Smart strokers have come a long way since the days of basic vibrating sleeves and questionable battery-powered tubes. Anyone familiar with those earlier iterations will probably remember them as more of a gimmick than an actual upgrade to your own hand. These days, the category has evolved. It’s now packed with devices that not only offer a whole new level of customization, but also boast flashy high-tech features, like syncing to content and connecting over long distances for remote partnered play.
The Handy has been one of the big names in this space for a while now, earning a big following thanks to its original model’s combination of power, connectivity and content syncing. The brand’s second iteration – the imaginatively named The Handy 2 – is the long-awaited follow-up. Launched earlier this year, it arrives in two versions, a standard and a Pro model, alongside a host of fresh upgrades. These include a 125 mm stroke length (15 mm longer than the original), a more powerful motor, and built-in hands-free mounting threads. So you know for your own ease of identification and research, the Handy 2 comes in grey and Handy 2 Pro comes in black.
I’ve been putting The Handy 2 Pro through its paces over the past few months to see if it can really give your hand a run for its money. Here’s how I found it.
The Handy 2: Why use it
If you’re wondering why you’d bother with something like The Handy 2 when, well, your own hand is free and available, the answer comes down to what this thing can do that your hand can’t.
For starters, there are some pretty nifty interactive capabilities that sync the device to compatible content in real time so it follows the action automatically. This works via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and once paired, can sync with compatible adult content from sites like XHamster, Pornhub and SexLikeReal. The device then mirrors what’s happening on screen with surprising accuracy, adjusting stroke speed, length and rhythm to match. If you’ve never experienced synced interactive content before, it’s a whole new experience compared to anything you can do manually.
Then there’s the long-distance features. If you’re in a relationship where your partner isn’t physically present, they can control The Handy 2 remotely. It can turn a video call, for instance, into something way more engaging. One device can even mirror the movements of another compatible toy in real time, adding a more intimate dimension that many connected toys can’t come close to delivering.
Beyond the connected stuff, The Handy 2 also works brilliantly as a standalone device. The physical controls on the gadget itself let you adjust speed, stroke length and even the position of the stroke so you can target exactly where it feels best. There are also 10 built-in patterns to cycle through if you don’t fancy the app. The programmability here is excellent, as you can set it to do exactly the techniques that work for you and save them for next time.
The Handy 2: Design
The Handy 2 is a significant step up from its predecessor, both in looks and build quality. Gone is the chunky plastic housing of the original – replaced by a sleeker, more compact body wrapped in a soft-touch silicone covering that feels super premium in the hand. It looks more like a piece of modern tech than a sex toy, which is useful if you’d rather not explain it to a curious housemate.
The sleeve comes in the form of a soft, textured TPE tube that slides over the device’s stroking arm and attaches via a magnetic quick-swap system called ClickOn. It snaps into place easily and holds firm during use, but can be swapped out in seconds if you fancy switching textures. The included TrueGrip Gen 3 is decent enough to get you started, offering two internal textures. The wider sleeve range is worth exploring separately, though, since texture genuinely affects the experience in ways the included option only hints at. What’s more, the buttons are now placed on the right-hand side of the device, which I can imagine makes them easier to reach during use than the front-mounted controls on the original. There’s also a small LED matrix display that shows connection status, stroke settings and battery level, which is a big upgrade over the basic indicator lights on the first iteration Handy.
One of the biggest upgrades over the original, however, is the addition of two tripod-mounting threads (one on top, one on the bottom), meaning you can attach it to a desk mount, clamp or arm for hands-free use without any DIY bodging. The lack of these was one of the biggest complaints about the original, and it’s been properly addressed here. Notably, you can still make the first Handy hands-free using the brand’s Handsfree Cup and Handsfree DeskMount attachments. However, the new threading in The Handy 2 bypasses the need for both attachments and may enable you to use non-branded mounting equipment.
One thing I will flag though is the weight. At around 750 grams, The Handy 2 Pro is heavier than you’d expect for a device like this, weighing 50 grams more than the original. When you’re holding it with one hand for an extended session, it starts to feel a bit heavy. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does make the hands-free mounting option feel like more of a necessity, especially for frequent users. If weight matters to you, you might prefer the standard version, which weighs 650 grams.
