Hollow Butt Plugs: What They’re For, How They Work & How to Use One

A hollow butt plug is an anal plug with an open tunnel running through its center instead of a completely solid body.

That sounds like a small design change, but it can significantly change how the toy looks, feels and functions.

A conventional butt plug fills the space occupied by its body. A hollow plug still creates pressure around its outside diameter, but the open center removes material from the middle. Depending on the design, that tunnel may be used simply to create a different sensation, to maintain an open channel while the plug is worn, or for another purpose specifically intended by the manufacturer.

Some brands use names such as tunnel plug, hollow anal plug, open-center plug, hole plug or gaper plug. Oxballs calls its best-known hollow-plug family PIGHOLE.

This guide explains what hollow butt plugs are for, how they differ from solid plugs, how to compare sizes, how to use one and what the open center does and does not mean.

What Is a Hollow Butt Plug?

A hollow butt plug is a plug designed specifically for anal insertion with a central opening that passes through part or all of the toy.

Like any plug intended to remain inserted, it should still have an appropriate external base or retention structure that remains outside the body.

The defining difference is therefore not the base. It is the missing material through the center.

Most hollow plugs still have the familiar basic plug anatomy:

• A tapered insertion end
• A wider body
• A narrower neck
• A base that prevents complete insertion

The hollow channel runs through that structure.

What Are Hollow Butt Plugs For?

There is no single reason everyone chooses a hollow plug.

The design can provide several different characteristics.

1. A Different Fullness Sensation

A hollow plug can have a substantial outside diameter while containing less material than a solid plug of the same dimensions.

You still feel pressure from the outside wall of the toy, but the open center changes the structure compared with a solid piece of silicone, metal or another material.

Wall thickness matters here.

A thin-wall hollow plug may flex more than a thick-wall design even if their maximum external diameters are similar.

2. An Open Central Channel

The tunnel leaves an open passage through the center of the plug.

For some shoppers, that open appearance is the entire appeal.

For others, the product is specifically designed around maintaining an open channel while worn.

What you should not do is assume every hollow plug is designed for another object to pass through it. That depends on the exact model.

3. Visual Appeal

Transparent hollow plugs can create a very different visual effect from an opaque solid plug.

The Master Series Clear View Hollow Butt Plug is a straightforward example: its transparent body emphasizes the tunnel running through the toy.

4. Specialized Play

Some hollow plugs are specifically designed by their manufacturers to work with accessories, tails, stoppers or other products.

Oxballs, for example, has expanded the PIGHOLE idea into several specialized products and combinations.

Only use a plug that way when the manufacturer actually designed it for that purpose.

Hollow Butt Plug vs Regular Butt Plug

A hollow plug is not automatically more advanced, more intense or larger.

The actual dimensions still control the fit.

Does a Hollow Butt Plug Keep You Open?

While inserted, a hollow plug can physically hold the surrounding muscles around the outside of the plug while leaving an opening through its center.

That effect is temporary.

A butt plug does not permanently hold or permanently enlarge the anus simply because it is hollow.

The anal sphincters are muscles capable of relaxing and accommodating penetration and then contracting again afterward.

People sometimes use the word "gaping" when describing large or hollow plugs, but product marketing should not be confused with a promise of permanent anatomical change.

Do Hollow Butt Plugs Permanently Stretch You?

No normal use of a plug should be presented as a method for creating permanent enlargement.

A larger toy can temporarily stretch and relax the surrounding muscles during use.

That is different from permanently changing the body's dimensions.

If increasing toy size is your goal, progress gradually and base the next step on comfort rather than trying to force rapid changes.

Are Hollow Butt Plugs Fuckable?

Some are specifically designed and marketed for additional penetration through the central opening.

Others are not.

This distinction matters.

Do not assume that the presence of a hole automatically makes a plug safe for inserting another toy or body part through it.

Check:

• The manufacturer's stated intended use
• The internal tunnel diameter
• The material and wall thickness
• The plug's base design
• Whether the opening has smooth finished edges

If the manufacturer only describes the product as a hollow plug, use it as a hollow plug rather than inventing an additional use.

What Is an Oxballs PIGHOLE?

PIGHOLE is Oxballs' hollow butt-plug family.

Oxballs itself describes PIGHOLE as one of the product concepts it originated, and the current manufacturer catalog has expanded the idea into multiple sizes and variations.

The current original PIGHOLE is offered by Oxballs in Liquid Platinum Silicone.

