Welcome to the wonderful world of cock rings!
If you’re new to this kind of toy and thinking about buying your first one, this article will provide some useful (and essential) tips – including measurement calculators, styles, as well as safe and vs. materials etc.
NOTE: If you want to skip straight to the reviews, click here.
WHY DO YOU WEAR A PENIS RING?
There are several reasons why someone would use a cock ring…
- Help in keep an erection
- Maintain longer and harder erections
- Alter the appearance to look thicker or longer
- Contribute to more intense orgasms
- Aid people who ejaculate too quickly
Actually, #5 is probably the most common reason.
WHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY DO?
In short, they constrict blood flow in the shaft of the penis, which allows the wearer to keep their erections longer. Think of a damn keeping most of the water back.
INTERESTING FACT: Rumor has it that Chinese nobility used goat eyelids to help maintain longer erections to service their several brides and produce more heirs.
HOW DO YOU WEAR ONE?
- DO SOME MANSCAPING. If your crotch looks like the Congo jungles, there might be some unpleasant pulling as you’re putting it on, taking it off, or adjusting it.
- APPLY LUBRICANT. Water-based works best because it’s compatible with all sex toy material. This allows the ring to go on and come off easier (as well as stops any possible chafing).
- DECIDE WHERE TO WEAR IT. Around the head of the penis, around the base, or around the base and the testicles. You’ll also need to figure out if it’s easier with an erect or semi-erect penis.
USEFUL TIP: Make sure you try things out before actually engaging in sex with one.
WHAT STYLES ARE THERE?
- STRETCHY RINGS are easy to find and easy to remove. However, they won’t give the perfect fit because unless you find the right dimensions, it will be too tight or too loose.
- ADJUSTABLE RINGS use D-ring, Velcro, snaps, or lasso attachments to stay in place. These are the most popular because they can be fitted to the correct tightness. They will be a little more expensive but are best for beginners.
- SOLID RINGS are made of metal or other various materials. They give a firm grip and some love the kinky look it adds. However, they are NOT for beginners and harder to take off.
- VIBRATING RINGS are adjustable or stretchy rings with a vibrator attached to it. This adds an extra sensation that some men love.
- STRAP-ON RINGS add an extra penis below the real one which allows for simultaneous anal and vaginal penetration.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE BEST?
It will be the same for any sex toy – NON-porous is the key.
- Things like medical grade silicone or stainless steel are your best options.
- TPE/TPR (rubber) isn’t toxic but it is porous, and even though it’s not necessarily going in any holes, it will be mingling with bodily fluids, so best err on the side of caution.
- I’ve seen a few stone and wood ones out there, but it really depends if the “finishing coat” is safe and non-porous. That, you’ll have to ask the maker directly.
- Although I don’t mind recommending properly made glass dildos, I would advise against any glass rings. Even if it’s made from the correct materials, the structure is already thin and, no matter how well it’s made, it will always have significant stress points that could turn into fractures.
- Avoid jelly because it’s highly toxic.
Most people don’t take care of their sex toys properly. Learn how here:
Buzzy and Clean – 30+ Essential Tips on How to Clean Your Sex Toys
HOW DO I FIT A COCK RING?
If you’re not going the “adjustable” route, you’ll need to whip out that bad boy and measure it properly (and not just out of curiosity, bragging, or a drunken bet).
METHOD 1 – Take a measuring tape and find the circumference of your ERECT penis at the base (where it meets your body). If you want to wear it around your twig AND berries, move the tape behind your testicles (see image below for an example).
METHOD 2 – If you don’t have a tape measure, a piece of string will work fine. Make sure it’s snug BUT NOT TIGHT (it should not dig into the skin) then take a pen and mark where the lines cross. Take a regular ruler and measure how long the section is.
IMPORTANT – Take your measurements two or three times (and average them) to make sure your numbers are accurate.
Image credit Lovehoney
Next, you have to change the circumference into the diameter. Take your final measurement (the average of the three numbers you just took) and divide by 3.14 (Pi).
Eg. 20cm circumference (penis and testicles) would be 6.36 cm or 2.5 inches.
Voila, you have the measurement of the cock ring!
Another good idea is to convert this number to (mm) and (inches) because different sites will have different numbering systems.
REMEMBER: It’s not like buying clothes – where a little too tight or too loose is forgivable.
