Using a Male Sex Toy for the First Time
If you’re using a male sex toy for the first time, start with the basics. Clean the toy before use, apply plenty of lubricant, and begin with the lowest setting or a gentle grip. Take your time and adjust the pressure, speed, or intensity based on what feels comfortable.
There’s no right amount of pressure or speed, and you don’t need to rush. If a sensation feels uncomfortable or too intense, reduce the setting or loosen your grip. Give yourself enough privacy and time to experiment without feeling like you need to get everything right on the first try.
When you’re finished, clean the toy thoroughly, let it dry completely, and store it somewhere clean and dry where it won’t rub against your other toys.
If you’re feeling a little unsure about trying a sex toy, that’s completely normal. In a national survey of 1,047 US men ages 18 to 60, nearly half reported having used a vibrator at some point. Research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that vibrator use among men is relatively common. Masturbation itself is also considered a normal part of sexuality, and it can be a useful way to learn what feels good before exploring those preferences with a partner.
Not sure what to pick up first? A stroker is an easy one to begin with, because it's simple, forgiving, and needs nothing but lubricant to work well. You can browse men's sex toys by type at Adam & Eve, or start with the shorter list on the best men's sex toys page if a smaller set of options sounds easier.
How Much Lube Should You Use and How Slow Should You Go?
When it comes to lubricant, it’s better to start with more than you think you’ll need. Water-based lubricant is the one worth keeping within reach, because it's the only kind compatible with every toy material and with latex condoms at the same time. Apply enough to keep the toy and your skin comfortably slick, and add more whenever things start to feel dry or friction becomes noticeable. You don’t need to wait until it feels uncomfortable.
As for speed, start slowly and increase the pace gradually as you get comfortable with the sensation. There’s no ideal speed or pressure to aim for. If something feels too intense, slow down or reduce the pressure until you find what feels good.
For anal or prostate play, use plenty of anal lubricant lubricant and take your time. The anus doesn’t produce its own lubrication, so you may need to reapply as you go. A thicker anal lubricant can also provide longer-lasting coverage.
For more help choosing the right lubricant, see our guide to choosing the best lube for a sex toy.
Male Sex Toys: Strokers, Prostate Toys, Rings, and Pumps
Four types of male sex toys cover most of the options you’ll come across: strokers and masturbators, prostate toys, penis rings, and pumps. Each is designed for a different type of stimulation, so understanding how they work can help you decide which one is right for you.
Strokers and masturbators are sleeve-style toys designed to be held in the hand. They’re a straightforward option for beginners and come in a range of shapes, textures, and materials. Many are made from silicone or TPE for a soft, flexible feel, while some have a firmer ABS outer shell that adds structure and makes them easier to hold. Open-ended masturbation sleeves are the simplest to clean because you can get to every surface, while closed-ended designs hold more suction and need flushing through with warm water afterward. The wider male masturbators category and the dedicated Fleshlight selection are both worth a browse, and the guide to using a pocket pussy walks you through the first time step by step.
Prostate toys are designed for internal stimulation and can provide a type of sensation that a stroker or masturbator cannot. The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, making it accessible through the anus. For some people, stimulating the prostate can be pleasurable, but it isn’t a medical treatment or something you need to do for prostate health. If you’re new to prostate toys, look for a design with a flared base or retrieval handle that stays outside the body. Use plenty of lubricant and start slowly, giving yourself time to get comfortable with the sensation.
Prostate toys come in a range of shapes and sizes, from simple beginner models like the Adam & Eve Intro to Prostate Kit to more advanced designs. If you’re not sure where to start, comparing different prostate toys and anal sex toys prostate toys tovhelp you find a design that suits you.
For anyone whose curiosity is pointing that way, the guides on what prostate toys are and how to use anal toys go deeper on technique and pacing than a general guide can.
Penis rings fit around the base of the penis and are designed to help maintain firmness and change the sensation during sex or masturbation. Choose a ring that feels snug but never painful, and remove it if you experience pain, numbness, swelling, or a change in color.
For safety, don’t wear a penis ring for longer than 30 minutes at a time. Leaving one on too long can restrict blood flow and cause swelling, pain, or other injury. Material matters here as much for safety as for comfort, since a stretchy silicone ring such as the Adam & Eve Silicone C-Ring Set can be pulled off if it feels too tight, while a rigid metal one can't always be. Browse penis rings with that in mind, and read the guide on how to use a cock ring before your first one.
