remote-controlled vibrator

Review: Lovense Lush 4 wearable vibrator

Kate Sloan

If you ever peruse cam sites or amateur porn sites, you’ve probably seen the Lovense Lush around. It’s a favorite of many online sex workers, because of how well Lovense’s long-distance technology works: once this little pink vibe is inside you, you can connect it to the Lovense app and cede control of the toy to someone far away, whether that’s a friend, a partner, or a customer who’s paid for the privilege.

Lovense’s many other offerings are great too – I’ve reviewed several! – but the Lush seems to be their most popular. So, needless to say, I was intrigued when Lovense reached out and asked if I’d like to review the latest iteration of this bestselling toy, the Lush 4. It launched today, but I’ve been testing it for a couple weeks now. Let me give you the lowdown on how this cult-fave toy has been updated!

Lush 3 (left) and Lush 4 (right)

How does the Lush 4 compare to the Lush 3?

  • The Lush 4’s clitoral arm is shaped differently, having more of an arrowhead/diamond shape than the rounder one on the 3, and is also slightly larger, so it can cover more real estate.
  • The Lush 4 offers rapid charging: charge it for just 5 minutes and you’ll get 1 hour of play. (Charging for a full 50 minutes, however, gets you up to 6 hours of play.)
  • There is a stylish “decorative electroplated piece” on the outside of the Lush 4’s clitoral arm, which (optionally) lights up with different-colored LED lights depending on the vibration mode you’re on, to give both partners a visual indicator of what the vibrator is doing at any given time.
  • The Lush 4’s neck is slightly thicker and floppier than the one on the 3.
  • The Lush 4 is slightly more expensive ($129 currently) than the Lush 3 ($119).

Other than those differences, the two models are quite similar: they have the same motor, their internal/G-spot arm is identical, and they’re both waterproof and relatively quiet.

Lush 3 (left) and Lush 4 (right)

Things I like about the Lovense Lush 4

  • I’ve come to expect fantastic vibrations from Lovense toys, and the Lush 4 delivers. Its vibrations are satisfyingly rumbly, and the app gives you extremely precise control over the vibe’s wide range of available intensities. My G-spot feels massaged and stroked by these vibrations, not at all irritated like it sometimes does with weak or buzzy vibes.
  • Speaking of my G-spot, this toy hits it with aplomb, just as the previous Lush did. Its contoured shape narrows to a rounded protrusion which presses against that spot with ease. I do have to readjust it sometimes to keep it where I want it (more on that later), but when it’s properly situated, it’s extremely stimulating.
  • The Lush 4 is frequently marketed as a vibrator you can wear under your clothes for discreet public play, and unlike almost all other vibes of which this is true, the Lush 4 is actually well-suited to the task. It’s quiet, comfortable even when worn for a few hours at a time, stays put relatively well if you’re wearing close-fitting underwear, and maintains its Bluetooth connection with impressive consistency. One word of warning, though: disable the LED lights in the Lovense app before using it in public, lest your waitress ask you why the hell your underwear is glowing! (I’d imagine folks with photosensitive epilepsy would want to disable this function, too.)
  • I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about those LED lights, but they’re a cool addition. As the partner controlling the vibe but not wearing it, it can sometimes be tricky to tell what exactly is going on, especially if your partner isn’t very vocal – but the lights change as you alter the vibrations, giving you a visual indicator of what your partner might be feeling. It’s not the most intuitive or informative display, but it’s something. And you can turn it off in the settings of the app if you don’t like it.
  • As ever, I’m impressed by Lovense’s connectivity, its app, and the many things you can do therein. Over the course of just one testing session, for example, I was able to control the toy myself in the app, send a link to a long-distance sweetheart to control it, and even sync up the vibrations with music. (Lush Life might be a good choice, for self-evident reasons… or perhaps something bassy and rhythmic, like the Shower Song?)
  • While it still doesn’t provide as much clitoral stimulation as I want/need (more on that below), the Lush 4 at least provides more clit stim than its predecessor, because its external arm is shaped in such a way that more vibration is transmitted to my clit. Still not enough for me to get off from, though.
  • The rapid charging function is quite useful, especially for this type of vibe, where you might impulsively decide to grab it right before a dinner date (for instance) and would be disappointed to find it dead. Just plug it in for five minutes – while you do your makeup or brush your teeth, say – and it’ll have enough juice for an hour of use.
  • It’s waterproof! Hurrah!

