The 4 Best Sex Toys for ED

When it comes to healthy sex life, toys are teammates, not competition — and that can also be true when it comes to dealing with sexual health issues like erectile dysfunction (ED).

But while sex toys and devices make a lot of claims about their effects on erectile dysfunction, how much of it is based on science? 

If you’re reading this, you might have already considered buying something out of a shop or off the internet as a solution to some sexual dysfunction — all to avoid an awkward conversation with your healthcare provider about what’s going on. 

Sex toys may have some benefits when it comes to treating ED, but they’re far less proven than other options. But could some of those benefits of toys for ED work for you? 

Keep reading to learn about the evidence behind sex toys for ED as sexual aids for men.

Erectile Dysfunction: Basics and Causes

ED can affect men of all ages. Approximately 30 to 50 million men in the U.S. are dealing with this condition.

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get an erection firm enough for satisfactory penetrative sex, as well as:

• You can’t get an erection every time you want to have sex

• Your erections don’t last long enough for satisfactory sex

• You’re unable to get an erection at all

Erections happen thanks to increased blood flow to the penis’s blood vessels and the trapping of that blood in two long chambers in the penis called the corpora cavernosa.

But achieving and maintaining erections isn’t always the straightforward process guys hope for, and there can be several causes of ED.

Health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure can affect sexual health, as can obesity, excessive alcohol use, and illicit drug use. 

Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as performance anxiety, can also play a psychological role in ED and other sexual issues.

Why Use Sex Toys for ED?

There are several scientifically-backed pharmaceutical treatment options for ED out there, but there are a few reasons why you might choose to try erectile dysfunction toys either in place of or in addition to a pill.

Pills can have side effects (like facial flushing, headaches, and heartburn) may interact negatively with other medications, or simply might not work for some people. 

On the surface, male enhancement toys and devices present a less-invasive, non-prescription option for in-the-moment ED treatment. 

But could toys for erectile dysfunction be useful male sexual aids for you?

4 Sex Toys for ED

While there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that toys can have some benefits, they’re far from proven treatments. Let’s examine a few of the most popular device types and if they can do what they claim to do.

1. Penis Sleeves: Extra Support for Penetration

A penis sleeve is a hollow male sex toy that’s worn over your penis during sex. Penis sleeves come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and types. 

Some are sized realistically and are designed primarily to increase sexual pleasure for you and your partner if you find it difficult to maintain an erection during penetrative sex.

The idea is that your partner gets something firmer and girthier, and you both get an enhanced, textured —  and in some cases, vibrating — sensation for added pleasure. 

Although penis sleeves seem to have promise for ED treatment, there’s only a small amount of research available on their effectiveness.

One scientific review published in 2017 mentioned penis sleeves as an option for men with erectile dysfunction who’d like to have penetrative sex. How well this works, though, can vary greatly based on factors such as the sleeve’s fit, shape, and thickness.

Pros and Cons of a Penis Sleeve

Here’s a quick look at the benefits and downsides of this option.

Pros:

• Adds girth and texture for enhanced partner pleasure

• Can help simulate firmness during penetrative sex

• May boost confidence during intimacy

Cons:

• Does not help create or maintain a natural erection

• Fit and comfort vary greatly by product

• Can reduce sensation for the wearer

• Limited scientific research on effectiveness for ED

2. Penis Rings: Stay Hard, Longer

These male enhancement toys work similarly to penis sleeves, in that they’re a tool worn to enhance sexual pleasure during intercourse. Essentially, penis rings, also called cock rings, are ring-shaped devices you wear around the base of the penis. 

Silicone rings are a good baseline model for beginners, as they’re usually stretchy and easy to put on and take off. Penis rings can also incorporate a variety of pleasure-enhancing devices, such as butt plugs, dildos, and harnesses, and they’re available in a variety of sizes. 

Penis rings work by applying pressure to the area near the base of your penis. This slows the flow of blood out of the penis, which may help you to maintain an erection and stay hard for longer during sexual activity.

But while they may be effective in keeping the blood in, penis rings are not a treatment for issues that prevent blood from flowing into your penis and keep you from getting an erection in the first place. 

There are also reports of them getting stuck, called penile ring entrapment — which, while not common, can lead to gangrene, edema, and more.

Keep in mind that it’s also important to thoroughly clean a penis ring after each use.

Interested in trying out this toy but want to learn more? You can read this full review for everything you need to know about the Giddy device for ED or check out our Standing O Penis Ring.

Pros and Cons of a Penis Ring

Consider the following if you’re curious about trying a penis ring.