Non-solid rings will have some stretch to them, but, for example, if one ring has a starting diameter of 0.6 inches and a max of 2.5 – and you measure in at 2.5 – chances are it will fit too tight and be uncomfortable. It will be REALLY important when you graduate into solid rings.
IMPORTANT: Rings should not cut off circulation – they also should increase penis size only slightly.
DISPLACEMENT
You will also need to consider how thick the ring is – this affects how much “seepage” of blood goes back into the body as well as how comfortable they feel.
In general, thicker/wider rings have better displacement, performance, and comfort (but with generally a higher cost).
TENSION RINGS
If you’ve seen the term “tension rings” floating around, don’t worry about it too much. They’re pretty much just fancy cock rings.
However, they only come into play when medically treating erectile dysfunction.
They have very specific designs and sizing should be recommended by a medical professional.
COCK RING SAFETY
- Beginners should not wear a penis ring for more than 5-10 minutes at a time.
- The maximum time limit for anyone at any level is 20 minutes maximum.
- Prolonged wear could result in blood coagulation, priapism, and all sorts of permanent damage.
- If you have clotting disorders, erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular or nerve disease – or you’re taking any blood thinners – talk to a doctor before you use one.
- Wearing one should not make your genitals feel cold or tingly or cause pronounced swelling or pain.
COCK RING REVIEWS
Full disclaimer, as someone with no penis, I’m not able to discuss my first-hand experiences with cock rings. Instead, I devoured as many articles and reviews as I could get my hands on to compile a list of recommendations (as well as some professional knowledge about sex toys).
TANTUS RINGS
Good things have been said about Tantus rings.
There is a WIDE variety of choices, including models for beginners all the way to advanced users. The width should give some decent displacement. There are even a couple with vibrators attached to them.
The one that stood out to me was the “C-sling” which had an extra piece of silicone at the back, which is meant to massage the perineum. The only difference between the two choices is that the beginner one is easier to take off.
99% are made from silicone, with one being made out of aluminum. I’d recommend anything from this line.
TRACY COX SUPERSEX ($50)
The Supersex Love Ring really isn’t bad as far as double rings go. I particularly like how the second ring (meant to go around the balls) is a bit bigger.
The vibrator is just a normal bullet, but I like how they made it detachable, making cleaning all the easier.
Some reviewers have said it’s buzzier than rumbly, which might be a deciding factor (but it doesn’t surprise me since the bullet is so small). The USB charge is also a nice option.
The big downside? The price. Fifty bucks is a bit on the steep side for a penis ring.
LOVEHONEY DOUBLE DING ($20)
I’m on the fence about this one.
I like the perineum vibrator, and I can forgive the fact it’s rubber, however, the second ring (that is meant to go around the berries) looks WAY too small to be safe.
That being said, there are a mother-trucking amount of reviews and only a handful said it was small.
Many agree it’s flexible enough to accommodate most men.
SCREAMING O RING ($5)
This is about as basic and as cheap as you can get (without getting into the dodgy gray areas of sex toys).
Keep in mind that it’s rubber, so there will be some porosity, and the pre-stretched diameter is 0.6 inches (you might have to stretch it first), but if it ends up being too tight, or not your cup of tea, it won’t be much of a waste to toss in the garbage.
It’s an okay one for newbies looking to try their first ring.
SVAKOM COCK RING ($100)
Looking closely at the ring, there’s nothing that out of the ordinary to this toy, at least to justify the high price tag. It’s just your average piece of silicone.
What you’re paying for is the hefty vibrator, USB rechargeable battery, a 1-year warranty (and a 10-year quality guarantee), and the name. The nodules also might cause some discomfort for those with more sensitive lady-parts.
Those who want a cock and ball ring might want to skip this one. Those who have money to burn might want to check it out.
DOUBLE FUN DOUBLE PENETRATOR ($35)
I was so excited when I first saw this one. I LOVE the idea of a clit vibrator, rock ring, and anal dildo combo (and I’m not much for complicated combos).
However, my disappointment was fast to arrive when I saw just how many people had issues with the rings – most complaining they were far too tight with very little stretch.
NASSTOYS DOUBLE PENETRATOR ($14)
I only have one thing to say about this toy…
It’s JELLY.
Burn it then burn the ashes.
NOTE: When held over a flame, silicone blackens/grey and/or leaves an ash residue behind that you can wipe away. Jelly will melt.
