What is sounding?
A urethral sound is a toy used for stimulating the urethra, which involves inserting the rod-looking toy into the penis (via the ‘hole’ where urine passes through).
If you’ve tried sounding and also penis plugs before then this guide isn’t for you, as I’m going to break down why I’ve tried sounding, exactly what it is and the types of toys you can use to be safe when experimenting.
Is it painful?
It certainly looks painful, but it’s surprisingly not. When I first tried I would be lying if I said there wasn’t beads of sweat dripping down my face and a trembling hand prior to insertion, but I can honestly say it was worth the initial build-up of dread that came prior to insertion.
Luckily I started with a small size as I hadn’t done my research, so it could have been a painful experience had I jumped straight into a large size (thankfully you’re here reading this guide first!).
What do beginners need to be aware of?
The first thing is that there are different sizes of urethral sounds, or sounding toys in general. You need to know this as opting for a large toy to begin with could cause accidents and pain, and this isn’t the type of sexual exploration that you want to rush into (much like stretching your anus… these things take time).
Generally when it comes to sizes you’re looking at:
- Beginners Size – 0.1-3mm
- Intermediate Size – 3.1-5mm
- Expert Size – 5mm+
You also need to be aware of weight. You’ll be dealing in grams here, but naturally you want one as light as possible to ensure that you’re not gonna get a sore hand which drops mid-use. Unlikely, but these are things to keep in mind when trying for the first time.
Also, I tried a curved sounding toy and found it was a bit too much of a challenge for myself, but have friends that loved it. It’s included in tis guide as I wanted to show there are different shapes and sizes, so you’ll see everything from full beginners kits to curved, ridged and even vibrating sounding toys for you to try our.
Without further ado, here are the best urethral sounding toys for beginners to try out!
My 10 favourite Urethral Sounds (tried & tested)
This three piece set offers a great way to get into urethral play. With 6 different sizes to choose from between 4.5mm and 9.5mm, you can slowly but surely ease your way up, keeping it as comfortable as you like. They’re made from smooth and soft silicone, to avoid any unnecessary pain, and are super beginner-friendly.
They’re quite long – long enough for prostate stimulation, and easy to handle. Just lube them up with a suitable lubricant and away you go!
A large steel urethral dilator may appear intimidating, but don’t let the size put you off. It’s double ended, with a smooth end and a beaded end, which allows for some choice between the intensities of stimulation. It’s long, which can appear overpowering at first, but its size makes it super easy to handle.
At 39g, the weight alone means you can insert it and just let it sink in under its own means, without having to push at all. The stainless steel material is super easy to clean and will never rust – altogether, a stylish penis plug!
These three silicone urethral sounding plugs are another great way to get into urethral play. They’re made from soft and pliable silicone, with a delicate texture to ensure there’s no painful rubbing while taking them out and putting them in.
The hollow centre is great, allowing for ejaculation and urination while you’re wearing them, meaning you can take the stimulation all the way to the end. Each one is a very different shape, with between 2 and 4.5 inches of insertable length – absolutely perfect for testing the waters and beyond.
Another great beginner set, this four piece collection offers heaps of variety for the ideal beginner experience.
From 0.1 to 0.25 inches in diameter, even the widest is pretty manageable once you’ve worked your way up to it.
They’re all just under 12 inches in length, which is ideal – long enough to have something to hold onto, without being overly intimidating. They’re made from hypoallergenic silicone for maximum comfort and minimum irritation, so be sure to use a non-silicone based lube!
Stainless steel just has something about it, and this urethral sound is no different. Not only is it a highly practical metal (being easy to maintain and keep clean) it’s ideal for sexual play. It can either be kept cool (not too cold though) or warmed slightly under a warm water tap.
It’s ribbed for complete stimulation, but also has a kink in its tail – as you move it up and down, the bend in the shaft will move your penis to match it, causing incredible sensations!
Once you’re fully into urethral sounding, you may find that the ‘mere’ sensation of inserting something into your penis isn’t enough. If this is the case, you might appreciate this vibrating urethral sound toy.
