Review: We-Vibe Tango X

When I first started reading sex blogs and toy reviews many years ago, there were a few products that would consistently be referenced across all of my favourite websites. They were things like the Njoy Pure Wand, Vixen Creations VixSkin Mustang, and Magic Wand Rechargeable, legendary toys that continue to maintain a cult following even today. But the main toy that I kept hearing about over and over again, regardless of what the actual review was about, was the versatile We-Vibe Tango. Widely regarded as the most powerful bullet vibrator on the market, it wasn’t long before I got one of my own and fell madly in love with it just like everyone else. A marvel of simplicity mixed with raw power, We-Vibe’s unrelenting lipstick-shaped ABS plastic was the perfect vessel for rumbly vibrations that were ahead of their time, and the fuss-free design complimented them perfectly. But it had a dark secret, with a battery life that was unable to meet the demand its users placed on it. I’ve spoken to people who have owned over ten Tangos in order to get their fix, but when mine died back in 2019, that was it for me, and eventually I found a replacement in the Dame Kip. Since then though I have been just wishing We-Vibe would fix this issue and re-release it, and so when JOUJOU got in touch recently to let me know that was exactly what was happening to celebrate the toy’s 10th birthday, I couldn’t have been happier.

Background

It’s easy to forget, considering how at some point we collectively decided to just call the previous version of this toy the We-Vibe Tango, but it is actually the second edition of the model, officially named the Tango II. The first Tango was released in 2010, however the differences between the two were minimal, and mostly just consisted of an alternative charging cord (AC rather than USB). Shortly after (presumably in 2011 due to the whole 10th anniversary thing) it was then re-released as the version we all know and love, the Tango II, and now again this year as the Tango X (X standing for 10). Advertised as having a stronger and increased range of vibrations alongside an upgraded design, that not only adds a strip of silicone for improved grip but two additional buttons for greater control as well, there is a lot to love with this new version. My main concern though, is that by taking a toy where simplicity was one of its biggest assets and adding more to it, We-Vibe run the risk of over-complicating it and losing that original charm. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (except for the battery, of course, which definitely needed fixing). 

Product Description

The We-Vibe Tango X is unmistakably the Tango, with its signature lipstick-shape and bold colour options, yet still different enough in order to carve its own identity. The hard ABS plastic, that was one of my favourite aspects of the original, remains, but is now contrasted by a softer silicone that makes up almost half of the toy. Rather than offering an alternative material however, this is solely intended to provide a handle for extra grip and reduced residual vibrations, which is a genius idea. Three buttons then also rest here, protruding slightly from the silicone to allow for them to be pressed quickly and easily in order to control the toy’s 8 intensity levels and 7 modes (a big change from the II’s 8 in total). At the end of the bullet is the magnetic charging plates similar to on the Tango II, however unlike the abrupt flat base of that version, the X comes to a gradual point. Just above the silicone on the plastic is then the We-Vibe logo, and further up is the usable end of the toy with its angled flat surface, which is identical to its predecessor’s. Available in both Cherry Red (which is what I have) and Midnight Blue, these are essentially just darker shades of the Tango II’s pink and blue, allowing them to remain familiar while much more gender-neutral. Finally, as with the II, the Tango X is both fully waterproof and USB rechargeable, although another upgrade is the inclusion of a much-needed travel-lock, for those of us who just can’t bear to part with a good vibe.

Packaging

JOUJOU sent the We-Vibe Tango X out to me on the 11th of March and I received it promptly by the 15th. As usual the box was completely discreet, with no mention of the sender or the contents, and for my full unboxing you can check out my recording here. The packaging for the toy itself is then consistent with other We-Vibe products I’ve received lately, featuring their new minimal branding which I just love. A beautiful gradient of red features (to match my colour choice), alongside images of the toy and some basic information on it. Once the safety seals are removed a smaller box can then be slide out from the cover, to reveal the toy and a sweet introductory message inside. Lastly, you can lift up the divider the toy rests in to reveal its accessories, which are a beautiful white satin storage bag, charging cord, quick-start guide (this is fine, but you can find the full instructions online here), safety manual, and a sample packet of Pjur lubricant (however as this contains glycerin I wouldn’t recommend its use). Finally, the We-Vibe Tango X also comes with a two year warranty.

