Welcome to the "Which Magic Wand Vibrator Is Right for Me?" game show!
With their recent Magic Wand Micro release, Vibratex now offers five vibrators, which can be a bit overwhelming when you simply want to try out the iconic vibrator everyone is always talking about. Here we'll introduce you to the line and help you find the best fit for you.
READ: How a Simple Wand Started a Sexual Revolution
Are you familiar with the Vibratex Magic Wand vibrator family? If not, the first thing we need to do is "meet the contestants." We have:
Like all things in life, each version offers pros and cons that might help you determine the best wand vibrator for your bedroom.
Handy-dandy chart? Uh, yes, please.
Here are various other things to note from this sorta-scientific comparison:
Now, let's get this game show on the road and compare each of our contestants against seven crucial criteria - power, noise, size, weight, materials, control and battery life - to see who comes out on top as the best wand vibrator.
I'm not going to bury the lead here; I'm going to assume every single person reading this primarily wants to know about the power differences between the top vibration intensity of all five massagers. So here it is:
The Magic Wand Original is the strongest, but it's essentially on-par with the Magic Wand Plus. Since both of them require outlet power to vibrate, that makes a lot of sense. (You will be tethered to the wall!)
But, frankly, if you handed me the Magic Wand Rechargeable and asked me if it was stronger, I could find the Rechargeable just as powerful as the Original and the Plus. It's freaky (honestly) how powerful the rechargeable is, considering it doesn't require outlet power to function.
Now, as for the Magic Wand Mini: It's less powerful and less rumbly. I can't figure out if that's because it has less surface area or because of its smaller motor size; but it doesn't have the same, deep vibrations of any of the full-sized wand massagers. They're still more powerful than the Micro, but they don't compare to the intensities of the three full-sized options.
That isn't to say the Magic Wand Mini is weak. It isn't. It's easily strong enough to make it one of the most powerful vibrators you own - and if we were comparing it to "normal" vibrators, it would win by a landslide.
READ: Pick Your Pleasure: 10 Steps to Choosing a Vibrator
But when you compare it to the power tools of the vibrator industry, it doesn't shine as gloriously as the current Olympians do.
The Micro, as could be expected, is the weakest of the bunch. The vibrations themselves aren't anything to scoff at, but they simply aren't as rumbly and deep as the full-sized wand massagers. Deep, rumbly, thrumming vibrations are what made the Magic Wands famous in the first place. While the Micro's vibrations aren't weak, they aren't that deep-tissue intensity either. They feel more on-par with a powerful 7" handheld vibrator than a wand massager - which is still impressive for a toy that's less than 5" long!
The Vibratex Magic Wand Micro.
So, the Magic Wand Micro and Mini are powerful in their own right - and more than enough for most to orgasm. But if you're one of the few who downright requires Magic Wand strength to consider the idea of orgasm, the travel-sized options is likely going to fall short of your needs.
Also, now my bits and my hands are entirely numb from 40 minutes of playing "Which Vibe is Strongest?". Eek!
Power isn't the only thing that matters with a vibrator - noise matters too.
And as someone who has read the comments sections of porn videos featuring the Magic Wand Original, the sheer noise of the Original can be distracting for people - assuming you're able to get the privacy to tolerate its intensity in the first place.
So, with that in mind, let's talk about how much noise each one of these massagers makes.
Let's get this out of the way first: Most of these are not going to be a good fit if you share a room with someone or if you're trying to use these vibrators in the same room as someone else. These just aren't public play vibrators. Power, in almost all cases, comes with some noise - and that's the case with the Magic Wands too. (The most powerful "super quiet" vibrator I know of would be the We-Vibe Tango X.)
Beyond that, your quietest option is the Magic Wand Micro. Possibly because of the smaller motor size, or because the vibrations are less rumbly, the Mini makes noticeably less noise than its full-sized counterparts. The noise it makes is on the "humming" spectrum of noise too, not the deeper rattling I get with the Plus and the Original.
You could get away with using the Magic Wand Micro on its lowest settings with a movie playing while sitting in the same room with another person. The higher settings get a bit louder and easier to hear, but the lowest setting does have a bit of discretion to it. You could not do the same with the Rechargeable, Original, or Plus wand massagers. They just make too much noise.
READ: 9 Ways to Use a Wand Massager in the Bedroom
Each one of the giant, hulking, full-sized Magic Wand vibrators are contenders for some of longest vibrators on the market.