I don’t suggest burning your expensive toys, but this easy test will give you a good idea what your cheap products are really made from.
LASSO ERECTION KEEPER ($10)
Simple, simple, simple – which is not a bad thing.
Packaging snobs might not like the cheesy stud that looks like he belongs in a Harlequin romance novel though.
The adjustability means any man can wear it. However, it’s latex, so if you or your partner have allergies, it will be a hard pass.
CODE RED POWER ($15)
“Code Red Discomfort” is more like it.
The metal piece at the bottom might control tightness and aid in adjustability, but the bulky plastic and metal pieces will be very uncomfortable during sex – especially that little piece that pokes out in the middle.
Not worth the money, in my opinion.
COLT 8 SNAP LEATHER RING ($26)
Apparently, I’ve been wearing my punk bracelets all wrong this entire time. Granted, it looks cool AF, but all I can think about is how uncomfortable those bottom button snaps could be if they attached to pubic. It would also be a bitch to clean. The ONE reviewer even stated it was “brutal” to use.
I would actually recommend staying away from any model that shares the “leather and snap button” design (even the Velcro versions) – unless you are going for a kinky accessory to wear to a BDSM party and you don’t plan on having sex with it. If so, I would still look for a cheaper one.
YESURPRISE TRIAD CAGE ($13)
This isn’t a cock ring. It’s a ring puzzle. Fail.
The few Amazon reviewers that bought it said it was small and difficult to use.
MALE-ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS
There are a TON of rings here. So many I could probably spend an entire article on just their products.
What I like most is the wide variety you find here. There’s everything from thin to thick and cheap to expensive.
They do have some “shatterproof” glass ones, but unless I could get my hands on one of them to check out the stress points and put it under my “lens test”, I wouldn’t recommend them. The gem ones look cute as hell, but I wonder how easy it would be to clean around the gems (there is a tiny space between the socket and the stone).
I particularly like the look of the Tapered Aluminum Rings.
G-LOVER COCK RING
The ring looks cheap AF (like it could snap at any second) and the vibrator on top looks as if it would poke your partner in a very unpleasant way.
There have also been numerous complaints about the power button being very finicky.
Stay away from this one.
DORCEL RING ($9)
Eck! I have no secrets about how much l loath Amazon and 95% of the sex toy crap that’s on there. Simple rings are kind of hard to f-up, but this one managed to do so.
Despite the okay price and body-safe material, they tried to go too fancy/unique/gimmicky and ended up with something that won’t stay latched.
I mean, I guess it would be okay if you want a cheap option if you’re just stepping into the cock ring world – better to buy cheap in case you don’t like it.
TOR 2 BY LELO ($139)
Lelo is one of the big brand names with a big price tag to match. Granted they use the best materials and put a lot of effort into their motors, however, while I would see paying that much money for a vibrator/dildo, I wouldn’t for a small cock ring. As one reviewer stated, “$100 bucks! Does it make me breakfast in the morning?”
There are plenty of reviewers that RAVE about it, but looking closer, we see that many of them got theirs for free. I’m not saying the free toy bought a great review, but I am saying it’s a hell of a lot easier to love a sex toy when it doesn’t bring your bank account down by three digits. Because, whether companies like it or not, the cost of the toy vs what we are getting is not something people can overlook.
If you have money to burn or you’re a Lelo acolyte, go for it. I can find plenty of other vibrating rings elsewhere for the same vibrating power AND less of a kick to my financial nuts.
JNAJA BY VELV’OR ($55)
The neat thing about this ring is that is 3D printed.
However, it doesn’t mean they make custom ring sizes, just a different way to manufacture the product. There are three sizes, but since it’s a hard plastic material, you had best MAKE SURE you get the right size. The same factors also put it into the “immediate or advanced” level.
I’m skeptical when they said it can be worn all day as “male jewelry” but I do believe that the curves make it fit far more comfortably than most rings. The simple perineum nub might be a bonus for those men who don’t enjoy the vibrating equivalent.
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Also, if you are looking for more male sex-toy-related articles, you might like these:
- Penis Vibrators – Buyer’s Guide and Product Reviews
- Learn Everything You Need About Prostate Massagers
- Pocket Pussies – Take Masturbation to a Whole New Level
Are there any other cock rings you think should be on the list (for good or bad reasons)? Share in the comments!
