The Zone Joy ships in a larger white, unmarked mailing box. The product is packaged in a big clear plastic cylinder with the name of the product and special features and functions displayed on the outside in flowery, pink script. From the text on the packaging, it can be inferred that the Zone Joy has seven different functions, including steady vibration, pulsation, and escalation, runs on 3 AA batteries, and cannot be used in water. The packaging, although it fits tightly together, is easy to open.

The Zone Joy's body is made of pink plastic, with a tripod base that rests on three rubber pegs, presumably to dampen the noise of the massager when used on a hard surface. A pink silicone sleeve fits over the insertable head of the massager. The cross section of the sleeve when removed reveals that the sleeve has an outer and inner layer of silicone connected with strips of silicone, so that the cross section of a small slice of the sleeve looks like IIIII. This creates a firm but slightly plush feeling and also provides double suction to the sleeve.

The insertable head of the toy, when covered with the sleeve, is moderately wide but rather short. The goal of this toy seems to be to stimulate just inside the entrance of the vagina, reaching up no further than where the g-spot would be. It has no special curve to stimulate the g-spot itself, but with a little maneuvering, g-spot stimulation may be possible. The head is contoured such that there is a little knob at the top and then gently flares out as it goes down to the base.

Two buttons control the functions of the Zone Joy. The right button turns the toy on and cycles through the seven different functions. The left button is an "immediate stop" button, which turns off the toy at any time, at any function. The battery compartment is located in the base of the toy and opens much like a remote control's battery compartment, with the plastic lid coming off and revealing the cavity for 3 AA batteries, which are not included. The construction of the base does not provide for safe in-water use. As the packaging states, this toy should not be immersed in water. Because of this, it is convenient that the silicone insertable part of the massager is removable for cleaning purposes.

The seven vibration settings, as stated on the packaging:

* Foreplay
* The Heat
* WhooHoo!
* Orgasmic
* Throbbing
* Rock 'n' Roll
* Surging

The first two functions are steady vibrations. The next few are different variations of pulsation, with interesting settings that simulate intercourse rhythms. The last function is an escalation, starting from a lower intensity steady vibration and "surging" to a higher intensity.

Although there are no instructional diagrams on the packaging, it can be inferred that this toy is used by placing the toy on a bed or other surface (I would assume horizontal, but slanted and vertical surfaces may work too). The user then sits down on this toy, inserting it into either the vagina or the anus (the rather large base makes it safe for anal use). The rubber pegs on the base keep the toy from sliding around too much in addition to dampening the noise somewhat.

This toy produces strong vibrations, but also creates noise proportional to the strength of the vibrations. It could be heard through a closed bedroom door and probably through a thin apartment ceiling.

To clean the Zone Joy, simply remove the silicone sleeve and wash it with warm water and antibacterial soap. Although the toy claims to be silicone, I hesitate to sterilize it via boiling because there is no assurance that it is crafted from 100% silicone. However, I did spot-test the silicone parts of the toy with ID Millennium silicone lube and the sleeve did not seem to react adversely, so the percentage of silicone in the sleeve may be high, if not 100%. The plastic base, with its buttons and battery compartment, is something that I prefer to leave moisture-free. To clean it, remove the batteries and wipe it down with antibacterial wipes.

I was impressed with the quality of the Zone Joy. It was very sturdily constructed and the packaging was very nice, even if it's not something I would keep lying around the house. To be honest, when I first received this toy I thought it was a back massager. After an unsuccessful attempt at giving a back massage with it, however, I accepted that it was really meant to go into one (or two) place(s) only.

The Zone Joy's vibrations were delightful to use for clitoral stimulation. When it came to insertion, however, I found that the width of the head and the angle at which I was trying to sit down on the toy were rather uncomfortable for me. I had to try a few times before I could find a good angle that let me squat down on the toy comfortably. I would recommend that this toy be used on a hard or sturdy surface, such as the floor, a table, a chair, or even a firmer mattress. Using it in a softer bed made it hard for me to steady myself.

I suggested that my boyfriend try the Zone Joy anally, but he excused himself from it, saying that it was too wide for him. He's a bigger fan of butt toys than I, so if it was too big for him, I can safely assume that it is too big for me!

Overall, I like the Zone Joy immensely. It is made from high quality materials and has good, strong vibrations.