I'm going to say it: the Hitachi Magic Wand and I are not very close. I completely understand the appeal, and I know why people love that thing. But it's not very often I crave that much vibration, and when I do, I'm too busy in the throes of pleasure to get up, find an outlet, and plug my Hitachi in. Plus, I hate holding it, and it makes me feel like a grandma when I use it.

Enter the Acuvibe Mini, a semi-cute vibrator that is reminiscent of the Hitachi, but, to my great delight, trumps it in several respects. First of all, the Acuvibe Mini is more attractive. It still looks a bit medicinal, but it's better than the Hitachi. Secondly, it is smallish; not tiny, but much smaller and easier to handle than the Hitachi. Thirdly, it's freakin' rechargeable. Goodbye, cord! I never liked you.

Best of all, though: the Acuvibe Mini rivals the Hitachi in power.

Yes, indeed, my very scientific vibrator-to-the-lips test confirms this. My boyfriend agrees with me. The vibrations on the first level of the Hitachi and the only level of the Acuvibe Mini are very, very similar. So similar that I can't decide which one is stronger.

The strength of the vibrations means I don't reach for this vibrator until I really, really need it. But it also means that when I really, really need it, it delivers. Quickly. I was hoping it could finish the job for me during sex, and it did. In a spooning position, I held the Acuvibe Mini to my clit. It was easy too hold and not too heavy. It has a spring-mounted head, which I did not find either detrimental or special. And while I had to keep pulling it back at moments because it was too much vibration, it gave me an incredibly powerful orgasm when the time came. In fact, my boyfriend and I came in unison, which never happens. I was sold.

I'm not sure how long the Acuvibe Mini has to charge for or how long it lasts on one charge because I have not drained it of its first (8 hour) charge, but the power cord attaches to the vibe via a two-pronged jack on the base of the vibe, and the base lights up when it's plugged in. I'm not especially worried about power, as it could really take me just a couple minutes to get off with this thing.

The Acuvibe Mini is not perfect, though. It is just as loud as the Hitachi (though less high-pitched), and it cannot be locked for travel. It was designed to be an actual massager – you know, for muscles? – so its manual isn't very useful. "Do not use on sensitive skin areas," "Use this product only for its intended use," "Do not use outdoors" (?!), etc.

Sorry, guys. I'm going to have to use this thing in a forbidden way. I hope I don't die.