The New Intimacy

How long do you test toys before you review?

Skip to last post
Set alerts
Updates
Forum search
Contributor: kck kck
Hello, all!

I'm just wondering about how long reviewers test their toys before they sit down to write. I've seen a few reviews that have been published and, shortly afterward, have comments by the reviewer saying that the toy no longer works, has a newly discovered flaw, etc.

So, what is the average time you give yourself to make up your mind about a toy?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
A few days
10
About a week
32
About two weeks
10
About a month
4
Depends on the toy
115
Other (explain)
5
Total votes: 176 (139 voters)
Poll is closed
07/16/2010
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Long-distance pleasure set for couples
  • Save Extra 20% On Love Cushion And Toy Set!
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
For me it really depends on the toy. My last review, link took me almost two weeks. There was one that I got for the wife that after one use we new there was no way she would use it again. (caused discomfort no matter what we did)
07/16/2010
Contributor: SexyySarah SexyySarah
It really depends on the toy, because some things I need awhile to review the toy, where others, I can make a decision pretty quickly.
07/16/2010
Contributor: kck kck
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
For me it really depends on the toy. My last review, link took me almost two weeks. There was one that I got for the wife that after one use we new there was no way she would use it again. (caused discomfort no matter what we did) ... more
Yeah, same here. I submitted a review today that took me about a week and a half to decide. But my experience with this DreamGirl lingerie was hellish enough that I basically had my mind made up after the first use. Though I still gave it a couple of more chances before I wrote.
07/16/2010
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
It totally depends on the toy. If it's something that makes us go "This really sucks" when we're using it, it will usually get one more chance to impress us before we write it up. That can take as little as a few days. Mind you, that means toys that hurt or don't work right (mechanically speaking) even after we've made whatever adjustments we can.

Everything else gets tested in many ways, which in the past has run us right up to the review deadline date. We use them in different positions, submerge "waterproof" toys in baths, run vibrators long enough to see if they're prone to overheating, and take matches to any questionable silicone toys to see if they're really silicone. Penis sleeves always get used several times to see if they're going to show signs of tearing. There's no set time frame, we just try to really put toys through their paces to make sure what we're saying is true.
07/16/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
I think it definitely depends on the toy. Sometimes it's just easier to write reviews for some toys rather than others. I've had a vibe in its box for almost 2 weeks now because I just can't make my mind up as to whether or not I want to use it, but I know I need to give it an honest review. I'm waiting for the right moment I guess, lol
07/16/2010
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Interesting timing - I have a reminder in my box that I'm over due to do a review of a product. We've only had the chance use it twice - and I don't feel I have enough valuable information. Luckily the folks at EF are patient - I'll get it done ASAP.
07/16/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
Really depends. Like others have said, if it's horrific, I'll use it twice and get the review done within a couple of days. If I'm unsure, I'll use it until I am sure. If it's amazing, I'll stifle the urge to write it up right away and wait a day or two :p
07/17/2010
Contributor: buzzvibe buzzvibe
It really depends for me. I try to give every product a fair chance and use it a few times in different ways before writing about it. If it's lube, I use it as many was as possible before writing the review, unless it irritates me to the point of scaring me from even trying to using it again.
07/17/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
It really depends on what it is honestly. Obviously, a book just needs to be read. Most BDSM toys will get some use, but they tend not to just "stop" working due to time. Same with sex toys. I'll give them a couple uses, but it's not a specific time-frame. It's a couple uses.
07/17/2010
Contributor: LiftedUp LiftedUp
I agree that it totally depends on the toy. I will say though, that we try to use all our toys at least a few times before writing the review though, so that we can be fair and unbiased.
07/17/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Definitely depends on the toy. For one thing, if I absolutely love a toy I"ll tend to test it less before writing the review. If it's so-so I'll test it more. If it's terrible but safe I'll also test it more, terrible and unsafe = little testing.

I'll also test more if there are multiple ways to use it (have to try each one out, right?) than if there is just one.

I guess the answer is that I try to test long enough to get a good feel for the toy.
07/18/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
It depends on the toy. If I am ambivalent about the toy, I will wait until I've used it for a while, to make a final run down on how I feel about it. If it sucks (in a bad way) immediately or it's fantastic immediately, I'll write a review after only a few uses. The first toy I wrote a review for was the Boss Lady by Fun Factory, (on an other site) because we loved it so much. I think we'd only had it a week or two, but I HAD TO LET PEOPLE KNOW what a great toy it is.

OTOH, I have still not written a review on my Hitachi, I've had it for several months, but it doesn't get a lot of use in out house, the noise, and the fact that I am not sure how I feel about it. It isn't the "orgasmatron" that everyone talks about for me, but I want to be fair to it and give it a little more time and trial plays before I write about it.

Sometimes stuff sits there for a while and you intend to use it and don't get around to it. Like the Astroglide Anal Poppers we have. Only used them once, want to give them a few more tries before reviewing them. We are always out of breath and in a hurry when we reach for the anal lube, so he or I just end up grabbing the trusty old bottle of Astroglide Green Cap. Again, I want to be fair to the product, so I have to give it more time.
07/20/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Depends on the toy. Some things really can only be used once...so obviously once.

But other that are more detailed with features get used multiple times in many ways, which can sometimes take weeks. Even months if it is a toy that requires a certain situation.