Pros:

• Helps maintain an erection by slowing blood flow out of the penis

• Inexpensive and widely available

• Can be used with or without other toys

• Some include added features (like vibration) for dual pleasure

Cons:

• Doesn’t help with initiating an erection

• May be uncomfortable or cause numbness (or injury) if worn too long

• Needs cleaning and careful use to avoid injury

• Not recommended for certain medical conditions (like clotting disorders)

3. Male Vibrators: More Than Just a Buzz

These sex toys are just what they sound like — vibrating toys designed for male pleasure, although many have the added bonus of enhancing female pleasure as well.

They can turn a penis sleeve into a “vibrating penis,” providing added stimulation for both partners if the vibes are powerful enough — and enhanced pleasure is, of course, an added benefit to just about any type of sexual aid.

A review of the use of vibrators to treat sexual dysfunction found that the stimulation from vibrators has evidence-based support for treating not only erectile dysfunction but also other sexual issues like premature ejaculation and difficulty achieving orgasms. 

But since vibrators can be enjoyable for vaginas, the clitoris, anuses, the G-spot and everything in between, they may have an added bedroom benefit even if they’re not addressing the core erectile problem.

If you want to bring a male vibrator into the bedroom, make sure you read up on best practices for choosing and using one, like using water-based lube if you bring it into the shower. You can also check out the OMG Ring Penis Vibrator, a vibrating cock ring for a hands-free two-in-one device to use for masturbation or with a partner.

Or you can use the Thrill Ride prostate massager, perfect for multi-spot stimulation during both partner and solo use.

Pros and Cons of Male Vibrators

There are several potential ups and downs to consider when it comes to using male vibrators. 

Pros:

• Stimulates multiple erogenous zones (penis, perineum, prostate)

• May help improve sexual response and arousal

• Can be used solo or with a partner

• Some studies suggest a benefit for ED and other sexual issues

Cons:

• Doesn’t directly treat the physical causes of ED

• May require experimentation to find the right device or intensity

• Higher cost than simpler devices

• Not everyone finds vibration pleasurable

4. Other Sexual Aids for ED: Pumps, Extenders & More

There are other male enhancement toys with limited or no scientific backing. Penis pumps and extenders, for instance, have shown promise for making erections larger. 

And when they’re paired with a penis ring, these sexual aids may keep you erect longer than you might otherwise be able to stay hard on your own. 

The problem again, though, is that neither device solves the initial problem of dilation and blood vessel engorgement. You can’t make an erection bigger if you don’t already have an erection.

Pros and Cons of Penis Pumps and Extenders

Here’s a quick look at the factors to weigh if you’re leaning toward other sexual aids for managing ED. 

Pros:

• Penis pumps can help achieve a temporary erection

• When paired with a penis ring, it may prolong an erection

• Some devices (like pumps) are FDA-cleared for ED management

Cons:

• Doesn’t work if blood flow into the penis is severely impaired

• Temporary results—doesn’t treat the root cause

• It can be awkward to use in the moment

• Risk of bruising or discomfort if misused

Alternatives to Sex Toys for ED

While the evidence behind sex toys for ED is lacking, there are other benefits to incorporating new toys into your sexual activities. For solving erectile dysfunction ,though, your best bet is to look to proven treatments.

Oral medications for ED treatment are known as PDE5 inhibitors, which allow you to achieve and maintain an erection by helping the blood vessels near the penis expand and allowing more blood flow to the penis.

Some of the most common ED medications include Viagra ® (sildenafil), Cialis ® (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Stendra ® (avanafil). Hims also offers chewable hard mints you can use just about anywhere.

While medication can help with the physical process of erectile function, there are often underlying psychological causes of ED. What’s more, ED can not only interfere with your sexual activity, but it can also wreak havoc on self-confidence, relationships, and more , all of which can then make ED worse.

If you’re experiencing ED and think it might have a psychological cause, you should consider talking to a mental health professional either in person or virtually.

Sexual Aids for Men With ED: Final Thoughts

Erectile dysfunction can be frustrating. While it’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider about possible root causes, you may decide to try sex toys for erectile dysfunction in the meantime.

If you decide to go this route, just don’t forget these important facts about ED and its treatment options.

• Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection that’s firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Whether this happens every once in a while or all the time, or if you get partial erections or no erections at all, it’s all ED.

• There are several sex toys for ED on the market, such as penis sleeves, cock rings, male vibrators, and other sexual aids for men like penis pumps. But while these can bring sexual enhancement to the bedroom, they don’t solve the underlying issues behind ED.

• There are proven-effective treatments for ED, from oral medications like Viagra or Cialis to talk therapy where you can work through anxiety or other sexual experience or mental health issues.

If ED is disrupting your sex life, you're not alone, and you're not out of options. Talk to a licensed provider about treatment, or explore sexual wellness tools to boost your confidence in the bedroom.