Made from silicone, it’s comfortable, skin friendly, and hypoallergenic. It glides in with absolute ease, the thin taper ideal for even the tightest penises, allowing you to just focus on the vibrations. The seven different vibration frequencies are more than enough – if you’re on the fence, definitely give this thing a go.
If you’re on the lookout for a urethral sound with a bit of flair, look no further. Topping off this impressive rod is a beautifully designed bull’s head, which will glare up at you as you use it. The material is all stainless steel, allowing for easy cleaning and temperature control. The insertable shaft is 5.51 inches in length, and between 0.27 and 0.19 inches in diameter, with multiple different ribbing patterns all along the shaft for ever changing sensations.
This kit offers a whole lot of variation, with 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8mm options provided. The 304 grade stainless steel gives a real premium feel, and is sure to last for years and years.
The curved end offers added stimulation, but the shafts themselves are smooth, great for beginners and working your way up. If you don’t want all 5 of them but know what size you do want, you can just order one, a great option if you’re already into urethral play and want to expand your collection!
Your search for a compact, affordable vibrating urethral dilator is over. With an insertable length of 6.9 inches, it’s long enough for even the most experienced players, while not being overly intimidating for the beginners among us. T
he flexible, hypoallergenic silicone material is skin friendly and safe, offering easy and comfortable play. The vibrator also has a cock ring, offering both external and internal stimulation! Just be sure to take the vibrating egg out when you clean it, as it’s not waterproof.
Sometimes less is more, and it certainly feels that way with this lovely little toy.
At just over 5 inches, it’s compact, and big enough to make you feel all the right things. It has a handy ring at the end for easy insertion and removal, and the gently undulating ribbing gets gradually larger, starting at 5mm and ending at 8mm.
The stainless steel is slick and incredibly nice to play with, just warm or cool to the required temperature, lube up, and insert to your heart’s content!
How to use
Urethral sounding is delicate business. Your urethra is incredibly sensitive (which is part of why it’s so pleasurable to stimulate) and it deserves to be treated with respect. Never force any toys in, ideally you’ll have them glide in under their own weight with little pressure from your hand.
Always be sure to use the right lube, and enough of it – this isn’t an area where you want to be playing with friction! Start small, and build up as you feel ready. Don’t just go for the biggest toy to start off with, no matter how brave you’re feeling, or you could end up with some nasty injuries!
Prices
Urethral toys are generally quite affordable, as is illustrated on this list. They’re definitely not something you want to cheap out though; making sure that they’re constructed from a safe material is paramount, as you really don’t want anything breaking off down there! Vibrating options obviously cost a little more, but still not a lot.
If you’re a beginner, I’d say the best thing to do is get a simple set, so you can work your way up the sizes until you can handle some slightly more exciting designs and shapes! Take your time, and enjoy the process.
Cleaning
As is the case with most insertable toys, it’s incredibly important that they’re kept clean. You can’t easily clean out your urethra, so you have to be absolutely certain that nothing goes up there that you don’t want hanging about. Stainless steel toys, as well as being a great option in terms of sensation, are also ideal as a result of how easy they are to clean.
Silicone is also good, but obviously slightly more prone to degradation than steel. Always inspect your toy before inserting to make sure that it’s in good condition – it only takes a second and could save you a lot of pain and heartache!
Storage
As important as cleaning these toys is storing them well. You want to make sure they’re kept in a dry, cool, sterile environment – a draw in a well ventilated bedroom for example. They’re not big, so finding space shouldn’t be hard.
To ensure they don’t come into contact with any germs or nasty thing, you should keep them tied up in a little storage bag; some toys come with one, but if not, they shouldn’t be too hard to find online – most sex shops sell them, or you can repurpose another bag. Just be sure that they’re clean! There’s no point trying to keep a toy clean in a dirty bag.
Recommended for
These toys are, perhaps obviously, aimed at those of us with penises. If you’re looking for something a little different, a slightly different sensation, and don’t mind exploring your body, then it could suit you well!
If you’re prone to UTI infections, or other urethra complications, then it may be wise to stay away – you can make it as safe as you can, but it still involves putting a foreign object into your penis! Be careful, have fun, and enjoy.
