About 25% of couples worldwide use vasectomy or condoms for contraception. Vasectomy should be considered irreversible, and condoms are often used incorrectly (leading to high failure rates) and may decrease sexual pleasure. These are the only available effective male-based contraceptives, and the high usage of these methods despite the above drawbacks indicates that there is a need for novel forms of male contraception. The novel male contraceptives furthest along in development are male hormonal contraceptives. In efficacy trials with pregnancy prevention as the outcome, male hormonal contraceptives have failure rates of <5%—rates that are superior to male condoms and compare favorably to female hormonal contraceptives. In clinical trials, testosterone-based contraceptive regimens have been safe, effective, and reversible. The most common side effects are acne, modest weight gain, and modest suppression of serum high-density lipoprotein concentrations. Of the nonhormonal contraceptives under development, vasa deferentia plugs that create occlusive barriers to sperm entering the ejaculate and compounds that inhibit spermatogenesis or sperm motility are the most promising candidates. The vasa deferentia plugs consist of polymers or hydrogels that are injected into the vasa deferentia in a minor procedure. The plugs can be removed by injection of a chemical that partially dissolves the plug, and then the remnant is flushed out with injected fluid. The plugs can also be designed to self-dissolve over 1–2 years. The anti-spermatogenesis and anti-motility compounds include agents that target the retinoic acid pathway and sperm-specific adenyl cyclase inhibitors (sAC inhibitors). The development of novel hormonal and nonhormonal male contraceptives would be useful for men and for heterosexual couples who would like additional options for family planning. Recent developments indicate that some of the above novel, male-based contraceptives might be available for clinical use within the next decade.