GOOD GEAR RATING — 9/10 STARS

Summary: Though I am no stranger to self-pleasure, I’m fairly new to the vibrator world, with only a few years experience with a very basic toy. LELO, a luxury pleasure brand, upped my game by introducing me to some of their award-winning and sold-out designs. I tried the LELO SWITCH™ double-sided wand vibrator, the SORAYA™ 2 G-spot and clitoral vibrator, and the LELO Personal Moisturizer, testing for usability, comfort, discretion, and performance. How’d they fare? Let’s just say it’s been one of the most relaxing months of my life (and my skin has never looked better!). 


What I loved:

  • If you’re nervous about privacy, fear not! LELO’s packaging was totally discreet, and the motors on both vibrators are powerful but quiet.
  • These are toys that are designed to be not only beautiful and functional, but also comfortable to use for … however long it takes. 
  • The SWITCH has two motors and is double-sided… and ribbed. You can also connect it to the app so that your partner can take over if that’s your thing!
  • The vibrators are made from the most velvety silicone and feel clean but stimulating in the best way; the settings are distinct and brilliantly designed — not only can you toggle between vibration patterns, but you can also increase or decrease the intensity of each one!
  • The lube is a very straightforward, water-based, comfortable product that has no scent, with a clean texture that leaves no greasy or slimy residue behind. 

Things to keep in mind:

  • The batteries don’t last quite as long as I hoped — maybe an hour and a half at full charge. Definitely get in the habit of charging it before use every time to avoid the catastrophe of a dead battery at the crucial moment. 
  • The chrome plastic detailing embedded in the silicone sides of both vibrators are great for gripping, but the seams might need a little extra attention when being cleaned. 
  • The top on the lube is cute but not remotely secure — great for fumbling quickly in the dark, but mildly disastrous when simply trying to pick up the bottle to put it away. Handle it by the body, not the top!

I love sex. Getting out of my ADHD-spiral brain and dropping into my body has always been a challenge, but real, sensory pleasure — whether on my own or with a partner — is one of the most foolproof ways I can truly quiet my mind. There’s something I’ve always found really powerful about the way sex can crack us open, tapping into the animal instincts we otherwise work so hard to keep locked away. It’s one of the few areas in our lives that, as adults, we can be truly uninhibited and impulsive: We use words we’d never say in any other context, move our bodies in ways that are unruly and wild, driven entirely by the chase for what feels good. We get to play, to use all of our senses without restraint — and if we’re with a partner, we get to share what this looks and feels like in our bodies while we witness what it looks and feels like in theirs. Sex is a sacred thing, a part of my humanity that I prioritize and take seriously, no matter what stage of life I’m in.

“Sex is a sacred thing, a part of my humanity that I prioritize and take seriously, no matter what stage of life I’m in.” 

So this might come as a surprise, but I didn’t buy my first sex toy until I was 35. It wasn’t that I was squeamish or anything — I rather famously started masturbating at age 11 and am notorious in all of my friend groups for having no boundaries in talking about it — it’s just that I was getting off just fine with my hands. I bought two starter vibes during a pandemic Valentine’s sale on a whim — one was a gentle clitoral stimulator that I probably used only two or three times, and the other was a bendable internal vibrator that became an instant guest star in my sex life. Medical-grade silicone, long-lasting battery charge, waterproof, and very easy to use during sex with my partner as well as solo, it got the job done. 

But friends — for someone who loves pleasure and sex, I wish I could go and whisper in my ear, “We can do much better than that.” 

A few years and some major life changes later, I find myself ready for an upgrade. But where to start? There are vibrator guides aplenty out there, but it’s a rather expensive market to just go around trying things at random. I am almost 40 — I want to be taken care of! I want a sex toy concierge please, an expert in hospitality with a commitment to finding high-quality pleasure for each and every guest. 

What better concierge than the award-winning luxury pleasure brand LELO?


About LELO

I first came across LELO on Instagram, where several European content creators I follow all seemed to have partnerships with the Stockholm-based brand. (I actually think this was the first vid I saw — and as you can see, it’s memorable for a reason!) Even just by scrolling through the collaborators they work with and the messages these ads are sending, the ethos of the brand comes across loud and clear: Sex is self-care, and we all deserve to orgasm without shame. 

“The ethos of the brand comes across loud and clear: Sex is self-care, and we all deserve to orgasm without shame.”