If the toy is simple, I'll use it a few times over 48 hours and if there are no glitches...that'll do.
07/20/2010
Contributor: Sera Sera
It does really depend on the toy, but sometimes a whole day.
08/28/2010
Contributor: Dusk Dusk
It really depends on the toy and what I've used it for, etc. I just wrote my first review on some bondage rope that my partner and I bought a few months ago, but I wanted some more time with it before writing my review. I plan to write my next one on my newly bought Gigi (got it a few weeks ago!) but I've really only had a few sessions with it, plus the joy of opening it and looking through all of the packaging.
08/29/2010
Contributor: Red Vinyl Kitty Red Vinyl Kitty
It depends on the toy for me too. It isn't a set amount of time for me, it is a matter of uses. I always make sure to try out toys which ARE reusable more than once. Although, like others mentioned things like books get one read, and single use toys get single uses.
09/01/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Depends. And if I don't like it the first time, i try again a few times to make sure.
09/01/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
It depends on the toy. If I am ambivalent about the toy, I will wait until I've used it for a while, to make a final run down on how I feel about it. If it sucks (in a bad way) immediately or it's fantastic immediately, I'll write a ... more
I just read this, and realized after I wrote this we started using the Poppers regularly. Sometimes, things have to grow on you before you like them.

In fact, I am almost out, and I NEED Eden to get them back in stock.

If I get an assignment from Eden I feel like I have to write the review in a short period of time. Knowing I also have to use it enough to write the review well. Things I buy on my own, I take more time with.

As for the Hitachi, I like it, but there are so many reviews for it. I don't know if I would add anything insightful.
09/10/2010
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
Quote:
Originally posted by kck
Hello, all!

I'm just wondering about how long reviewers test their toys before they sit down to write. I've seen a few reviews that have been published and, shortly afterward, have comments by the reviewer saying that the toy no longer ... more
I am like a kid on Christmas when I get my toys. I use them as soon as possible, and then I start writing my review. I selected other, and a few days, because I will usually start writing the review the same day, but I don't always submit it right away. I will wait a couple days. IMO the follow up review can be used for any flaws or defects that are found after a certain length of time. Plus, when I get assignments I only have so much time to turn them in :p
09/11/2010
Contributor: MnWolf MnWolf
Depends on the toy like a lot of others have already said, it just depends on what it is really. Being male there are toys that I just can't rush to the bedroom and play around. Not that I mind that, as it gives me time to do homework on the toy and to start making notes of things that I notice about the toy right away. A lot of things that make up the bulk of a review... well for me, are done while not even using it.
09/12/2010
Contributor: Love Buzz Love Buzz
I like to be able to use a toy at least 4 or 5 times before I start my review and then go back and give it yet another good test before I complete the review, I like to give toys a good chance to impress me and like my reviews to be as thourough as possible
09/14/2010
Contributor: PurpleBerry PurpleBerry
I would have to say it depends on the toy.
09/14/2010
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
It depends on the toy and my schedule. If I travel, I usually take it along and when I get back, finish the review. These might take longer. I just had a little accident with my hand so that affects things as well.
09/15/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
I've had the Lelo Ina for many, many months and just reviewed it today. I got the Violet Ripple in the mail on Thursday, and wrote my review on Saturday. It definitely depends on the toy.

First of all, the Ina is obviously much more complex than a simple glass plug. Secondly, I bought the Ina elsewhere (so I could pay cash, sorry) and therefore felt no pressure to submit the review, whereas the Violet Ripple was an assignment.

Two uses is the minimum, though. I would never use something once and then review it immediately, I'd feel like I was cutting corners.
10/03/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
I just had an interesting situation come up. I was sent the Nexus Stilo and a day or two later the Pipedream Icicles #14. I decided to hold off on the Icicles review for a while and use it more because the Nexus was a very good product and made the Icicles seem more common by comparison. I'm glad I did - on its own the Icicles was much better than compared to the Stilo.
11/10/2010
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
I start to take notes after the first use and will add to that each usage experience. Sometimes I will take a week or more before actually writing it. Other times I'll love the toy so much that I will use it a number of times in a few days and then write it.
11/14/2010
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
It varies. Sometimes I write it after only a few days of use and other times it's longer. I bought the Wahl over the summer and I'm just now writing the review because I haven't been motivated enough nor did it work as wonderfully for me as it did for other people. I figured I'd give it some more chances.
11/14/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Kim!
It varies. Sometimes I write it after only a few days of use and other times it's longer. I bought the Wahl over the summer and I'm just now writing the review because I haven't been motivated enough nor did it work as wonderfully for me ... more
Kim, I am looking forward to your review of the Wahl. Some tips for you. I find it works much better with some penetration stimulation. We usually pair it with his hand or a phallic vibe or dil. As there are no penetrative attachments, we use a separate insertable (or his hand, or occasionally, if we can swing it, his penis, but it's harder than is sounds) along with the Wahl on the clit. Also, sometime we also use some anal stim. We get everything going at once. Fun.

Also, moving it, kind of rocking it back and forth during use helps.

Good luck on your review.
11/14/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I have huge issues with products being reviewed within a day or so of receiving them.

I firmly believe each product should be used at least 3 or 4 times and in a few different situations before being reviewed.

Obviously there are some exceptions but, after so many reviews, I've found that my first impression is often quite a bit different than my impression a week or two later. "New toy mania" sets in and it's hard to say my first impression is accurate - way, way too often I've found that SUPER! toys were not so super the third or fourth time I used them or that less than wonderful toys slowly but steadily worked themselves into a spot on my favorites list.

I dunno. Maybe it's because I see the assignments go out and then see reviews done 4 days later and know the person could only have had the item for a day or two, I sort of feel like... really? really? Slow down, damn it! It's not a race. We're so picky about what information is in the reviews, so picky about having each little detail because "the customers need them!". And yet we're pumping out reviews a day or two after receiving the product.

Bah.

No likey.
11/14/2010