While wand massagers tend to be some of the longest vibrators out there, the Magic Wands have always been some of the longest, especially as other manufacturers attempt to get the power of the wand into smaller, more compact forms. Most people tolerate the Magic Wand's gigantic size because of the power it provides; it isn't always a desired trait.
To offer another option for people who wanted something easier to handle, the Magic Wand Mini is about ten inches in length (9.6 inches to be exact).
Very recently, Magic Wand went even further to please those who like shorter vibrators with the Magic Wand Micro. The Micro clocks in at a 4.5" length with a lightweight 3 ounces in weight. It's the shortest Magic Wand by far, and it's one of the few full-functionality miniature wand massagers out there. (It's also seriously adorable.)
The Magic Wand Rechargeable, Plus and Original each pop out at 13 inches in length - the Original is slightly longer because of the built-in cord at the handle's base. Thirteen inches is longer than my forearm (by a large margin). Honestly, measure out the length before you pick up a Magic Wand because the full-sized lengths will most definitely surprise you!
READ: 7 Things to Think About When Choosing a Wand Massager
The Magic Wand Mini has a head diameter of 1.9 inches, which means it will cover slightly under 1.9 inches when pressed against your body.
The Magic Wand Micro has an even smaller head diameter of 1.3". This diameter is less than the diameter of most bananas - y'know, if you were going to push a cut-in-half banana up against your pleasure zones.
On the other hand, the Magic Wand Rechargeable and Plus have a head diameter of 2.4 inches, something Vibratex has kept virtually consistent so all of the Magic Wand accessories can be used on any of the full-sized versions. This is a broad, wide head that can be used to pleasure multiple areas simultaneously. It can be especially useful when someone is clothed or their "exact" sweet spot isn't easy to ascertain.
The Magic Wand Original has a slightly slimmer head diameter of 2.25 inches, mostly because it's made of vinyl as opposed to the Plus and Rechargeable's plushier silicone heads.
Almost all Magic Wand Attachments will fit the Original, Plus and Rechargeable interchangeably. It is unlikely they'll fit the Mini or Micro.
With this all in mind, I want to make sure you know: No one has ever claimed the Magic Wand vibrators are lightweight, easy-to-handle toys.
For accessibility purposes, if you have difficulty gripping and/or handling large/heavy objects, the Magic Wand Mini might be the clear winner right out of the gate—because the larger, unwieldy full-size versions can be hard to wrangle on a good day. It weighs 9.7 ounces.
While the Micro is the smallest, by-far, of the bunch, its smaller handle may make it harder for those with grip issues to get a firm "grip" on the toy while still being able to use it. However, if weight is the concern, the Micro is the lightest of the bunch at 3 ounces. (That's about the same weight as a deck of cards!)
(Using sex furniture like the Liberator Axis can help make all of the Magic Wand versions accessible to everyone regardless of grip strength.)
The Original and Rechargeable are each over a pound—with the Original at 1.2 pounds and Rechargeable at 1.3 pounds. The Mini clocks in around 10 ounces—which is a much nicer, friendlier weight to wield.
The Vibratex Magic Wand Micro.
These aren't nicely-balanced dumbbells either; the weight isn't perfectly spread across the length of the wand. Instead, I'd say 80% of the weight is located in the head while 20% is used for the plastic handle. This means Magic Wand vibrators can feel pretty unwieldy—especially if you're working against gravity (like holding the toy up against a standing person versus using it on someone who's lying down).
Keep that in mind for usage; grip strength will be a use concern—but so will wrist and rotational strength. As the vibrator head is where the majority of the weight is located, it can take some stabilization to keep the vibrator in place exactly where you want it.
READ: 9 Super-Hot Ways to Use a Wand Massager
All five of these vibrators feature the same design: a long, plastic handle capped off by a broad head at the tip (and the charging/power port at the base). The Mini and Micro versions feature the same style shrunk down into a smaller length.
While this plastic handle can get a bit slippery if you have lube or slickness on your hands, most people will find these vibes extremely easy to grip—especially the Mini. The buttons give a really nice resting point for my thumb (and feel second-nature) while the handle's slightly flared base ensures the vibe never slips through my fingers.
My only complaint about the plastic handle: Especially with years of use, I can definitely see grime build-up between the seams of the plastic handle on the Original. I need to use a toothpick and get between these seams to get the grime out. I'd say this is probably my only complaint; since the plastic handle shouldn't get near bodily fluids too often, this won't likely be a huge concern, but it will be a potential upkeep over years of ownership.
