The Manwan Sub.One Stellar Blue is a tapping masturbator that has been running around here in Tess Tesst's office for the past few weeks. No movement, no erection and not even lube required, and yet it attracts attention to itself as a toy that I myself was excited about while testing. Most notable: you can squeeze this toy to control its intensity. Sounds crazy, feels surprisingly good. In this review, I'll tell you what the Sub.One excels at, what it lacks and for whom it really adds something.
SPECS
- Material: premium silicone and ABS
- Bodysafe? Yes, for external use on the penis
- Suitable lubricant: water-based only
- Positions: 5 modes and 5 intensities, plus Pleasure Assist pressure sensors
- Dimensions: 10.9 x 4.0 x 7.75 cm
- Weight: 460 g (with packaging)
- Rechargeable? Yes, with magnetic USB cable
- Charging time: about 1.5 hours
- Usage time: up to about 1.5 hours
- Waterproof? Yes, IPX7, also under the shower
- Travel lock: yes
- Color: Stellar Blue
- Brand: Manwan (France)
- Price: € 119.99 at Loveware
Who is Manwan?
Manwan is a French brand that explicitly focuses on penis products with an inclusive approach. Their philosophy: pleasure should not depend on a stiff penis. That may sound like marketing talk, but it's really true in the design of the Sub.One. Whether you have a fresh set of years under your belt or have recently been dealing with erection problems, limited hand strength or altered sensation after medication or surgery, this toy tries to lower the barrier to pleasure considerably. And as far as I'm concerned, that deserves kudos.
Sub.One Stellar Blue: what does it look like?
The Sub.One has a shape you probably recognize if you look around a bit in the world of "guybrators" (I'm not making that name up either people). An open top, two flexible silicone wings that close around the penis, and in the middle is some sort of plate. At Manwan it's called a tapping plate. You put the frenulum (the sensitive spot just below the glans) between the wings, turn it on, and the plate does the work via rhythmic tapping movements. No back-and-forth motion required, no extra support required.
The Stellar Blue color is a deep blue with a somewhat metallic sheen. It looks mature and is quite a bit less conspicuous than many other masturbators in this category. At 10.9 cm, it is also nice and compact, so should you want to take it with you on a trip, it will fit nicely in a toiletry bag. The travel lock also ensures that the toy won't accidentally turn on in your suitcase, which is nice.
Packaging and contents
The Sub.One comes in a neat box befitting a toy in this price range. Inside the box you will find the Sub.One itself, a magnetic USB charging cable with tag, a storage pouch, a starter guide and a comprehensive manual. The storage pouch is a nice addition that I'm really happy with. It keeps your toy dust and lint free in the drawer and is instantly your travel pack if you want to take it on vacation or a weekend trip. The starter guide is nicely done as it gets you started in a few steps without having to plow through the entire manual. For those new to this corner of sex toys, this is a nice set-up.
The Pleasure Assist function
This is where it gets really interesting. The Sub.One has pressure sensors embedded in both sides. If you activate the Pleasure Assist function, the toy responds to how firmly you hold it. Squeeze harder, and the plate taps more intensely. If you let go, the intensity drops again. So you literally have the controls in your hand without having to look for a button.
The first time I used this, it took me a while to find the right pressure. You kind of have to learn to trust that the toy will do what you feel. Don't squeeze too hard because then it's immediately on full power, don't squeeze too softly because then it thinks you're barely touching it. But once you figure that out, it feels almost intuitive. The difference from a toy where you have to keep groping for buttons to adjust something is huge. You stay in the flow here, and that's what makes it so nice. Edging for a while suddenly becomes a lot easier, because just before you cross the threshold you have to give a little less pressure and you're back.
In addition to Pleasure Assist, you also just have the manual controls with 5 modes and 5 intensities. That's 25 combinations, which is more than enough to find your preference. The buttons themselves respond just fine, and are in a logical location on the outside.
With or without lubricant
One great thing about the Sub.One is that it really has two modes of use. You can use it dry, that is, without lube. The wings close around the penis, you put the plate against the frenulum, and the tapping motion does the rest. No movement, no lube, no erection required. For a quick moment or a time when you don't want the trouble of smearing lube, this works incredibly well.
If you add water-based lubricant (and only water-based, otherwise you affect the silicone), the experience changes. The wings glide nicely over the skin, you can also make a back-and-forth motion like a traditional masturbator, and the internal texture combined with the tapping becomes a lot more intense. It's a whole different sensation than dry. For me, both modes were worth trying, and which one you like better is just taste and mood.
In the shower
The Sub.One is IPX7 waterproof, which means it can be fully submerged. In the shower it works fine, although you have to think about your lubricant: water washes away water-based lubricant quickly. For tapping in itself, this is not a problem, as the toy also works dry. And cleaning afterwards is nice and simple thanks to that waterproofness.
