Our first impression of the Viva XL was in awe of just how large the wand actually is in person. We loved the length of the handle and the extra amount of reach it gave us, especially for solo sessions when you want to massage parts of yourself other than naughty bits. This first impression, however, included the heft of the wand and how it was going to tire our arms quickly just by holding it for extended periods. We also noticed immediately the draw lint and dust had to it due to the material. These were not too many cons to deter us, however, and we were really glad to add this amazing toy to our collection of wands we've been building.

Is this wand a bit loud? Yes, it can be heard through covers and a door, but it sounds like any other powerful body massager on the market, and who's to say you aren't simply giving your partner or yourself a spa treatment behind that locked door? When we turned the Viva XL on for the first time, we were impressed by the power on the lowest setting and were even more impressed when we cranked it up to full power. This thing can easily jackhammer clitorises of steel who may not otherwise get off to other vibrating toys. To say that we love this wand now is an understatement.

For our first use of the wand, we used this toy in our foreplay session, and it was a home run for my partner. She absolutely loved not only the power of this wand but the many different vibration patterns it offered. Typically, we enjoy the constant, steady vibration of any wand, but for this one, the subtle breaks in between powerful rumbling vibrations were a nice mixture to send her over the edge to climax. The one that got to her most was the one that offered a steady, then choppy, then steady vibration (the fifth vibration mode). There are seven altogether with this wand, three of which are low, medium, and high vibrations. The other four vibration patterns go from low vibrations to high vibrations in a stream of different forms.

We found ourselves switching between the lowest setting of steady vibration to the fifth vibration mode. We also found the vibrator has a memory function, in which it remembers the vibration you favored when you turned it off. With most vibrators on the market today, that's really nothing new, but it certainly helps when your partner is ready and willing to go, and you don't have to cycle through vibrations.

Not only was this wand used for foreplay, but it was also used in our further explorations. When combined with penetrative sex, this wand works fantastic wonders for reaching orgasmic highs. The higher the vibration, the easier it is to get off during intercourse. We used this wand for dual stimulation of both of our genitals at the same time while I was on top. Holding it down between us, we maneuvered it, so it stimulated both of us as I penetrated her. The vibrations could easily be felt through my harness, and her legs were shaking while wrapped around me.

My partner also enjoys placing this toy on a pillow or other incline and grinding against it to get off. The handle is easy enough to maneuver solo, and I enjoy watching her getting off with it. If in a bondage-style setting, it's fun to tease with, brushing it against nipples and other erogenous zones, and with its splash-proof construction, we like to take it into the shower with us. The battery is easy enough to charge with its USB-style charger, and the port is waterproofed, so you don't have to worry about water getting inside of the unit when cleaning it. The only thing we don't like is that it is a lint and hair magnet and has to constantly be wiped down. If using lubricant with the wand, use a water-based lubricant only. Other lubricants could damage the wand.

The vibrations are in the corresponding areas of the vibration map below. Vibrations of this wand can be felt throughout the unit but are most potent in the head and do not carry out through the handle too strongly. This means that your hand won't be vibrated off while you're trying to hold onto the massager but can still be felt despite being lower in intensity. While the main vibrations are located where they should be in the bulbous head of the wand, the motor in the wand is powerful enough to shoot it all the way down the handle of the toy and can numb the user's grip after some time of use. We did not find this too much of a hassle, as my partner was able to reach orgasm faster than having issues with gripping this wand during solo play.

We used the metal end of this toy for sensory play. The end of the wand has a nice, cool surface, perfect for teasing the nipples with light vibrations for something a little extra during foreplay. It provides a little jolt of vibration with the addition of temperature play for brushing against sensitive spots like the nipples or clit.

If we had a scale to choose from one to ten of the orgasm intensity she reached from this wand, we'd say it was an eleven. Cliche, perhaps, but this wand packs a punch, and it doesn't take her long to reach it. On the lowest setting, we can go on for a while, but on the highest, she cannot last through much more than two minutes worth of stimulation before her legs are shaking. This will be different for everyone and all anatomies, but even I've experienced multiple orgasms from this wand on each intensity level, and that's saying something. I typically don't orgasm from wands, and it takes quite a bit more to get me off than just vibration alone, but with this wand, I was left dumbfounded by its power.

I've never owned such a large wand before, and I never had the chance to purchase an original Hitachi style. I can only guess how powerful those were judging by this rechargeable one. If they were half the intensity this one has, I'd have bought one sooner. My partner came so hard she was squirting, which, again, is a feat in itself. Typically it takes insertion (vaginally) for her to reach that kind of orgasm, as well as a vibration of some sort, but not with the Viva XL. We were smart enough to put towels down when we cycled through the different variations and power modes for this wand before using it.