For the man looking for extra stimulation away from his backside, please and thank you, consider the masturbator. At the more manual end of the spectrum, these come in the form of eggs (such as the one by Tenga, below), featuring ribs that intertwine and wrap around the sleeve’s interior for more tactile tugs. Invest a little more in a higher-tech offering and features go on to mimic the sensations of sex by vibrating, pulsing and heating up.
Considering they’re one of the more popular men’s sex toys, we’ve even spoken to an expert to put together a standalone guide on what to look for in a masturbator (below). Sure beats sitting on your hand until it’s numb…
Should you opt for a manual or vibrating masturbator?
“It is completely preference-dependent and both offer different experiences,” says Maria. “For a sensation that is more similar to penetrative sex, then a manual masturbator is more likely to offer you that and you can also use them with different attachments so they can be used hands-free. A vibrating massager will offer you sensations that are more difficult to achieve without a sex toy.”
How does an egg work?
“An egg is made of a very stretchy material which is worn over the penis with lubricant applied on the inside,” says Maria, “a bit like the shape of a condom, but much thicker and stretchier in texture. It can create different sensations for masturbation and hand stimulation, for solo or partnered play. They come in an egg shape, which makes them ideal for travel and convenience as they’re discreet and take up very little room.”
How do masturbators compare to the real thing?
“It's not necessarily about comparing it to 'the real thing', more about changing and mixing up your solo play and pleasure,” says Maria. “Many male masturbators can create a similar physical sensation to penetrative sex with a partner. Being made of silicone, you can use lubricant and some even warm up to simulate body temperature. But the reality is that a sex toy can help fill the gap while you are not having physical partnered sex – partnered sex is always going to be a different sexual experience.”