Science
Suction and vibration hit different nerves. Here's why your lemon clitoral vibrator might work better than a buzz toy, and what to expect when you switch.
Honestly, yes. And if you've been using traditional vibrators and wondering why a lemon suction vibrator keeps getting recommended, this is why.
Suction and vibration activate different nerve pathways. One works through repetitive pressure waves. The other mimics the sensation of oral sex at the tissue level. Neither is better, but they're not the same, and your body will feel the difference immediately.
A standard clitoral vibrator uses an electromagnet or motor that oscillates at a set frequency. The buzz travels through the toy into your tissue, creating repetitive stimulation. It's effective, sometimes intensely so, and millions of people have orgasms with them every day.
The sensation is consistent. You get the same buzz pattern whether you're on setting one or setting five. The intensity goes up, but the type of stimulation stays the same.
Traditional vibrators typically operate in the 50 to 100 hertz range (that's cycles per second). Your clitoral nerves respond to this frequency with predictable pleasure. Most people find their rhythm, dial in to the right intensity, and finish.
A lemon suction vibrator, like Hello Nancy's Lem, works on a completely different mechanical principle. Instead of buzzing, it creates a gentle seal and then rapidly increases and decreases air pressure around the clitoris.
This mimics the sensation of suction and release, which is closer to how oral sex feels. Your tissue gets a gentle rhythmic pull rather than a vibrating hum.
The nerve activation is different too. Suction stimulates deeper into the erectile tissue of the clitoral complex. Traditional vibration is more surface-level and direct. Some people describe suction as feeling fuller, more rounded, less intense upfront.
Others describe it as exactly the kind of intensity they've been waiting for.
If you're switching from a traditional vibrator to a lemon suction vibrator for the first time, expect three main differences.
Wave versus pulse. Vibration feels like a constant hum with volume control. Suction feels like a rhythmic squeeze and release. It's gentler on initial contact but can feel more intense as you build arousal.
Depth of sensation. Vibration concentrates stimulation on the outer clitoris. Suction pulls the tissue into the device, which means more of the clitoral bulbs (the internal parts) get stimulation. This can feel deeper and less surface-level.
Orgasm quality. People often report that suction orgasms feel different. Some say fuller or more wave-like. Others say they're able to build arousal for longer without the overwhelming intensity that can come with high-frequency buzz. A few people report multiple orgasms more easily with suction because the sensation doesn't plateau as quickly.
None of this is universal. But these are the patterns that show up repeatedly in how people describe the two.
If your tissue is sensitive, traditional vibration can feel sharp or overwhelming because it's applying rapid movement directly to already-heightened nerve endings. Suction, by contrast, distributes pressure more evenly across a larger area and the sensation tends to feel more diffuse.
This is why you'll often see lemon suction vibrators recommended alongside advice about <a href="/blog/why-lemon-clitoral-vibrators-work-better-for-sensitive-skin">sensitive skin and clitoral vibrators</a>. It's not that suction can't be intense. It's that the type of intensity is less sharp and more controllable.
You can also use suction at very low pressure settings. Most traditional vibrators have a baseline buzz even at the lowest setting. With a lemon vibrator, you can experiment with gentler suction patterns first and build up your comfort.
Your body might not understand suction immediately if you've only used traditional vibrators. This is completely normal and not a sign that suction isn't for you.
When you first use suction, aim for about 30 seconds of exploration per session. Let your tissue adjust to the sensation. The clitoris has thousands of nerve endings, and they respond differently to suction than to buzz. It takes a few sessions for those neural pathways to light up the way they do with familiar sensations.
Many people find that on their fourth or fifth use of a suction vibrator, something shifts. The sensation suddenly "clicks" and they get it. This is your nervous system learning a new pleasure pattern.
You don't have to choose. Some people use both. A common approach is to warm up with a traditional vibrator (since the sensation is familiar and arousal builds quickly), then switch to suction for finishing because the sensation feels fresher and the orgasm quality is different.
Others do the opposite: start with suction at low pressure to build deep arousal, then switch to a higher-intensity traditional vibrator for the final push.
If you have a partner, suction vibrators can also be interesting during partnered play because the seal keeps things focused while you're in contact with them, whereas some traditional vibrators can feel less stable during movement.
There's a reason that <a href="/blog/how-lemon-vibrators-can-improve-orgasm-intensity-over-40">lemon vibrators are often recommended for improving orgasm intensity as you age</a>. Tissue changes that come with hormonal shifts mean that traditional vibration can feel less responsive or require higher intensities to feel satisfying.
Suction works differently because it's not relying on your tissue's ability to vibrate along with the toy. Instead, it's creating a mechanical effect that your nervous system responds to regardless of tissue thickness or sensitivity changes. Some people find that suction remains effective and pleasurable even when traditional vibrators start to feel less satisfying.
This isn't true for everyone, but it's true often enough that it's worth trying if traditional vibration has stopped working the way it used to.
If you're new to lemon suction vibrators, start with a toy that has intuitive controls. The Lem by Hello Nancy has simple intensity settings that make it easy to experiment without overthinking the technology.
When you first try suction, use a water-based lubricant. This creates a better seal and makes the sensation feel smoother. Start at the lowest intensity setting. The sensation will likely feel subtle at first, and that's the point. You're not trying to finish. You're learning what your body registers as pleasure from this new stimulus type.
Give yourself at least three separate sessions before deciding whether suction is for you. This isn't marketing speak. It's actual neuroscience. Your brain needs repeated exposure to register a novel sensation as pleasurable.
Absolutely. In fact, most people who use suction vibrators haven't used them before their first device. Your body can learn to respond to suction even if it's completely new. The learning curve is short, usually three to five uses.
Not necessarily stronger, but different. Some people find suction feels more intense right away. Others find it subtler at first and only feel the intensity as arousal builds. Both experiences are normal. Strength and intensity are personal, and what feels intense varies wildly between individuals.
That's fine. Not everyone's nervous system responds to suction the same way, and that's okay. Your pleasure isn't broken if you prefer traditional vibration. Some people are buzz people. Some are suction people. Most people can enjoy both depending on their mood.
Yes. Some people like the sensation during partnered sex because the seal keeps stimulation focused. Others prefer to use it solo because the sensation requires a bit more attention than some traditional vibrators. Experiment and see what works for you and your partner.
At maximum settings, they can feel similar in terms of overall pleasure, but the quality of intensity is different. High-frequency buzz is sharp and direct. High-intensity suction is more powerful but can feel rounder. Which feels more intense is individual.
Some people find suction gentler and less overwhelming than traditional vibration. Others find it more intrusive. If you have a history of trauma, talk to your therapist about what sensations feel safest for you to explore, and move slowly with any new toy.
The bottom line: suction and vibration are different tools. Different doesn't mean better or worse. It means your nervous system has more options for finding what actually works for your body. If traditional vibration has been your go-to and you're curious about what else is possible, trying a lemon suction vibrator is worth the minimal risk. Give yourself time to adjust. Pay attention to what you notice. And trust that your body knows what it wants.
If you have questions about which approach might work for you, we're here. <a href="/contact">Get in touch with Hello Nancy</a>, and let's talk about what your body might be looking for.