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When it comes to male sex toys, Fleshlight is an industry leader. Known worldwide for its masturbation toy line, the name Fleshlight has become synonymous with male pleasure.
Due to its popularity, Fleshlight has become a sort of catch-all term for male masturbators, which makes finding information specifically about the brand tricky. That's where we come in - we've created a comprehensive rundown of the Fleshlight brand with all the information you could possibly want in one place. We'll delve into the history, examine their standout products, and offer some tips for new users looking to purchase their first Fleshlight.
While Fleshlight has branched out in the last few years and offers a variety of pleasure product lines, we're going to be focusing our analysis on what propelled the brand to household name status: its male masturbator range.
About Fleshlight
The handiwork of retired police officer Steve Shubin, Fleshlight was first born in the mid-90s out of Shubin's need for sexual relief during his wife's high-risk pregnancy. His wife, 40 years old at the time and pregnant with twins, was told by doctors to avoid intercourse as it could cause complications with the pregnancy.
Fleshlight was first patented as a "device for discreet sperm collection" and later released in 1998.
For Shubin, a guy with an "off the charts" sex drive, no sex for nine months seemed like the end of the world. So, desperate for a solution, Shubin had a candid conversation with his wife to discuss his options. The male sex toy market back then wasn't as innovative as it is today, and as Shubin and his wife were both unable to entertain the idea of him using a blowup doll without laughing, he figured that the opportunity was ripe for the picking.
This marked the creation of the Fleshlight, first patented as a "device for discreet sperm collection" and later released in 1998. Remarkably, Shubin had no engineering education or prior experience. He taught himself everything he needed to know - from plastic molding to complex polymer science - which took countless hours of trial and error.
Shubin approached the process of designing his new sex toy from the perspective of a sexually driven everyday American, which helped him strike gold. He knew that he needed to create a product with a focus on realism, and he channeled that enthusiasm into the creation of SuperSkin - the ultra-realistic sleeve material used today in all Fleshlight masturbators.
Shubin approached the process of designing his new sex toy from the perspective of a sexually driven everyday American, which helped him strike gold.
Shubin was astute enough to realize that guys wanted their toys to be portable and discreet, something that could easily escape notice. This is where the idea of hiding the sleeve within a flashlight case came from - after all, most guys have tools lying about, and a flashlight is the perfect shape and size to hide a masturbator in. From flashlight came Fleshlight, and the rest is history!
Nowadays, over 20 million Fleshlights have been sold. The brand has diversified into lubes, vibrators, dildos, and high-tech sex toys and now uses silicone molds of the genitals of well-known pornstars to give their Fleshlight range the utmost realism.
A Word From Our Expert:
Our certified sexual wellness expert, Daniel Garrett, is no stranger to sex toys, so we turned to him for his honest opinion on the Fleshlight brand and its products:
Fleshlight has been a significant innovator in the male sex toy industry, being the first to introduce discreet (Flashlight Case) and realistic masturbators for men. This pioneering move created an entirely new market segment, in which Fleshlight continues to be a leading brand, despite the influx of similar products and imitations.
The brand's products are notable for their high-quality SuperSkin material, which effectively mimics the sensation of real skin. This durability and ease of cleaning contribute to the longevity of the products. The design, resembling a flashlight, is practical and discreet, facilitating easy storage and transport.
Beyond pleasure, Fleshlight products serve a role in sexual wellness. They are useful for individuals looking to improve sexual stamina or control, offering a private means of practice. Additionally, they cater to a wide range of preferences with their diverse product line, including different textures and sizes, which is beneficial for those exploring their sexuality or new to sexual experiences.
Fleshlight remains at the forefront of the market it created, offering a balance of enjoyable and educational products in the realm of male sexual wellness.
Most Iconic Fleshlight Masturbators
Fleshlights come in various styles with different features, functions, and designs, but some are more iconic than others. So, to help you make the right decision for your needs, we've put together a table of the most popular Fleshlight ranges alongside our expert reviews.
