How To Use A Wand Vibrator? PRO TIPS from a Sex Toy Tester!

Wand vibrators can bring more than a little magic to your solo and partnered sex life. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll probably want one after you read this article — and we can help you shop! If you do already own one or more, keep reading to learn how to make the most of it.

What Is a Wand Vibrator?

A wand vibrator is a sex toy with (typically) a handle and a rounded tip. It is designed for external stimulation. Wand vibrators are usually pretty powerful and most offer a menu of patterns and intensities to choose from.

People who are new to sex toys often enjoy wand vibrators because their appearance is not intimidating and the learning curve is not steep. But they’re also well-suited for folks who know their way around an adult toy chest since they are versatile and the vibrations can be very intense.

People have used electric “personal massagers” for sexual purposes ever since electricity was harnessed for domestic appliances; wand vibrators have been well-loved for well over a century. But they came out of the closet, so to speak, with the Hitachi Magic Wand in the 1970s. The Magic Wand has always been marketed as a massager, even though “the people we hire know what it’s for without our having to say it.” Feminist sex educator Betty Dodson featured the Magic Wand in her masturbation workshops, and the rest is history (or her-story).

Are They Safe to Use?

The short answer is: yes, with reasonable care and caution. Read on for the more complete answers!

Wands are designed to be used externally (around the clitoris, on the head of the penis, etc.) Toys that do not enter the body are generally considered safer than toys that are used internally. However, because wands are meant for external use, many of them lack some features that would make them body-safe for penetration. The silicone head may not be seamlessly joined to the body, for example; this means that there may be minuscule gaps that could harbor bacteria and other contaminants.

Even if your wand feels really good, it needs to stay on the outside of your body. If you would like to experiment with penetration, there are attachments that make this kind of play safe and we will discuss those further down in this article.

Wands are very popular sex toys, and this means that there is quite a wide variety out there. Most of them are made from body-friendly materials, but not all are, so this is something to check for before you purchase. Body-friendly materials for sex toys include medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, and metals such as stainless steel. You are not likely to find many wands made of the latter two, although some, like Le Wand do have metal bodies.

We also recommend choosing wand vibrators that are waterproof (either splashproof or fully submersible), because this makes them much easier to clean. Even if you are not using the wand internally, it still needs to be cleaned after every use and there’s no reason to make this process more complicated than it needs to be.

Wand vibrators are among the most powerful sex toys.

• Master Series Thunderstick Pro: up to 11,000 RPM
• Doxy Die Cast: up to 9,000 RPM
• Magic Wand: 6,000 – 6,300 RPM

For perspective, the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s 6.5-liter V12 engine can reach 11,000 RPM, and spindles in CNC machining mills often run around 6,000 RPM.

Sex toys are engineered and tested and then tested again to be safe, so you’re not going to do any permanent damage to your genitals even if you rev up your wand like a racecar — but there’s a fair chance that it will not feel great if you try the top speed from a cold start.

Prep and Cleaning

It’s always a good idea to clean any sex toy before you use it (yes, even if you washed it well before putting it away, and yes, even if it is brand-new out of the box). The world is dirty and genitals are sensitive.

You should also inspect your wand before play time. Large scrapes or scratches could irritate your tissues, and smaller ones could be a host for germs or other contaminants. We recommend not using any sex toy that has visible damage, but putting a condom over it will likely make it safe for use.

Check the Charge

It is never fun, although it’s happened to most of us, when your sex toy powers off right as you’re approaching orgasm. We recommend a little preventative maintenance as part of your pregame. If your wand vibrator is battery-operated, swap out for some fresh ones (you can save the ones currently in the wand to use in other household appliances). If it is rechargeable, top it off. And if it’s a plug-in (the most powerful wand vibrators are usually the plug-ins), make sure that the cord is securely connected to both the vibrator and the outlet.

Testing, Testing

We’ve mentioned more than a few times that wand vibrators can be extremely powerful. If this is your first time with a new product, or it’s been a while since you’ve played with your wand, we recommend that you give it a test run on the inside of your forearm or the back of your calf. Put the wand through its paces and see what 9,000 RPM feels like in action! This should give you a decent sense of where you want to max out on the intensity level.

Set the Scene

Sex — even sex with yourself — is almost always better with a little foreplay, and foreplay starts long before the pants come off. Set yourself up so that you are comfortable in bed, on the couch, or wherever else you like. Have a soft towel handy, prepare a cold drink, and turn on your favorite music. You deserve to be seduced!

Lube Is Lovely

It’s always a good idea to use lube with sex toys, but especially when there is the potential for more friction than might be desirable. Water-based lube is a safe choice because it is compatible with all sex toys, condoms, and most humans. It does have a tendency to dry out, though, so you should be prepared to reapply as needed.

Oil-based lubes (or body-safe, food-grade oils) are also an option as long as you are not using a condom for partnered sex. They are safe to use with most silicone sex toys, but you should always check the user manual to be sure. Silicone (or hybrid) lubes cannot be used with silicone sex toys, and most wand vibrators have at least some silicone components.

Start Low and Slow

It’s easier, safer, and more fun to gradually increase intensity than it is to jump right in the deep end and splash around until you get your bearings. Almost all wand vibrators have their control buttons on the handle, so they are accessible and easy to operate. Let yourself get used to how it feels and then play around with the settings (hopefully, you remember what you liked when you tested it on your arm) until you find your rhythm.

Try Some Attachments

Many of the major wand vibrator manufacturers, as well as some third-party developers, produce attachments that fit over the head of the wand. Some of them allow you to experiment with different textures, some are meant for internal use (it’s usually not safe to insert a wand vibrator, but you can use a G-spot attachment to experience the intensity internally), and some that are designed to pleasure penises.

Make sure that you choose attachments that are compatible with your wand vibrator, and if you are purchasing from a manufacturer that you are not familiar with (not the same as the wand), check that the attachment is made of body-friendly materials and is easy to clean.

For Penises Too

As we mentioned above, there are attachments that are designed for penises, but even without those, a wand vibrator can definitely be used on a penis. Many people with penises enjoy running it up and down the shaft, circling the head, or pressing gently on the frenulum. The same cautions apply; test it on a non-genital area first (this can be part of foreplay), and start low and slow.

Exploring Different Positions

Lying on your back with your hips elevated gives the best access to your clitoris, and since wand vibrators are meant for external use, this is probably the “best” position when you’re playing solo. It’s definitely not the only one, though. You can try lying on your stomach and pressing down on the wand, or sitting on a chair with your legs spread. You will get slightly different angles and therefore different sensations with each position, so it’s worth trying a few.

Aftercare and Maintenance

Take some time to come down after your orgasm. Enjoy that cold drink that you set yourself up with, and let yourself recover slowly. Then wipe yourself down with a soft towel.

Now it’s time to clean your wand vibrator. Wipe off any lube or other leftovers. If yours is waterproof, wash it well with gentle fragrance-free soap, rinse it until the water runs clear and all suds are gone, pat it with a soft towel, and let it air out until it is completely dry. If it is not waterproof, you can use a specialized sex toy cleaner or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Then check the surface for any scrapes or scratches. Store it in a soft lint-free fabric bag, and make sure to store any charging cables, attachments, or other accessories with the toy. Keep it away from heat sources or direct sunlight.

Happy vibing!

Maggie

Maggie Hart has written about sexual well-being and sexuality in society for quite a few years now. She is active in communities that celebrate sex for older adults.

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