For many men who have trouble achieving an erection, a penis pump can serve as a lifeline, delivering much-needed blood to the penis. They can also be pleasurable toys for masturbation or mutual sex play with a partner and can even increase the apparent size of your penis, albeit temporarily.
So, forget all the jokes you've heard and don't worry about stigma or judgment. If you're with the right person, they'll support your interest in a pump.
For those in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
Bathmate’s Hydromax model is our top pick because of its durability, effectiveness, gentleness on the skin, and ease of use.
Bathmate is a trusted industry name when it comes to penis pumps. They back their size claims with customer anecdotes, as well as a 60-day money-back guarantee and 2-year warranty.
At Innerbody Research, we extensively test each health service we review, including these penis pumps. All told, our team has collectively spent hundreds of hours testing and researching penis pumps to provide an accurate, unbiased analysis of how they compare, free of marketing jargon and gimmicks.
Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions to live healthier lifestyles. We evaluate the service based on adherence to quality, the latest medical evidence and health standards, and a simple question: would we buy the product or service ourselves if it weren't part of our job, and would we recommend it to family and friends?
Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this guide was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.
A penis pump is a device that applies vacuum pressure to your penis. It effectively draws blood to the penis, allowing men with ED to achieve erections with relative ease. Doctors will also often recommend pumps to men who have undergone radical prostatectomies. This procedure, typically performed to remove localized prostate cancer, can leave men unable to achieve an erection or struggling with a decrease in penis size. A penis pump can restore size and erectile strength long enough for a man to perform.
There are many different kinds of penis pumps on the market. Some models provide more suction, while others are easier to use. Our testing team has established what we believe are stringent criteria to determine which model is best suited to address the needs of most men, as well as those with specific features for men with particular needs.
Your most important criteria for choosing a penis pump may differ from the next man's, but there are several factors everyone should keep in mind when evaluating these devices. These are also our major evaluation criteria when comparing the multitude of penis pumps and identifying your best options in 2023.
We judge a company's product quality with durability, functionality, and ease of use in mind. But when it comes to a product that's going to interact directly with a sensitive organ like the penis, we're that much more critical. It contains a tremendous amount of nerve endings, making it a prime candidate for both pleasure and pain. Bathmate consistently got high marks from us in safety, with some of the most well-built products in the category.
Now, pumping may cause some discomfort regardless of a device's safety profile. Still, if you want to avoid pain at all costs, then selecting a water pump over an air pump is likely your best bet. That's because the presence of warm water helps relax your penile tissue and cushion it against the suction force. It can also help distribute that force evenly, so there are no areas of the penis that receive too much suction. Air pumps are still safe if they're high-quality, but most water pumps can double as air pumps anyway. Features like quick-release valves and pressure indicators are critical for a pump to gain our trust.
We need to be clear about this: penis pumps will not provide permanent gains in penis length or girth. When you use one to achieve an erection, that erection may be a little larger than those you get without a pump. But that's because you're drawing more blood into your penis than you could on your own, essentially making it longer and plumper. But after climax, or about two hours, your penis will return to its normal size.
That's not to say that you can't trust a pump because its advertising copy claims it can make your penis larger. We don't like that companies use misleading claims to sell products, but we ignore such claims and test the products to determine their quality regardless of such promises.
The important thing with a penis pump is that it gives you the results you want. That can mean that it helps you achieve an erection or that it satisfies you or your partner as a form of self-pleasure or foreplay.
If you seriously want to increase the size of your penis, you'll need to use a traction device, also known as a penis extender. Some of these devices combine traction with vacuum power, but it's the traction that's doing the lion's share of the work. While no credible studies show vacuum pumps permanently increasing penis size, some studies demonstrate how regular use of a penis extender can add inches permanently.
Consult our guide to the best penis extenders for more information.
Are you getting your money's worth? This is a more complicated question than mere cost. Is it worth the extra $40 for a man with a 7-inch penis to upgrade from the Hydromax7 to the Hydromax9, for example? Or does the superior display on the less expensive Airblow Smartpump allow you to forgive the battery life that’s inferior to the pricier CalExotics Optimum Advanced? We measure all these factors and make our recommendations with purpose and confidence.
Penis pumps can cost anywhere between $25 and $500, which can severely impact your decision-making process. Fortunately, we've found that most men can get the effects they want in comfort and safety for somewhere between $100 and $200. And some of the budget models around that $25 mark aren't too shabby.
Men with particularly large penises are at a disadvantage here. The companies that make pumps to accommodate them may charge more for larger models or have additional accessories you have to buy for the pump to fit. On the other end of the spectrum, men with penises shorter than three inches will have difficulty finding variety. But the Bathmate Hydromax3 is a well-made and effective solution for penises up to three inches long.
