Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
-
Hitachi Magic Wand Rechargeable (HV-270)
Pros
-
Great orgasms
-
Good massager
-
Easy to clean
Cons
-
Loud
-
Heavy
-
The Magic Wand has been an iconic vibrator for over 50 years, but is it really worth it? Our Magic Wand review is here to help you find out whether this long-term bedside table standby really has staying power.
Growing up in the '80s and '90s, pretty much all I knew about vibrators was what I saw winked at on sitcoms and in movies that I was most definitely too young to watch. That all started to change in the late '90s, though, when female sexuality became more of a topic in women's magazines and on television, thanks in part to shows like Sex And The City.
Suddenly, sex toys that were only whispered about amongst friends—from the Hitachi Magic Wand to rabbit vibrators—were common knowledge. It almost seemed like a rite of passage for women to try them, especially if they were interested in really owning their own pleasure.
That's certainly the case for me—at least partially. While I ordered some bootleg Rabbit in my mid-'20s and have been cycling through various vibrators ever since, I never snagged a Magic Wand.
It wasn't because I didn't want to—every blog post or magazine blurb I read about the Wand made it seem great. But with a hefty price tag, buying one just seemed like too big of a swing.
What if I didn't like it? Did I want a vibrator that had to plug into the wall? What if it couldn't get me off as well as something I paid $50, or even $30 for? And was it really all it was cracked up to be?
Now that I'm in my mid-40s, I decided it was time to find out.
Magic Wand
The Magic Wand may not look as sleek as newer vibrators, but it’s incredibly powerful—and fun to use.
BUY NOW
at Lovehoney
About the Hitachi Magic Wand Rechargeable
- Power: 4 settings from 2,700 RPM to 6,300 RPM
- Size: 13” length , 2.4” head diameterAfter checking out the options on the brand's website, I decided to purchase a Magic Wand Rechargeable. I appreciated that it was cordless, unlike the original Magic Wand vibrator, and noticed it was marked as a best-seller.
I chose it over the Magic Wand Original because I liked not having to worry about proximity to an outlet. At the same time, the Rechargeable has the buttons and options of the Magic Wand Plus (different vibration speeds, rhythms, and so on).
On sale, it cost me $134.95, plus tax. It showed up about a week later, in a plain brown cardboard box with a return address indicating it was from "HMW-SHOP"—all very discrete.
Unboxing the Hitachi Magic Wand Rechargeable
Cracking open the box, I realized that this Magic Wand is far bigger and heavier than any vibrator I've ever owned. In fact, it’s much larger than most vibrators on the market today.
The Magic Wand weighs about 1.5 pounds, and it does feel every ounce of that. It's not heavy, per se, but it's got some heft to it. It felt like the immersion blender I use when I'm making soup. When wielding it, I became pretty sure that I could use it in a pinch to take out a burglar trying to rob my home.
While other vibrators feel streamlined and sensual, the Magic Wand feels downright utilitarian. It has a softish, body-safe silicone head and semi-flexible neck. But overall, it feels more like a Theragun than something that Lelo might manufacture. The hard plastic exterior feels easy to clean, which is nice, but I wouldn't call the Magic Wand "sexy-looking" by any stretch.
Testing the Hitachi Magic Wand
Immediately when hitting the bed with my Magic Wand, I knew I was in for a different experience than I'm generally used to. I used it solo for my first go-around, and while it drove me to a pretty mind-blowing orgasm in just about a minute on only the lowest two speeds, using the Wand can take some getting used to.
Compared to most external vibrators, the wand's 2.25-inch head is more of a bludgeon than a precision instrument. That can be a positive thing, especially if you're chasing second, third, and fourth orgasms and have a tendency to "lose" the right spot. That said, figuring out comfortable placement can take some maneuvering at the beginning.
You have to figure out how far you want to spread your legs, what angle you like, if you're into using the top of the head or the side, and so on. That big head can also make things a bit of a challenge if you're plus-sized or maybe have limited hip or leg mobility, since you do need to spread your legs and labia apart a bit to really give it a place to land.
The weight of the wand can also take some getting used to. While 1.5 pounds doesn't seem like a lot, after five, 10, or 15 minutes of continual use, you'll find yourself needing to switch hands, especially when it's vibrating at full speed.
Speaking of those vibrating speeds: The Magic Wand has four intensity levels, going from 2,700 vibrations a minute up to 6,300. I liked the range it offers. You can ease into things to pursue long, slow-building orgasms or you can blast up the dial and go for speed and powerful vibrations.
The vibe's four different vibration patterns were less my thing, since I'm generally not into those. Although, there was one steady A-B-A-B-A-B pattern that felt pretty nice for a while.
