Top 10 Vape Pens of 2017 Review: Vaping Info You Need!
Table of Contents
Vaping is becoming more popular every day. Studies are still being conducted regarding its short- and long-term effects on the human body, and on its effectiveness as a smoking cessation tool. In the meantime, vaping is growing into a veritable phenomenon. One of the most common ways to vape is by using vape pens. These devices consist of several components:
- The tank, which holds the e-liquid in question.
- The atomizer, which is the heating element.
- The battery, which provides power to the atomizer.
- Controls, which a vape pen may or may not possess, depending on the model.
Here is my review of the 10 top-selling vape pens out there. This is by no means me passing some final judgement on the issue, but rather my first impressions from interacting with them. Some of them I used longer than others, so naturally I will have more to say about them. Either way, vaping is a pretty subjective topic of discussion, so make sure to consider your own preferences when choosing your vape kit!
Halo Triton II Vape Pen Review
The Triton II kit provides newbies with a solid entry-level device, and more experienced vapers with a small “back-up” tool. The kit includes two batteries; two tanks; three atomizer coil heads; two mouthpieces; a USB charger; a wall adapter; and a manual.
First impressions: very powerful for a pen vape. Discreet and effective, it manages to provide a great experience. Two drawbacks come to mind. First, Triton II components are not compatible with the original Triton system. Second, the batteries didn’t last as long as I had hoped. However, because they are li-ion, it may have been a simple case of the battery needing more time. Not sure, to be honest. Either way, the system works wonderfully. MSRP: $45.
Halo Tracer Twist Vape Pen Review
A sub-ohm vape mod, which provide the user with more intense flavor, and significantly warmer and larger amounts of vapor. There is also the option to change wattage. Looking to chase clouds? Well, you’ll be chasing these down the street.
The Halo Tracer Twist kit includes: a single 2,300 mAh battery, which should last you a long while till it needs a recharge, even with a sub-ohm coil; a tank; 2 coil heads; 2 mouthpieces (glass and stainless steel); a USB charger; wall adapter; and a manual.
This was one of my first sub-ohm experiences, and to tell you the truth I was taken by surprise. The starter kit has everything you need (I know – shocking, right?), and the ability to control wattage is always welcome in my opinion. Halo is known for its attention to detail and customer satisfaction. This device lives up to the hype. Sub-ohming isn’t for everyone. It changes the throat hit and the amount of vapor, so take it easy. MSRP: $55.
Juul Vape Device Review
One of the more controversial picks on this list, the Juul system by PAX Labs is a sleek-looking, small, rechargeable, concealed-carry kind of vape. The reason I mention controversy is threefold. First, this system uses its own pods, and not bottles of e-liquid. Even though you can supposedly refill you with your own liquids, it is still outside the norm. Second, the pods’ nicotine level is relatively high (50mg, as opposed to the lower standard of 36mg), which puts them on a whole new level. Third, Juul is a considered more expensive than similar vapes. And this would be okay, but the kit comes with only one battery, which is too bad. Vaping while you are charging? Not my thing, really. Batteries are available for purchase, but still.
As for performance, this thing does its job well. I was actually very happy with the way this system looks and feels. It is a high nicotine amount, but its smoothness was unaffected – an important factor for any vaper. The Juul kit includes a Juul vape, four flavored pods, and a USB charger. It is a good beginner’s kit overall, and for heavy smokers who are trying to quit, the nicotine amount could be spot on. It is user-friendly, and for some it could be exactly what they need. Also, regarding the pod: they do serve a purpose, and are less prone to leakage. I understand that some companies don’t want to conform, but in that case I feel they should have added a couple more pods. MSRP: $49.99.
Source Orb 4 Vape Pen Review
Every new item in Source’s Orb line of vape pens has introduced some kind of innovation to the mix. The double-coil atomizers, the first coil-less atomizers, the double-quartz atomizers – and in the summer of 2016, the Orb 4 was released, offering two kinds of coil-less atomizers (ceramic and titanium), along with four single and double-coil options. Boom.
