With an increasing number of e-cig companies entering the marketplace each month a certain amount of cynicism can be found among vapers. Do we really need another e-cig company offering yet another look-alike e-cigarette? And isn’t it true that many of the new e-cigs are merely re-branded products from an OEM manufacturer with a low price tag and a fancy label? Are we really doing the right thing by reviewing a product that has been around for some time, yet doesn’t seem to stand out as one of the best?
In the case of Metro eCigs by Nicotek, our experience has shown us that there is room for another e-cigarette company. Nicotek is a US company, which earns some brownie points, and while the e-cig itself might look like every other 3-piece e-cigarette, it is clearly a superior product in several key areas. Nicotek does not offer a fancy display on the face of the cigarette or exotic packaging to catch your eye. What they offer is a dependable, good tasting, and affordable e-cigarette.
Metro eCigs by Nicotek
The Intro
Metro eCigs by Nicotek is not a new company; it’s been around for some time. Despite its longevity, this is the first time Spinfuel has covered Metro eCigs. Sometimes we like to take our time to discover companies that have flown under the radar, or companies that have done things so right for so long that they are taken for granted. Nicotek and Metro eCigs fit that bill. The company offers a nice variety of Starter Kits, rechargeable and disposable e-cigs, accessories, and a nice selection of flavors.
A few months ago, while talking to a representative of Nicotek (the parent company of Metro eCigs) at a vaping convention, we were offered a chance to review the e-cigs and cartridges. We accepted and received a Metro Starter Kit in the mail about a week later. Our review will be an honest assessment of the product, just as our other reviews are.
First Impressions
The Metro eCigs starter kit we received was the same one you can purchase today at their website. The Kit arrived in an ordinary, though attractive, package the size of a paperback novel. Inside, two well-packed boxes; one containing two batteries and the USB charger, the other containing 5 nicotine cartridges. The cartridges were in sealed foil wrappers, 5 to a pack, and the batteries were charged and ready to go.
The e-cig components themselves feel substantial. The batteries have a nice weight to them, though they are short enough to feel very much like a real cigarette. The cartridges screw on to the battery snugly, and once it’s put together, it really looks the part. This is an e-cigarette for people who want to transition from tobacco to vapor, and for those who enjoy the ritual of smoking a traditional cigarette. It’s light enough, but weighted to suggest realness. This is a very subtle difference that most vapers won’t pick up on, but it’s there.
The Kit
The starter kit is just what you need to get going with Metro eCigs, as the name implies. There are 2 standard size batteries, a USB charger (for charging by computer) and 5 cartridges. This is good for someone new to e-cigs. You don’t get a wall adapter, car adapter, or portable charging case. Those are all available separately on the website, so if you already know that you’re going to be a heavy user, or you travel a lot, you might want to add a few of these accessories at the time of purchase.
The batteries are good for a 2-3 hour charge for the average user, and the cartridges will last about the same amount of time, a bit longer depending on your draw length and how often you vape. They are not high-capacity cartridges, but they are decent for the price.
Cartomizers
The cartridges are what Metro eCigs calls “Smartomizers”. Essentially they are what you would expect from a 3-piece e-cigarette cartridge; a filter, a mouth piece and a nicotine/flavor cartridge. The Smartomizers contain the heating element and atomization chamber, so there is no separate atomizer to worry about. They are well made, with no leaking or gurgling. The plastic mouthpiece is easy on the lips, yet securely attached.
We received the standard tobacco flavor, with a 24mg nicotine strength. This is not the only flavor or strength, though it’s a good starting point. The tobacco flavor is good. It is a traditional tobacco flavor, without a lot of subtle undertones. It tastes like tobacco, which is all you can ask for from a tobacco flavored e-cig. If you’re a menthol user, or enjoy fruit flavors, you can find them at the Nicotek website.
Overall, the Smartomizers are well built, produce a decent amount of vapor, and have a good throat hit. They do what they’re supposed to do, and they do it well.
The Battery
Metro eCigs offers 3 types of batteries; white, black and silver. The white is the standard type, with an orange LED tip. The black is a matte black finish with a blue LED tip, and the silver is a glossy silver finish with a blue LED tip. All batteries are the same capacity, roughly 280mAh, which will last the average user for 2-3 hours.
The batteries are a little shorter than the average battery of this style, which gives the e-cigarette a more authentic cigarette look and feel. They recharge pretty quickly, taking about 90 minutes to fully charge from being completely depleted. They are built well, and feel substantial. They have an excellent feel.
What’s Included?
The Metro eCigs Starter kit for $24.99 (currently) includes:
Two rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Five Smartomizer refill cartridges (equal to 3 packs of tobacco cigarettes)
One USB charger
Metro eCigs offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all starter kits, and a 1-year limited warranty on all components.
The Charger
The USB charger is standard for a 3-piece e-cigarette. It’s a USB stick with a threaded end that accepts the battery. It takes about 90 minutes to fully charge a depleted battery, and it can be used in any USB port, whether it’s a computer, a car adapter, or a wall adapter. If you do not have a wall adapter, you can purchase one from Metro eCigs.
Metro eCigs Flavor
As mentioned above, our kit arrived with 5 standard tobacco flavored Smartomizers. The flavor is a traditional tobacco, without any sweetness or subtle notes. It’s a straightforward tobacco flavor that is good enough for anyone who enjoys a regular cigarette. The vapor volume and throat hit are excellent.
Other flavors include Menthol, Gold, Peppermint, Coffee, and Chocolate. Nicotine strengths include 0mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg, and 24mg.
Spinfuel Recommends
The Metro eCigs Starter Kit is priced at $24.99 right now. The refills, or Smartomizers are priced at $11.99 for a pack of 5. These are good prices for a good product. Nicotek also sells disposable e-cigs for $9.99 for a pack of 1. These are good for anyone who just wants to try an e-cig for the first time or for those situations where you don’t want to carry around your full setup.
Metro eCigs are perfect for the transitioning smoker. Nicotek offers a good number of flavors and nicotine strengths, so you should be able to find a combination that works for you. The batteries last long enough for the average user, and you have two of them, so you can always have one ready while the other charges. Overall, this is an affordable e-cigarette for people who want to try an e-cig for the first time, or for a longtime e-cig user looking for a reliable, no-frills e-cig.
Conclusion
The Metro eCigs by Nicotek is a fine e-cigarette. It works well, looks good, and is affordably priced. Our testing period, now going on several weeks, has been positive. We like the product and believe it’s a safe bet for most anyone. If you’re looking for something flashy, something that stands out, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a dependable, good tasting, and affordable e-cigarette, then we recommend Metro eCigs by Nicotek. We really have enjoyed it.
