When you read an article about male vibrators, the most commonly cited thing is a prostate massager. We’re so used to hearing ‘vibrator’ and thinking of something long, thin and insertable that something different doesn’t always cross our minds. But, just as the Scots have square sausage, so there’s more than one kind of vibrator for men.
Cock ring: the most common vibrator for men (but does it count?)
A few years ago, FHM did a large-scale survey to find out which sex toys guys used most frequently. The stats showed a clear winner in terms of sex toys for men: the toy guys are most likely to own is a cock ring.
We’re mainly interested here in the vibrating ones, and here’s the key question: is a vibrating cock ring really a vibrator for men? Sure, and the vibrations can feel pretty awesome at the base of your penis and pressed against your scrotum, but they’re mainly designed to enhance partnered sex. A vibrating cock ring delivers pleasure to less sensitive parts of the penis. If you’re having sex, and your partner enjoys clitoral vibrations, then the vibrating cock ring can nudge up against their clitoris while you grind against them. How many men use vibrating cock rings during masturbation?
A quick search tells us that Science hasn’t deemed this worthy of exploration yet. But Google did bless us with a bundle of excellent demonstrations by guys on porn sites, so clearly the vibrating cock ring is sometimes used for solo use. But perhaps one of the reasons it’s such a popular vibrator for men is because it sidesteps sex stigma by being a partnered toy. You can use it during masturbation and during sex, which means its dual purpose gives you an enhanced alone-time as well as the kudos of being a lover who can deliver vibrating pleasure – all at the touch of a button.
But in our opinion, there’s one vibrator for men that delivers all of this and more…
PULSE SOLO ESSENTIAL: the ultimate vibrator for men
For years straight guys have been having a cheeky go on the vibrators their girlfriend’s use – it’s only natural. You see something so pleasurable and think ‘yep, I’ll have some of that.’ This amazing reddit thread from a couple of years ago features a few men having their eyes opened and their minds blown by stories of other guys placing Hitachi Magic Wands just below the head of their penis and getting all the way off on the sensation.
But if you want the full sensation of vibrations on your penis, ideally you need a toy that’s specifically designed for it. That’s where the PULSE SOLO ESSENTIAL comes in. It wraps around your penis (and, in fact, stays there – look! No hands!) and the PulsePlate™ on the inside delivers a deep, oscillating vibration. Holding a bullet vibe, or even a wand toy, to the frenulum, gives you a small idea of what it’ll feel like, but it’s no substitute for the real deal.
Prostate vibrator for men: still taboo?
Prostate massage is having its day in the sun at the moment, and rightly so – a prostate vibrator for men is a spectacular addition to anyone’s gadget collection. Whether you’re an experienced prostate player or you’re only acquainted with it because of that scene in the ancient comedy American Pie, anyone and everyone with a prostate needs to know of the pleasure it can bring.
One of our main aims is to challenge sex stigma wherever we see it, and unfortunately the prostate vibrator for men is a sex toy that’s seen more than it’s fair share of stigma. Many men are uncomfortable with anal play, and of those that are comfortable, plenty of them are nervous about being the first one to bring it up with a partner.
However, this is 2016, and initial shyness is starting to give way to an enthusiastic embrace of all things prostate. Sites for women, like Bustle, are giving tips on how to give your partner a prostate massage, and even that FHM survey found that plenty of guys own and play with prostate massagers.
So if you’re tempted by vibration? Our only advice is to give it a go – you might be surprised by the results. Solo sex will never be the same again...