When it comes to sex toys, they have a pretty straightforward purpose. Very few are multitaskers, and if they do have different functions or can be used creatively, the end goal is pleasure. Unless you have a wand vibrator, that is. Also called a “sex wand”, this toy can help you tap into what might feel good throughout your body—and not just in your erogenous zones.
Whatever you decide to call them, there’s no denying that they’re great for non-sensual body massages and powerful orgasms, making them the ultimate multitasker. We tapped four sex experts to explain what a sex wand is, how to use one, and what to look for when you’re shopping for them. Of course, we also rounded up 15 wand vibrators that sex experts actually recommend.
Keep reading for all the goods.
What is a sex wand?
“Sex wands are personal vibrating massagers that can be used for sexual pleasure and to relieve muscle tension,” says Chanta Blue, LCSW, a sexuality and relationship therapist in New Jersey. They generally sport a long, slim handle and a bulbous head that vibrates or pulses for stimulation.
If you’re new to the wand vibrator game, Jessica O’Reilly, PhD, sexologist and host of the Sex with Dr. Jess podcast, as some words of encouragement for you: “On the surface, a wand can look intimidating, but it’s actually a great toy for beginners and pros alike, as it’s highly versatile,” O’Reilly says. “It can be used to create pleasure of all kinds across the entire body.”
How to use a sex wand
“When using it for sexual purposes, it’s best for external use when stimulating the [genital] area, including the clitoris as well as the penis and scrotum area,” says Blue, caveating that most wand vibrators are not designed for insertion. “I would recommend rubbing the wand along your external genitalia as well as other erogenous zones to explore which areas the sensations feel best for you,” adds Blue. Whether or not you’re inserting it, though, Blue says it’s a good idea “to use a personal lubricant to reduce chafing.”
Sex educator Cindy Luquin, MA, CSE, founder of sexual-health education platform Pleasure to People, emphasizes Blue’s point: “You always want to use lube because it’ll provide less friction, making it more pleasurable,” says Luquin. “Water-based lube is easy to wash off and compatible with more toys.”
And they’re not just for steamy solo sessions—Carol Queen, PhD, staff sexologist at Good Vibes ensures you can certainly use your wand vibrator during partnered sex, but “Solo stimulation is where the wand really shines, since its size is not usually an issue in that case, and it’s an easy vibe to use.” She recommends lying in a comfortable position and “moving the head of the wand all over your body first for stimulation and relaxation.” From there, you might consider focusing on your upper thighs and genitals when (or if!) you’re ready for the big O.
What to look for in a sex wand
There aren’t any hard-and-fast rules about what your wand vibrator should do or look like. That said, sexologists still want you to consider a few things before going all in.
1. Material
“When looking for any sex toy, the first thing you want to look for is the material of the toy,” says Blue. “You want to make sure it’s made from a body-safe material that is non-porous, which keeps it from collecting bacteria when using it.”
Blue adds that you’re in the clear if your toy is made of silicone, borosilicate glass, or stainless steel.
2. Power source
Some massagers plug into the wall while others are rechargeable—which is important to know depending on how you’re planning to use it. “If you really hope to travel with it, use it during intercourse, or if you live in a thin-walled apartment, consider smaller, cordless, quieter models, accordingly,” suggests Queen.
On the other hand, if your sex sessions are more sedentary (and close to an electrical outlet), O’Reilly recommends picking one with a cord so you don’t have to bother with charging.
3. Weight
Not everyone feels comfortable maneuvering a massive sex wand for long periods of time, which is why it’s also crucial to figure out how easy a toy is to hold. “If you have limited hand strength or mobility, find out about the weight of the toys that you are considering,” says Queen. If you’re shopping online, check the product pages which should list things like weight, dimensions, and charging capabilities. If you’re shopping in person, check the box, which should have all is information directly on the label.
15 wand vibrators that provide pleasure *and* relieve muscle tension
Chances are the words “sex wand” conjure up this iconic toy. Previously called the Hitachi Magic Wand, Queen notes that this has been a popular choice for a long time, despite the fact that its power source isn’t cordless. The cord is about six feet long, though, so it’s pretty mobile even though you’re tethered to an electrical outlet. Additionally, the fact that it’s a plug-in makes it so that you can use it Lionel Ritchie style: all night long.
In addition to being a plug-to-play vibe, the Original Magic Wand is made of vinyl at the head and plastic at the handle. At 12-inches long, it features two speeds, 5,000 vibrations per minute and 6,000 vibrations per minute. Since that’s some pretty intense vibration, Queen also says this isn’t the quietest toy. “I like to say it purrs like a kitten—but, to be honest, it’s a big kitten, so if you have thin walls and you’re a little shy, or like to consensually use your vibe next to your partner after they’ve fallen asleep, you might want a different model.”