And finally, the device charges via USB-C, which is a welcome addition. The Pro version packs a 3,200mAh battery, which is good for around five hours of use, while the standard model’s smaller battery is more limited at around one to two hours. If battery life matters to you, the Pro will probably be well worth the extra splurge.
The Handy 2: What it’s like in use
Setting up The Handy 2 is refreshingly straightforward. All you need to do is download the companion app, power on the device, pair via Bluetooth, connect to your Wi-Fi and you’re all done. The whole process takes under 10 minutes, and the app walks you through each step clearly. Once connected, the device generates a pairing key that you enter into whichever platform or app you’re using, and from that point on it will remember the connection automatically.
In use, the first thing you notice is how smooth and powerful the motor feels. Movements are fluid and controlled, even at higher speeds, and the longer 125 mm stroke length makes a noticeable difference when it comes to immersion. The device handles everything from slow, precise movements to rapid-fire action without stuttering or losing consistency, which is impressive.
App control is where The Handy 2 really stands out. Once installed on your smartphone, it’s one of the better companion apps I’ve used for a connected sex toy – the UI is well designed, intuitive and gives you a surprising amount of control. You can adjust stroke speed, stroke length, stroke position (both the start and end points), create custom vibration patterns and even program specific techniques personalized to you. The level of customization here is excellent, and it means you can tinker around to get exactly what feels right rather than settling for a predetermined experience.
Content syncing is the headline feature here though, and it works really well. When paired with compatible videos, The Handy 2 is able to follow on-screen action with minimal lag, and the accuracy is decent – not perfect, but much better than I was expecting. It’s a fundamentally different experience to manual use, and once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back. VR content takes this even further, and if you have a Meta Quest headset and a SexLikeReal subscription, the combination is about as immersive as the format currently gets. SexLikeReal has been pushing interactive toy integration harder than most platforms, and the Handy 2 is a natural fit for what they’re building.
While I didn’t experience this with the Pro, the battery life on the standard model is perhaps the most obvious downside. If you’re in the middle of a longer session or synced content, having to stop because the battery has died would be a massive pain. While the Pro version’s five-hour battery life largely solves this, it comes at a premium. The weight, as mentioned, can also make extended handheld sessions tiring, so the desk mount might be worth considering if you plan to use it regularly.
The Handy 2: Is it worth buying?
The standard Handy 2 model has an RRP of £199 / €230.50 / $299, but at the time of writing, is currently on sale for £160 / €186 / $239. The meatier Pro, meanwhile, has an RRP of £320 / €371 / $499 and is currently on sale for £255 / €296 / $379.
At just under £200 RRP for the standard and £320 for the Pro, The Handy 2 doesn’t come cheap. But for what you’re getting, especially if you can get it on sale, it’s a pretty good value for the interactive stroker market. The build quality is excellent, the app and connectivity ecosystem are best-in-class, and the level of customization and content syncing on offer is unmatched at this price.
If you already own and enjoy the original Handy, the upgrade is a no-brainer. The built-in battery, longer stroke length, better motor and improved controls make it a different beast entirely. On the other hand, if you’re someone coming from a simpler stroker or this is your first connected device, there is a learning curve. But the app does a great job of walking you through everything, and once you’re set up, it’s incredibly easy to use.
The standard version is perfectly capable, but if your budget allows, the Pro is definitely the smarter buy. The significantly longer battery life alone justifies the price difference. For couples in long-distance relationships, content enthusiasts, or anyone who wants something that goes well beyond what a basic stroker can offer, The Handy 2 is about as good as it gets.
Verdict
The Handy 2 is a well-made device that earns its price. The build quality is a massive step up from the original, the app ecosystem is polished and genuinely intuitive, and the content syncing capabilities are the best in class. The programmable controls mean you can tailor the experience to exactly what works for you, and the variety of accessories and sleeves available gives it a level of versatility that most rivals can’t match. The battery life on the standard version is the main letdown, and the weight makes hands-free mounting more of a necessity than a luxury. But overall, if you’re serious about upgrading your solo (or long-distance) experience, The Handy 2 is the one to beat.
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