If you regularly share your vibrator with others, keep the Magic Wand's head material in mind when choosing between the four. The Mini, Plus, Micro, and Rechargeable all have silicone heads which can be sterilized between partners. The Original has a vinyl head—but since the dawn of time, kinksters have been covering it with a condom to share it between areas. Just something to consider!
READ: Sex Toy Safety: A Guide to Materials
However, if you regularly use silicone lube, the Magic Wand Original will be your BFF. The silicone heads on all the other massagers may not be compatible with your silicone lube of choice.
The Vibratex Magic Wands.
From texture alone, I personally prefer the plushier feel of silicone I can get with the Plus, Micro, Mini, or Rechargeable. It feels smoother (no texturing, like the vinyl!) and nicer against my skin. It glides really nicely with a bit of lube, too.
When the Magic Wand Original launched back in 1968, it was launched with a rocker switch between "low" and "high." Just two, steady vibration settings. That's it.
(Fun fact: if you plug in the Original while that rocker switch is flipped one way or another, the Original will come to life and shake itself all over the couch while you die of surprise.)
As people wanted more options (mostly because even "low" is ridiculously strong!), Vibratex released the Magic Wand Plus—which has the Original's same design but with a removable cord for easier storage (it's not rechargeable!) and four vibration speeds.
Instead of using a rocker switch (which, now, didn't make sense for four vibration options), the Magic Wand Plus used embedded silicone buttons which make a beautifully satisfying "click" when pressed in. It features one power button, one "up" button and one "down" button. A corresponding LED light shows you what power level you're on.
The Vibratex Magic Wands.
When Vibratex released the Magic Wand Rechargeable, however, they mixed it up a bit. The Rechargeable uses these same, satisfying buttons—but it also features multiple, patterned vibration modes. So, the Rechargeable has four steady vibration intensities and four vibration patterns to explore. Each one of the Rechargeable patterns is at a set intensity; you can't adjust the intensity of each vibration pattern. You get what you get.
Despite the Rechargeable's button structure looking similar to the Plus', it's different when you get it in your hands. It has the same power button—but gone are the up and down buttons. Instead, the Rechargeable features one button for steady vibration and one for patterns. Single-press either of those buttons to scroll through the four different options of each. The LED light sticks around with the Rechargeable too—only, with this one, the light turns green when you start to explore the pattern options.
The Magic Wand Mini appears to have gone back to the Magic Wand Plus' roots—it's equipped with three steady vibration levels and zero patterns. It uses the exact same control structure of the Magic Wand Plus, too: one power button, one up button and one down button with a corresponding LED light that shows you what vibration intensity you're currently on.
On the other hand, Vibratex decided Micro should have the most minimalist control system of them all. (It makes sense when you only have about 4 inches to work with!)
The Micro has two buttons: a power button and a "Mode" button. The power button will only turn the vibrator on or off. While the vibrator is on, you can enjoy that satisfying "click" of a button press on the "Mode" button to cycle through the 7 equipped vibration modes. (3 steady vibration intensities with 4 vibration patterns). Gone are the LED lights; this control panel is back-to-basics.
None of these are great (or bad!) in their own right; it all depends on what you want to use your vibrator for.
If you want patterns, the Magic Wand Rechargeable or Magic Wand Micro are your only options. And if you regularly drag (or press) your vibrator onto the ground or against another body, I'd caution against the Original because movement could flip the vibration switch accidentally.
READ: How to Use a Magic Wand: Secrets from the Sexperts.
Despite the Magic Wand Original's iconic status, it carries one large complaint with it (even from the people who have fallen in love with it): It only offers two different vibration intensities. You get "low" (which is still 200% more intense than most vibrators' highest intensities) and "high" (which is in another stratosphere).
This means the Magic Wand Original may not be a good warm-up vibrator for many; it's simply too powerful to work on unaroused, unstimulated flesh for a lot of people! (In fact, some people find it too intense all the time).
So, this means your ability to control the available intensities is an important point—and one I want to touch on while comparing all of these wand massagers from Vibratex.
If you know you want to use your Magic Wand for a warm-up, I recommend skipping over the Magic Wand Original entirely. It offers two modes: low and high. (Or, y'know, I call them "fuck" and "FUCK!"). There is no warm-up with the Magic Wand Original. Instead, go with the Rechargeable, Plus, Micro, or Mini.
