Welcome to the Cosmo Lab of Sexcellence—we're dedicated to road-testing the best new sex toys, accessories, and products so you can make the most informed decision when it comes to buying new gadgets and gizmos for your pleasure. First up: suction vibrators that feel like you're getting oral sex.
Once upon a time vibrators did only that: vibrate. And while vibration is much better than nothing, if we can put a man on the moon, we can do better for orgasms everywhere. Enter suction-type toys. Where traditional vibes shake all over, these toys have a pinpointed divot that's meant to suck on your clitoris—similar to the feeling of a partner sucking on your clitoris during oral sex.
While each brand's specific suction-magic technology usually goes by different names, (Womanizer uses "PleasureAir," Lelo's Sona drops "sonic" a bunch of times, Satisfyer uses "Air Pulse," etc.) they generally provide the same service: Sucking on your clitoris with or without added vibration to take you over the edge.
While back in 2015, there were only two of these toys on the market, thankfully the times are a changin' and they're getting more and more common. When it comes to sex-toy companies we know and trust, there are a handful of major ones right now that make these suction toys: Satisfyer, Womanizer, Lelo, We-Vibe, Lora DiCarlo, and Lovehoney. The first two, Satisfyer and Womanizer arguably made a name for themselves because of their suction vibes and have expanded to other vibrating goodies since, while the other brands didn't start off making suction vibes only.
We had our editors check out some of the newest toys to hit the market and asked a panel of testers try out some of the best-selling versions each brand had to offer, and here's what they said.
The newest Lelo toy is the Sila, which expands upon the capabilities of the Sona below, but with a newer design and handle (clutch since some of our Sona reviewers mentioned the old design was a bit clunky.) The Sila is rechargeable, waterproof, and has eight settings.
Pros:
- Different handle than the Sona can be easier to use.
- Larger mouth to better fit a variety of anatomy.
- Like all Lelo toys, it's pricey but feels really luxe and bougie. You feel like you're handling the sports car of vibes.
Cons:
- A bit pricey at $170. Now that suction vibes are getting more common, you can find cheaper suction toys for less.
- It isn't that different than the Sona. Other than the design and shape, the Sila essentially does the same thing as the Sona, just in a different toy.
AKA co-owner Cara Delevingne's favorite toy. The Baci is one of the larger suction toys on the market, and while that sounds like it might be a con, it's actually a benefit considering the size makes it much easier to hold and position. The Baci is rechargeable, waterproof, and has ten settings.
Pros:
- The larger size makes it easier to maneuver.
- The opening sits on a larger surface so it's easier to make slight adjustments without breaking the seal of the suction compared to other suction toys.
Cons:
- It's larger, so less easily stash-able. It's too tall to fit inside shallow drawers, unlike the rest of the toys on this list.
- It's much louder than the other toys. Even on the lowest setting, it's a pretty clockable thump-thump-thumping sound.
The We-Vibe Melt is notable as it's able to be controlled from their app, so you could play with your S.O. anywhere in the world. This super quiet vibe is also waterproof, rechargeable, and has 12 modes.
Pros:
- The app capability adds a new layer of use to suction vibes. This would be great if you're in a long-distance relationship or just want to spice up your sexting.
- The slimmer shape makes it easily stowable and takes up v. little space.
Cons:
- Unfortch, the slimmer shape also means it's got a much smaller mouth. For those with larger vulvas or clitorises, this might not be as good of a fit as some of the other suction vibes like the Lelo Sila, Baci, or Satisfyer toys.
- The one-piece design also makes cleaning a bit of a hassle. Most of the other toys have removable silicone heads so you can easily clean or replace, but this is one seamless piece.
If you're not sure what to buy, our recommendation is the Lovehoney Romp. This toy is a great "starter" suction vibe, as it's only $35 and allows you to experience the sensation of clitoral suction without having to invest upwards of a hundred bucks on a toy. The only downside is that it's battery-operated (which means more money in the long term and more hassle) and only splash-proof. Most other suction vibes are completely waterproof.
Lovehoney Lovehoney X ROMP Switch Clitoral Suction Stimulator
Lovehoney Lovehoney X ROMP Switch Clitoral Suction Stimulator
Pros:
- Super affordable, great for getting as a "sample" and testing out to see if you like suction vibes.
- Despite being a starter vibe, it's still got six intensity levels, which is way more than the average battery-operated vibe under $40 has.
