BDSM Zapper 2.0 by Kink
$49.99
from Kink Store
When I got the chance to review the Zapper 2.0 by Kink, I had to say yes. I’ve only got a few electricity toys, including this Neon Wand. But while the Zapper might fall in the same overall category, it works much differently.
Rather than seeing the current running down the glass accessories, the Zapper has two metal prongs that make contact with your, er, victim. Much like a cattle prod. There are three settings, which I tried from low to high because I’m not that much of a masochist. The site describes the settings as having a range between 1.5kV and 3.5kV, which I assume are low and high, respectively. I assume the medium is somewhere between 2 and 2.5kv given the low and high power levels. A common static shock is usually between 3 and 10kV, to give you some idea of what we’re talking about. Like a static shock, the Zapper produces a momentary sensation. It’s over as fast as it begins.
My experience of each setting goes like this
- Low surprised me with an audible snap, kind of like a snap-it. There’s also a visible spark and a tangible shock, similar to a static shock that you might get from a doorknob or car handle.
- Medium increases all three, expectedly, and made my skin jump upon discharge. Initially, the point of contact turned white and was surrounded by red skin, but the center turned red to create a small welt that eventually faded. During the first few minutes, I could feel the residual sensation.
- High was surprisingly loud with a more visible spark, but the shock was weaker than the medium setting. Like the low setting, it left no mark or residual sensation.
Honestly, I don’t mind that the highest setting has more bark than bite. It will still make someone jump. I think you can do a lot of mindfucking with this system, either threatening to turn it to high or switching between settings without letting your partner know what you’re choosing. And if you want to increase the sensation, you can always focus the Zapper on the same body part more than once or by using it in conjunction with another sensation or impact play device. The visible welts make it clear where the most impact has occurred. Layering the types of stimulation can have a synergetic effect, or you could use the Zapper on one body part while doing something else to a different body part.
The Zapper feels rather safe because it’s producing electricity similar to a static shock, which we’ve all experienced at some point. We’re not talking about high power, but you could only stick to below the belt if you want to be extra safe (although, I think using it on the nipple could be a ton of fun!).
The rubberized grip also makes it easy to hold, especially because it’s not tiny. It’s 15 inches long total, and the grip has a 1.25″ diameter. It feels significant in my small hands and doesn’t require a precise grip, which might be helpful for those with motor issues. The downside is that it’s not discreet. Someone will definitely see it in your hand if you’re in front of them and they’re not blindfolded. But that can be part of the fun!
The website clearly states that you should not
- Get it wet
- Use it near the face
- Use it internally
- Use if you have heart issues or a pacemaker
The second version of this toy offers some necessary safety improvements that prevent the Zapper from discharging when not in use. You need to press and hold the button, which turns on a red light, to create the charge before placing it against the skin. It won’t discharge without holding that button, which I appreciate. This is especially important because you don’t want it discharging while handling, traveling or cleaning. And you may want a damp cloth to wipe down the toy if it gets bodily fluids on it or, say, your cat sneezes all over it (gross!).
Overall, the two buttons–one to switch strength and one to charge–are easy to use, even if you don’t read any instructions. In fact, the least intuitive thing I found is that the Zapper 2.0 still uses two AA batteries, which are included. I’m so accustomed to modern toys being rechargeable that this took me by surprise. But the company explained that this decision allowed them to have appropriate voltage. The battery cap does screw off the bottom like ye olde vibrators, however, so it’s not tricky.
I was curious about the number of discharges, which the company informed me is about 300 with fully charged batteries. That’s potentially a lot of use. It all depends on how often and how you use the Zapper. I’ve only used a few dozen for testing purposes. I can’t imagine how long it would take me to drain the batteries! I expect the Zapper will remain charged and waiting for me for quite some time.
As I wrap this up, I want to mention that the rubberized material does show smudges easily, and they like to stick. I tried to remove some from mine to take a photo, but they were stubborn. Not that it impacts use, of course. Just makes photos a little more difficult (and I already struggled due to its length). But I expect if you’re using this, photos won’t be your main concern.
