Over the past few years, lots of new, innovative sex toys have been released onto the market. One of the front runners in this area is the German brand Fun Factory. They are best known for their extremely powerful engines and amazing designs for people with vaginas: like the Stronic Drei or the pulsing Tiger G5.
The Mantra is a toy for people with penises and for couples. The design is so different that I wanted to try it out as soon as I heard about it. So I decided to bug EasyToys until they sent me one. I am so happy I decided to nag them as this is an amazing toy!
What is the Fun Factory Manta?
The Fun Factory Manta is sold as a 'stroker'. You can roughly describe it as a 'jerking-off machine'. However, that's a bit of an understatement. Look, you can use the Manta solo to stimulate your penis. However, you can also use it with your partner!
Lots of toys designed for people with penises are shaped like a sleeve and have a fake pussy/mouth/butt attached to them. These types of masturbators tend to be huge, hard to use, loud and clumsy. These types of toys also aren't very inviting to use together with your partner. Fun Factory has managed to create a penis toy which also looks like a vibrator. It's easy to use, is comfortable to hold and it looks a lot less threatening.
The Manta looks like a straight vibrator with a C-shaped head. The material is flexible which means the wings can cup the penis in a number of different ways. The C is also ribbed which provides extra stimulation and means the lube will stay put for longer. Fun Factory recommends you use a water-based lubricant (not included).
Specs and options
The Manta uses a 'click 'n charge' magnetic charging system just like all of the other toys manufactured by Fun Factory. The Manta is made of high-quality silicone. It's 100% waterproof, 18 centimeters long and 3 centimeters wide.
The Manta offers a constant vibration with 6 intensity levels and 6 different patterns. The Manta also has a 'travel lock' which means it won't suddenly turn itself on in your luggage.
Mine was a manly army green but it also comes in navy blue (I guess it depends on which branch of the armed forces you prefer).
Unboxing
The Fun Factory Manta comes in a gold box which looks really nice. It's a gift and a treat to open. The box even has a drawing on it showing you how you're supposed to open it. They've dotted every i and crossed every t. I love it.
The first thing you see when opening the box is the instruction leaflet ("RTFM in your face, dude!"). The print used is pretty small. Luckily, it comes with lots of clear illustrations. It also comes with a safety guide which says this toy isn't suitable for children. The recommendation is not to use this toy anally. I wasn't planning on doing that but I want to thank Fun Factory's attorneys for including that piece of info.
The USB charging cable is nice and thick and it's one of the ones that doesn't tangle easily. I'm impressed. You can charge the Manta by connecting the end of the charger to the two dots on the Manta. The magnet is very strong and stays put. A clever light system indicates how charged the Manta is: if the '-' is lit up then it's got less than a third of its charge left. You'll have two-thirds of the charge remaining if the '+' and '-' are burning. And it's fully charged if the logo is lit up too. Fully charging it took quite a while the first time (although it didn't take as long as the 6 - 8 hours suggested in the leaflet).
The test drive
The Fun Factory Manta is really comfortable to hold. The buttons are easy to find and operate. When you turn the Manta on it starts vibrating at a constant rate. The '+' and '-' buttons allow you to adjust the intensity. Fun Factory has put a lot of thought into how you scroll through the different patterns. Once you reach the highest intensity setting using the '+' button you'll automatically move onto the first vibration pattern. Once you've accessed the patterns you can flick through them using the '+' button. You will only return to the constant vibration settings by pressing the '-' button. That was a clever decision.
Solo use
The Manta offers a lot of options for solo use. If you have a penis - like I do - then you can play with this toy for hours. The C-shaped wings easily cup your penis. They feel soft but still offer a pretty sturdy 'grip'. The vibrations center around the head of your penis which is where all the nerve endings are.
You can move the Manta up and down your shaft using a bit of water-based lubricant. Fun Factory says that the ridges help to keep the lube where it's supposed to be. This is definitely the case for the crevice at the bottom of the C. This works like a little reservoir.
You can also wrap the wings around your glans or focus the vibrations on your frenulum. You can feel the vibrations throughout your penis and in your scrotum when you move the Manta all the way down. The vibrations are deep and intense. It's FUN-FUCKING-TASTIC!
I tend not to be a huge fan of vibration patterns. However, the patterns included really mimicked the way I like to masturbate, both when it came to speed and variety.
As the Manta isn't a 'fake pussy', it is also a lot of fun to use with your partner. You partner can tease you using the Manta's wings to stimulate your penis in a number of different ways. It can also be used on other parts of your body (like your nipples). And, while you're at it, you can also use the vibrations to pleasure her! Press the wings against her nipples, her labia or her clitoris. This is definitely a versatile toy.
Deep Throat
Fun Factory states that you can also use the Manta while receiving a blowjob. The person sucking you off places the Manta around the base of your penis. This is supposed to imitate the sensation of being deep-throated. I am not entirely sure about that. However, it does feel amazing when your partner focuses on the head of your penis using their mouth and tongue, while you're enjoying the Manta's vibrations in your penis and balls. Additionally - and equally importantly - my partner (wife) also enjoyed the vibrations. At least, as long as her mouth or chin didn't come into direct contact with the wings. I can also recommend using plenty of lubricant without a flavor when using it with your partner (you could use it without the lube but I would recommend keeping the Manta still if that's the case).
Couples use
The vibrations emitted really resonate through your penis; this means you can also use the Manta to turn your penis into a vibrator. Quite a few toys make this promise but the Manta really lives up to it! When I wrap the C-shaped wings around the base of my penis and then penetrate my partner she can (depending on the position) feel the vibrations too.
This works best in positions where she's on top. I was able to operate and hold the Mantra in the amazon position. She was able to feel more direct vibrations when she bent forward. It was easier for her to operate the Manta in the reverse cowgirl position (with her back to me). However, it also worked doggy style and when spooning.
How to clean it
You can rinse the Manta under the tap because it's fully waterproof. You can use some anti-bacterial soap if you feel like it. It's really easy.
Conclusion
This is the most versatile sex toy I've tested in ages. It's great! The vibrations are so intense and you can position it so it hits your favorite spots. It was really easy to orgasm (solo) after I managed to find just the right spot. However, this is also one of the few penis toys you can use together with your partner.
Look, if you've got a penis you need to buy this toy. I know it's not the cheapest one out there, but I can guarantee you are going to enjoy yourself! The Fun Factory Manta has definitely made my top 3 all time favorites!
The best things about the Fun Factory Manta:
High-quality materials
Soft silicone
It always fits; it doesn't matter what the size of your penis is
Easy to use
Both alone and as a couple
Nice design
Clever charging system
Travel lock
100% waterproof
Easy to clean
The cons:
The initial charge takes ages
I would have liked a storage bag