Acuvibe - massager by Interactive Health - review by ToyGurl

The AcuVibe is a VERY powerful massager, perfect for sore muscles from the back to the feet to the shoulders to the neck... anywhere you're sore, this thing will straighten you out in no time at all.

The reason I bought the AcuVibe was not only for my sore muscles, but also because I hate having to plug in my Hitachi wherever I take it. I couldn't use it in the car because it needs a plug. I can't use it in the kitchen or in the living room because all the plugs are blocked. So basically, I needed something more portable.

The AcuVibe is also a nice toy for women with clits that are just not as sensitive as everyone else's, like myself. However, if you are someone, like me, who sometimes needs more than half an hour to finally cum then you're out of luck.

So the Acuvibe is made of plastic, which has a material safety rating of 8. Upon opening my AcuVibe, there is a huge sticker that says "This product may contain harmful chemicals and lead, known to California as a cancer-causing agent.". I was told that this is in most massagers and vibrators, which is totally new to me. I guess it's part of the battery. But it shouldn't be harmful because it's used externally. So it's NOTHING to worry about guys. I thought I would mention that because it might be something that would freak someone else out. I know it freaked me out at first until I had done my research.

There is very little texture to the AcuVibe. There's a few ribbed type indents on the side of the head, but they don't add much feeling to your massage as far as I can tell. Not sure what they are there for. If I could guess it would probably be to hold attachments and whatnot. As for the material itself, it's more of a matte type of plastic. Almost mistaken for silicone because of it's matte feeling.

There seems to be some sort of softer material, similar to Silicone (it might actually be silicone) on the head and along two sides of the handle/shaft or whatever that part is called. It's soft, easily scratched, and kind of mushy... Thus the reason I wonder if it's silicone. The package and online has not been able to confirm that material, so I can't tell you.

It does have a pretty noticeable smell to it, but it isn't anything that's going to make you throw up or want to get rid of it. Smells a lot like the smell of an old television (only some of you may get what I'm saying. a lot of old TVs had this awful smell to them). I didn't find it bothersome, and I wiped down the toy and the smell was less apparent.

I like the design. It's just long enough to reach my shoulders, back, and even tail bone - by myself! It isn't as long as the Hitachi, which for me was not an issue as the Hitachi is TOO long in my opinion. However, they are in competition against one another so they aren't that far off. The Hitachi was too bulky for me to use and a massage turned into weight-lifting. With the AcuVibe, you get a sensible massage without breaking your arms... I wont lie to you, though - this thing is still very heavy. Just less of a burden than the Hitachi.

The size is great for anyone to use. Even an old grandmother who can lift 7 lbs would probably like this massager. Especially if you're living alone and need to give yourself a good, quality massage. It's very suitable for travel, and would fit easily into a suit case. Since it's rechargeable you could charge it, leave the charger at home, and take it on a road trip. However, if you want more than one use I recommend taking the charger. It's bulky, but worth it if you need another 30 minute session.

The AcuVibe has three functions. LO (low), Off, and HI (high). HI - 5 vrooms "OMG MY CLIT IS BEING ATTACKED!" Off - Off LO - 2 vrooms "This feels good but... wait is it on?... yeah it is... mmmm...."

So basically, it's either too high or too low. The HI function for me was fine, but I have a clitoris that needs intense treatment. The LO function could easily do it for me, but it would take a lot longer. It was more of an oscillating vibration than an actual vibration, and that just doesn't get me off fast enough. Although, it makes great foreplay and a great massage, and either way you get a deep orgasm

The HI setting is pretty high. If you have aches and pains in your back, this thing is sure to get them out in a snap. Your clitoris, supposing it is made of steel like mine, will thank you! I don't recommend using it right against the clitoris, because you might numb your labia or even your clitoris itself. I just put a pair of panties on and that works perfectly, but some may want to throw on their PJs.

The LO setting is similar in intensity to the following toys on their highest setting:

Zini Seed

LELO Mia

Je Joue MiMi

Iconic Smoothie

The only difference, like I mentioned, is that it's more of a deep rumble/oscillating rather than a deep vibration. Definitely really intense, just different. But I like it.

The AcuVibe is also really really loud. The LO setting can't be heard past a television, radio, or fan on a regular volume/setting. The HI setting can definitely be heard with any of those devices on and most likely can be heard through a closed door. I can't imagine using this downstairs with my tile floor - I'll bet the neighbors would hear! (Exaggeration. The neighbors wont hear. But if you live in an apartment this could cause you issues).

