I was very excited to receive the b-vibe Novice plug after hearing so many things about this new, innovative company. I am very excited about their Rimming Plug as well and definitely hope to get to try it soon. The packaging was top notch in the 'I'm opening something very special' department and it's cool that it comes in it's own zippered case to keep the components together.
The toy itself is a lovely, silky silicone, so water-based lubes are a must, and it surprisingly flexible for a vibrating plug. It's splash-proof and easily washable but not submersible, and charges via a magnetic charger very similar to the Fun Factory toys. It comes with a usb cord, but not a wall power cord. My power bar happens to have usb outlets so that was easy for me but it's something to be aware of for travel (though most of us travel with a million usb-friendly wall chargers).
As I wrote about in my piece on anal sex, Confessions of a Wannabe Anal Queen, I'm not an anal expert by any stretch of imagination, but the Novice's size was effortless for me since I do spend time with fingers and small toys semi-regularly. I didn't need to prep other than lube to have it slip easily into me and have it sit comfortably against me. One of my first tests with plugs is almost always the sit and wiggle and this felt very comfortable so if you're looking for something for longer term wear, it could be a great bet.
I had to play with a few buttons before grabbing the book to figure out exactly how to run the toy after my default 'press and hold' on base of toy activated the travel lock. Once unlocked again, I was pleasantly surprised by the range and power of the vibrations. I didn't expect a toy so small to have much power but the vibration is strong through every part of the toy. The remote worked very well and even when I was sitting on the inserted plug, the remote performed perfectly when pointed between my legs.
The remote is required to increase/decrease the intensity of the vibrations from 1-6, though you can cycle through the 15 vibration patterns using button on bottom of toy. Patterns are never really my thing but there was a significant variety of them that I could see could appeal to some people, and I'm sure would work for me in the right situation.
A benefit of its small size was that it didn't make it difficult to insert other toys in my pussy. If my ass is too full, I run out of room and have to pull the ass toy out and reposition things until I can fill both holes. Most important for plug design, it had the right difference between the widest part to narrow neck, meaning it stayed in place fairly well, even during orgasm. When I have g-spot orgasms, the bearing down almost always shoots plugs out of my ass. The Novice shot out the first time I used it but other time it stayed in place during my orgasm.
This is a great anal beginner toy or an excellent option for those looking for something on the smaller end of the plug spectrum. Its excellent motor gives it a lot of bang for the buck so even those who enjoy a larger toy could get a lot of pleasure out of this plug.
Quality
5/5
Sensation
5/5
Versatility
3/5
Please note: The Novice was generously provided to me by b-vibe in exchange for my honest review. My notes and opinions are my own. Visit b-vibe's website here
