The Best Wand Vibrators and How to Use Them

Wand vibrators, and the Magic Wand in particular, are the most well-known and beloved sex toys ever. Until the Rabbit Pearl came on the scene decades later, it was the go-to vibrator for generations of women. 

In this piece we’ll talk about exactly what wand vibrators are, why people with vulvas like them, and discuss some tips for using a wand vibrator effectively by yourself, with a partner. We’ll also give you  a few tips on how to clean a wand vibrator to keep it in safe, excellent condition. 

What is a Wand Vibrator?

The “wand” type of vibrator first hit the scene in 1968, with what was then commonly known as The Hitachi or the Hitachi Magic Wand (now, simply, the “Magic Wand”). Marketed for any sort of tense muscles, the massager was made up of a broad vibrating head and a long handle with an on/off switch, and a long cord because it had to be plugged into a wall during use. 

The Magic Wand was the first commercially available vibrator that wasn’t marketed to doctors. In the world of clitoral vibrators, the Magic Wand remains a classic. 

A wand vibrator is one that has a wide, round head that is generally larger in diameter than one would use for vaginal insertion like a dildo or G-spotter. There’s also a long handle—sizes will vary—that allow the vibe to be placed on or near the vulva from a variety of sitting or reclined positions, or in between partners during sex.

How Has the Wand Vibrator Evolved Over the Years?

We don’t expect everyone to approach there grandmother to ask about sex toys. But if you did, plenty would giggle if you showed them an old-school Magic Wand. They were as commonplace as toasters in suburban homes. The history of wand vibrators is a fascinating one. 

Early wand vibrators were mostly plastic, had two intensity settings, and always needed to be plugged in to operate. But now, with so many new versions and styles available - wand vibrator benefits have upgraded over time with oodles of new features, including:

• Silicone heads
• Rechargeable models
• Waterproof versions
• Varied sizes for portability or stealth
• An ever-growing array of attachments that let you make a customized wand vibrator.
• Removable cords for easy storage
• No more 70s earth-tones (thank goodness!) 

Why Choose a Wand Vibrator?

I’m of the opinion that anyone who craves regular orgasms (and why wouldn’t you?) ought to own a variety of sex toys. One of those should certainly be a classic wand vibrator. Using a wand vibrator for clitoral stimulation is a wonderful introduction to the wide world of sex toys.  

Wand vibrators are reliable (a Magic Wand lasts as long as any major appliance in my experience), easy to use, versatile, uncomplicated, safe when maintained properly, and extremely powerful. Honestly, my first wand vibe seemed way too powerful for me. I don’t think I ever used the highest setting—and that’s okay. 

Are wand vibrators good for beginners?

A wand-style vibrator is an excellent choice for a first sex toy. No matter how much your collection grows, you’ll likely find yourself returning to the intense buzzing and reliability of a wand. 

It used to be a joke that grandma’s “massager” was for her sore neck, aching back, or that pain in her wrist that never went away. Honestly—a powerful wand vibrator is good for all of those things in addition to pleasure. Maybe that’s why people call them “magic.” 

How to Select the Best Wand Vibrator for You:

Most people don’t get asked by strangers which sex toy they should consider buying. But I’m a professional sex writer, so I do. People with vulvas often ask me which wand vibrator is “best.” I can only answer them with a series of more questions—because there is no universal “best” vibrator for the same reasons we don’t all want the same husband, bra, or purse. 

The “best” one can only be found by figuring out your needs and wants—then investigating which sex toy has all (or at least most) of the features you want. 

Plug in or Battery

If you charge your vibe religiously, or appreciate the freedom of using your sex toys anywhere you get the urge—a rechargeable vibe makes more sense than one with an AC plug. If you forget to charge things routinely, you may appreciate the reliability of the plug-in model.
The Le Wand All That Glimmers is a rechargeable silicone vibe with 6 vibe patterns in ten intensity levels. If that’s not cool enough, it’s also shimmery, waterproof, and has a generous silicone head. Plus—it can be customized with add-ons like this Ripple Attachment. 

Choosing the size

Some folks want a powerful wand vibrator but in a compact size for stealth or travel. The Small Wonder Mini Wand is covered with silicone for comfort and easy cleaning. I love an array of patterns to pick from—and this one has SEVENTEEN!! It’s also rechargeable and compared to other wands—is very quiet and has a flexible head to go where you want it most. 

Speeds and Intensity

Wand vibrators for couples or individuals can be mad powerful. If you aren’t sure what you want, try something mid-range. Whether you want mega-strong sensation or are checking out wand vibes for beginners—be sure you’re checking the VPM (vibrations per minute) to get a sense of how intense or subtle it will be. Or select a model with a wide range of intensities. 

Materials

Silicone is a great material for sex toys because it’s non-porous, easy to clean, long-lasting, and feels soft and not scratchy or grainy (if any surface does feel scratchy, broken, or grainy, discard the toy and treat yourself to a new one). If you have a known allergy, be aware that some wands have parts or accessories containing nickel, plastic, gold, silicone, jelly rubber, latex, and more. If a toy you’re considering doesn’t have the materials listed—choose a toy from a different company. Reputable companies - like Good Vibes - always label properly for safety.

The Com wand vibrator is perfectly sized for penetration and G-spot stimulation. Complete silicone coverage makes this model safe, easy to clean 
Speaking of materials, another reason to know what your sex toy is made of is to ensure you’re using a compatible lube. The wrong lube can ruin a great toy. (more on this later!) 

