Sexual Wellness

What Are The Best Penile Pumps For Sexual Decline?

Fact Checked

An overwhelming number of penile pumps are on the market. Here's help choosing the best penis pump to suit your needs.

Last Updated: 12/13/2022

Written by

Kimberly Wilkes

We frequently recommend using a penis pump—otherwise known as a penile vacuum device or vacuum erectile device—to enhance the results you achieve while using The Phoenix

A penis pump includes a plastic tube that fits over the penis and a manual or battery-powered pump connected to the tube. The pump creates a vacuum that allows more blood to flow into the penis. 

Since there are a lot of penile pumps on the market to choose from, shopping for one may feel overwhelming.

This guide will make it easier for you to choose the best penile pump for your needs. Pumping is an optional supplement to Li-ESWT treatments, which can allow men to achieve results from Li-ESWT more quickly. Before spotlighting some of the more popular pumps on the market, let’s dig into some important criteria.     

Safety Is the Most Important Factor When Choosing a Pump

The most critical factor in choosing a vacuum erectile device is safety. You want to select a device that treats the most sensitive part of your body with tender loving care. Your top priority is choosing a penis pump with a quick-release valve, which allows you to release the pump if the pressure gets too high.    

Beware of pumps made from cheap materials. Pumps made of thin materials break easier and also can produce poor or uneven suction, which could damage your penile tissue.  

It’s important to carefully read and follow the instructions that come with your pump, to avoid injury. If you experience pain, immediately reduce suction. It’s always a good idea to speak with your physician before starting a new therapy, or if you suspect an injury has occurred.

Which Type of Penis Pump Is Best?

Penis pumps fall into different categories:

  • Air pumps

  • Water pumps, also called hydropumps

  • Battery-operated, usually called electric pumps

  • Manual

Air Pumps

Air pumps are the most common type of pump. Air filling the chamber creates a vacuum seal that draws blood into the penis. These are a good choice for the cost-conscious man, as they are usually more affordable than other types.  

Water Pumps

Water pumps use water pressure rather than air to create a vacuum around the penis. Unlike with air pumps, water between your penis and the chamber softens any jarring effect of the pumping. The water pressure also may lead to more uniform pumping, and you can use higher pumping pressures than you can use with air.

However, if you want to use the water feature on these devices, you must pump in the bath or shower. Many of these devices give you the option of not using water, but you might not get optimal results without it. 

The big problem? Water pumps don’t come with a pressure gauge. Some pumps compensate for this by having a ruler on the side. However, because the length of the pump changes as the silicone compresses, the ruler length also changes and might not be accurate. A ruler or tape measurer will provide the best accuracy.

Another disadvantage? You may need to shave your pubic hair before the pump seals against your skin.

Many men like water pumps, so it is a matter of personal choice. Just be aware of the challenges of using them.    

Electric Pumps 

These battery-operated pumps work at the touch of a button. Electric pumps are great set-it-and-forget-it options since they sense pressure changes and adjust the pressure to the preset number you choose. A lot of men like this option since it’s convenient and easy to use.  Electric pumps are also suitable for men with arthritis or other dexterity issues.

Manual Penis Pumps

With these pumps, you squeeze the bulb on the end of a hose to control the pressure. Manual pumps often are more affordable than electric ones, and some pumps do double duty as both manual and battery operated.  

7 Best Penile Pumps 

We’ve checked in with our customers and combined with other expert reviews, we’ve narrowed it down to seven of the best over-the-counter penis pumps that will complement your results with The Phoenix. All of these pumps have quick-release valves. 

Best Water Pumps – Bathmate Hydro, Hydromax, Hydroextreme, and Hydromax Wide Boy Penis Pumps 

Bathmate penis pumps are the best-selling brand of penis pumps. They’re popular because they’re user-friendly and made of quality materials. They come in different sizes to fit erections 1 to 11 inches long. There’s even a Hydromax Wide Boy for girths up to 7.5 inches. 

Best for Beginners – Bathmate Hydro7

If this is your first time with a penis pump, Bathmate Hydro7 is a good choice. Made for men with erect penis lengths up to 7 inches, Hydro7 was the world’s first hydropump with a design that produces lower pressure for first-time users. It’s also affordable while at the same time made from high-quality parts.

Pros

  • Great for beginners

  • Easy to use

  • Produces a comfortable amount of pressure

  • One of the more affordable pumps    

  • Phthalate-free

Cons

  • Only fits erect penis lengths of 5-7 inches

  • It does not include a pressure gauge 

  • You must use it in the shower or bath

  • Some men needed to shave their pubic hair for the pump to seal against their skin.

Bathmate Hydroextreme7

The Hydroextreme7 includes a pump, a hand pump, and an attachment pipe. Also included are a small towel, a shower strap, a measuring ruler for your penis, and a comfort pad. Some nice touches: you’ll get a case, a padlock, and cleaning supplies. If you have roommates or kids, you’ll appreciate the padlock. The comfort pad allows you to press the pump against the body more comfortably.   

Pros

  • It comes with lots of accessories.

  • The included hand pump makes it easy to use in bed, making it a more convenient option than pumps that work only with water.

