Hello LELO…
LELO is a Swedish brand that makes luxury sex toys. Using innovation and technology, they claim to constantly redefine the orgasmic experience.
They’ve won 36 major international design and industry awards. The Sona, in particular, won the iF 2019 Product Design Award.
I didn’t even realize there were this many awards for sex toys. I’m excited to see if this lives up to the hype.
The LELO Sona range consists of the following:
- LELO Sona
- LELO Sona Cruise
- LELO Sona 2
- LELO Sona 2 Cruise
In this review, I will be discussing the LELO Sona range as a whole and share my experiences with the LELO Sona Cruise and LELO Sona 2 Cruise.
Why You Might Want a Lelo Sona 2
The LELO Sona is a clitoral vibrator. Wait, let’s call it a clitoral stimulator – it isn’t technically a “vibrator” as it doesn’t actually vibrate. More on that later.
There are a multitude of exciting ways for people with vaginas to achieve an orgasm – clitoral, vaginal, g-spot, blended, anal, and more.
The most common method is through clitoral stimulation. That’s right – not penetration or intercourse. Many studies have shown that most women can’t orgasm from intercourse alone and 75% require clitoral stimulation to orgasm.
Contrary to popular belief (because who needs education about female sexual pleasure anyway), the clitoris is not a teeny bulb at the top of the vulva that’s apparently so elusive you need a GPS to locate. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Only a quarter of the clit is actually visible – the rest of it extends inside the labia. The entire clitoris consists of 8,000 nerve endings (P.S. the penis has 4000… so, yeah, do the math!) Its sole purpose is to bring pleasure. Power to the clit!
And this is why clitoral stimulators are amazing. Used solo or with a partner, they pay attention to where it matters most.
What makes the LELO Sona different than other Vibrators I've Reviewed?
Traditional clitoral vibrators rely on, well, vibrations against the skin. The Sona is part of a whole new category of clitoral stimulators that rely on air instead of vibration. Yes, air.
You might have seen the Womanizer and Satisfyer? They use air suction to stimulate the clit.
The Sona uses sonic waves instead of suction or vibration.
WTF is a “sonic wave”?
According to Webster’s Dictionary, it refers to “a speed equal to the speed of sound (about 760 mph, through air at sea level at room temperature)”.
Um, yeah I didn’t get that either.
But, hey, you don’t have to be a physicist to get yourself off.
I did some research and decoded this. Basically, the Sona has a small pad in its “mouth” that taps rapidly to send bursts of air onto and around your clit, without actually touching it. Air stimulation makes this a contactless experience, eliminating any friction against your skin, making it quicker yet more gentle compared to a traditional vibrator.
LELO also claims that instead of just stimulating the visible part of the clit like other vibrators, the Sona sends sonic waves down the entire clitoris (read: the other three-quarters), resulting in a deeper, longer, and more intense climax.
It’s a vibrator that doesn’t vibrate. A vibrator that is frictionless and doesn’t even physically touch the clit. What kind of world are we living in?! Other reviewers have reported this eliminates post-orgasm skin irritation and ultra-sensitivity, making way for multiple consecutive orgasms.
Right... This has A LOT to live up to. It claims to offer a brand new orgasm experience. Have I been having superficial orgasms all my life? Have I been missing out on some sort of magical full experience?! My trusty ol’ vibrator and I feel personally attacked right now.
Using the LELO Sona 2, Review of Features
The Sona arrives in a beautiful black box. I remove it from its packaging. It is very sleek, very cool, and feels very nice. It is made with medical grade silicone and ABS plastic, giving it a luxuriously soft and smooth texture. The shape provides a comfortable grip and it’s a good size and weight. Ok, a good start.
It has three button controls which are pretty intuitive. I do think they could be positioned on top instead of the bottom as they are a bit difficult to press while using. But I guess you’ve gotta sacrifice some things for that sleek aesthetic.
The narrow “mouth” provides precision in terms of where you choose to direct the pulses. This can be a positive or negative. If you’re new to clit stimulation, you might find this a bit challenging compared to a toy with a wider surface area that you can just plonk between your legs. The Sona’s precision means that you’ll need to understand your anatomy well enough to know where to position it. Also, if you prefer stimulation of a bigger area, this could be too precise for you. But if you love targeted clit stimulation, this would definitely be up your alley.
When it comes to actually using it, you’re apparently meant to hold it above (not on) your skin, although you can most definitely also use it on the skin (the Sona Cruise was created with this in mind). I found it odd to position my hand so that the toy was hovering above my clit. I’ve read some reviews where people enjoy using it “hands free” while they hold the Sona between their thighs and let the sonic pulses do their work, completely contactless.
