Magic Wand Round Up: A Look at the 5 Popular Wands by Vibratex
Sep
If you’ve landed here, you may already be familiar with the Magic Wands by Vibratex (distributor)/Hitachi (manufacturer). The iconic white and blue pleasure devices have a utilitarian, no-frills look, but they’re widely recognized as some of the best wands out there in terms of power and reliability. They’ve been featured in tons of podcasts, tv shows, YouTube videos, and other detailed sex toy reviews. I recommend listening to the audio series “Making Magic” to learn more about how the Magic Wand impacted cultural perceptions of female pleasure and ultimately, approaches to sexual health overall. If you’re wondering which of the five Magic Wands to try first (or next), read on!
To save you a scroll, here’s the gist of it:
Our pick for power: The Mini (for travel) or the Rechargeable (for everyday).
Our pick for discretion: Mini or Micro, depending on the level of discretion needed. The Micro is small and very quiet, yet it packs a punch. The Mini is a bit larger, so its longer handle allows leverage that the Micro doesn’t. The Mini feels more powerful than the Micro, and it’s still relatively quiet.
Our pick for options: Rechargeable, hands down. Vibe intensity, pulse patterns, and cordless all in one!
Unboxing & Inspection
The rechargeable wands (Mini, Micro, and Rechargeable) came charged and ready to rock. I like to label cords with my label printer, so I did that promptly after opening the wands.
Micro: A 4.5″ (“micro-sized”) play partner! Even in its small box, the packaged Micro is innocuous enough to ship to your home without arousing much suspicion- it doesn’t scream, “I’m a sex toy,” but iykyk. It’s got a USB charging cable (adapter not included) and a little string handle to loop onto the end of the wand, if you want. Its slightly off-white small, smooth silicone head connects to the handle with a ridged, flexible neck similar to the Original (but smoother head).
Mini: Go up one size, and you have the Mini. It’s got the same smooth silicone head material as the Micro, but the head is a little larger, and the longer handle offers more leverage when you need to really grind the clit. Simple interface: just 3 speeds with indicator lights beneath the buttons. This model is rechargeable and comes with a plug-in cable. The head connects to the body with a smooth blue neck; possibly easier to clean than the ridged material on the Micro and Original wands. The Mini can’t be used while plugged in to charge.
Original: The OG, baby. The Original Wand does have that OG “analog” look (maybe homage to the earliest iteration of the Magic Wand ~50 years ago but with modern tech, of course). The head is a slightly textured vinyl material, and the handle is longer than the Mini. Its overall length is comparable to the Plus and Rechargeable.
The interface is an uber simple high/off/low manual switch. Yeah, it’s simple… but for this reason, I actually trust it more. The textured head has a recessed bevel and faint production seams. The head connects to the base with the same ridged neck as the Micro. As mentioned, that ridged material may be tedious to clean if your extra lube or fluids find their way past the head. It is a plug-in wand, so you get continuous power (per the user manual, turn it off after 25 minutes to prevent overheating).
Plus: The Plus has a smooth silicone head like the Mini but BIGGER head and handle (comparable in overall length to the Original and Rechargeable) for even more leverage. The power cord is unique to the Plus, and it clicks in nicely, heh. You’ve got to press the small button on the bottom of the base to easily detach/release the cord from the toy. (Don’t just yank it out.)
The Plus has a simple but responsive interface with four modes and four blue indicator lights beneath the buttons. The buttons are a little larger on the Plus and Rechargeable and therefore easier to press if you’re fumbling around, trying to land on the right vibe speed. (Important to note because these wands make you shaky in the best way!)
Rechargeable: The Rechargeable has the most internal packaging; it’s cradled by two cardboard forms inside the main box. Again, it’s got the same larger silicone head as the Plus, smooth connecting rod, and longer handle. The buttons feature new icons for vibration and pattern options, and the indicator lights display blue for continual vibration and green for pattern modes. Unlike the Mini, the Rechargeable can be used while plugged in.
*These wands should only be used with water-based lubricant and should be cleaned before and after each use.
*Magic Wands are NOT waterproof.
Literature
Inside each box, the toy is nestled in with the corresponding user manual and either the USB charging cable (Micro) or the plug-in cable (Mini, Plus, Rechargeable). The Original Wand’s cord is attached to its base.
The user manuals outline how/where to file a warranty claim (see the Magic Wand official warranty page here). They include instructions on charging and use. Most importantly, remember that these are NOT waterproof, so use care when cleaning your wand.
When you eventually need to retire your wand, the manual shows how to safely remove lithium batteries, if applicable.
In the instructions, we’re told to gently apply the wand to “desired body part for targeted relief.” Hah! After all, the Magic Wand was originally marketed as a massage device ~50 years ago!
Power, Patterns, Playtime & More
Important stats in one place!
| Wand | RPM (of corresponding speed) | Volume (dB) | Modes | Run Time (hrs) | Head Diameter (in) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | 4,500/5,500/6,500 | 29 | 3 speeds, 4 patterns | 3 | 1.3 | 1 Year |
| Mini | 3,500/5,000/6,000 | 32 | 3 speeds | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1 Year |
| Original | 5,000/6,000 | 40 | 2 speeds | Continuous | 2.25 | 1 Year |
| Plus | 2,700/3,800/5,400/6,300 | 38 | 4 speeds | Continuous | 2.4 | 1 Year |
| Rechargeable | 2,700/3,800/5,400/6,300 | 38 | 4 speeds, 4 patterns | 3 | 2.4 | 1 Year |
Travel Lock?
