The right sex toy is a decent investment. But when you choose something you love, it could earn a permanent place in your bedside drawer and bring pleasure time and time again. But with so many shapes, settings and promises to compare, how do you choose the best male sex toy for you? And more importantly, one that gets the job done.
Start with the sensation you want. A toy might have five, ten or even fifteen settings, but what matters is whether any of them feel good to you. Perhaps you enjoy the movement of stroking, prefer focused stimulation in one spot, or want something that adds vibration when you’re with a partner. Knowing what appeals to you makes the shopping part much easier.
Naturally, we have a few favourites at Hot Octopuss. Here’s how to work out which kind of toy deserves a place beside your bed.
Start with what already feels good.
Before comparing features, think about what you enjoy during. Is it masturbation or partnered sex? Do you prefer movement, steady contact, gentle stimulation or more intensity? Are you curious about stimulating somewhere you usually overlook?
You don’t need to have all the answers. Even knowing that you want “less stroking” or “something we can use together” gives you a useful starting point. And while “male sex toys” is a familiar shopping category, choose according to your anatomy and preferences, whatever your gender.
Want stroking, texture and movement?
If movement is the main attraction, consider something from our Pulse range. Our Pulse range uses unique Pulse Plate Technology, which provides powerful oscillations completely new to the sex toy industry. This tech stimulates the frenulum using oscillations, which leads to a unique experience for people who want to take their orgasms to the next level.
Pulse Solo Essential is a crowd favourite and is also available in a unique colour we call Dragon Eye. Same toy, bolder colour!
Want more control over intensity?
Think Pulse Solo Essential but with more accessible control. Being able to adjust intensity easily can matter just as much as maximum power.
Pulse Solo Lux builds on the PULSE experience with a wrist-strap remote, a higher top speed than ESSENTIAL and a Turbo function. It’s worth considering if you want easier access to the controls or more intensity available when you choose it.
Want vibration around the shaft and perineum?
Pleasure doesn’t have to centre on the head of the penis. If you’re curious about broader external stimulation, a vibrating cock ring offers a different approach. And our Atom Plus even provides stimulation during partnered sex.
Atom Plus has two integrated motors designed to stimulate the top of the shaft and the perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus. It’s an option for solo use or for adding vibration during partnered sex.
Its large contact area and raised nub are also designed to provide a partner with external stimulation during penetration around the vulva. How that contact feels will depend on your bodies and position, so think about where you both want the toy to reach.
Want shared stimulation without penetration?
If you want a toy that stimulates both partners, then our Pulse Duo is exactly the toy you'll reach for time and time again.
Pulse Duo combines oscillating stimulation for the penis with an external vibrating motor for a partner. It’s designed to offer shared pleasure without requiring penetration, and it can also be used solo.
The current enhanced model has a more compact design and an arched base shaped for vulva contact. Its partner motor has a wireless remote, so you can adjust settings and intensity without touching the toy or interrupting the moment.
For couples choosing between the two, ATOM PLUS is worth exploring for vibration during penetration, while PULSE DUO suits shared external stimulation. Let the kind of contact you want guide your choice.
Want a toy you can use without an erection?
This deserves a place on your shopping checklist. If you want to start while soft, check whether the toy is designed for that and whether its fit works for your body.
PULSE SOLO ESSENTIAL, PULSE SOLO LUX and PULSE DUO are designed for use while flaccid or erect. That gives you room to explore stimulation without making an erection the starting requirement.
Check the practical details before you buy
Once you’ve found the kind of sensation you want, give the everyday details a little attention.
- Fit: Check sizing guidance and where the stimulating surface will sit against your body.
- Controls: Consider button placement and whether a remote would make adjustments easier.
- Lubricant compatibility: Follow the instructions for your specific toy when choosing lube.
- Cleaning: Check how to wash and dry it, and whether it’s waterproof or splash-resistant.
- Charging: Compare charging time, expected running time and the cable supplied.
Read reviews with your preferences in mind.
A useful review explains what a toy feels like, where it makes contact and how easy it is to use. Look for comments about fit, comfort, controls and cleaning alongside the reviewer’s verdict.
Check which version they tested, too. An older review may describe features that differ from the model currently on sale.
Most of all, remember that someone else’s favourite sensation might not be yours. The best male sex toy for you is one that suits your body, delivers the kind of stimulation you enjoy and makes you want to reach for it again.