Privacy is essential in the sexual health space. There's a good chance you don't want to advertise to the world that you're using a penis pump. That's why the best of these companies ship in discreet packages with no logos or overt branding on them and with no traceable return address.
We also took a close look at each company's privacy policy. While many were nearly identical in terms of data sharing, there were some interesting discrepancies in billing statements we’ll get into below.
How intuitive is a website? Is there support staff available for a live conversation, or do you have to wait days on end for an email reply? In the penis pump world, individual companies tend to be less responsive than retailers like Lovehoney. Penomet is an exception, with a fast and friendly live chat option. But their website buries some of its product upgrade and accessory pages so deeply on its site that you have to employ the live chat at times just to navigate.
Many companies charge and time their shipments based on location, so there are fewer guarantees about when you might receive a package. But others, most notably Blush, have various shipping options that can increase the speed of delivery. Bathmate offers free worldwide shipping on all their products, and Lovehoney waives shipping fees when you spend more than $49.
We've broken down key features and pricing for the most highly regarded penis pump companies in the chart below.
Durable build quality
Multiple size and color options
2-year warranty with optional extensions
Extra-wide, short, and long models available
Free worldwide shipping
Free lubricant with purchase
Works with and without water
Great for sensitive skin
No pressure indicator
NSFW tutorial videos
Bathmate is undeniably an industry leader when it comes to penis pumps. Their pumps are durable and easy to use, and the company divides their lineup by size and suction force. That makes it easy to find the right model for your needs from among their array of pumps.
One of our favorite things about Bathmate is that they report on their users' experience in size gains without making wild or unsubstantiated claims about what the product can do. And when they refer to users who saw size increases, they back it up with anecdotal reviews and surveys.
Bathmate offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, longer than the warranties on some competitor pumps. Their warranty covers all Bathmate pumps for up to two years. Only one competitor does better, and that's Penomet with their 3-year coverage.
Bathmate offers three product lines, and they have an array of available sizes in each. As you move up the product lines, the possible suction of the pump increases.
Here's a handy chart to break down the prices by size and series:
Variegated product lineup
One-stop-shop for toys and wellness products
Excellent budget options
Auto pump maintains pressure
12 hours of use on a 2-hour charge
Some manual models have pressure gauges
Products come with a 1-year warranty
Only one size for the automatic model
Shipping costs vary by location
CalExotics has a significant array of toys, games, and wellness products. That includes nearly four dozen pumps. Most of those are CalExotics products, but the company also offers a pump by Dr. Joel Kaplan and a handful of other brands in toys and wellness.
Their Optimum Series is their most far-reaching, with simple budget models like the Rookie all the way up to their automatic model, the Advanced Automatic Smart Pump. This is our top choice for automatic pumps thanks to its simple controls, generous battery capacity, and reasonable price.
All CalExotics brand products carry a 1-year warranty.
Listing CalExotics' entire catalog would be overkill, but here's a look at some of our favorite models, their notable features, and their prices:
We would have preferred it if the CalExotics website had flat rates or free shipping. The current model calculates your shipping costs based on your location. The company is based in Ontario, California, so the farther out you are from the west coast, the more your shipping costs would go up. So, our team found a store – I Adore Love – where you can buy our top recommended CalExotics pump for less than at the official website, and shipping is free.
Lots of good low-cost devices
Emphasis on pleasure in many models
Some kits include rings for erection maintenance
Several high-end brands available
Can be cheaper than buying direct
Free shipping on orders over $49
Students get 20% off
Selection can be overwhelming
Hard plastic construction feels less durable
We genuinely appreciate just about everything Lovehoney has to offer. They're a well-stocked marketplace for a wide assortment of brands for toys, wellness products, lingerie, and more. They also have their own branded lineups of everything from penis pumps to role-playing costumes.
They don't lead with it, but Lovehoney has a lot of useful tools for the sexually curious. They have advice columns and a well-written blog. They even have a podcast where the hosts tackle various subjects, from taboo fetishes to rudimentary sexual health.
A few of the companies we list in this guide also sell through Lovehoney, and in some cases, Lovehoney has superior prices than you'd find buying directly from the manufacturer. They also offer some models by companies that don't sell directly to consumers. Instead, they rely on retailers like Lovehoney to move their products. One such penis pump is the Tracey Cox Edge, an effective mid-range automatic pump.
Lovehoney's brand of penis pumps is worth examining in its own right. The company has some of the best low-cost models out there, including our favorite budget pick, the Lovehoney BASICS Classic. You can also pick up the Lovehoney Ultimate Performance Kit, which they've designed for maximum pleasure. It comes with a vibrating mechanism, anal plug, stroker, and cock ring.
