Fifty Shades of Grey Sweet Anticipation Wrist Cuffs Review

Personal Experience

I got these handcuffs for a very specific reason — I wanted to replace the funny-looking cuffs on my Hard Limits bed restraint set with some nicer, more luxurious-looking ones. I’m very driven by aesthetics, okay? Black leather is great vibe for BDSM gear and really helps get me into a sensual mood, and I think these Sweet Anticipation cuffs fit the bill!

Learn From My Mistakes

Fun With Other Restraints, Not So Much Alone

Design

There are upsides and downsides to the interesting design of these wrist cuffs. The best part, of course, is that you can choose between two great-looking designs! My favorite is the faux leather, but the black and red satin rose print is also very pretty. It also allows you choose between two different feels — the satin is smooth but the faux leather side feels a bit more padded. However, one thing I don't like about the reversible buckle is that it doesn't have a loop like normal buckles to keep the loose strap secured. Depending on the size of your wrists, you may end up with a long strap flapping about.

Ease of Use

These cuffs are nice and simple to use — simply place them around your wrist and buckle them up so they're secure but not overly tight. They do take a little more time to fasten than Velcro cuffs, but the straps are not stiff or difficult to use.

Quality

This is a good quality set of handcuffs, and it should last you a good few years or more of use. The construction is solid, the metal is nickel-free, and they feel nice and weighty to wear. However, it is fake leather (AKA plastic) and polyester, and so it will degrade over time. Since the material is getting bent and creased often, I expect it to start breaking and flaking as it ages.

Price

The Sweet Anticipation Wrist Cuffs are not cheap! At almost $60, I would expect better quality materials and more clips to make them more versatile with other restraints. You can find real leather handcuffs for cheaper on Lovehoney.com, which is a red flag for me. The reversible design is also na nice idea, but I don't foresee myself switching often between the two sides, so it is a bit of a gimmick, although a well-executed one. At least they've included a storage bag, which is rarity in the world of bondage toys!

Performance

It can be hard to judge the performance of a pair of handcuffs, but I can say that they definitely lived up to my expectations when I used them with my partner! Now that I have the correct clips to use them with my bed restraints, I think they will see regular use.

Packaging

I was really surprised by the simplicity of the packaging for these handcuffs! It's just a paper bag made from thick, smooth paper with the Fifty Shades of Grey logo on the bottom. I've tested other items from the Fifty Shades range, and the packaging was all dark and mysterious, but I like this more. Inside is a satin drawstring bag with the cuffs inside, which is very handy.

Materials and care

I know that faux or vegan leather is a very divisive topic. Personally, I don't have an issue with leather, and I actually prefer it over plastic 'leather' that is unsustainable and not as long-lasting. I would have preferred if these cuffs were made of real leather and silk satin, but I understand why they've gone with the cheaper options of polyester and polyurethane. I do appreciate that the metal details are made with high-quality, nickel-free metal. All of these materials can be wiped down with a clean, damp cloth after use.