Penis pumps use suction around the penis and can create a different type of sensation from other male sex toys. Pleasure penis pump are designed for sexual stimulation, while vacuum devices intended for medical purposes are a separate category. If you’re considering a pump for a medical concern such as erectile dysfunction, talk with a healthcare professional about the appropriate type of device.
Wearable sleeves and penis extensions fit over the penis and can change its size, shape, texture, or sensation during use. Wearable penis enhancers and extensions can be used during partnered sex and, depending on the design, may also be used for solo play.
With so many types of male sex toys available, the right choice comes down to the kind of stimulation you want to explore. A stroker or masturbator provides external stimulation, a prostate toy provides internal stimulation, a penis ring changes the sensation of an erection, and a pump or wearable sleeve offers a different type of experience. Comparing the designs can help you decide which one sounds most appealing.
Body-Safe Materials, Cleaning, and Comfort
The material of a sex toy affects how it feels, how easy it is to clean, and how long it can last. Non-porous materials such as body-safe silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and ABS plastic have smooth surfaces that don’t absorb fluids, making them easier to clean thoroughly. Softer materials such as TPE, TPR, jelly, and PVC can be porous and may be more difficult to clean completely.
That doesn’t mean you have to avoid softer toys. Many strokers and masturbators use TPE because it has a soft, flexible feel. If you choose a porous toy, it’s best to keep it for personal use and replace it if the material becomes damaged, sticky, cracked, or worn.
How to Clean a Sex Toy
For most toys, wash the surface with warm water and mild, unscented soap or use a toy cleaner, before and after each use. Rinse away all soap, paying particular attention to textured areas, and allow the toy to air-dry completely before storing it. Keep toys separate, especially when they’re made from different materials.
For a closed-ended stroker or masturbator, make sure you rinse and clean the entire interior rather than just the opening. If the toy has a motor or electronic components, check the manufacturer's instructions to find out whether it is waterproof or water-resistant before submerging or rinsing it. The guide on how to clean sex toys covers care in more detail.
If a toy is shared between partners, or used on different parts of the body, cleaning alone may not remove every potential infection risk. A condom or other barrier can provide an additional layer of protection, particularly when a toy is used anally and then elsewhere or between different people.
Sensitivity, Sharing, and Other Common Concerns
A few common questions come up when people start using male sex toys, from sensitivity and sharing to knowing when it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional.
Sensitivity: It’s possible to experience temporary numbness or reduced sensitivity after using a stroker or a powerful vibrator. If a toy starts to feel uncomfortable, irritating, or painful, stop or reduce the intensity rather than pushing through it. Varying the speed, pressure, and intensity can also make your experience more comfortable.
Sharing: If you share a sex toy, clean it thoroughly before and after each use and use a fresh condom over the toy for each person. Non-porous toys are generally easier to clean. If a toy is used anally, clean it thoroughly or change the condom before using it on another part of the body.
When to talk to a healthcare professional: Sex toys should not cause persistent pain, bleeding, or other ongoing symptoms. If you experience these problems, or notice changes in urination or other prostate-related symptoms, talk to a healthcare professional rather than trying to solve the problem with a different toy.
If you use a penis ring, ask a healthcare professional if you have a condition or take medication that could affect blood flow or bleeding. An erection that lasts more than four hours can be a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
And if you’re wondering what using a sex toy says about you, the answer is: nothing you need to worry about. People use sex toys for many different reasons, whether they’re exploring what feels good on their own or trying something new with a partner. There’s no particular meaning you have to attach to it.
Where to Shop Men's Sex Toys at Adam & Eve
Once you know which sensation you're after, the shopping part is quick. Start with men's sex toys if you want to see the categories side by side, or go straight to male masturbators, prostate toys, penis rings, or penis pumps if one of them already sounds like the thing you want to try. The best men's sex toys page is a useful shortlist when you'd rather compare a curated handful than everything at once.
Two products that are a must for use with men's sex toys are as follows. A water-based lubricant works with any material you end up buying, and a toy cleaner makes the before-and-after habit easy enough that you'll actually keep it up. Adding both to your first order saves you improvising later.
Ready to browse? Shop sex toys at Adam & Eve and choose the one that matches what you're curious about.
