Lelo Sona was the first true air pulsation vibrator. Before, you’d usually see air-pulse clit stimulators shoved under the “Vibrators” heading online, but Womanizer and (all older) Satisfyer toys don’t vibrate at all, they pulse out air. Lelo Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise still air-pulse like Womanizers but feel different: like vibrations run underneath the Sona’s puffs of air. Lelo called this “SenSonic technology,” but it’s really just two known functions, rolled into 1 motor.
Vibro-pulsation, I call this amplified air. It’s now been co-opted by the viral Rose vibe, the Moon vibe (I like this one better than the Sona), the Jewel vibe, and more.
Both the original Lelo Sona (& Sona Cruise) and the new-model Lelo Sona 2 (& Sona 2 Cruise) share the tech. Since there are so many Sonas to choose from now (4 total!), my Lelo Sona 2 review will cover the plain Sona 2 vs. Sona 2 Cruise, with reference to the original two Sona models. —Originally published 2019; updated 2023 because Sona 2’s functions have changed to remove the most intense air-pulse speed.
Contents
The Intensity & Cruise Control
Versus Sona 2, the Sona 2 Cruise has an extra function that makes it feel a lot different. (And cost $30 more.) “Cruise Control” causes the toy to speed up when you press its mouth down hard onto any object. Interestingly, Sona 2 Cruise is more intense than plain Sona 2—but has less speed range, since Cruise’s first steady pulsing speed is like plain Sona 2’s fourth. Sona *2* Cruise is also noticeably stronger than original Sona Cruise!
Basically, if you want more vibro-pulsation strength, then Sona 2 Cruise is the one. But if you like it gentler, then go non-Cruise Sona 2. With the latter toy, you have 8 steady pulsing speeds, and the first compares to the Womanizer Classic’s first level. It’s going, but not *too* good.
Both toys have 12 total functions: the first function is the non-patterned, consistently pulsating one—in Sona 2, at least, which has 8 intensity levels for 11 of the 12 functions. Sona 2 Cruise, though, is hard to adjust the speeds with, as the Cruise function makes it feel more intermittent. Don’t press the toy forward if you’ve achieved a speed you like, or it’ll jump up in power and you won’t be able to turn it back down for a time.
After that steady-pulsing function, both Sona 2s have 11 fluttering, rumbling patterns. They range from more-drawn-out pulsations, to escalations of all types. None of them really turn my crank, to be honest—except function #12 did in old Sona; I called that the “clit-megaphone,” but Lelo has removed it in current Sonas. The vibrating-pulsing effect resounded around my clit. I was kinda crazy, and hard to describe exactly. It was a lot. Now I gotta go with the Firefly Dream’s final patterns to get that intense, tears-well-in-my-eyes feeling.
At climax, I have to pull Sona 2’s mouth a little bit back from my vulva due to the strength, and I still sense the vibrating pulses traveling through my skin.
Lelo says that Sona’s “SenSonic” technology stimulates the internal clit more than other air pulsation devices do. Because of the vibration, maybe that’s more true than with a Womanizer. Yet, it’s highly unlikely that SenSonic tech does stimulate the entire internal clitoris—like the internal crura, the legs, which wrap around deep around the vagina.
The New Mouth: Sona 2 vs. Sona Original
The Lelo Sonas’ mouths are totally circular openings made from a silicone that—like We-Vibe Melt—doesn’t include any kind of plastic/core underneath for the last quarter inch. Pair that with the softer silicone, about a 10A shore, and Sona’s hole has a gentle “mouthiness” to it.
With LELO Sona original, there were complaints about danger due to shorter mouth-to-pulse-plate distance. (It’s just over half an inch between the top of the mouth and the flapping “tongue” plate pulsing underneath.) Some people have clits that stick out farther than others, or puffier inner labia, and there’s no shame in that. Still, I feel 100% safe using the original because the pulse plate is a quite a ways back from my clit and I don’t feel any tugging-inward motion—just the rumbling pulsations echoing outward.
That said, toys should be safe for every user, so the new Sona 2s have: (1) *slightly* wider mouths,3 (2) a deeper hole (longer distance to the pulse plate, about 30% deeper), and (3) a flat mouth with a strong rim around the edge. The first two of these changes don’t make much of difference to me personally, while I try to ignore the third.