Under their fitting call to action to “Come together,” LELO is on a mission to produce so much more than luxury pleasure toys. In their own words, they are “a self-care movement aimed at those who know that satisfaction transcends gender, orientation, race, and age. We’re offering the experience of ecstasy without shame, the pleasure of discovering all the wonders of one’s body, arming our customers with confidence that leads to a fulfilled intimate life.”

To say that this mission resonates with me is an understatement. It has never sat well with me how we are taught to be quiet and afraid of our own bodies and the functions, hungers, and sensations we experience in them. Like so many others, I know that the cost of keeping my questions, thoughts, and feelings about so many experiences to myself in the name of being “polite” and “ladylike” can be steep — leaving us confused and isolated in the best of times, and in real danger at the worst. I have personally committed to being the open door in my life, so I am particularly over the moon whenever I encounter anyone on the same wavelength.

“LELO treats human sexuality with dignity, joy, and care — and they want us to come along for the ride.”

And LELO certainly is. The brand is serious about empowering all humans to own their pleasure and embrace their desires without shame — which they demonstrate regularly with ads like this one for their stamina trainer & stroker F2S™, a male masturbator designed to strengthen the pelvic floor. The ad looks like a trailer for a very fun and sexy French heist film, and addresses the common yet taboo topic of male sexual performance with the sort of playful yet cool frankness that instantly checks any awkwardness or embarrassment at the door.

Whether they are educating about the A spot, sharing affirmations to remind us that our pleasure matters, or celebrating bisexuality visibility day, LELO treats human sexuality with dignity, joy, and care — and they want us to come along for the ride.


My LELO experience

My products arrived quickly in a completely unremarkable brown cardboard box. Our babysitter for the afternoon arrived shortly after the delivery, so she actually brought the box in from the porch — it was so discreet that I couldn’t even recall what was in it at first. (I can’t tell you how I laughed when I finally opened it several hours later, thankfully not in front of the babysitter.) The products themselves were wrapped in black bags, giving the entire unboxing experience an extra layer of secrecy that I found sort of fun.

Each vibrator came with a USB-charging cord, a black satin storage pouch, a warranty registration card (each product is covered for the first year), and detailed instruction manual. My immediate impression was that they were gorgeous — sleek, luxurious, with a not-insubstantial weight and feel to both of them. The silicone is especially soft and almost velvety, and I liked that the buttons were located in spots that were unlikely to be accidentally pressed while the vibes were in use (a frequent issue I run into with my old standby!). I plugged them both in right away and put the lube in my bedside drawer, so everything would be ready to go when I was.

Here is what I thought about each product.


SWITCH™, double-sided wand vibrator in lilac | $199

Don’t be fooled by the look of this vibrator — it might seem like a traditional wand not unlike Samantha’s “neck massager,” but it is so, so much more. The Switch is not only a dual-sided vibrator designed to offer external and internal stimulation, but each end of the wand has its own motor.

“That’s right: The Switch has two built-in motors. How does this translate in user experience? Deliciously. “

That’s right: The Switch has two built-in motors. How does this translate in user experience? Deliciously. The deep, rumbly vibrations fueling both sides of the wand make it possible to seamlessly switch (see what I did there?) back and forth as you like, going from a rich internal sensation to an external massage without disruption.

With the same super soft, warming silicone as the Soraya but with the added bonus of sensorial textured ribs, the Switch stimulates not only sensation but also blood flow. I found myself warming up much faster than any other vibrator experience before.

The clitoris is sort of like an iceberg: We’re familiar with the “tip” of it that we can see at the top of our labia, but the organ is much larger beneath the vulva. (I think it kind of looks like a dahlia bulb.) Stimulating the clitoris from the outside at its peak can produce intense pleasure, but if you’re able to stimulate the entire organ, you can ramp up the final impact significantly.

Every body is distinct, but in my experience, the most effective whole-clitoral orgasm is about patience and quality of touch. My clitoris likes a slow, deep, sustained massage, where the pressure gradually builds and no part of the organ is left untouched for long. I actually didn’t even know I could use a toy to do this, as historically it’s only ever happened for me at the (literal) hands of my partner. But the Switch, it turns out, is up to the task. In a kind of smooth, fluid pattern (and with a generous amount of lube — more on that below), I used the Switch as a true intimate massage tool, moving one end over my vulva and then flipping it easily to glide the other end into my vagina. It was most comfortable to do this sitting up. My recommendation? Put on something hot, and do this in front of a mirror. Seriously.

