How to Choose a Cock Ring

A cock ring isn’t just for the guys—this donut-shaped pleasure tool can also be worn on women’s anus, vagina or even clitoris for extra stimulation during masturbation and sex. These toys come in a wide variety of shapes, materials and features, from simple silicone models that cost under $10 to elaborately carved, jewel-encrusted brass or wood versions that can run up to $65,000. The range of options may be overwhelming at first, but a little bit of research will help you find the perfect cock ring for your unique needs and wants.

According to the experts we spoke to, a key factor in selecting a cock ring is making sure that it’s comfortable and secure enough to stay on your shaft while you play with it. Using plenty of lube, which will make it easier to slide the ring on and off (and will also protect your condom), will help achieve this goal. If you’re new to cock rings, we recommend trying out one that is stretchy and thin, so that it will be easy to put on and take off.

You can also choose a cock ring based on its shape and band, which will determine how easily you can insert it onto your shaft. Round bands are designed to be rolled up and down the shaft, while flat rings sit directly against the penis. If you have a hairier shaft, try a flat-banded ring for easier slippage; a rounded ring might snag and roll on the hair follicles.

The cock ring’s purpose is to place slight pressure on the vein at the base of the shaft in order to restrict blood flow, which leads to a harder, longer-lasting erection. As the sex educator Lisa Finn with sex toy emporium Babeland explains, this restriction helps keep the cock from becoming flaccid, and it also increases sensation during sexual activity.

But it’s important to note that cock rings aren’t for everyone, and should not be used by anyone with a medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease or who is taking blood-thinning medication. And as with any pleasure toy, a cock ring isn’t meant for prolonged use—psychologist and sex expert Antonia Hall advises wearing it only for about 30 minutes at a time.

A cock ring can be used alone, or in conjunction with other toys to enhance the penetration experience. You can stack rings, use them in a clitoral tunnel or wear them with a strap-on for double penetration. For clitoral stimulation, try attaching a vibrator to the ring and aiming it at the clitoris or vulva.

The cock ring has traveled a long distance from its origins as a metal device used to discourage nightly masturbation in Victorian England, when it was believed to lead to feeble-mindedness and madness. Today, it’s a standard, noncontroversial pleasure aid on your nightstand alongside condoms, vibrators and lube. And with so many options out there, it’s likely that this circular enhancement will continue to slide its way back up dicks for centuries to come.