Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUVP) is one of the alternative, minimally invasive procedures to treat BPH with promising initial results. We reviewed the available English literature to evaluate the long-term safety, efficacy and durability of TUVP using various vaporizing electrodes. We performed a MEDLINE keyword search and assessed all prospective randomized studies, which compared TUVP to standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) that reached 1 y follow-up. Data were analysed for improvement of IPSS and Q(max), operation time, hospital stay, perioperative bleeding, postoperative irritative symptoms, long-term side effects and reoperation rate. We reviewed a total of 244 TUVP compared to 259 TURP patients in six prospective randomized studies that reached 1 y follow-up. Less perioperative bleeding, shorter catheterization time (mean of TUVP: 30 h vs TURP: 61 h) and shorter hospital stay (mean of 1.4 days vs TURP: 3.4 days) were reported in the TUVP patients. The improvement in IPSS (71%) and mean Q(max) (20 ml/s) was similar in both groups. The reoperation rate was 2% per year in both vaporization and resection patients. In conclusion, analysis of the prospective randomized trials that reached 1 year follow-up revealed that TUVP is as effective as standard TURP in the treatment of BPH. Long-term side effects and reoperation rates are comparable and the initial improvement was maintained over 1 year for the majority of patients.