Types of Fleshlight Masturbators
Standard (Vaginal, Oral, Anal)
Standard Fleshlights are the classic vaginal, oral, and anal models. These feature realistic openings and a textured inner sleeve made from Fleshlight's famous SuperSkin material.
The inner canal of the sleeve delivers targeted penile stimulation, with the intensity differing between Fleshlights. Standard Fleshlights run between 7-9 inches of insertable length, depending on the model, and the sleeve is fully textured from the tip to the base to ensure full-length stimulation. These Fleshlights haven't changed much since their invention - they're timeless sex toys!
Fleshlight Girls
Fleshlight Girls come in the standard Fleshlight case with realistic vaginal and anal orifices carefully modeled on famous porn stars. The openings are anatomically correct and created by using molds of porn stars' genitals, allowing guys to get up close and personal with their favorite adult actors.
Fleshlight is constantly adding new models to its extensive catalog, and the sheer amount of variation in these is fantastic.
Stamina Training Units
Stamina Training Units (STU) are designed with an intensely textured inner canal to help men improve their longevity in the bedroom. Repeat use of an STU can build up your stamina and ensure that you don't climax too quickly.
Beginners may find their STU speeds up their orgasm initially, but this will stop as they get accustomed to the sleeve and gain control over their orgasm. They're simple to use, highly pleasurable, and a great way to enhance your sexual performance. STUs are also brilliant masturbation aids for people who suffer from premature ejaculation, and they'll spice up any solo sessions.
Portable Travel Fleshlights
Travel Fleshlights are super discreet and sleek models that, as the name implies, are excellent for on-the-go pleasure. Stealth is the name of the game when it comes to travel Fleshlights but make no mistake; they can still deliver an intense experience with their textured SuperSkin sleeve ribbed with pleasure nubs and bumps. These Fleshlights often come open-ended, which makes them great for use during partnered play.
Vibrating
Vibrating Fleshlights utilize the SuperSkin sleeve, complete with ribbed inner texture, but they enhance the stimulation with up to three small bullet vibrators that can be inserted into the sleeve. They're easy to use and battery-operated, and playing around with the bullets allows you to tailor the experience for your pleasure.
Other
On top of these fantastic options, the Fleshlight range has expanded to include more fantastical styles of masturbators, including the Alien and Predator ranges, zombies, cyborgs, and even Bigfoot! These creative Fleshlights are ideal for horror movie fans who have fantasized about getting up close and personal with their favorite monsters.
Fleshlight also offers interactive models that can sync with VR content and other sex toys, giving your partner control over any stimulation; Blowjob Fleshlights that use anatomically correct mouth openings and suction technology to replicate the feel of a blow job; and Fleshjacks for gay men - anal Fleshlights with variations modeled on famous adult actors.
What Features Make Fleshlight Masturbators Stand Out?
Fleshlight has become an almost household name due to the numerous features they pack into each masturbator. To give you an understanding of why they're one of the biggest brands of male masturbators in the world, we'll quickly break down their standout features.
1. Iconic "Flashlight" Design
Male sex toy use has risen substantially in the past ten years and is on track to carry on increasing, in large part due to the popularity of the Fleshlight. However, a lot of men still feel as though there's a stigma attached to using sex toys, which is why they prefer unassuming toys that can hide in plain sight, like the Fleshlight.
The unique design of the flashlight case makes it truly discreet and incredibly portable.
Over the years, this design has become iconic, and its stealthy nature has allowed millions of men worldwide to experience the pleasure of a Fleshlight worry-free.
The design uses smart materials - ABS plastic is super durable, low maintenance, easy to clean, and body-safe. It protects the SuperSkin sleeve inside and ensures that your Fleshlight won't get damaged even while traveling. Most modern Fleshlight flashlights have adjustable suction control caps at the base, which can alter the tightness of a sleeve for enhanced stimulation during use.
2. Innovative Interior Textures
Fleshlight would not be market leaders if their sleeves weren't packed to the rafters with stimulating textures, bumps, and ridges. There's such a wide variety of textures when it comes to Fleshlights that every experience is different - there are literally hundreds to choose from.
Fleshlight sleeves all come with unique texture variations crafted to create more realistic experiences.
