The Phoenix Device Reviews

Plenty of men rely on drugs like Viagra or Cialis to address erectile dysfunction. These medications have been around long enough for their safety and efficacy to be widely accepted in the medical community.1 But they aren’t without their side effects, and some men would undoubtedly prefer to find a drug-free treatment alternative — both for any health implications and for the potential savings it could offer.

One such treatment is acoustic shockwave therapy, which is typically administered in a urologist’s office and involves expensive machinery.2 But Launch Medical’s Phoenix is an at-home shockwave device that promises to work as well as the machines found in doctors’ offices.

Our testing team looked closely at the Phoenix to determine whether it could live up to its promises and whether shockwave therapy is as promising as some proponents claim.

We were pleasantly surprised by the specs the Phoenix offers, with a pneumatic shockwave mechanism not unlike those seen in certain clinical environments and a pulse frequency in line with what appears effective in scientific research. It’s a higher up-front expense than many would like to pay, especially if they could get insurance coverage for treatments from a urologist. And there’s no denying the device is loud. But considering the time saved commuting to — and waiting at — a doctor’s office, you may find the Phoenix well worth the price. Plus, Innerbody readers can save $75 using coupon code INNERBODY75. For men interested in shockwave treatment from the comfort and privacy of their own home, it’s a viable alternative therapy for sexual performance issues.

At Innerbody Research, we extensively test every product and service we review, including those aimed at treating erectile dysfunction. We were no strangers to shockwave therapy when the Phoenix hit the market; over the past few years, our research team has consumed over 400 scholarly articles pertaining to ED, its treatments, and shockwave therapy in particular.

We directly compared the Phoenix — its practical function and technical specifications — to machines used by urologists and to numerous clinical studies. Additionally, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions to live healthier lives.

In evaluating the Phoenix, we considered four key criteria that we felt would apply to most men interested in alternative treatments for performance issues. The first and most important of these is effectiveness — whether the treatment actually works — followed closely by cost, safety, and privacy. Let’s take a closer look at each criterion to see how the Phoenix performed.

Effectiveness

In measuring the effectiveness of the Phoenix, we took a close look at the available scientific research investigating the efficacy of shockwave therapy as a treatment. Then, we compared the technical specifications of the Phoenix to those seen in shockwave machines used by clinicians.

Numerous studies support shockwave treatment as a way to improve symptoms of ED. One recent review of studies showed a roughly 30% increase in both International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and Erectile Hardness Scores (EHS) after only three months of shockwave therapy.3

In another study comparing radial and focused shockwave treatments, a 15Hz radial treatment appeared to be moderately effective, with 75% of participants seeing improvements.4 Several other studies looked at lower-frequency shockwave treatments for ED, ranging from 2Hz-6Hz, and saw similar efficacy.

The Phoenix produces a radial shockwave with a frequency range of 15Hz-19Hz. That may seem a little high, given that many studies work with slightly lower frequencies and that many clinical shockwave devices operate up to 15Hz. That’s likely because lower frequencies achieve deeper penetration, which can be helpful to reach an injured hip through a dense layer of body fat, but is unnecessary to affect the tissues and circulation in the average penis.5 That’s why ED shockwave studies see similar efficacy at both 15Hz and 2Hz — 15Hz is low enough.

All of this points to a conclusion that the Phoenix should prove effective for the majority of users who stick to the protocol.

Cost

If all we used to evaluate the cost of the Phoenix were in-office clinical shockwave applications, the device would likely have a much higher score. According to one provider, the out-of-pocket cost per in-office treatment is $500-$600, with about six treatments over the course of three months and two annual treatments each year after that. That comes out to just over $4,000 for the first year and $1,200 yearly thereafter.

The Phoenix, by comparison, costs $879 upfront. That’s a little more than the cost of a single in-office treatment. The company also often offers a coupon that brings the cost down to around $704, as well as a financing option through Affirm that costs about $43/month until the device is paid off (about 20 months).

However, shockwave treatment isn’t your only treatment option. If you’re a candidate for them and aren’t opposed to medical intervention, generic forms of drugs like Viagra and Cialis have gotten extremely inexpensive over the years. In some cases, they’ve also gotten more convenient than the average pill, with companies like BlueChew offering low-cost chewable versions you can take pretty much anywhere. Depending on your sex life, these options could prove much more affordable.

Here’s a quick chart comparing the cost of generic Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) per month to the monthly cost of the Phoenix if you finance your purchase at $43/month for 21 months. We’ll use as-needed forms of each medication and assume you’re having sex ten times per month.

As you can see, while the cost of a sildenafil prescription begins to creep up toward the cost of the Phoenix after those 21 months, that’s only if you’re using the pills around ten times per month. If you have sex closer to once per week, you stand to save that much more by going with the pills. And with the right tadalafil prescription, it would take another two years before you’d have spent the cost of the Phoenix. You can learn all about prescription options in our guide to ED treatments.

Safety

In most cases, shockwave therapy is perfectly safe, especially radial shockwave therapy, which spreads the wave over a wider area than focused shockwave therapy. The Phoenix is a radial shockwave device.

