LELO SONA 3 Cruise Review

Can a single-function clit sucker have enough features to justify the $180 price tag? LELO is betting that it can. And I am someone eager to find out if the LELO SONA 3 Cruise has the tech and luxury to back up that price tag. In the past, LELO has created some of the most innovative and unrivaled toys I’ve tried. But that means the SONA 3 Cruise has a lot to live up to. Is this sonic wave stimulator worth upgrading to? Find out alongside me in this review.

Key Takeaways

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who own the LELO SONA 2 Cruise and those who don’t. If you already own the SONA 2, you have several reasons to upgrade: the battery lasts longer, it’s app-compatible, the new design is more aesthetically pleasing, and it features SmoothRise Technology, which guides you seamlessly from sensation to sensation. If you want a clit sucker with all the features, this is your stop.

Who Should Try It? If you have a clit and the cash to spend, the LELO SONA 3 Cruise will help you understand the draw of suction toys. You will love it whether you’re overly sensitive like me or a power hound who needs intensity, thanks to the numerous settings. Anyone who wants a clit sucker that will make you believe you’re at a spa (new business idea: a masturbation spa) will be thrilled by the thoughtful, helpful features included.

Who Can Skip It? If you don’t like suction of any level, are on a budget, or have a larger clit, you need to keep looking. A good place to start is the Womanizer Duo 2, a high-end rabbit vibe that features two interchangeable nozzle sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for nearly everyone.

You Can Buy It on the official LELO website for $180.

What Is the LELO SONA 3 Cruise?

The LELO SONA 3 Cruise is a souped-up clit sucker with every feature imaginable. It’s waterproof, app-compatible, and ready to make masturbation feel extravagant. The Cruise Control feature aims to minimize the motor stalling out when you push the toy against you, and SmoothRise makes the changes in stimulation gradual rather than jarring. Add in the SenSonic waves, which provide gentle, vivid stimulation to your clit, and you’ve got a peerless clitoral suction device on your hands.

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First Impressions and Features

Unboxing

The unboxing gets an A+ from me, unsurprisingly. LELO knows how to make a sex toy, but they also know how to make a stunning unboxing experience. My only minor disappointment was that they did not include lubricant. Some people may be under the impression that you don’t need lube with a clitoral suction device, but not me. It’s mandatory! You’ll have to grab some water-based lube before your device arrives, which is a minor inconvenience but feels significant since this is an expensive purchase.

Features

The LELO SONA 3 Cruise has numerous features, including:

• SenSonic Technology: touch-free clitoral stimulation that prevents overstimulation
• App-connectivity
• Twelve settings: ten pre-programmed and two more available on the app
• SmoothRise Technology: smoothly transitions between settings without the jarring stair-step transition most sex toys use
• ISO 3533 compliant: it meets the international safety standard, so you can rest assured that the materials used are safe for your body

Specifications

LELO SONA 3 Cruise specifications at a glance:

• Material: Body-safe silicone and ABS plastic
• Size: 4.41 x 2 x 2.17”
• Color: Black, plum, or soft pink
• Mechanism: Touch-free SenSonic Technology (clitoral suction)
• Weight: 4.5 oz

How Do I Use the LELO SONA 3 Cruise?

Using the LELO SONA 3 Cruise is not hard, even for first-timers. After you unbox it, plug that sucker in and begin the charging process. The website estimated that it would take two hours to charge and last up to two hours. When I tested it, it took roughly two hours to charge and then lasted nearly four hours on the first setting. It would likely last around two hours on higher settings.

Once your Cruise is fully charged, wash it. Since this bad boy is waterproof, cleaning couldn’t be easier. Wash thoroughly with warm water and soap, or use a sex toy cleaner. When it’s time for a more comprehensive scrub down, grab a toothbrush to get into those hard-to-reach places, like the seam between the plastic and silicone. Don’t forget to clean inside the nozzle to prevent dried lubricant residue.

