How to Buy a Male Chastity Device: The Complete Cage Guide

By Annette Benedetti, sex educator, intimacy coach, and host of the Talk Sex with Annette podcast

Buying a male chastity device sounds simple until you actually try. Then you discover there are dozens of materials, styles, and sizes, and the wrong choice means discomfort, chafing, or a cage that won’t stay on. This guide walks you through all of it: what the different cages are, exactly how to measure for one, and which cage is right for you, whether it’s your first or your fifth.

If you’re brand new to the whole idea, start with the video above, then come back here to choose your cage.

What a Male Chastity Device Actually Is

A male chastity device, or chastity cage, is a device the penis owner wears that’s locked and controlled by a keyholder. The keyholder decides when the wearer gets to orgasm, have sex, or masturbate, and sets the terms for earning those privileges. It’s a form of erotic power exchange built on trust, anticipation, and control.

The hardest part of the whole kink, honestly, is finding the right cage. Get the fit right and it disappears into your day. Get it wrong and you’ll know fast. So let’s get it right.

For the full breakdown of how chastity play works and how to start, see my How to Try Male Chastity Guide

Types of Chastity Cages by Material

The material shapes everything about how a cage feels and wears. Here’s what you’ll find:

Silicone. Soft, flexible, and quick to warm to body temperature, silicone is the friendliest material for beginners. It’s lighter than plastic and comfortable for longer wear. Some are one-piece, some have a separate back ring.

Plastic / polycarbonate. Lightweight, discreet under clothing, and able to be worn for extended periods with a good cleaning routine. Polycarbonate restricts more than silicone and is very effective at preventing masturbation, especially tube-shaped designs. The tradeoff is less airflow, so hygiene matters more.

Metal. Usually stainless steel, with 316 surgical-grade steel being the gold standard for hygiene and body-safety. Metal gives the strongest sense of restraint and security, and its weight becomes a constant reminder of the keyholder. It’s harder to tamper with, which raises both the security and the need for careful, safe fitting. Heavier than plastic.

Leather. Softer and more flexible than metal or hard plastic, leather is comfortable for beginners but must come off for showers, and the areas directly under the leather can get sweaty. Most leather designs use metal rings for structure and allow some level of movement.

Watch: A Keyholder Shows the Cages

Want to see these cages in real life before you buy? In this episode my resident dominatrix Lucy walks through her own collection, the plastic starter cages, the surgical steel, and everything in between, and explains how each one wears.

Chastity Cage Styles

Beyond material, cages come in styles built for different goals:

• Full tube cages fully enclose the penis, usually with a hole for urination and airflow. Maximum restriction.
• Open bar / lattice cages use a barred design for airflow, easy cleaning, and teasing access.
• Nub / micro cages are extremely small and compressing, best for experienced wearers.
• Sissy cages are typically small, pink or pastel, and designed around humiliation play.
• Vibrating cages add vibration to the mix.
• Harness cages use straps to hold the device closer to the body.
• Training kits come in graduated sizes so you can size down over time.
• Discreet cages are silent and low-profile for long-term public wear.
• BDSM cages include spikes, rivets, urethral inserts, or e-stim for advanced players.

How to Measure for a Male Chastity Device

This is the part that makes or breaks your experience. A device should never be as comfy as your pajamas, but it must fit properly to avoid blistering or cutting off circulation. A well-fitted cage prevents erections while still letting you urinate and go about your day. You’ll measure two things: the ring and the cage.

Measuring Your Ring Size

1. Make sure you’re completely limp.
2. Bring a string behind your balls, next to your body, then up and over the top where the shaft meets your body, and tie a knot. Don’t make it too tight, you should be able to slip your pinky under the string with little resistance.
3. Once it’s comfortable, mark one side of the knot with a marker.
4. Carefully cut the string at your mark.
5. Lay the string flat against a ruler with the knot at the end. That length is your circumference.
6. Divide that number by 3.14 to get your ring size (the diameter).

Measuring for the Cage

1. Start with length, and make sure you’re completely flaccid, there must be no room for an erection.
2. Place a ruler beneath your penis, just above your testicles, pressed to your pubic bone. Measure your flaccid length, then add ¼ to ½ inch. That’s your cage length.
3. For girth, find the thickest part of your flaccid shaft (often the middle or near the head).
4. Wrap a string around that thickest part, tie a loose knot you can slip a finger under, mark it, remove it, and cut.
5. Lay it on the ruler and divide by 3.14 for the diameter you need.

Measure when you’re relaxed, and if a kit comes with multiple rings, test them before committing to a long wear.

The Best Male Chastity Cages

Here are my picks, spanning every experience level and budget. All are body-safe.
Use code Annette15 for 15% off at Lovehoney.com

Cage	Best for	Material
Oxballs Cock-Lock	Total beginners	Soft flexTPR
Impound Titan 4.25″	Budget metal	Metal
Oxballs Meat Locker	Full-coverage	flexTPR
DOMINIX Deluxe 4.5″	Experienced / long-term	Solid metal
ElectroShock Electrostim	Advanced / e-stim	Metal + e-stim
CB-6000 Glow	Playful / novelty	Polycarbonate
CB-6000S Short Kit	Comfort / shorter fit	Polycarbonate
CB-6000 Pink	Sissy / playful	Polycarbonate

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Don’t Forget: Lube and Cleaning

Two things every cage owner needs. You’ll want body-safe, water-based lube to put the cage on comfortably (water-based is safe with every cage material, including silicone), and a proper cleaner to keep it hygienic, since bacteria in a poorly cleaned cage leads to irritation and infection.

I’ve put the pjur line through its paces, so these are all cages-safe picks I’ve actually tested. Read my full Pjur Toy Line Review for the deep dive.

Keep Learning

My Guide to How To Try Chastity

My Guide to How to Do Loctober

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a male chastity device?
Start with material and experience level. Beginners do best with soft silicone or breathable polycarbonate; experienced wearers often prefer metal for security. Then measure carefully for ring size and cage length, since fit matters more than any feature.

How do I measure for a chastity cage?
You need two measurements: the ring (measure the circumference around the base of your shaft and balls while flaccid, then divide by 3.14) and the cage length (measure your flaccid length and subtract slightly so there’s no room for an erection). Full step-by-step instructions are above.

What’s the best chastity cage for beginners?
A soft silicone cage or a breathable polycarbonate one with multiple ring sizes. The Oxballs Cock-Lock and CB-6000S are both beginner-friendly. Comfort and correct fit matter far more than advanced features.

What material is best for a chastity cage?
Silicone is most comfortable for beginners, polycarbonate balances comfort and restriction, and 316 surgical-grade steel is the most hygienic and secure for experienced wearers. Each has tradeoffs in weight, airflow, and cleaning.

How do I clean a chastity cage?
Rinse with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap or a dedicated toy cleaner, getting into every opening, and dry fully before wearing. Plastic and polycarbonate need more frequent cleaning than steel. Remove regularly for hygiene.

Is it safe to wear a chastity cage long-term?
It can be, with a proper fit and good hygiene, but build up gradually and never ignore warning signs. Pain, numbness, or discoloration mean take it off immediately. Always keep an emergency key accessible.