What is electro play?
Electro play is using gentle electrical stimulation during sex or kink for tingling, buzzing or stinging sensations. You'll also see it called electrosex, e-stim, estim or electrostimulation. The toys here come in two families. Our violet wands send an electrical discharge across the surface of the skin through glass electrodes that glow. With contact e-stim, current flows between conductive pads or a toy's built-in contacts. These are sex toys, not physical-therapy devices.
Electro play safety rules
A few firm rules, then the fun. Keep current away from the chest, and keep e-stim below the waist. It isn't for anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device or a heart condition, so talk to your doctor first. Pregnant? Skip it and talk to your doctor too. Keep e-stim gear away from water. With a violet wand, keep the electrodes away from the eyes, and keep sparks away from anything flammable, like alcohol, alcohol-based products and massage oil. Always start at the lowest setting.
Types of electro sex toys
Violet wand kits
The Zeus Deluxe Edition Wand Kit sends current through glowing glass electrodes, each with its own glow, sensation and intensity, and has a protective silicone handle and a 6-foot power cable. The Kinklab Neon Wand has a multi-level intensity dial and four glass electrodes (Comb, Mushroom Tube, 90-Degree Probe and Tongue Tube) that glow red once lit.
E-stim units with pads
The ElectraStim Kix is a beginner electrosex unit with conductive pads, a cable and a storage bag. Instead of numbers, its intensity phases through colors, cooler for lower and warmer for higher. It has 5 patterns, including a frequency-shifting "Sweep n Keep" mode, and is USB rechargeable for around 3 hours of continuous play.
E-stim crops and paddles
The 21.2-inch E-stim Crop has a flexible metal shaft wrapped in conductive tape and a vegan-leather tip with two conductive buttons, for an electric bite, high or low. The 16-inch E-stim Spiked Paddle has 10 spikes on one face that bite without breaking skin, a smooth side to soothe, and 2 e-stim power levels. Start light on the buttocks or thighs, away from the spine, kidneys, neck, face and joints.
E-stim panty vibes
Slip the E-stim Panty Vibe With Remote Control under your underwear and run e-stim and vibration separately or together, each with 3 levels and 2 patterns. Its remote works up to 32 feet away, so a partner can take control from across the room. It's phthalate-free silicone, for external use only, never above the waistline. More panty vibes.
Insertable e-stim vibrators
The E-stim G-spot Silicone Panty Vibe has a curved, round-tipped shaft, 4 inches insertable: angle the tip toward your navel to reach the G-spot. Vibration (3 speeds, 2 patterns) and e-stim (3 levels, 2 patterns) run separately or together from the included remote; its listing describes a deep, muscle-level buzz. It's phthalate-free silicone, splash-proof, not submersible. More G-spot vibrators.
How to choose electro sex toys
- Sensation. Sparks across the skin (wands), an electric bite (crop) or a deep, muscle-level buzz (G-spot vibe).
- Who's in control. A partner wields the wand, crop or paddle; whoever holds a vibe's remote is in charge.
- Intensity. A multi-level dial (Neon Wand), colors instead of numbers (pad unit), high and low (crop), 2 power levels (paddle) or 3 levels (vibes).
- Power. The Zeus wand is corded, with a 6-foot power cable; the crop, paddle, pad unit and both vibes are rechargeable.
- Outside or inside. Only the G-spot vibe goes inside; the Zeus panty vibe is external only.
- Two sensations at once. Impact plus current (crop, paddle), or vibration plus e-stim (both vibes).
How to start with electro play
- Pacemaker, implanted electrical device, heart condition or pregnancy? Skip it and talk to your doctor.
- With a partner, agree on limits and a safeword, and stop the moment either of you asks.
- Clear away anything flammable, and keep everything dry.
- Start at the lowest setting on a fleshy spot below the waist, like the thighs or buttocks, and build slowly.
- With either e-stim vibe, use water-based lube or e-stim gel, as their listings say.
- Keep current off the chest, and stop at once if anything burns or hurts in a way you don't want.
- Afterward, clean and dry everything.
Cleaning, care and safety
- Keep e-stim gear dry, as the crop and paddle listings say, and never charge anything damp.
- Wipe the vibes clean with mild soap and a damp cloth, then dry them; never submerge them.
- Wipe glass electrodes clean, let them dry and store them padded so they don't chip.
- Neon Wand: its listing says to remove any metal touching the skin first, like jewelry and piercings.
- No e-stim on the chest or nipples, ever.
- Numbness or soreness that doesn't fade? Talk to your doctor.
Electro play FAQ
What does electro play feel like?
A tingle, a sting or a buzz, depending on the toy and setting. The Neon Wand runs from a warm tingle to a sharper, focused sting just shy of pain, the crop gives an electric bite, and the G-spot vibe's listing describes a deep, muscle-level buzz.
Is electro play safe?
It can be, if you follow the safety rules above and each toy's instructions. Skip it if you have a pacemaker, another implanted electrical device or a heart condition, and talk to your doctor; the same goes if you're pregnant. Otherwise, keep current below the waist and start low.
What is a violet wand used for?
Sensation play across the surface of the skin. Our violet wands send an electrical discharge through glowing glass electrodes; you change the feel with the intensity and your choice of electrode. The Neon Wand comes with four, and each Zeus attachment has its own sensation.
Can you use a violet wand internally?
No. The violet wands we carry discharge across the surface of the skin, and the Neon Wand's listing says to keep it external. For e-stim inside, the E-stim G-spot Silicone Panty Vibe is designed for G-spot play, with 4 inches insertable.
Violet wand vs e-stim unit: what's the difference?
How the current reaches your skin. Our violet wands send a discharge across it from a glowing glass electrode you move by hand. An e-stim unit sends current between conductive pads, and our crop, paddle and vibes have e-stim built in.
Does e-stim hurt?
It can sting at higher settings, which is why you start at the lowest setting and build up. You control the intensity. Even at its most intense, the Neon Wand's listing describes a focused sting just shy of pain. Stop at once if anything burns.
What do you need for electro play?
A toy and the safety rules above. The ElectraStim Kix is built for people new to electrosex and comes with conductive pads, so you can play right out of the box. Our wand kits come with their glass electrodes. Either way, start at the lowest setting.
Do you need special lube for e-stim?
No, regular water-based lube works: the two vibes' listings say to use a water-based lubricant or an e-stim gel, and the G-spot vibe's says gel gives stronger conductivity. Both are silicone, so skip silicone lube. The other listings here don't call for lube or gel.
Want our top picks?
More kink and remote play: see our 10 best bondage kits and restraints and 8 best app-controlled and remote control vibrators. Every order ships discreetly from the US, free over $75.
