Among gym-goers, a pump refers to juicy, post-workout muscles. For mechanics, it’s a tool for optimizing tire pressure. But a pump is also a category of pleasure product—and a surprisingly versatile one at that.
Pumps are tools that use a gentle vacuum-like suction over the body. Most have a main compartment that’s placed over your genitals or nipples. Attached to that chamber is a hose that leads to a handheld bulb or siphon, allowing you to control the suction created by the seal. There are also electric pumps that use a motor to adjust the intensity, which you control with a button.
When in use, the pump brings blood flow to an area, which can temporarily increase sensitivity, swelling, size, and/or create a feeling of fullness or engorgement. Some people enjoy the physical sensations that accompany wearing, using, or removing the pump. Others like the temporary visual changes in size or aesthetic, or enjoy them merely as a gateway to more sensitivity or responsiveness.
Historically, penis pumps have gotten more press than any other kind. (Likely, this is due to society’s long-standing fascination with penis size.) But there are pumps made for other erogenous zones, too, including the vulva, nipples, and chest.
Ahead, a complete guide to the many types of pumps, including answers to common questions about pumps, such as: Can they permanently change my body? What do they feel like? How do I use one safely?
Why pumps?
What do they do? Pumps are pleasure aids that use a vacuum effect to temporarily increase blood flow to a body part, which can enhance sensitivity and size.
Some people use pumps because they enjoy the “pumping” sensation itself. Others enjoy the impact: The increased blood flow can lead to temporary boosts in sensitivity, visual changes, and improved erectile function.
Still, it’s important to know what pumps cannot do: they cannot permanently alter the size of your genitals. There is a misconception that regular usage of pumps—penis pumps in particular—can supersize what you’re working with. The truth? No device can do it. (Let this be your reminder that clear communication and mutual care are the essentials to enjoyable sex, not genital shape or size).
What body part or parts is it for use with? The four body parts most commonly used with a pump are the penis, vulva, breasts, and nipples. Sometimes pumps made for the vulva are marketed as “Clit Pumps” or “Pussy Pumps,” but all are designed for the same external tissues.
The shape of the pump’s sucker will vary based on its intended function. Penis pumps generally sport a long, cylindrical chamber, similar to a paper towel tube, intended to fit over the entire shaft. Vulva pumps, on the other hand, are usually shaped like a cupped hand or an oxygen mask. This wider shape enables them to envelope all (or most) of the vulvar tissues, including the inner and outer labia, glans clitoris (the external, visible portion), and the clitoral hood.
Because vulva pumps tend to have wider openings, some can also double as breast or chest pumps. However, there are also some pumps made specifically for nipples, which have a much smaller suction chamber that ensures they can create a seal over the smaller area. Nipple pumps are sometimes sold as “nipple suckers” and often come as a pair so both sides can be stimulated at once.
What’s it feel like? What using a pump feels like will depend on the specific toy you use, where you use it, and how much pressure or suction you apply.
Your unique physiology can also impact the experience. Things like hydration, stress levels, recent sleep quality, medications, and where you are in your menstrual cycle, if you have one, can all impact sensation.
Many people describe the sensation while the pump is on as pulling, pulsing, or throbbing—something like a blood pressure cuff, but delivered to your most sensitive spots. Others say the sensation feels tight, tingly, or even warm.
Once the vacuum seal is released, many people report a rush of heat, a sudden feeling of fullness, heightened sensitivity, and greater awareness of that area. For some, the sensations following release are sensations all on their own, while others enjoy when the moments post-pump are married with touch.
Quick facts
What materials is it made of? Most pumps are made from hard ABS plastic, soft silicone, or a combination of these two body-safe materials. It’s common for the pump chamber to be made of ABS plastic but to sport a silicone ring around its rim. This softer ring helps ensure comfort during use by keeping the rim from digging into your skin.
Some vulva pumps have a handle, similar to those on wand vibrators. Usually made from silicone, these handles extend reach and can make the pump easier to hold, especially for people with limited mobility or flexibility. In some designs, the handle doubles as a dildo, which is a great two-in-one option for people who enjoy external and internal stimulation.
Is it loud? Usually not. Manual pumps operated by a hand bulb or squeeze pump are non-motorized and thus completely silent. Electric pumps, however, use a motor to create suction with the press of a button. While electric pumps do tend to make some noise, most are still quieter than vibrators.
Worth noting: The handful of pump products that also vibrate will be louder than suction-only models. These are rarely marketed as “whisper quiet,” so it’s worth reading online comments before purchasing it, if discretion is a concern.