Studies indicate that this therapy produces no side effects, though it’s important to note that these studies used clinical shockwave devices, not the Phoenix itself.6 The Phoenix is a pneumatic shockwave device, so its operation creates a significant amount of noise. At approximately 88dB, it’s a little louder than the average blender or battery-operated drill.

Chronic exposure to such loud volumes can damage your hearing.7 We’ve seen several anecdotal reports of people whose hearing was damaged after shockwave therapy sessions aimed at the neck, shoulders, or upper back, and this study looked at the phenomenon acutely, but it did so for patients with plantar fasciitis, so the therapy was aimed at the foot.8 That may have reduced the intensity of the volume that reached participants’ ears.

Ultimately, as long as you follow your protocol closely and wear adequate ear protection, these devices should be safe. (Many ear plugs on the market advertise up to 30dB of protection, which should suffice in this case.)

That said, you likely are not a urologist or trained to use shockwave therapy devices, so the risk of unintentional misuse is a factor we have to consider.

Privacy

Comparing your privacy experience with the Phoenix to other treatment options is an interesting exercise. The fact that you don’t have to leave home to get shockwave treatments and show your face at a local urologist’s office is definitely a plus. And the company’s privacy policy is one of the more straightforward we’ve read, including a breakdown toward the end that clearly spells out what information is collected and how it may be used. But the company explicitly states it won’t sell, rent, or otherwise distribute your personal info.

So, why isn’t this rating a 10 out of 10? Well, some of your site use may sync up with your personal information and end up in the hands of another site if you navigate there directly from the Phoenix webpage. This is typical of most websites, though. Really, the privacy problem with the Phoenix comes from its volume. If you have family members or roommates from whom you’d rather conceal your shockwave treatments, the device’s decibel output makes this all but impossible.

The Phoenix is a handheld low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) device made by Launch Medical. It’s modeled after similar devices used in clinical settings for pain management and in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The Phoenix is not intended for pain management, but its design and specs make it a useful alternative to drugs or supplements.

Comparing the Phoenix’s specs to those you might see on a clinical shockwave machine, there are some striking similarities:

Launch Medical’s reputation

Launch Medical appears to create the Phoenix and nothing else. The company doesn’t have a site of its own, though it does have social media accounts that promote the Phoenix.

The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, where it has an A+ rating. Reviews aren’t as stellar, but the sample size is far too small to draw any conclusions. The company currently has a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars with six customer reviews. Most negative comments center on devices not producing results as intended.

To be very clear, shockwave treatment is not electroshock treatment. It does not electrically stimulate you in any way. Rather, it provides a pulse of sound waves tuned to a certain frequency and delivered with enough intensity to essentially massage tissues that you couldn’t otherwise reach.9 And the frequencies used in the therapy have been studied to be the most effective for various uses.10

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been a popular tool in pain management for some time, with certain forms used to treat injuries closer to the surface of the body and more focused applications capable of deeper penetration to do things like break up kidney stones. As you might conclude, that kind of deep-penetrating shockwave therapy isn’t ideal for penile applications.

Instead, a low-intensity form of the therapy, Li-ESWT, is applied along the outside of the penis to stimulate tissue repair and blood flow in the complex of muscles and blood vessels responsible for achieving and maintaining an erection.11

How does the Phoenix create shockwaves?

There are several ways the shockwave devices create their therapeutic output. Some use electromagnetism or piezoelectricity, which are accurate but expensive approaches. The Phoenix uses a pneumatic system to create shockwaves, an approach you’ll also see in clinical settings.

Essentially, a small but powerful motor repeatedly slams a kind of bullet housed in the cylinder of the device against a metal plate. The components are tuned so that the resulting vibration from this impact travels down the cylinder and creates a shockwave emitting from the device’s tip.

Mechanically, this is not unlike how certain pneumatic power tools work, using the kind of rotating mechanism found in some power drills and nail guns. The volume output is also similar, with both the motor and the impact of components combining to produce an output of around 88dB.

Ultimately, the Phoenix is safe when used correctly. Most studies looking into the safety and efficacy of Li-ESWT conclude that it’s safe for everything from plantar fasciitis to erectile dysfunction.6 However, these studies are performed by trained clinicians. No study currently exists evaluating the safety of at-home, self-administered shockwave therapy.

Fortunately, the protocol is simple enough that most men should be able to follow it without difficulty. You should be fine if you stick to that protocol and use the device carefully. Some men find the treatment sessions slightly uncomfortable, and for that, the company recommends either a lidocaine or benzocaine-based numbing product designed for penile use, a small amount of lubricant, or both.13 The company sells its own versions of each, but we also have comprehensive guides to numbing sprays and wipes that are as effective and a little less pricey than what Phoenix sells.

The intense volume output you’ll experience with the Phoenix is also of some concern, as it’s enough to cause some hearing damage over time. We recommend using some form of ear protection during your sessions.