Cons:
- It's battery operated. Not only does this mean you wind up spending more on batteries, but it's also a bummer to use, as you don't know exactly where you are in terms of juice. The anxiety of not knowing whether you're right about to run out of power is not the greatest for a self-love session.
- It's not completely waterproof, meaning you can't use it in the shower or bath.
The Lelo Sona Cruise has been the top selling sex toy item on Cosmopolitan.com since its launch. Editor Julia Pugachevsky said that it gave her a "totally different kind of orgasm"— not to mention the fastest one she's ever had. The luxe design features rose gold plating and has the heft and feel of a luxury sex toy.
Pros:
- "Maybe I’m biased because I like how pretty it is, but this toy was my favorite out of all of them—it made my ass cramp up so much from an orgasm that my legs were restless all night." —Michelle*, 24
- "The opening for this toy is smaller than the Satisfyer, which made it really great for more precise pinpointing (and would be a great choice if you want a toy that will be easier to maneuver for smaller or more hidden clitorises)." —Cameron, 25
Cons:
- "I don't feel like the suction design is angled properly, which made the vibrations feel bumpy, and I had to constantly reposition it." —Morgan*, 25
- "The toy claims to be completely waterproof, although I found that it was more water resistant than completely waterproof. When submerged, the vibrations felt more muffled to me and it was harder to find a position that I liked." —Cameron, 25
This toy is the updated, premium version of the original Womanizer. It is 100% waterproof, features 12 different modes, and has an Autopilot feature that randomizes a new pattern and intensity with every use.
Pros:
- "Holy shit, I'm obsessed with this. It's by far my favorite of all the toys. It's soft to the touch, comfortable to hold, has different settings, and has the perfect suction size for my anatomy. I didn't have to move it around or fiddle with the positioning/angling in different ways before finding that exact right spot." —Morgan, 25
- "Okay, so I wasn’t feeling THAT horny when I tried this one, so I left this one on Autopilot and it was amazing. Took me on a ride of pulsating speeds and pressures that felt closest to a guy going down on me compared to the other vibrators." —Michelle, 24
Cons:
- "It's large, so I don't think it's very functional to use during sex." —Morgan, 25
- "For a suction toy, it’s pretty loud. I live alone and this wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but if you have roommates and are more conscious of the sound, it might help to play some music over it, just in case." —Cameron, 25
This version of the Womanizer comes with an internal attachment that can be independently controlled along with the suction function. It is also 100% waterproof, has 12 patterns, and has a Smart Silence feature that means the toy can sense when you're holding it against your body to turn on and off.
Pros:
- "With the extra penetrative factor for this toy, this orgasm was really intense. I loved how I could control both parts independently. This was the first time I’ve tried a toy that stimulated both and WOW, I may be addicted." —Michelle, 24
- "I like internal toys, so this one was probably my favorite. I liked that each part had its own navigation settings so you could customize the vibration intensity for each."
—Cameron, 25
Cons:
- "The internal portion of the toy was a little large and made it uncomfy going inside of me. You'll definitely need some good lube for this one, but it's worth it!" —Michelle, 24
- "This one had the least straightforward navigation system of all the toys—figuring out how to turn it on, and navigate both control systems took some time. The design of the toy is also bulkier than the others and definitely took some practice to get the hang of." —Cameron, 25
The travel-sized Womanizer comes with a magnetic cover that makes it ideal to travel with. There are only six patterns this time, but it's also 100% waterproof and significantly cheaper than the other Womanizer products tested.
Pros:
- "I love the suction shape, length, and thickness of this one. It's longer and thinner than most suction vibrators which gives me more control and less discomfort(/shock?) when you're about to orgasm and then hit a weird spot on your clit that almost is as shocking as hitting your funny bone." —Morgan, 25
- "This one was was small (great for travel), efficient, and powerful. Even though it's travel-sized, it still felt like Womanizer-quality." —Michelle, 24
Cons:
- "It is not very strong! At first I thought I didn't charge it enough, so I charged it for a full day, and I was still disappointed even on max."—Morgan, 25
- "It was harder to turn off than the other toys. Also, since the handle turns into the travel case (with an attachable cover), it's made of a harder silicone which can make it uncomfortable to hold after a while." —Cameron, 25
The Pro 2 features 11 settings and is 100% waterproof. Two of our testers independently stated that they had experience with this model before and it was already a favorite. The price point also makes it hard to beat for an entry-level suction toy.
