FemmeFunn Bougie Bullet powerful aluminum vibrator review
If you've sought an affordable alternative to the We-Vibe Tango, you've probably heard of the under-$50 Ultra Bullet by FemmeFunn. It's one of the best mini-vibes you can get, and for a substantially lower price than the Tango.
FemmeFunn's newer Bougie Bullet has what I assumed would be the same, powerful settings as the Ultra Bullet. But it's not a budget vibe. For twice the cost of the Ultra Bullet, the Bougie Bullet comes with swanky upgrades, like a sleeker aluminum shell and a matching charging case.
As the name suggests, the Bougie Bullet looks more elegant. In comparison, the Ultra Bullet's original eye-scalding colors are befitting of Barbie's dream house. I would've severely underestimated the Ultra Bullet if I hadn't read reviews.
Whether the Bougie Bullet's upgraded look is worth it is a matter of personal preference, though some would (justifiably) consider it overpriced. The more important question is: how's the motor? More specifically, how does the FemmeFunn Bougie Bullet compare to the Tango (the luxurious gold standard of rumble) and the also-affordable Exposed Nocturnal bullet?
Comparing the FemmeFunn Bougie Bullet to others' power and rumble
If the We-Vibe Tango were a 10 for both power and rumble, I'd give the Bougie Bullet a 6 for the amplitude and an 8 for power. The $32 Exposed Nocturnal would be a 7 and 11, respectively, bringing me some cognitive dissonance. There's less displacement when I dip the Bougie Bullet in water; tiny water droplets do splash, but not nearly as big or as often as with the others.
I wanted to believe that the Bougie Bullet was rumblier than the Exposed Nocturnal. That would have made this an easy review to write. But despite its relative buzziness, I use the Bougie Bullet more often than my Tango and my Exposed Nocturnal put together.
Simply put, it's at the sweet spot between powerful and moderate where I can orgasm non-stop, again and again. I'd put the Bougie Bullet in my top 5 most potent bullet vibrators for sure. But too often, I find that orgasms with the Tango and Exposed Nocturnal are one-and-done— I'm too sensitive to continue immediately after the first one.
The Bougie Bullet's vibrations, in contrast, are comfortable but zingy and powerful enough to suit a variety of moods. And it does that without being loud or overwhelming to diva of a clitoris.
Femmefunn Bougie Bullet vs. Ultra Bullet
The Bougie Bullet comes in cold, rigid aluminum, while the Ultra Bullet's body is an insulated and flexible silicone. Further, the Bougie Bullet is slightly more pointy at the tip. At 1‑inch max width, both are fat enough that I could use them for internal stimulation. However, the rigid aluminum is easier for me to aim internally than bendy silicone.
The Bougie Bullet is suitable for those who thought the Ultra Bullet was too soft or not pinpoint enough. However, it's not as powerful. If you're looking for rigid, robust, and pinpoint stimulation at an affordable price, I'd instead steer you toward the Exposed Nocturnal. It's more pinpoint than the Bougie Bullet and costs $67 less. And unlike either FemmeFunn bullet, the Exposed Nocturnal bullet has a "decrease" button.
Power comparison
Reviews I've read about the Ultra Bullet contradict my initial assumption that it and the Bougie Bullet have the same motor. I've seen some reviewers compare the Ultra Bullet to the Jopen Lust L2, and others rate it as more rumbly than the Exposed Nocturnal. Some say it even gives the Tango a run for its money.
Whatever they reviewed, it sure doesn't sound like the same thing I tried. That's not inherently a bad thing— I don't mind a little buzz. But the Bougie Bullet's pitch doesn't feel as refined as the Lust L2. Nor does it have as much "jump" as the Tango. It's possible that the Bougie Bullet's motor is the same as the Ultra Bullet, but the aluminum shell weighs it down substantially. In that case, the aluminum bullet weighs so much more than the silicone version that it needs a stronger motor to move the same amount.
Controls & settings
So what's the Bougie Bullet's second button for, if not cycling back down through the settings? With TWENTY settings, a "down" button would make it more manageable, right? Yes, but that's not what the button does.
The "Turbo" button turns the speed all the way up for 10 seconds, or until you press the other button— whichever one comes first. My clitoris is highly sensitive after an orgasm, so this feature is appreciated.
This control system was probably a deliberate choice to accommodate all the different pattern settings. It'd be a pain in the ass to be on a pattern, toggle through the settings one at a time to find a high steady speed, and then turn it down. If you regularly use patterns, the Bougie Bullet was designed for you.
"Does anyone even like vibration patterns?"
Those were my boyfriend's words, not mine. He doesn't care for patterns against his frenulum, so 17 pattern settings is definitely too damn much for him. I suspect that I'm in the minority, but I do enjoy them.
Particularly, internal staccato rhythms give the vibrator a sense of movement. When slow, it's kind of like how a dick pulsating is arousing. A faster, more consistent rhythm against my internal clitoris is what gets me off, though. And the Bougie Bullet's slightly curved shape is comfortable to insert on days where my G‑spot is super sensitive.
I don't count the patterns— I scroll through and stop at whichever one I like. With the Turbo button, it's just not a big deal.
The stylish magnetic charging case
I appreciate well-designed storage. When traveling, I'm more likely to use a mini-vibe if it has its own space in my bag. It feels sexier to pull a vibe outside of a sleek, hard case than to take it out of a flimsy satin bag.
But to be real, you can buy a cheaper bullet and a matching eyeglass case for less. Charging the toy while it's still in the container would be more discreet, but that's not a prominent selling point for me.
My verdict on the FemmeFunn Bougie Bullet
I can't lie and say that silk and suave don't matter. Though looks alone aren't enough to make me love a vibrator, the Bougie Bullet's gorgeous anodized blue makes me that much more excited to use it. Its presentation is lovely. The aluminum's heft feels luxurious.
If you're a diehard power queen, I'd still recommend you get a Tango, an Ultra Bullet, or an Exposed Nocturnal bullet instead.
But as someone whose clitoris and G‑spot are on the more moderate side of sensitivity, the fatter and heftier Bougie Bullet suits my needs so much better than the worshipped powerhouse bullets. It's strong enough to take me to Cloud 9 but subtle enough to maintain the euphoria.
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This clitoral vibrator was sent to me by Peepshow Toys in exchange for my honest and freely-given opinion. All opinions expressed are my own. If I don't like a toy, I'll let you know— even if it goes against the grain, even if I really wanted to like it, and even if I think it belongs in the trash.
This is so interesting, I don't usually hear about people enjoying the buzziness, but I guess it makes sense! As someone who hates the look of the Ultra bullet, this is a neat little thing. Thank you!
I do tend to enjoy patterns myself so may have to check this one out.