BMS Essential Bullet vs We-Vibe Tango X Side-By-Side Comparison
Performance Ratings
Our Verdict
The BMS Essential Bullet is a great “first vibrator” to experiment with because it’s one of the cheapest bullet vibrators, but it’s pretty versatile and performs reasonably well.
It covers a broad frequency range from rumbly to buzzy. And it has gentle, mid-strength, and intense power levels. So you can learn what you prefer with this vibrator. That way, you can make an informed decision when you’re ready to invest in something that’s higher quality.
The noise level is higher than some bullet vibrators but still discreet enough to use behind a closed door without being noticed. And the battery life is good for such a tiny but strong vibrator.
Its tiny size makes it less comfortable to grip, maneuver, and leverage solo or during partnered sex than longer bullets. And although it covers a broad range from gentle and rumbly to strong and buzzy, it only has 4 power levels. So it doesn’t cover those ranges as in-depth as premium bullets with more settings like the We-Vibe Tango X or Lovense Ambi.
But it performs very well for its low price. I recommend it to those on a budget or who want to start learning their vibrator preferences without spending too much.
The We-Vibe Tango X is a favorite bullet for good reason – it’s the most rumbly bullet I’ve tried. Its 8 deep intensity levels cover a broad power range, providing a gentle warmup, moderate middle levels, and an intense finish. The exceptional rumbliness and great power range make this an excellent choice for many people.
Its silicone grip is comfortable to hold, and its small size is easy to maneuver. I enjoy it both solo and during partnered sex. And it has better controls than other bullets. Unlike most bullets that make you cycle through intensity levels, the Tango X has 3 separate buttons to increase power, decrease power, and change vibration patterns – so you can quickly find the exact setting you want.
It can be loud when it’s not in contact with your body, but there are easy ways to mask this noise. The only people I don’t recommend the Tango X to are those who prefer buzzy vibrations or extreme intensity. For that, you might try the FemmeFunn Booster Bullet. If you’re looking for powerful vibrations with the greatest rumbliness of any bullet vibrator, the We-Vibe Tango X is the best option!
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Vibrations: Power And Range
The BMS Essential Bullet is very strong for a small, budget-friendly bullet. Its wide power range sets it apart from other inexpensive bullets. It’s the only option I’ve tested with soft, medium, and intense power levels at this price point.
This broad range is excellent for those who enjoy strength but also need gentle settings while warming up. It’s also great for beginners who want to learn their preferred power range (not everyone loves extreme power).
The BMS Bullet has 4 total power levels, with the first starting at 2.5 out of 10 vibration strength. This great warm-up level is comfortable for those who are easily overstimulated. The top strength reaches 7.75 out of 10, which is intense and packs plenty of power for most people.
With only 4 settings, it doesn’t have as many power levels in each range as some bullets, like the BMS Swan Maximum Bullet or Pillow Talk Racy, which both have continuous power ranges that gradually increase in tiny steps. But for the price, the BMS Essential has a great power range.
The We-Vibe Tango X has an excellent power range that provides gentle, moderate, and strong power levels. It begins with 2.5 out of 10 vibration strength. The comfortable soft settings are great while warming up or for those overstimulated by intensity.
The upper power levels are strong, reaching a 7.75 out of 10 strength. I easily orgasm with the Tango X but typically use its top setting. There are some with more extreme power, like the FemmeFunn Booster Bullet or BMS Swan Maximum Bullet, for those who crave immense intensity. But I don’t personally need more strength than the Tango X provides.
The Tango X has improved on the original We-Vibe Tango in that it has 8 power levels instead of 4. So, the new model covers its power range more completely with many gradual steps between intensity levels. You can work up to its top power very slowly. Or if you’re easily overstimulated, you have many gentle or moderate power levels to enjoy.
Most people will enjoy the We-Vibe Tango X’s vibrations. Few bullets have as wide a range of power as this one.
Vibrations: Frequency (Rumbliness)
We rate bullets with rumbly vibrations higher than those with buzzy ones because it’s what most people prefer. Some people, including myself, still appreciate a neutral feeling or even slightly buzzy vibrations.
The BMS Essential Bullet has acceptable rumbliness but won’t satisfy those prioritizing deep rumbliness. Only the lowest power level falls in the rumbly range. And since that power level is a 2.5 out of 10 intensity, most people will only use this level while warming up.
The two middle power levels are in the neutral range, and I consider the top strength “moderately buzzy.” I personally enjoy all 4 of its power levels.
