How To Charge A Vibrator And The Fastest Way To Do It

Charging a vibrator is easy but there is a right (and wrong) way to do it. It’s important to remember that how you charge it ultimately affects how long it takes.
Aerial Photograph Of Various Vibrators Plugged Into USB Charging Hub
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Photograph Of Vanessa Russell, Women's Health Interactive Writer & Contributor

Although the beauty of using a rechargeable vibrator is that you never have to worry about replacing the batteries, you do have to charge your sex toy periodically because batteries run down over time.

Here’s what you need to know about charging your vibrator:

  • The fastest way to charge a USB rechargeable vibrator is by directly plugging it into a USB electrical outlet — a wall outlet that contains a USB port. Devices, on average, charge much faster this way, compared to an AC wall adapter.
  • Vibrators need to be charged, on average, after 1 to 2 hours of use — although some models will run for up to 4 hours on a full charge. Every vibrator is different but the user manual should always have this information available if you’re unsure.
  • Most vibrators reach a full charge after about 2 hours, although some take up to 3 hours, depending on the model.
  • Many vibrators need to be charged before their first use, but not all of them do — again, your vibrator’s manual should clarify best practices.
  • Contemporary rechargeable vibrators most often use a USB charger that plugs into a laptop, USB hub, or AC USB adapter.

Most vibrators take somewhere between 1 and 3 hours to reach a full charge and require charging after anywhere from 1 to 2 hours of use — but all of this depends on the exact model you’re using.
Things To Know

Why The Power Source Matters When Charging A Vibrator

Hand Holding Several Different Vibrator Charging Cables

Most rechargeable vibrators use lithium-ion batteries, which are a small yet powerful type of battery that can carry a high voltage while holding on to that energy for a longer period of time compared to alkaline batteries.

Vibrators that are powered with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are most often charged via USB cords, which can be plugged into any laptop, USB hub, wall adapter, or (if available) USB wall outlets.

USB transfers power as well as data so you’ll find that your charging cord will easily plug straight into your laptop.

That’s the most ineffective way to charge your vibrator, however.

A computer’s power output via USB (in amps) is low — it was not meant to act as a power source, at least primarily.

What this means is that the vibrator will charge — eventually.

But you’ll be waiting a long time for that to happen.

USB hubs that plug into the wall will charge a vibrator more quickly in comparison because they essentially push more amps through the USB port.

This is better in terms of charging a vibrator, but still not the best you can do.

The best power sources for charging a vibrator via USB are a wall adapter that has a USB port, as this provides a more direct connection with the power source and higher amperage, or a USB wall outlet if one is available.

USB wall outlets can charge devices faster compared to USB adapters but such outlets are not exactly commonplace yet.

How To Charge Your Vibrator

Close Up Photograph Of Rabbit Vibrator Base Attached To Magnetic USB Charging Cable

Before you charge any vibrator, always refer to the manual that came with it, and in the absence of having one in hand, read the manual online.

Some manufacturers (like LELO) will advise charging their products for a solid 2 hours before their first use (even if the device signals that it’s “done” charging sooner than that), while others provide no such guidance.

Any vibrator charged via USB is essentially charged the same way — whether you’re charging a bullet vibrator, egg vibrator, clit sucker, rabbit vibrator, rose vibrator, panty vibrator, wand massager, or G-spot vibrator.

Follow these steps to charge your vibrator:

  1. Only use the charging cord that came with the product.
  2. Make sure the cord is not damaged or crimped in any way — if there are signs of damage (such as exposed wiring or the cord itself is peeling), do not use it.
  3. Additionally, if you’ve recently used your vibrator in water or cleaned it, make sure it is completely dry before plugging it into any power source.
  4. Plug one end of the cord into the power source (USB port, adapter, or wall outlet) and make sure it’s secure — it should not jiggle or feel loose.
  5. Plug or attach the other end of the cord to your toy:
    1. If it uses a pin connection, ensure that it is plugged all the way in (oftentimes, there will be an audible “click” that lets you know it’s fully attached).
    2. If it uses a magnetic connection, ensure that the magnets are connected completely. If you find that they are repelled and will not touch, which is a common occurrence with two-prong magnetic chargers, flip them around once — they should “snap” together securely once aligned with the charging port on the toy.
  6. Make note of any signal that demonstrates the vibrator is charging. Most sex toys will have a blinking light while being charged, although some may have a light that is yellow (or red) but turns green when fully charged. Refer to your vibrator’s manual if you’re unsure about what the lights mean.
  7. When the vibrator is done charging — there should be a signal of some kind, such as a solid light or a light that’s changed in color — remove it from the charger and store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use it.

Although many vibrators use similar cords, always use the one that came with your toy.

Using another cord — no matter how similar it looks — could potentially damage the charging port or harm the lifespan of your vibrator over time.

The only exception to this rule is if you’re using the same charger for another toy by the exact same brand.

For instance, many Satisfyer vibrators use the same magnetic charger — they are interchangeable, and safely so.

Between brands, however, the same does not hold true and in fact, many times you’ll discover that they won’t connect or work at all for this reason.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to charge your vibrator before it dies completely.

You don’t need to run it all the way down before charging and shouldn’t, as it can have a negative impact on the battery’s lifespan.

The Fastest Way To Charge Your Vibrator

As we mentioned earlier, the fastest way to charge your vibrator is by using a USB wall outlet — if you have one available.

This type of power source is completely safe for your vibrator, provided you’re using the USB cord that came with the device.

USB wall outlets can charge things faster compared to USB adapters that plug into the wall, but not everyone has this type of outlet available at home.

If you don’t, the second-fastest way to charge your vibrator is through an AC wall adapter with a USB port — simply plug your cord into the adapter, and plug the adapter into the wall.

If time is not of the essence and you’re willing to wait around, a USB hub or even your laptop’s USB port will charge your vibrator — it’ll just take longer.

How Long Does It Take To Charge A Vibrator?

As we mentioned earlier, the time it takes to charge a vibrator largely depends on the type of toy (and the power source), but it’s generally anywhere from about 90 minutes to 3 hours.

Average charging times of common vibrators include:

The user guide or manual you received with your vibrator will be the best source of information regarding charging times.

The most important thing to remember is that once your vibrator is charged, remove it from the charger — this will help to preserve the battery life and overall longevity of your toy.

Best Vibrators To Try

Our team’s top vibrator recommendations are below — including a corded wand that’s perfect for those times when you’ve forgotten to charge a vibe (or you’re waiting for it to hurry up and finish)!

In Conclusion

Charging a vibrator is easy but there is a right (and wrong) way to do it.

When in doubt, always refer to the manual that came with your vibrator to ensure you’re following best practices for the device.

It’s important to remember that the way you charge it will ultimately affect how long it takes — it’s best to plug it straight into the wall versus the USB port on your laptop unless you’re an exceedingly patient person.

Finally, always use the charging cable that came with your vibrator.

After all, you’ve invested in your sexual health by purchasing a vibrator and those things aren’t cheap — if you take good care of it, it’ll take very good care of you, too.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Complete Guide To Vibrators and Everything Vibrators hub, in-depth and evolving resources that comprehensively explore all aspects of vibrators from the different types and how to use them, to materials and safety — created to help you achieve the sexual pleasure you deserve.