Is it beginner-friendly? Pumps are often framed as an “advanced” sex toy, but that doesn’t mean they are off-limits to beginners. In reality, most are fairly straightforward to use and can be enjoyed by people of many experience levels, genders, body types, and abilities.
Pleasure-seekers who already know they enjoy sucking or pressure from previous experiences with oral sex or other kinds of stimulation may be especially interested in pumps as a way to recreate that sensation in a solo setting. On the flip side, folks who are curious about those sensations may want to buy a pump to explore them on their own.
Do I need anything besides the toy to use it? Usually, just a little water-based lube. Lining the rim of the chamber—that’s the part that directly touches your skin—with a lube can help reduce the risk of pinching, and ultimately create a more comfy seal.
However, pumps are one of the rare sexual experiences where more lube is not always better. Applying too much lube can cause the chamber to slip and slide before a seal forms. A quick wipe with a washcloth, however, will solve this issue.
Is it safe?
When used correctly, pumps are generally considered safe. The key is understanding exactly how your specific pump works before putting it on your erogenous tissues.
Whether your pump is manual or electric, it’s wise to test it first on less-sensitive tissue, such as your thigh or the fleshy part of your arm. This process will give you a chance to understand just how much pressure each additional pump or “+” button press supplies.
Trying the pump on your leg also gives you a chance to practice removing it. Usually, pumps are released using a quick-release button or pulley that immediately breaks the vacuum seal you’d just created. Knowing exactly where to press or pull, and how to do so, ahead of time, helps keep you safe if your body starts to signal discomfort or stress.
That said, there are unsafe ways to use the pump—most of which can be avoided by continuing to tune into your body’s signals. Using the pumps to create too much suction and for too long can lead to bruising, broken blood vessels, skin irritation, and, in extreme cases, even nerve damage.
Starting with low suction and gradually increasing it can help reduce risks. It’s also key to remember that more suction does not automatically translate to more pleasure. And, no matter what intensity you use, heed your body’s warning signs, including pain, stinging, discoloration, or numbness. (More on proper use below.)
The biggest thing to know is that pumps are designed to alter blood flow and sensitivity temporarily. Using a pump will not permanently alter your genitals or nipples. After removing the pump, you might note that the area looks redder, puffier, or more engorged than usual; this isn’t just common, but is the expected impact of the pump. These visual changes—as well as any increases in sensitivity—will subside within an hour or two.
If, for whatever reason, you want the effects to fade faster, try taking a warm shower or gently massaging the surrounding tissues. Both will encourage blood flow to redistribute throughout the body.
How can you keep it clean? Like any other pleasure product tool, pumps should be cleaned after use. Fortunately, they are fairly low-maintenance.
You can properly clean a pump made from ABS plastic and/or silicone with warm water and fragrance-free soap. Some people like utilizing a designated sex toy cleaner. The wipe-style cleaners can come in handy for people who share a bathroom or living space, but they aren’t essential.
If you have an electric pump, avoid fully submerging the toy unless the manufacturer specifically says it’s waterproof. (FYI: “Water-resistant” is not the same.) Use a warm, soapy washcloth to wipe down the toy instead.
Depending on the shape of your toy, the pump may have a few hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. A Q-tip or a soft cloth can help you reach around the edges and seams, while a bottle or a straw brush can help you hit the back of longer or cylindrical pumps.
Just as important as how you wash your toy is how you dry it. Putting a damp pump into a closed drawer or storage bag can increase the risk of bacterial or mold growth. Instead, set the toy out to air dry completely before putting it away. If privacy is a concern, drying it with a clean, lint-free towel before storing can speed up the process.
How to use it?
Can I use it alone? Absolutely. So long as you can reach the part of your body the pump is designed for, as well as have the dexterity required to manipulate the pump or buttons, you can use a pump during solo play.
In fact, using one on your own can be a really wonderful way to learn more about what types of sensations you enjoy. Or, to enjoy the sucking sensations commonly associated with oral sex and hickeys when you are single, or your partner(s) aren’t otherwise available.
The first step to using a pump while you masturbate is to prepare your body. While pumps can jump-start the arousal process by bringing additional blood flow to your bits, it generally feels better when you’re already turned on. Arousal naturally increases blood flow and sensitivity, which can make the sensations created by the pump feel more pleasurable and less intense or startling. Depending on what gets you going, consider beginning with a sensual shower, self-massage, listening to audio erotica, reading smut, watching porn, closing your eyes and fantasizing, grinding against your hand or mattress, or touching yourself with your hand or another toy.
When desire strikes, line the chamber’s rim with some water-based lubricant. Then place it around the proper area so it seals properly.
