ROMP is — for lack of a better term — a toy line aimed at ‘beginners’. I’m not generally a fan of that kind of terminology, as I often find it’s used to pass off worse toys to people who are new to sex toys. However, that’s not at all what I mean when I use it to refer to ROMP. There, I mean they’re going for affordable price points, small insertable sizes, and fun bright colours. While I am a bit of a boring goth in terms of fashion, I love a brightly coloured sex toy that isn’t pink or purple, so I’m a big fan of the oranges and teals that show up in the ROMP line.
The ROMP Bass fits in with that line really well. It’s an approachable size — I found its four inch circumference is about the width of two fingers, so I don’t need a huge amount of stretching up. While the dark blue shade doesn’t stand out among ROMP’s other products, that pop of yellow is both really unique (far too few toys are yellow IMO) and adds some visual fun. It’s also a very approachable price point, at $29.99.
The Butt Plug
The ROMP Bass is a basic, but still well-designed shape. The curved tip hits a good balance between ‘pointy enough to make insertion easy’ and ‘rounded enough that it doesn’t feel like your butthole is getting poked’. The neck, similarly, is an excellent mid point between ‘thin enough to be comfortable and stay in when my body clenches during orgasm’ and ‘thick enough that pulling the Bass out of my butthole once I’m done with it isn’t painful’.
The size is — as I mentioned — very approachable. While total beginners to anal play probably will want to spend some time getting accustomed to the penetration of something like a single finger, it’s only about the diameter of two. This means it’s also a great choice for more intermediate anal players who just can’t be bothered with a lot of anal prep, which is where I am a majority of the time.
The Vibrations
The ROMP Bass has six steady intensities of vibrations and four pattern options. All are controlled with a single button, which cycles through each steady intensity and then each pattern. This is a little annoying in that if I miss a setting I like I have to either turn off the vibrations and go through them again, or cycle back around to the beginning. But it’s an annoying I’m happy to deal with — I’d prefer a second button on the Bass’ base for easier control, but it is very limited for space.
The vibrations are in that weird space of ‘powerful, but a little on the buzzy side’. If you’re new to the blog, what I mean by ‘buzzy’ is that the vibrations tend to be a little more surface-focused, rather than the more deeply-penetrating rumbly. It’s the kind of vibration quality that would be a deal breaker for me if it were a clitoral toy, but is perfectly fine on an anal toy. I’m actually starting to suspect I prefer buzzy vibrations anally,
Buzzy vibrations aren’t the only thing I’m a bit more forgiving of in the context of anal toys. Generally, I’m big vibration pattern hater, but I actually don’t mind them for anal toys. When I use vibrating plugs, I’m not aiming for targeted and consistent stimulation that brings me to orgasm so much as just added sensation.
Criticisms/Caveats
I only have three criticisms or caveats, and they’re all relatively minor. One is even just something that isn’t actually an issue for me at all but I can see being a problem for others.
The ROMP Bass has a nice wide base, meaning it’s safe for anal use and the toy won’t get lost up a butthole. However, the fact it’s symmetrical means the base does cover up part of my vulva. I’m not big on vaginal penetration or my partners directly interacting with my vulva, so this isn’t a huge loss for me. However, if you’re looking for an anal plug to add to penis-in-vagina sex, this is something to bear in mind.
Another small issue I have with the button on the base. To press the button, I need to push the plug’s base in a way that can feel like it’s uncomfortably pressing into me. This — in fairness — is an issue with all the vibrating butt plugs I’ve used that don’t have remotes have had, rather than a product specific issue, but if it is something that’ll annoy you, I’d suggest looking for toys with a remote.
Finally, I’ve had issues with the battery life. This is partly that I’ve found I tend to use the ROMP Bass during quite long sessions. The product description does say that the charge life is 60 minutes, but I have noticed mine tapping out after as little as 25 minutes if it’s on high intensities.
Vibrating Butt Plugs & Me
Vibrating butt plugs are something I tend to fluctuate in my use of. Not because I dislike them, but because I actually really like them, and I’m reminded of that fact every time I review a new one. The issue is a lot of the vibrating plugs I own require quite a bit of prep because of their size. While I love vibrations in my ass, I get lazy when I’m masturbating for non-work reasons, so I can’t really be bothered to use one most of the time. However, the small size of the ROMP Bass really favours it in this situation, and I’ve found myself using it during quite a lot of the masturbation I just do for fun.
The only other vibrating butt plug that’s ended up being quite so present in my sex life is the Hot Octopus PleX, and even though the vibrations in that toy are wonderful, it honestly has some downsides compared to the ROMP Bass. Obviously, there’s the much higher price point. But the PleX is also longer than the ROMP Bass, which isn’t always what I’m looking for. While the PleX’s base is less in the way if you want to combine anal toys with vaginal penetration and its curve offers more prostate stimulation, I’m both somebody who doesn’t care for double penetration and somebody for whom the appeal of anal play isn’t targeted stimulation. The PleX definitely does come out on top in terms of vibration rumble, but that’s not the critical win for anal toys that it is for clitoral toys.
Overall
I’m a fan of the ROMP Bass! It’s not the right buttplug for you if you’re looking for something compatible with PiV sex or for some thing with a bit more prostate targeting. However, if neither of those apply to you and you aren’t tied to hugely thuddy vibrations anally, I’d recommend it. It’s an approachable size for beginners while also being large enough to make it worth it for intermediate anal players, the colours are fun, and it’s at a very approachable price point.
Buy the ROMP Bass for $29.99 from Lovehoney
You can also use the code KELVIN15 for 15% off all orders!
This product was sent to me by Lovehoney, in return for a fair and impartial review. Affiliate links were used in this post.
