Vibrating cock rings, aka “penis rings” or “love rings,” can be great for couples who want a little extra something to enhance their sex lives once in a while. For heterosexual couples, the point of using one is obviously to give the woman clit stimulation during sex, but she can also enjoy the “enhanced” state of her partner’s erection since a good cock ring will tend to make them harder and/or larger. For him there is increased sensitivity that makes everything feel more intense, and many men also enjoy feeling a little vibration down there on their own.
For gay couples, most vibrating rings are designed so they could be worn upside down, so the vibrator stimulates the testicles and penis of one partner, and the perineum of the other.
There are several things to consider when choosing the right toy though, and different rings will give different experiences even if they are in the same general grouping.
First off, as with all male masturbation toys, what the ring is made of matters. The most common materials used are Jelly, Elastomer (including TPR & TPE), Silicone, or a combination of an elastomer and Silicone (like TPR Silicone). The vibrator units in them are almost always made of plastic, but we’re going to focus on the rings themselves here. Some rings can be found made of other materials such as latex rubber or “skin-like” materials, but we don’t play with those due to their amazing bacteria holding capabilities, amongst other reasons. Then there are a few all-plastic ones like the Pocket Exotics Glowing Ring, but we haven’t been all that impressed with those either. Penile comfort can be an issue with them. As for the rest, we’re going to be making some generalizations, but here’s what we’ve found:
Jelly rings are PVC-based and as such usually have a distinct plastic odor. They’re squishy and very stretchable, and often sticky to the touch. Some may be useful for “enhancing” the erection, but many times these rings are so stretchy that they don’t have much effect on the male anatomy. Their average lifespan with regular use is only about 3-6 months in our lair, but if you have a much larger-than-average penis, don’t be surprised if the ring breaks sooner than that. The good news is, they’re cheap and not a horrible choice for couples who want a more pliable toy between them.
Elastomer rings, including TPE, TPR, and the silicone blends, are very similar to jelly rings but usually more pleasant to the touch. The exact way the material feels varies, but on average they’re firmer than a jelly ring yet not as firm as pure silicones. They stretch enough for the average guy to fit into just fine, and hold up for quite a while with regular use (they usually last a year or so for us). That is, unless they are a silicone blend, in which case we’ve found their longevity to be about the same as a jelly ring. Most elastomer rings are firm enough that they do enhance the erection and increase his sensitivity well. Prices vary wildly, but it’s possible to find a decent ring of this type for under $15.00
Silicone rings are usually odorless and not sticky at all. They too vary in terms of flexibility, but in general are pretty firm compared to the other materials. They’re somewhat stretchy, but nowhere near as forgiving as elastomers or jelly materials, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the size measurements with them. Almost all true silicone rings are firm enough for erection enhancement. Generally a good silicone ring will cost more than the others, but they can last for many years with proper care.
So which to choose? Well, opinions vary, but if you’re buying your first cock ring we’d suggest something from the Elastomer group. They’re pretty affordable, so if you try one and decide that you don’t like it, you’re not out much. On the other hand, if you do like it, the ring will last for a while. Not to mention the fact that with as flexible as elastomers tend to be, you don’t have to worry about sizing unless the penis in question is really huge.