Collage by Gabe Conte
Wellnes

The Best Fleshlights and More Great Stroking Sex Toys for Men 

Get a grip.

All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.


Glance at any “best male masturbators” list online and you’re bound to see Fleshlights come up. The best Fleshlights—of which there are many—top a lot of those lists, because the products feel good, look realistic (sometimes, if that's what's your into), and elevate sex toys for penises to a whole new level. That being said, there are lots of other brands making Fleshlight-esque products these days, some of which are just as impressive.

While this type of sex toy comes with more than its fair share of stigma, there’s nothing weird or even unusual about buying a stroker, masturbator, “pocket pussy,” or whatever else you wanna call it. Like any other kind of sex toy, these products are meant to help you explore new sensations and experience more pleasure, which is worth celebrating, not shaming.


The Best Fleshlights and Strokers, at a Glance

In the mood for some self loving? Here are our top picks for this category right here, no foreplay necessary.


What is a stroking toy?

Fleshlights and other such toys basically do what your hand does: They can be stroked up and down on your dick in a way that (hopefully) feels good. But these toys are lined with a soft, squishy, textured material—typically elastomer—which can feel less like your hand and more like penetrative sex or a blowjob.

“Whilst a hand is perfectly capable, sometimes it’s just not enough,” sex toy reviewer David of The Big Gay Review, a website with nearly 100 different masturbators reviews, says. “There’s a primal urge about wanting to thrust yourself into something.” 

The variety offered by strokers also makes them a great upgrade from your hand. In addition to the wide range of internal textures available, you can also experiment with strokers that vibrate, rotate, suck, and pulse. “With strokers of so many shapes and sizes available, it’s fun to explore,” says David.

What is a Fleshlight?

Much like how Kleenex is such a ubiquitous brand that a lot of us refer to tissues solely by that name, Fleshlight is such a trailblazing company in the sex toy industry that its name is often invoked when strokers are being discussed as a whole. 

The brand’s good reputation is warranted: Its product line is widely varied in terms of sensations, appearances, and price points, and sex toy critics are always giving praise to the brand in their Fleshlight reviews. “A Fleshlight was the first major sex toy I ever purchased, way back in 2009. I still have it!” he says. “With good care, they can last a long time. I think that’s a good testament to their quality and longevity.”

As a gay man, David also appreciates that Fleshlight markets its products to anyone with a penis, regardless of sexual orientation. Its best-known toys are designed for men who are into women, often depicting the mouths or vulvas of female porn stars, while their Fleshjack line is aimed at gay men, offering several toys modeled after the butts, mouths, and dicks of male porn stars. 

However, don’t be too quick to write off other brands. While many consider Fleshlight the gold standard, there are countless other companies making strokers of various kinds; David especially recommends Tenga and Hot Octopuss.

How do you use a stroking toy?

“It should go without saying,” David says, “but lube, lube, and lots of lube!” For the same reason you probably wouldn’t enjoy a completely dry blowjob, strokers need to be well-lubed to do their best work. Go with a water-based lube, as silicone- and oil-based options can damage the material of your toy.

David also suggests that you “take it slow and just enjoy exploring the different sensations that a stroker can give you.” If you’re accustomed to racing toward the finish line when you jerk off, using a toy can be a helpful reminder that pleasure is the point, and that you can and should enjoy the journey as much as the destination, if not more so.

Looking for a more realistic sensation? “My top tip for a good first-time session with a Fleshlight [is to] pop the sleeve out of the case and pop it in some warm water for about 15 minutes,” David says. This’ll heat up the stroker so that it’s closer to your natural body temperature and feels more like you’re actually having sex.

Lastly, cleaning is crucial when it comes to strokers. “Make sure that when you are done, you thoroughly clean [your toy] and allow it to fully dry before you store it away,” David says. Yes, it can feel like a hassle to wash out your toy in the immediate afterglow of orgasm, but leaving it dirty—or shoving it back into its case before it’s fully dried—can shorten its lifespan and may cause mold to grow inside. (Gross!)

Now that you know a bit more about strokers, let’s talk about some of the best Fleshlights and the like that are available.


The Best Fleshlight: Fleshlight Pink Lady

Materials: SuperSkin (Fleshlight’s patented material); plastic casing
How to Use: Apply water-based lube to the entrance of the toy, the inside of the toy, and your penis before sliding inside. After use, remove the sleeve from the case and rinse it out thoroughly with water. Let it dry completely before re-assembling.

