As a fan of Honey Play Box’s Joi (so much so I even gave one away last year!), it’s been exciting to see this now award-winning vibrator get the love it deserves. And with the US-based brand unsurprisingly capitalising on this success, a number of follow-up toys have since been added to what is now the Joi collection. I wanted so badly to get my hands on either the Joi Pro or Joi Thrust when they first came out, with the former including a remote control and the latter offering thrusting and app compatibility, but prior obligations meant I was unable. So I bided my time, and after my reviews of the OLY 2 and RORA 2 a few months ago, I knew a similar version of the Joi with advanced capabilities couldn’t be far off. And I was right, because here I am now with the new Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2.

Product Description

So what’s new? Well, if you read my previous review on the original Joi, the main points is that instead of rotating, the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2 now thrusts, as per the name, and that it is also compatible with the latest version of the Honey Play Box app that I covered with my previous reviews for the brand and in my App Round-Up. This means that, unlike the first generation Joi Thrust, the toy also features their pressure controls and vaginal temperature detection. Otherwise, this toy is meant to still be the same old Joi, with its unusual rabbit-like shape and its little mouth, flapping tongue included. However, something else I’ve noticed that isn’t mentioned on the brand website is the big change to its vibrations. Whilst the original Joi had two of its four motors dedicated solely to this, with one in each of the shaft’s bulbs, the Joi Thrust 2 has zero. I’ll talk more on this later, but essentially they have now combined the “vibrations” with the thrusting motor. Further small changes then become apparent when comparing the two side-by-side. For instance, the tongue on the Thrust 2 is slightly bigger, the “lips” are more pronounced, the buttons have been flipped, and there is no logo underneath them. In addition, whilst the overall shape is the same, the linework is different, with this being particularly obvious at the portion of the shaft that extends during thrusting, as it features some thin lightly ribbed silicone, helping it to stretch. A reflective panel of rose gold ABS plastic then remains on the back, featuring the Honey Play Box bee, and just below this you’ll find the magnetic plates for the charger to connect to. Finally, just like the original, this version of the Joi is waterproof, USB rechargeable and made from body-safe materials, and whilst it is anal-safe it is not intended for this use. 

Packaging

My order for the Joi Thrust 2 was placed with Honey Play Box on the 2nd of August and I received it promptly on the 9th. The package was then 100% discreet, with no mention of the sender or what was contained within. The box for the Joi Thrust 2 itself was then exactly what I have come to expect from the company, with their consistent branding and packaging being one of the few mainstays of the sex toy industry over the last few years. A small picture of the toy on the front and some information on what it can do on the back, this outer sleeve can then be removed to reveal a mostly discreet white box underneath, which is perfect for storage. Opening this, you’ll then find the toy resting safely in foam, alongside its charging cord and luxury gold branded storage bag, as well as an app guide and user manual. After repeated past issues, I am happy to see that the app guide has been updated once again, no longer including a useless QR code for further instructions. But it still doesn’t really offer any help outside of how to download the app and connect the toy, and whilst I don’t think including more detailed instructions are really necessary for app-controlled toys, it does feel like they’ve gone back on their previous commitment to improving it. Finally, as with past Honey Play Box toys, the Joi Thrust 2 comes with a one year warranty.

Unexpected Issues

The first time I went to use the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2 was a huge disappointment… because it didn’t turn on! I had fully charged it the day before and had not turned it on yet, so I was concerned it was broken. I popped it back on charge and took it off after a short time, but when I tried turning it on again.. it was fine. Soooo I fully charged it once more, went to use it the next day…. and sure enough, it didn’t turn on. It seemed my copy of the Joi Thrust 2 was unable to hold its charge for more than a few hours, an uncommon fault that I’ve seen a few times in sex toys. I got in touch with Honey Play Box right away, and whilst they were very shocked to learn of the issue, saying it’s something that has never occurred before, they were happy to organise a replacement. My new order was placed on the 16th of August, and this took a little bit longer, arriving on the 29th, although it was thankfully just as discreet. As for my new copy, it is exactly the same as the previous Joi Thrust 2, just without this fault. Additionally, one other difference is the storage bag, which is green and gold instead of just gold.

