Tag: bullet vibrator

Fingers touching an orange suggestively. Header for a Hot Octopuss DiGiT and Amo review

[Toy Review] Hot Octopuss DiGiT & AMO

Published on by Amy

I received these products in fairly quick succession, so I decided I’d do something a bit different and try a compareview (that’s a comparison/review) of the Hot Octopuss DiGiT finger vibe and AMO bullet. And, because I enjoy a bit of friendly competition, I’m going to award a point in each section of the review and finish by telling you which one I recommend more.

Hot Octopuss Digit & Amo

Hot Octopuss burst onto the sex toy scene in 2013 with the Pulse III, a toy for penis-owners that utilises PulsePlate, a patented technology based on medical science. Read more here, it’s genuinely fascinating. Since then, the company has branched out, with various products for both penises and vulvas. The latest two offerings are DiGiT and AMO.

Hot Octopuss Digit
Digit
Hot Octopuss AMO
AMO

The Hot Octopuss Digit is a finger vibrator with two plastic loops at the base. You pop two fingers through these loops and the shaft rests against the length of one finger, essentially becoming an extension of your hand while you play.

The Hot Octopuss AMO is a more traditional bullet vibe, with a shaft that widens at the top. One side has a gentle curve and the other has a pinpoint tip for more targeted stimulation.

Stats, Size, and Other Important Things

The Hot Octopuss Digit and AMO are both USB rechargeable, giving around 40 minutes of running time on a full charge. I would prefer both toys to have a longer battery life. It can take me 20-30 minutes or longer to reach orgasm, which functionally means having to charge the toy before every use.

Both toys are USB rechargeable and waterproof.

Size-wise, there’s not much in it either. The Digit is slightly heavier (58g to the AMO’s 43g) while the AMO is a little longer (9.5cm vs DiGiT’s 8.7cm.)

The main shaft of both toys is made of black silicone. The bases (and, in the case of the Digit, the finger loops) are plastic. These toys are designed to be used externally. You could insert them into your vagina if you wished, but they are not anal-safe, particularly the AMO.

Thus far, it’s a draw.

Is the Hot Octopuss Digit or AMO More Innovative?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking a tried-and-true formula and doing it well. Bullet vibrators are a staple for a reason, and almost every toy company I can think of has one in its product line. AMO does, however, have an edge over the standard bullet design in that the unique shape adds something extra. We’ll touch on this more a little later.

The Hot Octopuss Digit, though, is a little more innovative. While wear-it-on-your-finger vibrators do, of course, exist elsewhere, all the ones I’ve ever tried have either been made of unsafe materials, had such weak vibrations that my fingers could do a better job by themselves, or both. The two-loops design is also something I haven’t seen before and makes the toy more comfortable to wear.

The Digit wins the innovation round!

Aesthetics

Hot Octopuss toys have a distinct style to them, and these two are no exception. The Digit’s base and finger loops are a kind of brown-bronze colour with a gold band separating the base from the shaft. The Hot Octopuss name is stamped into the silicone on the side of the toy and the crown logo is embossed on one of the finger loops. After just a couple of uses, though, this logo started to rub off.

AMO’s plastic base is a dark red at the bottom which fades to black where it blends with the main body at the join. The company name is embossed on the side of the base. Both toys have the Hot Octopuss crown logo stamped on the bottom of their base.

Aesthetics-wise, AMO wins for me. They’re both perfectly attractive toys but the red and black is such a stylish and sexy combo.

Settings and Controls

On both the Hot Octopuss Digit and AMO, there’s a single on/off/change setting button on one side of the shaft and up/down speed buttons on the other side.

The button placement is kinda awkward on the Digit. Because it was attached to the fingers of my dominant hand, I could only change the settings by either curling my thumb under at a really unnatural angle or bringing my other hand into play.

Full disclosure here, though: I’m left-handed. I also tried the toy on my right hand and this does, indeed, make the button placement feel somewhat more intuitive as the up/down buttons are perfectly placed to press them with your thumb. It still loses points, though, for being significantly less accessible and user-friendly to lefties like myself.

The button placement is much less of an issue on the AMO simply because of the way you use it. When I used it with my left hand, the speed buttons were well placed to easily push with my index finger.

The Digit has five speeds and five patterns, while the AMO has six speeds and five patterns

AMO takes the point for user-friendliness and for that one additional speed.

Hot Octopuss Digit vs. AMO: Which is More Powerful?

They’re identical. Hot Octopuss appears to have used the exact same type of motor in both of these toys.

In terms of power, I’d describe these toys as middling. The vibrations are pretty rumbly and have some power behind them, but they’re not blow-your-socks-off strong. They’re not powerful enough to get me off in five minutes, but they’re not “vainly smooshing it against my clitoris and hoping I feel SOMETHING” either.

It’s a draw on this one.

User Experience

I enjoyed using both of these toys. However, I don’t see myself reaching for the Digit for solo play very often in the future. It’s more likely a toy I’d use for hand sex with a partner. AMO, though, might just earn a place in my regular rotation.

