By Sunny Megatron
“You wanna shock me WHERE!?! And with WHAT!?”
Many hesitate at the thought of trying electro-sex. And I get it – we’ve been conditioned to associate electric stimulation with pain and danger. From the little zaps we get when we scoot our socks across the carpet, to accidentally getting a little jolt from an outlet, we’ve learned that electricity is something unpleasant and to be feared. So it’s no wonder that the thought of intentionally using it for pleasure seems counterintuitive and downright terrifying. But the truth is, with the right tools and some basic knowledge, electric play can be a highly pleasurable and exciting addition to your kink repertoire.
There are two main types of electro-sex toys used in kink, TENS units and wands. Both harness electricity in different ways, they feel different, and can be used for either pain or sensual pleasure. That’s right, electric play isn’t just for hardcore sadomasochists! Knowing what your equipment is capable of and how to adjust it is the key to unlocking the full spectrum of sensation from sensual to hardcore.
Electrosex wands are wonderful for estim novices and sensation play enthusiasts alike. My recommendation for both is the KinkLab Neon Wand. It’s a more cost-effective, easier-to-use spin-off of the violet wand. If you’re in the market for one, be sure to go for an authentic Kinklab brand Neon Wand. The low prices on sites like Amazon are tempting but those knock-offs aren’t made for kink. Many are intended for estheticians and just repackaged for BDSM; the output isn’t adjusted for our needs. The cheap imitations have a reputation for not lasting very long either. I’ve heard many horror stories about cheap neon wands malfunctioning during use!
I typically advise that electro-play enthusiasts add a Power Tripper body contact attachment to their e-stim kit too. These two items together offer a full spectrum of sensations from gentle to “RED!”
Electric wands aren’t meant for insertion. They’re sensation play toys. You glide them over a partner’s body much like you would a fuzzy mitten or an ice cube. For this reason, Neon Wands are ideal for fostering intimacy and connection during partnered play. I often recommend them to vanilla couples too.
The largest part of a Neon Wand is the corded hand-held base that plugs into a wall outlet. Attachments slide into the base – the most common being glass electrodes that light up like a neon sign. An arc of electricity jumps out of the glass when you hover it about ¼ inch above someone’s skin. If you’ve ever seen a lightning-filled plasma ball on display at Spencer’s, it’s very similar.
The sensation from the glass electrodes is localized to the area the electric arc touches. It can feel like a tickle or gentle tingle which many find pleasant. Wands feel different from person to person depending on a number of factors like how dry the skin is or muscle density. So it will take a little experimentation to figure out what settings are right for you. On max power, many say the sensation feels sharp, biting, like an intense static shock, or similar to a tattoo gun.
Some heavy pain players say the Neon Wand isn’t powerful enough for their taste. Enter the Power Tripper attachment. This must-have body contact is both a sadomasochist and pervertible enthusiast’s dream! It increases the versatility of the Neon Wand in a few ways. One is by giving you the ability to turn nearly any item made from conductive metal (silver, copper, gold, aluminum, etc) or your own body into an electric play toy. For those who crave intensity, it boosts the power capacity too.
One end of the Power Tripper plugs into the base and the other end can either be held or tucked into clothing. As long as it remains flat against the body, it turns the wearer into a human electrode! This means when one partner hovers their fingers a few millimeters over their partner’s skin, they both feel the spark that passes between them. This works with any body part too like tongues, feet, or bits.
The same happens when you touch your partner with a conductive metal object too – a ball of tinfoil, silverware, a metal dildo, Wartenberg pinwheel, etc. But the neat part is, each object conducts differently, creating a unique feel. This combined with the ability to turn the power up or down means you have an infinite number of sensations to play with that you can customize to feel delightfully pleasurable or devilishly wicked.
There are a few key health and safety considerations to be aware of before trying electro-sex. Neon Wands are considered relatively safe. They use very low levels of electricity plus when using only glass electrodes the electricity stays localized, penetrating the skin just a few millimeters deep where the arc touches the body. Those who have electronic medical implants like a pacemaker or insulin pump, people who have heart abnormalities, or are pregnant should NOT electro-sex devices. Additionally, never insert a glass electrode into any orifice or use it near the eyes.
You can wear body jewelry when using a neon wand, it won’t shock you. Pins or screws from surgery aren’t generally a concern either (however, you should always check with your doctor about your personal medical situation before trying electric play). Why? Because that metal is grounded by its constant contact with your flesh.
There is one exception to this rule that’s most likely to occur when you’re using the Power Tripper. Dangling jewelry can give you an unexpected zap. This is why – let’s say you’re wearing long earrings and your body is electrified with the Power Tripper. If the end of your earring comes too close to your collarbone as you move your head, you might feel it. While this is harmless, many opt to remove any metal object that may unexpectedly break away from the body like necklaces or clothing with metal snaps or zippers.
A Neon Wand is an excellent way to infuse novelty, creativity, and playfulness into your sex life or BDSM play. Because it involves areas of the body and sensations that aren’t typically center stage during intimacy, an electrosex wand can help you rekindle forgotten joys with your partner or to explore with someone new.
Wands are perfect for classic sensation play. Tingles on the back of the knees, insides of the arms, nipples, or exterior genitals can feel incredibly erotic. Power Tripper-assisted oral sex is also a favorite among electroplay enthusiasts. And, of course, the BDSM and D/s scene possibilities are infinite. Perhaps a mad scientist role play, sadistic esthetician, or supervillain who harnessed the power of lightning for evil can be your inspiration.
Many say that electro-sex wasn’t as intimidating as it seemed after they learned a little bit more about it. In fact, a Neon Wand is just as likely to induce uncontrollable giggling than erotic fear. With a little courage and creativity, Neon Wand electro-sex may be just the thing to put the spark back into your play.
P.s. Lucky you! We teamed up with The Stockroom to give away a Kinklab Neon Wand® Electrosex Kit and Power Tripper Attachment. This prize package includes everything you need to make your Valentine’s Day sizzle. You can enter the giveaway here, good luck!
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Sunny Megatron is an award-winning BDSM & Certified Sexuality Educator, Certified Relationship Coach, and media personality. She’s the host and executive producer of the Showtime original television series, SEX with Sunny Megatron, plus co-hosts AASECT Award winning American Sex Podcast and Open Deeply Podcast. Sunny was also named XBIZ Sexpert of the Year 2021 and is Editor-in-Chief of Zipper Magazine.
Known for her one-of-a-kind build-your-own-adventure approach to sex, kink & relationships, Sunny coined the BDSM community catch-phrase, Kink is Customizable™. In her sell-out workshops, her unique brand of “edutainment” seamlessly combines her humorous lecturing style, interactive exercises, and the latest sexuality research. Sunny’s passion is helping others overcome shame and find power through play and pleasure. Currently, she’s working on her first book, “Customizable Kink: A Strategic Guide to Adult Play.”
You can find Sunny Megatron on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Patreon.
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