There are many newer models are on the market, but “Fleshlight” has become the usual way to refer to these toys for a reason. The company's original, best-selling model features a super soft realistic feel, along with human-like textures within. It's the closest thing to the real thing when you're practicing solo. If you’re a beginner and this is your first Fleshlight, you (and your sex life) are in for a treat.

Pros: Smooth, squishy interior; realistic vulva exterior; hard plastic case for travel and storage; fits a wide range of penises
Cons: Porous material isn’t as durable/long-lasting as silicone; large and not very discreet; cleaning can be annoying; can be loud during use

The Most Luxurious Stroker: Lelo F1s V2

Materials: Silicone, ABS plastic, and aluminum alloy
Battery Life: 2 hours
How to Use: Apply water-based lubricant to the inside and entrance of the stroker, and slide it onto your penis. Control the vibrations with the buttons on the toy, or pair it with Lelo’s F1S app on your phone via Bluetooth and control it that way. The app is also where you can see data from the toy’s 10 sensors.

More fun with solo sex? There's an app for that. Lelo’s new F1S V2 is the Maybach of masturbation toys: it's incredibly powerful, extra soft and stretchy on the inside, and has ten sensors allowing for feedback, and the the whole experience is totally customizable through the Lelo app on your phone. 

Pros: Two powerful motors for satisfying vibrations; stimulates the frenulum well; comfortably flexible internal sleeve; sensors to track your speed and stamina via Lelo’s app; quiet; waterproof
Cons: App is poorly designed/hard to use; may not fit all penis sizes

The Best Disposable Stroking Toy: Tenga Egg

Materials: Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
How to Use: Open the Egg’s “shell,” take out the stroker, and apply the included lubricant to the inside and entrance of the toy before sliding inside it. After using, you can either throw away the egg inside its packaging, or turn it inside-out and wash it out thoroughly with soap and water if you’d like to reuse it (which is not recommended by Tenga, but can be done). Let it dry thoroughly before putting it back in its case.

Not sold on the idea of a stroker yet? Try a disposable one and see what you think. Tenga Eggs are squishy handheld strokers with highly stimulating textures inside. They can be used three to four times if you wash and dry them properly between uses, so you can get a feel for the sensations offered by strokers before you decide whether to buy a longer-lasting toy.

Pros: Super stretchy to accommodate most penis sizes; a variety of enjoyable textures available; comes with its own lube; small and discreet; inexpensive
Cons: Technically one-use-only/disposable; can be noisy during use

The Best Portable Fleshlight: Fleshlight Go Torque

Materials: SuperSkin; plastic casing
How to Use: Apply water-based lube to the entrance of the toy, the inside of the toy, and your penis before sliding inside. After use, remove the sleeve from the case and rinse it out thoroughly with water. Let it dry completely before re-assembling.

If you and your partner are into voyeurism and exhibitionism, or if you're long-distance and like to have video sex, this toy is a fantastic pick. The sleeve and casing are both see-through, so your sweetie will get the view of a lifetime while you're using it. This one is also more petite than your standard Fleshlight, making it perfect for throwing in a suitcase or stashing in an overstuffed nightstand drawer.

Pros: Pleasurably textured interior; translucent for a better view; hard plastic case for travel and storage; fits a wide range of penises
Cons: Porous material isn’t as durable/long-lasting as silicone; large and not very discreet; cleaning can be annoying; can be loud during use

The Most Innovative Stroking Toy: Arcwave Ion 

Materials: Silicone and ABS plastic
Battery Life: 70 minutes
How to Use: Hold the “+” button for 1 second to turn the toy on. Choose from 8 different intensities with the “+” and “–” buttons. To turn the toy off, hold the “–” button for 1 second.

"Pressure-wave technology" is often found in toys marketed at women these days; it stimulates the clitoris "touchlessly" using rhythmic air waves. Now this technology is available in a toy for penises too. The Arcwave works its magic on your sensitive frenulum, for truly mind-blowing orgasms.

Pros: Offers unique “pressure-wave” sensation; easy to dissemble for cleaning; storage base doubles as a drying rack
Cons: Not everyone likes the pressure-wave sensation; noisy; expensive; won’t work for penises shorter than 3.5 inches; needs to be held still (rather than stroked up and down) to work best

The Best Stroking Toy for Long-Distance Couples: Lovense Max 2

Material: ABS plastic and thermoplastic elastomer
Battery Life: 5 hours
How to Use: Use the power button to turn the toy off and on, and control it with the buttons or the Lovense app. Apply a water-based lubricant to the inside and entrance of the toy before penetrating it.

