Gags for men: ball gags, bit gags and inflatable gags compared

For a first gag, most men do best with a breathable ball gag of about 4 cm or a soft silicone bit gag: both quiet a partner without forcing the jaw wide open. Choose an inflatable gag if you want to make it bigger during the scene, a ring gag if you want the mouth held open, and a penis gag if the gag is also meant to be used. Whatever you choose, the nose must stay free and the gagged man needs a way to stop the scene without words.

All models are in our gags section.

Which type of gag do you need

• Ball gag. A ball on a strap that sits behind the teeth. It muffles speech well and is the easiest start. Breathable balls have holes for air and saliva.
• Bit gag. A bar between the teeth, like a horse bit. The mouth stays almost closed, so the jaw tires slowly. Good for longer scenes.
• Ring gag. A ring holds the mouth open. Less about silence, more about access and exposure; he will drool.
• Inflatable gag. A latex bulb with a hand pump. You fit it small and pump it bigger while you play.
• Penis gag. A dildo shape on a strap over the mouth that fills it and, depending on the model, can also be worn by the dominant man.

The best gags by situation

• Best first ball gag: Doc Johnson Ball Gag. A solid ball with breathing holes on vegan leather bands with a locking buckle, sized to fit most mouths.
• Best to find your ball size: XR Brands Interchangeable Silicone Ball Gag. Three silicone balls that snap into the same strap, so you start small and move up.
• Best for an exact fit: Ouch Breathable Ball Gag. A 4.4 cm ball on a 62 cm strap with nine holes and metal O-rings, in neoprene and faux leather.
• Best large ball gag: XR Brands XL Silicone Ball Gag. A silicone ball of 2 inches (about 5 cm) with a locking buckle, for men who have outgrown standard balls.
• Best bit gag: Ouch Silicone Bit Gag. A smooth silicone bar, two straps and a clasp at the back of the head; waterproof and easy to rinse.
• Best for long scenes: Doc Johnson Max Comfort Gag. Flexible silicone fins with grooves for the teeth instead of a ball, on a strap that adjusts in seconds.
• Best first ring gag: Ouch Silicone Ring Gag. A rigid silicone ring with an inner diameter of 4 cm on a 57 cm leather strap with a metal clasp.
• Best big ring gag: Ouch Ring Gag XL. An extra large ring on stitched leather straps with five holes, for men who already enjoy open mouth play.
• Best inflatable gag: XR Brands Inhibitor Inflatable Gag. Latex, about 1.25 inches deep when fitted and up to 3 inches after pumping, with the pump attached.
• Best inflatable gag in leather: Red Leather Gag with Inflatable Ball. A latex ball that grows from 3.5 to 8 cm on a cowhide strap of 45 to 65 cm, made in Europe.
• Best penis gag: XR Brands Face Fuck Strap-On Gag. A rigid dildo on a stretchy latex harness, worn over the mouth as a gag or on the chin for use.
• Best gag with blindfold: XR Brands ST Blindfold Harness with Ball Gag. A PU leather head harness with blindfold and a 1.65 inch (about 4.2 cm) ball, adjustable at crown, neck and chin.

Gags compared

Figures are the makers' own; where something is not stated, check the product page.

How to choose the ball size

Ball gags are sold by diameter. Around 4 to 4.5 cm is the usual standard: it sits behind the teeth and fills the mouth without stretching the jaw far. Around 5 cm is a real stretch, better kept for men who already know they like gags. If you do not know your size, a set with interchangeable balls takes the guessing away.

A simple test: open your mouth as far as is still comfortable for ten minutes, not as far as it can go. The ball should be a little smaller than that. A ball that is too big tires the jaw within minutes, and a sore jaw ends a scene faster than any safeword.

Bit gags and the fin style of the Max Comfort keep the mouth nearly closed, so they suit men with a small mouth or a sensitive jaw. Ring gags are measured by inner diameter; 4 cm is a calm start, an XL ring is for experience.

Materials and straps

• Silicone. Non porous, odourless and tasteless, the easiest to clean and the kindest on the teeth. The first choice for balls and bits.
• ABS and rubber. Firm balls that work fine, but feel harder against the teeth than silicone.
• Latex. Used for inflatable bulbs and stretch harnesses. Skip latex if the wearer reacts to it.
• Leather straps. Genuine leather looks best and lasts for years, but needs care and should not be soaked.
• PU leather, vegan leather and neoprene. Lighter and easier to wipe clean.
• Closures. A buckle with many holes gives a precise fit. A locking buckle or padlock adds a sense of being held, but the key always stays within reach of the dominant partner.

How to use a gag safely

A gag takes away the one thing you normally rely on to stop a scene: words. Agree on everything before it goes in.

• A signal without words. Agree on one that works with a full mouth: he drops a ball or a set of keys he holds, hums three times, or taps your arm or the bed three times. Practise it once.
• Breathing through the nose. The nose must be completely free. Never gag a man with a cold or a blocked nose, never cover the nose, and never combine a gag with anything that limits breathing.
• Never alone. Never leave a gagged man alone, not even for a minute, and certainly not when he is also restrained.
• Time limits. Start with five to ten minutes, then take the gag out for a break, a drink and a jaw stretch. Build up from there.
• Drool is normal. Most gags make the wearer drool. Keep a towel nearby.
• Inflatable gags. Fit the bulb empty, pump in small steps and wait for a nod after each squeeze. Open the valve at once when he signals.
• With hoods and blindfolds. Combine a gag with a hood only when the hood has open nostrils and air moves freely. A blindfold is the safer combination; see our guide to blindfolds, hoods and sensory deprivation.
• With restraints. If he is also cuffed, keep keys or safety scissors at hand and make sure he can still give his signal with tied hands.

Cleaning and care

Rinse the mouth part after every use in lukewarm water with a little mild soap or a toy cleaner, rinse well and let it air dry. Breathable balls need extra rinsing so no saliva stays in the holes. Wipe leather straps with a damp cloth only, let them dry away from heat and treat them now and then with leather care. Store latex away from sunlight. Give every man his own gag, or clean it thoroughly between partners.

Accessories and related categories

A gag rarely plays alone. Add cuffs and restraints for a classic bondage scene, or a blindfold or one of the hoods and masks with open breathing holes for sensory play. New to gear? Our list of the best toys for men who are just starting helps you build a first set. If you like to combine a gag with cock and ball play, read humblers, ball crushers and ball weights.

Frequently asked questions