SEX TOYS AND PRODUCTS
7 Steps to Choosing a Masturbation Sleeve
Published: AUGUST 30, 2021
| Updated: JANUARY 20, 2022 10:19:59
Different strokes for different folks! Switch up your pleasure routine with a masturbation sleeve.
TV shows, movies, and the internet have been all abuzz lately about sex toys, and for good reason. Not only does a sex toy help you to understand your orgasmic response to enjoy future experiences with a partner (if you choose to have those), but it allows you to try out new types of stimulation and experience pleasure in new ways.
Plus, it just provides a breath of fresh air and novelty when you've been using your hands for so long. Who doesn't like to keep things feeling fun?
A penis masturbation sleeve is one kind of sex toy that is often overlooked. Not only can these sleeves add a new type of sensation to your solo sessions, but some of them are even designed to improve performance with a partner. Plus, the close-ended sleeves allow for simple clean-up after you're done. (No more needing a tissue here!)
Follow these 7 Steps to Choosing a Masturbation Sleeve and get started narrowing down your choices when you're looking to purchase a penis stroker.
Read: Think Sex Toys Are Just for Women? Think Again!
Decide on an Orifice
Visual elements can really enhance sexual enjoyment, which is why penis strokers come in a variety of designs. They may be designed to look like a vaginal entrance, an anal entrance, or a set of soft lips. Some fantastical strokers even feature more whimsical designs like colorful designs (like the Firefly Yoni) or creative orifices like a zombie entrance - or a vampire's mouth. Manufacturers have really gotten creative with penis strokers lately!
For those that don't think they'd enjoy any particular look, a masturbation sleeve entrance that is neutral and functional in appearance might be a better choice. The market for non-realistic styles are growing constantly - and just because they don't have a design that looks like a body part doesn't mean they take a backseat on pleasure! Some of the best-selling penis strokers feature non-realistic design (think the Tenga Aero or Tenga Eggs).
Pick your Material
I'm a huge proponent of silicone. Not only is it sterilizable, but it's also scent-free and taste-free - and entirely body-safe.
However, that isn't going to be a particularly realistic option for a penis stroker. Most masturbation sleeves aren't made from silicone. While silicone is amazing for a variety of toys, one of its biggest downsides (at least, at this point in time!) is its inability to become super stretchy. Guess what tends to work best for penis strokers? That's right: super-stretchy.
That's why the majority of penis sleeves on the market are made from TPR or TPE material. I recommend ensuring that your penis sleeve is phthalate-free whether you go with silicone or TPR/TPE, but purchasing from a reputable brand (like Tenga or Fleshlight) means you can buy your favorites without needing to worry so much about that.
Choosing between materials is very much a personal choice. Silicone material can be sterilized - which is huge if you're going to be sharing your penis stroker - but it also doesn't have the same stretchiness or plushiness that you can find in alternative material choices. This means silicone really needs to be the right fit for your anatomy or else it won't provide the pleasure you're looking for.
TPR/TPE materials tend to be more affordable - and more realistic-feeling on the penis, too. It offers more squish, and it can stretch (and compress) much more easily than silicone. Honestly, for most people, a TPE/TPR material will provide a superior penis stroker experience - even if it may not have the other benefits that silicone material offers.
As always, though, what you decide you need is going to be personal to you.
Read: Sex Toy Safety: A Guide to Materials
Think About the Case
Penis strokers that are contained within a rigid plastic casing are all of the rage right now. Not only does this plastic casing ensure that your hand stays far away from the lube, but it also helps the penis stroker keep its "shape" - which means manufacturers can make floppier, squishier sleeves for even more sensation without worrying that it will make it unusable with hands alone.
Plastic cases come with their own concerns, though. First off, plastic can be very slippery. If you're someone who gets lube everywhere when you're playing, a plastic case may not be for you. Once the case is slippery, it's much harder to hold than the stroker itself.
However, plastic cases also allow for a lot more adjustability when it comes to suction. By installing unique designs or caps, most plastic-cased penis strokers allow you to increase - or decrease - the suction within the stroker's chamber at will. This can help you find the fit that's perfect for your body - and help you control when you orgasm, too. (Which is especially helpful if you're going to be trying edging.)
Plastic cases also ensure that you're unable to adjust the pressure on any specific area. If you're using penis strokers to try to avoid Death Grip Masturbation Syndrome (when the penis becomes desensitized, necessitating an increasingly firmer grip to feel pleasure), this can be a huge bonus.
If you ever want to explore a sex machine for your penis, like the KIIROO KEON, a plastic-cased penis stroker is a must-have, though. Sex machines can't work with non-cased strokers.
Consider Penis Size
Along with the size of the masturbation sleeve itself, you need to consider the size of your penis. If you want to be able to sink fully into a masturbation sleeve, ensure that it's at least as long as your penis - and if you want to experience the intense textures at the very end of the sleeve, ensure that the sleeve is sized accordingly. The point is not to stress about your penis length, but rather about searching for the right fit for your body - there will be a penis sleeve that fits you perfectly, no matter your penis size.
Masturbation Sleeves for Large Penises
If your penis is particularly long, you'll want to consider some things that are unique to you:
- Is the penis stroker open-ended? If so, is it designed to stretch around the penis or will you accidentally tear a hole through the stroker if you get too far into it?
- Does the penis stroker have a fixed diameter? If your penis is also wider than average, this means you'll really want to pay attention to fit. Sleeves with plastic cases might be poorer fits because they have a fixed diameter and won't allow the sleeve to stretch past that diameter.
- With your length, open-ended sleeves have a higher chance of ejaculate shooting right through it - just like if you weren't using a sleeve. Make sure you've prepared ahead for that.
Masturbation Sleeves for Smaller Penises
If your penis is particularly short, you'll want to consider some things unique to your body too:
- What is the diameter of the penis stroker? The "resting" diameter of some strokers may be wider than your penis width - which will lead to reduced pleasure.
- When does the texture "begin" on the stroker? Especially for larger toys, like Fleshlights, the texture may not begin until multiple inches inside of the stroker which may not be a good fit for you.
- Is the penis stroker inside of a plastic case? While this can make for easier use, it also means that you can control the tightness. You might be best off trying non-cased penis strokers so that you can squeeze your hand tighter around the stroker - and instantly have the stroker adjust to your penis size.
If you're transitioning and want to play with penis strokers, that's also an option. Some penis strokers have hit the market that are specifically designed for use on extremely small penises that are about the size of a pinky finger. Some great examples to look into there are the Perfect Fit Buck-Off or the Perfect Fit Kiss-X.
Read: The Big Penis Hoax - Why Size Doesn't Count as Much as You Think It Does
Decide on Vibrations
While penis vibrators are an entire category to themselves, some penis strokers are equipped with vibrations for added sensations.
What separates vibrating penis strokers from penis vibrators?