My guess is that the slightly up-curving outer rim is meant to prevent clits and skin folds from being drawn inward. But…but…this is a clit “suction” toy, right??? It’s a hole…to put your clit down into. The new outer rim is a very mild irritant for me when I first start using Sona 2, or if I press the toy really hard into my body. It grates on my hood, just a smidge. I’m able to ignore it easily once I get settled in and aroused. Overall, the vibro-pulsations are so wild that the tiny “rim” flaw isn’t putting me off using this toy.
I prefer the Lelo Sona’s comparatively smaller mouths to any other circular-mouthed toy, as I get a better fit. Any user with a bigger clit, however, should consider Satisfyer pulsators instead, as their openings are largest.
Button Control
So all four Lelo Sonas—Sona, Sona Cruise, Sona 2, and Sona 2 Cruise—have three control buttons. With the original 2 toys, you turn ’em on by pressing the + button, and off by pressing the – button. Then the central button lets you cycle through the 8 patterns. This had the unfortunate effect of making me repeatedly power off the original Sona when I was trying to make it go slower—especially after I’ve come and need to power down fast.
Happily, Lelo resolved this in Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise by making the center function-change button into an on/off button too; just hold it down for a couple seconds. You can also turn on the vibro-pulsations by hitting the + button, but you can never accidentally turn off Sona 2 by pressing the – button. Still, maybe because I’m not the biggest fan of the Sona’s shape (see next), I wish the button control was easier to operate.
All Sona 2 patterns do start on the top speed, so if you don’t want to be overwhelmed, you’ll need to punch the down arrow quickly and then work your way back up in intensity. This can be slightly frustrating when cycling through patterns, as you’ve gotta power-down on every function. Since I don’t use the patterns very often—just the first steady level and #12 for WHOA effect—I’m not as affected by it. But having each function start low rather than high would’ve been more user-friendly, for anyone who does enjoy patterned escalations.
Ergonomic Shape
All the Sonas have a kidney-kinda shape. The way the toy curves backward feels less ergonomic to me, because it’s harder for me to apply clitoral pressure with Sona, than with Satisfyer Pro 2‘s traditional handle.
I can use Sona 2 hands-free, trapping it between my thighs. But I get the most pressure and best seal when I am holding it in my hand. Still, I feel its lacking in the “easy grip” department vs. most other air-pulse vibes. And Sona’s backward curve means that Sona 2 isn’t great for sitting on, like Womanizer Liberty; or for sitting on *and* during vaginal penetration like We-Vibe Melt excels at.
Care & Cleaning
The back of the Sona is a golden metallic plate. It looks stylin’, and I’m grateful it doesn’t create a seam where gunk gets trapped.
Lelo Sonas are fully waterproof, so they’re simple enough to clean. Just run your finger around the inside of the mouth, with soap inside and water running. Then shake the water out after washing.
Overall Thoughts
Depending on how strong you like your clit stimulation, Lelo Sona’s vibro-pulsations may either be: “WHOA HELL YES” or “OMG BUT WHY.” With Sona 2 Cruise especially, the pulsations start fast and are difficult to dial down once you activate Cruise Control. This is a toy for anyone who wants their clit to be *rocked*—strong, hard, and fast. Basically, Sona 2 Cruise takes no prisoners.
I’m a bigger fan of the (non-Cruise) Lelo Sona 2, which offers more steady pulsation levels (8 intensities total, for each of the 12 vibro-pulsation functions) than Sona 2 Cruise. Overall I give it a 4/5, because I wish it was as easy to hold as We-Vibe Melt and had a bit more speed range.
Sona 2 is not as powerful as Womanizer Premium and We-Vibe Melt—approximately 25% less intense on top speed—but usually that’s enough to make me moan. Still, it’s far from my favorite air pulse; and I think the Sona’s backward-arching shape, and slightly-confusing button control, aren’t the best user experience. These days, the Moon Vibe (my favorite vibro-pulsator) or the Rose vibe offer clit stimulation that’s just as strong as Sona, but more affordable for the same functionality: vibration running under air pulsation.
Note
- Somewhere between a tenth and a sixteenth of an inch wider, with the flattened circle itself feeling like a bit more.
- Somewhere between a tenth and a sixteenth of an inch wider, with the flattened circle itself feeling like a bit more.
- Somewhere between a tenth and a sixteenth of an inch wider, with the flattened circle itself feeling like a bit more.
