Review: CalExotics Link Up Max

While I definitely have my preferences and biases, I try to review a variety of types of sex toys. One I’ve realised I’ve not reviewed in a while, however, is cock rings, which is one of the reasons I asked for the CalExotics Link Up Max for review.

I also wanted to review a cock ring in particular because I’m well aware I’m not the main demographic who people expect to use cock rings. I don’t currently have a penis at the time of writing (although that is a temporary situation), and while some of my partners do, we don’t have penetrative sex where I bottom. However, I still find cock rings (particularly of the vibrating kind) can add a lot to my sex life, and wanted to talk about the ways they can be incorporated into sex beyond penis-in-vagina sex.

The CalExotics Link Up Max

CalExotics has seen a huge shift in reputation amongst sex toy reviewers in the years I’ve been working, going from being infamous for low quality to having a lot of products I’ve seen other bloggers talk highly of (and a fair few that I’m a big fan of too!). If there was a prize for ‘best improved’ in the sex toy industry, CalExotics would absolutely take it.

The Link Up Max is a perfect example of CalExotics’ new direction. Made from body-safe silicone, it’s USB-rechargeable, is waterproof, and comes with both a memory chip that remembers the last used function, as well as a security travel-lock. In addition, as well as the vibrating ring, the Link Up Max includes a secondary non-vibrating ring. This helps the wearer to stay hard (if applicable) and also can help to anchor the vibrating ring in place. CalExotics could absolutely have gotten away with not including this, so I really appreciate them including it, especially given the benefits it adds to the experience.

The Link Up Max features 10 functions, and has a run-time of around 30 mins on its highest setting or 45 mins on the lowest. With a charge time of 2 and a half hours, this is pretty reasonable.

Alternative Ways To Use The Link Up Max

The instructions included with the Link Up Max do paint a very specific picture of who the manufacturer intends to use this product and how. The only kind of couple mentioned is a cis man/cis woman couple, with penetrative PiV sex being the only kind mentioned. But vibrating cock rings are absolutely not limited to this kind of sex.

Firstly, vibrating cock rings can be used during anal sex, with the stick-out part (more prominent on the Link Up Max than a lot of other rings I’ve seen — more on this in a second) grinding against the perineum rather than the clitoris. For people who have permanently attached penises but don’t want to have penetrative sex, a vibrating cock ring can add sensation to oral or hand sex, as well as to frotting and grinding.

If you (like me) don’t have a permanently attached penis? A vibrating cock-ring can be worn on a strap-on, both to stimulate the bottom and to give the person wearing the strap-on some extra stimulation. They can ever be worn around fingers to add extra sensation to fingering, and when testing the Link Up Max, I tried out grinding against the ring just on its own.

What I Liked About The Link Up Max

I found a lot to like about the Link Up Max! Something I really want to shout out is how prominent the sticky out bit (if there is a more technical term, I apologise for calling it this, but it is the only thing I can think of at the moment) is super prominent. This means there’s a wide surface the person grinding on it can rub up against without losing the vibrations, making it less likely you’ll end up unintentionally edging yourself or your partner.

The Link Up series has a few options in terms of design, with the main difference being colour and what texture is on the grinding surface of the ring. I can’t speak to the others (although I am curious about the Link Up Edge), but on the Link Up Max it definitely adds to the sensation. It’s not a heavy enough texture for me to get off on alone (despite being a grinding toy aficionado), but combined with the vibrations I can definitely feel the difference it makes.

The size of the Link Up Max — while not for everyone — really works for me. My wife has a larger than average penis, and the Link Up Max is super comfortable for her. When I’m adding the Max to fingering, I also find I can pretty comfortably fit three fingers inside its ring, and can just about squeeze to four if my partner is looking for more intense penetration.

Also, while on their own they’re not enough for me to orgasm, I really like how the vibrations travel down a strap-on dildo. The best set-up I’ve found for this is firmer silicone dildos combined with lower sitting harnesses that have the base of the dildo right against me — my Sh! Cupid 3 and Aslan Jaguar are my go-to combination with the Link Up Max.

Shortcomings of the Link Up Max

I’m going to be honest, my main disappointment when it came to the Link Up Max was vibration quality.

The vibrations in the Link Up Max are what I would describe as ‘strong, but very buzzy’. While they can be strong, they don’t feel they penetrate that deeply. This isn’t something that’s a dealbreaker if I’m combining with other sensations — if I’m feeling them through a strap-on combined with the pressure of the base pressing against me as I top, I can still get off — but the vibrations themselves on their own? I cannot orgasm from them.

How much somebody needs vibrations to be rumbly does vary from person to person, and I will acknowledge that it’s very likely the Link Up Max will be used in combination with another kind of sensation or stimulation, such as penetration and/or grinding. However, as much as they are ok for the price point the Link Up Max sits at, I do really wish the vibrations were a bit more rumbly.

Overall

If CalExotics ever come out with a new version of the Link Up Max with a reworked motor, I will absolutely sing its praises. The physical shape of the Link Up Max works a lot better than other vibrating cock rings I’ve tried, and I love the addition of the texture.

If you know buzzy vibrations suit you better, then I think it’s a really solid choice! But if, like me, you’re a rumbly vibrations fan, I think it’s worth having a serious think about if the fact it’ll be combined with other types of sensation will save the experience for you. In my case, it does (whether that’s the experience of topping, or the physical experience of grinding on it), but this may not be the case for you.