The Orb 4 has a stronger magnetic lock, a stainless steel build, sub-ohm compatible battery, 8 heat settings, and a lifetime warranty. It looks sleek and modern, and I feel it is designed in a clever way. Alright, so much for the features and looks – is it any good?
Yes, it is. Right out of the box, this bad boy was charged and ready to go. It is a high-end beginner’s kit, and the only drawback, as I see it, is that the magnetic lock can sometimes fail, causing the pen to open up in your pocket. It has not happened to me, personally, and the research I did on it found that this doesn’t happen too often at all. However, we all know that even once is enough to make you long for the days of a screw-on top, even with the additional pain-in-the-assery of it all. There are two Orb 4 models available: the Premium kit and the Signature kit. MSRP: $99.95 (Premium).
VaporFi Orbit Vape Pen Review
The Orbit is meant exclusively for herb smokers, and is incompatible with e-liquids. The kit includes a long-lasting 2200 mAh battery, a USB charger, 5 replaceable filters (mesh), 5 silicone mouthpiece covers, and a manual.
A couple of drawbacks to this one, as well. First, there is a reason why they provide 5 mouthpieces. A couple of them cracked before too long – which is understandable, but still a drawback. Second, there is no wall charger included, and I would think that for the price, they’d throw one in. It is a top-notch product, for sure, and it provides a very clean, very smooth, ongoing weed-smoking session. I suppose I will always be a straight-up pipe man at heart, but vaping cannabis with the Orbit is pretty sweet. If you are going to smoke herb, do it without additives, without tobacco, and without hesitation! MSRP: $99.99.
Kanger Subvod Vape Pen Review
This starter kit is another in the sub-ohm variety. Sub-ohming is all about flow of power. Using a sub-ohm coil (and a matching battery) offers less resistance, resulting in denser, thicker clouds. The Subvod is similar to Kanger’s previous venture, the Evod, but with a couple of differences: Sub-ohm capabilities (accommodating coils and battery), and a toptank Nano (as opposed to the Evod’s toptank Evod).
The kit includes: 1300 mAh battery, Toptank Nano clearomizer (3.2ml), USB charger, Kanger’s stainless steel organic cotton coil (SSOCC), and a spare Pyrex glass for the tank. The Subvod provides four different airflow settings, and the ability to have more control is always a plus.
There is also the option of using this kit with 1.2 or 1.5 ohm coils, for those who are looking to experience the SubVod without the harsher intake of a sub-ohm coil, or for those who are interested in progressing more slowly towards sub-ohming.
As for vapor production, look, feel, value for money, battery life, and user-friendliness – the SubVod is a keeper. It is one of the easiest kits to transition to, for those who are new to sub-ohming. MSRP: $33.
Wake up and crush the day with #CobaltCrush & #TracerTwist! #HandCheck https://t.co/kl4FLSaYbK pic.twitter.com/u4wz6wV7Lg
— Halo Cigs (@HaloCigs) August 17, 2016
Joyetech eGo AIO Vape Pen Review
AIO stands for ‘all in one’, which should give you some idea of what this product is aiming to achieve. It is a beginner’s kit which has it all: a device which has a built-in battery (with over-heat, over-charge, and over-current protection), childproof capabilities, and the option of using either the ‘mouth to lung’ inhaling technique or ‘direct lung inhale’ technique. You could argue that all vaping devices are intended for those who are trying to quit smoking, but some are more accommodating than others. This one belongs to the latter group.
Joyetech’s eGo AIO manages to be simple and convenient, without compromising on looks or efficiency. Using it is a lot of fun. The starter kit includes: 1 eGo AIO body, 2 0.6 ohm heads, 1500 mAh battery, 1 clear mouthpiece, 1 spiral mouthpiece, 1 USB cable, and a manual.
My experience with it was brief, but I got a good impression from it. Like their website says – it is small and discreet, but manages to produce a nice amount of vapor. For the price you are paying, it is a great buy. One possible drawback has to do with the marking of the e-liquid and the airflow settings. They could stand to be more pronounced. You don’t want to end up with that terrible taste of burnt cow turds in your mouth. See what I did there? Now you’re thinking of cow turds. Good luck with that. MSRP: $24.95.
