The iVibe pocket rocket was the first vibrator I ever purchased, in part because I was intimidated with larger models, more expensive models and all their various appendages. The iVibe has turned out to be one of my best investments, as it has proven reliable, satisfying, and adaptable. It is quite easy to use alone or with a partner, and can be used to stimulate the nipples, clitoris, vulva, vaginal opening, perineum, anus, and even the penis during a blowjob. The iVibe is not overly distracting and sufficiently small that it can be used simultaneously with penetrative sex, though I do not recommend using the vibrator itself to penetrate vaginally, anally, or otherwise, since the plastic cap comes off easily and the base is not flared. The surface of the main plastic canister is also ribbed, which might prove uncomfortable for penetration.

In short, if you're looking for a good, lasting vibrator for everyday use, with years of fun to come, then look no further. If, however, you crave variety of sensation and artistic design, the iVibe will not deliver. I have used my iVibe happily for years, and have noticed no difference whatsoever in its performance or appearance. For a relatively inexpensive, no frills model, the iVibe continues to surprise with its reliability and performance.

Upon opening the package, there was no detectable taste or smell from the materials. The major components of the iVibe are crafted from translucent hard plastic and metal. The iVibe's plastic canister comes in a variety of colors (I chose blue, but pink, green, orange, and grape are also available), which are pretty, though this is the only apparent aesthetic consideration for this vibrator. The surface of its plastic canister is ribbed, presumably to improve a user's grip when applying the vibrator, though I still found that the iVibe occasionally twisted itself into the "off" position during use--not a big deal, unless you're at a critical moment. The plastic cap for the tip of the vibrator also has twelve little bumps on it, perhaps with the idea of dispersing the vibrating sensation somewhat. I found the vibrations to be fairly powerful with or without the plastic cap, and haven't been able to discern too much of a difference in the quality, except that the three metal nubs under the plastic cap are smoother and initially, cooler to the touch.

When you take the iVibe out of its packaging, you will notice that it consists of three major components: a clear, hard plastic canister that holds the motor; a clear, hard plastic canister to house the battery; and a clear plastic cover for the tip of the vibrator. Using the plastic cap is optional. The two canisters lock together intuitively, and this twist-lock connection simultaneously inserts the battery and, if twisted sufficiently, turns the vibrator on.



Once assembled, the iVibe is a small (approximately 4" in height and .75-1" in diameter), rigid cylinder, and its design is almost purely utilitarian (in fact, it reminds me of a flashlight). Beginners may find this simplicity comforting (as I did), since the vibrator is essentially "twist and play," while advanced or more artistically-inclined users may be disappointed with the iVibe's lack of visual design and setting variety. That being said, the iVibe is lightweight and very compact, and would be ideal for travel provided the battery were removed first. The twist-lock mechanism has settings only for "open," "off," and "on," with no way of holding the off setting securely, so storing this vibrator with the battery inside during travel could result in unexpected activation.

The intuitive design of the twist-lock mechanism makes the iVibe a good choice for users new to vibrators, while it offers enough power to satisfy a more advanced user who prefers a straightforward and uncomplicated vibrator. The iVibe only has one setting for use--"on"--and the vibrations it provides are steady, relatively strong, and without much noticeable variation. In order to dampen the strength of the vibrations, it is possible to use the vibrator through a thin material like cloth, or else decrease the pressure during application. I have also found that if I want some variety in the quality of the vibration, I can create pulsations by rapidly lifting up and pressing down, moving the vibrator from side or side, or even applying the side of the vibrator to my clitoris in a kind of rocking motion. In other words, there is some variety to be had with the iVibe, but it will take some experimentation and invention on your part... but that's the fun bit!



If you're self-conscious about the noise from the iVibe, be assured that it is not too pronounced, and could easily be masked by playing moderately loud music. Using the iVibe under the covers, or while lying on top of it, also helps. The iVibe is not at all watertight (as it lacks an o-ring), however, so I do not recommend any water play.

I have had my iVibe for years, and it really does look and perform as well as the day I received it. The battery life in general seems fairly long (a single AA battery is all that is required), as it holds up over the course of multiple, multiple uses. As the battery ages, the vibrations become less strong, but a new battery makes the iVibe good as new. As I mentioned previously, the iVibe can occasionally be twisted into the "off" position during use, and on very rare occasions, I have even caused the main cylinder to come apart completely. If there were a way to lock the two halves together more securely, the iVibe would be just about perfect; as it is, this flaw has caused some minor annoyance, but has never interfered with my orgasm.

One look at all the bumps and ridges on the iVibe discouraged me from getting it too dirty, as all those small, raised areas on its surface looked much too difficult to clean. For this reason I primarily use the iVibe while partially clothed, which in turn makes clean-up unnecessary. For me, the vibrations are still quite strong enough to allow this. If, however, I do use the iVibe with more direct stimulation, then I am careful never to allow any fluids to dry, and instead immediately clean the plastic cap with soap and water, and use an antibacterial toy wipe for the metal nubs and the plastic canister. It would be difficult to sterilize this toy, so if you intend to share, I recommend using a condom or toy cover. Should you choose to pair the iVibe with a lubricant, any silicone, oil, or water-based lubricant should work, provided the lubricant does not spread beyond any of the vibrator's external surfaces. As previously mentioned, the vibrator is not watertight, so I recommend only applying lubricant to the removable plastic cap.

Storage for the iVibe is very simple, since it is very sturdy and requires no special padding or separation from other toys. The iVibe is not especially discreet due to its vibrant color, though, so you may want to place it somewhere out of sight (but easy accessible, too!).

I was new to vibrators when I initially purchased the iVibe pocket rocket, but I did visit enough brick and mortar shops to know I was put off by the alien appearance and higher price tag of vibrating dildos with clitoral stimulators. Instead I wanted something simple for my first vibrator--something minimal, but effective, that I could pair with a dildo--and the iVibe pocket rocket was the right price for taking my first risk. After having tried a number of vibrating dildos, I still prefer to use the iVibe with a static silicone or glass dildo instead, or even just on its own. If you're considering the iVibe for your first purchase, or as a gift for someone new to toys in general, don't hesitate!