Sex toy reviews
Review: Minna Ola Programmable Vibrator
Imagine a toy that needs no batteries, can be used in any environment and remembers your favorite things after being told only once. Check this review of the Minna Ola.
The Verdict: (out of five)
The Toy
Your Mission: Imagine a toy that needs no batteries, can be used in any environment and remembers your favorite things after being told only once. Now imagine that this amazing device is made of durable futuristic material and that it eschews antiquated notions like on/off switches and attached cords. Are you imagining it? Now make it a lovely shade of purple or pink and you've got the Minna Ola programmable vibrator.
Everything about this clitoral vibe looks like the not-too-distant future. The Minna Ola programmable vibrator is rechargeable and made of high-quality silicone. Yes, that makes it a little more expensive, but silicone toys are a great investment; they're durable, non-porous, hypoallergenic and smooth to the touch. The Minna Ola vibe is also completely waterproof. This model is about 8 inches long and about 1 inch across at its widest point. It has a slightly curved shape with a pronounced angle at one end. This angle contains an inflatable pad. Sound interesting? It is. And I'll get to that later.
The Minna Ola comes with a magnetic charging cord that adapts to re-inflate the pressure pad if needed, and a shiny cloth drawstring bag. Because ... discretion is everything, I guess. Funny, considering the toy arrived in a 16-inch tube that seemed frighteningly large for something I planned to get intimate with.
Minna Ola in Pink, MySecretLuxury.com
Operation
I found it amusing that the Minna Ola came with instructions. In fact, it came with a manual. Of several pages. And a fold-out cheat sheet. It seemed like a lot of directions for something I was already pretty good at. But as I read it all over I realized that this thing might actually have a bit of a learning curve.
For example, the Minna Ola arrived mostly charged. How did I know? It tells me when I turn it on:Three quick pulses in succession? Full charge. Two pulses? Medium charge. Just one? Time to recharge.
The shaft is widest near the tip and tapers to a rounded peak. The flat, angled top end contains the inflatable, pressure-sensitive pad that controls this vibe. Barely touch it for the faintest hint of vibration. A little squeeze gives you a stronger vibe. The harder you squeeze, the stronger the vibrations get. Don't want to keep squeezing? The Minna Ola can be programmed to hold a specific vibration, or lock-in to repeat any number of patterns. If that sounds complicated, keep in mind that the Minna Ola contains only two inconspicuous buttons and two lights. The instructions are simple, easy to follow, and have clear diagrams. To test the battery, I charged it fully then let it run at a strong vibration for 20 minutes. When I turned it off and then back on, it had a medium charge. Not bad!
You can check out a video below for more details on how Minna works from the product's manufacturers.
Introducing Minna Ola from kGoal on Vimeo.
The Highs
The Minna Ola has great features and is easy to use. The shape is comfortable and effective; and as always, the silicone is soft and feels natural. The pressure-sensitive vibration system is not just technologically advanced, it allows for infinite levels of vibration. The loop function is a brilliant innovation that lets you customize the Minna Ola to your exact specifications while being flexible enough for easy reprogramming as often as you like. No need for attachments, new batteries, or add-ons. It's perfect and complete right out of the box. The Ola vibe is also easy to clean with mild soap and water, and can be completely submerged for cleaning or taken into the tub just for fun. It's also quiet compared to say, the Rabbit Pearl.
The Lows
If you're used to the super-intense vibrations of a plug-in vibe, the Minna Ola may come up short. (And if that sounds like you, check out my review of the Hitachi Magic Wand.) This is true of any battery or rechargeable vibe though. Compared to other battery vibes, the vibrations are stronger than average. This model has a maximum diameter of 1 inch, so if you prefer more width, this may not be the toy for you. (And keep in mind that it is marketed as a clitoral vibrator.) Fans of overtly phallic styles or whimsical animal motifs may find the simple styling of the Ola too plain. I liked it. My only complaint is the magnetic cord, as it doesn't attach very securely. This may be to discourage use while recharging. The manual strongly cautions against that, by the way.
Going Solo
This is a fun and futuristic meeting of form and function. The toy's ergonomic in design makes it extremely versatile. As mentioned, it's capable of as many pulse patterns as you can think of. That means it's unlikely to get pushed to the back of the drawer when you get your hands on something newer - at least not for long.
Partner Play
This is one sex toy that's even better in the hands of a partner. The pressure-pad gives your partner control for teasing play and fun all around. Plus, the fact that it's easy to use reduces unsexy fiddling.
The Verdict
The Minna Ola vibe gets my recommendation. The programmability and functionality are completely unique - and extremely effective. The Ola is not just multitalented, it's the future of sex toys. I'm giving it five out five!
Disclosure: MySecretLuxury.com provided Kinkly with this toy to review. Our policy is that our writers provide the pros and cons of each and every toy, because even the best toys could be better! Read more great sex toy reviews here.