Things I don’t like about the Lovense Lush 4

  • As with the other Lushes that came before it, the Lush 4 offers very little in the way of clitoral stimulation. To be fair, it’s not really aiming for that; Lovense’s own website even suggests that you pair your Lush 4 with their Ferri panty vibe if you want clit stim. But since the majority of vulva-havers enjoy clit stim and need it to reach orgasm, and since the external arm of the Lush makes it a bit challenging to slot a clit vibe into that area too, I do always wish that the Lush directed more vibrations onto my clit and not just my G-spot, so that I could get off from it. As is, it’s a fun tease that I really enjoy, but that’s it.
  • It’s subtle, but I’m pretty sure the neck of the Lush 4 is slightly floppier/bendier than the neck of the Lush 3, which (for my particular anatomy, anyway) means that the 4 is a bit more prone to sliding around inside me and doesn’t always stay exactly on my G-spot, especially if I’m moving around a lot. I had to manually readjust it a bit more, which could be annoying if you’re using it in public/trying to be discreet.
Lush 3 (left) and Lush 4 (right)

Final thoughts

Q. Is the Lush 4 worth buying?

A. If you want a G-spot vibrator, yes! If you want a vibrator you can comfortably and discreetly wear for public play, yes! If you want a vibrator that can be controlled by a long-distance partner (or customer), yes!

Q. What about if I need/want clitoral stimulation?

A. Alas, you won’t get much of it from the Lush 4. If I want to reach orgasm with this toy, I have to nudge its external arm aside to make room for a separate clitoral vibe. The vibrations which transmit into the Lush’s clitoral arm just aren’t enough to get me off on their own. If you want something that’s similar but more clit-focused, I’d suggest the wonderful Ferri panty vibe or the We-Vibe-esque Dolce.

Q. Should I upgrade to the Lush 4 if I already own a Lush 3?

A. Probably not, unless you think that the LED light display or rapid charging feature would make a big difference for you. Either one (or both) of those might make an upgrade worthwhile. Aside from that, I don’t think it’s changed enough that you need to upgrade.

Q. Can I control your vibe?!

A. No, that privilege is only extended to a very, very lucky few. You know who you are. 😘

 

This post was sponsored, meaning I was paid to write a fair and honest review of this product. As always, all writing and opinions are my own.

Review: Bestvibe Cupid 3-In-1 Heating Thrusting Vibration Realistic Dildo

Kate Sloan

It is a known fact that I love dick. I didn’t always, but now, after many years of sexual activity with many lovely dick-owners, I am very much a fan. (And no, none of that is me giving you permission to send me pictures or textual descriptions of your dick. I like the ones I know, the ones I consent to see. Nonconsensual penises are ugly and gross, no exceptions.)

So, naturally, I am a fan of realistic dildos as well – provided they’re well-made. And it’s even more intriguing when those dildos are capable of doing some of the things human dicks can do, like feel immediately warm upon insertion or thrust in and out. This Bestvibe 3-in-1 dildo can do both of those things and more, so I was excited to review it. Let’s talk about it!

 

What is the Bestvibe Cupid 3-in-1 Heating Thrusting Vibration Realistic Dildo?

Phew. Bestvibe’s product names are always such a mouthful! Maybe we should just call this the Bestvibe Cupid, for short.

The Cupid is a realistic silicone dildo with a 6.3-inch insertable length (it’s 8.66 inches total, including the balls and suction cup base). It has a diameter of about 1.7 inches at its largest point.

However, in addition, this dildo can vibrate, heat up, and thrust in and out. It comes with a small remote control that allows you to control these three functions.

