[Image 1. Penis pumps buyer's guide]

According to research, 50 percent of men wouldn't mind an upsize to better-endowed equipment. If you feel an increase in penis length, girth, erection hardness or stronger erections would be an advantage between the sheets, penis pumps can be the best option to increase size, stamina and maximize performance.

With a huge variety of pumps available choice can be overwhelming, meet your definitive guide to finding the best penis pump to cater to your needs in 2020.

How Penis Pumps Work

[Image 2. Paloqueth, How a Vacuum Penis Pump Works]

Broadly, regardless of your chosen brand or type, vacuum erection pumps will all work on your penis along the following lines:

When placing your flaccid penis inside the tube of your chosen pump and holding the device's seal base against your pubic area no air can get inside creating a vacuum.

When pumping, vacuum pressure draws blood into your penis to counteract the change in pressure in the tube as air (or water) is pushed out. This encourages blood flow producing an erection and increases penis health through improved oxygenation of penile tissues. 

Over time, working out your penis through repeated negative pressure (pressure pulling out as opposed to pressure pressing in) results in a stretching and enlargement of your penis.

How Safe Are Penis Pumps?

Used sensibly: almost entirely safe.

Removing the pump too quickly, causing rapid pressure changes, is an example of unsafe use. It's important when purchasing to ensure your device has a quick, fast, and easy to use release valve to guard against any damage from sudden, dramatic pressure changes. Being too hasty in releasing pressure from the release valve after a workout can lead to your penis becoming bruised and in some cases, permanent damage.

Selecting your penis pump, take into consideration how the release valve mechanism fits your fingers and how easy it is for you to use, not how easy it is claimed to be generally by the manufacturer. Being able in a panic to release the pressure valve is essential, and the alternative, a discomfort easily avoided with careful consideration on purchase.

Quality of the penis pump cylinder should also be a factor for thought to ensure the plastic doesn't break due to pressure whilst in use and your penis still inside the pump's tube. How easy your penis pump is to clean is also vital. Keeping your device clean is important as warm, moist penis pump tubes can have high bacterial growth. 

One of the most common ways penis pumps can cause tissue damage is by over-pumping and overuse, too often, or in sessions of too long a duration. Here it is important to follow the manufacturer's guide and instruction as well as the advice of more experienced users on how much pumping is enough pumping.

The exception to minor precautions is if you take warfarin, another form of blood-thinning anticoagulant, have sickle cell anaemia or any form of a blood clotting disorder. Under these circumstances, penis pumps are not generally considered safe for use and it is best to consult with your doctor before purchase.

What Will You be Using Your Penis Pump For?

Gains in penis size and girth. If you're aiming to size up for the bedroom, with regular use, penis pumps are an evidence-based tool that can drive your journey to enlargement. 

Penomet, one of the best brands of penis pump available, have over 10 years research and independent testimonials into the effectiveness of their vacuum penis pumps in enlargement and in a 2020 survey by Bathmate Hydropumps, of 12,000 customers, 81% reported better erections, 70.6% longer and as much as a 30% increase in length and girth over 6 months.

[Image 3. Percentage penis size increase with Bathmate HydroExtreme over six months]

Remember, for penis gains to be permanent you need to keep up a routine of 3 to 6 sessions weekly of a total of 15 minutes use for as long as you aim to maintain or increase your size. Like a fitness journey to gain muscle, if you don't keep up a regular pumping routine, training and bulking up your penis, your results will fade quickly.

Erectile Dysfunction. 80 to 90 per cent of men with erectile dysfunction who use vacuum penis pumps achieve a rigid erection. They can both be used immediately before sex to achieve an erection or with a regular routine can improve natural erections by improving blood flow, oxygenation, and overall health of penile tissues.

Premature ejaculation. Maintaining an erection inside the tube of a vacuum penis pump without bringing yourself to climax allows you to train your penis to stay erect for extended periods of time. 

Penis pumps can also be used with cock rings by placing the ring on before pumping, pumping to gain an erection, and then leaving the ring in place before sex. The ring limits blood drawn into the penis from leaving as quickly allowing the erection to be maintained longer.

Rehabilitation. Doctors support the use of vacuum penis pumps in prostatectomy patients to protect against nerve damage, penile shrinking, and the development of fibrous tissue. In recovery, 92% of men using a vacuum penis pump had greater scores for erection hardness maintaining preoperative penis length. 

Peyronie’s disease. Vacuum penis pumps can be used as an effective treatment for Peyronie's through the breakdown and reconstruction of plaque leading to a straightening of the penis curve and a reduction in pain via improved oxygenation of tissues.

Masturbation and foreplay. Penis pumps give a sucking sensation not dissimilar to oral which can be used in masturbation, as foreplay in domination, and through their use on erogenous zones. 

