Realistic? Tight? Hands-free? Something that connects to porn? Choosing a male sex toy
gets a lot easier once you know what you actually want from it.

Some men want the closest thing they can get to real sex. Others want something their
hand simply can’t do, while plenty just want to know what all the fuss is about. So before
worrying about brands, features or how much to spend, work out what actually matters to
you.

Ask Yourself These Questions

How realistic do you want it? If the fantasy is part of the appeal, a lifelike vagina,
mouth or butt might be exactly what you’re after. If you care more about how it
feels once your dick is inside it, pay more attention to tightness, texture and suction.

Do you want to do the work? A simple stroker keeps you in control, while automatic
and hands-free toys can take over. Decide whether you want something
straightforward or a toy with movement, vibration or interactive features.

How much tech do you actually want? App control, interactive content and
connected toys can be great if you’ll actually use them, but there’s no point paying
extra for clever features you won’t touch.

Will you be using it alone or with a partner? Not every male toy is just for solo use.
Cock rings, remote-controlled toys and some masturbators can all be brought into
partnered sex, while others make much more sense when you’re on your own. Think
about when you’re actually going to use it before deciding which features matter.

Does size matter? Not always in the way you might think. A huge masturbator might
look impressive, but bigger also means heavier, harder to hide and usually more
effort to clean. Check the insertable length and internal width too – especially if
you’re buying a closed-ended stroker – because a toy that’s too tight or too short
isn’t going to get much use, however good it looks.

There’s More Choice Than You Might Think

Male sex toys have moved a long way beyond the basic stroker. There are realistic
masturbators, automatic toys, prostate massagers, vibrating cock rings, app-controlled
designs and plenty of options made for couples too.

That means browsing sex toys for men can be a bit like walking into a bar with a ridiculously
long drinks menu – more choice is great, but only if you know what you actually fancy. The
trick isn’t finding the toy with the most features; it’s finding the features you’ll actually
enjoy.

And don’t assume spending more automatically means getting more pleasure. A £150
interactive toy might be worth every penny if you’ll use everything it can do, but if all you
want is a tight stroker with plenty of texture, the simpler option could easily be the better
buy.

Don’t Forget What Happens Afterwards

Nobody buys a sex toy because they’re excited about cleaning it, but it’s worth thinking
about before you part with your money. Some toys need little more than a rinse and a quick
clean, while others have removable sleeves, motors or textured interiors that need a bit
more attention.

The same goes for lube, charging and storage. Check what the toy needs before you buy it
and you’re far more likely to actually use it. After all, even the most impressive bit of kit isn’t
much fun if keeping it clean becomes a bigger job than using it.

So, What Do You Actually Want?

With so many male sex toys to choose from, it’s easy to get distracted by big claims, clever
tech and endless features. But choosing one doesn’t need to be complicated.
Work out what turns you on, decide which features you’ll actually use and go from there.
The best toy isn’t the one with the longest feature list – it’s the one you’ll actually want to
use.

About the Author

Elizabeth writes for passionbugs, a UK online adult store with a refreshingly straightforward
approach to sex toys, pleasure and helping people find what works for them.