Less intimidating but certainly just as powerful as its predecessor is the Magic Wand Mini. It’s cordless, has three speeds instead of two, and is made of silicone as opposed to vinyl. Its size (9.5 inches long and less than 10 ounces) also makes it a great on-the-go option, says Queen.
Since this little baby is rechargeable, it’s good to know that a full charge gives you 2.5 hours of uninterrupted pleasure. Importantly, though, it takes just as long to charge it, so we suggest keeping it charged to avoid pleasure interruptions. The good news is that this toy has a built-in mechanism to save battery life: It shuts off after 20 minutes of continuous use.
As of late, one of our favorite sexual wellness brands has been Pepper Essentials. It has a massage candle that’s amazing for foreplay massages and a water-based lube that’s safe with most toys. Also a mind-blowing Pepper product? Its massage wand! “This looks like a nice vibe,” says Queen. “I especially like the touch sensor function, which many others don’t have.”
The touch-sensor function makes this wand extremely easy to use, as it just takes a swipe of a finger to increase or decrease the vibe’s speed. Additionally, this silicone massage wand has six pulse patterns and three speeds. There’s also a high-tech touch sensor that powers off the toy when it’s no longer making body contact. As a result, there’s a slight delay, which is meant to prevent it from accidentally powering on, but once it’s going… oh, boy!
If you’d rather not have people hearing your self-care sessions, this is the vibe Luquin recommends. “It’s the most popular one with great reviews,” she says. “It looks like your typical body-wand massager with a head and a handle, which makes it easier on your hands and simpler to maneuver,” says Luquin. However, Queen adds that since this wand vibrator is smaller and quieter, it’s less strong than other vibes on this list.
The Le Wand Petite is available in four metallic colors, including rose gold, dark cherry, blue, and violet. It features six pulsation patterns, which you control via the middle button, as well as 10 vibration intensities, which you can increase or decrease with the top and bottom buttons respectively. This sex wand is made of body-safe silicone and is about 10 inches long. It’s also shower-friendly and rechargeable, taking two hours to charge to deliver a full hour of usage.
Blue lists this gorgeous sex wand as one of her favorites, and it’s not hard to see why. Of course, it’s aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also very efficient, adds Luquin. ”Lelo’s Smart Wand 2 features a more curved design for the handle, which is great because you don’t have to do too much maneuvering of your wrist or elbow,” Luquin says.
In addition to its ergonomic nature, the Smart Wand’s interface is easy to use as it has only three buttons: two to increase and decrease the speed and one to change the mode, of which the wand has 10. It’s made of body-safe silicone that feels smooth all over your body. The most stand-out feature of this toy, though, is that it offers up to four hours of pleasure on just one charge.
O’Reilly says that this particular vibe is the best “all-around best pick that’s silky smooth, powerful, cordless, and a sustainable option.” It’s easy to see her point, considering that this vibe is made of body-safe silicone and features four speeds as well as six vibration patterns accessible through a single button.
Since it’s cordless, you’ll have to charge this vibe, which takes about an hour for the same amount of usage time. At only 5.5 inches, you might think this little guy doesn’t offer as much oomph as bigger models, but a reviewer—who calls this sex wand “small but mighty”—asks you to reconsider: “Really easy to use and I love how cute and compact it is. Vibration is also quite strong on the highest setting which I wasn’t expecting for such a small wand.”
The Demi Wand is the product of a collaboration between sex toy retailer Bellesa Boutique and superstar Demi Lovato. It’s the definition of no-nonsense. For instance, where other sex wands use patterns, the Demi Wand only offers eight vibration modes, which you activate with the button at the bottom of the toy.
It’s also very discreet (in appearance and sound) since it’s only about five inches long. Unlike other rechargeable models, the Demi Wand comes with a non-descript charging case (kinda looks like a sunglasses case, tbh), that charges the vibe when it’s not in use. Like other models, though, this is made of body-safe silicone and is also waterproof.
“I love the flexibility of this wand, which helps to get better angles,” says Blue. From looking at a demo, it’s evident that this wand bends any way you need it to. “I also like that it has a travel mode feature on it to prevent your carry-on from unexpectedly during a flight,” Blue adds.