Next, use some water-based lubricant on your clit and put some around the nozzle, too. This step is extra important if you’re a first-time suction toy user. The lubricant helps minimize the dried-out feeling that occurs when using a clit sucker, and it ensures the seal created for suction feels comfortable and not irritating. Don’t skip it! More importantly, avoid using silicone-based lube. The nozzle is made of silicone, and the two don’t get along. They wear each other down like toxic family members. Using silicone lube on a silicone clit sucker means that you can no longer be certain your toy is body-safe, so using water-based lube is the move.

Place the nozzle around your clit. It should feel comfortable when you get it into the right spot, so move it around to find the angle that works best for you. Clits aren’t always perfect circles, so you may prefer the sucker to be sideways, and that’s perfectly fine. Don’t settle for a position that doesn’t feel amazing.

Using the three-button interface is easy (You can see it in the image above). The plus or parentheses buttons, when held down, will turn this sucker on. The plus button increases intensity, and the minus button decreases it. The parentheses button, when pressed briefly, will take you through the various rhythms. Hold it down again to turn it off.

To use the app, download it and turn the device on. Then, follow the instructions until you’ve paired it. From here, try the additional settings of FINISH ME OFF and OUT OF CONTROL for a unique experience that you don’t need to control on your own. You can use the Love Bridge to send your partner an invitation to control your toy temporarily.

When you’re done, rewash SONA 3 Cruise, dry it, and place it in the storage bag until the next use. It has a 90-day standby time, but chances are you’ll be using it much more frequently.

You can read more about using clit suckers in this guide.

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My Personal Experience

The LELO SONA 3 Cruise is one of the most feature-loaded, high-end clit suckers available. As of the time of writing, it was so popular that it had sold out in every color on the website. A $180 clit sucker sold out in this economy? I knew it had to be good, but I wanted to find out just how good it was.

When I tested the battery, the SONA 3 Cruise kept shutting off. It has a default setting to shut off every twenty minutes so the battery doesn’t completely drain if the device is accidentally turned on. This type of setting makes more sense on a suction device than a vibrator. Vibrators can be used for long periods without reaching orgasm, especially if you’re into tantra or teasing. Suction vibes tend to rip orgasms out quickly—at least, that’s how they work for me, so I’m done well before the twenty-minute shutoff time. If you don’t like it, you can adjust this setting in the app by extending the allotted time to thirty minutes. If I left my clit in a suction device for that long, she’d file for divorce.

Overall, I found this beauty to be a keeper. The stimulations were so wide-ranged that I imagine they will sell even the most stolid vibrator users on the joys of touch-free clitoral stimulation.

Packaging

As you can see in the image below, the LELO packaging is breathtaking. It’s high-end, thoughtful, giftable—I could go on and on. If you want the most opulent gift-giving or gift-receiving experience, LELO is your brand. The only drawback is that there isn’t a sample packet of lube, something LELO typically includes, so don’t forget to buy some beforehand, especially if this is a gift for a special occasion.

LELO always sends their devices in discreet packaging. You can expect a boring brown box to appear at your door and a sexy little black box inside.

Design

The LELO SONA 3 Cruise design has undergone a massive design upgrade since its predecessor. As you can see in the image below, it has a shiny seashell backing. The promotional video calls it a work of art, and I agree. This one is a toy you’ll want to show off to your friends.

One issue with the design is that it has a small nozzle. This may not seem like a problem since the clit is a small part of the body. But clits come in different sizes, and finding a good fit that creates a seal but isn’t uncomfortable can be tricky, making nozzle design a crucial component of a clit-sucking device. Some clits are large, and those will find this smaller nozzle uncomfortable. People with medium to small clits will be fine, however.

Material

There’s no two ways about it: the combination of ABS plastic and silicone on the SONA 3 Cruise is pretty. It’s got a seashell aesthetic. It’s also silky and comfortable to use.