Happibee's Oxballs Pig Hole Hollow Butt Plug is available across a broad size progression, which makes it more useful to think of PIGHOLE as a product family than as one fixed-size toy. Happibee also carries its own Happibee x Oxballs Pig Hole special edition in exclusive colorways.

Oxballs now also produces larger and more specialized PIGHOLE-derived designs.

If you're trying to understand the wider brand, see our complete Oxballs guide.

Hollow Butt Plug Sizing: Which Measurement Matters?

Hollow plugs create an extra sizing problem because shoppers may see both an outside diameter and an inside tunnel diameter.

Those measurements describe completely different things.

Maximum Outside Diameter

This determines how wide the largest part of the plug is during insertion.

For basic fit, this is one of the most important measurements.

Neck Diameter

The neck is the narrower section that sits at the anal opening after the wider body has passed inside.

A large body with a narrow neck can feel very different from a plug whose neck remains comparatively thick.

Inside Tunnel Diameter

This tells you the width of the opening running through the plug.

It does not tell you how large the plug itself is to insert.

Overall Length

Length affects how deeply the body of the plug sits.

Longer is not automatically better, particularly for beginners.

Base Dimensions

The base needs to remain safely outside the body.

Do not judge anal-toy safety by the insertable diameter alone.

Should a Beginner Use a Hollow Butt Plug?

A hollow design itself is not what determines whether a product is beginner-friendly.

Size and shape matter more.

A small, gently tapered hollow plug may be perfectly manageable for someone new to anal toys.

A very large PIGHOLE can be an advanced product regardless of how flexible the material is.

If you are new to anal insertion, prioritize:

• A modest maximum diameter
• A gradual taper
• A secure external base
• A smooth surface
• A material whose care instructions are clear

Move to larger sizes only when the previous size is genuinely comfortable.

What Does a Hollow Butt Plug Feel Like?

Sensation varies with the exact model.

Important variables include:

• Maximum diameter
• Neck width
• Wall thickness
• Material firmness
• Length
• Whether the tunnel itself flexes

A thick-wall silicone hollow plug may still feel substantial.

A thinner flexible tunnel may compress more readily.

That is why two plugs with the same outside diameter can still feel noticeably different.

Silicone vs Other Hollow Butt Plug Materials

Hollow plugs can be made from different materials, so do not assume every transparent or flexible plug is silicone.

Silicone

Quality silicone is popular for anal plugs because it can combine flexibility with a smooth, nonporous surface.

Silicone firmness varies dramatically by formulation and wall thickness.

Oxballs' current PIGHOLE range includes products specifically identified as Liquid Platinum Silicone.

Clear and Rigid Materials

Some tunnel plugs use transparent or firmer materials to emphasize visual access and hold the shape of the opening differently.

Always check the exact product listing or packaging rather than identifying material by appearance alone.

How to Use a Hollow Butt Plug

The general process is similar to using another butt plug.

1. Choose an appropriate size. Beginners should start smaller rather than testing their limit immediately.
2. Inspect the plug. Make sure the surface and tunnel are clean and undamaged.
3. Use plenty of compatible lubricant. Apply lubricant around the anus and to the insertable portion of the plug.
4. Relax and go slowly. Place the tapered end against the opening and apply gradual pressure.
5. Never force it. Pain is a reason to stop, not something to push through.
6. Insert only until the plug is seated correctly. The external base must stay outside the body.
7. Check how it feels. Remove the plug if you experience significant pain, numbness, coldness or other concerning symptoms.
8. Remove it gradually. Add more lubricant if needed and take your time.

Why a Flared Base Matters

This is one of the most important anal-toy safety rules.

The rectum does not have the same anatomical endpoint as the vaginal canal.

That means an object without a sufficiently wide base can potentially move completely inside and become difficult to retrieve.

Use toys specifically designed for anal insertion with a flared base, handle or another retention feature intended to remain outside the body.

The fact that a plug is hollow does not change that requirement.

How Much Lube Should You Use?

The anus does not naturally produce lubrication in the way vaginal tissue can.

Use enough lubricant that insertion and removal are smooth and comfortable.

Add more if friction increases during use.

Do not use a numbing product as a way to push through pain. Pain provides useful feedback that the size, pace, lubrication or activity may need to change.

What Lube Works With a Hollow Butt Plug?

The answer depends on the toy material.

Water-based lubricant is the conservative general-purpose choice when compatibility is uncertain.

Before using a silicone- or oil-based product, check:

• The plug material
• The manufacturer's lubricant guidance
• Any condom or barrier material being used

You can compare current options in Happibee's Anal Lubricants collection or read our Lubricant Types Guide.

