An update to the toy that promises to pleasure the external PLUS internal parts of your clitoris. Read on for my LELO Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise review!
Design | 360° View | How to Use | Packaging | Material and Care | My Experience | Overall
Pre-Review Note
This review is not an endorsement of LELO as a company. I cannot, at present, say that I support the company. Googling “ethical issues with LELO” will take you to extensive writing about LELO, most notably about their HEX condoms and their PR choices. This review will cover my experience with the LELO Sona 2 products only, and I will try to not let my personal feelings about the brand impact my views on the product itself.
Design
Above: The Sona 2 (left) and the Sona 2 Cruise (right)
The LELO Sona 2 (pink) and LELO Sona 2 Cruise (purple) are the second generation update to the original Sona and Sona Cruise. I reviewed the original Sona way back in 2018 and, despite my reservations about the brand, did enjoy the toy quite a lot.
Over the last few months, LELO has revamped many of its products to release second generations, and so the Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise have fallen into my lap.
What’s this technology?
The LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise are “sonic clitoral massagers.” Instead of using a vibrating motor (like most clitoral stimulators), these toys use sonic pulses and waves to stimulate the clitoris. LELO states that it stimulates the whole clitoris, not just the external parts. Instead, the Sona is said to use its sonic pulses to resonate deep into the internal clitoral structures. During my review in 2018, I found this to be true.
Though it’s easy to confuse this with suction-based toys like the Womanizer and the Satisfyer, LELO’s sonic pulses are technically different. Instead of using airwaves to suck on your clitoris, this uses airwaves to magically tap against your clitoris. LELO says this is like feeling sound waves throughout your body when standing in front of a huge speaker.
How’s the LELO Sona 2 different from the original LELO Sona?
The LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise are basically carbon copies of the first generation line. But there are some differences.
- Double the playtime: The Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise can last up to 2 hours on one charge, whereas the first generation only lasted 1 hour.
- Additional level: The Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise have a lower intensity level. This is a super soft level that wasn’t included in the original line.
- More patterns: The Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise have more patterns. While the originals had 8, the new generation has 12.
- Mouth changes: The Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise have a slightly squishier, larger mouth than the originals.
- Colours: The Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise are no longer available in light pink. While the originals came in light pink, dark pink, and black, the new versions come in dark pink (pictured), purple (pictured) and black.
What’s the difference between the Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise?
This toy comes in two versions: Sona 2 and the Sona 2 Cruise. They look identical, but the Cruise is $30 more expensive. The Cruise has an automatic function designed to detect a slowing motor, which happens when you press the Sona firmly against your skin. Once it detects a slowing motor (from firm pressure), it’ll boost the motor up again using Pulse Wave Modulation. The purpose of this is to make sure the motor doesn’t slow down too much when you press it against you.
Is it worth it to spend the extra money for the Cruise version? I cover that in My Experience below.
Above: The Sona 2 (left) and the Sona 2 Cruise (right)
Interactive 360° View
Click and hold the image above to move it around.
How to use the LELO Sona 2 / Sona 2 Cruise
- Unlock your Sona 2’s travel mode by holding the + and — buttons at the same time for 3 seconds until the light turns on.
- Press the + button to turn the toy on.
- Place the mouth of the toy over your clitoris. While designed for clitoral use, it could theoretically be used over nipples or small areas of the penis.
- To increase strength, press the + button again.
- Press the ( ) button to cycle through the 12 vibration patterns.
- Press the — button to reduce strength.
- To turn off, hold the () button.
- If you have the Sona 2 Cruise version, there’s no separate button to enable. The Cruise function is always on automatically.
Packaging
The LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise come packaged in LELO’s typical style. The outer boxes are black with crisp gold lettering. A clear window on the front shows the toy. The packaging feels luxe and expensive.
Inside each package, you receive your Sona, a USB charging cable, a satin drawstring pouch, a LELO warranty card, a sample of LELO’s lubricant (plus instructions), and a short user manual.
Material and Care
The LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise are coated with silicone, which is nonporous and bodysafe. The gold-colored backplate is hard ABS plastic, another good material.
The LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise are waterproof. To clean, wash your LELO Sona 2 or LELO Sona 2 Cruise with warm, soapy water before and after each use. You can also use a silicone-safe toy cleaner as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol.
Because this is a silicone toy, don’t use a silicone-based lubricant. Instead, use water-based lubricants, such as my favourite lube here.
To charge, plug the needle-like end of the included charging cable into the hole at the base of the toy. Connect the cable to your computer or a USB wall adaptor. A full charge takes about 2 hours, and that’ll give you up to 2 hours of playtime. If you don’t use it, a full charge should also last about 3 months in standby.
See the online user manual for full care instructions.
