If you’ve ever read a review for a bullet vibrator, you’ve probably heard of the We-Vibe Tango. The Tango is lauded as the having the most powerful, rumbly vibrations you can find in a petite package. It’s the bullet that all other bullets are compared to.

Last year, the Tango was upgraded to the Tango X. We-Vibe updated the motor and added a second button to make the settings easier to manage. They also wrapped the base in soft silicone for a better grip.

The We-Vibe Tango X is popular but pricey ($79 at the time of this posting, or $71 with discount code BETTY.) That makes it a highly sought-after prize during big sales, especially Black Friday and pre-Valentine’s Day blowouts.

With that in mind, I wanted to answer the much-asked question: should I buy a Tango X?

what are “rumbly vibrations”?

The first thing people mention when they talk about the We-Vibe Tango X Bullet is that it’s rumbly. But what does that mean?

Vibrations are created by small motors inside sex toys. They usually have a weighted spinning component that generates vibrational movement/power. These motors vary in design and build quality, so the vibrations they produce often feel incredibly different from each other.

One metric that sex toy reviewers assess vibrations on is the buzzy to rumbly scale. While not all vibrators fit neatly into one category or the other, they’re helpful shorthand descriptors.

Buzzy vibrations are rapid flutters that buzz along the surface of your skin. Buzzing vibrations can feel like humming or (in less flattering terms) crawling, tickling, or itching. They are fast, shallow, and don’t travel very far, so they can feel more concentrated and (for some people) numbing. Even rumbly vibrators become buzzier on their highest settings, possibly because the motor has to spin in tighter, speedier waves to generate more power.

In general (but not always), lighter or more cheaply constructed motors produce buzzy vibrations. You can often identify buzzy vibrations by sound, because they’re high-pitched and droney.

Rumbly vibrations, on the other hand, go deeper. They massage across and into your skin, rumbling to stimulate the internal parts of the clitoris (or whichever erogenous zone you’re stimulating.) Rumbly vibrations are thuddy, thumpy, roiling – they feel more physically present and penetrative than buzzy vibrations. Some people find these broader-reaching waves too stimulating or feel like the shuddering chops of sensation are too “slow.”

Up close, rumbly vibrators tend to tremble/gyrate more, probably due to the force of their swinging motor pendulum. Many rumbly vibrators are wands (such as the PalmPower Extreme), because there’s more room for a heftier motor.

TL;DR: If buzzy vibrations are buzzing bees, rumbly vibrations are rumbling motorcycles.

The We-Vibe Tango X is the pinnacle of rumbly.

reviewing the we-vibe tango x

The We-Vibe Tango X is so rumbly it feels like the motor is bucking inside its petite plastic housing. The toy subtly jostles and kicks on its highest settings. It makes my clit feel like a waterbed, rippling under the force of deep, thumpy vibrations. These vibrations aren’t as tightly spaced/spiraled as the original Tango’s (RIP), but in exchange they feel thuddier.

We-Vibe didn’t pussyfoot around with the Tango X’s settings. The very first steady speed (of 8 total) is deep and shuddery, and it only gets stronger from there. A few of the speeds feel repetitive to me, like there’s not a perceptible increase in power – but there’s still several big jumps. At its maximum, the Tango X is a match (albeit with a much narrower reach) for the We-Vibe Wand’s mid-range speeds. That’s a lot of punch for something only a little larger than my finger.

Patterns are segregated to an ultra-subtle, squiggle-shaped button between the increase and decrease buttons. That’s not exactly accessibility-minded, but it’s a win for those of us who want nothing to do with patterns.

The up/down buttons are soft, small, but easy to press. The matte silicone grip makes handling the bullet relatively slip-free, although it doesn’t much muffle the vibrations to your fingers. A femme friend of mine said the handle keeps their short acrylic nails from slipping/clattering on the plastic, so there’s that!

Speaking of plastic, the Tango is slick but firm. If you prefer a little give or a soft/textured surface (like the flexible Ultra Bullet), the Tango can’t give it to you. For those of us who like pinpoint pressure, the Tango X Bullet is perfect: it doesn’t yield, it just funnels its power into a rigid, lipstick slanted tip.

Like all good modern sex toys, the Tango X is rechargeable and waterproof. Its magnetic charger is strong and keeps a good grip, so (unlike its predecessor) you don’t have to fuck around to keep it charged. I’m not a bath or shower masturbator, but given the Tango’s huge fanbase, I imagine there’s a lot of folks thankful they can keep sneaking their plastic bestie under the bubbles.

what are bullet vibrators used for?

Okay, so the Tango X Bullet is pretty great. But do you, personally, even need a bullet vibrator? What makes bullets so special anyway?

Pinpoint Power

Bullet vibrators one of the most common sex toy designs, and they’re often someone’s first sex toy. They’re petite by design. Bullets funnel all of their power into a narrow tip so you can target specific places on your body with vibrations.

Everyone’s body is different, so some people don’t enjoy such a direct approach. For those of us that do, bullet vibes like the Tango X let us pinpoint our pleasure. The right side of my clitoris is the most sensitive. I can use a bullet to stroke/tease my labia as a warm up, and then tuck the tip next to my clit to ensure the full force of the toy is exactly where I want it.

