I Tried 3 Vibrators Ahead of Cuffing Season — Here’s Which One Is Worth the Buzz

What I Tested...

• Bloomi Glow Warming Vibrator ($74)

• Smile Makers The Ballerina ($94.90)

• Smile Makers The French Lover ($64.90)

Why I Tested...

How I Tested...

I tested each vibrator for two weeks and took notes on their materials, ease of use, battery life, strength, and overall experience. 

Test Results...

• Bloomi Glow Warming Vibrator: I consider this one of the better compact vibrators due to its strong motor and hand-held size. It fits comfortably in the palm of my hand and is great for travel. The three levels pack a comfortable punch, though other vibrators I’ve tried of a similar size tend to be a little stronger. I absolutely loved the warming sensation — it didn’t get too hot and reminded me of warming your hands with your morning coffee mug. It works great internally and externally and would recommend this with a partner or solo. ($74)

• Smile Makers The Ballerina: First thing’s first, this vibrator is chunky. It didn’t fit as comfortably in my hand compared to Bloomi and has a very large squishy head. However, this ended up being a good thing because this vibrator has a kick. It has three strength levels and I found the first level to be extremely strong, especially for beginners. My favorite part is the two buttons you can rotate back and forth between strength and pulse levels. This meant that I didn’t have to click through the entire selection to get to the right level. I’d recommend this one to anyone who is looking to switch up their personal or partner play. ($94.90)

• Smile Makers The French Lover: This one had a bit of a learning curve and honestly, I got frustrated trying to understand it. Once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed it. The head is completely flexible, while the base holds the (very gentle) motor. Also, you can switch between multiple pulse patterns but given its design and strength, I don’t think all the options are necessary. It’s a great option for anyone with a more sensitive clitorial area, even if used at its highest setting, and I’d recommend it for external exploration during partner play. ($64.90)

Sidenotes...

• Bloomi: Bloomi is a BIPOC, sexologist-led wellness brand that uses plant-based ingredients and recyclable or compostable packaging. We recommend this brand for anyone who’s starting out with solo or partner toys. 

• Smile Makers: Since 2012, Smile Makers’ mission has been to increase access to sexual wellness tools in everyday stores, like Ulta Beauty, as well as Standard Hotels across the US. Their team is made up of 75% female professionals.  

The Fine Details...

• Bloomi Glow Warming Vibrator ($74)

• Smile Makers The Ballerina ($94.90)

• Smile Makers The French Lover ($64.90) 

• Shop Bloomi products at thebloomi.com, Amazon, and Target.

  • Subscribe for monthly refreshes on their lube and intimacy oils.

• Shop Smile Makers at Smilemakerscollection.com, Ulta Beauty, and Anthropologie.