Nōs is a vibrating penis ring (or cock ring) designed by Fun Factory, historical brand that has revolutionised (and still does) the sex toys market (we’ve talked about it here).
Let’s remember that all the Fun Factory toys are designed, manufactured, assembled and packed in their German facility, in Bremen (that’s something pretty rare within the sex toys industry largely “made in China”).
Vibrating penis rings
There are different models of penis ring, with different functions:
- the most simple ones, with no motor, are worn around the penis (some also around the testicles) to keep blood from flowing out and to encourage a stronger and (slightly) bigger erection (they can be made of silicone or other plastics, wood, metal; they can be more or less elastic, adjustable or fixed…);
- the vibrating ones are designed to stimulate the clitoris during vaginal intercourse (indeed, they are categorised as “sex toys for couples”).
Nōs stands out for its C-shaped vibrating part.
Nōs – Design
Nōs has a fixed-size ring that’s quite thin and elastic and topped by an extension with tho flexible ends created to reach and hug the glans of the clitoris.
The internal part of the ring has two small bumps that are meant to put pressure on the penis.
The rabbit-like extensions are slightly curved to reach the clit during use and they have a motor each so to provide a more intense and enveloping stimulation.
Nōs is covered in body-safe silicone except for the button and the two magnetic contact points on one side.
Nōs – Interface
You can control Nōs with the single multi-function button positioned between the ring and the vibrating extensions, in the centre of the side that faces the body during use.
To turn the motors on, you press the button for half a second.
If you keep clicking, you cycle through 5 stimulation modes increasing the vibration intensity: the vibration is constant in the first 4 modes; the fifth (most intense) mode is called flirt and makes the rhythm of the vibrations vary on a five-minute loop.
Once Nōs is set on the flirt mode, if you press the button again you don’t go back to the first (minimum) level; instead, you turn the toy off (better to be aware of it and to test all the functions before to actually use the toy so to avoid to accidentally make the vibration stop in the middle of your pursuit of pleasure).
You can also switch off Nōs at any time by holding the button pressed for a second.
Nōs comes with the travel lock function that you can activate/deactivate by pressing and holding the button for approx 4 seconds.
How to wear Nōs
You have to stretch the ring with your fingers and wear it on the base of the penis with the vibrating part upward or downward depending on the position you want to use it, making sure that it extends and bends towards the clitoris (or any part of the body you want to stimulate with vibrations).
You can also slip the ring onto the base of a dildo or a vibrator to turn it into a dual-stimulation sex toy, a sort of DIY rabbit.
You can also wear it during fellatio, with the vibrating part downwards, in touch with the testicles.
Finally, you can also wear the ring around a couple of fingers and use it as a vibrating extension of the hand to massage and stimulate your or someone else’s body.
Like all the cock rings, Nōs should be worn for a limited time of about 20 minutes, so as not to stop (but only slow down) the blood circulation.
Experience with Nōs
Let’s start by saying that every sex toy that falls into the category of vibrating cock rings has some intrinsic limitations.
The first is quite easy to guess: all the vibrating rings (and especially the ones that wraps around the penis and not the testicles) move when you use them during intercourse, particularly if you use lube (but please, use it). So it’s very likely that the vibrating part sometimes loses contact with the clit and you have to reposition it several times with your hand.
The other limitation is purely human: anatomy. Each body is different (yeah!) and the folks designing sex toys should deal with it and tend to the maximum possible adaptability. The vibrating cock rings, especially, interact with completely different anatomies: the one of the penis that wears the ring – that can vary sensibly in width, and the one of the clit that the toy should reach and stimulate.
The ring of Nōs is partially elastic but it’s not adjustable so, depending on the width, it will be perfect for some penises and too tight or too large for others.
Moreover, even if they are thin, all the cock rings put a minimum distance between the bodies, changing the depth of penetration in a way that’s more or less noticeable depending on the penis length. Compared to other rings, Nōs is very thin and not bulky, and that’s a big advantage because you don’t have to handle a huge volume.