Versatility

Bullet vibrators are unobtrusive – they don’t need much space. This makes them easier to use during partnered sex where there’s a lot of closeness (like most forms of penetration.) If you or a partner can reach a hand to your genitals, you can take a Tango X along for the (sometimes literal) ride.

By themselves, bullet vibes are designed for external use. But that doesn’t just mean the clitoris: they can be used on nipples, labia, taint, butthole (surface), frenulum, testicles, etc. This versatility – and the fact that they’re compact and fairly intuitive to use – make them a great choice for partner play. If you’re using safer sex barriers during sex, a dental dam can be used to buffer your bullet.

Accessorizing

While you can technically use them vaginally, a bullet vibrator’s small size and often rigid construction aren’t ideal for penetration. (It’s also tricky to keep a good grip.) You definitely can’t insert them anally because they don’t have a flared base. But if you’re really fond of your bullet’s vibrations (as I am of the Tango X’s), you might be able to accessorize it.

Dildos such as the Davy’s Tendrils Tentacle, Realm Lycan Dildo, and SquarePegToys Nathan have narrow holes in the base. Some of them are intended for specific peg-ended attachments (like this handle, removable suction cup, or strap-on harness), but the Tango X can be wiggled into most Vac-U-Lock or Lock-On holes with some lube. Instant upgrade! But if you like to use your bullet on its highest setting, be prepared to experience less power. The vibrations are usually at least partially muffled by the toy.

For more examples, check out Vac-U-Lock and Lock-On toys. You can also search “bullet hole” for toys specifically designed for bullets.

Storage & Travel

Bullet vibrators are easy to store and travel-friendly. Because they’re small, they don’t require large sex toy storage solutions and they’re less likely to be noticed by snoopers – even if you accidentally leave it on your bedside table. You can carry one in your purse for pleasure on the go, or store one in your toiletries bag when you travel. You can even tuck it into your back pocket on the way to a hookup.

potential alternatives to the tango

I would be remiss if I didn’t compare the Tango to other bullets on the market. That being said, I’ve tried about 15 bullets and dozens of larger vibrators and I’ve never felt anything like the Tango X’s vibrations. It’s thumpier by miles.

If sheer power is all you’re after, the Exposed Nocturnal (aka Blush Wellness Power Vibe) has the We-Vibe Tango beat. It’s a true pulverizer – but it’s buzzy as fuck on higher levels, so it’s not for delicate or picky clits. The Screaming O Charged Positive (bulkier and buzzier) and Hot Octopuss Amo (rumbly but with tighter vibrational rippling) aren’t as strong as the Tango, but they’re worth looking at if you’re not keen on Tango’s tapdancing tip (aka the “slow” feeling of its rumbles) or you want something with more surface texture than the Tango’s sleek plastic.

Interested in the rumbles, but less inclined towards pinpoint stimulation and vulva-shuddering power? The We-Vibe Touch received an update alongside the Tango, and it’s just as thumpy but with a bigger body to buffer/soften the vibrations. It offers a broader, diffused delivery that’s friendlier towards less power hungry bodies.

final thoughts: should you buy a we-vibe tango?

This tiny titan’s first iteration earned a cult following by being the strongest, rumbliest bullet on the market. From sex blogs to subreddits to social media, the Tango has amassed thousands of enthusiastic endorsements. It reigned unmatched for years.

More recently, the Tango’s had real competition. There are stronger (but buzzy) bullets at much lower price points (like the Blush Wellness Power Vibe or Satisfyer Sparkling Darling), and milder bullets with rumbly vibes on a different rhythm (like the Hot Octopuss Amo or Digit.) It was time for the Tango to get an update, and I’m happy We-Vibe came through.

The We-Vibe Tango X Bullet is good. It’s intuitive to use (I love its buttons and its strong magnetic charger), deeply rumbly (it feels like it’s playing superspeed jumprope on my clit), and reliably powerful. Legacy alone would probably keep the Tango near the top of everybody’s rumbly rec lists for another 10 years – but the X’s new motor and even thuddier vibes merit that placement.

But does that mean you need to own it? Consider:

• Is your sex life (solo or partnered) in need of a versatile but very small vibe?
• How receptive is your body to vibration nuance? Have you discarded toys for subpar (to you) vibes?
• Do you enjoy firm, pinpoint pressure? Rumbly vibrations over buzzy vibrations?
• Is FOMO going to haunt you?

The last one sounds like a joke, but it’s a legitimate question to ask yourself. I’ve bought several sex toys (including my beloved Zumio and loathed Candy Heart Plug) out of FOMO. I poked Peepshow Toys to send me the Tango X out of both professional and personal FOMO.

If you’re gonna kick yourself every time you see someone raving about the Tango X, you’re gonna be kicking yourself a lot if you frequent spaces where sex toy talk is common. The Tango fandom is thriving.

Find the We-Vibe Tango on Peepshow Toys for $79 USD or $71 with discount code BETTY.

Thank you, Peepshow, for sending me the Tango X by We-Vibe in exchange for an honest review.

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