 

Things I like about this toy

  • The dimensions are great for my particular vag. It’s got enough length to hit my A-spot easily if I keep it anchored deep inside me by placing a pillow between my legs at the base of the toy (more on that below), but I can also position it more shallowly to hit my G-spot. The girth is wide enough to feel satisfying but not so wide as to need much warm-up before inserting it (for me, anyway). I am very much a fan.
  • Visually and tactilely, the toy is quite realistic. The closest thing I can compare it to is actually dual-density silicone dildos like the VixSkin toys, in that it’s realistic-looking in quite a detailed way and feels both squishy and firm. The Cupid isn’t dual-density like those toys are, but its mechanical core feels very similar to the firm silicone core of a dual-density toy, so that in use they actually feel very much alike.
  • The thrusting! Oh, the thrusting. A lot of self-thrusting toys feel pretty weak – more like a perpetual-motion machine on somebody’s cubicle desk than a hard rough fuck – but this one has some serious strength behind it. At its best, it feels almost as good as a real live human fucking me. And since its steady modes are much more rhythmically regular than the average human is capable of being, it gets me off more easily than most people can with their dicks. (By the way, whenever I talk about getting off from penetrative toys, assume that I mean “with added clitoral stimulation via my fingers or a vibrator,” because – like the majority of people with my anatomy – I don’t orgasm without clit stim.)
  • While a more pronounced curve would’ve been my preference, the subtle curve of this toy is good enough to hit my spots the way I like. It helps that it has a well-defined coronal ridge which can rub against those spots on every thrust.
  • It’s got a suction-cup base. This normally isn’t something I care that much about, since the combo of chronic pain and laziness means that I almost always masturbate lying on my back in bed – but with a thrusting toy, it can be nice to be able to back up onto it, or sit down on it from above, or whatever.
  • The wide base also means this toy is harness-compatible, which is interesting. I wonder what it would feel like if a mechanically-thrusting device was simultaneously thrust in and out of me by an actual person… However, even if you turn all the mechanical functions off when using it this way, the Cupid also functions perfectly well as a regular strap-on dildo.
  • The Cupid costs £49.99, which (at time of writing) works out to about $60 USD or $81 CAD. That’s a really reasonable price for something that looks and feels this realistic and has this many functions.
  • The toy comes with a small battery-powered remote, which is auto-paired to the dildo. All you have to do is put the battery into the remote, turn on the toy by long-pressing the power button on its base, and press one of the 3 buttons on the remote to activate one of the toy’s 3 functions (or use more than one at once, if you prefer).
  • On that note, each of the 3 functions can be controlled independently – so if you want vibrations but no thrusting, or vice-versa, you can do that, or you can use both at once.
  • This toy is safe for both vaginal and anal insertion (though, as with any other toy, you’ll need to sanitize it in between using it anally and using it vaginally).

 

Things I don’t like about this toy

  • It had a bit of an oily residue when it first arrived, which made me think it might be made of an unsafe material. However, after washing it and (later) doing a flame test on it, now I’m pretty sure it’s made of real silicone, and just had some residue left on it from the manufacturing process (which is pretty common and is the reason most companies will tell you to wash a toy before using it for the first time).
  • The button on the base of the toy is really hard to locate and press, especially if you have hand strength issues like I do.
  • The toy is decently loud, like most thrusters are. The sound diminishes when it’s inside you, however.
  • There are only 3 thrusting settings. The first one is hard, fast, and steady. The second one is more erratic, switching between a few different speeds, which I guess is meant to feel more authentically human but actually just annoys me. The third is slower, steady thrusting. I like the steady settings but wish that there were more of them, and that the toy started on the slowest setting and worked its way up from there.
  • As with many warming toys, I can’t actually detect the heating function in this toy. These functions usually take a few minutes to reach peak heat and the heat itself is usually pretty subtle, which makes it hard to notice, especially since, by that point, usually I will have put the toy inside me already and so my body will already have warmed it up a bit.
  • The remote is battery-powered rather than being rechargeable, and uses a type of battery you’re unlikely to have just lying around the house (27A 12V). There’s also no markings on the battery chamber or in the toy instructions regarding which way the battery should be oriented, so you just have to guess and then flip it around if your first guess is wrong.
  • Additionally, there’s no way to control the toy without the remote, so if you lose the remote or its battery dies mid-session, you’re shit outta luck. This is honestly probably my #1 issue with this toy. Remote-control toys should always have buttons on the unit itself if at all possible.
  • As with most self-thrusting toys, this one will tend to shimmy its way out of you if left to its own devices (so to speak), so you’ll need to keep it in place by putting a pillow or somesuch against the base of the toy, between your legs – or by making use of its suction-cup base to attach it to a firm surface like a wall, floor, or mirror.
  • The vibrations are so weak and buzzy that they can barely be discerned. Don’t get this toy if you want internal vibration; thrusting (or being manually thrusted) is the only thing it does well.