Before using your AcuVibe for the very first time, you MUST charge it for 8 entire hours. Do NOT try and turn on your massager, even though it is tempting. After your first use, your AcuVibe needs to be charged for a total of 8 hours. I would just plug mine in in the morning, that way it would be ready when I am ready for bed. It's really up to you.

If you, for some reason, don't use your AcuVibe at all for a month you need to be sure to completely drain the battery and charge the unit for 16 hours. Even if you aren't planning to use it. This just keeps the battery running smoothly.

As you will read below, your charging options (which aren't too great) are the following:

- Charge it for an hour: Get 5 minutes.

- Charge it for 8 hours: Get about 25 minutes on HI, 35 minutes on LO

- Charge it for a full 16 hours: Get 35 minutes on HI, and almost 50 on LO.

The run times vary depending on how much pressure you apply to your partner, as the device works harder when you press harder, and the temperature (wtf?). I suppose they mean the temperature of the room or the temperature of the toy. Maybe if it's overheating it turns itself off, or whatever. But it claims that when it's colder the run times are shorter. I have heard of devices that turn off when they are so many temperatures above the temperature of the room.

If your AcuVibe just happens to get dirty, you'll want to turn it off, and use a cleansing towelette and clean it that way. If it gets wet, turn your toy off immediately and dry it off as quickly as possible, taking care not to let the water/fluid get into any cracks.

The above is all in the handbook!

The AcuVibe comes in a pretty large cardboard box. There is nothing sexual anywhere on the box, or in the manual, so this makes a great gift for the parents, or for a friend who is iffy about sex toys. I had no trouble opening this in front of family, and no one really said a thing. I just said I had bought a new back massager and I even let them all try it once it was charged!


As I mentioned, instructions are included. They are brief, and come in both english and french - however, they did mention most of what you need to know such as maintenance, charging, usage, etc.

So this is the big issue for me. Well, there's more issues... but this is the big one.

The AcuVibe worked fine on it's first use. I let all of my family try it (mainly consisted of me holding the massager and massaging each person's back). This lasted about 25 minutes or so. Then, it slowly powered itself off. This was after 8 hours of full charge. I have never heard of a massager only lasting 25 minutes on a full charge, especially an 8 hour charge.

I figured that it was just it's "first time" and needed to be charged again, so I went ahead and gave it a 1 hour charge. It only lasted about 5 minutes and died.

I gave it another try, let it charge 16 hours and it gave me almost 50 minutes total. This, to me, is just really shabby. Although I love the design, although I love the intensity, and although I love the ability to take it anywhere - this just doesn't cut the bill. I mean.... 50 minutes? Are you serious? I wait 16 hours for 50 minutes?

I was sure as hell that this was a defect, so I got on the old Bing and gave it some research. Almost everyone says the run-time is short. Even my Mystic Wand Rechargeable, which only charges for 2 hours, gives me an hour and a half of run-time. This is NOT a defective toy, it just doesn't have good run-time.

To put it all in a nutshell - YES, the AcuVibe is strong. It's powerful, and feels great, and it gets those tight muscles worked out. However, this is my dilemma.


I get home at 2:45ish, and I've been on my feet all day, going from home to home of my clients, standing in my heels, and I'm ready for a foot massage. I want something strong, I want something powerful, and I want something I can take to my bed or to the couch. That's the AcuVibe. The only issue is...


My hubby gets home at 5:00. He's been at work all day, and he's sore as hell ALL OVER. Military men need good massages. So as much as I'd love to say "Here babe, let me give you a massage with the AcuVibe" I can't. You know why? Because it's dead and needs to be charged already.


And THEN, when it's my personal time, and I want a good, deep, heart pounding orgasm, the AcuVibe is on it's charger. The only way to please all three of us is either to say that the AcuVibe is mine, the Hitachi is my husbands, and the Mystic is for masturbation... but I want to share! That is why I just can't say this toy fit the bill for me.

Also, the light stays on after charging... This is somewhat cool, because you know when it's dying as it starts to flicker out. My only issue is that I have a sensitivity to lights around the room. I have seizures, and when my eyes try to unconsciously focus on two different things (for example, when I'm on the laptop and I see a light in the distance) I can go into seizures. It bothers me. My sleep mask fixed this, but it's still kind of a pain in the ass when I'm working at my desk.

I'll be honest. If my AcuVibe ever got old, broke, fell apart, and died... I wouldn't rush to replace it. I would just buy a new Hitachi. Maybe look for a version of the AcuVibe that has a cord. Who knows. I just need something that's going to be there through those three uses each day. And the AcuVibe isn't it.