Charging

Charging the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2 is easy since it is USB rechargeable. As with my original Joi, you’ll just need to plug one end into a USB port and then place the other end over the metal plates on the back of the toy so that the two can connect magnetically, which is quite sturdy. Charging should then take 2 hours, with this giving you one hour of use, and the lights on the toy will flash when charging and then become steady once full. Sadly, these times are the complete opposite of the original Joi, meaning that the charging duration on this version has doubled whilst only providing half the runtime. Additionally, Honey Play Box recommends charging the toy before first use.

Controls

Speaking of opposites, it seems Honey Play Box have also decided to flip the controls on the Joi Thrust 2, not only confusing past OG Joi fans like me, but also making their placement less intuitive (since previously they were closest to the end they controlled). The symbols on them are still easy to read though, with the tongue-like symbol controlling the external arm and the two arrows controlling the thrusting. Then, another change is that whilst the original Joi had its two buttons work completely independently of one another, this product removes that ability and adds a stand-by mode, both of which are almost certainly because of it now being app-controllable. Thus, to turn the toy on or off you’ll want to hold down the thrusting button for two seconds. You can then continue clicking this button to cycle through the nine thrusting modes, with three of these being steady speeds and six being patterns, and at any point you may also use the tongue button to turn this side of the Joi Thrust 2 on, cycling through another nine modes which are the same as the thrusting. Additionally, as with my past two Honey Play Box toys, this product also uses pressure controls, which means that the tighter you squeeze the toy, the harder it vibrates (although this has yet to work in actual use). As usual, this functions nicely when in my hands, with any pressure applied to the bulb closest to the buttons resulting in the thrusting and tongue both running at varying steady speeds.

The App

It’s been five months since the last time I tried the Honey Play Box app, and in that time it seems like it’s been through a pretty big update! You can read my full and up-to-date thoughts on it at my Sex Toy App Review Round-Up, but the biggest new feature is definitely having inbuilt partner play. Previously you’d send a URL to prospective partners for them to control your toy via the web whilst you’re connected to the app, and whilst this was good in some respects, it was limiting in other ways, for instance your partner couldn’t communicate with you at the same time. Now, whilst this option remains, you can also connect to a partner within the app, and even video or voice call them at the same time. Plus, another update is Spotify integration, with it seamlessly controlling the toy through the music you play within the Spotify app. Unfortunately though, this new version of the app is also the most glitchy I have seen, and I struggled to run even basic functions within it, with almost every aspect of it breaking during my tests. Due to this, I have now reduced my overall rating of the app from 3/5 to 2/5, meaning that at its present state, it does not make for a very good companion for the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2. Additionally, when pairing both of my versions of this toy to the app for the first time, I had to wait a few minutes whilst it completed a software update, so this is something you’ll want to organise in advance so you aren’t waiting for it mid-session.

First Impressions

The first time I went to use the new Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2 was also a huge disappointment… as I realised: where are the vibrations? Advertised as a vibrator and promoted as having “vibrating G-Spot stimulation”, including on the Honey Play Box website, the packaging, and in the instructions, it turns out that this toy does not feature any vibrations. What I realised instead is that most (but not all) references to vibrations mention the Joi Thrust 2 having “thrusting vibration patterns”, and so what I think Honey Play Box mean is that when the thrusting is activated, the toy does feel a bit like it is vibrating due to the movement of the shaft. At the end of the day though, this is not vibrations, and so I am extremely disheartened by this. Not to mention that the dual vibrations within the original Joi were one of the key aspects to it, and I was excited to see how these felt combined with the thrusting. As for the rest of the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2, the tongue is definitely more powerful than before, not only being physically larger but also more resistant to pressure. Plus, the thrusts also work nicely, with a good speed and extension range, even if they don’t really compare to other recent dual-stimulator thrusters like the ZALO Mose and YoYoLemon Rabbit. As for the noise level, this is definitely louder than the original Joi, not just the thrusting but the tongue too. However, considering thrusters are notorious for being loud, the Joi Thrust 2 is actually not too bad, which is a much needed win for this product.

