Review: Velvet Thruster Prime

2023 is the year of the thruster. I, perhaps prematurely, called it back in June after reviewing just three, yet since then I’ve gone on to double that number, turning a style of product I rarely review into one of my most talked about toys of the year. So today’s post feels almost like a culmination of this trend, because at long last I’m bringing you my review of the Velvet Thruster Prime. One of my most requested sex toys this year, I first started teasing this collaboration with Velvet Brands back in May, and figured I couldn’t let the year end without finally sharing my thoughts on one of the most elaborate thrusters, if not sex toys in general, that I’ve ever received. Because I’m not just reviewing one version of the modular Prime today, but all six of its insertable heads, as well as two of the optional accessories.

Product Description

Despite working with them for most of the year as one of my blog sponsors, this is actually my first time reviewing a product made by Velvet Brands. You can read more about them at my review of the Lovense Gravity, but the low-down is that as former engineers for companies like NASA, Velvet Brands, and their offshoot Velvet Thruster, are creating some next level sex toys, and the Prime seems to be the pinnacle of this so far. A modular-style toy, the brand offers a core “base” unit, which includes all of the electronic elements of the product, alongside a number of attachable heads and accessories to elevate and diversify your experience. Customers can then either buy pre-configured Primes with their desired head or “build your own” at their website, with individual heads also being available for purchase. For this review I will be looking at all six insertable attachments that are currently available, which are the Jackie, Frankie, Walter, Sammie, Nanci, and Edward, although there is also a Stroker attachment which I do not have. Plus, of the five optional accessories, I will be reviewing two: the Suction Cup and Long Reach Handle.

Whilst the Velvet Thruster Prime can start to seem like it has a bit too much going on with all these attachments, it is actually quite a simple toy at heart. Despite a few confusing mentions of it being a vibrator on the brand website, this toy is actually just a thruster, and doesn’t include any other features. Although there are a few more things that make it special other than its modular nature, such as its unique ability to bend whilst thrusting, its long-life battery, its 7.6cm / 3″ stroke length, and its 140 strokes per minute speed. The base component is very straightforward, simply featuring a single power button at the front, two more buttons and a charging hole at the back, and a screw hole at the bottom for the accessories. The underside is also slightly curved, so the toy cannot stand upright on its own, and the area with the power button protrudes, which aids with grip and also allows the product to be fully anal-safe. Plus, this component is also fully covered in silicone, and is available in five colours: white (which is what I have), black, lilac, mint and red. Above the silicone there is then a thin strip of hard clear plastic, and this acts as the divider between the base and the attached head. I’ll talk more about each head individually further down in this review, but there are a few general traits that connect all of them. Firstly, they all start with the Velvet Thruster logo just below an accordion-style area, before moving onto a lengthy shaft and unique head. They are also 100% made from a silky smooth semi-firm body-safe silicone, and since they’re fully removable from the base, this means they are also waterproof. As for the base itself, this is supposed to be water-resistant (more on this later), and it can be used as both a rechargeable and a plug-in toy with its AC charger. Finally, it’s also worth mentioning that once the attachments are on, this is a very lengthy toy, ranging from a total size of 29.2cm / 11.5″ to 33cm / 13″, depending on the head.

Packaging

I received the Prime from Velvet Thruster in two parts. My first order was placed on the 9th of March and arrived on the 22nd, whilst my second order was placed on the 17th of May and arrived on the 1st of June. Unfortunately, both orders were not discreet, with visible invoices listing both the brand name, my website, and the contents as “massager samples for media reviews”. Although I’m sure this is just because I am a reviewer, so hopefully customer orders are treated with more privacy in mind. Despite the large volume of goods for this review, I also only received one proper box. This was for the Velvet Thruster Prime with the Nanci attachment, and it also contained the Suction Cup. A large box made of thick card, an almost life size picture of the toy is on the front, whilst at the back you’ll find an introduction to the Prime. Plus, because the Nanci was designed by fellow toy reviewer Super Smash Cache, an extra sleeve was included that wraps around the box’s sides, featuring a picture of her and the story behind the unusual shape. Removing this then just reveals more info on the Prime, as well as a note listing which colour options are within. Opening it up, I found the Prime Nanci, alongside a small instruction sheet, charging cord and suction cup, loose within the box. As for the other attachments, these came in four smaller boxes (the Edward, Walter and Jackie had their own individual boxes, whilst the Sammie, Frankie, and Long Reach Handle shared a slightly larger box) that simply state they contain Velvet Thruster Prime accessories, with a small note as to the contents. In addition, the Velvet Thruster Prime also includes a one-year warranty.