Stimulations

The spectrum of stimulations on the SONA 3 Cruise floored me. The range sets it apart and makes it an inimitable choice for a device that will be enjoyed by multiple users. If you’re in a two-vulva couple and you like different levels, this is the perfect toy to share. However, the SenSonic pulses are so gentle and non-mechanical that people who like thuddy devices will not want to invest in this one.

Let’s discuss whether the features enhanced or detracted from the stimulation. The SmoothRise Technology worked well, resulting in a slightly more elegant user experience. SmoothRise Technology is a needlessly fancy name for the fact that LELO eliminated the rigidly distinct intensity levels and now they glide from one to the next. It’s an escalator of intensity now, not a staircase. The many convoluted names they give to their technology make users learn a lingo rather than being clear indicators of their function, but that’s marketing, baby.

The SenSonic Technology is LELO’s version of suction. It stimulates your clit, touch-free, with gentle sonic waves. These waves are gentle and not mechanical, which I love. Sometimes clit suckers feel like your clit got sucked into a fan, and that’s not fun. The LELO SONA 3 Cruise was the opposite experience: it was gentle and incredible. It feels more like waves than suction, just like the promotional video promised. One of the claims most clitoral suction devices make is that the suction stimulates the entire clitoris, not just the top, the way a vibrator might. And the gentle yet all-encompassing SenSonic waves did feel more 3D than my typical masturbation sesh with a vibrator. Expect sensory fulfillment from every angle.

One thing I didn’t like about the stimulation is the automatic shutoff that occurs every twenty minutes. You can change the time limit on the app, but you can’t turn it off. From the dawn of time, people with vulvas have had to deal with partners who complain about how long it takes them to climax. And now the sex toys we use have countdowns? I don’t love that. Let’s get rid of the pressure to climax in a certain amount of time or at least have the option to turn off the setting so that you don’t feel needless anxiety about how long it takes you to get off.

The Cruise function was hit or miss for me. If you haven’t used the Cruise function before, what it’s meant to do is add extra power when you press the toy into your body, something people often naturally and subconsciously do as they approach orgasm. Some products literally can’t handle the pressure, and the motor shorts out, leaving you frustrated and orgasmless. This motor is designed to stay steady when it notices you bearing down. Overall, the feature worked as designed, but sometimes, the sudden increase in intensity felt like the motor was shorting out because it changed gears, which made me wonder if it was malfunctioning. It ruined my orgasm since “Oh no, my sex toy isn’t working!” isn’t a thought that pushes me toward sexual bliss. People who don’t use sex toys as much as I do, who don’t keep a notepad for use while masturbating, will likely not have this problem. But there is a moment of pause when you press against it, and that is enough to disrupt my flow.

Lastly, I loved that the touch-free stimulations genuinely didn’t leave me overstimulated. So many clitoral suckers are overstimulating even though they don’t directly touch your clit, but this one was not. That means you can have multiple orgasms without limping around the next day.

Sound Level

The sound level was impressively quiet. You couldn’t hear it in my pocket when I was testing the battery level. Many clitoral suction devices are loud until you get them in the correct position; this one is quiet, no matter what. When I tested the decibels, they ranged from 37 to 45.

Build Quality and Dimensions

The build quality and dimensions are comparable to many others on the market. The SONA 3 Cruise fits easily in your hand and is small but powerful. You can see how it compares size-wise to some of my other clit suckers below.

LELO App

The LELO app is relatively uncomplicated, easy to use, and an all-around good time. It doesn’t make the user experience convoluted, which I appreciate. The two modes it offers that you can’t use otherwise are FINISH ME OFF and OUT OF CONTROL. They have pretty lights that sync with the stimulations, and they are ultimately random stimulations that (hopefully) build you up into a climax.

The LELO app also has Love Bridge, which is what they call the capacity to connect with your partner long-distance. The Love Bridge allows you to invite your partner to control the SONA 3 Cruise, placing your pleasure in their hands. I tried this with my partner, though we’re not long-distance, and the connectivity was first-class, and the process was simple. No complaints about the LELO app here!

