Air pulse (also known as pressure wave) based sex toys started with the Womanizer several years ago. Despite the unfortunate name, it truly was something new in the world of sex toys. There have been different variations from other companies, including some with a wider opening, but they all do similar things.

It is unfortunate that you can’t try before you buy, as air pulse vibes get strong reactions, love them or hate them. Some find them too strong, even painful, while others claim they offer the greatest orgasm they have ever had. That you can’t really know ahead of time is unfortunate.

We evaluated the Satisfyer Pro 2 with and without vibration. On the plus side, this is one of the least expensive of the air pulse vibes on the market. While the current Womanizer model is more elegant in appearance, the Satisfyer still gets the job done, and for significantly less money.

By the way, always check the list prices on the company’s web site before shopping around. I just saw a Groupon for the Satisfyer 3 that claimed the regular price was much higher than the list price, offering it for just a dollar less than list on the Satisfyer site.

Satisfyer has added some higher end versions, such as the Luxury Haute Couture, Luxury Prêt-à-porter and the Luxury High Fashion made with leather and precious metals, but I think it makes more sense to initially purchase the less expensive version just to make sure you really like this sensation. If you shop around, you can find the Satisfyer 2 for a surprisingly low price for a toy like this.

While my girlfriend really really loves this, my wife finds it too intense, even when my girlfriend used it on her. In our testing, more liked it than not, though.

Here are the official specs:

• AIR-PULSE CLITORAL STIMULATION + VIBRATION – Using non-contact pressure-wave technology, the Pro 2 Plus Vibration provides feelings of suction and pulsations, similar to the sensations you feel during oral sex. With the added vibration function, you’re sure to find boundless pleasure.
• 11 PRESSURE WAVE INTENSITIES – The Satisfyer Pro 2 Plus Vibration has 11 different pressure wave intensity settings you can switch between, allowing you to reach new sensual heights through intense clitoral stimulation.
• 10 VIBRATION INTENSITIES – The Satisfyer Pro 2 gets a magical vibration upgrade. This separate set of controls makes the outer ring vibrate around your clitoris with your choice of 10 intensities.
• WATERPROOF – The Pro 2 Plus Vibration has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it the perfect companion for the shower or bath. It’s protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes of use.
• OPTIMIZED HEAD DESIGN – The head, made from skin-friendly silicone, is now bigger and wider so that it can surround your clitoris even more effectively, allowing you to forget the world while it provides you with stimulation.

This is primarily a clit stimulator, although the vibration version can be used for external stimulation of the vulva and clitoris. While it is nice to have the vibration option, it does not seem to enhance the air pulsations all that much, and I doubt it will replace your favorite vibrator. Still, if you can find it with vibration for not much more than without, you might as well get the vibration.

Describing what the air pulsation is like is difficult, and technically, it is not just suction. It sucks and blows very rapidly, creating a fluttery stimulation of the clitoris. Unlike the large are of stimulation provided by something like a wand vibrator, this is pinpointed on the clit and very intense. My wife has a very small hooded clit, and from our research there can be an issue of over-stimulation for women like her. I noticed that when women do orgasm with this, they remove it immediately as it then becomes too intense. They also reported that unlike a vibrator can, this does not make the clit go numb.

It can be used on nipples. I tried it on my own extremely sensitive nipples, and it was mildly pleasant. It did nothing for the tip of my penis. Really, though, this is a clit toy. I found the hand grip to be very comfortable and snug, easy to hold even in a hand slippery with lube.

Not every person will like every toy, but the people who like this toy literally gush over it- repeatedly. We got multiple reports of multiple orgasms. We heard reports of women who had difficulty orgasming who came easily with this. Also of note is that it tends to make women come very quickly, described by some as a quick, sneaks up on you orgasm. That has been what I have observed. That is awesome when you just need to come so you can get to sleep.

Because of this, it may be better for later in your sex session rather than a warm-up toy. If your male partner comes first and is done, this is great for giving you that catch-up orgasm.

There are actually a number of version of the Satisfyer, including one shaped like a penguin. The latest iteration is the Satisfyer 2 Next Gen. It has improved buttons (plus and minus), a lower lowest intensity setting (and you do need to play around with these to find the one that works for you), and is a little quiter The version with vibration’s buttons can be a little confusing, and both the Satisfyer 2 with and without vibration require you to cycle all the way through if you go past a preferred setting, a problem the Next Gen solves.

The Satisfyer Pro 3 Vibration differs from the 2 Next Gen in that it has a much wider opening and looks quite a bit different. The tip does not come off, so it is a little more difficult to clean. While some prefer a wider opening, we have not done a head to head comparison to see which the majority of women prefer.

The Next Gen might just be the best air pulse toy on the market, and at one of the best prices. The previous Satisfyer 2 is still quite good, and widely available for less than you would expect to pay for a regular high quality vibrator. Some prefer a wider opening, some do not.

On the Satisfyer web site they currently list 13 different air pulse models. They really need some kind of guide or comparison table to help you differentiate between them and find the one that is best for you. What they all have in common is an amazing 10 year warranty, one of the best we have seen.

If you do not enjoy it, because the silicone head is removable and can be fully sanitized, plus you can buy additional heads, you can safely regift it. Having multiple heads also makes it possible to safely share it between two female partners.

It might not work for you, but considering how inexpensively it can be purchased for, it is well worth giving it a try. The potential rewards far outweigh the slight potential monetary loss if you don’t like it. If you are a sex toy fan, this should be in your collection.