What to Know About the First Charge

By GETAUVE Editorial Team · Published October 17, 2026

What to Know About the First Charge (and the Order of Operations)

A friend texted me from a checkout page: "do I charge it first, or use it first?"

The first charge is a small decision that determines whether the first night works. Here is the order of operations, plus what to buy if you're still choosing.

The Short Answer

Charge it fully before the first use, which takes about 2 hours for most devices. Read the care card while it charges. Don't use it plugged in. If you're still shopping, the Couples Intimacy bundle covers a first shared night in one order, and ALLURING LIPS is the simpler buy if you want one compact piece.

The Text Message

It was at 6 p.m. on a Thursday, and the message had three typos. That's how I knew it was a real question and not a hypothetical.

The answer is boring: charge it first. The reason is less boring. Most devices ship with a partial charge for storage safety, not a full one. That partial charge often covers 10 minutes, which is exactly long enough to decide the toy is weak.

So the first use gets judged on a half-empty battery. That's a bad test, and it's easy to avoid. The fix takes 2 hours, roughly the length of a movie before bed.

Charge Before the First Use, Not After

Plug it in when the box arrives. Not the night you plan to use it, and not after the first session.

A full charge takes about 2 hours. That's enough time to unpack, read the care card, and figure out where it's going to live.

Don't use it while charging. Most of these devices aren't designed for pass-through power, and a cord changes the way you hold it. Charge, unplug, then use.

If the indicator shows a partial bar after 2 hours, leave it another 30 minutes. A battery that won't fill is a warranty question, and it's better to find out on day one.

What a Full Charge Actually Gets You

Expect several sessions per charge, not weeks. The exact number depends on the setting, and the highest setting always drains fastest.

Both devices in the bundle run around 45 dB. That doesn't change with battery level, but the motor does slow slightly near empty, which is one reason a low battery reads as a weak toy.

A 2-hour charge is standard. So is a USB connection, which means one cable can usually handle the whole drawer.

One habit worth building: charge on the same day every week, whether or not you used it. Lithium batteries lose charge sitting, and a dead toy on a free evening is a small but specific disappointment.

The First Night Checklist

Five steps, in order.

• Charge fully. 2 hours, unplugged before use.
• Read the card. Every device has one instruction that matters, usually about cleaning or lubrication.
• Start low. The lowest setting, for 10 minutes. You can always go up.
• Use lubricant. Water-based only with silicone, and more than you think.
• Clean before storage. About 5 minutes, warm water, mild unscented soap, air dry.

That's the whole first night. None of it is advanced, and all of it is skippable in the moment, which is why people skip it.

Why the Bundle Suits a First Purchase

The Couples Intimacy bundle is KUBEE, CONDICE, and Velvet Touch. Three pieces, one order, one charging session to get through.

For a first purchase, the advantage is sequencing. You're not deciding which single item to gamble on. You're deciding which of 3 to try first, and the answer can change next week.

It also means one box to store and one care routine to learn. The lubricant is included, which removes the most commonly forgotten purchase.

Just don't charge all three and use all three on the same night. Pick one, follow the checklist, and let the others wait.

When ALLURING LIPS Is the Simpler Buy

ALLURING LIPS is a compact licking-style toy. It fits in the palm, stores in a small case, and doesn't need a learning curve.

That makes it the better choice if you want one piece and no sequence. Charge it, use it, clean it, done.

It's also the better travel pick. A small body and a standard cable fit in a toiletry bag, and there's no second device to remember.

The trade is range. One piece does one thing well. A set gives you options, and options are useful only if you'll actually use them.

The Cost of Doing It Right

Charging first delays the first use by 2 hours. That's the downside if the house is empty for exactly one afternoon.

The trade-off is maintenance: three first charges, three cleaning routines, and three chances to lose a cable. The convenience of one order has a tail.

Skip the bundle if you already know what you want. Buy the single piece, charge it, and spend the difference on something that isn't a drawer organizer.

Sources

• Federal Trade Commission — consumer battery and charging safety guidance
• Cleveland Clinic — general sexual wellness education
• Planned Parenthood — intimacy and product care resources
• GETAUVE — charging, runtime, and care specifications

Written by the GETAUVE Editorial Team. This article is general education and not medical advice. See a clinician for persistent concerns.