Pros:
- "In my experience, this was the most basic (as in, easiest to use and got the job done efficiently) vibrator. It was easy to increase pressure without having to interrupt the moment and look for buttons or fiddle around." —Michelle, 24
- "This was the first toy of the bunch that I ever tried (even before the reviews), so it’s the one I’m most comfortable with. The shape is comfortable to hold and adjust, and the suction shape is also enjoyable. " —Cameron, 25
Cons:
- "It's pretty large and would be difficult to maneuver during sex." —Morgan, 25
- "Not the most intense toy. I find that I really need to put the vibration up high to feel like it’s doing something, and even then, I reserve it mostly as a warm-up toy to work alongside something stronger." —Cameron, 25
The newest Satisfyer product, the Pro 3 is a departure from other handle-based Satisfyers (think the ear thermometer look) and is instead meant to be held at a 90-degree angle directly on top of your clitoris. It's got 110 different combinations of suction and vibration and is also 100% waterproof.
Pros:
- "This was my third favorite of the bunch. I like it because it’s like a regular vibe but it's also got the added suction with so many different settings and is sooo strong even on a low setting." —Morgan, 25
- "The dark packaging makes it easier to clean and more discreet if you’re nervous about that. I also enjoyed the vibrations of this toy a LOT more than the other Satisfyer versions." —Cameron, 25
Cons:
- "At first, I couldn't figure out how to navigate the suction and the vibration at the same time, so you'll definitely need to read the instruction manual. It’s also weirdly shaped. I just really wish it was shaped like the other toys." —Morgan, 25
- "As a fan of internal-stimulation toys, I was really excited about this one at first, only to find that despite the shape, the toy itself isn’t for internal use. In fact, I actually found the shape to be quite awkward while using it. The vibration was also more rumbly than I liked and there wasn't enough suction." —Cameron, 25
The Pro Deluxe features 11 settings, is also 100% waterproof, and is billed as being one of the easiest Satisfyer models to travel with.
Satisfyer Satisfyer Pro Deluxe Next Generation
Satisfyer Satisfyer Pro Deluxe Next Generation
Pros:
- "It's very small and light. There are lots of different settings and strengths, and the suction is super soft and comfortable." —Morgan, 25
- "Super quiet and sleek design. It's comfortable to hold and maneuver. I was able to pinpoint it to specific placements I wanted a lot easier than other toys." —Cameron, 25
Cons:
- "It felt so strange holding a bulbous egg-shape up to my clit. Normally I like small vibes so I can use it during sex without it getting in the way, but this one was small/awkward to hold alone and just as awkward to use during sex." —Morgan, 25
- "The small shape was also awkward to hold and didn't have as much pressure as I would have liked. There's nothing wrong with it, but I definitely enjoyed the other ones more." —Michelle, 24
Got any products you'd like us to look into? Want to be considered for a future panel? Email Carina Hsieh at chsieh@hearst.com
For more in-depth sex toy reviews of the products mentioned, check out the below:
4 Sex Toys That Will Give You the Best Orgasm
Lelo A Clitoral Massager That Uses Sonic Pulses for a VERY Intense Orgasm
The Lelo Sona uses mighty vibration to hit your clitoris deeeeep into the nerve endings you might not otherwise be able to reach. It’s so good, in fact, that one of our editors said it gave her a “totally new type of orgasm.” Good luck resisting this one.
This silicone clitoral vibrator might not look like much, but trust—it’s actually amazing. The cupped tip fits perfectly over your vulva, and it won’t get in the way with a partner (yes, even during intercourse). The toy also features rumbly waves (no cheap buzzy vibrations here) that are so powerful, you’ll wonder how you ever had sex without it.
Lelo A Rabbit That Does So Much More Than Vibrate
Where regs Rabbit-style vibrators (meaning: they have both internal and external stimulators) just vibrate and shake in place, the Lelo Ina Wave actually moves back and forth in a come-hither motion for a sensation so realistic, it feels like actual intercourse—but better. It’s also rechargeable and waterproof, so it’s perfect for solo bath or shower fun.
This 24-karat-gold necklace not only looks chic, it’s also a very strong bullet vibe. It has an easy one-button turn-on feature, and the charge lasts forever. Unsuspecting people will have no idea that it’s actually your NSFW plaything, but you’ll probably want to wear it all the time anyway because it’s so damn pretty.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity.
*Name has been changed.