It’s also possible that certain medical conditions, such as Peyronie's disease, could make using the Phoenix more hazardous. There is evidence that shockwave therapy can be used in the treatment of Peyronie’s, but there isn’t enough research to conclude which frequencies would be ideal for the treatment.12

There is also a risk of over-treatment for men too eager for their own good to see improvements. But the Phoenix has a 36-hour lockout that initiates after each treatment to prevent this from becoming a reality. And the LCD on the device displays the number of hours remaining until you can perform your next treatment so you know when it’s time to go again. (You don’t have to leave the device plugged in for this feature to work; the lockout timer has its own dedicated battery.)

The Phoenix isn’t cheap, coming in at $879 — but compared to the cost of the machines used in clinical settings or having a clinician perform regular treatments on your penis, it's significantly less expensive. We’ve seen machines ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 and up. And shockwave treatments can cost around $600 per session. What’s more, despite covering initial visits, some medications, and even penile implants, insurers typically do not cover shockwave therapy.

The company often runs a promotion that takes $175 off that price, bringing the cost down to $704. You can also finance the Phoenix through Affirm, provided you qualify, but whether you can do so without interest likely depends on your credit.

You can also purchase a number of accessories for your Phoenix, some of which serve as replacement parts for things that could wear away with time or improper use. The list of available accessories includes:

• Lidocaine numbing cream in 1-, 6-, and 12-packs: $5, $20, and $30
• Water-based lubricant: $20
• Replacement nose cone: $30
• Replacement O-Ring: $3
• Replacement metal tip: $30

There are definitely lidocaine numbing products on the market that are less expensive and easier to use, typically sold as delay sprays or wipes intended to partially numb the penis and extend intercourse. You can read all about the best delay sprays in our dedicated guide.

You can also purchase a penis pump by Dr. Joel Kaplan on The Phoenix website, but it costs $209 more. (Dr. Kaplan is a doctor, but he uses his Ph.D. more for marketing his products than practicing medicine.) You can get the same system from Kaplan’s website for $179.

The company offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, which we think is fair. It aligns with the timeframes outlined in the company’s use protocol, as well as the successful timeframes we’ve seen in some studies. You should be able to tell within 90 days if the product is working for you. You certainly don’t get this kind of guarantee from a urologist. If in-office treatments don’t work, you’re out of luck.

Phoenix warranty

Given the power of the mechanism inside the Phoenix, we had some concerns about durability, but our interactions with users have led us to conclude that durability doesn’t seem to be an issue. According to the manual, a device should be capable of firing about one million pulses in its lifespan, which equates to around three years of functionality when abiding by the included treatment protocol.

The company also offers a 1-year warranty that covers any issues that might arise with its functionality.

In addition to this warranty, which really only covers defects in the device itself, you can purchase an extension through the Phoenix site, offered through a company called ProGuard. For $97, this extension doesn’t add time to your warranty, but it expands on the types of damage it covers, including one accidental damage claim.

Since the Phoenix creates a significant amount of vibration, there is a risk you’ll drop it during treatment, and this extended warranty is designed to protect you against that occurrence. It’s also possible to damage the device by getting it wet, as it’s only rated with an IP22 water resistance, which is only enough to withstand dripping water from certain angles.

Shipping on all Phoenix purchases is free in the U.S.

We were impressed with the depth of detail into which the Phoenix’s manual goes, and it’s also written in a way that also makes the treatment protocol easy to understand. Additionally, there’s a handy quick-start video on the company’s website.

That said, we’ll attempt to simplify things even further here so you can get a sense of what it’s like to use the Phoenix for yourself.

Over the course of a single treatment, you’ll run the tip of the Phoenix up and down the shaft of your penis a total of five times, each time at a different location. You don’t use it on the tip of the penis.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Apply any numbing cream as needed.
2. Plug in your Phoenix device.
3. Apply any lubricant as needed.
4. Position the tip of the Phoenix near the front end of your shaft (just behind the head).
5. Turn the device on and place the tip against the shaft just behind the head.
6. Slowly move the tip toward your body, maintaining contact with the shaft.
7. Make sure you move the device at the same rate that the blue lights on the device extinguish.
8. When those lights go out, you should be at the bottom of your shaft by your pelvis.
9. Begin moving the tip back up the shaft along the same line, this time following the speed at which the blue lights come on.
10. When you get back to the top of the shaft, reposition the device at the next treatment point and repeat steps 5-9.
11. Once you’ve treated all five points (the company calls them “lines of travel”), the 36-hour lockout will engage.

If you picture a clock face with a hole in the middle and imagine inserting your penis into that hole, you’ll see the points at which the lines of travel exist. There’s a point at 12, 2, 5, 7, and 10 o’clock. There is no 6 o’clock position, as you never run the device along the bottom of your shaft.

These treatment sessions last about 17 minutes, and you’ll perform them twice weekly for 30 days, then take 30 days off, and then repeat that pattern until 120 days have passed. After that, you can perform a “maintenance cycle” of 30 days once or twice per year.

There are numerous viable alternatives to the Phoenix, but most of them aren’t mutually exclusive to it. You can combine the Phoenix with several other approaches to maximize your chances of success. However, if you intend to combine approaches, we strongly advise you to speak with your physician first.

Whether you might be interested in these as additions to your Phoenix use or as alternatives to it, here’s a quick look at the field of possible ED treatments we would recommend.