The material and the texture of the ribbing are a total *chef’s kiss. The clean up was super easy (just some warm water and hand soap) and the orgasms were rich and plentiful. 10/10, no notes.

Check out SWITCH™ here and use the code GOOD15 for an extra 15% off on all products, stackable with current discounts.


SORAYA™ 2, g-spot and clitoral vibrator in aqua | $239

Like most millennials, my cultural awareness of vibrators started with “Sex and the City” — who can forget Samantha strutting into The Sharper Image to replace her broken “neck massager”? Or when the ladies had to stage an intervention after Charlotte got addicted to a rabbit vibe? This was my first time trying the rabbit style, and though I was a little skeptical that a mass-produced object could possibly provide accurate and precise pleasure to thousands of anatomically distinct vulvas and vaginas, I had sky-high hopes that my experience would be just as delicious as Charlotte’s.

“The silicone is extremely soft, giving the clitoral stimulator an almost springy ability that made it very easy to manipulate for my pleasure.”

The rabbit-style vibrator is designed to offer dual clitoral and G-spot stimulation simultaneously. The motorized wand is slightly angled for comfortable vaginal insertion, while a surprisingly flexible, smaller silicone arm is designed to rest over the clitoris. It looks sort of sturdy in a way that I thought might be awkward, but the silicone is extremely soft, giving the clitoral stimulator an almost springy ability that made it very easy to manipulate for my pleasure.

There are twelve vibration settings, and the buttons are located at the base of the handle, on its interior. What I love about this particular feature is that you can put your thumb through the loop and keep your fingers on the outside of the vibe, away from your body, keeping any accidental button presses at bay. (Is there anything more annoying than choosing a setting and getting into the groove, only to accidentally switch to another pattern? Having to cycle back through to find the right setting is not a total mood-killer, but it’s definitely annoying if time is short!)

As for the quality of the motor itself, I was impressed. I personally prefer a deep vibration — anything that feels like a high-pitched, radioactive hummingbird makes me anxious about possibly burning my clit off. But the vibrations of the Soraya are rumbly but powerful, and I love love love the ability to control the level of intensity with the + and – buttons. The internal vibrations are powerful enough to create just the right amount of friction in the external clit stimulator, and the velveteen feel of the silicone makes it almost feel like a teasing tongue at times.

“The vibrations of the Soraya are rumbly but powerful, and I love love love the ability to control the level of intensity.”

My one gripe is that when I was ready to take it home and wanted to crank up the intensity on my clit, I found that I had to actually hold it down with my fingers to get the pressure I needed. The only other option was to sort of mount the Soraya and grind into it, but — to be frank — I am on Lexapro, which can sometimes delay my orgasms, so lying on my arm for a long period of time can kill the vibe (ha!). I did find myself wishing at times that the clitoral piece was more tongue-shaped as well, like a face mask applicator, perhaps. I later found out about the Soraya Wave model that addresses this by moving the tip in a finger-like motion. Do your research before making the purchase, depending on your anatomy!

But neither of these observations is a deal breaker. Did the Soraya comfortably deliver the internal and external orgasms it promised for me? Yes, yes, and YES!!! The grip, shape, and usability were so comfortable and easy to use that even with my longer warm-up period, I was able to achieve bliss without giving myself tennis elbow (which has, unfortunately, happened to me before). It was easy to clean as it is waterproof, and the silicone is non-porous. I will note to be sure to check the seams of the chrome plastic detailing for, um, residue. I used my fingernail, but an old toothbrush or nail brush will probably do the trick too.

All in all, I give this one an 8.5/10, easy!

Check out SORAYA™ 2 here and use the code GOOD15 for an extra 15% off on all products, stackable with current discounts.


Personal Moisturizer, water-based lubricant | $35

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I’ve got an important PSA: Lube is very, very good. Lube is for everyone. Lube is not just for anal sex or for menopause or any other singular sex act — lube is for all kinds of sex, all the time, with or without a vulva.

“Lube is not just for anal sex or for menopause or any other singlular sex act — lube is for all kinds of sex, all the time, with or without a vulva.”

I used to worry about the logistics of lube more than anything — since so many of us are educated about what to expect in the bedrooms by whatever mainstream media is showing us, details like putting on a condom or asking about toys were never included. So I felt awkward imagining how to maintain “the mood” while reaching for literally anything other than the buttons on my pants (and let’s be honest — I came of age in the jeggings era, so that presented its own obstacles).