The Different Types of Penis Pump

[Image 4. Types of penis pump]

Air-Based Penis Pumps

Air pumps tend to be more basic, require less set up (other than lubing up liberally) and therefore exist at the cheaper end of the market. A good option for men with a micropenis they're also lighter on the wallet and so a better entry option for beginners starting out and who feel apprehensive or uncertain if they'll benefit.

With an air-based penis pump you can tailor the details of a workout which works best for you trying out different pressures, weekly routines, understanding how your body responds and how the pump feels before (or during) sex. 

Manual, air-based pumps involve the use of a handball or trigger to pump up a vacuum pressure. If using an air-based pump as a starter kit, getting a feel for the right pressure will initially mean some trial and error, so remember the importance of that quick-release valve to release pressure once you've hit your level, guard against the possibility of over-pumping and bear in mind these valves can be absent in older models.

Handball Pump

[Image 5. Lovehoney Solo Pleasure Male Sex Toy Kit $59.99]

This is the more common and cheapest sub-type available and is characterized by the use of a ball pump which you squeeze. The tighter you squeeze the ball, the more pressurized the vacuum. When considering this model of manual air pump look for one which comfortably fits your palm. 

Trigger Pump

[Image 6. Lovehoney BASICS Trigger Pump $24.99]

Trigger pumps have a more comfortable mechanism than handball pumps allowing you to pump for longer without cramping. Trigger pumps also give more control and power over the pressure inside the pump tube, creating more effective vacuums for harder erections faster. 

With air pumps, it's necessary to use lube to keep the penis tissues supple for stretching. Applying a hot towel to your penis for several minutes before using an air pump will warm tissues, increase natural blood flow, and will have a conditioning effect on nerves preventing any pain. 

The drawback to keep in mind when considering an air-based penis pump is that there is no cap on the maximum pressure inside the pump tube. When pumping, if you ignore the pressure gauge, air will continue to compress inside the tube. This can result in excess pressure on the penis from uneven air distribution, subcutaneous bleeding, tiny red spots on the penis, the risk of bursting a blood vessel, and blistering.

Electric (Air) Penis Pumps

[Image 7. Optimum Series Rechargeable Automatic Smart Penis Pump $89.99]

Hands-free, with the press of a button electric penis pumps, increase, release, or pre-set the pressure within the pump tube. Often with a seal shaped like a vagina or lips if your aim is to use your pump as a sex toy, automation allows you to focus on sensation and many come with vibrating options for pleasure as well as enhancement-based pumping. 

Electric pumps make the process of pumping simpler with less set up than manual penis pumps. They're also considered safer than traditional air pumps as electric penis pumps are designed to stop after reaching a certain pressure level. Drawbacks of electric pumps include noise, the need for batteries or chargers, and difficulty getting up to full pressure.

Hydro (Water) Penis pumps

[Image 8. Bathmate HYDRO7 Penis Pump $109.99]

Manual, water-based penis pumps use warm water to increase blood flow, lubrication and soften the penis tissue when stretching. At the higher end of the market, water-based pumps offer the best certifications, evidence backing, durability, and results.

Designed to be taken in the bath or shower water pumps evenly distribute their suction, blanketing your penis from the base, through the shaft, and into the tip eliminating the side effects of air-based pumps. 

To use a water-based penis pump, fill the chamber with warm water in the bath or shower and start pumping. Hydropumps have a one-finger valve that will immediately release the pressure if you over pump and with a limited water capacity have a pressure cap by design allowing for unrestricted pumping and max gains without risk.

One side effect of water-based pumps not found with other varieties is fluid retention. This is when the vacuum which has drawn blood into the penis has also drawn in fluid resulting in a doughnut swelling at the base of the penile glans. Fluid retention should disappear after 24 hours and can be avoided by spreading sessions of 15-20 minutes into smaller 4-5 minutes sessions.

9 of The Best Penis Pumps Available in 2020

The better build quality, comfort, and long-term durability you will be able to expect from your penis pump will increase the further towards the higher end of the market you decide you can commit to. 

Manual penis pumps, either trigger or handball, are generally the cheapest ($20-$50). The cheaper the device, the lower quality its components. These pumps are more appropriate for beginner pumpers. For those interested in long term use for maximum gains, pumps at this end of the market can lose suction rapidly and so shouldn't be considered an investment for your pumping journey.

Mid-priced penis pumps ($50-$200) provide a more authentic level of quality than cheaper pumps and promise average potential penis gains. Unlike cheaper alternatives which are regularly single sealed units, mid-priced penis pumps can be disassembled and as a result, carry a lower risk of harboring bacteria.

High-end penis pumps ($200-$400) will have superior quality, comfort, durability, and a satisfaction guarantee. These pumps are normally water-based and boast manufacturing standards certificates with components made of medical-grade composites and have undergone rigorous procedures for safety testing.