (that looks like a vulva, anus, and more), then Fleshlight is the way to go!

“Material-wise, Fleshlights are amazing. They are extremely soft and feel very skin-like. They will also retain warmth so can be heated up prior to play,” says Emma

“Fleshlights also have suction too, and you can loosen or tighten the end depending on how you like it.”

Learn more about Fleshlights:

• 4 amazing ways to use a Fleshlight with your partner

• What is a Fleshlight and why should you buy one?

Non-Anatomical Masturbators (Tenga Flip Hole)

Tenga Flip Zero Masturbator$229.95Shop Now

If you’re on the hunt for something a little more discreet, but with the same realistic feel, then a non-anatomical masturbator is the way to go. Coming encased in a sleek white case, the Tenga Flip Zero is discreet yet packed full of stimulation. Prioritising pleasure over all else, the internal texturing is incredibly detailed and designed to stimulate every inch of your manhood!

The entrance creates a strong seal around you, so you can enjoy a ‘tight’ sensation. You don’t have to worry about lube spilling out either – it’s safely secured inside the masturbator until you’re finished! Speaking of finishing – you can clean this masturbator quickly and easily. The Tenga Flip Zero is designed with a split down the middle, so you can open this toy up, wash out the inside thoroughly, and leave to dry, making cleaning simple and easy!

“The Tenga Flip Zero is a multi-use penis stroker that is used to stimulate the penis as it moves up and down. While it may not look like much from the outside, this is a highly textured and stimulating sex toy,” says Emma.

Travel-Sized Masturbators (Eggs)

Share Satisfaction Masturbator Egg - Juicy $9.95Shop Now

Travel-sized, easy to use, and cost-efficient, masturbator eggs are perfect for first time users and those who want on the go fun. Typically made from silicone or TPE, masturbators are stretchy and soft to the touch. These strokers come in small egg-shaped cases (hence the name), making them easily portable. Unlike most other strokers, you can throw a masturbator egg into your bag and use it anywhere, anytime. The sleeves of these strokers are thinner than those of other masturbators, meaning they are designed to amp up your hand job rather than replicate the actual sensations of penetrative sex.

Perfect for those on a budget, masturbator eggs are on the cheaper side, meaning you don’t have to splurge to enjoy yourself. When looked after with care, egg strokers can be kept for multiple uses. As far as sex toys for penises go, these are a great, cost-effective masturbator for men to enjoy!

Expert tip: Masturbator eggs are great for partnered play, too! One purchaser says “I just love this so much - so enjoyable with my partner.” Make that hand job gourmet, or alternate between oral sex and the egg for sensory overload.

Vibrating Masturbators (Satisfyer Men Wand)

Satisfyer Men Wand$89.95Shop Now

From award winning sex toy brand Satisfyer, comes the non-anatomical Satisfyer Men Wand. Working more like a vibrator than a stroker, this ergonomically designed toy is made from silicone which is body-safe, able to be completely sterilised, and will last you a long time. Offering sensations a regular stroker can’t give you, a vibrating masturbator is an absolute game-changer in the bedroom.

With 35 incredible vibration settings and two soft wings that wrap around the penis, this stroker is easy to clean, waterproof, and can even help those dealing with erectile dysfunction. If you’re looking for a higher-end stroker, which features thrilling vibrations, then this is the toy for you! “This helped me have one of the most intense orgasms I have ever had. If you like vibration 10/10 would recommend” one purchaser wrote.

If you’re looking for a masturbator with all the latest features, you may find the Satisfyer Men Heat Vibration Masturbator more to your liking. Featuring more than 70 vibration patterns and a heating function that can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, it’s the latest in modern pleasure. Alternatively, explore the limitless possibilities afforded to you by Satisfyer’s signature app-controlled masturbator, the Satisfyer Men Vibration+ Connect App Masturbator. Connect it to the free Satisfyer Connect App and give yourself full control over the vibration patterns and intensities.

Care and Maintenance Tips for Masturbators

Masturbators are generally made from super soft, stretchy material, but this does mean that they can tear easily if you don’t use enough lube or take care of them properly. To avoid any annoying tears, we advise always using a water-based lubricant as it reduces friction and allows you to glide over the material rather than stretch it out.

To keep your realistic masturbators looking the best, we recommend applying refreshing powder to them occasionally to keep them looking fresh and new. Applying this after cleaning your masturbator and letting it dry completely helps keep your strokers in mint condition.

Expert Recommendations and Reviews

Keeping your toys hidden can always be a bit of a struggle – especially for larger masturbators! The best way to keep your toys safely stored away from prying eyes is in a toy bag – this keeps your strokers safe in a padded area and can be discreetly tucked away in a drawer or closet.

Accentuate your experience with Masturbator Accessories! Items like warming rods and mounts can provide completely new sensations and possibilities. Accessorise your masturbator to your heart’s content and level up your pleasure!