Dame’s powerful massage wand uses medical-grade silicone and is waterproof. It also features five intensity levels and the same amount of patterns, which allows you to mix and match rumbles to find what feels best for you. It’s about 10.5 inches long, making it a larger toy. That said, though, its size offers powerful and pleasurable vibrations. If you’re hoping to get an hour of usage, keep in mind that you’ll need to charge this vibe for 2.5 hours.
This rechargeable sex wand’s name comes from the fact that it literally fits in your palm. It’s teeny-tiny, kind of like a bullet vibrator, but it’s got that ball-shaped head that’s a staple for massage wands. “This would be great for folks who are just starting their toy collection, as it’s compact and thus may not feel too intimidating,” says Blue.
That said, Blue caveats that this may not be the best option for you if you’re searching for more intense vibrations. Other than that, there are some pretty impressive specs for the Palm Power Pocket Massager. For example, its silicone head is totally removable and it only features one button, which makes it easy to use. There aren’t any patterns, but there are multiple speeds to this water-resistant toy.
According to Blue, the We-Vibe Rave is also a wonderful option for “beginners because of its dual-purpose functionality,” she says. “The Rave can be used for external stimulation as well as for penetration, although I would caution against using it for anal penetration.” The We-Vibe Rave is also one of the more high-tech wands as it can be controlled through an app—making it perfect for “partnered play, especially for those in long-distance relationships,” says Blue.
This toy is made of body-safe silicone and features 10 vibration modes, which you can go into or out of with the touch of the button in the middle. You can also make it go slower or faster with the up and down arrows on either side of the middle button. With the We-Vibe Rave, you can get up to two hours of fun from a 90-minute charge.
This 12-inch massage wand boasts eight speeds and vibration patterns as well as waterproof status—you can submerge it in 3-foot-deep water for a whole half-hour. “I like this toy because it’s a good size and pretty easy to use to stimulate yourself sexually but to also massage your back,” says Luquin. “It’s the definition of multipurpose.”
If you have other Unbound toys, rest assured that the charger for that will also work with the Ollie, since it’s universal. It takes about an hour to fully charge and gives you an hour of play thereafter. The head of this toy is about 3.5 inches long and almost seven inches in circumference, so it covers a lot at once. Whether you’re looking for a “new bathtime buddy or post-workout massager,” you can’t go wrong with the Ollie. (Their words!)
As a sexologist with decades of experience, Queen says this is her favorite massager. “First of all, it’s super gorgeous,” says Queen. “These are clad in metal, [aluminum and titanium], not plastic, have silicone heads, are corded, and are especially rumbly,” she adds.
She likens it to the Original Magic Wands and notes that you can actually bring this one on international travels. The Doxy Number 3 is similar to the Magic Wand because it’s extremely powerful, reaching up to 9,000 revolutions per minute. The plug-in cord is 12 feet long, so you have a bit of space to work with if necessary. If you’re looking for an uber-powerful massage wand, we suggest adding this one to your cart.
One of the first things that struck me about The FemmeFunn Ultra Wand is that its silicone surface is textured all over. “It is so cool-looking, with a patterned exterior that doubles as a grip assist,” says Queen. “It’s petite, rechargeable, and waterproof,” she adds.
This model is available in three different colors—purple, turquoise, and pink—and offers 10 different vibrations. It’s about 8.25 inches long and the head measures almost two inches in diameter. Sure, it’s a smaller model, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in flexibility. It’s easy to use, considering that you only need to press one button in order to find what feels good for you.
The Naughty Bits WILF—and, yes, that stands for “wand I’d like to f*ck”—is a beautifully patterned massager made out of body-safe silicone. As you might recall, not all sex wands are meant for internal use. That said, if you were going to try it with one, this would be a great option. “I know someone somewhere has flipped the wand over to explore the handle’s erotic possibilities,” says Queen.
This rechargeable vibe has 10 functions “of intense vibration, pulsation, and escalation,” per the product’s page. With a full charge, which takes about 2.5 hours, you get up to three hours of pleasure. It’s similar in size to The FemmeFunn Ultra Wand—coming in at 8.5 length and about two inches in diameter. Plus, it’s also waterproof!
According to Queen, “The Sunflower is a very modern take on the wand vibe. It vibrates at both ends, has multiple functions, is mid-range strong—for those who find the powerhouse wands to be a bit much—and its head is textured for varying sensation.”
One look at the waterproof The Sunflower is all you need to know it stands out from the pack exactly because of its new-age design. Instead of having a tennis-ball-like tip, The Sunflower features a ribbed head for different sensations throughout your body. But this sex wand doesn’t just look good; It also comes equipped with 10 vibrating speeds and functions, all customizable with the touch of the top button (for increasing speeds) or the bottom button (in case you want to slow it all down).