But here’s the thing: There is room for awkwardness in sex. There’s room for play. There’s room for logistical conversations, for check-ins, for bathroom breaks. “The mood” isn’t actually that fragile! If you’re excited to be there — with or without a partner — that feeling is stronger than any of the less traditionally “sexy” moments that occur. And the thing about lube is that it’s only going to make everything so, SO much better. Once you know that, you won’t hesitate a second to reach for the bedside drawer.

“LELO’s personal moisturizer is, in my opinion, a great, straightforward, no-thrills intimate lubricant that ticks all the most important boxes.”

LELO’s personal moisturizer is, in my opinion, a great, straightforward, no-thrills intimate lubricant that ticks all the most important boxes. (😈 Had to!) It’s glycerine-free, paraben-free, pH-balanced, and unscented. It’s also fortified with aloe vera to provide a longer-lasting moisture without a greasy or slimy texture. It doesn’t stain, and it feels relatively similar to my own natural lubricant, which I always think is ideal for instant comfort with either a toy or a partner.

Unlike vibrators, I do have more experience with lube, so I have just two notes on LELO’s personal moisturizer. First, I love that there isn’t a scent, but I don’t love the taste. It’s technically “tasteless,” but there is … something. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s not a flavor I want in my mouth, which was sort of annoying if I was using it with my partner.

Second, the bottle cap is not my favorite — it doesn’t click in or lock, slipping off at the slightest touch. This is great in the heat of the moment, for sure (it seems almost eager to get out of the way, like it really wants you to have the best time as soon as possible), but I also find myself dropping it constantly. The silver dispenser is all scratched up already!

Performance-wise, it does last a decent amount of time, though it is not a one-pump kind of situation. Expect to reapply throughout your sexual play, for sure. I give this one a 7/10 for a totally due diligence lube with a less-than-ideal package.

Check out the Personal Moisturizer here and use the code GOOD15 for an extra 15% off on all products, stackable with current discounts.


My final thoughts on LELO

All in all, I am pretty pleased with my new toys! LELO products are well-designed and high-functioning, delivering on their promises to provide safe, comfortable, dynamic pleasure without any complications. My biggest complaint about the vibes is that, for people on SSRIs with delayed orgasms, the battery life could be a touch more generous — however, the quality of the motor, feel of the silicone, and comfort of the physical design for maximum user-friendliness gets five full stars from this happy customer.

“LELO products are well-designed and high-functioning, delivering on their promises to provide safe, comfortable, dynamic pleasure without any complications.”

I should note here that LELO has an app that is pretty killer. Like their Instagram content, the app also features educational articles and product reviews, but it also has erotic stories and even audio erotica. And, for those who are so inclined, it has a Bluetooth connection option for a select number of their products — including the Switch. You can use the app for remote control and create preferred vibration patterns — or you can hand over control to a partner, allowing them to handle the pattern and intensity of your experience remotely.

I am personally a little cautious of where and how I share my biodata, so I use the app for the erotica mostly — and this, I can wholeheartedly endorse. The stories are varied, hot, and the perfect pairing for a little solo time with your favorite toy.

“I probably had more orgasms in the last month than I have in as much time for the last several years, and here’s what I noticed: My skin looks incredible.”

I am a huge fan of the brand’s ethos, and will definitely shop the rest of their catalogue over time. Though I am a believer in self-care and in self-pleasure, doing reviews of sex toys did make me realize how much easier it was to find the time for myself when I felt like I was justifying it as “work.” So, yes, I probably had more orgasms in the last month than I have in as much time for the last several years, and here’s what I noticed: My skin looks incredible. I feel generally better, more relaxed in the face of stress, and more comfortable in my own body. Whenever my husband and I had sex, I found myself dropping into my body faster, feeling more confident and overall sexier than I’ve felt in the longest time.

So my final thoughts? You deserve to feel good. The cost is comparable if not lower than other toys on the market, but the luxury is the quality of the experience itself: Self-care is more than journaling and candles and bubble baths. It is taking the time to remind yourself — in your mind, body, and soul — that you are worth caring for, and you deserve to feel good.


This story is in partnership with our friends at LELO


Stephanie H. Fallon is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a writer originally from Houston, Texas and holds an MFA from the Jackson Center of Creative Writing at Hollins University. She lives with her family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where she writes about motherhood, artmaking, and work culture. Since 2022, she has been reviewing sustainable home and lifestyle brands, fact-checking sustainability claims, and bringing her sharp editorial skills to every product review. Say hi on Instagram or on her website.