Ease of Use

A device that has too many features can quickly lose points for ease of use. Luckily, this one can be as easy to use as you like. You don’t have to learn the app unless you want to, though the additional functions are so much fun to tinker with. The three-button interface is easy to navigate even before you’ve read every letter of the instruction manual.

The app is also easy to use. The process to connect the SONA 3 Cruise was foolproof, and the settings in the app are straightforward, too. Lastly, cleaning is a breeze.

Versatility

The many intensity levels on this toy make it versatile. It can go from very gentle to impossibly intense in seconds. On the app, you can change the intensity from 1-16, so there’s a decent chance that anyone with a clit will find an intensity that’s enjoyable to them.

Further, it’s waterproof, small, and ready to travel with you to your splashiest destinations.

Warranty and Support

LELO offers a one-year warranty. If you experience problems, contact their customer support with your receipt to receive a replacement. LELO also has a quality guarantee, covering your purchase for a decade after you buy it.

Minor Issues I Found During Testing

I loved this suction stimulator. I loved using it with the app, without the app, in the tub, and in bed. I felt almost panicked when it came time to make a list of the things I didn’t love about it. After careful consideration, I decided I didn’t love the price tag or the fact that the nozzle is so small. Other than that? Perfection in a box.

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Review Summary

Pros

• Vast range of intensities
• The app offers versatile functions, including extra settings
• Gorgeous design, second-to-none unboxing experience
• SmoothRise Technology offers gradual transitions between settings
• Cruise Control helps prevent the motor from faltering with pressure
• Quiet

Cons

• $180 price is expensive
• The small nozzle won’t work for everyone

Alternatives to the LELO SONA 3 Cruise

LELO SONA 3

What’s the difference between the LELO SONA 3 and the LELO SONA 3 Cruise, you ask? They are exactly the same except for the price tag, color choices, and one feature. The SONA 3 costs $30 less than the Cruise and lacks the Cruise Control Technology. It comes in cyber purple, cream, and violet dusk, all pretty choices. If you want the full package, it may be worth the price. Otherwise, the SONA 3 offers almost all of the luxury for a slight discount.

LELO SONA 2 Cruise

The LELO Sona 2 Cruise is nearly unrecognizable compared with the newer version. The SONA 2 Cruise is fully silicone, which is comfortable but lacks the shiny appeal of the ABS-plastic-coated SONA 3. It doesn’t have the SmoothRise technology, so when you change intensities, you will feel a break in the sensation. The SONA 2 is not app-compatible, so if you have a long-distance partner, it’s well worth the extra money to get the most recent version. You can grab the LELO SONA 2 Cruise for $159.

You can read our LELO Sona 2 Cruise review here.

LELO SILA

The LELO SILA is similar to the SONA, but it has a wider nozzle. It’s elongated, so it’s not a perfect circle, but the different shape will be more comfortable for anyone with a larger clit. The SILA is slightly less ergonomic, but the shape allows for an all-over clit stimulation that feels incredible. Both come in regular or Cruise variations. This decision will likely come down to the shape of your clit.

You can read our LELO SILA review here.

ROMP Switch X

The ROMP Switch X is your best bet if you haven’t tried clitoral suction before. Some people swear by it, and others hate it! Don’t spend too much just to find out you’re in the second category. The ROMP Switch X is body-safe and under $50. It doesn’t have the features, unboxing experience, or posh materials, but it will help you learn about your clit if you’re a newbie.

You can read my ROMP Switch X review in this article.

I am Sold! Where Can I Buy It?

Grab your sonic clitoral massager here.

Thanks for reading my LELO SONA 3 Cruise review!

Angela

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Angela Kempf is a Denver-based writer whose sexual health writings have been published in a number of notable online publications. She enjoys B movies, yoga, traveling, and puns. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s usually on the hunt for the best tacos in town.
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