A Step Above

The Matryoshka is a vibrator that has a unique design that no other vibrators seem to share. The base of the Matryoshka is a large, easy-to-grip size (that comes in at about two inches in diameter) while the tip of the vibrator is only about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. The buttons for controlling this vibrator are located where the vibrator starts to get larger towards the base.

Because of the size, the Matryoshka is best-suited for clitoral and other external stimulation. However, if the user prefers very, very shallow penetration (about an inch worth), the Matryoshka could be inserted vaginally. The instruction manual states that the Matryoshka can be inserted partially, but it should never be inserted fully nor should it be used anally. For most users, though, the Matryoshka will be an external-use toy because of the very-small tip that would make it unsuitable for insertion for most users.

The Matryoshka is rechargeable, and it is also made of a silicone, body-safe material. Because of the quiet vibration settings, this vibrator could work well for those who require discretion with their sex toys. Because of the small size and rechargeable aspect, it can be travel-friendly, but because of the odd design, a person may want to label it as a sex toy just to avoid TSA from being too confused. The Matryoshka does include a travel lock feature as well.

The Matryoshka is made from silicone. This silicone is a body-safe material that is phathalate-free and has no taste nor scent to it. Silicone is non-porous and can be sterilized for multiple-person use. Because of the vibration motor, if you plan on using it with multiple partners, you may want to place the item inside of a latex glove when sharing this sex toy with others. The silicone is not plushy because it is pulled tightly to the body of the toy, but it is silky-smooth, and it does not have any tackiness to the material. This means that the silicone will not pick up any hair or lint.

The Matryoshka has no texture either. The entire surface of the toy is completely smooth. Because the silicone is not plushy and the body of the toy is directly under the surface, the Matryoshka is not flexible at all either. It is completely rigid and does not bend.

The Matryoshka has a unique design that is different from most other vibrators. The Matryoshka has a larger base while having a smaller tip. The entire vibration motor is in the tip, so all of the vibrations are focused in the one area during use which cuts down on the vibrations getting weaker as they travel through the vibrator.

The shape seems best for external stimulation. As the instructions state, the Matryoshka can be partially inserted, but the shape seems like it was intended for external stimulation. Because of the smaller tip, all of the vibrations are near the surface because the motor is in the tip as well. This allows for stronger vibrations. The design of the toy allows for couples to play with the toy as well.

This toy is suited for beginner or advanced users. Advanced users will enjoy all the special features and luxury additions while beginners will appreciate the easy-to-use controls and the silky feel of the silicone body.

The Matryoshka charges through the base on the charging port much like the Jimmyjane Form series. There's a magnetic contact on the base of the Matryoshka as well as on the base of the charger to allow the toy to charge. It takes about 2 hours to charge. (The initial charge should be done for 8 hours.) After it is fully charged, the toy will last for 2 hours as well. The toy can sit on its base during charging as well as for storage; it will not harm the battery of the toy to charge 24/7. There is a power cord that runs from the base of the toy to the outlet, and the cord can be removed when you don't want it to charge. The neat thing about this is that the base actually comes with a lid as well. This turns the entire charging base and the Matryoshka into a plain, purple cylinder that completely hides the toy. This works very well if you need to be discreet about owning a sex toy. The Matryoshka sits very well in the base, and I have had no issue with getting the magnetic ports to line up to charge.

The control system is very easy to understand. The Matryoshka has two buttons on the side of the sex toy, and these two buttons are what control the vibrations. One button controls all of the patterns while the other button controls the strength of those vibrations. There are five different strengths, and each one of the patterns can be used in the five different strengths. There are five different patterns: one steady, two pulsation patterns, and two wave patterns. To turn off the toy, you just have to hold down one of the two buttons for a couple seconds, and the toy will turn itself off.

The strength of this vibrator is stronger than most luxury vibrators. The vibrations are a mix between buzzy and rumbly; they do not go too deep into the muscle, but they aren't just surface vibrations. As far as luxury vibrators go, though, the Matryoshka has vibrations that are stronger than most other toys. It's certainly strong enough to get most women to orgasm. Unless you need something that rivals Hitachi strength, the Matryoshka should have enough strength for you.

Along with the strength, the Matryoshka is very quiet. It can barely be heard in the same room, and it can not be heard through a closed door. Coupled with the fact that it charges by charging base and the lid can be fastened, the Matryoshka can be a good choice for those who require more discretion out of their toys.

