We Tested 4 Online ED Treatments for 30 Days. One Clearly Outperformed the Rest.

Erectile dysfunction has two primary biological causes: reduced blood flow to the penis, and impaired arousal signaling from the brain. Most prescription ED medications — sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) — address only the first.

They work by inhibiting an enzyme called PDE5, which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow. For many men, this is enough.

But for many others — particularly men over 40 — the issue isn't purely circulatory. Stress, anxiety, performance pressure, and natural changes in dopamine signaling can blunt arousal even when blood flow is medically restored.

That's why the most complete ED treatments address four things, not one:

• Physical blood flow
• Mental arousal and dopamine signaling
• Fast onset (so the moment isn't lost)
• Discreet, easy delivery

Over 30 days, our tester used each of the four products in randomized order, with at least 72 hours between doses. We tracked four metrics: time to onset, perceived effectiveness (rated 1-10 by the tester), side effects experienced, and ease of use.

We also consulted Dr. Marcus Hale, a board-certified primary care physician with over 15 years of clinical experience treating men's sexual health concerns, to evaluate each product's formulation from a clinical perspective.

The four products tested were the most-advertised online ED treatments available without an in-person physician visit, in the most-prescribed dose offered by each brand.

For ED treatments, timing matters. Most men want something that works quickly without needing to plan an hour in advance.

In testing, Taurus CHARGE and Ro Sparks were the fastest to take effect, with noticeable onset around 15 minutes. Hims Hard Mints took 30-60 minutes. BlueChew Max also required up to 60 minutes.

All four products claim effectiveness lasting up to 36 hours once active.

All four products contain sildenafil and tadalafil — two of the most clinically validated PDE5 inhibitors available. Together they handle the physical side of erectile function well.

But Taurus CHARGE is the only product in this comparison that also contains apomorphine, a dopamine agonist that addresses the neurological side of arousal.

Apomorphine works by activating dopamine receptors in the brain associated with sexual arousal. While sildenafil and tadalafil affect the physical mechanics of erection, apomorphine targets the signal that initiates arousal in the first place — addressing what many men experience as a "disconnect" between body and mind.

Taurus CHARGE also includes a fourth active ingredient: vardenafil, the active medication in Levitra. Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor with faster onset and higher potency per milligram than sildenafil.

Hims Hard Mints includes vitamin B12 as a support ingredient, but clinical research has not shown a meaningful connection between B12 supplementation and improved erectile function.5

Bottom line: Taurus CHARGE is the only product in this comparison designed to support both blood flow and arousal signaling.

Taurus CHARGE pulls ahead on delivery format. The product comes in a small liquid ampoule that dissolves under the tongue in about one minute. It has a mild orange-citrus taste and is small enough to be discreet — easy to take in a bathroom or hallway without explanation.

Ro Sparks is also sublingual but uses a tablet that takes up to 10 minutes to dissolve, with a noticeably more bitter taste. Hims Hard Mints and BlueChew Max are chewable tablets — easier to recognize visually and less discreet in social situations.

Side effects in our 30-day trial were minimal. David reported no adverse effects from any of the four products. Sildenafil and tadalafil are associated with a low rate of mild side effects including flushing and indigestion.6 Apomorphine, in the doses used in modern combination ED treatments, is generally well-tolerated.7

Pricing varies across the four brands. Hims Hard Mints are the cheapest at approximately $7.50 per dose. BlueChew Max falls near $10. Ro Sparks and Taurus CHARGE are tied as the most expensive at around $12 per dose.

However, in our 30-day trial, Hims Hard Mints also received the lowest tester score — slower onset, milder effect, and fewer active ingredients than the more expensive options.

As Dr. Hale put it: "You're paying for the active ingredients. With Hims, you're getting fewer of them."

Taurus CHARGE costs more per dose, but delivers four medications instead of two — including the only arousal-targeting ingredient in the comparison. For men whose ED doesn't respond fully to single-mechanism treatments, that difference matters more than $4.50. You can start a free clinician evaluation here while the current batch is still shipping — Taurus has paused new orders twice in the last 18 months when demand outran supply.