It seems like there are two perspectives you can come from when looking at a toy that fits into a clear "category"---either you can look at it in its own merit (think of someone reviewing their first successful vibrator, very excited at how intense their new orgasms have become), or you can compare and contrast it with other toys in its class (think of a seasoned sex toy user saying "The Tango is nice and rumbly, but it doesn't have the nice silicone skin of Mimi.") Usually you'd expect the "on its own merit" review will be glowing, and the comparison review will be more critical.

From my personal point of view, Lelo's Smart Wand (Medium Size) is a pretty neat toy, and would receive 4 stars (as a fully functional, provides everything I expect, enjoyable and orgasmic sex toy with no real drawbacks). But when comparing it with other wands (of which I have the Fairy Mini, have tried the Hitachi, and have read extensive reviews of many others), I have to say that the Smart Wand outshines the competition, and actually earns an extra star thanks to how well Lelo addressed my least favorite aspects of wand massagers.

The Smart Wand is the newcomer in an established vibrator class---the Wand Massagers are renowned the world over for being powerhouses. They are usually wall-powered, usually enormous, usually awkward to hold, usually loud, and usually have kind of restricted vibration settings. (The famous Hitachi Magic Wand, for example, has only "high," "low," and "off." The Smart Wand is not quite the jackhammer that the Hitachi Magic Wand, the Fairy Wand, the Mystic Wand, and the Miracle Massager are. But it also cures so many of the drawbacks that the mainstream Wand Massagers can't seem to break out from. So for those of us who don't need a literal power tool for clitoral (or deep tissue) stimulation, the Smart Wand is by far the best choice.

The ergonomic shape, the quiet vibrations, the range of vibration speeds and patterns, the innovative Sense Touch (and yes, I think Sense Touch definitely improves the sensations you get from the wand, both for body massage and clitoral massage), the more rigid neck that allows you to apply pressure, all combine to make Lelo's Smart Wand the only one I'll ever reach for again.

The Smart Wand is made from top-quality silicone with a wonderfully silky texture. Without lube, it glides easily across skin, and when lubricated it holds lube to its surface. The handle is accented with metallic-painted plastic. All of the materials on the Smart Wand's surface are body-safe, non-porous, odor-free, and easy to clean.

Silicone is safe as an insertable material, and the size of the head of the Smart Wand and the lack of texture ridges make me glad the material is safe for insertion. It feels good to slip between clitoral and internal sensation without having to think about anything.

The overall design of the Smart Wand focuses on clear crisp lines, and the overall appearance is classy and smooth. The entire massager is rigid---you cannot squeeze the head nor the handle. The neck has a bit of give, so the head can be 'dragged' or 'pushed', but the neck is not annoyingly flexible. With the Fairy Wand, the neck is so flexible that you can only apply pressure with the geometric center of the top of the head. The Smart Wand executes a balance between flexibility and rigidity that allows you to apply pressure with any part of the head, while still being able to drag the wand easily.

From a design standpoint, the Smart Wand Medium is in the classic wand style, with a few modifications. The "bent" handle is no better or worse than the straight handle, for me. The semi-rigid neck is a significant improvement over other wands, because I can actually apply pressure with the head. I also appreciate the lack of "stimulating ridges" on the head---those "stimulating ridges" usually irritate me.

The Smart Wand Medium's size is perfect for me. The length of the head is the same as my thumb from base to first knuckle. I can wrap my thumb and middle finger around its circumference. The neck is slightly shorter than the length of my index finger from tip to top knuckle---those with inflexible vaginal vestibule muscles might find that a little short for insertion, but for me, it's perfect to cradle and relax those muscles. The size and slope of the head are great for g-spot rocking.

The controls begin less than an inch from the top of the neck, so internal thrusting will get your control panel wet. Thankfully, the Smart Wand is waterproof. The plastic interface is fully two inches away from the neck, and I've never inserted it that far.

Top to bottom, the Smart Wand is two inches longer than my hand. It fits easily into luggage without attracting notice.

The vibration frequency and tone are one of my favorite features of the Smart Wand. The motor is in the "head" of the wand, and while they carry a bit to the handle, it's not overwhelming or numbing.

The vibrations are quiet for their level of power, of which they do pack a fair bit. I am pretty sensitive, but I never turn the vibrations up past level four out of 16, or level seven during my period. (There are sixteen total "clicks" of power. Default when you turn it on is level four, but you can click down to one.) The Smart Wand features the Insignia Logo as a control panel---a plus button turns the unit on or increases power, a minus button decreases power or turns the unit off. The central button, when pressed, cycles through seven modes (slow pulse, moderate pulse, fast pulse, extended pulse, short roller coaster, on-off cycle all with constant power, a long pattern with variable power). When pressed and held, Sense Touch technology takes over.

When I first heard about Sense Touch technology, I thought it sounded gimmicky. It actually feels incredible, though, and it's because of Sense Touch that I use the Smart Wand both for "fun" massage and for actual body massage. A strain gauge in the head of the Wand allows the motor to increase power when you push harder---this response means the Wand ramps up as you're getting close to orgasm. It also means, when you insert it, the motor kicks up the intensity. For body massage, you can rock pressure on and off and the vibrations respond in synch. For me, the Sense Touch is especially useful in that I can still control the 'maximum' the Sense Touch control will take it to---you can make it max out at sixteen, I can make it max out at seven. That fact makes me so happy with Lelo---not every engineer would have realized that was important, but for Sense Touch and Me, that control is key.

Silicone is the ideal material for soft sex toys because of its safety and its no-worries maintenance. The silicone and the plastic of the Smart Wand both wash off easily, and the silicone portions can be sanitized with a 10% bleach solution. (Prolonged contact between bleach and plastic is not recommended, though.)

Lelo have produced the Smart Wand with a waterproof charging port, which is located at the very bottom of the toy.

The internal, non-user-servicable battery is a Li-ion, and will keep its health best if it is never fully discharged, and also if it receives a full charge on at least a monthly basis.

As usual for a Lelo product, the Smart Wand arrives in attractive packaging that can be used for storage. Along with the charger, a lapel pin, and an instruction manual, a black silky bag is included. Because the charger came stored under a flap in the box, and didn't fit easily in the black silky bag, I actually use a different bag to store my Smart Wand.

Because this is a toy I travel with frequently, I don't want to be with Wand but without Charger!

I have had my Lelo Smart Wand for more than twelve months. I've never been a consistent vibrator user, but within a week, I stopped using all my other vibes. I have a short attention span when it comes to sex toys, but my Smart Wand has proved itself time and again---find me on a road trip, reach in my bag's hidden pocket, and you'll find this vibe and its charger, next to my dildo-of-the-week.

A lot of people are swayed by image, and have an impression of Lelo as a top tier company. I tend to judge things based on their tested value to me personally, though, and I had a poor impression of Lelo after how much I hated Ina (link is to my review). The Smart Wand redeemed Lelo's engineers, in my mind, and while I'm not going to endorse everything that happens to bear Lelo's stamp, I have to say that this vibrator feels really good.

This review was written in about six stages over the course of a year---and I'm glad to finally be publishing it with a long-term conclusion that matches my first-blush impression. I hope each person eventually finds a sex toy that suits them as well as the Smart Wand suits me.