Charging

The Velvet Thruster Prime is my first non-USB rechargeable toy in a long time. Instead, it is AC rechargeable, and comes with a US plug, so you will need an adaptor if you’re international like me. Plus, like my beloved Magic Wand Rechargeable, this toy can also be used whilst plugged-in. I’ve always been a big fan of having this choice, as it allows you the freedom of continuing to use the toy even if it is out of charge, something that’s pretty rare in sex toys these days. With a length of roughly 2.1m / 6.89′, the cord is then fairly bulky and long, with a power pack in the middle. To use, simply plug one end into the hole on the Prime, and the other end into a power outlet, with a light on the battery pack becoming orange during charge. Once complete, this light will then change to green, with charging taking around 30 minutes to give you an estimated eight hours of use. And yes, that’s not a typo, this toy really does have what has to be one of the best charging times I’ve ever seen. Additionally, Velvet Thruster also recommends charging before first use.

Controls

Controlling the Velvet Thruster Prime is easy. There are three buttons, which are labelled so clearly that you don’t even need to read the instructions. The power button is on the front, whilst buttons with a plus and minus symbol are positioned at the back. As you’d expect, you can then use the power button to turn the toy on and off, whilst the other two allow you to increase and decrease the speed of the thruster. The toy will start at its lowest speed, and there are six to choose from, with the toy’s light changing colour depending on the speed. Not only does this look great, but it is functional too, as it’s an easy way to know which speed you’re on once you memorise it. Upon turning the toy off, you can then either wait roughly four seconds for it to power down, or you can press the power button a second time to have it halt instantly, allowing you to get it to the length you want, which is excellent for storage. Overall, I love all of this, so it is a shame that I’ve found the power button to be increasingly non-responsive when pressed. I can hear it click, but nothing happens, and whilst this started as a minor inconvenience, by the point of my final test I found myself struggling to use it at all.

First Impressions

Even though the Velvet Thruster Prime isn’t explicitly marketed as a thruster vibrator, there are a few brief mentions of it vibrating at the brand’s website. So my first impression here was simply one of surprise and disappointment when I realised that this toy does not actually vibrate, especially after reviewing the Lovense Gravity for them a few months back which did have the ability to do both. Turning it on definitely helped make up for this though, as it is hard to not be impressed with the clear power behind this toy. The extension makes what is already a big toy even bigger, thrusts are consistent and strong, and the top speed is fast despite its size. It takes quite a lot of force to even start slowing it down, and then there is the fact that it can curve and flex, not just because the electronics don’t fill the end of the silicone attachment, but because of a nifty piece of flexible plastic underneath. Of course, this thruster isn’t without the usual double-edged sword, and by that I mean it is loud. Even worse than the Lovense Gravity when on its higher speeds, this is easily one of the loudest sex toys I have ever used, and is definitely not a product that offers any privacy.

In regards to switching the heads, this is easy once you know how to do it. At first I was pretty confused, as it’s not explained in the instructions or on the box, but thankfully I found this helpful video on Velvet Thruster’s Instagram. Basically all you need to do is detach / attach the silicone from the clear ring of plastic, and then pull / push the head. Whilst it can occasionally be a little tricky, depending on how messy your hands are and how extended the Prime is, overall it’s a quick change over, allowing you to easily use more than one head in a single session.

My Experience

Whilst I want to give an introduction to all of the individual attachments I have for the Velvet Thruster Prime and go through my experience with them below, I figured I would first talk about my overall feelings about using this toy. Operating it whilst it’s inside of me is easy due to the clearly labelled buttons, and their placement and the fact that they are raised slightly also helps me remember which is which. Because of the handle’s unique shape, it is also easy to grip, and I’ve taken to using it with the plus and minus buttons facing towards me. You will need to hold onto it though, as the weight means it’ll just fall out otherwise. The thrusts feel forceful and very fast at the higher speeds, and I don’t have any issues with the toy slowing down during use. I also tend to not push it in too deeply, with the shaft instead thrusting near the entrance and mid-point of my vagina, as any further and it’ll start to make the base move around instead of the shaft. Although even without this, the length of the shafts means that there is no real chance I’m going to accidentally use the accordion portion, which is an improvement from the much shorter Lovense Gravity. On that note, I’ve been surprised by just how tiny the regular-sized Gravity feels compared to the Prime. Comparing their sensations, both toys offer similar thrusting abilities, so it is just the size and the length of extension that really makes all the difference. And whilst I do love how much more versatile the Gravity is, it’s really no competition with the Prime as a thruster, which is hands down the best I’ve ever tried. The only downside, other than the power button being difficult, is really just that noise level, and even though I live in a house now, I can’t shake the idea that my neighbours can probably hear it. Plus, even without this fear of others, it’s just a lot to deal with, either when solo or with a partner. Additionally, whilst I know a big part of the Prime is the fact it can bend, I sadly just don’t really find myself making use of this. It’s still a good trait to have and I’m sure some people would find it useful, but other than it allowing me to bring the Prime’s base slightly closer to me whilst it is still thrusting, I haven’t really found a purpose for it.

