Picobong is the pocketbook-friendly brand by Lelo. The fun and fresh designs are cost-effective by sacrificing certain luxuries without losing those key qualities that Lelo is known for.

Ako, dubbed the "outie vibe", is a small vibrator meant for external use. It is shaped to fit perfectly in both the palm of the hand and around the curves of the body.

Use Ako on any external erogenous zone, such as the clitoris, nipples, and testicles. Lacking an anal-safe flared base, it is not designed for internal use. There are much better shapes for internal vaginal use, but Ako may be stimulating for some.

With a partner or solo, Ako is a great toy to take along on trips, in the pool or just lounging around the house. Whether you're new to toys or have a whole slew of them in your closet, this is an innovative toy with a lot to offer. Make Ako a part of your foreplay and discover just how much variety there can be in vibrations. With so many patterns to choose from and such an array of intensities, Ako just may find a spot in your bedside table.

Picobong toys feature quality, body-safe materials that can stand proudly next to their luxury vibrator sisters. The Ako is no different. The body of the toy is made of buttery smooth, FDA approved silicone. This material is rated 10 out of 10 of Eden's safety scale. The cap and battery compartment are made of ABS plastic, rated an 8 on Eden's scale. Both are non-porous, latex and phthalate free materials.

Ako is solid, with no give at all. However, the silicone on the underside of the tip feels a bit thicker and has a slight bit of squish. The silicone has very little drag and feels remarkably soft. A water based lube may make things more comfortable but should not even be required with Ako.

There is no texture to speak of aside from some small markings and design features. These design features make the toy more user friendly and an adequate choice for anyone, from beginners to toy enthusiasts.

There is evidence of a tiny seam that runs around the middle of the silicone body. This cannot be felt at all and can only even be seen upon very close inspection. It will not bother even the most seam-sensitive people.

The scent is initially one of a new plastic toy. This fades over time, with use and cleaning. It was not an overly strong smell and would not be something to be concerned about.

Ako is shaped something like an oversized kidney bean. At least, the tip of it is. There is an oval shaped ridge that runs around Ako's belly just bellow the pointed underside of the tip. Though the whole of the toy is broad and rounded, the tip is tapered to deliver intensely pin-point stimulation.

The Picobong logo is stamped into the silicone on one side. The other side features the control buttons. These are slightly raised square-shaped buttons. The "+" and "-" symbols are raised on the buttons, whereas the "M" is stamped into the middle button. With these raised symbols, the buttons can be easily detected without having to look at them.


The battery cap is hard plastic with tapering ridges. The ridges enable the user to better grip this handle. The very end of the cap has a loop for attaching the Picobong charm that is included. This charm itself is 1 5/8" long and roughly 4 1/4" in total length. The charm is made of a flexible rubber material.

Ako measures roughly 4 3/4" in total length. The body of the toy is 3 1/4" long. If the toy were to be inserted vaginally, you'd get to about 1 3/4" before reaching the buttons on the side.



Having an oblong shape, the diameter is somewhat difficult to describe. See the photo above for more details on this. In the widest part of the midsection, Ako has a 4 1/2" circumference. The circumference around the tip is 3 3/4" to 4".

As an external toy, Ako's size is appropriate for anyone who thinks or knows they will enjoy this type of toy. It is easily concealed and perfect for travel.

The Ako has three buttons that control it. There is a "+", a "-" and an "M". It is very easy to operate. The buttons are easy to press, without being so easy to affect use. The buttons click each time they are pressed. Hold down the "+" for a couple seconds to turn Ako on. The "+" and "-" buttons are used to select vibration intensity. They can be held down and released when the desired strength is reached or simply click once to move up or down in intensity. The "M" button is for the modes, of which there are 11. Here is my best description of them:

1. Long pulses
2. Shorter pulses
3. Even shorter pulses
4. Very short pulses
5. Step-wise escalation
6. Faster version of 5
7. Rollercoaster
8. Faster rollercoaster
9. Rollercoaster with three short pulses
10. Roller coaster with 5 short pulses
11. Random
12. Back to steady vibrations

It is all but impossible to count the number of steady speeds. Ako will increase or decrease in intensity by holding the "+" or "-" button respectively, similar to a Jopen toy. Unlike a Jopen, however, it will also change speeds when the button is clicked and upon turning Ako on, it can still be reduced in speed. I was able to count 9-10 varying speeds, but I could be mistaken.

The modes must all be cycled through in order, there is no going backwards. The only quick way to get back to steady vibrations, rather than cycling through all 11 modes, is to turn the Ako off by holding down the "-" for a couple seconds and then turning it back on.

In any of the modes, the intensity can be altered by clicking or holding down the "+" or "-" buttons, to go higher or lower respectively. This is especially nice for anyone to be able to enjoy the patterns as you can select for weaker or stronger vibrations within any pattern.

