With female sex toys like vibrators and dildos stealing the spotlight, the idea that sex toys for men existed had never even crossed my mind. With some research and awkwardly funny conversations with my male friends, I realised that in recent years male sex toys have become increasingly common. Especially in the light of the pandemic, the sale of sex toys in India went up by almost  65%!

So, if you're looking to spice things up in the bedroom by introducing some sex toys or you’re looking to enhance your solo pleasure, this is the guide you need to use male sex toys-  

Masturbators

As the name suggests, masturbators are masturbation aids that will help you reach an orgasm through masturbation without you just using your hands. These hand-held toys give you some next-level pleasure that anyone’s palms are just not capable of. Masturbators are essentially textured sleeves that often have ridges, nodules and grooves to give the user a sense of unimaginable pleasure and orgasm.

One of the most popular and sought after masturbators are made by the brand Fleshlight. Fleshlights are masturbators that are essentially long and cylindrical in shape and the base is made to resemble a mouth, anus or a vagina (plenty of options for everyone). The basic idea of a flashlight is for a penis to be inserted into the cylindrical tube and be pleasured by the base shape of the user’s choice.

Penis extension

Similar to a flashlight, penis extensions and sleeves are made to fit around the length and girth of your penis. The toy is supposed to be fit over the penis where it would immediately add to its size.  Penis extenders come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials and all of them can be used in different ways to please yourself or your partner.    This male masturbator toy a great way for a ‘newbie’ to try something new in the bedroom without going too crazy.  

Masturbation sleeve/ stroker

A masturbation sleeve is an ultimate toy designed to enhance solo pleasure. The toy basically fits around the length of your penis and envelopes it in new textures, helping you reach an orgasm in a way that you haven't before. Similar to a flashlight, masturbation sleeves or strokers provide the user with a similar feel and tightness to a vagina, mouth or anus to mimic a blowjob or anal sex. While providing an alternative to simply stroking your member while masturbating, these toys are NOT hands-free and will require some effort on your part...however the orgasm seems to be worth it.

Often described as ‘canals that you could jerk off into’ these masturbators are technological innovation and sexually adventurous. You could even use it with your partner to spice things up in the bedroom. Mutual masturbation could be a fun way for you and your partner to sexually satisfy each other without sex. Add in sex toys and it would definitely be a night to remember! These anatomically accurate masturbators in discreet flashlight looking cases should be your go-to if you want to reach an unimaginable climax that your hands simply cannot give you.

Cock Rings

Designed to keep an erection long-lasting for maximum pleasure, a cock ring will be a fun bedroom toy for the user as well as his partner. Made of metal or expandable plastic, a penis ring is worn around the base of a penis. They work by constricting blood flow to the penis so the user can sport a harder erection for a longer time. Cock rings come in a variety of shapes and styles from basic stretchy base ring to vibrating attachments that go all the way till your testicles.

Known to be extremely versatile, it can be even be used a ‘beginner toy’ for men who want to explore the world of sex toys without going over the top. Since it is usually worn at the base of the penis, it can even be used as a couples sex toy that would help your female partner reach orgasm through clitoral stimulation.

Prostate Massagers

Ask any straight man if he is into ‘butt stuff’ and as long as it is not performed on him, he would most likely be into it. For many years, any sexual act related to a man’s butt has been considered gay but with recent proof that a man’s G-spot is actually located near his prostate, they have become more and more inclined to trying new stuff. Ask any man who has had his prostate played with and he will tell most likely tell you how it has given him orgasms that he has never felt before.

Designed to hit a man G-spot in the most pleasurable way, prostate massagers (along with some lube) can be used to stimulate the inner regions of the anus without any stimulation to any other area. These massagers come in various shapes and types depending on the activity you want. Whether you're looking for some sort of prostate massage or just some newbie anal exploration, this toy is the answer to all your needs.

Anal beads is one such variation where basically a string of beads on a flexible cord is inserted into the anus. They come in various lengths and sizes so they're easily customisable. Some prostate massagers even come with remote controls so if you're looking for some solo fun, you can decide the level of intensity you are comfortable with.

Butt Plugs

Another sex toy that can be a fun addition to your bedroom is a butt plug. As the name suggests, a butt plug is specially designed to stimulate your sensitive nerves around your anus. This toy is preferred by many due to its versatility in enabling both penis and anus stimulation.