My Experience

Even though the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2 looks the same as the original Joi at first glance, this newer toy actually has slightly different proportions. Mostly, it is larger, being longer and thicker in some areas, but when it comes to the shaft it is actually slimmer, with a maximum diameter of just 1.47″ / 3.7cm. This, combined with a more tapered head, helps with insertion, although since this is still a little large for an internal vibrator, warming up first with a smaller toy like the Funkit Toys NoFrillDo R aids further. Sliding it in, I then remember what I liked so much about the original Joi: its positioning. With the first bulb resting just before my A-Spot and the second under my G-Spot, the external arm then fits perfectly on my clitoris to complete the triple stimulation. It will require to be pushed forward a bit more than the original Joi though due to that increase in length, but this isn’t too much of a problem. Turning it on is then easy, and you can either hold it in place during the thrusting or tightly close your legs for hands-free play. Whilst I miss the vibrations, with their absence removing any chance for A- or G-Spot stimulation (which is a shame when the toy is so close!), the thrusting, which is something I previously had to do myself, is definitely a welcome addition and ultimately more stimulating to my insides than before. Plus, the upgrade to the external end can also be fully felt in use, with the tongue being much more stimulating and also far less prone to pausing or stopping entirely. Combing the two, I can then simply sit back and let the Joi Thrust 2 do its thing, with orgasms being both quicker and more powerful than on the original model. As for the pressure controls, as per usual these did not work at first. However, when connected to the app, I found that if I placed the sensitivity to 70, it finally started responding!!!!! This is my third Honey Play Box toy to have this function, and the first time I’ve actually gotten it to work accurately. It’s still not really that helpful since I need to be in that particular app menu, and I fail to even see the point of having the toy respond to my kegel movements, but at least it’s something.

Cleaning & Care

Cleaning the Honey Play Box Joi Thrust 2 is easy since it is waterproof. Just throw it in some warm soapy water when you’re done and give it a quick wash, although you might also want to go over the lines and ridges on it with a spare soapy toothbrush. You can then rinse it and leave to dry, before storing it in a zip-lock bag or the storage bag it came with to keep it clean. Furthermore, make sure to not use silicone-based lubricant with this product, as it may react badly to the silicone it is made of, but if you do then first perform a spot test.

Final Thoughts

False advertising isn’t a term I like to just throw around here. But it has been a continuing problem for Honey Play Box over the last few years, and the Joi Thrust 2 really feels like a culmination of that. This is a vibrator that doesn’t vibrate. A sex toy that offers pressure controls and vaginal temperature detection, even though neither work consistently. An app-controllable toy with an app that’s barely functioning. And let’s not forget that this is my second copy of the Joi Thrust 2, since the first couldn’t even hold a charge. I wish these were one-off issues, a small stumble for a company that has perhaps grown too rapidly. But instead this is just another in a long line of toys that fail to meet their product descriptions, and as a reviewer it makes me question whether I can continue to support such a brand. Thankfully, I did actually enjoy using this toy, which is certainly an improvement from my last Honey Play Box review, and whilst there are elements I miss from the original Joi, I certainly agree that this model is far superior. And besides, at the end of the day, this toy is called the Joi Thrust 2, and thrust it does. Plus, while it still has a long way to go before it reaches the level of many of my other thrusters (including last year’s Top 10 toy: the much cheaper YoYoLemon Rabbit), I can confidently say it is the best thruster with a clitoral tongue attachment I’ve tried so far (to be fair, the competition wasn’t exactly tough). Overall, I would caution anyone buying this toy for any of its app-related features, its pressure sensitivity, and, of course, the “vibrations”. But, if you were a fan of the original, or if the mix of flapping tongue and internal thrusting really speaks to you, then this is still a worthwhile option.

You can get the Joi Thrust 2 directly from Honey Play Box for just $135.99 AUD / $89.99 USD, plus use my code GRACE15 to get 15% OFF your total order!

Last updated: 18/9/24

Price at the time of writing: $135.99 AUD / $89.99 USD

This post was sponsored by Honey Play Box, but as always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in this post.

