The Hitachi Magic Wand is not technically a sex toy; it is a body massager that works on the shoulders, back and leg muscles, for example. It has been touted as the ultimate clit stimulator and orgasm machine, although I have read at various sites that you should not put it directly on the clit. They recommend putting a sock on it, or using it through your clothing. I guess it is best used as a massager when you have stiff, sore and tight muscles.

The Hitachi is made out of plastic with a Eden safety rating of 8. I don't smell it and I didn't taste it, but it has a smooth texture and can be used by anyone. The head part of this toy is made out of a soft material that is a bit squishy.

The design resembles a stick with a ball on the end. It is 12 inches long and the handle part is 2 3/8 inches around. The 6 3/4 inch ball on the end is for the massage. It is the perfect shape for a massager. I think most beginners might find it a bit hard to take, especially if you think of it as a sex toy, not as the massager that it is. Because of the strength, I think advanced users would appreciate it. It is not easy to hide, although it is discreet since it does not look like a sex toy. It could be packed in a suitcase, as long as you are going where there are standard 110V electrical outlets.

They call it multi-speed, but it only has 2 speeds, low and high. The middle of the handle has a rocker switch with low, off and high, so it's very simple to use. The head, or ball part of the massager, is where the vibrations are located. You slide it over the area you are massaging. It is not as noisy as I thought it would be based on what some have said. However, anyone will hear it if they are in the same room with you when you are using it. It is not waterproof, so do not submerge it in a tub, or you might electrocute yourself. It is an electric plug-in, so you don't need tons of batteries.

It is easy to care for and to clean, you can use toy cleaner, toy wipes, or a damp cloth with soap and water. It is so big it is hard to store, so I just use the box it came in, since it does not look like sex toy packaging. It says 2-speed massager and doesn't have nudes on the box. So, I just place it back in the box and stand it on end. I use water-based lubes and do not store it touching other toys, just as a precaution.

It was packaged in a plain, white box that said Hitachi Magic Wand, 2-speed massager, flexible soft head and gave a generic description. Nothing erotic is on the box; there are no nudes on the box and it shows dressed people using it on their shoulders, arms and back. There were no usage instructions included inside the package. I see no reason why the box could not be used to give it as a gift, nor any reason it can not be used as a storage box. It is not that sturdy and can be recycled with your other recyclables.

This is a powerful massager for body massage. It quickly loosened up the muscles in my neck and stopped a headache. It also loosened up the knotted muscles in my calves. As far as for clitoral stimulation, it fell short. I used it for 2 hours and only got a light sensation of an orgasm building, but it definitely did not provide the fast, intense, blow-your-socks-off sort of orgasm. It is possible that I am not normal and will never get very many orgasms, but I thought for sure this would do it. I was disappointed, to say the least, after all the press about it. Betty Dodson, sexologist, recommends putting a sock on the end, or using it through your clothes. I did not do that, I put it directly on my clit and kept it moving, but it still did not work to give me an orgasm.