Anal pumps and rosebud pumps: how they work and how to use one safely

An anal pump uses suction: a cylinder sits against the hole, a hand pump draws the air out, and the vacuum pulls the rim outward so it swells and puffs up like a rosebud. An inflatable butt plug does the opposite: it goes in small and you pump air into it, so it stretches you from the inside. Choose a vacuum cylinder such as the XR Brands Rosebud Cylinder for the swollen look and the extra sensitivity of the rim, and an inflatable plug such as the Ouch Inflatable Silicone Plug for fullness you can adjust. With both, start with low pressure, keep rounds short and keep the release within reach.

Vacuum or inflatable: two different ideas

• Vacuum (rosebud pump). Negative pressure works on the outside: the sphincter and rim are drawn into the cylinder and swell. The feeling is a strong pull and, afterwards, a puffy, very sensitive hole.
• Inflatable plug. Positive pressure works on the inside: the plug grows behind the sphincter, so you feel full and held open while the narrow neck sits in the ring.

Many men try an inflatable first, because it feels like a plug they already know.

How a rosebud pump works

The XR Brands Rosebud Cylinder combines both ideas. It is an acrylic cylinder with four smooth silicone beads inside: you insert the beads, attach a hose and pump, and as you squeeze, the cylinder fills with your rim while the beads stay inside you. The beads can be taken out if you want suction only. The insertable length is 8.9 cm, the beads are 2.5 cm wide and the whole set is 20 cm long at 253 g. Pump and hose are sold separately, so check that the hose fits the cylinder's connector before you buy one.

In use:

• Put a little water-based lube on the rim of the cylinder for a good seal, and lube the beads.
• Insert the beads, press the cylinder flat against your body and give one or two squeezes.
• Wait and feel. The rim is drawn in slowly; you do not need much pressure to see it.
• Hold for a minute or two, then release the vacuum slowly before you take the cylinder away.

In the scene, a "rosebud" means the inner lining showing at the rim. Gentle pumping makes the rim swell for a while and then settle again. Pushing for the lining to turn out further, or keeping it out for long, can cause damage that does not settle by itself. This guide covers the gentle version only.

The best inflatable plugs by situation

Best first inflatable: Ouch Inflatable Silicone Plug

The Ouch Inflatable Silicone Plug is soft silicone with an attached squeeze ball and a push-button release that drops the pressure at once. Stated insertable length 12.2 cm and diameter 5.2 cm.

Best for more length: Ouch Inflatable Silicone Twist

The Ouch Inflatable Silicone Twist gives 14 cm of insertable length at 5 cm diameter and weighs only 108 g. It has the same one-push release and is waterproof.

Best with vibration and remote: XR Brands Inflatable Vibrating Silicone Butt Plug

The XR Brands Inflatable Vibrating Silicone Butt Plug inflates by remote: hold the left button for slow growth or tap it for small steps, and press the right button for instant deflation. It adds 7 vibration modes, is USB rechargeable and has 11.8 cm of insertable length.

Best curved model: XR Brands Inflatable Curved Vibrating Silicone Butt Plug

The curved version works the same way, with 13.1 cm of insertable length and a stated width of 7.2 cm.

Best for experienced men: XR Brands Ass-Pand

The XR Brands Ass-Pand is a large silicone plug with a soft bulb and a quick-release valve, at 12.7 cm insertable length and 5.3 cm diameter. Its material list includes latex, which matters if you are sensitive to it.

Best if you want to remove the pump: XR Brands Expander

The XR Brands Expander has a hand pump you can detach once you reach your size; the plug then keeps its size until you open the release valve. Made of latex and rubber, stated width 7.2 cm. Because it stays inflated, keep the valve easy to reach.

Best XL stretch: XR Brands Accordion

The XR Brands Accordion is a latex plug with an accordion-shaped shaft that grows with every squeeze, a tapered tip, a slightly flared base and a pressure release valve.

Best with weight: XR Brands Ass Rattler

The XR Brands Ass Rattler is a silicone inflatable with internal weighting, so it has a heavier presence with every movement.

Anal pumps and inflatable plugs compared

Figures are the manufacturers'. They do not say whether widths are measured deflated or inflated. Our guide size matters explains how to compare them with toys you already own. All models are under inflatable toys.

Pressure control and quick release

• Learn the release first. Inflate and deflate the toy in your hand before you use it, so your fingers know where the button or valve is.
• One squeeze at a time. Pump once, wait half a minute, feel, and only then decide on the next squeeze. Pressure builds faster than you expect.
• Release slowly with vacuum. Open the valve gradually instead of pulling the cylinder off with the suction still on.
• Keep the release reachable. Especially with the Expander, which stays inflated after the pump comes off.
• With a partner, agree beforehand who controls the pump, check in after every squeeze and use a safeword. The person wearing the toy can always say stop, and the other releases at once.

Session length

For a rosebud pump, keep rounds to one or two minutes at first, release, and rest before the next round; ten to fifteen minutes in total is plenty for a first session. For an inflatable plug, start with ten to fifteen minutes and build up slowly. Never sleep with an inflated toy, and do not pump when drunk or high, because you will feel the warning signs later.

Warning signs to stop

Release the pressure straight away and stop the session if you notice:

• sharp, burning or growing pain
• numbness, tingling or loss of feeling
• skin that turns dark purple, blue or very pale, or small blisters
• any bleeding
• tissue that stays pushed out or swelling that does not go down within a few hours

If bleeding does not stop or tissue does not settle back, see a doctor. Rest for a few days after any session that left you sore.

Preparation and lube

Empty and rinse first; our guide how to use an anal shower explains the gentle way, and the equipment is under douches and enemas. Warm up with fingers or a small plug. Use a water-based lube or a water-based anal lube: the silicone models and the Rosebud Cylinder all ask you to avoid silicone lube, and oil-based products damage latex.

Where pumping fits in anal training

Many men use inflatables between sessions with a training set, but they do not replace slow, regular training. If your goal is fisting, read fisting for beginners and treat the pump as one tool on that road.

Cleaning and care

Take the beads out of the Rosebud Cylinder and wash both parts with warm water and mild soap. Wash the plug part of an inflatable the same way, but keep the bulb, hose and valve dry. Finish with a toy cleaner, let everything dry fully and store inflatables deflated, away from heat and sunlight. Check latex parts for cracks before each use.

Frequently asked questions