Charging

Charging the We-Vibe Tango X is easy as it is USB rechargeable. Simply plug one end into a USB port and the other end can then be connected to the magnetic plates on the toy, which are thankfully far stronger and more stable than on the previous Tango, so you don’t need to worry about it falling off. When charging a light on the toy should flash and this will become solid once the battery is full. Charging should then take 90 minutes, and this should give you around two hours of play time. Additionally, when the toy is almost out of battery it will let you know by flashing its light. Overall, other than the improved magnets, this is all the same as the Tango II, which is great to see (although hopefully it doesn’t mean it also has the same life span).

Controls

A big concern I had when I first saw the redesign of the Tango X was the increase of buttons from one to three. Now, I’m all for the convenience that extra buttons provide, particularly ones that allow you to decrease speeds as this is often a feature I long for in toys, and so it definitely wasn’t bad per se. But it is just the biggest step away from the Tango II’s simplicity that We-Vibe have taken with the X, and it wouldn’t be the first time buttons have put me off using an otherwise excellent bullet vibrator. Anyway, there are two main buttons on the Tango X for controlling the vibration speeds, which are clearly labelled with plus and minus symbols, alongside a smaller button between them for controlling the pattern modes, which is just represented by a small wavy line (gonna be honest, I didn’t even realise this was a button until writing this review as it just looks like a decorative line, but thankfully I don’t enjoy patterns anyway!). To turn the Tango X on just press the plus button, which will place it on its lowest steady speed. You can then continue clicking the plus button to increase the speed, or use the minus button to decrease it again, and both buttons can also be held down to move through the levels quickly. There are eight levels of vibration intensities, and at any time you can also click the middle button to cycle through the 6 pattern modes, all of which can also be increased or decreased in intensity. When done you can then simply hold the minus button down until the toy stops vibrating. Finally, to activate or deactivate the travel lock mode you’ll need to hold both the plus and minus buttons down for two seconds, with success being indicated by the toy vibrating twice, and charging it will also deactivate this.

First Impressions

With such high expectations for this little toy I couldn’t help but be nervous when I turned it on for the first time, but while rumbly powerful vibrations were what I was met with, I can’t deny that it didn’t seem to quite live up to my expectations or memory. One big downside to this review is that while I still have it for photos, I can no longer turn on my We-Vibe Tango II, and so I can’t actually confirm this for myself. But the general consensus from other reviews I have read is that the two toys are about the same except with a deeper rumble, which in some instances can make the intensity feel as if it’s reduced. So it seems perhaps that this, combined with two years of building the toy up in my mind, led to this initial disappointment. In regards to its noise level however I was definitely impressed, as it is unexpectedly quiet for something so powerful, and would be ideal for those who need to be discreet.

My Experience

My experience with the We-Vibe Tango X in use has sadly been much the same as my thoughts when I first turned it on. I was so ready to absolutely fall in love with this toy and get right back to the powerful vibrations I use to enjoy almost every day for years… but have instead been left feeling unimpressed, and frequently reach for my Dame Kip instead in disappointment. At first I thought We-Vibe had seriously fucked up, but once other bloggers started posting their glowing reviews I was left feeling unsure. Is my Tango X faulty? Or am I faulty? …Or perhaps I’ve just spent so much time finding and adjusting to alternative bullets over the last two years that the Tango no longer does it for me, whereas most other bloggers are going straight from the Tango II to the X? After all, it’s not that there is anything wrong with the X. It is powerful, but it’s just that when I put it on my clitoris I am left longing for more, and the Kip seems to fill that need perfectly.

