Nipple suckers are a bit of a dark horse — they’re definitely one of the lesser-known sex toys, but they’re also super popular! If you know, you know... we guess? If you’d like to be in the know when it comes to WTF nipple suckers are and whether they’re worth the hype, you’ve come to the right place.
So, what is the deal with nipple suckers and why do people use them? “The nipples are two of the most sensitive and reactive parts of the body, and it is well worth lavishing some extra attention on them during foreplay and sex,” says Annabelle Knight, sex and relationships expert at Lovehoney.
“Stimulation of the nipples arouses the sensory cortex in the brain and, in turn, arouses the genitals. Approximately 1% of women and people with vulvas can achieve orgasm through nipple stimulation alone. Nipple suckers are a fab way to temporarily get larger, more reactive nipples. They are designed to draw blood to the nipple to increase responsiveness and further stimulation,” adds Knight. Neat!
How do nipple suckers work?
Also known as pumps or vacuums, nipple suckers act like little mouths on the nipples and latch on to them, gently increasing the blood flow with their strong suction. Don’t worry, it’s not that strong — it’s just a little tug, like if someone was actually sucking your nipples.
When used for a few minutes at a time, the increased blood flow to the nipple will increase sensitivity and cause the nipple to become engorged and more pert. It’s a tantalising mix of pleasure and pain.
How to use nipple suckers
Nipple suckers are surprisingly easy to use, especially given how given powerful the sensation they deliver can be. All you need to do is:
1. Squeeze the bulb
2. Place the bulb over the nipples and adjust for comfort. You only want the good kind of pinching sensation
3. Press the bulbs in to create a vacuum seal. The harder you squeeze, the more sucking you’ll feel. Then you can lie back and allow the suction to do the rest
4. Press down again to release the seal and take them off — this is where the fun starts...
With the nipples super-sensitive, get your partner to stimulate them in any way you like — by licking, kissing, flicking, gently biting, basically whatever turns you on. (You can also get them for your clit, which will make any stimulation intense AF.)
If you find you’re having trouble making the suckers stick, apply a small amount of lubricant to the nipple to help it take hold. This will also reduce unwanted pinching. Plus, lube feels really, really good. Always go for a good quality lubricant — ideally one that’s natural and organic.
Lovehoney Discover Water-Based Anal Lube
Ann Summers Relaxing Anal Lube
Bondara Water-Based Anal Lubricant
How to take nipple suckers to the next level
If you’re a sucker for suckers, you may want to experiment with further forms of nipple play.
Try experimenting with nipple clamps, which, like the suckers, increase blood flow to the nipple and aid sensitivity. While worn, they make a pinch-like sensation on the nipple, which, depending on the style of clamp you choose, can be anything from gentle to super intense.
This can be extremely satisfying, but the real party pleaser comes after removal. Blood rushes to the area and the nipple becomes ultra-sensitive.
There are all sort of great clamps to play with, including vibrating sets, which add to the intense stimulation. But remember: you should only keep nipple clamps on for up to 15 minutes (or loose clamps can be worn for up to 30 minutes).
You can also use clit suction stimulators on your nipples — they are the perfect shape for it, after all.
Read on for our pick of the best nipple toys out there. Happy sucking — and clamping!
Best nipple suckers to shop now
Lovehoney DOMINIX Deluxe Nipple and Clit Triple Sucker Set
DOMINIX Deluxe Nipple and Clit Triple Sucker Set
Pros
- Suction clit and nipples at the same time
- Screw design makes it easy to control suction power
Cons
- Not the most visually appealing product (one reviewer says they thought they'd “been sent something plubling-related” lol)
These corkscrew suckers are perfect for those looking to experiment with BDSM. Just suction them where you want them (they come in a set of three, so two for the nipples and one for the clit), and get your partner to slowly start twisting the top. The more you twist, the more they suck. The best bit? Taking them off... trust us!
Or, if you don’t, trust this reviewer, who says: “I’ve never had a whole lot of sensitivity in my nipples, but after using this product for a while I can say it’s brought a new light to nipple play for me, making my nipples much more sensitive and eager to be touched.” Go, girl!
Lovehoney Perfect Pair Silicone Nipple Suckers
Trust Lovehoney to make a product that’s reliable and super affordable. These nipple suckers are wonderfully squishy, and super easy to use, making them perfect for nipple play novices.
Simply add a little lube and then apply them to your nipples. As long as you suction them correctly, they can stay on hands-free (Lovehoney recommends keeping them on for 10 minutes max), so you can concentrate on your — and maybe a partner’s — other erogenous zones.
Oxballs Gripper Nipple Suckers
Pros
- All you have to do is squeeze to activate the suck
- Handle on the top to tug on and ramp up the pressure ;)
Cons
- Not quiiiiite big enough for male nipples
Although these suckers don’t look like much (they kinda resemble teeny beach bags though — cute!) they come with some serious grip. Probs why Oxballs refers to itself as “shockingly superior” (BRB, adding this to our IG bio).
Filled with textured nubs, which we promise you’ll feel even if you budge an inch while wearing them, the plastic is totally transparent so you can see everything going on in there (hint: serious nipple engorgement — hot).
Plus, they can be easily controlled by simply pinching the top of them however hard you want the pressure to be, before sliding them on to your nips. They even have that handy loop at the top so you can tug on them a little while they sit on your ta-tas.