The Plus, conversely, offers a lowest setting that's still intense (and can easily get me to orgasm with zero effort on my part). If placed on my bare bits with no warm-up, the intensity is still enough for a "nope" until I've gotten a bit of arousal under my belt.
The Rechargeable has a similar lowest setting; it's pleasant and not overbearing—as long as I'm already turned on—but it's a beast (in a bad way) on a bare, unexcited clit.
To get you from zero to 100, I'd probably go with the Magic Wand Micro. It has the gentlest vibrations out of all of the Magic Wand options, and it instantly pops into that softest setting as soon as you hit the power button. I can tolerate this softest sensation on my unaroused clit without a problem, and it feels good.
The only concern you might have with the Micro is the top intensity. While the lowest intensity is a great option for unaroused flesh, the Micro does not have the same power at the top intensities. So if you need absolute power for orgasm, you might find yourself reaching for one of the full-sized Magic Wands to make it happen once you're already turned on. Luckily, the Micro is lightweight and tiny because it's easy to "add-on" to any other toy you already were carrying to bed!
You also may have an option in the Magic Wand Mini—primarily because the vibrations aren't as intense as its full-sized counterparts. While it's a bit shaky (I think the noise I made was "Eeee!" trying to force myself to stay still) to use it on an unaroused clit, you can use the lowest setting without causing pain. (Discomfort, yes. Pain, no.) It does have stronger vibrations at the highest settings than the Mini does, though.
However, the Magic Wand Mini only offers three intensity levels. If you primarily use steady vibration intensities, be aware that you'll only get three—compared to the four you get with the Rechargeable or the Plus. This can reduce some of the "climb" if that's what your body needs/wants.
READ: How to Charm a Clitoris
Both the Magic Wand Original and Magic Wand Plus need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to work. There is no "battery life" because they cease to function if you unplug them. (The Plus features a removable cord for easy storage—but it is not rechargeable!)
On the other hand, the Mini, Micro, and the Rechargeable are all, well, rechargeable. The Rechargeable boasts a battery life of around three hours (I'm pretty sure; I recycled its instruction manual a long time ago), the Mini has a battery life of about two and a half hours, and the Micro has a battery life of 3 hours (as confirmed by the instructions I'm holding in my hands).
However, like all Magic Wands, the sheer power the vibrational motors create can cause a heat build-up—and continuing to use the vibrator once it reaches a certain heat can damage your toy. This means all Magic Wands are only designed to be used for 20-25 minutes at a time—regardless of battery life.
In the case of the Magic Wand Mini, Micro, and Plus, a protection is built right into the toy: These Magic Wand will turn themselves off around 20 minutes of run time. Vibratex recommends allowing it to stay off for 30 minutes before attempting to use it again.
As a note, the Magic Wand Rechargeable is the only wand massager (I'm aware of) that features a "plug and play" design. That means if you forget to charge it up but still want to play, you can use it while on its charging cable—which will function as a power cord for corded use. I really don't know of any other vibrator that does that. (The Mini and Micro do NOT have that functionality.)
READ: 5 Fun Places to Use a Clitoral Vibrator (Besides Your Clit)
While this Magic Wand comparison is primarily to help you select between the different Magic Wand versions, it isn't a coincidence that it's coming out at the same time as the new Magic Wand Mini release. With that in mind, I want to give you a few different "need to knows" you might want to know about the new, adorable Micro:
(I love safety warnings sometimes. The Magic Wand Micro's manual specifically states, verbatim: "Never operate on a soft surface such as a bed or couch where the air openings may become blocked.")
If you like (or want!) strong vibrations, any of the Magic Wands will be a perfect fit. Honestly, that's where they excel. They're powerful enough to be obnoxiously so (at times).
So, your first step when selecting the best wand vibrator for you is to make absolutely certain that you love and want powerful vibrations. If "earth-shattering intensity" sounds painful, a Magic Wand isn't probably the best vibe for you. It just isn't. Their lower settings start strong—and it only goes further up into the stratosphere from there.
Next, I'd recommend selecting based on grip strength and available space. If you plan on primarily using your Magic Wand between close bodies in intercourse positions, I'd recommend the Magic Wand Mini or Micro —unless you're 100% sure you need the full power of the full-sized counterparts. Both the Magic Wand Mini and Micro feel ridiculously lightweight compared to the full-sized wands; so if grip strength and sex fatigue tends to be on your mind, I'd probably lean towards the Magic Wand Mini or Micro as well.