While the Tango X wasn’t quite what I had hoped for, I’d like to reiterate that it is still a great toy, and I have mostly enjoyed my time with it after I got over my initial surprise. While I find my current two favourite clitoral vibrators, the Dame Kip and Lovehoney X Love Not War Amore, more powerful than it, it certainly beats them in regards to its rumbliness, and I far prefer it to my other rumble-focused vibe, the Hot Octopuss AMO. The silicone handle is a great addition, offering both added grip and also reducing the amount of vibrations on my hand, which make it far more comfortable to hold than with the Tango II. As for the buttons, while I do still think their placement could make them difficult to use, considering I’ve just been using the toy on its highest setting without change, I don’t really feel like I was able to test them out properly, however I did enjoy not having to worry about accidentally clicking too far and turning on the pattern modes. Finally, orgasms with the Tango X have been super satisfying, they just take a little longer than I am use to these days.

Compatibility

One last concern I had about the redesign of the Tango that I wanted to quickly touch on was its ability to be used in compatible sleeves. You see, there are a number of silicone sleeves designed to work with bullets out there, and most use the proportions of the We-Vibe Tango II. It’s another aspect that makes this toy so popular, as it’s so universally loved that buying one also gives you access to mix-and-match a huge variety of attachments from indie and big-name brands alike, such as the Tantus Perfect Plug Plus, Uberrime Tentare Tentacle, and Rocks Off Butt Quiver. So when I saw the silicone on the end of the Tango X, which will not only be harder to insert but also changes the dimensions of the toy, I was worried. Unfortunately it seems I was right to be, as I wasn’t able to insert it into most of my bullet compatible products, and those that did work faced another surprisingly obvious issue: the buttons were inaccessible due to being on the length of the toy rather than at the end. So sadly for those of us who have a range of accessories for the Tango II, it’s likely they will not follow over to the X. Plus, considering the II has now been discontinued, I’m not sure what makers or owners of these sorts of products are going to do, with the only toy I can think of to recommend as an alternate being the Nu Sensuelle Point (a previous favourite of mine that died around the same time as my Tango II). Still, making the Tango X incompatible with the hundreds of products designed for the II and then discontinuing it on top of that seems like an odd decision from We-Vibe, and an even stranger way to treat their loyal fan-base, and as much as I enjoyed the silicone handle and extra buttons, if I had to choose between those and the attachments I would go with the old design any day of the week.

Cleaning & Care

Cleaning the We-Vibe Tango X is easy as it is waterproof. Just wipe it down with some warm soapy water, rinse, dry, and then store it in the bag it came with. Make sure to also not use silicone-based lubricant with this product, as it may react badly to the silicone on the handle, but if you do then first perform a spot test.

Final Thoughts

Messing with perfection is never a good idea, and while the thought of a new and improved We-Vibe Tango II was exciting at first, this quickly wore off when I realised a lot of what made the original special was missing from the Tango X. The fuss-free design that you could just pick up and go, matched with a versatile shape for use alongside silicone attachments, were some of its best attributes, and neither remain with the X. Plus, whether I’ve changed or it has, the vibrations just don’t seem like what they use to be, so much so that I’m unsure whether I will continue using it after this review. There were positives too though, with the silicone handle both improving grip and providing a barrier for the vibrations, alongside an upgraded magnetic charger and all-important travel-lock. Not to mention that if I wasn’t directly comparing this to one of my favourite bullet vibrators of all time this would be a completely different review, as it is still an extremely good toy, just not as good as what I had hoped considering my love for its predecessor. So while I can’t recommend the We-Vibe Tango X as strongly as I use to, I do think that if you’re looking to buy a bullet vibrator, particularly if you like rumbly vibrations, then this would still be a great option to consider.

You can get the We-Vibe Tango X from JOUJOU for just $129.95 AUD / $94 USD!

I received this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Affiliate links have been used in this post.