The Hitachi Magic Wand is the classic external vibrator. I have used it regularly throughout the years, both in relationships and while single. The round head is large, and not suitable for insertion, but does a nice job on the whole external genital area, not just the clitoris. Even the "low" setting provides intense vibes, and I occasionally find myself using it over a layer of fabric, such as panties, to help reduce the intensity. Of course, for those times when more intensity is desired, my Hitachi is definitely up to the challenge. The long handle makes it very easy to use alone, and to maneuver into the desired position. It also can be used for body massage, and feels lovely on the lower back.

The Hitachi Magic Wand plugs into the wall, and the cord can get in the way sometimes, but it is worth it for the amazing, intense orgasms it gives.

The handle of the Hitachi Magic Wand is long and plastic. It is relatively comfortable in the hand, although not specifically formed to be easy to hold. The "neck" area is a slightly flexible plastic that gives the head some movement. The "head" of the wand is a firm, but not hard, plastic, with a little bit of give when pressed, and some slight texture throughout. I have never experienced a smell from the device, even when it was new.

There is nothing creative about the design. It is not specially molded to your hand, or your genitals, but the long handle is very useful for getting the vibrating head exactly where you want it while playing alone. The electric cord goes into the bottom, and it does take some getting used to if you have never played with a plug-in toy before. This is not a small toy, but could pass for a basic body massage device rather than a sex toy if someone else finds it.

The Hitachi Magic Wand has two settings, one low and one high. They are easy to use, with a simple on-off three-way switch. It is not a quiet toy, and could probably be heard through a door in a quiet house. I would definitely recommend putting on some music in the background if you don't live alone. The only flaw in the design, and I don't know if there is a realistic fix, is the electric cord. In my experience, it gets twisted around itself and will eventually short out. I have had the disappointing experience of being right in the middle of some quality alone time, only to turn the wand and have it stop due to a cord issue. This could probably be avoided if you ensure that the cord is untwisted between uses, so when it gets twisted up it is not pulling as hard on the connections.

There is very little maintenance required for the Hitachi Magic Wand. As a plug-in vibe it is not safe to submerge in water, but the head area is easy to clean with a damp wash cloth and some mild soap. Since this toy is not used internally, there is no need to clean the whole thing, just around the head. It is not easy to put a condom over it, so it is hard to avoid the potential for sharing any body fluids if used by multiple people. A dental dam would help, but I would be less comfortable sharing this toy with someone who's STD status was not known to me or who was a casual fling in general.

The Hitachi Magic Wand is my favorite toy. With regular, and sometimes almost daily use, it has lasted me several years. The only reason I have had to replace it is due to the cord issue I mentioned above, where it eventually shorts out and doesn't work. But each time this has happened, it has been after several years, and it is always worth my money to replace.