Ako - clitoral vibrator by PicoBong - review by indiglo

The PicoBong Ako is a small, chubby clitoral vibrator. It can be used to tease any erogenous zone on the body and can even be inserted vaginally just a bit. This small toy works perfectly for solo play or couple’s play, and can easily be used in conjunction with a penetrative toy, or during intercourse for dual stimulation.

Its safe materials, simple design and easy to figure out controls would make the Ako a great introductory toy to anyone who is just starting out. Its versatile design and great power also make it a great addition to an already sizeable toy collection.

The Ako runs on 2 AAA batteries, not included, and contains a warning that using rechargeable batteries will result in decreased vibration intensity.

The toys in the PicoBong line are made of high-quality FDA approved silicone and ABS plastic. Silicone has a safety rating of 10 because it is non-porous and easy to sanitize. ABS Plastic has a safety rating of 8 and is also non-porous and easy to sanitize. The PicoBong toys, including the Ako, are totally body safe and can be used with confidence.

The silicone is completely smooth except on the sides. On one side it has the name PicoBong embossed into the silicone, and the other side has the three controller buttons. This slight texture is not felt during use. This silicone is extremely silky, it feels like butter or silk against the skin and really glides. I really love the silicone PicoBong used, it just feels high quality in your hands.

Ako’s plastic handle and battery compartment lid is ribbed. The texture provided makes it easier to hold onto the Ako when in use, even with slippery hands.

The Ako is such a cute toy due to its short, chubby design. It fits really naturally in the hand, and even has a slight bend at the tip to help it get where it needs to go. My PicoBong Ako measurements are as follows:

Total length: 4.75”
Shaft length: 3.25”
Handle length: 1.5”
Circumference: 4.5”
Diameter: 1.4”

The tip of the Ako tapers down to a very thin, almost pointed edge. That allows you to use the tip for more pinpointed vibrations or turn it to the side slight for more diffused vibrations. It’s a great design and will allow the user to get exactly what they want from the toy.

The Ako is rigid and firm, and has no give or squish to it. It allows you to apply as much (or as little) pressure as you like. And the vibrations do not weaken as you apply pressure. They stay just as strong and just go deeper into your skin as you push it against yourself.

The Ako’s controls are extremely easy to use. It has three square buttons on the side, a + button, an M button, and a – button. The + button turns the toy on and allows you to increase the power incrementally. To turn the toy on, press and hold the + button for about one second. The M button allows you to cycle through the patterned settings once the toy is on. The – button allows you to turn the toy off and to decrease the power incrementally. To turn the toy off, press and hold the – button for about 2 seconds. They are easy to find and easy to push.

Ako has a myriad of settings; it’s really impressive for such a small toy. It also has 7 different power settings. It’s a very powerful vibrator, considering its size and that it just runs on 2 AAA batteries. The vibrations are not extremely rumbly, but rather are buzzy. They are surface vibrations, and they stay on the surface of your body, rather than rumbling in more deeply. But it really is a little powerhouse! For comparison purposes I use the Je Joue MiMi Generation I to standardize my tests for vrooms and bees. The Ako is a bit buzzier than the MiMi.

The power settings are as follows:

1 – Lowest setting – 0.5 vrooms,1 bee – comparable to MiMi between off and power level 1
2 – Low – 1 vroom, 1 bee – comparable to MiMi on level 1
3 – High Low – 1.5 vrooms, 1 bee – comparable to MiMi between levels 1 and 2
4 – Medium – 2 vrooms, 1.5 bees – comparable to MiMi on level 2
5 – High Medium – 2.5 vrooms, 1.5 bees – comparable to MiMi between levels 2 and 3
6 – Low High – 3 vrooms, 2 bees – comparable to MiMi on level 3
7 – High – 4 vrooms, 2 bees – comparable to MiMi on level 4

Ako also has 12 different patterned settings you can use. While using the settings, if you want the patterned vibrations to be stronger or weaker, you can adjust the power with the + and – buttons.

The patterns are as follows:

1 – Slow, extended pulses; about 1 per second
2 – Fast pulses; about 2 per second
3 – Faster pulses; about 3 per second
4 – Even faster pulses; about 6 per second
5 – Very fast pulses; about 8 per second
6 – Slow cycling up through all power settings; 1 cycle per 2 seconds
7 – Faster cycling up through all power settings; 1 cycle per second
8 – Constant low rumbling while cycling up through all power settings; 1 cycle per 2.5 seconds
9 – Same as 7, but faster; 1 cycle per second
10 – Same as 7, but with 2 full power pulses at the end; 1 cycle per 2 seconds
11 – Same as 7, but with 4 full power pulses at the end; 1 cycle per 2 seconds
12 – Cycling through power levels randomly

The vibrations are felt most strongly in the tip of the toy, which is perfect for clitoral stimulation. When held in the air, the vibrations can be felt in the handle, but once the toy is touching your body, the vibrations transfer to that contact point and can’t really be felt in the handle anymore. That impressed me! The vibrations really know where to go.

