You’ve finally decided to add something stimulating and exciting to your masturbation routine. You start researching products and… you feel more confused than ever before! In the world of male solo play toys, there are lots and lots of good choices to consider. Which one is the best?

Fleshlights, pocket pussies and automatic masturbators rank among some of the top choices. Understanding the differences is one of the keys to buying the toy that will rock your socks off time and time again.

What’s the Difference Between Fleshlights and Pocket Pussies?

A pocket pussy has a self-explanatory name.  The term was coined in the 1990s when the male sex toy market started to take off (thank you, internet shopping!).

Pocket pussies are vagina replicas that can be held and penetrated. The small, compact size has gotten these toys labelled as “pocket” vaginas.

Pocket pussies are usually made of materials that replicate the experience of penetrating an actual partner. Thermoplastics like TPE and TPR are very popular. They’re soft, flexible and they warm up to body temperature quickly.

Fleshlights are a type of pocket pussy. This is the name of a specific brand and it’s derived from the fact that the casing of that particular stroker looks like a flashlight.

The brand was set up in 1995 by one guy who decided to add more realism and intensity to solo sex. The team didn’t just work on making a product that feels as anatomically-correct as possible, Fleshlight has also been very invested in removing all stigma surrounding masturbation and the male use of sex toys. In multiple interviews, the company founder has said that we need to be more open and eager to talk about solo pleasure. This is probably one of the reasons why the brand has become so critically-acclaimed (that and the quality of the fleshlights, of course).

Fleshlights are designed to mimic the appearance and feel of different orifices. There are vagina, mouth and booty toys, all producing a very specific sensation. Most of the fleshlights have unique and distinctive inner texture, adding a lot of variety to the great intensity these strokers produce.

So, to sum it up fleshlights belong to the pocket pussy family but not all pocket pussies are fleshlights.

How About Automatic Masturbators?

We need to talk about a third product category – the automatic masturbator or stroker.  It’s kind of the Rolls-Royce of male pleasure toys because an automatic stroker can deliver a number of things that the other two products are simply lacking.

Automatic strokers usually deliver thrusting, suction and vibrating action. In that sense, the masturbator does everything. You don’t have to penetrate and thrust. Just sit back, relax and let the stroker do its thing.

Some of these toys are even provided with a suction cup base. If you choose such an option, you’ll even be free from having to hold and direct the stroker.

Automatic masturbators are an obvious choice for connoisseurs, people who crave variety and those interested in investing in their sexual wellness. Made of premium materials and provided with sophisticated controllers, automatic masturbators deliver the next generation of pleasure toys for guys. 

New Tech, New Possibilities

Strokers that can thrust and deliver automatic suction are only the world step in a series of new developments that currently revolutionize the sex toy industry for everyone.

Today, additional technologies are being employed to deliver wholesome, immersive and incredibly satisfying experiences.

VR masturbators are one innovative example. You no longer have to rely on your imagination to get things going when masturbating. These automatic strokers can be used with virtual reality goggles and multimedia content created for the purpose. When you have the goggles on, you’ll be enjoying an all-encompassing experience that’s bound to stimulate all the senses.

For example, adult films that can be paired with VR masturbators already exist. When you have your VR goggles on, you’ll feel like you’re included in the action. The stroker’s thrusting syncs with the content you’re viewing. So, the next time you decide to have sex with your favorite adult actress, you’ll be free to do so.

Most people who have tried interactive and VR masturbators report the experience as distinctive from everything they’ve experienced before. Needless to say, traditional old-school masturbation pales in comparison. When you have such a sex toy, you’re no longer a spectator just viewing porn. You’re actually participating in it.

Which Choice Is the Best One?

Fleshlights, pocket pussies and automatic masturbators are obviously very different from each other. As a guy, you can enjoy all three in specific settings.

Pocket pussies can be very simple or very complex in design. They’re affordable, perfect for beginners and they can also be an amazing travel companion.

Fleshlights are recognized for their quality. The company makes its own proprietary material that has incredible lifelike properties. Additionally, fleshlights are known for their discreet cases. The outside of the toy really looks like an actual flashlight. So, if you travel a lot and you’d like to have some steamy fun in the hotel, a fleshlight will be a wonderful pick.

Those who have tried other masturbation toys and would like an alternative can explore the amazing potential of automatic masturbators. This category of products is probably the broadest – automatic strokers ca have many different functions, settings, speeds and rhythms. While these toys are more expensive, they produce the kind of sexual experience that the other two varieties simply can’t deliver. Automatic strokers also enable the incorporation of new technologies for an all-encompassing pleasure experience.

Don’t Forget to Consider Ease of Maintenance and Care

When looking for sex toys, most people are (understandably) focused on their pleasure.

Still, we’d like to offer a reminder about another characteristic that’s also very important for a satisfying experience.

Ease of cleaning, storage specifics and maintenance requirements should never be underestimated. The three masturbation toy categories that we’ve discussed need to be cared for in distinctive ways.

Fleshlights and pocket pussies aren’t motorized. As such, they can be cleaned with soapy water or a sex toy detergent. The exact cleaning procedure, however, will be dependent on the material that the respective masturbator is made of. The same applies to the selection of the right lube type.

Both pocket pussies and fleshlights have to be completely dry on the inside and out before being put away for storage purposes. It’s also a good idea to put these in a bag or a pouch instead of just tucking them inside a drawer.

Automatic masturbators may have a detachable sleeve for cleaning purposes. If that’s not the case, you’ll need to determine whether the item is waterproof. This is one of the most important considerations for proper cleaning without compromising the integrity of the toy.

Final Verdict

Is it possible to determine whether one kind of masturbator is better than another? Not really. All three product categories that we discussed have their merits and weaknesses.

In order to buy a toy you’ll be satisfied with, determine your sex and lifestyle needs. Setting a budget in advance will also help you limit the number of choices and consider fewer options that correspond to the financial means available.