Electro play has been an interest of mine ever since I first encountered a restored violet wand at a fetish fair. (Have you seen them? They’re gorgeous. They’re also expensive as hell. Mr C&K and I have a friend who has an amazing electro set-up in their home dungeon which we love playing with when we get the opportunity to visit. But until now, exploring electro-play at home has been difficult for us due to the cost of the gear. Enter the Kinklab Obsidian Neon Wand Intensity Kit.
A word of safety warning: please don’t buy a knock-off neon wand from places like Amazon, Aliexpress or Shein. I made this mistake when I was young and uneducated. We were fortunate that nothing bad happened, but please, please, please buy your electro-sex gear from a reputable kink and BDSM supplier.
What is a Neon Wand?
The neon wand is a modern and cheaper alternative to the violet wand, a turn-of-the-century quack medical device. Now a popular BDSM toy, violet or neon wands discharge electricity across the surface of the skin, creating a sensation that can range from a gentle, warming tickle to a sharp and scratchy pain.
I’m informed that the sensation is somewhat similar to getting tattooed, but having inkless skin (for now) means I can’t testify as to the accuracy of this claim.
A neon wand consists of the main wand handle and various attachments (sometimes called electrodes) which are made of glass or conductive silicone. When you plug an electrode into the wand and then touch it to the body, it transmits electricity across the skin. When switched on, the inside of the clear glass electrodes glows a bright colour, most commonly red or purple. This video is a good visual if you want to see and hear the Kinklab Neon Wand in action.
There are lots of reasons why people might enjoy electro play (sometimes also called e-stim, electro-stim or electro-sex.) Some find the sensation pleasant, relaxing, or even meditative. Others are masochists and get off on pain. For some people, these devices play into a medical kink, while for others it’s about conquering a fear or seeing how much they can take. As with most kinks, the motivations are as varied as the people who partake.
Kinklab Neon Wand: Obsidian Intensity Kit
The Obsidian Neon Wand Intensity Kit is a bundle that consists of the neon wand and two attachments: the Electro-Whip and the Flex Capacitor, both made from conductive silicone.
Be aware that this kit does not come with any glass attachments, so if you want those you’ll need to buy them separately. Stockroom sells quite a few by KinkLab that are compatible with this set.
The neon wand has an 8 foot power cable. A word of warning for my non-US readers: it is a US plug, so you’ll need an appropriate step-down converter to use it safely in your country. Thankfully, I already have one for purposes of using my Magic Wand.
KinkLab Neon Wand Kit Review: In Use
The Obsidian Neon Wand Intensity Kit’s user interface couldn’t be simpler. There’s a single dial control to control the power and intensity. There are comprehensive instructions so even BDSM beginners can get set up and start playing with the kit in minutes.
I experience electro-play on a spectrum that ranges from tickle to sting. At the lower ends, the Neon Wand Intensity Kit reminds me somewhat of the sensation of having a Wartenberg wheel drawn across my skin. On the higher settings, it’s a sharp and stingy pain. If you hate stingy sensations, neon wand play is unlikely to be for you.
Electrode 1: Electro-Whip
The Electro-Whip is actually a small flogger, with ten falls made of conductive silicone. This is not a toy for hard impact. Despite the name and design, this “whip” is more designed for dragging across the body, leaving a trail of sparks wherever it goes. You can strike with it gently, but again, think “stroke” rather than “strike.”
It’s a stingy fucker! The high number of contact points on the body all at once and their small surface area means this one delivers a lot of bite.
Electrode 2: Flex Capacitor
The Flex Capacitor is described as the most intense of all neon wand electrodes, and it’s an apt description.
The two-pronged tip sends a powerful shock to wherever it touches. The Flex is best for short, sharp bursts of pain. I couldn’t stand this one on any but the lowest settings, it’s that intense.
Using Your Kinklab Neon Wand Kit Safely
As with all BDSM activities, there are some risks inherent in electro-play. Knowledge is your first and greatest line of defense. This is not an exhaustive list and I am not a doctor, so please do your own research before you start playing, but as a starting point here are some of the key safety points you need to be aware of:
- Again, please buy a genuine device from a reputable supplier.
- Check your cords before play. If any of them are frayed or look damaged, do not use the device.
- Store your device in a cool, dry place. Don’t get it wet or use it in a damp environment such as the bathroom. Make sure your skin is completely dry before you begin playing. Come on folks, we all learned in primary school that water and electricity don’t mix, didn’t we?
- Check the voltage/ampage and make sure you are using an appropriate converter for your country’s outlets, if relevant.
- Do not leave your device plugged in when you’re not using it.
- Read the instruction manual and follow it.
- Do not do electro play if you have a pacemaker. Always check before playing with a new partner. Do not assume your partner knows that pacemakers and electro-play are a bad combination.
- Do not do electro-play if you have any kind of inbuilt/non-removable medical device in your body (such as, for example, an insulin pump). The electricity can damage your device, putting you at risk.
- Do not do electro-play if you have a heart defect.
- Do not do electro-play if you experience seizures.
- Do not do electro-play if you are pregnant.
- Remove any metal jewellery or accessories before you start.
- Do not hold the device on one spot on the body for more than a second or two. Keep it moving. This will greatly reduce the risk of burns or skin damage.
- If you experience intense pain or any sensation that worries you, stop immediately.
- Do not use the device on the face or head, especially near the eyes or mouth.
- Start out at a low setting, build up slowly, and listen to your body.
Kinklab Neon Wand Intensity Kit Review: Verdict
I love this kit. Though it’s easy to use, I think this kit is probably best enjoyed by more advanced players or those who know they enjoy more intense electro-play sensations. If you’re a complete beginner, I’d recommend starting out with a basic kit with glass electrodes.
The Obsidian Neon Wand Intensity Kit retails for $187.99 and is available from Stockroom, Good Vibes and Babeland.
Thank you to Stockroom for sending us this product to review. Affiliate links appear in this post. All views are my own.