Vibes Are for Guys Too: Why More Men Should Explore Vibrating Toys

September 2, 2026 • masturbation • masturbators • vibe-a-palooza • vibrating toys

Let’s talk about a pleasure gap that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

Men masturbate. A lot. Yet when it comes to adding a sex toy to the experience, many guys are still surprisingly hesitant.

A 2025 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that while 72% of women had used a sex toy, only 60% of men had. The difference gets even bigger when you look at regular use: 55% of women reported using toys at least once a week compared with just 36% of men. Another 2025 survey found that 46.5% of men had never experimented with a sex toy at all.

So, guys...what's holding you back?

This Vibe-A-Palooza, Boudoir Noir has a message for you:

Vibes are for guys, too.

Why Aren't More Men Using Sex Toys?

For decades, we've been fed some pretty ridiculous ideas about male sexuality.

Men are supposed to want sex all the time. They're supposed to know exactly what they're doing. Masturbation is supposed to be simple. And if a guy needs a toy to make sex or masturbation better, there must be something wrong with his performance.

Except none of that is true.

The 2025 survey from The Handy found that 41% of men felt the stigma surrounding male sex toys prevented them from openly discussing them with a partner. Even more telling? 38% said they didn't even know what a male sex toy looks like.

Meanwhile, 66% of men surveyed believed sex toys for women were more socially accepted.

We've spent years normalizing the idea that women can use vibrators to discover what feels good, enhance masturbation and bring something new into partnered sex. Why shouldn't men get to do exactly the same thing?

They absolutely can.

A Toy Doesn't Replace Anything—It Adds Something

Using a vibrator doesn't mean your hand isn't good enough. It doesn't mean your partner isn't satisfying you. And it certainly doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your sex life.

It's another way to experience pleasure.

Think about it this way: if you've been masturbating essentially the same way for years, your body already knows that sensation pretty well. A vibrating toy can introduce completely different types of stimulation and give you an opportunity to discover sensations you may never have experienced before.

And there's a lot more territory to explore than you might think.

Vibration can be incorporated into masturbators and strokers, vibrating cock rings, prostate toys, couples toys and other products designed for penis, perineal and external stimulation.

You don't have to jump straight into the deep end, either. Start with something that interests you and explore at your own pace.

Learn What Your Body Actually Likes

One of the best things about masturbation is that it's entirely about you.

There's no pressure to perform. No worrying about whether your partner is having a good time. No need to rush.

That makes solo play an ideal time to experiment.

Try different speeds. Different vibration patterns. Different areas of your body. Maybe you'll discover that you love vibration somewhere you never thought to try it before.

You might even decide it's finally time to find out what all that prostate talk is about.

Exploring on your own can help you become more comfortable with your body, build sexual confidence and better understand what kinds of stimulation work for you.

And knowing what you like makes it a whole lot easier to communicate those preferences to a partner.

Masturbation Is About More Than Getting Off

We've talked about the benefits of masturbation before in the Backroom Blog because self-pleasure isn't just about the orgasm.

Masturbation can be a form of sexual self-care. It can help with relaxation and stress, support better sleep for some people, improve mood and help build sexual confidence.

Adding toys doesn't change those benefits—it simply gives you more ways to explore them.

And there's no "correct" amount of masturbation or toy use. Some people masturbate frequently, some occasionally and some not at all. Sexual wellness isn't a competition.

The goal is understanding your body and choosing what feels right for you.

Toys Can Be Training Tools, Too

Here's something else that doesn't get talked about enough: masturbation can teach you things.

Changing the way you stimulate yourself can help you become more aware of your arousal, sensitivity and responses. Instead of automatically reaching for the same technique you've used forever, a toy gives you an opportunity to slow down and pay attention.

Research cited by ASTROGLIDE also notes associations between male sex toy use and reports of better erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire and intercourse satisfaction.

That doesn't make a vibrator a medical treatment for erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. But exploring different sensations, learning how your arousal builds and becoming more comfortable communicating what works for you can all be useful parts of understanding your sexual response.

Your Partner Might Be More Interested Than You Think

Here's where the 2025 research gets particularly interesting.

Men may be less likely to reach for a toy during solo masturbation, but they're definitely interested in using them with partners.

The Handy survey found that 57% of men who use sex toys said enhancing intimacy with a partner was a reason they use them. More than half of male toy users surveyed said they exclusively use sex toys with a partner.

So maybe the stereotype that toys are somehow competition needs to disappear, too.

A vibrating cock ring can introduce stimulation both partners can enjoy. A remote- or app-controlled toy can turn control over to your partner. A couples vibrator can add sensations that neither person's body can create on its own.

And sometimes simply watching your partner enjoy something new can be incredibly sexy.

Toys don't have to come between partners.

They can bring partners closer together.

What About Prostate Toys?

We couldn't talk about expanding men's sexual horizons without mentioning the prostate.

Prostate play is one of those things many guys are curious about but hesitate to explore because of outdated stereotypes surrounding anal stimulation.

Your anatomy doesn't care about stereotypes.

The prostate is a highly sensitive gland that can respond to pressure and stimulation, and prostate massagers are specifically designed to target it. Some even add vibration for another layer of sensation.

If you're prostate-curious, start slowly, communicate with your partner if someone else is involved, use plenty of anal-safe lubricant and only use toys designed for anal play with a flared base or other retrieval-safe design.

And remember: new sensations or pressure can feel unfamiliar, but pain is your body's signal to stop.

Your First Vibrator Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

One of the biggest barriers men reported in the 2025 survey was simply not knowing what product to choose.

That's understandable. Today's toys can vibrate, pulse, rotate, thrust, warm up, sync to apps and respond to remote controls. It's a long way from the basic vibrators many people picture when they hear the word "vibe."

Instead of asking, What's the best vibrator for men?, start with a better question:

What do I want to explore?

Want to add vibration to masturbation? Try a vibrating stroker or masturbator.

Want something you can enjoy with a partner? Explore vibrating cock rings or couples toys.

Curious about prostate stimulation? Look at vibrating prostate massagers designed specifically for anal use.

Want your partner involved even when they're not right next to you? Remote- and app-controlled toys can make things very interesting.

You don't have to know exactly what you'll love before you begin.

That's what experimenting is for.

Guys, It's Time to Expand Your Definition of Pleasure

Sexual exploration shouldn't be divided into things men are "supposed" to enjoy and things women are "supposed" to enjoy.

Pleasure is pleasure.

Trying a vibrator doesn't say anything about your masculinity, your sexuality or your ability to satisfy a partner. It simply means you're curious enough to discover what else your body can do.

And considering that vibrators were the most commonly tried type of sex toy among men in The Handy's 2025 survey, plenty of guys have already figured that out.

So this Vibe-A-Palooza, we're challenging the rest of you to get curious.

Try something different. Explore a new sensation. Learn something about your body. Bring a toy into the bedroom with your partner—or keep it entirely to yourself.

Whatever you choose, there's only one rule:

Don't knock the vibe until you've tried it.