If deeper rumbliness is a high priority, you’ll have to increase your budget a bit. The Pillow Talk Racy is the most affordable option with great rumbliness. Or the Original We-Vibe Tango, which is being sold at a discount while stock remains.
The We-Vibe Tango X is the most rumbly bullet vibrator I own. This is one of the main reasons to consider this bullet.
Its rumbliness is especially impressive considering the Tango X’s strength. Vibrators become buzzier as you increase power. But even its top setting (7.75 out of 10 power) measured at 58 Hz in our test results, which is extremely rumbly. No other bullet besides the Tango X and Tango had more than 5.0 vibration strength while remaining under 60 Hz (our threshold for the “extremely rumbly” range).
Now, rumbliness vs buzziness is a personal preference. Although most people prefer rumbly vibrations, some want neutral or even buzzy vibes. If that’s you, consider the Pillow Talk Racy if you like neutral vibrations or the Lovense Ambi for moderately buzzy vibrations.
The We-Vibe Tango X is the best if you’re like most people and want those deep-feeling, rumbly vibrations. If you enjoy larger toys with more extreme power, you could also consider the We-Vibe Wand 2 – one of my best wand vibrators with exceptionally rumbly vibrations.
Stimulation Precision
The BMS Bullet has mostly precise stimulation because it’s a thin, small bullet. So whether you use the very tip or the side of the bullet, it covers a fairly limited surface area.
This is great if you like focused clitoral stimulation. For those who enjoy a bit more breadth, you can’t spread the pressure out much as you can with a wider bullet like the Blush Limited Addiction or Satisfyer Ultra Power Bullet 5. How much precision you enjoy is entirely a personal preference.
The We-Vibe Tango X provides focused stimulation due to its thin width (0.69 inches) and lipstick-shaped tip. The lipstick tip comes to a fine edge that you can use to target the vibrations into an exact area.
Rumbly vibrations travel deep into the body and feel like they naturally impact a more significant area, so limiting the contact to a particular spot is nice.
If you want slightly broader stimulation, you can use the long side of the Tango X to spread out the contact area more.
Comfort & Ease of Use
The BMS Essential Bullet has below-average comfort and ease of use. It can be tiring to use for extended periods because of the small size and vibrations in your hand.
You can adjust your hold on the bullet to limit how distracting the vibrations feel in your hand. I find they’re worse if you’re holding the bullet loosely or at the very end. But they lessen if you grip the bullet tightly. They’ll be noticeable throughout your experience, though.
Since it’s so short, it takes effort to grip the end tightly, and it’s difficult to leverage the bullet. It takes effort from your fingers and arm to maneuver and press it where you want. Longer bullets like the Blush Limited Addiction provide more space to grip, and you can leverage them more easily with minimal finger-work.
The BMS Essential bullet also uses a one-button control system. You’ll use a single button to cycle through all 4 power levels and 5 vibration patterns. So, to move backward, you’ll need to press the button several times. Or I find it easier to simply turn the bullet off and back on again to start over at the lowest intensity. It’s manageable but could be better.
I prefer bullets with separate buttons to increase and decrease power, like the Blush Limited Addiction or We-Vibe Tango X.
The We-Vibe Tango X is an exceptionally comfortable and easy-to-use bullet.
It has better controls than other bullet vibrators. Unlike most bullets, which offer a single button to cycle through all the intensity levels and patterns, the Tango X has separate buttons to increase and decrease power; and a third button to move through its vibration patterns.
The three buttons allow you to quickly access your desired intensity or pattern and avoid annoying disruptions searching for your favorite power level.
The rigid form makes it easy to leverage and apply pressure even with its average length. I love the silicone grip on the handle, and the vibrations do not travel much into my hand, so it’s very comfortable.
Use During Sex
The BMS Essential Bullet is difficult to use during sex because it’s so short that you have to reach down farther than usual, so then your hand takes up too much space.
Even in fairly open positions like Spooning, the long reach required to use the BMS Essential is tiring. And your hand gets particularly in the way in positions like Missionary where space is already limited. Your partner may need to keep penetration shallow to avoid bumping into your hand. And your hand is so scrunched up that maneuvering the bullet in this tight space is tricky.
If you want a cheap bullet to use during sex and want a comfortable, less-distracting experience, I’d recommend the Blush Limited Addiction instead. The Blush Limited Addiction is much easier to maneuver because it’s still small enough to fit into tight spaces. But it’s long enough to leverage it easily, giving your hand plenty of room.
