Envie ripple massager - traditional vibrator by NS Novelties - review by Apirka

NS Novelties' Envie Ripple Massager is a traditional vibrator with a total of seven vibration speeds and patterns. The one button control allows you to easily click it on and cycle through its functions before clicking it back off again. The bulged texture works wonders when inserted vaginally or when massaged over external erogenous zones. The ringed handle makes solo or partner play easy, and it also provides a base to prevent the toy from getting lost if used anally. The Envie is waterproof, so tub or shower play is also possible.

The Envie Ripple Massager is made from ABS plastic and silicone. Both are body-friendly and safe materials. They are smooth, hypoallergenic, latex and phthalates free, and also nonporous. The material makes this an excellent toy to share either with a partner or between orifices; just make sure to clean it properly beforehand. Also, other than the typical "new toy smell" (which dissipates with washing), the Envie has no odor or taste.

There is no actual texture to the toy, other than the bulges of the shaft which are part of its design. There is a very faint seam up along the silicone shaft, but it cannot be felt and is barely noticed by sight. The silicone itself is very smooth and has hardly any drag at all, though it does pick up stray hairs here and there.

The toy itself is very firm and rigid; it is not bendable at all. However, there is a tiny amount of give to the silicone bulges when squeezing them.

The design of the Envie is similar to your typical traditional vibrator. It has an insertable shaft with a control base at the bottom, which twists off to reveal the battery compartment. While not realistic looking, it is not discreet and is easily identifiable as a sex toy. Its moderate size does make it easy to travel with; it does not feature a travel lock, so one should make sure to remove the batteries before packing.

Along the silicone shaft there are five bulges. They all have the same circumference and diameter, the only difference is their width (or height, depending on how you look at them). From the first bulge (closest to the handle), the widths are: 3/4", 1", 3/4", 1", and 1" for the last bulge, which is rounded at the top. The varying widths of the bulges do add a nice sensation when thrusting or pulling the toy out.

Overall, the Envie is 7" long (with 4 3/4" insertable), with a circumference of 4 1/2" and a diameter of 1 1/4". The ringed handle is 2" wide and 2 1/4" long, with a 3/4" diameter hole in the middle.

The Envie Ripple Massager runs on two AAA batteries (not included). To insert them, simply unscrew the plastic base from the insertable shaft and remove it. Slide in the batteries + side down into the tube-like opening in the shaft, then twist the handle back on. To make sure the toy is ready for water play, be sure the handle is tightly screwed back on.

To operate the toy, simply click the one button located on the handle. The light on the bottom of the handle will turn on and glow steady or blink in sync with whatever setting the toy is on.

The functions/settings are:
1. Low steady vibration (low red/pink glow)
2. Medium steady vibration (the light glows a bit brighter than when on low)
3. High steady vibration (the light glows the brightest)
4. Steady pulses (from this point on, the light blinks in unison with the vibration pattern)
5. One second long steady pulse then two shorter, quick pulses (almost to the tune of "Jin-gle beeells, jin-gle beeells")
6. Steady escalation (low to high, low to high)
7. High and long steady vibration with quick flutters in the middle

Pressing the button again brings you back to the beginning of the functions. To shut the toy off, simply hold the button in for a few seconds, The Envie also does not have a memory; when turned back on, it will always start at the first function (the lowest steady vibration). The vibrations themselves are of moderate, surface buzzy intensity. The highest steady vibration is similar in power to the third setting on the MiMi (though not as deep). The vibrations can be felt through the entire shaft, but are more concentrated at the top of the shaft. They can also be felt very easily in the handle of the toy.

The Envie is also rather quiet. If used in a completely silent room, the toy can be heard by someone else in that room. However, if that other person was sound asleep, or there was background noise (such as a fan or TV on low), it is very hard to hear the Envie. It can also not be heard through a closed door. Also, the light on the bottom of the toy is not very distracting and isn't bright enough to illuminate much of a dark room; though the light isn't the best thing if trying to be discreet while using the toy.

Caring for the Envie is as simple as operating it. Remove the batteries first and tightly screw back on the handle (this should also be done while storing to preserve battery life). Wash the toy with soap and water, toy cleaner or wipes, or sanitize it with a 10% bleach solution. Because this is an electronic toy, it should not be boiled or placed in the dishwasher. Only water-based lubes should also be used with the toy to prevent damage to the silicone.

As for storage, either slip the Envie back into the packaging it came in, or purchase/make a drawstring pouch.

The Envie comes in cardboard packaging that matches the color of your toy (black with pink trim for the black and pink, black with green/teal trim for the black and green/teal one). There is an outer sleeve-type box that shows photos of the toy (actual size) on the front and back, along with functions of the toy, and care instructions and basic info about the toy in various languages are down the side of the box. Inside this is another box, similar to a gift box style package (lift off top with a slightly smaller bottom to fit inside). The lid of this box has a clear plastic lined cutout so you can see the Envie through it. The top lid has similar information to the outer box (toy info in several languages along the side, care instructions, typical novelty toy warnings, and NS Novelties website address). The back of the bottom only lists NS Novelties' name.

There is quite a bit of padding inside the inner box - there's a flat sheet at the bottom with a thicker layer on top that has a cutout for the toy to sit into. The box will do for storage or gift giving (even though it is not at all discreet), or you can purchase/make a toy pouch.

While I personally prefer deep and rumbly vibrations and toys with quite a bit of power, the Envie Ripple Massager was fun to play with. The silicone was very smooth, had little drag, and I didn't need to use lubricant with it. While it isn't curved to hit the G-spot, simply angling it to hit that spot worked nicely; also thrusting the toy in and out while clenching around it provided G-spot stimulation from the bulges. I haven't personally used the toy anally, but I'm sure the bulges would feel lovely there as well.

As I said above, I feel that the highest intensity of the Envie is similar in power to the third vibration setting on the MiMi (though more buzzy and not as deep). That is quite a bit of kick for a toy running on two AAA batteries and enough for beginners/average users, though it might not be enough power for some people.

The only real downer I can find with this toy is its packaging. It's simply too excessive. I know that some companies like to stand out with their packaging, and some do slip on an outer sleeve on top of another box... but this isn't a glass toy and simply doesn't need all that padding. The box itself could honestly be halved; the entire thing is literally twice the size of the toy itself which, again, is excessive.

Overall, this is a nice toy that I would recommend to others. However, I wish the packaging was smaller (and more environmentally conscious).