This stroker combines vibration with rhythmic suction, creating intense sensations whether you're stroking it up and down or just holding it still. It also connects to Lovense's Bluetooth app, so you can control the toy with your smartphone, or let a partner take the wheel for some long-distance fun.

Pros: Offers both vibration and contractions/squeezing; multiple settings for each function; sleeve can be removed for easier cleaning; adjustable air vent so you can control the amount of suction; syncs with some other Lovense toys for a “teledildonic” experience; water-resistant; long battery life
Cons: Noisy; large and bulky

The Best Stroking Toy for Building Stamina: Fleshlight Pink Lady Stamina Training Unit 

Materials: SuperSkin and ABS plastic
How to Use: Lubricate the inside and entrance of the stroker with a water-based lube, slip it onto your penis, and stroke.

It might seem counterintuitive that a toy made to provide intense pleasure could also help you last longer, but the Fleshlight Stamina Training Unit is designed to do exactly that. The ribbed internal texture is so super-stimulating that once you learn to hold off for longer with this toy, it'll be much easier to do the same with a partner. But even if that's not your goal, this is still a high-quality stroker that feels great.

Pros: Highly stimulating internal texture; soft and squishy enough to accommodate a variety of penis sizes; can dissemble it and turn it inside out for easier cleaning
Cons: Porous material means it will need to be replaced sooner than a silicone toy; can be noisy

The Best Discreet Stroking Toy: Tenga Flip Zero

Materials: Plastic and elastomer
How to Use: Apply water-based lubricant to your penis and to the inside of the toy before sliding inside.

"I am a huge fan of the Tenga brand of strokers," David says. "They are of amazing quality, particularly the Flip Zero, [which combines] soft, flesh-like texture with suction and adjustable pressure. It's sheer perfection!" The discreetly nondescript and non-gendered exterior of this toy are selling points for many users as well.

Pros: Interior is pleasurably textured; can be flipped open for easier cleaning and drying; squeezable pressure pads create internal vacuum suction; 
Cons: Porous material has a shorter lifespan than silicone; can’t be used with silicone-based lubes; often noisy during use; may not fit all penis sizes

The Best Easy-to-Clean Stroking Toy: Fleshlight Quickshot Vantage

Materials: SuperSkin; plastic casing
How to Use: Apply water-based lube to the entrance of the toy, the inside of the toy, and your penis before sliding inside. After using, remove the sleeve from its case, rinse it out thoroughly with water, and allow it to dry completely before re-assembling.

Fleshlight's Quickshot strokers are less than half the size of their regular ones, making them way more affordable and travel-friendly. Being open-ended on both sides, this Fleshlight model can be combined with other forms of stimulation–your partner can give you oral sex while using the stroker on you, for example. It's also much easier to clean than a standard Fleshlight.

Pros: Pleasurably textured interior; translucent casing for a better view; open-ended design makes it easier to clean the toy between uses and to combine it with oral sex, handjobs, etc.; more compact and travel-friendly than regular-size Fleshlights; inexpensive
Cons: Porous material isn’t as durable/long-lasting as silicone

The Best Vibrating Stroking Toy: Hot Octopuss Pulse

Materials: Silicone and ABS plastic
Battery Life: 1 hour
How to Use: Apply a water-based lubricant to the inside of the toy, place it against the underside of your penis so it wraps around the shaft and presses against the frenulum, and turn it on. You can hold it in place or stroke it up and down.

"If you want to take your stroking sessions to the next level, consider something that vibrates too, like the Hot Octopuss Pulse," David advises. "It targets the sensitive frenulum for an all-encompassing sensation that will have your toes curling!" It's also a smart pick for anyone who struggles with erectile dysfunction, because its open design allows it to be used whether you're hard or soft.

Pros: Strong and rumbly oscillations; nine speeds and six patterns; can be used with or without an erection; waterproof; easy to clean
Cons: Short battery life

The Best Manual Stroking Toy: Fleshlight Fleshskins Grip

Materials: SuperSkin
How to Use: Apply water-based lube to the entrance of the toy, the inside of the toy, and your penis before sliding inside. After using, rinse the toy out thoroughly with water, and allow it to dry completely.