How Long Can You Wear a Hollow Butt Plug?

There is no single wear time that applies safely to every person and every plug.

Size, firmness, experience and activity all matter.

For beginners especially, treat a plug as a short-session toy rather than something that should automatically be worn for hours.

Avoid sleeping in a butt plug or assuming that "wearable" means it is intended for overnight or all-day use.

Remove it if you notice:

• Significant pain
• Numbness
• Persistent cramping
• Bleeding
• Unusual swelling
• Difficulty removing the toy

Can You Wear a Hollow Butt Plug All Day?

That should not be the default assumption.

Extended wear creates additional variables including movement, prolonged pressure, friction and the possibility that discomfort goes unnoticed while you are distracted by normal activities.

Some sex-health experts specifically discourage all-day and overnight butt-plug wear.

If extended wear is important to you, use a toy explicitly suited to that purpose and build experience gradually rather than beginning with several hours.

Can a Hollow Butt Plug Get Lost?

A properly designed anal plug should have a base that prevents the entire toy from passing into the rectum.

But an inappropriate object or poorly designed toy can become lodged.

This is why you should never substitute:

• A household object
• A toy without a flared base
• A penetrable sleeve not designed for anal use
• An improvised tube simply because it happens to be hollow

If an object becomes lodged and cannot be removed safely, seek medical care rather than repeatedly forcing or manipulating it farther inside.

How Do You Remove a Hollow Butt Plug?

Removal should be controlled rather than abrupt.

1. Relax as much as possible.
2. Hold the external base.
3. Add lubricant around the neck if needed.
4. Apply slow, gentle outward pressure.
5. Allow the wider portion to pass gradually rather than pulling sharply.

Do not use the hollow tunnel as a substitute handle unless the design specifically provides for that.

How Do You Clean a Hollow Butt Plug?

Hollow plugs require attention to both the outside and the inside of the tunnel.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the actual material.

A basic routine is:

1. Rinse away visible lubricant and residue.
2. Clean the external surface.
3. Clean through the full interior channel.
4. Pay attention to any ridges or recessed areas.
5. Rinse thoroughly when applicable.
6. Let both the inside and outside dry completely.
7. Store the toy somewhere clean and dry.

Do not automatically boil, bleach or otherwise aggressively sanitize a toy just because someone online says "silicone toys can be boiled." Electronics, blended materials, coatings, adhesives and individual manufacturer instructions can change what is appropriate.

Can Hollow Butt Plugs Be Shared?

Sex toys can transfer bodily fluids between users.

If a plug is shared, the material, cleaning method and barrier use all matter.

Because hollow plugs contain an additional interior surface, make sure the central tunnel is cleaned as thoroughly as the outside.

A new compatible condom or barrier between users can reduce fluid transfer when it can be used without interfering with the toy's intended design.

Hollow Butt Plug vs Anal Tunnel

These terms overlap considerably.

Anal tunnel generally emphasizes the open passage running through the product.

Hollow butt plug describes the same broad construction while emphasizing that the toy has a butt-plug shape and retention base.

Manufacturers may use either term, so compare the physical dimensions rather than assuming two differently named products are fundamentally different.

Hollow Butt Plug vs Anal Dilator

A hollow plug and an anal dilator can sometimes look similar, but the intended purpose may differ.

A dilator is primarily designed around gradually increasing insertion diameter.

A hollow butt plug is primarily defined by its open center.

Some large hollow plugs are marketed around stretching or size progression, but hollow construction alone does not make a toy a medical dilator.

Hollow Butt Plug vs Prostate Massager

A prostate massager is shaped specifically to direct pressure toward the prostate.

A hollow butt plug is defined by the tunnel in its center.

A hollow plug may still create anal or indirect prostate stimulation depending on its shape and placement, but it should not automatically be described as a prostate massager.

Oxballs PIGHOLE vs Master Series Clear View

These two current Happibee products illustrate how different hollow plugs can be even though they belong to the same broad category.

Oxballs PIGHOLE

• Distinctive thick hollow-plug construction
• Current manufacturer PIGHOLE range uses Liquid Platinum Silicone
• Available across a broad size progression
• Part of a much larger PIGHOLE product family

Master Series Clear View

• Transparent tunnel-centered design
• Visual emphasis on the open channel
• Multiple size options
• More conventional tunnel-plug appearance

The better choice depends primarily on the actual dimensions, material and the reason you want a hollow design.