While choosing a butt plug, many advise opting for a curved shaped one since it is most effective in helping you reach an orgasm by stimulating the G-spot. It has multiple uses and can be used for your solo masturbation sessions or even during sex, foreplay or any other sexual activity that gets you going. Just like cock rings, butt plugs come in different variants and opting for a vibrating butt plug would simply enhance your anal play experience.  

Vacuum Cups

If you've gone onto any porn website, you're most likely to have seen advertisements of vacuum cups which promise to give you a ‘surgically enlarged and enhanced penis’ without actually getting a surgery. As sketchy as it may sound, vacuum cups do exist and its users swear by how fun it is to use.

A penis pump works by creating some vacuum within a cylindrical chamber where the penis has to be inserted. The vacuum then pulls more blood to your penis, thus giving it a  thicker and a fuller look. These cups are available in manual and digital versions. In the manual version, the user simply has to simply pump the pressure pump till they feel the blood ready to escape their erect penis. A digital version is more fun as you can customise the settings and controls for a more enjoyable experience.

Choosing the right material for your sex toy

The world of male sex toys is vast and can sometimes even be overwhelming to a newbie. One of the most important aspects to look into who choosing a sex toy for yourself or your partner is playing a closer look at the material it is made out of. Every material has different benefits and depending on the kind of feeling you’re looking for, some of your options could be-

Metal toys: A toy made of metal may seem daunting but they add a whole new level of fun and excitement in the bedroom. You could use the coolness of the metal to add ‘chills’ as [art of your sexual play or you could even heat it up for some sensations that you probably have never felt before. The variety of temperature changes that metal toys offer to make it a favourite for many. Since most of them are made with stainless steel, if properly cared for and stored, they could last for a lifetime.

Silicone toys: Probably the most common material that generally all sex toys are made of, silicone toys are popular because the texture can mimic the feeling of skin like no other material. Since silicone toys are hypoallergenic, non-porous and extremely easy to clean, they have quickly become everyone's favourite. The usage of a silicon toy with lube gives users an extremely realistic feel and if that’s your thing, this is the material you should go for.

Glass toys: Although not meant for people who are extremely clumsy, glass toys are meant for the people who are extremely into temperature play. Glass heats and cools much faster than metal and when used on the body, provides a much more exhilarating and intense feeling. While you may be worried about breaking your toy, most glass toys in the market now are made with Pyrex glass that is almost indestructible. This variant too is easy to clean and if properly looked after, can last you a very long time.  

A few basics to remember while using male sex toys-

While you may be eager to explore the vast world of sex toys, these are a few tips to remember while using them to ensure you have a fun yet safe experience:-

• Choose the right product.. for you- The addition of a sex toy in the bedroom  could be  fun and exciting for some, but daunting for others. Whether you just want to find out what you might like or you’re in the search for a specific kind of toy, choosing the right toy for your needs and wants is of utmost importance. A google search or even talking to your friends could help you gain some personal insight into what kind of toy you should begin your adventure with. You could also visit a reputable sex toys website to make sure you get good quality products without the hassle of going into an actual shop.
• Don't forget the lube- For a smooth experience while using sex toys, whether you are an amateur or a novice, the lubricant is a very important part of using toys. Especially while using male sex toys, using lube is important because the tissues inside and around the anus are very delicate. If torn, it can lead to a very uncomfortable situation that can be easily avoided. Another plus point of using lube during your play is that it can aid in providing with additional sensations that will help you or your partner reach orgasm. Using lube that heats up is one such option as it can provide you with a warm and tingly feeling that is certainly welcome during sex.
• Hygiene is key- Whether you are using sex toys for your solo pleasure or with a partner, keeping them clean should be of utmost importance. Apart from preventing any unwanted infections, it will also help increase the longevity of the toy itself. While cleaning may be the last thing on your mind while using sex toys, it is a relatively easier job. Since most toys available in the market right now are water-proof, a simple wash with warm water and an antiseptic soap should do the trick.

Male sex toys have rarely got the attention they deserve. Whether you are simply looking to try something fun with your partner or you're willing to explore the fun and exciting world of anal pleasure, there is a little something for everyone's tastes and preferences.

As far as I can remember, sex toys have always been a taboo subject. A clichèd image of a blow-up sex doll at a distasteful bachelor party used to come to my mind whenever I would think of them. However, as I grew more sexually inquisitive, I realised that sex toys could be a fun way to not only maximize solo but also couple pleasure.