 

Final thoughts

Of the latest batch of products Bestvibe has sent me (more reviews to come!), the Cupid dildo is by far my favorite. It’s rare to find a thrusting toy that actually feels anything like getting fucked, and that can elicit orgasms as intensely and reliably for me as this toy does.

It definitely has some issues – mainly its limited settings, terrible vibrations, and awkward controls – but in my view these are ultimately forgivable, because its thrusting is so damn good. Much like some of the people I have dated/fucked, its issues seem minor in comparison to the pounding it can provide.

 

This post was sponsored, meaning I was paid to write a fair and honest review of this product. As always, all writing and opinions are my own.

10 Places I’d Gladly Wear Vibrating Underwear

Kate Sloan

1. The train ride from Toronto to Montreal takes about 5 hours. Sunny and fast, it’s certainly preferable to crowding onto a musty bus or (god forbid) driving there myself – but entertainment options are limited. I get carsick if I read anything while in a moving vehicle, so books and magazines are out. Normally I just load a bunch of podcast episodes and audiobooks onto my iPad and let the voices in my headphones entertain me for the duration of the trip. But it would be sooo much more amusing if I was also wearing a vibrator, even if I was the one operating the controls. Some vulva-possessing people already report that the steady vibrations of a bus or train can stimulate their bits if they angle themselves correctly in their seat, sometimes even to the point of orgasm – and it’s the same principle, really!

2. Assuming I had the consent of the artist, I think getting a tattoo would be an interesting activity to combine with panty vibrators. Big and intricate tattoos, especially, tend to be a long slog of painful pokes and periodic waves of endorphins; the addition of sexual pleasure could balance and recontextualize the pain, making the overall sensation more bearable and more enjoyable. However, now that I think about it, I’m not sure vibrations in my underwear would be the best idea for an activity where remaining perfectly still is paramount…

3. While I love the idea of going to the opera – partly because of how fancy you’re allowed to dress when you go – in reality I’ve literally fallen asleep during every opera performance I’ve ever been to. I think my brain is far too easily lulled into slumber by the cognitive effort of trying to discern what someone is communicating when they’re singing in a language I don’t speak, even if it sounds beautiful regardless. I feel bad for being an inattentive audience member; maybe a (quiet) panty vibe would help keep me alert enough to actually see an entire opera show for once!

4. I often go to my local coffee shop when I need to get some writing done (or at least, I did pre-pandemic). While a vibrator might not be the most useful accessory if I was working on something serious and research-heavy, I do find that writing erotica benefits enormously from me being actively turned on while I write it. It helps me get out of my brain (“What would these characters theoretically say and do in this situation?”) and into my body (“How would I want to get totally railed right now if I was one of these characters?!”). Provided the café was bustling enough that some buzzing noises wouldn’t be an issue, I think a panty vibe would be a great way to induce that mood, and thus improve my writing.

5. My former sugar daddy had a thing for remote-controlled vibrators; he disclosed to me his fantasy that sometime I would wear one in a café bathroom while he got me off from miles away. With that in mind, I think it would be fun to wear a panty vibe during a shopping spree, whether I was in a submissive/sugar baby type of role in relation to my libidinous chaperone, or a more dominant/findomme-esque one. Of course, most stores probably (reasonably) have an unspoken “you have an orgasm while wearing it, you buy it” policy…

6. If the pandemic situation ever resolves to a point where I feel comfortable going to a rock concert again (here’s hoping), I’d love to wear a vibe under my skirt while moshing and sloshing around with other rambunctious attendees. There is something genuinely erotic about going to see live music – the way the bass vibrates through your flesh, the close contact with strangers’ sweaty bodies, the (often alcohol-fuelled) feeling of blissful rapture during a great guitar solo or well-earned encore – and a vibrator would just up the ante on all of those sensations. I wonder how many people have had orgasms in mosh pits… More than zero, I am quite certain.

7. I’ve already worn panty vibes on the occasional cocktail bar date, but it’s a situation worth revisiting. Dates and drinks already make me feel flirty, flustered, and off-kilter – adding vibration takes that to the next level!