The vibrations are middle of the road between rumbly and buzzy. They are not super buzzy but are not deep enough for me to call them rumbly. The lower intensities are rumblier while the higher speeds get increasingly more buzzy. The vibrations are not the strongest out there. The lowest speed is a barely-there rumble, whereas the higher speeds are high-pitched and still a bit weak. Using Je Joue's Mimi as a gauge, Ako's highest speed comes just short of Mimi's second speed. Unfortunately, the vibrations do weaken significantly when pressure is placed on Ako.

The higher intensities can get quite loud. On low, Ako can't be heard from under the covers. On high, however, Ako can be heard from under covers and even through a closed door.

Running on 2 AAA batteries, the Ako will buzz on for 2 hours. However, play time will depend on the intensity and type of batteries used. The manual mentions that the use of rechargeable batteries will weaken the vibrations.



To insert the batteries, a small twist of the battery cap will pop it off. There are tiny battery depictions on the exposed battery compartment showing the direction in which to insert each battery. The easiest way to replace the battery cap is to align the vertical ridges on the body of the toy and the cap. Offset the ridges until the cap fits into the grooves in the battery compartment. Holding the cap down, twist it back into place to realign the ridges.



When put to the waterproofing test, Ako was a champ. If there ever was a worry that the cap was not well scaled, rest assured that when completely submerged, Ako will not fail.

Being waterproof, Ako is very low maintenance and can be completely submerged under water. Toy cleaner, wipes, or a mild antibacterial soap and warm water will be equally efficient. For sanitizing, a 10% bleach solution can be used on the surface. The Ako is an electronic and as such it can not be boiled nor can it be placed in the dishwasher.

Be sure to clean the vibrator before and after the first and every use. Before cleaning, remove the batteries and ensure that the cap is closed correctly.

Water based lubricants will be compatible with this toy. A silicone based lube will have to be spot tested first to ensure that it does not react negatively with the silicone on Ako. For the same reason, the Ako should be kept away from other silicone toys when storing. The original packaging could be used. A plastic zipper-seal bag or other toy pouch would be best.

Always remember to remove the batteries when Ako is left unattended. This will aid in preserving the life of the batteries.

Ako comes in a color coded, flimsy cardboard box. It has a window in the front to see the upper portion of the toy. The front and sides of the box have a sort of giant thumbprint texture on it.

The front also has the manufacturer name and product name, as well as some important specs pictured in symbols. While the back features a short description of the Ako, an image of the vibrator pointing out the specs, and Picobong's company information.

When looking at Ako through the window, it would appear to be floating in the box and not have a cap. Flaps at the top of the box open up so that the Ako can be pulled out. A small black pyramidal shaped cardboard box slides out attached to Ako. The battery cap portion is hidden within this box. To open it, pull out the tabs to open a side flap. The battery cap must be twisted off to free Ako from the hole it sits in. The warranty booklet, user manual and a "Do and Do not" paper are folded up in this box, as well as a clear plastic bag holding the Picobong charm. The user manual and warranty information are written out in four different languages.

The user manual is not extremely informative but it does cover all the important points. The manual also mentions a 1 year warranty against factory defects.

The box is conveniently recyclable as it is not ideal for storage. It is also very easily destroyed in the shipping box if there are other items that can roll around and squish it. All three that I received ended up with squashed packaging. This is not ideal for gift giving and makes it look really cheap.

I'd like to start by saying that this is the third Ako I received because I believed the first two to be defective. After examining photos uploaded by other contributors and asking around, I still felt I had a defective toy, twice. The cap does not fit flush with the rest of the body. What I found odd was that this left a crack that was bigger on one side than it was on the other. When I received my third Ako with a crack, I decided to stick it in a bowl of water to see if this crack affected its function. There really does not appear to be a thick waterproofing seal beneath the cap but somehow it works perfectly. So I held on to the third one even though other contributors have told me there is no crack in the seam of their Akos. I have not had any problem with mine.

I do enjoy my Ako. I think it is well priced and actually do appreciate that it uses batteries. So many toys in my collection are rechargeable that I am coming to find that having these battery operated toys can be very convenient at times.

I am impressed with just how low the intensity can be adjusted. On its absolute lowest setting, it is barely felt. I find these lower rumbles perfect for warming up. The highest intensity can be numbing for me but I do tend to use Ako on its higher speeds. This is unusual for me since I am far from being a power queen. This leads me to think that although Ako will likely have enough power for many, it may not be strong enough for all women.

The higher settings, though buzzy, are not so bad. While I prefer rumblier vibrations, I am able to enjoy these and am really liking how different the patterns are from my other vibrating toys. The random pattern is the most interesting, in my opinion.

The subtle added softness in the tip is a great feature and allows me to add some pressure without being painful. I am bothered that the vibrations weaken with pressure. This was a bit of a downfall for me.

Overall, Ako is a great choice for any beginner or small vibrator enthusiast and makes a great travel or water companion. Perhaps too weak and maybe too buzzy for some, Ako definitely has some redeeming qualities that grant it my endorsement.