Jackie

Jackie is Velvet Thruster’s most popular attachment, and is designed as an average-size realistic option. Coming in at 16.5cm / 6.5″ in insertable length, with a 3.8cm / 1.5″ maximum diameter, I have it in black, and it is also available in lilac, mint, and red. Whilst prominent veins cover most of the surface, probably more so than you would find on an actual penis, this texture is only lightly raised, so the sensation of it in use is quite subtle, which also aids cleaning. A tapered phallic head and smooth underside then allows for easy insertion, and I’ve found using it on the Prime to be very enjoyable, although compared to the other designs it is probably the least interesting.

Frankie

Frankie focuses on texture rather than any kind of realism. A smooth, tapered head, this is interrupted a few inches down by a prominent ribbed area, before smoothing back out for the rest of the toy’s shaft. It still maintains an average diameter though, with a maximum size of 3.8cm / 1.5″, alongside an insertable length of 17.1cm / 6.75″. Whilst I am glad Velvet Thruster has an offering for those not interested in phallic designs, my initial thinking was that this toy wasn’t for me, as I know from past experience that I typically do not enjoy this kind of ribbing detail. And sure enough, when I first tried using it, I was not a fan, with the scraping of the toy leaving my entrance feeling a little too much like a pap smear for my tastes. However, I found that when the Prime is actually activated, the speed it is running at completely alleviates this sensation, and it turns out I’ve actually had a lot of fun with the Frankie! As for the colour, my copy is in mint, although it is also available in black, lilac and red.

Walter

Walter is intended as the Velvet Thruster Prime’s anal attachment. Similar in appearance to anal beads, this toy features five bulbs of varying sizes over its 17.8cm / 7″ length, with diameters ranging from 1.7cm to 3.4cm / .65″ to 1.35″. This my first time receiving a thruster toy intended for anything but vaginal insertion, and I love the idea of it, with beads being the perfect choice in my opinion. Trying it out, I found the range of sizes ideal, and even though I don’t regularly use anal toys, I was able to get right into this, slowly working my way up. However, a big issue I found was how flexible the shaft is, particularly at the start before the Walter widens out and the internal electronics begin. It meant that I can’t just push the beads in whilst holding the handle, instead needing to use my fingers to pop the first two in. This isn’t too bad in itself, but the bigger problem comes when I start the thrusting, as the beads will come out, but then they can’t go back in on their own. The deeper you go with the Walter, the less this is an issue, but it does mean that you can’t just enjoy the smaller beads without committing to the whole thing. Otherwise I really loved this attachment, and found it very pleasurable.

I also decided to try the Walter vaginally, just to see what it was like. I still enjoyed this, with the unusual shape making me think more of a fantasy toy due to its gradual build-up of girth. Overall though, it did fall short of the other vaginal attachments, so whilst it can be used like this, it’s probably best off left as an anal toy. I should also note that this toy is available in the usual four colours of black, mint, lilac and red, and my copy is in red, which is a beautiful bright shade.

Sammie

Sammie is similar in appearance to Jackie, with a subtly textured shaft that makes it ideal for lovers of realistic toys. The difference, however, is that this attachment is much thicker, with a maximum diameter of 4.7cm / 1.85″. And we’re not just talking about some particularly wide point either, but a fairly consistent girth throughout its entire 18.4cm / 7.25″. Now, I know my body, and I did tell Velvet Thruster right off the bat that this toy was not going to fit me. Because even though I’ve been making some advances with toy sizes lately, just last month breaking my record with a 5.1cm / 2″ diameter toy, it is really the firm density of the Sammie that makes it not an option for me. In fact, this toy’s density and shape most reminds me of the 4.4cm / 1.75″ Tantus Vamp, which I also couldn’t use. Being the good reviewer that I am, I did try, but unfortunately it seems the Sammie really is a no go. Still, I appreciate Velvet Thruster sending it out anyway so I could include it here, and my copy is in their beautiful mint, although it is also available in black, lilac and red.

