When I reviewed the FirmTech Tech Ring, I described it to a friend who kindly agreed to help me out as ‘a Fitbit for your penis.’ And with a pitch like that, is it any surprise this friend agreed to help me review it?
That product was not designed so much for sexual pleasure as for sexual health; it is intended to be worn overnight as well as during sex, tracking erections and–through the FirmTech app – providing users with an array of data about their erectile health. For those who enjoy wearable health and wellness technology, it ended up being a pretty cool product. Another reviewer here on SEXTECHGUIDE gave it a respectable 7.3/10 too, so clearly I wasn’t alone in being impressed by it.
Now, however, FirmTech has branched out from the sexual wellness space into the sexual pleasure market and created the MaxPR cock ring and its first toy for vulvas: an accompanying RingMate vibrator.
Sold for $160 as a bundle, I received both to try out with my willing partner.
Design & technology
Unmet material expectations
The MaxPR (short for “Performance Ring”) is a stretchy cock ring designed to be worn around the penis and testicles to create firmer erections, delay ejaculation, and intensify orgasm by applying pressure to the urethra.
Elastomer is generally more porous than silicone and will not last as long. After very light use, I am already starting to see some little tears and imperfections in the material. It also gathers and holds onto lint.
When I reviewed the Tech Ring, the company told me that it had chosen to use TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) instead of silicone because it was softer and safer for overnight wear, which makes sense.
However, the MaxPR is not designed to be worn overnight. It is designed for short-term use during sex. This means that there is absolutely no good reason, that I can see, not to make it out of silicone.
The RingMate is a U-shaped clitoral vibrator designed to be paired with any FirmTech ring (including the MaxPR and the Tech Ring). It attaches via two stretchy loops. Its main mechanism is made of plastic, which is then covered in a TPE casing.
The RingMate offers three constant vibration speeds and no patterns. It is operated by a single button on the side, which switches the toy on and off as well as changes the speed.
A full charge offers around 90 minutes of runtime. The RingMate is not waterproof though, a feature I would expect in a toy of this price point, but it is a super-interesting design and premise for a toy.
Performance in use
Decent in theory, but really not fun
This is probably going to be one of the less flattering toy reviews I have written in a while, perhaps ever.
Before that, let’s note that the MaxPR is said to be equivalent to Tadalafil 10 mg, according to the company’s research, and that it is said that it can prolong the ejaculatory phase on average by 50% or more. As noted above too, it also can be worn for a duration of around 90 minutes, which is longer than many other more basic rings that undergo less rigorous testing. In short, if you’re reading this review wondering if it helps with erectile dysfunction effectively, this review isn’t going to answer that question, as my testing partner does not.
The devices are based on some good ideas, and I can see the potential, but the execution misses the mark for me.
Positives about the MaxPR:
- The first is that, in use, it feels stronger than it looks. Surprisingly, given how stretchy it is, it offers a decent amount of pressure. Those with smaller penises can put an extra twist in it for a tighter fit.
- I also quite like the hook closure design.
Those things notwithstanding, though, the MaxPR fails to really differentiate itself from a much cheaper basic ring, which admittedly would perhaps not come with the same level of research and testing behind its designs and claims.
It does the job, but so would something that costs less than a quarter of the price, as long as you’re happy to forego that testing.
Partner Experience:
I asked my nesting partner to try the MaxPR to talk about the fit and feel from a penis-owner’s perspective. I should note here though, however, that the MaxPR is designed to help people with erectile dysfunction, which my partner does not, so any of his comments are not a reflection or test of those claims.
- He reported that it was difficult to figure out how it was supposed to fit and that getting it on was challenging.
- He also said that it pulled on his pubic hair in a way that was uncomfortable, meaning it’s unlikely to be a good fit for someone who doesn’t shave their genital area.
- Once the ring was in place, he found that it caused discomfort, which persisted for a while even after he took it off.
RingMate – What Works
When it comes to the RingMate, I like the fact that it can be used with or without the accompanying cock ring. The removable design means it’s a flexible choice that’s easy to use either hand-held for masturbation or hand sex, or can be attached to the ring for added clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex. Great.
I also quite like the shape of the RingMate. Its flat side and curved tip mean you can use it for either broad or more pinpointed clitoral stimulation.
And as noted near the start of this review, it’s an interesting category and pitch of product, sitting as a sort of ‘add-on’ for ED rings but one that can function alone too, as a solo device. What’s not to like there?
RingMate – What Doesn’t
The RingMate’s vibrations are extremely buzzy and not particularly strong, further dampened by the elastomer casing.
The shape is apparently “designed to align with clitoral anatomy” but with such weak vibrations, completely fails to actually stimulate my clitoral anatomy in any meaningful way.
Due to the thick, squishy casing and the fact that the button symbol on the elastomer doesn’t line up very well with the actual button on the plastic part, the button is very hard to press. It often does not respond until the second or third attempt. The toy also makes a strange whining and rattling noise during use.
This isn’t really what we expected, given the design awards lavished on the company’s products in previous years, such as the Tech Ring’s XBiz Award for Most Innovative Toy of the Year in 2023.
We’d have to test another one to know if this is a problem with the unit we received, or a more general issue.
The overall verdict
I think I can sum up my opinion of these products in a single word: Nope.
The fact that the MaxPR and the RingMate are selling for $60 and $125, are what ultimately put me off these products. They might have been designed by doctors, but that doesn’t make them good sex toys.
There’s so much promise here, but it hasn’t been realized at all in the design that has made it through to production, if what you are looking for is enjoyment.
This review isn’t reflective on either device’s full feature-set in every possible setting, nor its medical benefits, specifically that I couldn’t test whether or not the MaxPR helps with erectile dysfunction, which is it’s main aim. For that reason, I’m only providing an overall rating score for the RingMate.
Alternatives:
You can buy a basic cock ring (or even a set of 3!) for under $10, a cock-and-ball sling for under $20, and a decent basic vibrator for under $30. Even a good vibrating cock ring will run you far less than these two products together, and probably come with extra features such as app controls, a remote, or more variable settings.
This isn’t going to give you the exact same combination of features, doctor-backed research, and everything else the FirmTech devices offer, but it might get you a similar experience if your focus is purely enjoyment.
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