If you have pubic hair, don’t be alarmed if your first placement tugs uncomfortably against one of the strands or follicles. Depending on the length and texture of your pubic hair, it’s common for the chamber to catch a strand the first time around. Just lift the chamber and reposition it, perhaps after combing or manually moving the strand out of the way.
Once the chamber is comfortably in place, keep one hand on it and begin increasing the suction. Within a few pumps, you’ll start to feel a seal forming. After that, you can remove the supporting hand and continue increasing the intensity.
As you continue, you may notice sensations of pressure, warmth, pulling, throbbing, or fullness. If the chamber is clear, you may also see the area becoming fuller or more engorged.
You can experiment with keeping the chamber in place for a few minutes, though sticking to five minutes or less is a good idea for your first go. Or, you can release the seal and enjoy your extra-sensitive area right away.
After removing the pump, you may notice pulsing, warmth, tingling, or heightened sensitivity in the area. Some people enjoy simply sitting with those sensations, while others like to immediately increase the intensity by using touch or another toy.
If you decide to bring in a another toy, start with a lower intensity than usual. Because pumping can temporarily increase sensitivity, stimulation that normally feels mild may feel much more intense than expected afterward. You can even place a layer of fabric, like underwear or a bedsheet, between the toy and your body to soften the sensation.
Can you use it with a partner? If so, how? Absolutely! The pump can only be used on one body at a time, but it can be incorporated into partnered play in several ways.
One partner might position the chamber over the other’s body and then control the intensity based on the receiver’s verbal and non-verbal feedback. Some partners find this to be an especially connective experience, as it requires consistent communication.
Or, one partner might use the pump on their own body, while the other partner watches, uses their mouth or hands elsewhere, or teases themselves. Despite what some very unfortunate social messaging suggests, using a pump on just one person is not selfish nor a sign that someone is falling short. In healthy sexual dynamics, people often take turns focusing on one another’s pleasure, curiosity, comfort, or sensation—and that stands for pump play, too.
Regardless, the pump can function as the whole kit-and-kaboodle, with the sensations it helps supply as the primary focus of the play. Or, it can serve as a prelude to other kinds of sex, including oral, manual, or insertive.
Where to get it?
Is there something I can find at home? No. Pumps are not a category of toy that can be DIY-ed with something that you have lying around the house. For a pump to be safe for use on genitals and nipples, it needs to allow you to control and release the suction carefully; household vacuums, industrial suction tools, and other similar products are not designed with this usage in mind and could cause injury.
You may, however, already own another sex toy that causes a similar sensation. Suction vibrators and oral sex stimulation toys utilize air to create sensations that have some overlap with what people enjoy about pumps.
Where can I get it? Most online and in-person sex toy shops carry pumps. We generally suggest boutique and locally-owned sex shops for other sex toys, as they often have tester products on display for hand-feel, sound, and size testing. However, pumps are one category where larger sexual wellness retailers sometimes have an advantage, as they tend to carry a wider variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. This variety is beneficial when it comes to pump, as size and fit matter a lot with this toy type.
Just keep in mind that some shops have age restrictions or ID requirements. Depending on your birthday and location, you may want to check out the FAQ page ahead of time to see if you’re eligible to shop.
If you’re ordering online and discretion matters to you, take a beat to read the shipping and handling page to learn how it will be packaged for shipping. Most retailers default to plain packaging and non-identifiable names on bank statements, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check.
What do they usually cost? Most pumps cost between $25 and $100, with motorized options falling on the higher end. There are a few higher-end pumps with interchangeable chambers, multiple suction settings, LED screens, app connectivity, and other high-tech features that cost even more.
How should I pick the right one for me? The most important thing to consider when shopping for a pump is which body part(s) you want to stimulate. Pumps designed for penises, vulvas, nipples, and breasts or chests all tend to have different chamber shapes and sizes, and using the right one will make the experience much more comfortable.
If you’re brand new to pumps, simpler is usually best. A basic, single-chamber manual pump is often a great pick because it gives you a lot of control over the intensity and is generally easy to troubleshoot. Not to mention, it will be quieter and more affordable than alternatives. If possible, look for a silicone rim which aids in comfort.
That said, if you’re interested in exploring multiple erogenous zones—or want to share the toy with a partner who has different anatomy—a pump with interchangeable chambers or attachments may make the most sense. These kits often let you swap between different sizes and shapes to suit the kind of stimulation you want.
You may also want to consider the accessibility of the toy. If you have limited grip strength or dexterity, arthritis, or other hand mobility considerations, look for an electric pump with easy-to-press buttons or a manual model with a longer handle that is easier to hold and position.