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been seeing this kind of sex toy everywhere. A whole new breed of G-Spot vibrator, where the internal arm features a hollow area containing a flapping finger for additional stimulation whilst inside of you, my initial impression was to dismiss the whole thing as a novelty gag. But with it coming up again and again, and Honey Play Box just now receiving the patent for it (dubbing it “Kinky Finger” flapping technology), I knew I had to start taking it a bit more seriously. One of the biggest sellers of these “flappers”, my preferred term, is PlayfulSexToy, so when they recently came on board as one of my blog advertisers, I saw about reviewing one. Their signature line, Sam, combines this technology with an external arm to allow it work for dual-stimulation, and with four different generations available it was hard to know which one to pick. Ultimately though I had to go with PlayfulSexToy’s most recent release, the Sam IV.

The Brand

Before we jump in, I wanted to first introduce the brand, since it’s my first time reviewing for them. Based in Hong Kong, PlayfulSexToy is a relatively new sex toy retailer, launching in 2022. They have a wide array of white-label products available, including some brand names such as Satisfyer and Magic Wand, ensuring they always have something to suit you, no matter your taste. Committed to providing the best possible online shopping experience, they also offer discreet packaging, free returns, email and chat support, shipment tracking, and provide expert advice upon request. Part of that is their blog, where they cover all sorts of helpful topics regarding sex toys and their use. Plus, whilst PlayfulSexToy’s flat-rate shipping is already a reasonable $6.90 USD, they’ll also upgrade all orders over $49 USD to free shipping and take 20% OFF with my personal code GRACE20!

Product Description

Essentially a suction rabbit with a twist, the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV applies what the brand learnt from the previous three generations and refines it for their fourth iteration. Out of the other two, the Sam IV is definitely closest to the original though, with the core change being that this version has a more phallic head than its predecessor. An unusually long toy, even for a rabbit vibrator, the product is then 9.85″ / 25cm in length, with an insertable length of 5.5″ / 14cm and a maximum diameter of 1.65″ / 4.2cm, making it a little on the girthier side too. This thickness is focused around the start of the toy though, with that realistic head, and then as you travel down the shaft things start to get a bit weird, as this is where they have hollowed it out. It’s here you’ll find the flapping finger, and this is just a solid piece of flexible silicone, with a few small raised bumps at the top of the side facing the suction arm (these are quite subtle though, not at all as prominent as some of the photos on PlayfulSexToy’s website make it seem). While this internal arm is then totally firm, with the exception of the head which has a small amount of flex, the external one has some flexibility to it, with the suction nozzle being rimmed by some reflective gold plastic. More of this gold plating features at the back of the toy’s handle, whilst on the front you’ll find three buttons for which to control the Sam IV and two metal plates for the USB charging cord to connect to below. And at first glance, the only initial downsides are that very prominent and seemingly unnecessary seam connecting the shaft and head, and the area where the finger meets the toy, as this is not sealed in at all despite being an portion of the toy that is intended to be covered in bodily fluids, raising safety concerns. Finally, whilst my copy of the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV is made of purple silicone, it also comes in red.

Packaging

My order for the Sam IV was placed with PlayfulSexToy on the 18th of July and I received it on the 1st of August. The mailing bag was then 100% discreet, with no mention of who sent it or what was inside. The packaging for the toy itself is super basic, which is what I typically expect from white-label retailers, but considering there is a picture of the packaging on the PlayfulSexToy website which features a branded black box and the toy laying in a velvet-like material, that’s kinda what I thought I would get. Instead, this is an unbranded purple box made of cheap card, with some generic icons on the side and a sticker that seems to indicate this is the Sam III, even though it is definitely the IV. No text does mean this gets points for being discreet though, with the icon showing something vibrating (which honestly could refer to a lot of things) being the only indication it contains something NSFW. Opening this up, you’ll then find the toy resting in plastic, alongside its charging cord and instruction manual.

Unexpected Issues

Upon receiving the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV, I obviously had immediate concerns relating to the open hole where the flapping arm sticks out of. Yet the website prominently and repeatedly assured me that it was “100% waterproof and submersible”. So, I didn’t think too much of it when I briefly submerged the toy for cleaning before and after my first use. Sadly, as I soon learned from it constantly leaking for weeks afterwards and then no longer working, it seems the Sam IV is not waterproof. In fact, if you look closely at the fine print on their website and in the instruction manual, it is indeed listed as IPX6, which refers to a water-resistant item that can be splashed or placed under running water, but cannot be submerged.

