As archaic as it looks now, the rabbit episode of Sex and the City changed the game for the sex toy industry. Vibratex, the company behind the toy that was featured, told Forbes that average annual sales of the Rabbit jumped 700 percent in the years following the episode.
The rabbit has since been replicated by many a sex toy company, including the glossy, millennial-chic ones. Case in point, LELO. They now have a couple rabbit-like offerings including the Soraya Wave, a reengineered product that debuted this month.
The Soraya Wave was adapted from the Soraya 2 model, a spokesman from LELO told Mashable. "The thinking behind reengineering the product with our WaveMotion technology was to appeal to a wider audience of users by offering a similar product that provided a different sensation," they said. "The main USP [unique selling point] of Soraya Wave is that it provides enhanced G-spot stimulation by simulating the come-hither motion of a lover's finger tips (in contrast to G-spot stimulation via vibration alone)."
The Soraya 2 vs. Soraya Wave
The Soraya 2, which the company sent me a while back, was my first rabbit toy. It was never my ride-or-die, but I did enjoy using it. While LELO told me the main difference between that and the Soraya Wave is the WaveMotion technology, the 2 will run you $219 and the Wave costs $249. Both models are made of body-safe silicone, have a gold-color finish, and come in three colors: black, "deep rose" magenta, and a shade of blue (aqua for the 2, "midnight blue" for the Wave).
Like the 2, the Wave has three buttons: the on/off button and +/- intensity controls. The former doubles as the mode selection button. Press and hold to turn the toy on and off, but just press to cycle through the different modes. While the 2 has 12 vibration modes to choose from, the Wave has eight.
What's more is that while the "come hither" motion is the main difference between the two, I did notice minor differences. Both the major and minor differences led me to prefer the Soraya Wave over the Soraya 2.
Why was the 2 never my ride-or-die? Well, the primary reason was personal preference: A lot of the time I just wanted clitoral stimulation, not simultaneous with penetration. Another factor, though, was that it was difficult to clean. Discharge and lube would get wedged where the body-safe silicone met the gold accents; unlike cleaning other toys that are just a quick 20-second wash, I would need to dig through the "crannies" of the 2, so to speak, in order to get it completely clean.
So far, I haven't experienced this with the Wave. For one, the accent is smaller so there's no risk of discharge/lube/what have you getting stuck throughout the base of the toy. But it also seems like the silicone has less "give" around the accent — but that could also be because I've had the 2 longer and it's gotten more use.
The easier cleanup, however, is a secondary concern. The real game changer between the 2 and the Wave is, indeed, the WaveMotion technology, and that's why the reengineered toy is superior for me. While the penetrating base of the 2 does vibrate when the toy is on, I had much more substantial g-spot stimulation with the Wave. Combine that with the vibrating tip for the clit and...well, chef's kiss. Here's how the 2 and the Wave look side-by-side when you turn them on (without changing modes):
I preferred the Wave on either the first or second modes (the first mode being how the toy operates as soon as you turn it on). While the Wave has eight different patterns, the user guide — while online, which is a plus — doesn't go into detail as to what they are or what order they're in. I had the same problem with the Soraya 2, which also has a user guide that's available online.
The game changer is, indeed, the WaveMotion technology
The first setting is how the Wave is advertised: The classic "come hither" motion for the g-spot with the vibrating base as well as the vibrating tip to stimulate the clit. The second setting includes the come hither motion and vibrating tip, but the base doesn't vibrate.
It's easier to tell what exactly the toy is doing when you're holding it as opposed to when it's inside you. So I suggest a user tests out the settings before a session to see what they may be interested in. The eight modes provide a range of vibrations from both the base and the tip. One setting, for instance, stops the base entirely and the only motion comes from the vibrating tip.
The Soraya Wave vs. Ina Wave?
Those who know LELO may make the connection between the Soraya Wave and the cheaper Ina Wave, which my colleague Jess Joho said was well worth the hype and the price. The Ina is $199 at full price — compared to the $249 Soraya Wave — and features the same finger-like motion. The Soraya version is admittedly sleeker-looking, but are they essentially the same?
When asked about the difference between the Soraya and Ina, LELO told Mashable, "We wanted to create a toy that fits the widest range of female anatomy by designing a lower insertable length and softer silicone/more gentle vibrations within the clitoral stimulator for a more enjoyable climax."
The Ina has an insertable length of around 4.7 inches (exactly 120.3 millimeters) while the Soraya has an insertable length of 4.3 inches (110 millimeters) according to LELO's website — so the Soraya is indeed smaller. Just for comparison sake, the Soraya 2 also has an insertable length of 4.3 inches.
Both the Ina and Soraya Wave, LELO's spokesperson said, are for experienced users who love both clit and g-spot stimulation. "With SORAYA Wave, we created a pleasure product that every woman who loves both stimulations can enjoy."
Soraya 2, Wave, or Ina Wave?
I can't speak to the Ina personally but given Joho's endorsement and smaller price tag, it's certainly the more budget-friendly option of LELO's rabbits. Though, you'll have to consider whether the smaller length of the 2 or Wave will provide a better experience for you.
If you're choosing between Soraya models, however, I'd say to go with the Wave. While the Wave is $30 more, it's worth shelling out if you're already in the market to spend $219 on a sex toy. If you don't crave that finger-like motion, however, then save your money and get the 2 (but remember that it may be slightly harder to clean).
Overall, the Soraya Wave provides the orgasm that LELO advertises, and with a satiny look that's perfect for Instagram. If you have the money, try it out — but there are alternatives if you don't, right in LELO's catalog.