What I liked about the Hitachi Magic Wand
It gave me great orgasms
I liked the Hitachi Magic Wand's ability to bring me to orgasm, and not just once, but multiple times over the course of just 10 or 15 minutes. Unlike more traditional, pointed clitoral vibrators, I never felt like I was trying to ferret out my hiding clit. The Magic Wand's big vibrating head and powerful motor just sort of zapped the whole general area. The end result was big, rolling orgasms instead of quick, jerking ones.
That meant I was less frustrated than I might be in a normal, longer session, and the speed at which I had my first orgasm meant that, frankly, I could throw a kettle of water on a burner, dip into my goodie drawer, and come before the water even started to boil.
Turns out it's a pretty good massager, too
Testing the wand both solo and with a partner, I liked that the vibe's 12-inch length made it a fairly versatile tool that's easy to use in different positions. It works sitting down, bent over, or just laying flat on your back. The length of the handle means you could put your hand as far or as close to the actual vibrating head as you wanted, giving you some manner of control.
The length also means that you can actually use the wand as a massager if you want. It works great for hitting your shoulder knots between orgasms or just giving yourself a sensual rubdown before heading down south. I did use it on both my shoulders and my back, and while it can't compete with a Theragun, it's still a pretty great massager.
It's easy to clean
Like other vibrators I own, the Magic Wand exterior is made of silicone, though its firmer hard plastic construction means it's easier to wipe down.
(Please note that the Magic Wand is not waterproof and that spot-cleaning is recommended for keeping it sanitized. In any case, it should never be submerged in water or used in the tub.)
The head's massive surface area means you can really put some elbow grease into the clean. Based on the construction alone, I could see myself having and using this vibrator in 20 years, which is a fairly comforting thought given how many cheaper vibes I've had to throw away over the years.
What I didn't like about the Hitachi Magic Wand
It's big—and loud
While I generally liked the Magic Wand, I found a few things to be less than optimal. There was the aforementioned weight and general heft of the vibe, which was fairly off-putting over time.
The Magic Wand is also pretty loud. I dropped it on the floor at one point and it sounded like I was having my hardwoods refurbished. If I had a roommate or nosy kids, I don't know if I would feel comfortable using it when I thought someone might be within earshot.
The same could be said for using it if you have a skittish partner. It's not exactly discrete, both in size and presence, so if your partner isn't 100 percent comfortable with you doing whatever you need to do to get off, then this might not be the vibe (or partner?) for you.
You may need to pair it with lube
I also found the vibe's big head to be weirdly drying, meaning my intimate area wasn't quite as wet as I might normally expect post orgasm. I don't know if it's the silicone it's made of, the width of the toy, my middle age, or just the general placement, but if you're into a more slippery vibe experience, I'd consider pairing your Magic Wand with some kind of lubricant.
There's a time limit
The instructional booklet that comes with the wand says you shouldn't use it for more than 20 minutes, and I agree. I went just about that long, and afterwards I felt like I was skittish and buzzing for at least an hour.
I suspect anything more might be genuinely bad for your clitoral sensitivity or might, over time, impact what you really need to get off. Twenty minutes might seem like nothing, but it's a good (and important) figure to keep in mind, something that's fairly easy since the Magic Wand actually turns off automatically after 20 minutes of continual use.
Would I recommend the Magic Wand?
Absolutely—if you can justify the price.
I was genuinely very impressed with the Magic Wand, though its cost and size might keep me from recommending it to absolutely everyone. Hitachi does make a smaller version of the wand, the Magic Wand MINI, which it advertises as having the "same legendary power" as the full-size version in a more compact, 10-inch size. It might be a better choice for newbies or those just dabbling with the brand, though I'd like to give it a test before I'm absolutely sure.
Either way, I do think there's something to be said for old classics. Women have been flocking to the Hitachi Magic Wand for more than 50 years, and for good reason. It's a literal orgasm machine, and, really, how can you put a price on that?
Is the Hitachi Magic Wand discontinued?
In 2013, Hitachi dropped its name from the Magic Wand, though the wand itself has remained unchanged. You won’t see the name “Hitachi” on the Magic Wand packaging anywhere, even on the genuine article.
That said, the Magic Wand is widely counterfeited. If you purchase a Magic Wand, it’s best to do so from a sex toy shop. There are a lot of websites (and more than a few Amazon sellers) who are all too happy to provide you with a knockoff, so make sure you’re getting the real deal for best results.
Related content
-
review
Perifit Care+ Review
-
feature
Should you buy sex toys from Amazon?
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.