The Luxe Scarlet 7-Function Rechargeable Compact Vibe is a 4.25-inch bullet from NS Novelties’ Luxe Collection. Despite the name, the bullet I received from Peepshow Toys is turquoise – which has created a few sitcom-y moments between my partner and I when I ask for the “Scarlet vibe” and Buster tries to give me one of the various pink vibrators we have in our toy drawers. When I clarify that I actually want “the little blue one,” I’m usually handed the wrong one again. (I’m only 50% sure they do it on purpose.)

Though it may not initially stand out in name or color from my collection, the Luxe Scarlet has its own identity. Its deliciously sleek silicone exterior is sculpted into a smooth, subtle spiral, ending in a white plastic base and a large, flat silicone button indented with NS Novelties’ initials. There is a nearly invisible seam on its body but it’s literally imperceptible in use. I love the modest design touch of the spiraling, which doesn’t do much for my grip but does visually differentiate the Scarlet from a long line of chunky bullet vibes I’ve used over the years. The minimalist spiral even makes an appearance on the inwards taper of the plastic base. In addition to turquoise, the Scarlet also comes in ivory and pink.

Though the silicone of the Scarlet is pleasingly buttery on the surface, the vibrator itself is hard and has absolutely no flexibility. For those who prefer a firmer press but want something with a different texture than the average plastic bullet, the Scarlet isn’t an entirely unfriendly budget option (it retails for about $40 USD at Peepshow Toys.) Its rounded nose prevents even the most insistent pressing from becoming pokey or stabby in the heat of the moment. And with some lube, the Luxe Scarlet glides.

The Scarlet has a blessedly modest 7 settings: three steady power settings, and four patterns. Seeing as this industry loves vibration patterns almost as much as most bloggers hate them, I was pleasantly surprised to find just a few on the Luxe Scarlet’s roster. This is an especially appreciated choice considering the Scarlet has just one button, meaning users have to click through every setting to get back to where they started. Like most one-buttoned toys, to turn the Scarlet on or off, you hold the button for several seconds; to change settings, you give the button a brief push. (The Luxe Scarlet’s button requires a firm press, so if you have limited hand mobility/strength, keep that in mind when considering this vibe.) To signal the toy is on, a cringe-inducingly bright white light shines in a ring around the button (shuddering constantly due to the vibration strength), and it blinks rapidly to denote patterns.

I hate the prevalence of these lights in toys. I’m autistic and I’m light-sensitive, so they’re not just annoying and distracting – they can cause headaches and shutdowns, especially when they’re flashing. But like patterns, these lights seem to be an industry standard, so this isn’t a complaint aimed at the Scarlet alone.

Anyway.

I was initially disappointed with the Luxe Scarlet’s vibration strength – but that wasn’t the toy’s fault! Instead, it was due to the aforementioned sitcom-y moments. When I asked my partner to plug it in for me so I could test it later, they mistakenly charged a different vibrator; in the turmoil of moving in the last week, I never noticed the Scarlet didn’t have its initial out-of-the-box charge topped off. I used it twice and had a decidedly meh attitude towards its capabilities. But when we were settled in our new lot, I charged it again (or, in actuality, for the first time) since I test toys at least six times, and suddenly it was giving me delicious, toe-curling orgasms.

Always check your rechargeable’s charge, friends!

Nowhere on the box does the Scarlet promise rumbles – in fact, all it promises are “robust functions delivered by a powerful silent motor,” which it arguably fails at (and we’ll get to that in a moment.) But its first two steady functions have unmistakably rumbly undertones to them, with the vibrations steady and ripple-like. I prefer my rumbles to work deep against my vulva in order to stimulate more of the clitoral complex… the Luxe Scarlet doesn’t manage the same thuddy depth of some of my other favorite toys, but it doesn’t leave me unsatisfied either, because even with the significantly buzzier third setting, its vibrations work past the surface and provide satisfying orgasms that don’t numb me out. It’s no bone-shaking wand but it’s not trying to be.

While I’m also not a big fan of patterns, there is actually one I really like among the Luxe Scarlet’s small assortment: the very first, which is a rapid flutter that – unlike other pulse-style patterns – is continuous. There’s also a hiccup of flutters with a pause at the end, a slow rev-up of power that ends in a pause, and a ‘blinking’ pattern.

So if the Scarlet delivers powerful vibrations, then why do I say it fails at the claim on its box? It’s the “silent motor” bit that gets me. This isn’t a super noisy vibe but it’s definitely not silent. It initially makes tame grumble-purrs but by the third setting it emits a droning whine like a strong electric toothbrush, and its patterns are definitely noticeable blips of droning buzz. Pressing it firmly against flesh of course dampens it, but not to the point of silence. Will a comforter smother out the sound? Yes. Will a fan on high drown it out? Yes. But the phrase “silent” implies something the Scarlet simply is not.

Charging the Scarlet is easy. Its cord is USB, meaning you’ll either need a base to plug it into an outlet (like the one for your phone) or you can plug it into your computer to charge. It connects to the butt of the vibe magnetically – the cord has two sturdy, stubby metal prongs that click into corresponding notches built into the Scarlet’s button. It does wriggle a bit, but I haven’t had any issues with it dislodging during charging.

The issue I do have is that the ring light flashes continuously during charging, which is just as annoying sitting on my shelf as it is between my thighs.

The Scarlet Compact Vibe is also waterproof. I don’t have a tub, but I do sometimes partially submerge toys in my sink when I clean them, and I haven’t had any issues with the Scarlet. And because it’s made of silicone and ABS plastic, cleaning is as simple as soap and warm water. I’ve noticed it attracts a lot less lint and dust than my other silicone-coated toys. But in case you’re concerned, the Scarlet also comes with a sleek black storage bag with a pullstring. I haven’t seen many toys outside of the luxury price range that come with their own storage.

I love this vibrator. It’s a significant step-up from the average plastic bullet that most of us with vulvas buy as our first sex toy. It feels like the perfect purchase for when you’re willing to invest in something nicer but aren’t ready, able, or interested in ponying up for a luxury-priced vibrator. Or the perfect present if your partner has consented to you buying them a better – or, perhaps, even first – vibrator. And with pleasant packaging that’s approachable rather than hyper-sexualized, and features such as being rechargeable, waterproof, decently strong, and having its own storage bag, I imagine the Luxe Scarlet Compact Vibe is just as attractive to in-store buyers as online shoppers. It’s the kind of toy and presentation I wish had existed when I first stepped into a sex shop. The airy aesthetic of its box normalizes the naturalness of pleasure rather than ramps up implied naughtiness, and its quality is an immediate reassurance that sex toys are a worthwhile buy.

I don’t actually do numerical scores for sex toys, but I’m still giving the Luxe Scarlet Compact Vibe a 9/10 for being affordable luxury. Just make sure you top off its charge before use, because it’s pretty wimpy when its power is low.

You can buy the Luxe Scarlet Compact Vibe for $39.99 USD at Peepshow Toys. Peepshow Toys has a large selection of great toys carefully curated into non-gendered categories. You can find other awesome vibes in their budget-helpful Vibrators under $50 section!

Thank you, Peepshow Toys, for sending me the Scarlet Compact Vibe in exchange for an honest review. Affiliate links were used in this post.