As for what became of my Sam IV, it feels like water has become trapped in almost every area of the toy, particularly the gold plate on the handle and at the base of the flapper. I can even hear water within the head when I squeeze it! The bigger problem though, is that it also stopped working, no doubt due to the water damage. At first, the flapper began to malfunction, frequently not turning on or being difficult to control once activated. I thought I could manage initially, but then the suction arm also stopped working (it would make a noise, but the plate within would not actually move). Ultimately, I had to ask PlayfulSexToy for a replacement Sam IV, which they quickly organised on the 8th of October. Arriving on the 18th, once again the mailing box was discreet. As for the packaging, this was identical (I thought I might finally get the one they advertise on their website), whilst the toy itself has a few small visual differences, for instance the metal charging prongs are more prominent (making them more likely to scratch you) and the flapping arm’s hole is sealed a bit better.

Charging

Charging the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV should be easy since it is USB rechargeable. You just need to plug one end into a USB port and the other end will connect magnetically to the plates on the bottom of the toy. Unfortunately though these magnets are very weak and are prone to disconnecting on their own. Additionally, a problem I’ve been encountering in my replacement Sam IV, that did not occur in the previous model, is that the charging frequently doesn’t turn on even when connected properly, requiring me to keep reconnecting it till it works. Once successfully on charge, a light on the toy will then flash, becoming solid upon completion, and charging should take around 90 minutes to provide 60 minutes of use.

Controls

With three motors and three buttons on the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV, controlling it is relatively straightforward. Turning it off and on can be done by holding down the middle button with the power symbol on it for two seconds, with the toy initially going into a stand-by mode. After this, the toy’s motors are controlled independently, with the middle button controlling the G-spot vibrations, the top button controlling the flapper, and the bottom button controlling the suction. I do feel the suction and vibrations buttons could have been switched though, or perhaps had originally intended to be, as it is the suction button that features the traditional vibrations symbol, making this a bit confusing. All three motors can then be used together or separately, and all of them feature the same seven modes, three being steady speeds and four being patterns. Holding down the suction or flapper buttons, you can then turn these off without affecting the rest of the toy, but you won’t be able to turn off the vibrations without turning off the Sam IV entirely.

First Impressions

I’ve been around for plenty of new sex toy developments, from the Zumio to the Womanizer, and all of them I initially laughed at. But no new style of toy has looked more ridiculous to me than the flapper. Mostly because I was quite certain that whilst it looks good on the outside, inside you won’t be able to feel a thing. Still, I was ready to once again be proven wrong, and turning on the flapper for the first time I was pleased to see just how much force is behind it, being genuinely a bit painful if I wrap my hand around it, kind of like a tiny whip hitting me repeatedly. Unfortunately though it seems the included vibrations and suction aren’t helping the Sam IV’s prospects, with the former being buzzy and fairly weak, and the latter actually being a knock-off version I tend to call tap suction (since it uses a vibrating plate within the nozzle rather than the technology brands like Womanizer and Satisfyer use. It can still feel good, but it is also dangerous if the plate hits your clitoris). As for the noise level, this isn’t actually too bad despite everything that’s going on here, with the flapping arm actually being the loudest element, which works nicely considering this is greatly reduced once inserted.

My Experience

With such low expectations, they could really only go up. Yet even I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV in use. Being fairly thick for a rabbit vibrator, insertion is initially a little slow, and I sometimes find it even helps to first warm up with a smaller dildo, such as the Funkit Toys NoFrillDo R. But once inside, I find that the large and subtly curved head hits all the right notes, as it glides past my G-Spot towards my A-Spot. Of course, it was the flapper that I was most interested in, and you’ll be surprised to learn (I certainly was) that not only can this little piece of silicone be felt within me, but that it’s very stimulating. Effectively working to slap my G-Spot again and again, it may not be anywhere near amazing as manually thrusting a G-Spot vibrator or dildo against it, but for a hands-free version it absolutely works, perhaps even more so than the toys with an in-built “come hither” arm, since these are usually quite slow. Plus, in order to place the suction arm over my clitoris I need to keep the Sam IV relatively still, and so if it wasn’t for the flapper I wouldn’t be getting any G-Spot stimulation anyway. On that note, the suction arm is a little difficult to position, but once you manage to create a seal, keeping it there is fairly easy, and can even be used hands-free if you close your legs around the toy. It’s not the best clitoral stimulation ever, and I would certainly prefer more than three steady speeds, but it’s not bad either and with all of the other sensations going on I don’t really notice. Then, whilst the internal vibrations are the least stimulating element, they still add another dimension during play, and using all three modes together results in some very fast, strong and satisfying orgasms that make me want to just keep coming back for more. Which makes it extra disappointing that I cannot…

