You may recall that I once wrote a very snarky review for the Womanizer W100 — perhaps the most kitschy and gender stereotyped sex toy to ever burst onto the “luxury” market. Well, here I am (over three years later!), returning with a much-overdue review of the original Womanizer’s more mature sibling: the (W500) Pro. Although this is an older model that may not be around much longer, it is currently available through Womanizer’s website for a discounted price of $149.
But before you rush out and snag this deal… I know what you’re all wondering.
Did their design team of preteen girls grow the fuck up or is everything still plastered in leopard print? Does it still glow ragey red and make that gross gurgling noise that sounds like a toy airplane flying through pudding? And most importantly: Does it still make my orgasms sneak up on me, washing over my body and then suddenly drowning me in over-stimulation?
Aesthetically, the Womanizer W500 Pro is an absolute godsend — compared to the original, at least. Sure, it still looks like a designer ear thermometer, but changing that would be like changing the entire brand at this point.
Womanizer has officially traded in their leopard print and “edgy” tattoo art for much more subdued and mature designs. Mine is red with a rose print, but overall, the company is clearly moving towards solid colors and metallic accents. The gaudy Swarovski crystal button has shrunk to about 1/4th of its original size. And the shape of this model (which actually looks like a conscious design choice now) is shorter, thicker, and more ergonomic at 4.5″ x 2.5″. It even feels nicer; the entire toy is covered in a velvety soft matte finish, instead of having a portion that feels like plain ol’ cheap plastic.
The controls have changed ever-so-slightly, but are even more intuitive and user-friendly. The crystal now acts as the power button, which has to be held for a few seconds to turn the toy on/off. (My only complaint is that it’s a little pointy and can be uncomfortable to press.) The intensity of the toy is controlled by a long chrome button, plainly marked with + and -. This is a huge improvement over the original, as it means that you can actually control the intensity in both directions!
Speaking of intensity, my Pro has a total of 8 settings — adding one super soft mode and one super power mode to the original 6. (Their website states that newer models have 12 settings instead, adding even more variety and control for the user.)
The Womanizer W500 Pro still uses the same air-pulse technology that feels a whole lot like gentle suction to most people. It’s still made from body-safe and nonporous ABS plastic with replaceable silicone nozzles. It still lights up red in the dark, like a demonic little clit-beacon. And it’s still rechargeable via a mini-USB port. (The toy will flash red when it needs to be charged and flash green while it is charging. Once charged, the green light will remain constant. Womanizer states that a full 2-hour charge can provide up to 240 minutes of use, likely on the lowest setting.)
There is one small improvement though. Womanizer lists the W500 model as being “waterproof IPX7.” What does this mean? It means that the toy can be submerged in water up to 3 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. If you’re a lengthy masturbator like me, I probably wouldn’t use this toy in the bath. (The user manual says not to use the toy for over 15 minutes anyway — but come on.) However, this new rating does make cleaning much simpler.
The Womanizer W500 Pro comes packaged in a sturdy cardboard box, tastefully printed to match and show off the design elements of the toy. Included are 2 silicone nozzles (one standard size and one XL size), a USB charging cord with AC adapter, and a lengthy & sometimes hilarious user manual. (“Wind kiss” is totally a phrase that they use at one point.) Instead of the W100’s awesome soft-shell case, the W500 comes with a simple satin storage bag.
I wanted to provide you all with a detailed comparison between the Womanizer W100 and my newer W500 Pro for this review. Unfortunately, it appears that my original has died in storage sometime over the last few months/years. (It still blinks like it is charging, but never actually completes a charge or turns on. I suppose that you can tell how often I’ve actually gone back and used it.) So instead, I will be forced to rely on vague memories and my last review.
The most noticeable improvement for me is definitely the increased control over the Womanizer W500 Pro’s intensity. My main problem with the W100 was that there was no way to slowly decrease the pulsing power. It would unsuspectingly rip my orgasms out of me and then end them with torturous over-stimulation. The whole experience may have had some pleasurable undertones, but it inevitably made my masturbation sessions feel surreal and incomplete.
The buildup with the Womanizer W500 Pro can still be a little frustrating. The air pulses feel like gentle fluttering vibrations (thuddier on lower levels, but incredibly fast on higher ones). Attempting to get the nozzle in the perfect position around my clitoris — and keep it there — is near impossible, and I still liken it to oral sex; a constant teasing dance of hitting the right spot and then losing it before ultimately reaching a mind-shattering orgasm. Of course, if I max out the intensity, I can force an orgasm in about 60 seconds. But doing that also drastically increases my chances of over-stimulation.
And that’s exactly what makes the Pro so much better than the original: my orgasms do not always have to end with uncomfortable disappointment. It has taken some practice, but because I am now able to slowly back off the intensity, I can often ride out my orgasms in a more natural fashion. If I’m being careful, I can even succeed in having multiples without needing to rip the toy away from my body. I feel satiated instead of frustrated; it just takes some masturbation mindfulness that I’m not always willing to give.
A few other things to note…
For my body, I couldn’t tell much of a difference in the nozzle sizes. The XL only seemed to muffle the sensation a little bit, but not necessarily in a way that helped me avoid overstimulation.
I also can’t say for sure if the noise level is exactly the same as the W100, but from the size of my cat’s tail and the freaked out look on his face, I can certainly say that it can be…unsettlingly loud. In fact, I would compare this model to an idling truck — or god forbid that you don’t get the nozzle settled quite right against your skin, an industrial fan. Rarely does a sex toy’s noise make a difference to me (I am, after all, a Hitachi Super Fan), but it’s probably my least favorite thing about this version. The Womanizer website boasts a “silent mode” for newer models, and I am very curious to know if it actually makes a difference.
Because air pulsing stimulation is a unique and sometimes frustrating beast, I’m not sure if my overall recommendation differs much from the original Womanizer.
Despite the fact that the Pro offers more intensity settings and better control, it may still be too overwhelming for individuals who do not enjoy pinpoint clitoral stimulation. However, I will say that this model was a definite improvement. If you already know that you like these types of toys, but maybe haven’t played around with one since the Womanizer W100, this could be a good upgrade for you. For me, I’m glad that I have this toy around (especially since my original died), but realistically I know that I won’t reach for it often. Wand vibrators are just more my style.
If you still haven’t made up your mind, I highly recommend checking out Lilly’s Womanizer & Satisfyer Comparison Guide (as she includes many other models) and reviews for newer Womanizer toys such as the Classic, Premium, Starlet, Duo, and Liberty. The sex toy world is constantly evolving and I certainly haven’t kept up with it as well as other bloggers have in the last couple of years.
Pros: innovative air technology, unique sensation, pinpoint clitoral stimulation, body-safe & nonporous, 8 intensity settings, easy to turn down intensity, removable nozzle tips for easy cleaning, somewhat waterproof, rechargeable
Cons: horrible name, makes loud & weird gurgling noise, nozzle glows red (can be distracting for some), can still provide overwhelming clitoral stimulation, expensive gamble, older model
Huge thanks to Womanizer for providing me with this product in exchange for an honest & unbiased review.