Nanci

Nanci is the attachment that was designed by fellow blogger and my friend Super Smash Cache, who was tasked with creating the ultimate G-Spot toy. This unique shape is a breath of fresh air, and you can really tell it was brought to life by someone outside of the traditional sex toy design industry, but who also has an intimate knowledge and understanding of how sex toys and bodies work. Unlike any toy I’ve ever seen before, the Nanci features an almost hook-like head, which is curved slightly and tapered to aid with G-Spot stimulation. It then thins out, before sporting a raised bump along its shaft on the same side as the head’s curve. The least girthy of the attachments, the Nanci only has a maximum diameter of 3.2cm / 1.25″, alongside an insertable length of 18.4cm / 7.25″. And as for the colour, this toy is also in mint, with black, lilac and red being available too. Now, whilst I am a big fan of Super Smash Cache’s work, I know from her reviews that our bodies and preferences are very different. The Nanci is a good example of this, as even though I think the shape is a work of genius, I didn’t think it would work for me. So when I inserted this toy and felt the hook head stimulating my G-Spot, I could hardly believe it! Whilst I would still need more of a firm curve in order to get the kind of G-Spot stimulation that I imagine this was intended for, considering how straight the Prime is this is still very impressive, and totally elevates my experience when using the Nanci. It has also made this attachment a fast favourite of mine, and is my recommended head to start with.

Edward

Finally, there is the Edward. This is another realistic-style attachment and the latest release for the Velvet Thruster Prime. Longer than the Jackie and thinner than the Sammie, this toy instead features a slight curve to it, and is much more natural looking in my opinion, featuring far less veins than the other two. With a maximum diameter of 3.8cm / 1.5″ and a insertable length of 20.3cm / 8″, this is also the only toy to shake things up colour-wise, as rather than the classic four options, this toy is only available in a realistic “cashew” skin shade. Whilst it does feel a lot like the Jackie in use, this is definitely my favourite of the two (and second favourite overall), as I just adore that curve and the added stimulation it gives me. I also think this and the more subtle texture adds to the realism, which I also prefer.

The Accessories

Long Reach Handle

The Long Reach Handle is a piece of black plastic that screws into the bottom of the Velvet Thruster Prime, making the product more accessible for those with a short reach or those who experience wrist or arm fatigue. With a curve that goes towards you so that you can hold the toy close to your stomach, rather than between your legs, the handle area then uses a ribbed texture to aid grip. Now, whilst I know this attachment wasn’t designed for me as I do not experience these issues, I was really excited to try the Long Reach Handle out and was sure I was going to love it. After all, my arms do get pretty tired from testing all these thruster attachments! But I’ve actually found myself preferring to use the toy without it. It could be because I am so accustomed to using toys like this, but holding onto the handle just feels awkward, and whilst I agree that it needs texture for grip, I can find the prominent ribbing here a little difficult to hold. What’s more, because I am holding onto the handle, I now need to use my second hand in order to press the toy’s buttons, rather than having just one hand on the Prime and using my thumb to adjust the speeds. This might not be an issue for some, but because I like to use clitoral vibrators alongside thrusters, it can be an interruption to my play. Again, this attachment isn’t made for me, and if you find it difficult to hold a toy between your legs I’m sure this will be great, especially as the Prime is longer and heavier (with a weight of 468g without an attachment, and up to 738g with) than your average insertable sex toy. But for anyone like me who just thinks it is a neat idea and is considering adding it to your order, it’s probably not worth it. The one exception to this would be when using the Prime for anal use, such as with the Walter attachment, as the further reach was perfect for this, and much easier than simply holding the handle.

Suction Cup

I was a big fan of the Lovense Gravity’s screw-in suction cup, and it turns out Velvet Thruster were actually the original designers behind that idea, so I was excited to try the Prime’s version. Unfortunately, I think I must have received a dud copy, as the first time I went to use it, the Suction Cup broke off of the screw. This has meant that even if I try my best to stick the screw back where it should be, as soon as I let go of the Prime, it just falls away from the silicone cup and takes the screw with it. Thankfully this is the sort of thing that would be covered by your warranty as a customer, but I am disappointed I can’t try it myself. And while the suction does seem sturdy, without being able to actually put it under the weight of the Prime, I can’t really review it either. Although I will say that I did have concerns about the Suction Cup even before this, as I know from using the Gravity doggy-style how impossible it is to control when suction cupped without an app or remote. And since the Prime has neither, I’m not sure it would have worked out like this anyway.