8. Can you imagine wearing a panty vibe as part of a game show? I’m not talking about Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, et al., although I do wonder if Bluetooth-controlled vibrators have ever graced those hallowed stages… No, this fantasy of mine is closer to a “Hysterical Literature” type of thing. Perhaps a trivia game or spelling bee where all participants are being distracted by sexual sensations while trying to answer questions as quickly and accurately as they can. I like to think I’d do well, but who the hell knows!

9. There are lots of places in a fancy hotel where a panty vibe might come in handy, but to name just one… Sometimes when we stay in hotels, my partner sends me out with a bucket to find the nearest ice machine, so they can mix us little cocktails from the contents of our minibar stash. I often feel pretty submissive while doing this, because I’m walking around an unfamiliar place, clutching an unfamiliar prop, on a mission assigned to me by my dominant. Trotting up and down endless staircases in search of the word “ICE” on a wall or a door would be so much more entertaining if there was a vibe involved.

10. Finally, I would be remiss not to mention a park picnic as an ideal destination for a vibrator-enhanced outing. Just imagine it: the summer sun is out, you’re sated on yummy cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwiches (or whatever else sounds delectable and refreshing to you), and your favorite person is smiling wickedly at you as they give you pleasure with a flick of their fingers on their phone screen. I can imagine few better endeavors to be the centerpiece of a relaxed summer day.

 

What are your favorite places to wear remote-controlled vibrators?

 

This post was sponsored. As always, all writing and opinions are my own.

Review: Lelo Ida

Kate Sloan

I never knew a toy could make me scream in pain until I tried the Lelo Ida.

I didn’t see it coming, and neither did my boyfriend. So we were both pretty horrified, since pain wasn’t supposed to be on the agenda that night (and vaginal pain isn’t the kind I find hot, anyway).

The Ida is an overhaul of Lelo’s previous couples’ vibes, the Tiani and Noa, meant to be worn inside the vagina alongside the penis during PIV sex. Incase you didn’t know, Lelo got into a legal tussle with We-Vibe when the latter accused the former of stealing their unique toy design, and We-Vibe won, so Lelo had to scrap everything and start from scratch.

I assumed the Ida would be like a poor man’s We-Vibe, and it is, but it’s worse than that: it’s an assault on the genitals. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into my round hole.

I think my major problem with it is that the internal portion is SO BIG. No, it’s not big by dildo standards, but when you try to shove a penis in underneath it, it digs into the vaginal wall and feels appallingly out of place. It reminds me of those occasional awkward moments when my boyfriend’s penis jams my NuvaRing into an odd position and it hurts, except the Ida is so much worse than that, because it’s firm and it’s rotating.

Yep, the internal portion rotates. I thought this would be my favorite feature, because historically I enjoy internal rotation, but actually I can barely feel it. When my boyfriend’s penis is inside me, I can’t tell if the added girth is stopping the rotation entirely or if I just can’t feel the silicone arm’s slow stroking over the wave of pain I’m experiencing. Either way, it doesn’t do a damn thing for me.

The external part of the toy doesn’t cause me pain like the internal part, but it’s still a pretty massive failure. Traditional couples’ vibes have a slim external part, made to tuck neatly between the labia so it can access the clitoris easily and directly. The Ida, instead, has a large round disc, almost as big as my palm. Ain’t no way a disc is fitting in between my labia, so it just sits on the outside of my vulva, the vibrations ever-so-slightly reaching my clit but certainly not enough to induce an orgasm. I would imagine this problem would be even worse for people with thick outer labia.

I had an orgasm from the Ida once – once – and here is what I had to do to make it happen: I had to use it by itself (no penis, no dildo), I had to turn it up to the highest setting so my clit could perceive the vibrations, and when I got close to orgasm, I had to physically press the disc against my clit to give it enough sensation. When the ordeal was over, I felt so drained and disappointed that the orgasm hardly felt worth it. And that was the best session I’ve had with my Ida.

With my partner, no amount of lube and warm-up and patience can make the Ida pleasurable or even comfortable. It just feels like I’m getting stabbed in the vaginal wall. I scream into the pillow and push my boyfriend away. He gets upset and distressed that he has hurt me. And then we give up on the Ida and have sex normally, which still kind of hurts after the Ida’s onslaught on my vagina. This happens every time we use it. I have had enough.