Butt sleeves are tighter than others and utilize tight rings and ribbed textures to intensify the inner stimulation. In comparison, many oral sleeves will group intense textures closer toward the Fleshlight opening and then use tight choke points to imitate a deep throat experience.
A great deal of care and engineering went into creating each internal texture to ensure they were highly pleasurable yet true to life, allowing Fleshlight customers to have a vastly different experience with each model.
3. SuperSkin Material
Super-soft, stretchy, easy to clean, and with the ability to retain heat, Steve Shubin worked for years to perfect SuperSkin and ended up creating what many consider the industry gold standard. A hallmark of quality, SuperSkin looks and feels incredibly realistic.
SuperSkin's composition is a closely guarded secret, but we know it's body-safe, phthalate-free (a group of harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to our health), and doesn't contain latex, which is great for those with allergies or sensitive skin.
As the full composition of SuperSkin is unknown, only use water-based lubricants with your Fleshlight, as others may cause it to break down over time.
SuperSkin is a porous material, but if you clean it after every use with warm water (avoid using hot water) and some Fleshwash, then apply some renewing powder or corn starch and let it air dry, there's no reason your sleeve won't last for years.
4. Stamina Training Approach
Many Fleshlight models are made with stamina training in mind and can help guys improve their performance in the bedroom. STU Fleshlights use intense sensations and different levels of suction to get the penis accustomed to lasting longer during sex.
We love this Fleshlight range because we understand the extent of erectile issues plaguing men worldwide, and it's refreshing to see it tackled practically, openly, and without judgment. The key thing to remember with these models is that they're for stamina training.
Much like training any muscle, STUs build up sexual stamina over time and require regular repeat use to see improvements.
There are certain exercises and specific routines you can follow with an STU that will help increase your sexual stamina and combat premature ejaculation. While using an STU try edging - masturbating up to the point before orgasm, stopping and then repeating - or Kegels, and over time, you'll develop better control over your orgasm and last longer during sex.
While it may seem unusual, it's worth investing your time in a consistent regimen - you'll soon be reaping the benefits.
5. Range Molded From Pornstar Vaginas
It's hard to find a toy that can provide as realistic an experience as the Fleshlight Girls range: one-of-a-kind masturbators molded directly from the vaginas of famous pornstars. With a huge multitude of unique internal textures and the choice of almost 100 pornstars, this range of Fleshlights excels at offering something new for everyone.
Fleshlight has found success with this idea, which seeks to bridge the gap between watching porn and feeling as though you're in porn.
Your favorite adult film stars help choose the internal textures, making each Fleshlight Girls experience authentic - a sexual experience curated for you by these girls. Fleshlight Girls include heavy hitters like Riley Reid and Lana Rhoades, alongside newer additions such as Violet Myers and Sky Bri. Most of the Girl's range comes with two options available - either a vagina or a butt orifice, both molded from silicone casts of the pornstar's bodies.
6. Accessories
Fleshlight has a huge range of accessories on offer. There are hands-free options to securely mount your Fleshlight in place or turn it into an automatic masturbating sex machine, sleeve warmers that will greatly enhance realism, and drying racks to help the drying process. On top of these, Fleshlight has its own range of water-based lubes - perfect for use with any sex toys.
Tips for Choosing a Fleshlight
If our rundown of the Fleshlight brand has inspired you to take the leap, here are some tips to make choosing your first Fleshlight a breeze.
1. Assess the level of sensitivity you want to go for
As we've mentioned, Fleshlight sleeves can vary significantly in intensity. It's best to do a quick bit of research about the sleeve you're going to buy to ensure the level of sensitivity is manageable. All sleeves come with a photo showcasing the texture of the internal sleeve so you can get an idea of the intensity.
We recommend beginners start with a regular Fleshlight (mouth, butt, or vaginal) as they're not super intense but are pleasurable and a good starting point if you want to build up to a more intense masturbator later on.
2. Decide on interactive features
Manual Fleshlights are great, but it's always wise to be aware of the interactive features available. Although these features can often command a premium price, they are typically worth it for sheer pleasure alone.
