Choosing a vibrator: types, power source, material, and maintenance
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Product pages mainly list the number of settings, while drive, material, and size make a much bigger difference. A business buying guide for adults considering a purchase.
Almost every product page contains the same kind of information: the number of settings. Twelve functions, thirty-six functions, ten speeds. It's the easiest feature to count and at the same time the feature that matters least in practice. What you do notice after a week is whether it runs on batteries, how heavy it is, how much noise it makes, and whether it can be held under the tap. This article lists those points. It is intended for adults considering a purchase and describes material, operation, size, and maintenance — no more and no less.
Batteries, USB, or remote control
The power source determines ease of use and a large part of the price.
Batteries. Cheap to buy, immediately usable, but power decreases as the battery drains, and you always need spare batteries. The 13.3 cm (5.6 inch) battery-operated wand vibrator starts at €7.95 and is available in four colors.
With remote control or app. Convenient if the model itself doesn't have accessible buttons. The Kitty Smiley with remote control costs €9.50, the app-controlled Travel Egg €69.95. For app models, be aware that you depend on Bluetooth and the continued existence of that app.
For occasional use, battery power is fine. If you use it regularly, a rechargeable model will pay for itself just in discarded batteries.
Overview of shapes
The shape says more about the application than the name on the packaging. Roughly five categories:
If you're torn between two shapes, choose the smallest model that meets your requirements. Larger models like the wand offer more power but are also harder to store and transport.
Material: silicone, ABS plastic, or glass
Material determines how you clean and what lubricant you can use.
Silicone feels soft, is easy to clean, and is the most common material in this segment. The Luxury Play LP02 (€25.00) is specified by the manufacturer as silicone and low-noise, under 40 dB. Important note: many manufacturers advise against using silicone lubricant on silicone toys, as it can make the surface sticky over time. Water-based is the safe standard choice; see Lubricant.
Hard plastic is stiffer and cheaper, and transmits vibrations more directly. You'll find it mainly in entry-level models and remote-controlled eggs.
Glass is smooth, non-porous, and easy to clean, and you can use it with any type of lubricant. It's rigid, so the sensation of use feels different. Example: the 18 cm glass vibrator with ribs, €19.95. Check glass for damage before each use and discard it as soon as there's a chip or crack.
Sound, water, and size
Three points rarely included in product comparisons yet are crucial:
Sound. Small motors in hard plastic sound higher pitched and travel further through a wall than larger motors in silicone. If you live with housemates or have thin walls, check if the manufacturer states a dB value.
Water resistance. 'Splash-proof' and 'waterproof' are not the same. Only models specified as waterproof, such as the air pulse vibrator, can be rinsed completely. For models with a battery compartment lid, stick to a damp cloth around the opening.
Size. The length is often in the title — 12 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 22 cm. Measure what fits in your nightstand before ordering; it sounds trivial, but a full-sized wand won't fit in every drawer.
Brief maintenance
After use, rinse with lukewarm water and mild soap, or use a special cleaner from Toycleaners. Air dry, not in a sealed bag. Store each toy separately so that materials don't touch and stick together. Do not store rechargeable models completely empty. You can read more about this in our article on material, cleaning, and storage.
What you get for your money
Below €10.00, you can buy a simple battery-operated model or a remote-controlled egg, like the Kitty Smiley for €9.50. Between €15.00 and €30.00 is where most of the offerings lie: rechargeable, more settings, better finish — consider the Rachel Deluxe for €30.00 or the wireless wand massager from €22.50. Above €40.00, you primarily pay for extras like app control and luxury packaging, as with the Satisfyer Pro Penguin Next Generation for €49.95. More settings do not automatically mean a better purchase; most people practically use two or three.
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