Budget

Two things are simultaneously true:
1. A sex toy is an important investment in your sexual health, which in turn can improve your overall health.
2. Not everyone has a few hundred dollars to drop on a multi-speed wand vibrator, but we still deserve something safe, effective, and reliable. Right? 

It’s okay to restrict yourself to a budget—but keep in mind that saving $20 isn’t really a savings if you need to replace a broken toy a month or two later. The Eden Wand is a good investment for its modest price and great features. It’s waterproof, battery operated so you don’t have to remember to charge it. The Eden is silicone coated and has simple, one-button operation. 

You might even consider comparing wand vibrators to bullet vibrators—which can also be very powerful and versatile if much smaller. I suggest setting yourself up with a kit like this one from Bang! It’s like investing in five sex toys for the price of one. 

Aquatics and Waterproof Vibes

If you get your giggity on in a hot tub, local lake, shower, or a pool full of jello, you’ll definitely want to invest in a waterproof vibe like the LELO Smart Wand 2. Like most waterproof wand vibrators, it’s rechargeable and encased in silicone. These come in a few sizes, so give some thought about your needs and wants before you decide. Oh, and they’re awesome when you’re having a bath! (Keep in mind, not all toys are waterproof so double-check your user guide first!)

Best Ways to Masturbate with a Wand Vibrator:

Even when I was inexperienced with sex toys, I found my first Magic Wand to be pretty intuitive. Pressing it on the outside of my vulva led to an intense and almost immediately orgasmic experience—like a surprise party for my clitoris! 

If you’ve got a vulva, you’ll want to know that only about 15% of us can achieve orgasm through penetration alone—even doing it yourself with a phallic (no G-spotter or rabbit ears) sex toy. Not sure how to use a wand vibrator for beginners? We got you, fam. 

My advice is to find a place and time with no distractions, and get into a comfortable position. Engage in whatever thought process works for you. Fantasy, music, erotic reading, a cocktail—whatever you need to put yourself in the mood. 

Use a compatible lube (water-based is awesome for most sex toys—never use silicone lube with a silicone sex toy!!) for comfort and to keep skin from skidding or tearing. If natural lubrication doesn’t take over, apply more lube as needed. Use a towel or sex blanket if you’re concerned about staining sheets or furniture. 

Explore power settings

Because wand vibrators are so powerful, start on the lowest setting. If your wand vibe has a vibe pattern you like, start there. Where you begin is up to you. The outer vulva, labia majora, or clitoral hood are all excellent places to start. It may take a few tries to find the exact position, angle, pressure, and settings that work for you. Don’t give up though. It’s totally worth it. 

If even the lowest setting is too powerful, a wand vibrator can be used over underwear or even over your pants. About a third of people who ride motorcycles while having a vulva can tell you that keeping your pants on doesn’t necessarily prevent orgasms. *wink*

There are lots of ways to experiment with a wand vibrator. Once you have a handle on the basics, you might want to ride into some advanced Magic Wand vibrator moves with a Tula Toy Mount. GV Sex Educator Lisa Finn also recommends a bundled package like the Liberator BonBon x The One Wand combo for everything in one!

Best Ways to Use a Wand Vibe During Partnered Play:

It’s common to use sex toys when masturbating. But using them to enhance an already hot couples (or more, we aren’t judging) experience? Yes!! 

Some creative ways to use a wand vibrator for couples play include:

• Performative masturbation as a lead-in to foreplay
• Using on your partner—experiment with what areas are most pleasing. You may be surprised at how arousing vibrations on the neck, feet, back of the knee, or the perineum can be.
• Applied to the vulva or clitoris during intercourse.
• Part of a masturbation/oral play scenario—a wand vibe on the clit while giving a blowjob can be very nice indeed.
• Placed in between partners during penetrative sex.

There’s really no wrong way to go about it, provided:

• Everyone has given enthusiastic sober consent
• Toys are cleaned whenever switching partners or orifices
• Adequate, appropriate lubrication is flowing like wine
• Safety guidelines are being followed for all items used
• Everyone is having a fun time

How to Clean a Wand Vibrator:

Always unplug your wand vibe from the wall or charger before cleaning. All sex toys should be cleaned between each use and stored in a bag or case to keep it free of dust or debris. 

If your vibrator isn’t waterproof, use a damp cloth to clean it with mild soap and water. Alcohol-free baby wipes or specialized sex toy wipes are also great to use if you have some. Keep a stash in your weekender bag—you won’t be sorry. 

All sex toys should be cleaned after every use, and after any instance of switching partners or from anal to vaginal or vice-versa. Always give your sex toys a good looking-at before use. Ensure that there are no cracks, flaking surfaces, melted bits, or soot marks that could indicate overheating. If any of those are present—trash that toy and treat yourself to something even cooler. 

In Conclusion...

There’s a reason the Magic Wand has been known as “The Cadillac of Vibrators” since it first fell from the heavens (okay, it was actually invented in Japan). But wand vibes have had a lot of advancements since then. While I can’t tell you what the best vibe is for everyone, I hope you now have enough information to figure out the best wand vibrator for you. 

Wednesday Lee Friday is a sex writer by day, horror writer by night, and is pretty crafty in the afternoons. In addition to writing, editing, publishing, and testing sex toys, Wednesday raises lesbian lizards and hosts the Mentally Oddcast, where creative neurodivergent folks discuss how their mental and emotional health impacts and informs their work. Wednesday believes the world would be a better, happier place if we all had more orgasms. Only one way to find out! Follow Wednesday on Instagram @wednesdayleefriday