The two buttons are close enough to each other that it does require some time to learn which button is what when you are attempting to control the toy during use. The buttons don't get accidentally pressed during use, though, and once you get past the learning curve of learning how the buttons work, the Matryoshka is much easier to use.

The Matryoshka is made from silicone which means that it is compatible only with water-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubricants could harm it, but like always, make sure that you spot-test a spot on your toy if you want to use silicone-based lubricants to avoid harming the toy.

For regular cleaning use, the instruction manual says to clean the Matryoshka with warm water and soap, but it warns against cleaning it with harm chemicals or soaps. Because of the interesting shape of this, the toy may not fit well into the average condom if you wanted to use it for multiple person use. However, it should fit into a latex glove for safe sex-toy sharing between multiple, non-fluid bonded people.

For charging, the instruction book highly, highly advises that you do NOT charge the toy while the base or the toy itself is still wet. Make sure that both are completely dry before charging. The toy can charge while the lid is covering the charging base.

For storage, it is recommended that you keep it stored in the little storage unit/home that the toy comes with. The Matryoshka also comes with a silk, drawstring storage bag if you would rather store it in that. The silicone does not pick up lint or dust easily, so it can be stored in more discreet places (in an underwear drawer) if need be.

The packaging for the Matryoshka looks really nice. It looks a bit like an item you'd expect to find at an high-end department store. The outer packaging is a purple, shiny box that has a slight slipcover that shows the Matryoshka with an attractive woman. It doesn't look like most of the sex toy packaging that you've encountered through; it looks like high-end fashion photography that includes the toy. It doesn't look quite like LELO packaging. LELO packaging is intended to feel more sensual while the packaging for the Matryoshka seems like it is meant to feel more high-end in a fashion-like way.

The top lid of the purple box lifts up to expose the toy's storage container as well as the accessories for the toy. The toy's container has a ribbon that runs underneath the toy that allows you to easily remove the circular storage unit for the toy.

The items included with the Matryoshka is the storage unit for the vibrator (and the charging base), a storage bag for the toy, a product catalog that includes more of that high-fashion photography, an instruction manual, the warranty information, the charger, and lots of adapters for the charger that makes it compatible for non-US electric outlets.

The packaging can be used as a storage box. However, most people will probably use the charging base and the storage unit to store the toy instead of keeping the entire box. Most people will find that the storage and recharging unit is extremely discreet for charging and storage of the toy. The packaging is definitely suitable for gift-giving as well as it seems very fancy. The packaging is a small box that is minimal, and as it is made from cardboard, you could possibly recycle it.

I personally absolutely love the idea of the high-end fashion-design packaging as well as the discreet and sleek look of the vibrator. I was looking at the instruction manual (because I really wanted to know what this was designed for), and I found out that the vibrator was created with Rianne Swierstra and high-end fashion designer Valerio Sommella which explains the interesting look at the packaging.

Compared to other luxury vibrators, it certainly holds its own. Comparison-wise, I'd say that the Matryoshka most closely resembles the Jimmyjane Form line. This is because of the interesting charging base, the charging base lid (which is like the Form 6), and the way that the vibrator charges. The vibrator, in design, most closely resembles the Form 4 (if the Form 4 had happened to "grow hips"), but from messing around with the Form 4 at the BlogHer display table, I can say that the Matryoshka has buttons that are much easier to control than the Form 4. However, the Matryoshka seems to have the soft, silky silicone of the LELO line, and it really makes its own "category" with luxury toys in terms of making a very creative and unique design for a vibrator that really doesn't exist yet. So if you are a luxury toy collector, the Matryoshka can certainly have a special place in your collection. It does a good job of bringing together a bunch of important, luxury features that can make a great toy.

Compared to other luxury toys, the only place where I can find fault is that it doesn't have the strong, rumbly vibrations of the JeJoue Mimi. If they could make the vibrations a bit stronger, I would have absolutely nothing bad to say about it.

NOTE: Rianne's contacted me and let me know that there is a misprint in the instruction manual of the toy. The Matryoshka can actually be left on its charging base even when not charging without doing any harm to the toy. The manual says to remove it after 24 hours. It can be stored in the charging base when not in use with no ill effects.