My Experience with the LELO Sona 2 / Sona 2 Cruise
Do these feel good?
Yep. The LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise immediately feel amazing. Immediately. I don’t know how they do it, but the entire region just comes alive as the internal legs of the clitoris get stimulated. You don’t need firm pressure; you just need it on the clitoris. Even if I wasn’t feeling turned on already, the clitoris stands to attention pretty quickly when this gets used.
It’s a super intense sensation. I can’t use the top levels in either model. Personally, I can only get up to levels 5 or 6, no higher. This is a big difference for me; with conventional vibrators, there’s no such thing as too much strength. But with LELO’s technology, mid range is more than enough for me.
If you orgasm really quickly with vibrators, you may find that orgasms are slower to arrive with this toy. It takes me at least double the time to build to orgasm, but it’s always worth the wait. They’re INCREDIBLY strong.
Is the LELO Cruise version stronger?
Does the LELO Sona 2 Cruise feel stronger than the base version? After all, its whole point is to give a boost of extra power when pressed firmly up against the skin.
In practice, there are definite differences between the two versions:
- At the lowest level (strength 1 of 8), the Sona 2 is much much weaker than the Sona 2 Cruise. The Sona 2 thumps at a dismally slow rate. The Cruise, on the other hand, already feels like it’s packing a punch.
- By the mid level (strength 3 of 8), the Sona 2 starts to feel nearly as strong as the Sona 2 Cruise, though the Cruise version continues to be much louder.
- By the top level (strength 8 of 8), it’s difficult to distinguish any difference in power. The Sona 2 is maybe a pinch weaker, but a LOT quieter than the Cruise version.
In all levels, the Sona 2 Cruise is much louder than the Sona 2.
Is it worth it to upgrade to the Cruise version?
This is another tricky question.
The LELO Sona 2 Cruise is $30 USD more than the LELO Sona 2. I recommend that you only upgrade to the Cruise version if:
- You don’t need the option of very weak levels. Even at Strength 1 of 8, the Sona 2 Cruise packs a punch, while the Sona 2 is truly extremely weak.
- You are okay with more noise. The Sona 2 Cruise is noisier at all levels.
If you’re okay with weaker lower levels, then you may as well get the cheaper LELO Sona 2. Its top level (Strength 8 of 8) is very nearly as strong as the Cruise’s, almost to an indistinguishable amount. My fingertips can barely feel the difference, and my clitoris certainly can’t.
But if you absolutely need as MUCH power as possible, and you don’t mind the extra noise, then you should opt for the LELO Sona 2 Cruise.
If I already have the original Sona, should I get the Sona 2?
If you already have the original LELO Sona or LELO Sona Cruise, I’d only bother upgrading to the second generation equivalents if:
- You want more battery time. The LELO Sona 2 generation lasts 2 hours instead of 1. Double the playtime comes in handy, especially if you take long to orgasm.
- The softest Sona 1 level is too high for you. With the new extra low strength level, the Sona 2 might be more your cup of tea.
- You find the Sona 1’s mouth uncomfortable. Because it’s squishier and deeper, you could find the Sona 2’s mouth slightly more comfortable than the first generation (though I never had a problem with either model).
- You’re desperate for even more patterns. If the 8 patterns in your current Sona aren’t enough for you, then the Sona 2’s 12 patterns must be.
- You simply HAVE to own this in purple. The originals didn’t come in purple, but the second generation does.
If you don’t already have the original Sona, then you may as well pick up the latest version as I suspect the original will be discontinued soon.
But if the above points don’t really matter to you, then I honestly don’t think you need to upgrade to the Sona 2. Orgasm-wise, the two generations perform similarly for me (particularly at the mid and higher levels) and I don’t have a particular preference.
LELO Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise review – Overall Thoughts
Honestly, overall I’m not a fan of this company. But the LELO Sona 2 and the LELO Sona 2 Cruise feel fantastic. There’s no question of that. Like the original line, they provide intense sensations that penetrate deep into the internal parts of the clitoris. Don’t expect them to be quiet though — both models are loud, and the Cruise version is extremely noisy.
If you’re torn between the two versions, I think most people will be safe with the cheaper Sona 2 version. Sure, the lowest level is super weak, but it’s quieter and the top level is basically indistinguishable from the Cruise’s top level. Plus, with tech as strong as this, there’s a good chance you’ll never have to use the top levels anyway.
Pick up the LELO Sona 2 or LELO Sona 2 Cruise at Peepshow Toys! Why do I like Peepshow Toys? They ship internationally, only carry body-safe products, and you can get a 10% discount off the Sona 2 Cruise with coupon code RUBY.
See below for my LELO Sona 2 and Sona 2 Cruise review summary.
Last Updated on March 18, 2023 by Miss Ruby
