Mellow Vibes: Gentle Toys
Some of our most popular vibrators are powerhouses (looking at you, Magic Wand) – and while toys like these can be recommendations we see across the internet and by word-of-mouth, power isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re part of the community that doesn’t love the sensation of intensity, save that strong vibration for backrubs and get down with some mild and mellow toys. The “best” toy isn’t a popularity contest, the best toy for you is about what feels great for you!
Why may someone want a gentle vibe? Maybe you prefer a lighter sensation, possibly you like your toy to tease you and build up your O slowly, maybe you’ve got some sensationally sensitive bits – or, simply – you find that a stronger vibrator just doesn’t feel good. If this sounds like you, we’ve got you (lightly) covered.
One way that vibes can be more gentle is by the texture – a soft, pillowy vibrator provides cushion that can diffuse the vibration throughout the material and/or absorb some of the strength so that you can add in pressure without sending your nerve endings into overload. These often in the palm of your hand (so you can stimulate the clitoris, the head of the penis, or whatever comparable sensitive parts you have). Cushy vibes like this can be especially enjoyable for those who are sensitive—Iroha Rechargeable Silicone Vibrators, for instance, feel as fluffy as a marshmallow (the inspiration for the design is actually a mochi dessert- just, don’t eat your vibrator).
Another way to enjoy a more subdued sensation is through a fluttering stimulation. The Rabbit family of vibrators became a vibrator icon for this very reason- the fluttering ears on the clitoral arm were a hit for dual-stimulation that targeted hot-spots without overwhelming them. Those ears can provide a surround-sound sensation, hugging around your sensitive areas instead of being used head-on, can quiver across the body with feathery-light touch, or you can add pressure if you want more direct stimulation. You can also get small rabbit vibes like a rabbit mini wand or bullets with fluttering ears just for the clitoris (or tip of the penis) if you’re not a fan of internal toy play.
It’s also pretty common for a person to like stronger vibration once they are good and turned on—but starting out strong is Just. Too. Much. Plenty of people think they don’t like vibrators at all, when really they just started out with one that was way too strong for their liking, or they tapped into a higher setting as a jumping off point, or they started playing with it before being all the way aroused. Take it low and slow and build your way up as you go – and consider a toy that has that range of settings that can ramp up when you do.
Finally, don’t assume that a little bitty vibe will be a milder ride than a big old wand. Mini vibes and bullets don’t have the size to compare to a powerful and thuddy wand vibrator—but small toys stimulate in a much more direct way, with the vibrations concentrated in a concise area. This can mean that, for some people, a buzzy mini vibe is a bit overwhelming and after some exploration, a contoured palm-held vibe with more surface area for a broader sensation is the perfect compromise.
So find what you like, ride at your own pace, and enjoy a low and slow O if that’s your mellow vibe.