Sound
Tapping simply makes more noise than vibrating. The Sub.One is clearly audible on the highest setting in a quiet room, so if you have a thin wall to the neighbors I wouldn't go on the very highest setting. In practice I used it most often on the middle settings and then it is not too bad. Compared to other tapping products I have tested it is not exceptionally loud, but it is not mouse quiet.
Charging
The magnetic charger clicks neatly onto the two pins on the bottom. An LED indicates whether you're really charging, and it has overheat protection so you don't have to worry about your battery being out after six months. An hour and a half charge for an hour and a half of use is an excellent ratio, and in practice I got several sessions out of it on a full battery.
Cleaning
Cleaning is done with lukewarm water, mild soap and toy cleaner if necessary. Because it is IPX7 you can hold it gently under the tap. When cleaning, pay attention to the edges around the tapping plate and on the inside of the wings: lubricant can accumulate there. We do not recommend a dishwasher, and certainly not cooking, as it contains electronics.
Who is the Sub.One Stellar Blue for?
Actually for a lot of people with a penis. Don't have erection problems and just want to try something new? Top, it feels different than vibration and the Pleasure Assist is just fun. Do you have erection problems, limited hand strength or altered sensation? Then this is one of the few toys on the market that really seems designed for you. Prefer to go solo? Works just fine. Want to use it as a foreplay tool with a partner? Works fine, too, and the Pleasure Assist makes it very intuitive for the partner, as they can feel how hard it's pressed and thus play with that very directly.
Conclusion
Did you read my whole review, thank you! Are you here only for the conclusion, also fine.
The Manwan Sub.One Stellar Blue comes highly recommended. Tapping is a different sensation than vibrating, and if you sometimes find vibration too overwhelming or just too shallow, you've come to the right place. The Pleasure Assist feature makes operating it so intuitive that after a few minutes of practice I couldn't get to the buttons. Edging suddenly becomes easier and the whole picture feels premium. The price of $119.99 is reasonable for what you get, especially considering that this is a toy that also works without erection and without lube. For me, that makes the Sub.One much more than a new variation on a familiar recipe.
You buy the Sub.One Stellar Blue for € 119.99 from our partner Loveware.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Sub.One Stellar Blue
What is the difference between tapping and vibration?
Vibration is a constant vibration, tapping are rhythmic tapping movements. Tapping appeals to different nerve receptors and for many people feels more natural and less numbing than high-frequency vibration. Whether you like it is taste, but at least it is a truly different sensation.
What exactly is the Pleasure Assist feature?
There are pressure sensors in both sides of the Sub.One. If you activate the Pleasure Assist feature, the pressure of your hand determines the intensity of the tapping. Squeeze harder and it taps more intensely, release and it softens. So you literally have the controls in your hand without buttons.
Does the Sub.One also work without erection?
Yes, and that's exactly what the Sub.One is designed for. The flexible wings close around the penis in any state, and the tapping plate stimulates the frenulum without the need for movement or erection. A fine option for those dealing with erection problems or altered sensation.
Do I need lubricant?
No, not necessarily. The Sub.One works fine dry, too, thanks to its tapping. If you add lube, the experience changes to something more toward a traditional masturbator with more intense sensations. Use only water-based lubricant, as silicone lubricant corrodes the silicone surface.
Can I use the Sub.One in the shower?
Yes, the Sub.One is IPX7 waterproof and can be fully submerged. Keep in mind that water-based lubricant washes away quickly in the shower, so for a sliding experience, a dry environment is more convenient.
How do I clean the Sub.One?
With lukewarm water, mild soap and toy cleaner if necessary. Because the Sub.One is waterproof, you can put it under the tap. Pay attention to the edges around the tapping plate and on the inside of the wings, lubricant can accumulate there. Do not put it in the dishwasher and do not boil it, it contains electronics.
How long does a full battery last?
The Sub.One charges in about 1.5 hours with the magnetic USB cable, and you then have up to about 1.5 hours of use. In practice, you'll get several sessions out of that before having to go back to the charger.
Do you guys give a score to the Sub.One?
At Tess Tesst, we intentionally do not give scores to toys. What is a 9 for one person may be a 5 for another, because taste, body and desires vary greatly. We prefer to write out what we think of them, what we notice and for whom a toy does or does not work. That way you draw your own conclusion that suits you.
Jay is de persoon achter Tess Tesst die verantwoordelijk is voor het testen van, en schrijven over seksspeeltjes die gericht zijn op de penis en de prostaat.
Omdat Jay ook kinkster is zal hij van tijd tot tijd ook een review of artikel schrijven over Kink en BDSM en alles wat daar bij komt kijken
Buiten zijn talent voor testen en schrijven over seks, seksualiteit, BDSM en natuurlijk seksspeeltjes, is hij ook verantwoordelijk voor het technisch onderhoud, de marketing en nog veel meer andere zaken binnen Tess Tesst en veel andere websites van zijn klanten.
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