Cleaning & Care

When I first went to clean the Velvet Thruster Prime and checked the instructions, there was quite a lot of confusion. Multiple times Velvet Thruster mentions that you must “close the charger port plug tightly” when cleaning, but there is no plug! It was only when I recognised that the diagram was not for this toy, but for the Velvet Thruster Mini Series, which does come with a plug, that I realised these instructions are for the wrong toy. I got in contact with the brand to find out what was going on, and was told it was a widespread issue with the Prime’s instructions when I got mine back in March. Anyway, even though I knew the toy was water-resistant, thanks to the website and packaging, this whole thing still made me pretty paranoid, and I was extra careful upon cleaning the Prime’s base for the first time, making sure to only give it a quick rinse with the charging hole facing away from the water stream. You can imagine my horror, then, when later that day the Prime started making electrical sparking noises and leaking black fluid, and upon trying to turn it on… it was dead! Again contacting Velvet Thruster, I was told water must have entered the base through the charging hole, and to allow it to dry out for at least a week. Since I’m usually on a tight schedule with my weekly reviews, I was thankfully able to get it back on the next day after shaking the water out and then letting it charge again, and I have not had any further issues yet. But what happened to the Velvet Thruster Prime being water-resistant? After all, I know that the way I cleaned it should not have affected it to this extent, and for the most expensive sex toy I’ve ever reviewed to die after the first use when simply following the instructions? Well, let’s just say I was not happy. Thankfully, we don’t need to get into this too deeply. The brand also told me that because of this issue, they have since updated the charging port design, with new Prime models now featuring a magnetic-style charger. Of course, I can’t really speak to that as it is not what I have, but at least their warranty will cover anyone with an older model that experiences issues.

As for my cleaning recommendations, I’d suggest starting by removing the silicone attachments. Since these are fully waterproof, you can simply place them in warm soapy water, before washing, rinsing and leaving to air dry, making sure to get all of the water out from inside before using them again. You can also do the same thing with the handle or suction cup if needed. Then, if the base also gets messy, I now leave one of the head attachments on and spray it with a toy cleaner, before wiping it down and leaving to dry, making sure to avoid that charging hole. Additionally, you should only use water-based lubricant with this product, as silicone-based types may damage the material.

Final Thoughts

It’s no question that the Velvet Thruster Prime is one of the most advanced sex toys I have ever tried. But considering its price tag, it had to be. After all, with the base model and just one head costing between $386.6 AUD / $250.99 USD and $409.1 AUD / $265.99 USD at the time of writing, even the minimum price takes the cake for the most expensive sex toy I have ever reviewed. Add the two accessories I received, and this goes up by $89.2 AUD / $58 USD, and if you dare consider the cost of everything I have reviewed here today, then you’re looking at a whopping $872 AUD / $566.94 USD! Needless to say, with a price like that I expect perfection, and perfection this sadly was not. Whilst longer reviews like these are always going to result in more chances for criticism, having the base unit almost die because of incorrect instructions, the Suction Cup attachment just straight up break before I even get to try it, and the power button mysteriously becoming less responsive the more I use it, is more than just a simple flaw. The only saving grace is that Velvet Thruster have at least corrected the water-resistance issue with their new charging port, and that if any of these issues do occur for a customer, you’re covered during the first year. Plus, the time I actually got to spend using the Prime was a delight. I loved trying out the different heads, with the Nanci being my overall winner, and if you want the full thrusting experience, there’s really no substitute for this toy. Yet I did find myself occasionally missing the convenience of the Lovense Gravity’s app remote, as well as its vibrations and quieter operation, and considering it is also significantly less money, it’s still a thruster worthy of your consideration, especially if you aren’t planning on making good use of the Prime’s different attachments. Overall though, whilst it seems Velvet Thruster still has some work to do, they are absolutely headed in the right direction and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

You can get the Prime and all its attachments directly from Velvet Thruster starting at just $386.6 AUD / $250.99 USD, plus use my code GRACE25 to get 25% OFF your total order!

Last updated: 16/11/23

Price at the time of writing: $386.6 AUD / $250.99 USD

This post was sponsored by Velvet Thruster, but as always, all opinions are my own.