Did I mention that you have to pay $200 for the luxury of getting poked in the vaginal wall with a piece of rotating silicone?

There are other details I could mention in this review – the Ida has a remote, it’s waterproof, it has two high-tech motion-sensitive settings, it’s made of smooth body-safe materials – but really, none of that matters, because I cannot recommend this toy to anyone. I refuse to.

If you want a comfortable couples’ vibe to wear during PIV sex, try the Noa – it’s the only one I’ve ever liked, and it’s half the price of the Ida. If you want to have more control of your experience, try holding a long-handled or small vibe against your clit during PIV: I recommend the Eroscillator, Mia 2, or Tango.

But please, don’t get the Ida. Or if you really want the Ida experience, try putting a sharp rock in your vag next time your partner’s about to penetrate you.

This toy was sent to me for review by Lelo. Dear Lelo: I still love you, even though I hate the Ida.

Review: We-Vibe 3

Kate Sloan

Ah, couples’ vibrators. Such a wonderful idea in theory, so often poorly executed in practice.

Prior to my latest attempt at enjoying a couples’ vibe, the We-Vibe 3, I had tried the Lelo Tiani and the FixSation, neither of which impressed me. Both weren’t strong enough to get me off, both had shitty remote strength, and both tended to numb me out so it was still hard to get off even after I’d switch to a different toy. Boooo.

The We-Vibe 3 is better, but hardly. It has all the same problems that every other couples’ vibe I’ve tried has had: not strong enough, not rumbly enough, and bad signal strength.

Let’s talk about vibrations. You’d think We-Vibe would know what they’re doing in this department, since their Tango is one of my all-time favorite vibes: amazingly strong and rumbly, with four different speeds to scroll through, plus some cool patterns. The We-Vibe 3 has the same patterns as the Tango, but only two speeds, which just doesn’t work for me. I need to “ramp it up” gradually over time, or I go numb way too fast or get overstimulated and have to back off.

The Tango’s vibrations range from 3000 to 4800 RPM (keeping in mind that a lower RPM means a rumblier, deeper vibration quality), whereas the We-Vibe 3’s vibrations are either 3000 or 5500, depending on what setting you’re on. This means that the highest speed is way buzzier than the Tango’s top speed, resulting in increased numbness and a very surface-level sensation.

Also, I don’t know what the deal is, but the silicone of the We-Vibe 3 just doesn’t conduct vibrations nearly as well as the hard plastic of the Tango. I know a lot of people are sex toy snobs and will pick silicone over plastic any day, but I think this is one situation in which plastic would’ve been the better choice. At least then I could feel all the vibrations this toy puts out.

As for the remote – like every sex toy remote I’ve tried, the We-Vibe’s remote (which is admittedly ergonomic, relatively discreet, and easy to grip) needs to be pointed directly at the toy in order to work, and it often needs at least two or three tries before anything happens. A fold of skin or segment of muscle in the way, like a labia or thigh, will tend to make the remote useless.

And as if you weren’t annoyed enough already, it only has one button, which cycles through the two speeds and four modes. This is true of the Tango as well, but of course, it’s much more irritating when each setting change takes a few presses and a precise angle to make it work.

But I don’t hate everything about the We-Vibe. Its shape is surprisingly comfortable and stable; it never pokes me in the vaginal wall or slides around, like the Lelo Tiani does. When the inner arm is lubed, my boyfriend’s average-sized penis can slide right in, and it doesn’t feel like my vagina is over-stuffed at all.

My boyfriend is a fan of the We-Vibe, for two main reasons: first, the vibrations distract him just enough that he can actually last longer when it’s on, and second, it works best when we’re pressed up tight against each other in missionary (which is his favorite way to have sex, because it’s so intimate).

It’s also completely waterproof (including the remote), and charges in a little dock via conduction (including the remote), which is pretty cool.

But I just can’t get on board with the We-Vibe 3. Its vibrations aren’t good enough. They’re surface-level, they’re weakened by the silicone they’re embedded in, and the sub-par remote frustrates me to no end. This toy does make sex feel better, but it can’t make me come, and that’s an issue for me.