If you will primarily be using the Magic Wand on another person who regularly is wearing clothing (or regularly has their fun bits facing away from you in a way that doesn't allow you to get good aim), I'd recommend one of the full-sized Magic Wands for the additional space on the head. This can help ensure you get the right spot and reduce how accurate you need to be when you can't visually gauge where the best placement is.
Now, take into account your discretionary needs. If a quiet vibe is for you, your best option is the Micro with the Mini as a potential contender. The Magic Wand Original's rattling is, by-far, the worst offender—but the Rechargeable and Plus aren't going to cut it in quiet environments either. While the Plus is still louder than your average vibrator, it isn't approaching the "power tool" noise level I can occasionally feel from my Magic Wand Original.
If getting the most power humanly possible is vital to you: go with the Magic Wand Plus (or a Cowgirl, if that's in your budget.).
If you want serious power—but also want freedom from the wall, go with the Magic Wand Rechargeable.
If budget is a concern and you want to ensure your vibrator lasts as long as humanly possible before needing a replacement, go with the Magic Wand Original.
If you want to regularly travel with your vibrator, go with the Magic Wand Micro. It's the only one that isn't going to add substantial weight and space to your luggage - but still provide surprisingly good vibrations.
If you're willing to sacrifice a bit of power for something that's easy to handle and great for use during intercourse (or alongside a dildo or other insertable!), go with the Magic Wand Mini or Micro.
If I had none of these wands and could only buy one knowing what I know, I'd go with the Magic Wand Rechargeable. It offers the most flexibility (via its cordless-ness and patterns) while simultaneously retaining the same, rumbly vibrations of the Original and Plus. I'd lose out on portability and easy maneuvering; but I'd probably supplement my Magic Wand Rechargeable with smaller vibes to help fulfill that role if I needed to.
READ: 5 Ways You Didn't Know You Could Use a Bullet Vibrator
While I was writing this Magic Wand comparison, a few other sex toys popped into my head as potential alternatives to Magic Wands - especially if your needs align with the following:
READ: Is Your Sex Toy Ethical?
Since the Magic Wand vibrators have been available for purchase for years now, there's a treasure trove of amazing reviews out there to help you further dive into which Magic Wand might be best for you.
Here are some highlights:
"I thought that I had a clit of steel before this, normally needing to put most of my vibrators on HIGH before I could feel something. With the Original Magic Wand, even on low, I am a happy camper, but when I switch over to high I can get off in seconds." - Witch of the Wands
"Yep, still mega strong. The Magic Wand Plus’ strengths start with 'attention-grabbing' and end with 'explosion.' Orgasms with this are pretty quick and fierce. I usually need pinpoint stimulation, but I just use the square-ish corners of the head, and they serve me just fine. Unless you need ultra pin-point stimulation, or you need very faint/weak vibrations, it’s hard to go wrong with this one." - Miss Ruby Reviews
"The Magic Wand Rechargeable (MWR) is so much better than my original Hitachi in so many ways. First, and most importantly for me, it has four speeds versus the Hitachi Magic Wand’s two speeds. The MWR’s first (lowest) speed is wonderful. It’s powerful, yet deep and rumbly." - Toy Meets Girl
"The Magic Wand Mini isn’t as powerful or rumbly as its full-size cousin, the Magic Wand Rechargeable. However, it’s a LOT cheaper, nimbler, easier to travel with, and easier to maneuver during sex." - Miss Ruby Reviews
All things considered: the Magic Wand Micro is a surprisingly "true to brand" miniature toy. The Micro maintains that iconic look and feel of a Magic Wand but in a size that's literally too adorable. The vibrations are surprisingly deep for its size (and put some "regular" vibrators to shame), but they do not compare in depth or rumbliness with its full-sized counterparts. Instead, you gain a vibrator that's much more comfortable to handle, fits into tighter spaces, offers quieter vibrations, and doesn't need a suitcase of its own to travel with you.
And, even after losing a bit of the potency of its full-sized counterparts, you're still left with a vibrator that's slightly more powerful and rumbly than your average vibe.
For me, that means the Magic Wand Micro will become my new travel companion when I think I might want vibrations, but I'm not willing to assume I'd want them enough to bring my most powerful options. I've taken it on a first date (just in case something happened!). It wasn't heavy enough that I felt annoyed or put-out by bringing it, but I felt reassured that it was there just in case pleasure possibilities came up.
When I'm at home, though, I'll likely reach for the Magic Wand Rechargeable for the deeper, rumblier vibrations in most situations where size doesn't matter.