The Ako is a dream to store and care for. Its small size means it can be stored almost anywhere. You can use a toy pouch, an old sock, a plastic bag, a handkerchief, etc. to store it. Be sure to take the batteries out when in storage to protect your toy and prolong the life of the batteries. Since the Ako is battery powered rather than rechargeable it does not have a locking feature, so for travel just remove the batteries so it doesn’t turn itself on at an inopportune time.

Store your Ako, and all your toys, out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. Do not let your Ako come into prolonged contact with toys made of compounds like TPE, TPR, Rubber, Jelly or PVC during storage. Compound materials can break down over time, and could damage your silicone Ako if they’re touching.

Both water-based and oil-based lubricants can be used with the Ako, but if you have a silicone-based or hybrid lube you feel you must use be sure to do a small spot test first to check for a reaction.

Ako is super easy to clean. As a waterproof toy, feel free to dunk it in a sink full of warm water and then wash it with your favorite soap or toy cleaner. Toy wipes can also be used, but be sure to wash it well at a later time. You should not boil this toy or run it through the dishwasher because the heat can damage the motor. If you want to sanitize it you can do so by soaking in a 10% bleach solution (10 parts water to 1 part bleach). If you choose to share your Ako with someone you are not fluid bonded with, be sure to either use a condom, or sanitize it in a bleach solution between uses.

PicoBong toys also come with a comprehensive 1 year warranty. If anything goes wrong with any toy from the PicoBong line within 1 year from the original purchase date, you can contact their Customer Care department to get it taken care of. Who doesn’t love an extended warranty?

*The good

The Ako is a delicious little toy! I am in love with my Je Joue MiMi (Generation I) and this little blue chunk is a definite rival. In fact, I think for traveling, the Ako might be a little more convenient because you don’t have to pack a charger. Just stick Ako in your bag and you’re good to go!

Ako’s power is definitely just a bit buzzier than MiMi, but is still moderate enough to work for me. I also really like the hook design on the tip of Ako, because it really allows the vibrator’s body to lay flat while still hitting me right where I want it. That makes Ako really easy to use during intercourse, or with a penetrative toy, giving you that great dual stimulation that so many women love.

I also like the fact that I can turn the toy around to generate different sensations. Since Ako is kind of flat on the sides, it can be turned sideways for more diffuse vibrations. It can be turned hook side up, so the little ridge on the back is stimulating your body, and that feels different too. I find the vibrations feel strongest when I use the little hook tip.

I am a huge fan of this little toy, and I really think it will allow a lot more people to try out something that’s very similar to the MiMi, but that costs much less. Will Ako be replacing my MiMi? No, but it’s definitely going to hold a well-earned place in my toy rotation. I’m also amazed by how many patterns it has, and that you can actually adjust the power of each pattern. Lelo managed to pack a LOT of amazing features into this toy, and keep it in a reasonable price range.



*The not as good

After hearing how much I love Ako, you might be thinking that I’m saying it’s the perfect toy. Well, it still has its issues. The main things I dislike about it are that the battery cap is a beast to get back on. Seriously, even with all the times I’ve taken it off and put it back on, I still struggle. The good news is that the tight fitting cap makes it water proof. So you win some, you lose some.

The other thing I don’t like about it is where the controls are. They go right up the side, and I would prefer them to stay closer to the bottom. They go so far up the side that as I use the toy, they become very gooey and slippery, especially the button nearest to the tip. It can become very difficult for me to adjust the speed and setting during use, I generally have to stop what I’m doing, hold Ako up, and use both hands to push the button. This issue may not be a problem for everyone; it probably depends on the state of lubrication you’re in. I found it rather annoying, but not so bothersome it impacts my enjoyment.

My only other wish is that it weren’t quite as buzzy. It’s just on the buzzy side of moderate, but from what I’ve read it must be a huge step up from the last round of PicoBong toys that came out. It seems like they’re listening and making changes as they go along. Honestly, after using Ako, I can’t wait for the next line of PicoBong toys to come out! I imagine they’ll be even better!