The Magic Wands do not have travel locks, so you may be concerned about them accidentally powering on when jostling around in a suitcase. The Plus and Original need to be plugged in to power on, but what about the other three? Honestly, the buttons do require a pretty intentional “push” to actuate. Still, if I needed to ensure that any of the rechargeable wands wouldn’t surprisingly power on, I’d pack them when they’re out of charge and then recharge at a compatible outlet when I reach my destination. (Power source: 100 – 240V for Mini/Plus/Rechargeable, 110 – 120V for Original)
Hands On
All five of the Magic Wands have snappy, responsive button-to-motor actuation. In my opinion, this suggests a well-made toy. The indicator lights on the Mini, Plus, and Rechargeable are a nice addition.
My Experiences with the 5 Magic Wands
Micro: I was prepared for the Micro to be a step down in power; maybe just a novelty riding on the recognizability of the iconic original Magic Wand… but no. The tiniest wand packs a surprising punch. Cycle through the 3 speeds and 4 patterns with the “M” button, and you’ve got a decent representation of the other Magic Wands but downsized to something cute and small enough to toss into your cosmetic or travel bag.
Its neck is slightly more flexible than the other wands. Since I’m someone who likes medium to strong pressure, I found myself bracing a couple fingers against the head to give it more rigidity. Doing this, the edge of the head feels nice to grind into if stroking somewhat parallel to the body.
Alternatively, since the head also has a little give when pressed straight down (see images; this is unique to the Micro) it feels good to hold almost perpendicular to the body and kind of ram into or try more gentle movements (kind of like it’s my partner teasing me). If you like to lay face down on your stomach, it’s probably the easiest to ride from that position with one hand under, tipping it up toward yourself. Its smaller head does make it better for localized stimulation.
Mini: The Mini’s slightly larger silicone head might be large enough to clamp between your legs and hold in place, if you like that. If you enjoy a broader surface to grind against, you may prefer the Mini over the Micro. When I power the Mini on, I feel its vibes throughout my entire genital area; it’s strong!
The Mini’s handle length is a good intermediate size; not unwieldy but enough length for leverage, adjusting, or experimenting with position. The buttons are still pretty small (same size as the Micro’s buttons) and there are just 3 vibration settings (no patterns). I think simplicity is a virtue when you’re in the mood to just grind away – sometimes I don’t wanna make additional decisions! 😀
Original: If you know me, you know that I’m risk averse. (If you do actually know me, and you’re reading this… hey!) For me, the Original’s simple high/off/low manual flip switch and plug-in power minimize concerns about reliability. These are features that just seem less prone to wear and breakage. You get right down to business with the Original.
The original does have the slightly textured vinyl head which is encircled by a beveled indentation about halfway down. There are production seams on top and bottom of this bevel, but I wasn’t bothered by these. This wand is pretty buzzy both in sound and in feel. I preferred the low setting for my purposes. The high setting, while super strong, nearly overstimulates me… but I still spend time there. 😉
Plus & Rechargeable: Because of their similar designs, I’ll discuss the Plus and Rechargeable as a pair and make distinctions as needed. These are STRONG and RUMBLY. When I first tried the Rechargeable’s highest vibe setting, I envisioned that my actual pelvis was vibrating. This intensity could provide some relief during menstrual cramps. Despite their power, they are both relatively quiet (both ~38 dB at their highest setting; see table above). The sounds of the motor are pretty well contained in the body of the wand. Someone in another room wouldn’t hear much, if anything at all, if you’re clutching one under bed covers.
When I compare the Plus/Rechargeable head to the Original, it feels like there is just slightly more of an edge (albeit; a very rounded edge) on the top of the head on the Plus and Rechargeable. That edge provides more sensory variation and can be manipulated for focused stimulation. I’m not trying to knock the beveled indentation on the Original, but it’s something about the top of the Plus/Rechargeable head that feels easier to manipulate, IMO.
The Plus and Rechargeable have larger buttons than the Micro and Mini, so it is slightly easier to punch that “+” button or “vibration” button to pick up the pace. They both have the smooth and large silicone head, which is perfect for clamping between your legs when you’re positioned just right or to play hands free. This larger head is my favorite for deep, broad stimulation of the vulva when the clit needs a break. Both the Plus and Rechargeable are compatible with attachments (for example, the Gee Whizzard by Austin-based dildo makers, Vixen Creations).
The main differences between the Plus and Rechargeable are that the Plus must be plugged in for power and that it has 4 vibe speeds and no patterns. The Rechargeable has 4 vibe speeds and 4 additional patterns (3 and 4 are my personal faves). I also believe the longer handle and cordless features of the Rechargeable wand make it a helpful aid for people with mobility challenges.
Final Thoughts
After examining the five Magic Wands and contemplating their independent and collective virtues, I understand the reason for the buzz. The product line addresses the need for reliable, responsive and powerful pleasure tools. They’ve engineered these things in small, mid-, and full-sized wands. My favorite is the Rechargeable for broad stimulation and vibe options, but you’ll find the Mini in my travel bag. The Mini still offers some broader stimulation, but it’s quiet and petite enough to be a travel tag along.
I’m a sucker for a colorful marbled Rose toy or a fantasy dildo, but the Magic Wand has proven its status as a mainstay pleasure tool. I can’t talk about Magic Wands without acknowledging the surrounding cultural phenomenon. Their popularity spurred broader discussions of sexual pleasure and sexual health… dare we say even reducing social stigma? Let’s continue this movement – enjoy!