The reason for this difference, given the identical motors, lies in the products’ shapes. The Digit’s smooth surface felt perfectly enjoyable, but the AMO’s pinpoint tip really blew me away. It’s the ideal shape and angle for targeting the perfect spot on my clit.

No contest in this one: AMO wins hands-down.

Price

The Hot Octopuss Digit retails for £59.95 and the AMO retails for £49.95.

The price difference here makes this an easy one – AMO takes another point.

Verdict: Which One Should I Get?

Both of these products are quality toys with decent motors. However, the AMO is the overall winner from my perspective.

Get the Digit and AMO directly from Hot Octopuss.

Thanks to Hot Octopuss for sending me these products to review. All views are, as ever, completely my own. Affiliate links appear in this post. Product photos by Hot Octopuss.

Header image for a review of the Lovehoney Take Control bondage kit

[Kink Product Review] Lovehoney Take Control Bondage Kit

Published on by Amy

Sex toy kits are a fantastic idea in theory, but usually significantly less amazing in practice. Too often, they’re little more than a collection of cheap and poor-quality products shoved together in a pretty box and sold for a premium price. I’ll nearly always tell my readers to forego a kit and spend a bit more on just one or two quality items. However, I try to keep an open mind, which is why I agreed to review the Take Control Bondage Kit for beginners from Lovehoney.

Take Control: A Beginners’ Bondage Kit by Lovehoney

It’s been a very long time since I was new to BDSM. I’ve been doing kinky shit for well over a decade and have accrued a sizeable collection of toys, from basic staples to custom collars, premium impact toys, and more. So a beginner kit is not something I would ever buy for myself.

Therefore, I am trying to step back in time ten years or so in my mind, and view this BDSM starter kit through the eyes of someone who is just starting out, collecting their first beginner BDSM toys, or maybe wondering if they’re even kinky.

Lovehoney Take Control Bondage Kit: First Impressions

The Take Control Bondage Kit comes in one simple box, with all the products clearly displayed on the front so you know exactly what to expect. The packaging is brightly coloured and fun, reducing the intimidation factor for nervous new kinksters.

"Take Control" Lovehoney bondage kit
"Take Control" Lovehoney bondage kit in its box

There’s a LOT of information on the box, too. I appreciate that Lovehoney has provided a brief description on how to use each item as well as some basic information on safety and consent. The box reminds players to use safewords, never leave a bound person alone, and have a non-verbal safe signal if someone is gagged. It’s pretty 101-level stuff, but that’s also what a complete newcomer to kink is likely to need. Top marks for that.

I wasn’t delighted with the way the box was packed. Everything was just sort of piled in, each item wrapped in a cellophane wrapper. It’s a lot of unnecessary single-use plastic.

There is no real leather in this kit, making it vegan-friendly.

What’s in the Lovehoney Take Control Bondage Kit?

With that said, I think this is overall a decent beginners’ bondage kit. Many BDSM starter kits and sex toy kits generally are filled with things that aren’t even safe, let alone of good quality.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? Just for fun, I’ve included a fun tip or an idea to try with each item in the Take Control kit. As always, pick the ones that resonate for you, leave the rest, and add your own ideas as you explore.

1: Blindfold

This blindfold is super comfy. It’s also thick and padded, meaning I couldn’t see a thing when it was on. The band is stretchy, too, so it should fit most people comfortably.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Blindfold your partner and stroke different items across their body – a silk scarf, a piece of velvet, the tails of your flogger – and have them guess what each item is.

2. Nipple suckers

I really liked these little suckers! They’re a great gentle introduction to nipple play, and perfect if you want some sensation but without the pain of nipple clamps or clothes pegs. They work for all chest sizes, from flat chests to large breasts, and most nipple sizes. If you flick or hit them too hard, they will fly off, but they can withstand some gentle manipulation.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Tell your partner to fetch you something from another room with these on. They’ll have to move carefully, though – they’ll be spanked if one falls off!

3. Ball gag

Full disclosure: I hate ball gags. I fucking hate them. They make my jaw hurt, they make me drool, and I can’t kiss my partner when I’m wearing one. They’re basically a soft limit at this point. With that said, this is a fine ball-gag if you do like them. The holes make it breathable, and silicone is a non-porous and hygienic material. I also like how adjustable this gag is. With 9 buckle holes, it will fit most people comfortably.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Make your submissive try to repeat words back to you while gagged.

4. Flogger

This is a stingy little fucker! Don’t let the small size fool you, this flogger can pack a wallop. The falls are made of thin rubber, which delivers a vicious sting when you put some force behind it. If pain isn’t your thing, you can drag it sensually across the skin for a gentle tickle. I would have liked the handle to have a bit more width and weight to it.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Try gently flogging the vulva or penis if your partner is up for it. Remember to clean your flogger thoroughly afterwards to remove any bodily fluids.

5. Wrist and ankle cuffs

These were the weakest part of the Take Control kit by far, for me. They’re quite thin and made of nylon, with no padding, which means they chafe if you put any pressure on them. They’re fine for exploring the feeling of being restrained, but if you want to pull against them at all I recommend getting some quality BDSM cuffs.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Restrain your partner then make them watch you masturbate in front of them.