Here's a breakdown of our top picks available exclusively on Lovehoney:
Easy to upgrade pressure with different gaiters
Extremely durable build quality
Gaiters are guaranteed for life
Cylinders are guaranteed for three years
Can be used without water
Overblown claims about size increase
On the pricey side
Shipping is dependent on location
Penomet will appear on your bank statement
Gaiters are only available in packs
The Penomet Hydropump is a durable and effective water pump with one of the best warranties in the business. We find it disappointing that the company resorts to infomercial-like language to sell potential users on unsupported claims of permanent penis extension. For men with ED or those looking to get an erection that's a little bigger and harder than they'd have otherwise, it's a reliable tool. But as we've said before, penis pumps do not achieve the same results as penis extenders.
Something Penomet does that we find innovative is that they use various gaiters of different hardness to increase or decrease the device's pressure. The fact that Penomet guarantees the gaiters for life is an added bonus.
Like CalExotics, Penomet calculates shipping based on your location, so we can't say for sure what you're liable to pay. Shipping is discreet, with no Penomet markings on the box. However, the company name and URL will appear on your bank statement for whatever payment method you use.
As far as pricing on the device goes, Penomet offers three packages with more or less abundant gaiter sets.
Pricing on upgraded gaiters is a little frustrating. Customers can't get gaiters one at a time except for their most powerful gaiter. The only thing you can do is buy an upgrade package that will take you to the Premium level. They used to offer a whole slew of individual accessories, including upgraded cylinders for penises over eight inches, but they no longer do.
Here's what the few available accessories from Penomet cost:
There is no way to navigate to these products on the Penomet website. You either have to know they exist and search for them in a search engine or speak with a customer service representative via live chat to get the links. Because of the difficulty and expense involved in sourcing these accessories, we recommend purchasing the Premium package if you can afford it.
Accurate pressure gauge
Automatic pressure retention
Optional manual controls
Reasonable price point
Great pleasure devices available
Honest about potential results
Site lacks item specifics
No automatic shutoff
Shipping calculated by location
Customers may be more familiar with Autoblow as a masturbation device, but that's specifically the Autoblow A.I. and the Autoblow 2+ XT. The company makes a litany of other pleasure devices, as well. The Smartpump is their only product when it comes to penis pumps, and it's a good one.
The Smartpump is similar to our favorite automatic model, the CalExotics Optimum Advanced. We prefer the LCD screen on the Autoblow to the CalExotics model. However, its material quality isn't quite as good, and we don't have as much faith in the battery.
The Autoblow Smartpump costs $89.95, and the company calculates shipping based on your location.
Several excellent models to choose from
Wide range of sex toys available
Many pumps include gauges
Auto pump remembers your settings
Thoughtful construction for sensitive skin
Manual grips may be uncomfortable for some
Poor return policy
Warranties are too short
Blush delivers a wide variety of sex toys and tools. They don't get into actual clothing or fetishwear like some other companies, but they offer everything from dildos and anal toys to lubricants and, of course, penis pumps.
Blush makes one of our favorite devices for men of considerable girth. The Quickie Kit Thick Cock has a three-inch-wide sleeve and a pair of flexible cock rings. It also comes with a pleasure-inducing sleeve with ribbed walls for added stimulation.
Blush has an automatic pump, as well. The cylindrical top of the device contains the screen, and our testers found that the curve of the plastic screen protector can cause some glare, making it harder to read than others. Its battery life is decent, with around 150 minutes of use after a 2-hour charge.
Several other manual pumps utilize a large grip as a pumping mechanism. These models include nice pressure gauges, but they can be uncomfortable to use, especially if you have to pump regularly to maintain that pressure.
Here's a look at some of our favorite models from Blush:
Blush has a few shipping options to choose from:
If you're looking to penis pumps as a way to address issues with erectile dysfunction, you may also be interested in ED medications. The two treatments aren't mutually exclusive, so you could theoretically use them in conjunction with one another, but you should talk to your doctor first.
ED meds like sildenafil (brand name: Viagra) and tadalafil (brand name: Cialis) are widely available in their branded and generic forms, which effectively eliminates cost as a barrier for many men. You can even get a prescription online and have the meds shipped to your door, ensuring the utmost privacy.
See our Guide to the Best ED Treatments for more information about ED medications.
If your interest in a penis pump comes from a desire to increase the size of your penis permanently, you'll want to consider penis extenders instead. Penis pumps don't appear to have the ability to provide you with permanent gains in size. But extenders, which use traction instead of or in conjunction with vacuum pressure, might do the trick.
Multiple studies show increases in size from traction. Those gains disappear in men who use their traction devices for less than 12 weeks. So, you'll need to be in it for the long haul to see significant results. And the regimen is tedious; most models require at least four hours per day with your penis in the device. But once you achieve the results you wanted, they’re permanent.
To read more about penis extension and see if it's right for you, check out our full guide to the best penis extenders.