Cleaning & Care

The open seal around the flapping arm and its ability to trap water and bodily fluids is easily the worst part of the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it presents such a big problem that I don’t feel this toy is safe for use, or at the very least it cannot be cleaned adequately enough after use in order to return it to a body-safe condition. This would be true even if it were waterproof, but removing the ability to submerge it definitely complicates matters even further. Plus, even though I’ve been very careful with my replacement Sam IV, making sure to only rinse it under a running stream of water, it too has begun leaking fluids, meaning this toy may not even be water-resistant, which is the bare minimum for an insertable toy. If one had to use it, the only option would be to not insert it past the open seal, yet even this is not an option for me since I must fully insert it for the suction arm to reach my clitoris.

Final Thoughts

Lately I’ve received quite a few messages asking about G-Spot vibrators with the ability to move back and forth in the classic “come hither” fashion. But whilst I have reviewed one a long time ago, my answer is that unfortunately LELO now holds the patent for it with their Wave range, and not only are their toys very overpriced in my opinion, but they are also not a company I support morally. It kind of sucks, especially when I want to be able to help people find their dream toy. Well, now I know why I’ve been seeing these flappers everywhere, and why it was such a big deal when Honey Play Box patented them. Because they do practically the same thing as the “come hither” toys, but better. And once again I’ve laughed at a new innovation in sex toy technology that could change this industry. That is, of course, if someone manages to actually offer it in a way that is safe, and that doesn’t break almost immediately. This was sadly what let the PlayfulSexToy Sam IV down, because whilst I thoroughly enjoyed testing it out, with it easily being one of the better suction rabbits I have tried, I just don’t feel safe using it again. And it is for this reason that I obviously cannot recommend it.

You can get the Sam IV directly from PlayfulSexToy for just $117 AUD / $75.9 USD, plus use my code GRACE20 to get 20% OFF your total order!

Last updated: 25/10/24

Price at the time of writing: $117 AUD / $75.9 USD

This post was sponsored by PlayfulSexToy, but as always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in this post.

I’m someone who values quality over quantity, which is a trait you’ll notice many of my favourite sex toy manufacturers share. Yet even I have been starting to get a little impatient waiting for the next Hot Octopuss release. I’ve tried every single one of their vaginal toys (as well as a few of their masturbators) since they started making them back in 2017, although while that sounds impressive there have actually only been four, with one of those since being discontinued. It has to be one of the smallest collections of any award-winning adult brand, but whatever they’re doing it’s working, with all three of the currently available products being absolutely top notch and some of the best toys I own. Yet it’s now been almost four years since the last release, so where’s my new obsession? Well, it turns out we have to first go back to that discontinued toy.

The Queen Bee Returns

Initially a masturbator brand, the first toy UK-based Hot Octopuss ever made for those with vulvas was the Queen Bee. While it released to the public with much fanfare (mostly due to some genius marketing), it was met with mixed reviews from bloggers, and when I finally got round to reviewing it myself in 2019, I too was left unsure what to think. Applying their patented PulsePlate technology, which is essentially just an oscillating plate that rapidly moves back and forth, from their masturbators to the Queen Bee made sense in theory, but there were numerous issues that caused it to fail. For instance, it was horrendously loud (I related it to a motorbike in my review), it took a whopping four hours to charge, and it was made of TPE, a potentially unsafe material. Plus, a big problem I noted at the time was how much it seemed like an unfinished prototype for something else. Well, now we finally know what that “something else” is, because it seems the Queen Bee has been reborn as the PULSE QUEEN!