Lovehoney Swell Yeah Auto-Suction Nipple Pumps
Pros
- Quick release button for a speedy getaway
- Kinda quiet
Cons
- Have to put both suckers on to make it work
If there’s one thing the sex tech industry has banked in on, it’s that sometimes manual is just not enough.
If you CBA with figuring out *just* how much you need to pinch a suction cup to get the amount of pressure you’re after (valid), this automatic suction nipple pumps come with seven pre-set levels of suction stimulation, so you can play around with intensities and patterns.
Simply attach each cup to your teats, and use the controller to switch it up — then, when you’re ready, make a speedy getaway (or arrival into sex, depending how you look at it) by pressing the quick release valve.
Mini Nipple Suckers
Pros
- Choose between two colours (make it match your lingerie, or sex toys — WTVR)
- Won't get in the way during sex
Cons
- Really getting down to the basics here
Admittedly, some of the other options on our list could be a little bit of a barrier between you and a partner if you’re trying to get down to business.
If you’re not into your nipples looking like they’ve suddenly embraced a suit of armour — and maybe a robot accomplice — these mini suckers from California Exotic are the least obtrusive option out there, as they’re just big enough to cover your nips without distracting from the main event (AKA, you).
You can even store them discreetly in your drawer without anyone being any the wiser — just make sure you don’t lose them in there!
Fizzing Pink Vibrating Silicone Nipple Cups
Bondara Fizzing Pink Vibrating Silicone Nipple Cups
Pros
- Vibrations and texture — what a treat
- Covers your nipple and more, so your whole boob gets in on the action
Cons
- These look pretty extreme, we can't lie to you
Obviously we’re drawn to anything that’s bright pink, so these had our name on them from the get go. But when we discovered that the underside of these nipple clamps were covered in textured nubs that flicker against your nipples, and a vibrating bullet to power up your nipple stimulation, we were sold.
Yes, they’re almost comically large, but we think you’ll forget about from the moment they touch your boobs, so fear not.
Lickgasm Plump Pleasure Licking and Sucking Clitoral Stimulator
Pros
- Licking will feel almost unbearable when combined with the suction of it all
- Can be used for clit or nipple stimulation
Cons
- Seems like there's not really any reason for them to be this expensive?
Another bright pink toy from us... shocking! This one is completely different though (we promise), as it’s not only got a clear suction cup, but a long protruding ‘tongue’ that flickers against your nipples at the same time as they’re being engorged.
Add plenty of water-based lube, to get as close to the real sensations of oral sex as possible, before placing your new lover on your nips as you switch between the three flickering speeds and five patterns. Lickgasm? Sign us up!
LELO SILA Sonic Clitoral Massager
Sure, LELO’s SILA is technically a clitoral vibrator, but just look at it — it’s clearly perfect for nipples, too. The cute, compact toy has a wide mouth that can encompass the whole nipple for total vibrating stimulation. Once you’ve played with your nipples, you can easily move on to your clit — the dream two-in-one.
Why trust Cosmo?
Throw it back to 1972 when Cosmopolitan was first launched in the UK (and before most of you were even born) — that was also when we started writing about all things love and sex. Having witnessed the sex tech industry booming for the past few decades, our sex team knows better than anyone what makes a good sex toy (hint: it’s not just the colour or price point), and our sex writers are lucky enough to test the latest sex tech to make sure they deliver only the best to your pixels.
Not only are they constantly up to date with the 411 on the sex industry as a whole (because, um, it’s kinda their jobs), but they have a whole host of experts they speak to regularly to make sure they’re keeping informed and sharing the correct info to our readers. So you can always trust that a Cosmo-approved sex toy is one that’s been through several rounds of verification, just for you.
Paisley is the former Sex and Relationships editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She covers everything from sex toys, how to masturbate and sex positions, to all things LGBTQ. She definitely reveals too much about her personal life on the Internet.
Lois Shearing is Cosmoplitan's Former Senior Sex and Relationship Writer. They have been writing about sex, sexuality, gender, politics, and relationships for almost ten years. Their writing on these topics has appeared in Mashable, The Independent, Metro, The Advocate, and Byline Times, among others. In 2021, they published their first book, Bi the Way with JKP. They are currently working on two other books, set to be published in 2024. In a previous life, they worked as a content marketer and content writer for various tech start-ups. They continue to be interested in the tech sector and its impact on our lives, relationships, and work, with particular regard to the ways AI will shape our relationships in the future. Outside of work, they are deeply passionate about queer community organising, and run the only support resource for bisexual survivors of sexual violence in the UK: the Bi Survivors Network. You can find them on Instagram and X.
Honey is the Senior Sex and Relationships E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and Men’s Health. She covers shopping guides and reviews of the best sex toys; deals events — including Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday; and sex, dating, and LGBTQ+ trends.
Her journalism career started in 2020 when she started Sextras, a podcast and digital magazine about sex and relationships. Find Sextras on Spotify or Substack, where she writes and chats about everything from positive masculinity and how to practise sex magic, to why the latest kink or porn category is blowing up.
She has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London, and previously reported for HR magazine. Her features also appear in Glamour, Refinery29, The Independent, and more.
When she's not asking everyone she meets invasive questions about their sex and dating lives, you'll find Honey singing around her flat, teaching herself a new craft, or working her way through a new '90s/'00s box set with her flatmate.