Vibration and suction features are amazing additions to a Fleshlight, especially for people with experience with the brand.
More advanced features like VR syncing, remote control, and thrusting can produce mind-blowing sensations if that's what you're in the market for, but they can also be overwhelming for beginners. It's useful to keep in mind the interactive features when you're researching if only so you know what to avoid.
3. Take a moment to decide what turns you on the most
Are you more of an oral guy than anal? Then steer clear from butt Fleshlights. The same goes if you're more into vaginal sex than oral - don't go for a mouth Fleshlight. The last thing you want is to spend your money on something you're unsure about, end up face-to-face with a bright blue Alien Fleshlight, and realize that you've made a mistake somewhere in the purchasing process.
The same goes for textures and tightness levels - there's a great deal of variation available, so if the idea of a tight sleeve with a smooth texture appeals to you, the option is there. If anatomically correct openings aren't for you, there are a lot of neutral Fleshlight designs for people who are unconcerned about visuals.
4. Keep your budget in mind
If it's your first Fleshlight, we recommend setting a budget and sticking to it. A budget will ensure you research your prospective toy and will result in you getting the most value for your money.
Fleshlights are relatively inexpensive, so even if you're sticking to a strict budget, you'll have plenty of great options available.
A lower budget for a first-time sex toy purchase is always a good idea, as you'll have the opportunity to form an opinion and then upgrade to a more premium version later on if you're so inclined. Luckily, Fleshlights are relatively inexpensive, so even if you're sticking to a strict budget, you'll have plenty of great options available.
5. Choose according to your experience
Like all sex toys, some Fleshlights are for more advanced users. If you're a beginner, it's a good idea to avoid jumping straight into the deep end of pleasure products - you might end up ruining the concept for yourself or, in the most extreme cases, injuring yourself.
Your penis is a muscle and will get used to intense stimulation as you use a more beginner-friendly product. You don't want to end up waking up with penile edema, essentially a swollen penis caused by overuse. Like lifting weights, work your way up to the more vigorous Fleshlights and you're much more likely to enjoy your experience.
6. Consider your penis size when deciding
Penis size is always an important factor to consider when purchasing a new sex toy. Most Fleshlight sleeves can accommodate penises from 3 inches to 9 inches, but there are some larger options for penises up to 10 inches long and 7.5-inch girth. It's best to measure your girth and length before deciding on a Fleshlight, as it will impact tightness and the intensity of stimulation.
Fleshlights are textured from the tip of the sleeve to the base, so if you go for one that's particularly longer than you are you'll be missing out on every inch of stimulation.
If you're on the smaller size, the Fleshlight Quickshot range is a compact open-ended masturbator, excellent for some quick and easy pleasure. Most close-ended Fleshlights come with suction control caps which can be used to adjust the tightness of the sleeve, making them excellent choices for guys with larger or smaller penises.
Summary
Fleshlight is an industry powerhouse that went from humble roots in a retired LAPD officer's garage to becoming an industry leader, selling over 20 million Fleshlights in 25 years. Fleshlight is the story of an everyday average American guy who had a dream and realized it. Now, he's responsible for helping millions of men improve their performance in bed, combat stamina issues, and gain control over premature ejaculation.
Fleshlight has been instrumental in destigmatizing male sex toys and, in a sense, allowing guys the freedom to explore their sexuality.
The Fleshlight market is enormous, which is great as that ensures there's something for everyone. Fleshlights provide a variety of sensations and intense pleasure wherever you take them. If you're interested in purchasing a Fleshlight, you're in the best place possible. We've researched the best mouth Fleshlights and created full product reviews with all the key information you could want to help you make an educated decision.
Explore Fleshlight Tips, Reviews, and More
Check our blog list for additional insights:
- Fleshlight Tips: Tricks for Using & Cleaning Your Masturbator
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- Fleshlight Girls: The Top 10 Best Porn Star Molded Masturbators [2024]
- How to Use a Fleshlight in 7 Sexy Ways | The Proper Way for Total Satisfaction
- 10 Best Mouth Fleshlights (And Alternatives)
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