V2Pro Series 3 Vape Pen Review
Released in 2014, this is one of V2’s best products to date. It has spent time on many people’s “top vapes” list, and is consequently a best-seller. The company calls this pen a 3-in-1 vaporizer, since it works with three different cartridges: eliquids, dry herb, or herbal concentrates. It is a serious attempt at creating an all-encompassing device, and V2’s team has done it in a big way. The problem was releasing a device such as this, is that it could end up being a kind of vape which has big promise, but only manages to deliver a sub-par experience. Thankfully, that is not the case.
The Pro Series 3 offers a magnetic locking mechanism for the tank and the charger. This means that the tanks are proprietary, so you can only use the ones which come with it (or ones you purchase separately). V2 refers to this device as a “smart” device. There is a micro-processor of some kind inside the Series 3, which sends instructions to the battery and adapts to either one of the three cartridges I mentioned earlier. Pretty advanced stuff, but I didn’t get to try them all out at the time. This is another one which I had only a brief experience with, so if any of you have more input, please let me know!
My experience was a good one, overall. I didn’t like the lack of airflow controls, honestly. Perhaps they are working on implementing it. The mouthpiece took some getting used to, and I could tell that this device is also geared more towards those are attempting to stop smoking cigarettes. MSRP: $49.99.
XEO VOID Vape Pen Review
Another vape pen from V2. This device uses sub-ohm technology, a 2ml tank, a high-capacity 1500 mAh battery, and durable materials which pretty much guarantee zero leakage. Suitable for beginners and veteran vapers alike, it is an all-in-one starter kit. It includes the battery and tank, 2 atomizers (0.6 and 1.0 ohms), a USB charger cable, and a manual. Plus, there is a child lock and battery-life indicator.
Performance is good, and it comes as no surprise, really. V2 have released some great products over the years. This one is on the pricier side of things, which is a definite consideration. On the other hand, beginners get to choose between normal and sub-ohming, and for those who are looking to make the switch from cigarettes to vape, it is the best possible route to take. (Yoda voice:) Very accommodating, this device is. Yes. MSRP: $59.99.
VERTX Vape Pen Review
I guess I saved the best for last. This is one of the newer offers from V2, introduced in 2016. The VERTX (and there is also VERTX Plus) is my current vape device, and I feel it is one of the best pens around. I don’t presume to know everything about vapes and vaping, but I do know what I like.
The VERTX’s look, feel, draw, and power are precisely what I was looking for when I sought out a vape pen. I was basically smoking regular cigarettes and e-cigs before the VERTX, and the transition has been seamless. There are, however, a couple of drawbacks to this pen:
First, it is indeed more of a transitional tool, and I can see how it may not suit me – and others – in the long-term. That’s not so much of a drawback, really, just an observation. If you’re just quitting cigarettes (smart move, btw), this could be a great way to begin vaping.
Second, the magnetic charging cable. While I appreciate the desire to make things less complicated, more manageable, and more user-friendly, the magnet isn’t strong enough in my opinion. I have a fear of it disconnecting. And thinking your vape is charging, only to discover that it hasn’t been charging at all, can be unpleasant.
Overall, I am enjoying the different flavors, the cartridges and battery seem to last a long while, and I have not had any disappointments so far in that area. It is a highly recommended vape. The FDA may not categorize vaping as a smoking cessation method, but the people are having their say regardless of Federal regulations or standards. MSRP: $49.95.
Conclusion
There are so many advantages to vaping, it’s no wonder that it’s catching on and becoming so popular. Vaping provides more freedom, more variety, more customization – three pros that anyone can get on board with. You can truly personalize your experience, making it entirely your own. How many regular cigarettes can boast that fact?
If you are looking to quit smoking, or are simply interested in making the transition for health-related reasons or environmental concerns, remember that the world of vaping is a big one, and it may take you some time to find what you like, and how you like it. Happy vaping!
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