6. Under-bed restraints

These are great, except for the tiny detail that they don’t fit my bed! We have a Super King bed and these restraints fit up to King Size. So they’ll be fine for the vast majority of people, but if you have a ridiculously giant bed like us, they may not fit.

These restraints are strong, durable, and easy to both set up and tuck out of sight when you’re done, if you want to. The little clips mean you can easily add any set of cuffs to them.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: when your partner is restrained, run a cube of ice along their body or drip low-temperature candle wax onto their skin.

7. Silicone suction cup dildo

Wow, a body-safe dildo in a BDSM kit! This shouldn’t be a pleasant surprise, and yet it is. This dildo measures 6″ in length and has a diameter of 1.5″. The slight curve is ideal for targeting the G-spot or prostate, and the silicone is super soft and silky. The suction cup and hollow space for a bullet vibrator are great additions.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Tease your lover’s entrance with the dildo until they beg to have it inside them.

8. Strap-on harness

This is the same harness that Lovehoney sells as part of their basic strap-on sex/pegging kit a few years ago. It’s comfortable and the rings are interchangeable so you can use it with any dildo with a flared base. However, it’s a pretty basic harness and you’ll want to upgrade to a higher-quality harness if you find you enjoy strap-on play.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: If you have a vulva, insert a wearable vibrator before you put on your harness. This will stimulate you while you penetrate your partner.

9. Wired bullet vibrator

I was fully expecting this bullet vibrator to be awful. While it’s far from the strongest bullet vibrator in the world and it is a little buzzy, it’s not a bad basic bullet for the size and price. It has several patterns as well as steady vibration speeds.

I don’t love that it’s wired rather than cordless, but the wire is long enough for one partner to control the remote while the other holds the vibrator against their genitals. The bullet takes 2x AAA batteries, which are not included.

Beginners’ bondage kit play idea: Switch it off just when your lover is on the edge of orgasm and make them beg for release.

Lovehoney Take Control Beginners’ Bondage Kit: Verdict

On the whole, the Take Control Bondage Kit is a very solid basic beginners’ set for the price. If you’re brand new to exploring your kinks, you get a lot of bang for your buck here.

The Take Control kit retails for £79.99 UK/$99.99 US.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this kit in exchange for an honest review. If you choose to purchase this or anything else from Lovehoney, please buy through my affiliate links – it supports the blog at no extra cost to you!

We-Vibe Tango review header image

[Toy Review] We-Vibe Tango

Published on by Amy

Update 02/03/22: The We-Vibe Tango has been replaced by the new and improved Tango X and Tango 2 vibes. I normally remove obsolete reviews but I have left this We-Vibe Tango review up to show the evolution of this product.

Info & Details

Reviews of the We-Vibe Tango often say that it’s the strongest bullet vibrator currently on the market. The Tango is small, measuring only 3.5″ in length and about 0.75″ in diameter. It’s the standard “lipstick” bullet shape with a small flattened edge at the top leading to a point.

We-Vibe Tango small plastic lipstick vibrators in pink and blue
Image: We-Vibe

The We-Vibe Tango is USB rechargeable with a battery life of around 90 minutes, waterproof, and comes with a drawstring storage bag. It is made of ABS (hard) plastic and available in pink or blue.

We-Vibe Tango Review: In Use

I could just say “the We-Vibe Tango is a fucking great product” and leave it there. Because it is. But let’s get a little more in-depth.

This baby is seriously powerful and seriously rumbly. I particularly love how the plastic body of the toy enhances the rumbles and doesn’t dampen the power of the motor at all. (If this sounds like too much for you and you’d prefer your vibrations to be somewhat dampened by a layer of silicone, the We-Vibe Touch is a great option!)

The Tango is super light and tiny, fitting neatly in my hand. Its single button on the base is easy to press. The single-button interface is kind of annoying – you can only scroll through the settings one way, i.e. you can’t go back a step without flicking through them all first. However, the Tango does have a useful memory function: whichever setting you’re using when you switch the toy off, it will return to that same setting when you switch it back on. There are four constant speeds and four patterns.

This seems like a really petty gripe when this We-Vibe Tango review is so positive, but I need to say it: it bugs me that this toy is advertised as “for solo play.” I mean, sure, it’s definitely great for that. But it’s also great for use with a partner, or several. Just as literally any toy can be “for couples,” any toy can also be used for solo sex. Let’s not get prescriptive in how people use toys.

We-Vibe Tango Review: Verdict

I now understand why so many people rave about this toy. I cannot overstate how utterly excellent it is. It is certainly going to be my go-to for a small, light, travel-friendly and powerful as hell vibe.

The We-Vibe Tango retails for £54.99 at the time of writing. It’s definitely on the higher end of the price range for a bullet vibrator, but I think it’s worth it. It is so superior in quality to the overwhelming majority of superficially-similar toys on the market. It also comes with a one-year warranty.

I bought this toy for myself and did not receive anything in exchange for this We-Vibe Tango review. This post does contain affiliate links and if you buy through one, I make a small commission. All views are mine.