I personally prefer holding it against my skin, and because of the space between the “mouth” and the inner pad, my clit still doesn’t actually come into contact with anything. I guess it’s semi-contactless when used this way. I don’t have an issue with that.
It’s worth noting that the Sona won’t suit all clits and vulvas, although the Sona 2 tries to make up for this. The Sona 2 has a larger surface area and deeper opening, making it easier to position and accommodate a wider variety of anatomies. But this is not unique to the Sona – in terms of sex toys, there isn’t really a one size fits all.
It takes me a bit of playing around to position the Sona and then I start exploring the different settings…
The Sona is pretty intense even at its lowest setting. It is key to warm yourself up before introducing the Sona to your session. Even though I tend to skip through the initial settings on other vibrators and start with the mid-to-high modes, I found that with the Sona, a little goes a long way.
In terms of vibrational patterns, the Sona has 8 modes and the Sona 2 has 12.
This didn’t strike me as particularly noteworthy, as I never really get what the deal is with different patterns of vibrations. None of them are ever as good as the first steady buzz. Honestly, I’ve always found that more patterns = more annoying, as it takes me longer to return to the first setting when I accidentally press away from it. I’ve literally never found a vibration pattern I like.
Until now.
Look, it’s either the sonic waves or voodoo magic… but somehow these different patterns are serving real supersonic sensations here. The rhythms feel deeply satisfying and it’s the first time I’ve cum so hard from a vibrator not on the first setting. It was so fun switching between settings, prolonging the session as I teased and surprised myself. The transitions were smooth and created waves of pleasure with greater depth and variety, leading to a stronger and more satisfying climax.
I didn’t expect myself to actually appreciate the Sona 2’s four extra vibrational modes. Don’t overlook this, trust me.
Hot tip: If you want to take things up a notch, introduce some water-based lube. This forms a seal between yourself and the Sona for more intense and targeted sonic sensations throughout your entire clitoris.
Also, all the Sonas are completely waterproof, so feel free to use them in the shower or create (sonic) waves in the bath.
They’re also rechargeable and come with a USB charging cord. The Sona 2 is supposed to have a greater battery life, but I haven’t really had either run out of battery yet so I can’t confirm or deny this. I suppose this means they’re all pretty decent in this regard.
LELO Sona 2 vs Lelo Sona 2 "Cruise"
The Cruise editions of the LELO Sona feature Cruise Control Technology.
Yes, pretty much the same concept as how cruise control maintains the speed of a car. Most vibrators lose power as you press them harder against yourself, because of the extra pressure being exerted on the motor. The Sona’s Cruise Control allows it to maintain the same speed and strength regardless of how hard you press it against your body.
Basically, it holds back 20% of its power during regular usage, and when you press it against your skin, the extra 20% automatically kicks in so that the intensity is regulated.
I found this especially useful when I was at the brink of orgasm – instinctively pressing it harder against myself helped push me over the edge. It was a smooth and seamless transition, and I appreciated the uninterrupted experience. It would honestly have been quite anti-climactic (sorry, couldn’t resist) if it lost power just when I needed it.
PROS
CONS
My Verdict for this Lelo Sona 2 Review
Overall, the LELO Sona has exceeded expectations. I’ve recently found myself bored with toys, wondering if I’ve tried everything and reached a plateau. I was almost convinced that I had peaked and could no longer be surprised. I was skeptical with all the Sona’s bold claims but am thrilled to have been proven wrong.
The Sona has indeed provided a whole new level of pleasure from a vibrator, oh wait, sonic massager/ clit stimulator/ whatever you want to call it… it does its job. Of the entire range, I’d choose the Sona 2 Cruise as I actually appreciate the bigger surface area, additional settings, and cruise control.
The LELO Sona 2 Cruise is now one of the top choices in my bedside drawer for a quickie (or three) in the morning or before bed.
Now, this isn’t the cheapest toy on the market. But I’ve been cumming so much more frequently and intensely since I’ve gotten the Sona. And since it’s been scientifically proven that orgasms help relieve stress, headaches, period cramps, depression, and insomnia… I think of this as an investment for my health and wellbeing. And, really, there’s nothing more important than that.Who Should Get One?
This might be for you if….
- You’re bored of your normal routine and are looking to switch it up
- You’re still discovering your body and haven’t quite figured out how to make yourself cum yet
- You sometimes struggle to reach orgasm
- You want to fit more quick and intense orgasms into your schedule
- You like the intensity of bigger toys but dislike their weight and bulkiness
- You want something you can travel with
And probably not for you if…
- You’re on a budget
- You dislike clit stimulation
- You want to be discreet and need a quiet toy
- You have a bigger or ultrasensitive clit
Where to get one
Here's the best price I've found for the Lelo Sona 2 so far.