The We-Vibe Tango X is awesome during sex! The rumbly vibrations travel deep into your body, so you don’t have to worry about placing the bullet in a precise spot. The thin, focused tip lets you easily slip the Tango X into tight spaces, and it maintains good contact wherever you place it.
I like that the Tango X is a bit longer than the original Tango because it makes for a more comfortable grip. You don’t need to pinch the end with your fingers; the handle has more space to sit comfortably in your hand so you can leverage the Tango X more easily.
This length also helps to limit how far you have to reach during sex. But it’s not so long that it bumps against my partner’s chest or gets in the way.
Noise
The BMS Essential Bullet is discreet. Even though it may have some louder decibel measurement than my other bullets (most bullets are very quiet), it’s still completely inaudible from behind a closed bedroom door.
People outside your room won’t hear it. But the sound might distract you if you’re especially sensitive to noise. I consider myself fairly sensitive to sound and am not personally distracted by the BMS Essential Bullet’s noise.
If you’re easily annoyed by vibration sounds, the Pillow Talk Racy and Pillow Talk Flirty are two of my quietest, relatively budget-friendly bullets.
The We-Vibe Tango X’s noise performance is mediocre and may be disappointing if you’re especially worried about discretion. But there are ways to make it completely unnoticeable.
When measuring the Tango X’s noise with a Sound Level Meter, the Tango X’s vibrations measured quieter than the average bullet vibrator. However, when I hold the Tango X loosely in my hand, it will occasionally make a rattling sound that my partner can hear while standing on the other side of our closed bedroom door.
When you press the Tango X to your body or grip the bullet more firmly, the rattling does not happen. And the rumbly vibrations themselves are inaudible from the other side of the closed door. If you don’t want to be distracted focusing on keeping the Tango X pressed to your body, you can turn a box fan on or play music in the bedroom. Both options successfully masked the rattling sound so my partner could not hear it outside the bedroom.
The We-Vibe Touch X is my quietest mini-vibrator if you’d like a more discreet option. Otherwise, the Tango X just takes a little creativity to prevent nosey housemates from hearing.
Battery Life
The BMS Essential Bullet has reasonable battery life, lasting 75 minutes on high power during our testing. While there are longer-lasting bullet vibrators, 75 minutes is about average for bullets of this strength. And the manufacturer lists only 30 minutes on high, but my tests yielded much longer results, so I was happy with its performance.
This is ideal if you often forget to charge between uses. And you’ll extend the battery life beyond 75 minutes if you typically use some of the low or medium power levels too.
The We-Vibe Tango X is rechargeable with one of the longest-lasting batteries of any bullet vibrator I’ve tested. It lasted 105 minutes on high power during our test – especially impressive considering its excellent vibration strength. The few bullets that lasted longer, like the Dame Zee and Satisfyer Ultra Power Bullet 5, are weaker than the Tango X.
It’s a great option if you forget to charge your toys between uses or enjoy long sessions!
Build Quality
The BMS Essential Bullet has a decent build quality. It has not given me any issues, but it feels a bit cheap. It’s the least expensive bullet I’ve tested, so I don’t expect a luxury or heavy-duty build.
It’s made primarily of a silky lightweight ABS plastic, which feels thin but reasonably sturdy. Only the button is a more luxurious silicone material. It uses a charging system most sex toys have moved away from. You insert a charging pin through the self-healing silicone button into the toy. I’ve never experienced an issue with this charging mechanism, but it feels like it could damage the toy after a very long time.
It’s a nice toy to experiment on and figure out what you like, but not something you’d expect to last forever.
I base my ratings of Build Quality on my experience and how the toy “feels” to me unless I experience a substantial issue like the toy breaking. So we don’t weigh this score too highly. But if you’re looking for something that feels more solid, the Nasstoys Travel Vibe Mini is the cheapest bullet that felt exceptionally sturdy to me.
The We-Vibe Tango X has excellent build quality. The silicone handle and buttons are a nice improvement on the original Tango. The silicone adds some padding, which reassures me that it’s less likely to break if I drop it. And it adds a luxurious feel and grip.
The ABS Plastic is comfortably smooth and feels sturdy – not overly lightweight or cheap. The bullet feels well-made overall.
Cleaning
The BMS Essential Bullet is 100% waterproof, making it easy to clean. You can completely submerge it while scrubbing it with soap and water.
The We-Vibe Tango X is 100% waterproof, which makes it very easy to clean. You can submerge this bullet while scrubbing it with soap and water without fear of damage.