Vush Empress Tidal Review: Sex toy that simulates oral sex

This long-awaited toy promises an experience that feels just like the real thing - but does it deliver? Warning: Adult Content

Laura RoscioliSex contributor

5 min read

November 1, 2024 - 2:38PM

Does the Vush Empress Tidal live up to the hype? Picture: Laura Roscioli

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Warning: Adult Content

I haven’t tried a new sex toy in a while. I think I needed a break. Being a sex writer, I’ve gone through stages of trying lots of them… and they can get addictive (that Sex and the City episode ‘The Rabbit’ had it so right).

But recently, I’ve been doing heaps of travel and missing the regular sex I have with my boyfriend - especially when it comes to cunnilingus. So, when Vush brought out its new Empress Tidal; I couldn’t resist giving it a go.

An evolved version of their bestseller and fan-favourite, the Empress 2, the Empress Tidal is a clitoral stimulator with brand new and Pleasure Wave™ technology. Basically, this offers sensations that simulate realistic oral sex, with waves of suctions and pressure without penetration.

This new addition to Vush’s range of innovative sex tech ranges from low to high frequency (depending on your mood), with eight levels of intensity.

Empress Tidal, $178.49 (down from $254.99)

Vush Empress Tidal

VUSH EMPRESS TIDAL PROS AND CONS

This toy is for people that love external stimulation. So, while you can couple it with a penetrative toy, the Empress Tidal alone works to stimulate the outside of your vulva and clitoris. This could be a con for some, who enjoy pleasure with penetration, but for occasions where you’re just desiring the sensation of oral sex — it’s perfect.

Aside from its obvious pros, such as intensity levels, sustainable materials that will stop your skin from reacting (and ease your environmental conscious), the Empress Tidal is the perfect size. Designed to sit perfectly in the palm of your hand, it’s easy to handle — literally — and go everywhere with you, whether it be across continents or in your work bag for those extra horny days.

Another massive pro, is that it has the technology to pick up where you left off. This means that you don’t have to spend time fiddling with the settings to find that perfect rhythm you landed upon last time, but the toy will actually remember your journey and repeat it — if routine is what you’re into. But even still, it’s nice to be able to rely on your toy to do the “work”, so you can relax and get present with your pleasure and your body.

The Empress Tidal is a follow up to Vush's previous best-seller, the Empress 2.

HOW WE TESTED THE VUSH EMPRESS 2

It’s important to test it for ourselves, before we can give you the tea. For me, testing sex tech in the comfort of my own home and all the time in the world is integral.

I read up about the toy on the Vush website before it arrived, so I had the background details and didn’t have to worry about instructions on play day. It’s like when you go on a first date and you’ve stalked them that same afternoon so your brain is imagining all kinds of scenarios and you can’t concentrate. I’ve learnt my lesson the hard way — do your research beforehand.

So, when it finally arrived in my hand I knew what to do. I was ready. I left it to charge and made myself a chamomile tea. I actually sat down to write another article — about sex and my current partner — because I thought it might get me in the mood. It did.

WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?

Testing the Empress Tidal for myself was unexpected. While most clitoral stimulation toys work the same way, this toy has rhythms I’ve never felt before. They took me a bit of getting used to — in the best way. Instead of overwhelming me with overpowering sensations I couldn’t quite grasp, these fluctuated in strength. I found that it mimicked edging; just as I was starting to feel overcome with pleasure, they’d slow down again — bringing me back into the moment.

Laura Roscioli put the Vush Empress Tidal to the test. Picture: Laura Roscioli

I actually found this to be the most present experience I’ve had with a toy that mimics external oral sex. In real life, the experience of oral for me has always been a bit of a journey. I never orgasm immediately, it takes a warming up period, a getting comfortable period and then a few moments of trial and error to find the place that is going to get me off that particular day. That is the magical thing of being a vulva-owner; it’s different every time. This toy respected that, it took me on a journey from soft pleasure, to moments that felt overpowering. But I was prepared for them and therefore, able to enjoy them more.

Plus, I loved how it fit in my hand and wasn’t hard to keep in the positions that felt comfortable with me. My hands didn’t cramp and I didn’t really have to think about holding the device in a specific way for it to maintain its impact.

HOW POWERFUL WAS THE TOY? COULD It STIMULATE AN ORGASM?

Spanning eight intensity levels, the Empress Tidal can offer everything from soft stimulation to orgasm. For me personally, level five was the perfect level of intensity. It started slow and steady, and I was able to build on it without losing control.

DOES IT OFFER MULTIPLE OR VARIABLE SPEEDS?

It does offer multiple speeds, as well as patterns. By pressing the ‘on’ button, you get different variations of pressure and suction. By pressing the ‘up’ or ‘down arrows’, you can control the intensity. There’s lots to play with.

WHAT IS ITS BATTERY LIFE?

The battery life of the Empress Tidal is 60 minutes, according to its specifications, with a charge time of 90 minutes.

The Empress Tidal takes users on a journey of pleasure.

IS THE EMPRESS TIDAL USER FRIENDLY?

The Empress Tidal is super intuitive. Some sex toys can be intimidating simply because of how they look, but this one is super cute and the perfect shape to fit in the palm of your hand. I’d recommend this toy to anyone who is new to sex toys and wants to start slow and simple.

IS IT EASY TO CLEAN?

Very easy to clean. Simply use warm water and soap, or a gentle wet wipe if you need discretion. The Empress Tidal is waterproof so you really can’t go wrong with cleaning… and you can even use it in the bath or shower!

HOW MUCH IS THE VUSH EMPRESS TIDAL?

Vush’s new Empress Tidal is currently on sale for $178.49 (down from $254.99) at Vush.

VERDICT: IS THE VUSH EMPRESS TIDAL WORTH BUYING?

Big yes from me. If you’re a person who loves oral, or clitorial stimulation with penetration — this is a toy you won’t regret adding to your collection. Given its shape and size, you could also use it with a partner without feeling awkward or clumsy.

SHOP HERE

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Laura Roscioli is a sex writer based in Melbourne. She is passionate about making sex and pleasure more accessible and uses her own experiences to bring stories and conversations to life in this space. Her work has been published in the likes of Mamamia, Harper’s Bazaar, Body + Soul, The Age and many more.