How to Choose a Hollow Butt Plug

Before buying, compare these seven things:

1. Maximum outside diameter: How large is the widest insertable point?
2. Neck diameter: How thick is the section that remains at the opening?
3. Tunnel diameter: How wide is the hollow center?
4. Length: How deeply does the plug sit?
5. Wall thickness: How substantial or flexible is the hollow structure?
6. Material: Silicone, a proprietary elastomer or something else?
7. Base: Is there a secure anal-safe retention structure?

Do not buy a large hollow plug simply because the open center makes it look less substantial.

Your body still has to accommodate the outside diameter.

Common Hollow Butt Plug Mistakes

Looking Only at the Tunnel Diameter

The internal opening does not determine insertion size. Compare the maximum external diameter.

Assuming Hollow Means Beginner-Friendly

Some hollow plugs are extremely large. Choose by dimensions rather than construction alone.

Forcing a Larger Size

Anal insertion should be gradual and comfortable. More lubricant or a smaller plug is a better response to pain than forcing the toy.

Using Numbing Products to Ignore Pain

Pain is useful information. Masking it can make it harder to recognize excessive friction, pressure or injury.

Assuming Every Tunnel Is Designed for Additional Penetration

Use the opening only in ways the manufacturer actually intended.

Ignoring the Inside During Cleaning

The tunnel itself is another surface that needs to be washed and fully dried.

Choosing a Toy Without a Proper Base

An anal toy needs a reliable way to prevent complete insertion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hollow butt plug?

A hollow butt plug is an anal plug with an open tunnel through its center rather than a completely solid body.

What are hollow butt plugs for?

People may choose them for the different pressure created by hollow construction, the open visual appearance, the central tunnel or specialized uses intended by particular manufacturers.

What does a hollow butt plug do?

It provides the external pressure and retention of a plug while leaving an open channel through the center.

Why are some butt plugs hollow?

The hollow structure changes the plug's feel, flexibility and appearance and can also provide a central opening for designs specifically intended to use one.

Does a hollow butt plug keep the anus open?

While the plug is inserted, its outside walls can hold the surrounding muscles around the plug while the center remains open. The effect is temporary rather than permanent.

Do hollow butt plugs permanently stretch you?

No. Anal muscles can temporarily relax and accommodate insertion, but a plug should not be presented as producing permanent enlargement.

How do you use a hollow butt plug?

Choose an appropriate size, apply plenty of compatible lubricant, insert gradually without forcing it, make sure the external base remains outside the body and remove it slowly when finished.

Are hollow butt plugs safe?

They can generally be used safely when they are designed specifically for anal use, have an appropriate base, are used with adequate lubricant and are inserted gradually without forcing through pain.

Can a beginner use a hollow butt plug?

Yes, if the actual dimensions and shape are appropriate. Hollow construction itself does not determine difficulty; size matters more.

Can you use a hollow butt plug all day?

Extended wear should not be treated as the default use. Beginners in particular should favor shorter sessions, and sleeping in a plug or assuming every plug is designed for all-day wear is not advisable.

Can you insert something through a hollow butt plug?

Only if the exact product was designed by its manufacturer for that use. A central opening by itself does not prove that additional penetration through it is safe.

What is an Oxballs PIGHOLE?

PIGHOLE is Oxballs' hollow butt-plug product family. Oxballs describes the PIGHOLE concept as one of its original designs and now offers multiple PIGHOLE styles and sizes.

What size hollow butt plug should I buy?

Compare the maximum outside diameter first. The size of the center tunnel does not tell you how large the toy itself is to insert.

How do you clean a hollow butt plug?

Follow the instructions for the exact material and clean both the exterior and the complete internal tunnel. Let all surfaces dry fully before storage.

What lube should you use with a hollow butt plug?

Use lubricant compatible with the toy material. Water-based lubricant is the conservative general-purpose choice when compatibility is uncertain.

The Hole Isn't the Most Important Measurement

It is easy to focus on the tunnel because that is what makes a hollow plug visually different.

For actual use, however, the outside dimensions, neck, base, material and wall thickness matter just as much, and often more.

A small tunnel does not necessarily mean a small plug. A very large opening does not automatically make a product advanced. And a hollow design does not guarantee that the center is intended for additional penetration.

Choose the plug based on what the manufacturer designed it to do and whether the actual measurements fit your experience level.

If you want to compare more designs, browse Happibee's Butt Plugs, the wider Anal Sex Toys range or the full Oxballs collection.

This article is for general product education. Stop anal play if you experience significant pain, persistent bleeding or another concerning symptom, and seek medical care when appropriate.