It can be tough to adjust to strokers when you're used to using your hand, but this product bridges the gap between the two. It's a handheld stroker, with finger-holes for a better grip. Just like your hand, it'll feel tighter or looser depending on how much pressure you're applying, but it brings some different textures to the table that your hand alone just doesn't.

Pros: Finger holes for an easier grip; pleasantly textured interior; pressure is adjustable depending on how hard you squeeze; comes with a storage case which doubles as a drying rack
Cons: Porous material isn’t as durable/long-lasting as silicone; cleaning can be annoying

The Best Stroking Toy for a Perfect Fit: Arcwave Voy

Materials: Silicone
How to Use: Remove the lids on either end of the toy. Apply water-based lubricant to the inside of it, and to your penis, before sliding inside. Rotate the dial on the toy to change its tightness setting. After use, rinse the toy out with water and let it dry.

The tightness of this compact stroker can be manually adjusted to get the perfect fit for your girth, so it's an especially good choice for people who like a tight squeeze. Since it's open-ended, you can clean it easily between uses.

Pros: Tightness can be adjusted to eight different pressure settings; compact and discreet; ventilated “protector lids” for faster drying between uses
Cons: May not fit larger penises comfortably; not as comfortable to hold as some other strokers due to its sharp-edged industrial design; heavier than it appears

The Best Automatic Stroking Toy: The Handy

Materials: Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
Battery Life: Electric
How to Use: Apply a water-based lubricant to the inside and entrance of the stroker before sliding inside. Use the Velcro strap to adjust the stroker to your desired tightness (it may need to be readjusted as you get harder). Press the power button to turn the toy on or off, and use the other buttons to adjust the stroke speed and length. After using, remove the stroker from the device and wash it out with soap and water, allowing it to dry fully before re-assembling.

An ideal toy for when you're feeling lazy, the hands-free Handy does the stroking for you. All you have to do is lube it up, slip your dick inside and turn it on. You can adjust the speed and length of the stroke as needed, and can even adjust the tightness using the toy's Velcro strap.

Pros: Automated stroking, with adjustable stroke length and speed; can swap out the included stroker for a different one if you like; Velcro strap for adjustable tightness; can be controlled over WiFi
Cons: Porous stroker material isn’t as durable/long-lasting as silicone; requires a nearby power outlet; not safe to use in/near water

The Best DIY Stroker: Clone-a-Pussy Plus+

Materials: Silicone and plastic, plus molding materials such as algae-based molding powder
How to Use: Follow the instructions included in the kit. (They’re too lengthy to fit into this article, but they are posted online if you’re curious.)

Ever wished you had a Fleshlight that looked more like your partner's anatomy? This do-it-yourself kit allows you to make a molded copy of your favorite vulva and attach it to the front of a pleasurable sleeve. It's fantastic for couples who are long-distance or often apart.

Pros: Creates a lifelike “clone” of your vulva; comes with a Fleshlight-esque masturbation sleeve that your vulva “clone” can be attached to; makes for a unique and original gift, or a fun science experiment to do together; available in various different colors and skin tones
Cons: Process may be too complicated/challenging for some users to figure out; process is pretty messy; requires you to own a measuring cup, large mixing bowl, timer, large mixing spoon, disposable paper/plastic cup, and scissors; the inside of the masturbation sleeve isn’t molded from your actual vagina

The Best Fleshlight Mount: Liberator Fleshlight On a Mission Toy Mount

Materials: Pleather, polyester, and polyurethane foam
How to Use: Put your Fleshlight into the hole on the mount, lube up the inside of the Fleshlight sleeve with water-based lube, get on top of the mount, and thrust inside.

Sure, Fleshlights are great, but what if you want to feel like you're penetrating an actual person and not just a plastic tube? Short of ordering a lifelike sex doll, the next best thing is to get a mount for your Fleshlight that enables you to use it in new ways. This Liberator mount is made of supportive foam covered in easy-to-clean faux leather. Slide your Fleshlight into it and you can get into a realistic "missionary position" on top of it. Thrusting into something can be more pleasurable, not to mention, it's good practice if you want to work on your stamina or endurance for the real thing.

Pros: Great for hands-free Fleshlight use; allows for realistic “missionary-position” masturbation; non-skid microfiber base; easy to clean with soap and water
Cons: Expensive; not designed for positions other than missionary; may not work with non-Fleshlight-branded strokers