  • Phthalate-free

Cons

  • It does not include a pressure gauge. 

  • Some men may need to shave their pubic hair for the pump to seal against their skin.

Bathmate Hydromax7

Hydromax7 is designed for use in the bath or shower. It’s made for men with erections of 5 to 7 inches in length and under 6.5 inches in girth. It comes with a removable, insertable comfort pad made from skin-safe elastomer that helps to provide an extra-tight seal around the base. You can buy a hand pump separately to allow you to use it outside the bath or shower and without water. 

Pros

  • Latex free and free of phthalate, a chemical linked to specific health effects.

  • The inclusion of a comfort pad is a nice touch

  • Phthalate

Cons

  • It does not include a pressure gauge. 

  • You may need to shave your pubic hair for the pump to seal against your skin.

  • To use it outside the bath or shower, you must buy a hand pump separately.

Best for Men with Wide Girth – Hydromax7 Wide Boy

If you’re wider than the average guy, this is your penis water pump. It still supports an erection length of up to 7 inches, but men with a larger circumference than average (up to 7.5 inches) will appreciate the Wide Boy. 

Pros

  • It’s suitable for men with a broader circumference.

Best Rechargeable Pump - CalExotics Optimum Series Advanced Automatic Smart Pump

A durable penis pump with superior suction. It has easy-touch buttons and an LED screen, or you can manually set the pressure and duration for up to 20 minutes. It comes with a USB charging cable and recharges in two hours for 12 hours of use. 

Pros

  • Phthalate-free

  • Rechargeable

  • You can use the stroker sleeve independently without the pump.

Cons

  • It doesn’t set times between pumps, so you’ll have to time the breaks yourself.

Best Electric Pump – Dr. Joel Kaplan’s Premium Electric Pump System

Many of our customers love Dr. Kaplan’s penile pumps—for good reason. Dr. Joel Kaplan, a Ph.D. from Saybrook Institute, a pioneer of men’s and women’s products for sexual health and wellness, created these pumps. They’re effective, easy to use, and designed with safety in mind. 

Most penis pumps take a one-size-fits-all approach by using a rubber gasket called a pump sleeve at the pump base to tailor the fit to different sizes. However, Dr. Kaplan’s pumps are made with special sizing to allow maximum blood flow to enter the penis, which is why every Dr. Kaplan pump system has the option to choose a size. 

Pros

  • Recommended by doctors

  • Hands-free operation

  • The electric pump does the work for you

  • Customized sizing compared to other brands of pumps 

  • Includes the PumpSmart App to log pump sessions, track erection quality and size, and visualize your progress.

Cons

  • You may have to shave or trim your pubic hair, especially if you’re having trouble maintaining a vacuum seal between your skin and the pump.

Best Manual Pump – Dr. Joel Kaplan’s Complete Metal Hand Pump System

Like Dr. Kaplan’s electric pump, this manual pump is practical, easy to use, and created with safety in mind. 

Pros

  • Recommended by doctors

  • Customized sizing compared to other brands of pumps 

  • It includes the PumpSmart App to log pump sessions, track erection quality and size, and visualize your progress.

Cons

  • Like other manual pumps, it takes more dexterity to operate compared to electric pumps, so it may be harder for people with arthritis to use.

Possible Side Effects of Vacuum Erectile Devices

Using a penis pump is usually safe. However, side effects can happen, especially if you’re using too high a pressure and pumping too hard. These side effects include:

  • Bruising

  • Swelling

  • Discoloration

  • Numbness

  • Red spots

If you have a blood disorder, a history of blood clots, or take blood thinners, talk to your doctor about using a penis pump since these devices may cause bleeding under the skin in some men. 

Penile Pump Safety Tips

The best way to prevent side effects from using a penile vacuum device is to follow the directions and use the appropriate pressure.

Other ways to ensure you have a safe experience include:

  • Never pump too hard or too much.

  • Let the pressure out slowly. Releasing it too quickly can cause discoloration.

  • Use a pump with a pressure gauge. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Penis Pumps

Why do men use penis pumps?

Men use penile pumps primarily to produce longer-lasting and harder erections so that a man can engage in penetrative sex. Some men who use these devices swear that they add length or girth to their penis, although there’s no scientific evidence to support this. Any additional length is usually temporary due to the increased blood flow and erection when using the pump. 

Are penis pumps effective?

If you’re planning on using a penis pump to help you last longer in bed, there is a lot of evidence that these devices work. However, men who use them to try to boost their penis size permanently may be disappointed. Read our blog about the effectiveness of penis pumps to learn more about whether they really work for sexual dysfunction. 

How do penis pumps work?

Penis pumps use suction to increase blood flow to the penis temporarily. During pumping, the blood fills your penile blood vessels, leading to an erection. 

What are the best penis pumps?

The best penis pumps emphasize safety by including a quick-release valve. Avoid cheap pumps made from low-quality materials since these can produce uneven suction that damages penile tissue.  

Some pumps that have earned good reviews from our customers, doctors, and other experts include:

  • Bathmate pumps

  • CalExotics Optimum Series Advanced Automatic Smart Pump

  • Dr. Joel Kaplan’s pump systems