Product Description

Now, I haven’t actually seen Hot Octopuss mention the poor Queen Bee anywhere in their marketing for the PULSE QUEEN, but the inspiration is clear (their website even calls the PULSE QUEEN the “world’s first wand with PulsePlate Technology™”, which is the same thing they said about the Queen Bee in 2017). And I’m glad to see the idea finally revisited, especially as oscillators have become more popular in recent years. But I also agree that this isn’t as simple as the PULSE QUEEN being the Queen Bee 2, with its new design not just “reinventing the wand” (as per its tagline), but reinventing itself. Smaller, lighter, and far more stylish, the PULSE QUEEN no longer looks like a prototype, but instead a product I’d be proud to display on my nightstand. In fact, its appearance now reminds me more of an air pressure wave toy than anything else, and this also reflects the way it is designed to be held. Ignoring stereotypical toy colours, which also pairs with its unique look to keep it fairly discreet, the PULSE QUEEN’s turquoise silicone is then silky smooth, and on the back you’ll find a wide panel of ABS plastic with a black to turquoise gradient on it. Here is where the toy’s three buttons are located, and as usual Hot Octopuss have made them very clear, both to the eyes and to the touch. Above and to the side of this are then the two Hot Octopuss logos, which are embossed in the silicone, and at the bottom is a hole for the charging cord. Finally, there is that PulsePlate on the front, which, just like the rest of the toy, is about half the size of the one on the Queen Bee. However, another big change that I’m excited about is that whilst the original PulsePlate was essentially flat, this one protrudes from the centre to form a triangular shape. Then, as with the Queen Bee, the Hot Octopuss PULSE QUEEN is also body-safe, USB rechargeable and 100% waterproof.

Packaging

My order for the PULSE QUEEN was placed with Hot Octopuss on the 24th of July and I received it on the 30th, which was a great turnaround considering they’re based in the UK. Plus, the package was also 100% discreet, with no mention of who the sender was or what was inside. The box for the PULSE QUEEN itself was then fairly similar to products I’ve owned from the brand in the past, arriving in a sturdy cardboard box featuring an image of the toy and plenty of information on what it can do. Opening this up, you’ll then find the toy resting safely in card, as well as a charging cord, two small manuals, and a storage bag (this isn’t as high quality as the one that came with the Queen Bee, but it is still very nice and more in line with what I’ve received with more recent Hot Octopuss products). Finally, the Hot Octopuss PULSE QUEEN also comes with a one year warranty.

Charging

Charging the Hot Octopuss PULSE QUEEN is easy, especially as it has been completely overhauled since the Queen Bee. Now all you need to do is plug one end into the hole at the bottom of the toy’s handle, and place the other end into a USB port. Once on charge the toy’s light will begin to flash, and this will then become solid upon completion, with charging taking around 150 minutes to provide 40 minutes of play time.

Controls

The great buttons that were featured on the Hot Octopuss KURVE return on the PULSE QUEEN, and I am so happy to see them. Large and protruding, these buttons are easy to read and find, even if you cannot see them, and they bring a level of comprehensive control to the PULSE QUEEN that wasn’t even really necessary, but that is more than welcomed. The middle round button functions as a power button, which can be held down for three seconds to either turn the toy on or off, with it always starting on its lowest speed and steady mode. You can then continue clicking this button to cycle through the toy’s eight modes (the manual and website both specify seven modes, with there even being a graphic showing what each of the modes is. However, I’ve checked many times, and my copy definitely has an additional mode in position four that is not included on the graphic, and six and seven have their placements flipped), or you can use the plus and minus buttons to increase or decrease the speed. There are nine speeds in total, and each of the eight modes also respond to these, meaning there are a lot of combinations to be had.

