When it comes to sex toys, there’s always something new being billed as innovative or game-changing, but if we’re being honest about it, those descriptions often aren’t true. Every once in a while, though, something comes along that truly is different and unique — and sometimes that new thing is an entirely new form of stimulation. That’s where air-powered products enter into the sex toy timeline.
Air-powered toys are one of the biggest innovations in recent adult industry history. Since first entering the market about 10 years ago, air-powered toys have taken the industry completely by storm and introduced to the world an entirely different way to pleasure the body. We’ve seen air taking top billing over vibration and oscillation in many categories and transforming the way consumers enjoy their sex toys. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at air-powered toys and exactly what makes them so special.
Air-powered toys have taken the industry completely by storm and introduced to the world an entirely different way to pleasure the body.
What exactly are air-powered toys?
Simply put, they are toys that use air pressure to stimulate the body indirectly. Rather than creating powerful vibration or oscillation, like traditional sex toys, air-powered toys are able to create gentle throbbing and sucking sensations. These unique sensations can increase circulation, boost arousal, and lead to intense orgasms, often in short periods of time. Often referred to as clitoral stimulators, they can also be used to stimulate nipples and other sensitive areas that can nestle into the product’s circular mouth-like opening.
How do air-powered toys work?
When it comes to air-powered toys, there are two different stimulation methods available: pulsing and suction. The pulsing method is created by the back-and-forth movement of a small air chamber near the motor, which provides a form of stimulation that isn’t as intense or direct as vibration but powerful enough to bring on major orgasms. The suction method, alternatively, works by removing all the air from the air chamber and building a seal around whatever part of the body is in it, creating a more intense sensation that also draws blood flow to the area and enhances sensitivity tenfold.
How air-powered toys can up your sex game
1. Super focused stimulation! There are a lot of toys out there that claim to offer effective clitoral stimulation but often they stimulate broad areas or, if they are smaller and more focused, they require the user to maneuver and manipulate the toy to get satisfying stimulation. However with air-powered toys, the toy does all the work and focuses stimulation right where it’s needed.
2. Enjoy options! As air-powered toys have grown in popularity, so have the toy options. For shoppers who don’t want to commit to their first air-powered toys or who like the bang-for-your-buck that an all-in-one product provides, some stimulators allow users to switch between air-powered stimulation and traditional vibration. Air-powered toys are fabulous, but for users who crave penetration or want to experiment without entirely giving up the familiar, there also are dual-stimulation toys that do both.
Turn your customers on to the power of air
Knowing that air-powered toys work in a couple of different ways and provide a wide variety of options, how do you help your customers find exactly what they are looking for? The answer is to ask a couple of key questions to help them zero in on what they want:
1. Do they like super-focused stimulation? This is an important question because for users who prefer broad stimulation, the intense, powerful, focused stimulation of an air-powered toy may be uncomfortable.
2. Is it their first air-powered toy? If not, which have they used before? This, along with tester toys that shoppers can turn on in the store, can help them (and you) understand if they want air suction or pulsation.
3. Do they have other toys they love? If so, what kind of toys? Would they like their air-powered toy to do similar things? This can help identify whether or not they are a candidate for a combo toy.
Knowing the answers to those questions should go a long way toward finding the right toy for your customers.
Air-powered toys are truly innovative and have the potential to introduce users to entirely new sensations. With a little knowledge and patience, you can help your shoppers navigate their path to air powered pleasure!
Rebecca Weinberg is the president of XR Brands.