Regarding the vibrating extension, the probability that the two ends reach the clitoris glans and hug it depends not only on the position you use it but also on the anatomy of the vulva: where is the clitoris? Is it protruding? Is it hidden? How big is the glans?
Again, the experience will be very different according to the peculiar shape of one’s body.
The fact that the vibrating extension is curved makes it easier to reach the clitoris, contrary to many cock rings with a vibrating part completely flat.
Feel the vibes
The vibrations feel more intense at the end of the two extensions, where they are generated, and spread down the toy getting weaker in the ring.
The penis (and consequently the vagina) basically can’t feel the vibes and the only sensation left to the person wearing Nōs is the pressure of the ring around the penis (that can be pleasurable or not). This was a bit disappointing because we were hoping to be both stimulated by the toy.
The vibrations feel surprisingly intense on the clitoris (despite the small size of the motor), other than targeted and enveloping.
The flirt mode can be very interesting for those who like intense stimulations because the vibration changes automatically and continuously but fluidly, without resulting mechanical or boring.
Another positive thing is that Nōs is very quiet, also at the highest intensities.
Versatility
Nōs is a versatile sex toy and I think this is its main characteristic: the best thing you can do is play with it, experimenting and testing it in different positions, during different practices, while it’s worn on the penis or around the fingers, looking for the favourite and most orgasmic setting.
We found it more “efficient” when used in the position where the vagina is on top and gets penetrated from the bottom: in our experience, this is the position where Nōs stays more still as it’s kept in place by the weight of the person on top and where it’s easier to modulate the stimulations moving the body naturally. In the case that the clitoris aligns with the vibrating ears, the resulting stimulation can be very intense and incredibly pleasurable.
When the penis penetrates from the top, it’s easier to lose contact with the clit and to have to reposition the cock ring several times with the fingers.
In doggy style, it’s almost impossible that the toy reaches the clitoris.
Another interesting way of feeling pleasure with Nōs is to use it as it is a finger vibrator and wear it around the fingers, turning it into a vibrating extension of your hand and using it to stimulate the vulva (or other receptive areas) during solitary masturbation or couple play (the compact and tin shape makes it easy to use Nōs on another body). This way, you can play more easily with the vibrating extensions and the glans, trying stimulations that are different from the ones you get from other toys for external use.
Final thoughts
Nōs can be fun to use during couple play but the experience is extremely subjective and depends on everyone’s unique anatomy. Before buying it you have to consider the ring diameter to understand if it fits the penis (it has to be tight but not to cause discomfort or pain).
We probably wouldn’t have chosen this sex toy because we are always sceptical about the general category of the vibrating penis rings (and also because we can choose among many toys); however, we found the way to use it with pleasure.
It surely encourages partners to communicate and to play, so it can be a good ally in creating complicity.
The selling price is average if compared with the same kind of sex toy made by the brands on the same level of Fun Factory, that work with safe materials and invest in the development of original products (many of them are above 100€).
Let’s not forget that Fun Factory has the most wonderful toy bag of all: Nōs comes with a Toybag XS in Tyvek®, a very resistant and durable material that offers microbial barrier protection, is water-repellent yet breathable and easily washable.
You can also find Nōs in a kit with the anal plug Bootie S, lube and sex toy cleaner.
Specs
Size: 8 cm (total length); 3,5 cm (diameter)
Weight: 35 gr
Waterproof
Charging Time: 1 hour for 1 hour play
Colours: black, deep sea blue
The box contains: Nōs, Toybag XS, magnetic USB charging cable, user manual with play suggestions and safety tips.
Price: 79,90 €
Extra: CBD-infused lube
Fun Factory sent us Nōs in a box containing also a very elegant bottle of Vedra, a water-based lubricant with cannabis sativa seed oil and cannabis sativa seed extract.