First Impressions

There was no denying that the Hot Octopuss Queen Bee was a powerful sex toy. The problem when it came to actually using it was that the PulsePlate is such a different method of stimulation, and anyone accustomed to vibrations (like myself and other bloggers) found it difficult to get used to. And this is an issue that has continued with other oscillators I have tried more recently, such as the Lora DiCarlo Carezza. So I was hoping that somehow Hot Octopuss had found a way to overcome that when I accepted this review. Turning the PULSE QUEEN on for the first time, I was immediately met with such a level of intensity that almost every time I go to use it (you’d think I would have gotten use to it by now), I instinctively try to turn it down, because surely this cannot be the first speed! But indeed it is, and even though the PULSE QUEEN is so much smaller, it feels far stronger than the Queen Bee. This is then further amplified with that pointed, rather than flat, PulsePlate, which helps focus the oscillations. The very unfortunate downside to all this though is once again the noise. In fact, it is my sad duty to tell you that the PULSE QUEEN is even louder than the original Queen Bee, which is just shocking. But! There is some good news, which is that the sound does significantly reduce once pressure is applied to the PulsePlate, so much so that the PULSE QUEEN does become quieter than the Queen Bee in use. Even with this though, it does make this toy one of the loudest I’ve ever tried, and is absolutely not a product you can use with any kind of discretion.

My Experience

The Hot Octopuss PULSE QUEEN’s whole thing is that it is a reinvention of the wand massager. Yet nothing about it says wand to me… that is, until I start using it. Placing it on my clitoris, I immediately connect with those deep rumbly oscillations, feeling completely akin to the style of vibrations I love so much. But at the same time it is so much more than that, with the PULSE QUEEN bringing a level of versatility that a typical massager just can’t achieve. This all comes down to that PulsePlate and the wide range of movement it has, allowing you to fine tune your experience with the toy depending on how far you hold it from yourself. You see, usually if you held a massager near, but not on, your clitoris, you’d feel next to nothing, and once on there isn’t a whole lot of change in sensation. But with the PulsePlate, you can enjoy a sliding scale of stimulation depending on how much pressure you apply. This makes a toy that already had an unusually high level of customisation even more adaptable, and is particularly great considering it starts off so strong. For those who do enjoy a bit of force though, the PULSE QUEEN also allows for that, and the handle design makes this even easier than with a typical massager. Although there is a limit to this, as too much pressure will ultimately make the PulsePlate turn off, a flaw that unfortunately usually rears its head during orgasm. It’s also interesting to note just how much of an improvement this toy is from the earlier Queen Bee. Not only does having the PulsePlate no longer be flat make a huge impact, allowing for far easier clitoral stimulation, but the oscillations themselves are on a completely different level, feeling significantly more powerful and also a lot more like traditional vibrations, helping to remove my previous issues. Overall, this toy has just been a joy to use, with satisfying orgasms coming easily. It is just a shame about the noise level, which is really the biggest downside here.

Cleaning & Care

Cleaning the Hot Octopuss PULSE QUEEN is very easy since it is waterproof, and also because being an external toy means it won’t get too messy (you can even use it through your underwear!). After use just give it a quick wipe down with some soapy water and then rinse before leaving it to air dry. There is a chance fluids may have also become trapped around the PulsePlate, so do be careful to check this area and rinse it if needed. After this you can store it in the bag it came with. Additionally, do make sure to not use silicone-based lubricants with this product, as it may damage the material it is made of.

Final Thoughts

I called the Hot Octopuss Queen Bee a prototype, because, whilst it needed a lot of work, there was absolutely a gem there just waiting to be refined. So it was such a shame when the brand quietly discontinued it, and I had given up hope for a successor many years ago. Yet as soon as I saw the PULSE QUEEN, I knew exactly what it was, even if the UK brand didn’t mention it. A complete reimagining design-wise, not only is this toy much more aesthetically pleasing, but it is so much smaller too, and with a vastly improved PulsePlate. It is this which both sets it apart and allows it to emulate the wand massagers it aims to reinvent, bringing those rumbly and deeply penetrating vibrations, whilst simultaneously allowing for a greater level of flexibility and personalisation. All of this, of course, comes with the snag that is its volume, which really does give you the full-sized massager experience and then some. But at least this time, it is worth it. So, for those who are in a position to be a little noisy, then I highly recommend this for lovers of rumbly vibrations, especially if you want something that has the power but not the size of a regular wand, and it may also be ideal for those looking for a clitoral vibrator with a lighter, yet still satisfying, touch.

You can get the PULSE QUEEN directly from Hot Octopuss for just $149.95 AUD / $99.95 USD!

Last updated: 30/10/24

Price at the time of writing: $149.95 AUD / $99.95 USD

This post was sponsored by Hot Octopuss, but as always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in this post.