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TopBox Mini by Kanger

When I was handed the new Kanger TopBox Mini Starter Kit I opened the box and started exploring the two main devices, the mod and the tank. Without looking through the manual (never at this point in the review) I studied the tank, trying to find out what it was that was nagging at me. “This is a Subtank, right?” … Kind of, yea, it is.

But something was wrong. Then I noticed it, a knurled top cap that turned out to be removable, revealing a top-fill tank. My first thought was that Kanger was not only changing the coil heads in the Subtanks, (round ones instead of square ones), they were moving to top-fill Subtanks as well.

As it turns out, officially that’s true, the tank in the TopBox Mini is called an upgraded Subtank Mini. I’m not yet convinced. I’ll explain more in a bit, but for now, let’s review the other devices in the kit.

The TopBox 75W box mod is the next step after Kanger’s Subox. This next-step device includes not only 75w of power, but temperature control as well. Temperature Control system that can readily use Ni200, Ti, SS, and Ni-Chrome wire coils. It has the standard 200-600°F range that most other TC mods have, and an ultra low resistance that can fire down to 0.1-ohms.

The TopBox uses one high-amp 18650 battery (not included), has a magnetized battery cover, a 10-second puff time shutoff, short circuit protection, open circuit protection, and low battery warning. The worst thing I can say about it is the metal body and a paint job that ‘looks’ like thick lead-laden paint. Everything else points to a traditional mid-range Kanger starter kit. The price, an affordable $59.99 at MyVaporStore.

More on the Tank…

TopBox Mini by Kanger The Spinfuel ReviewLike the box mod, the TopBox tank also looks like it uses the same lead-laden red paint, applied a couple of coats too many. The eliquid capacity is a nice 4mL, includes a glass tank, new top-fill feature, adjustable airflow, and it uses the new coil heads introduced a few months back, the SSOCC Atomizer Heads. Unexpectedly the starter kit includes a mini-RBA deck as well.

The important question to ask about this new, improved tank, is this: Has the performance improved when compared to a standard Subtank Mini? In some ways it has, in some way it hasn’t.

As a Temperature Control tank, using Ni200 coils I had on hand, this new TopBox tank seems to outperform the Subtank Mini. More flavor, and I believe, more vapor production, although not by a lot. When using it in standard variable wattage mode with Kanthal coil heads the performance is about the same, in all ways. The improvements come from the top-fill ability with nice large fill slots, and a longer lasting coil head.

To test the extent of the TopBox’s 75w of power I decided to borrow one of Tom’s Uwell Crown tanks, with a 0.2-ohm coil head, and see if I could find a sweet spot of maximum performance.

I got a very decent vape at max wattage, but I could feel that the TopBox mod was pushing out everything it had, leaving nothing in reserve. I would recommend staying with the tank that comes with this kit, or using other Subtanks by Kanger. That’s where you’ll get the best bang.

The 75W TopBox is a great kit for early vapers that want to experience a bit of sub-ohm vaping and cloud making with a device that won’t hurt the wallet. Some advanced vapers might enjoy it as well, as a secondary device, or when something smaller is called for.

This is an improved Subox kit and if you’ve had your eye on the Subox I’d definitely get the TopBox instead.  Lastly, I would have preferred a plastic body like the Kanger Nebox, rather than this metal and paint body.

Still in Production?

The strangest part of this review is when I went to kangertech.com to verify the specs and to search for an answer, the only TopBox listed is the new TopBox Nano. What happened to the TopBox Mini? I have no idea. There are plenty in the pipeline, but I have a feeling that Kanger has already ‘end-of-life’d’ the Mini version.

The answer to the question I went looking for was not listed anywhere. The question is, what type of metal is Kanger using for the TopBox? If it was anything other than a “base metal” Kanger would list it, as would every vendor. But it isn’t listed anywhere, which makes me believe that the TopBox is indeed made of an inexpensive base metal alloy.

For a moderately priced mod and tank, with plenty of extra’s including a mini RBA, this is a good deal and I would grade it as a solid B.

If you think the TopBox Mini fits the bill for your vaping needs I encourage you to take the leap, you won’t be unhappy about it. If your needs are stronger, or more advanced, stay tuned for my next Kanger review, a sporty 200w box mod that can do some serious heavy lifting.

What’s Included

  • 1 x KBOX Mini TC Mod 75W
  • 1 x TOPTANK Mini 4ml
  • 1 x 0.15 ohm Ni200
  • 1 x 0.5ohm SS Coil
  • 1 x 0.5ohm Clapton Coil
  • 1 x RBA Mini Plus
  • 1 x RBA Accessory Pack
  • 1 x Micro USB Cable
  • 1 x User Manual

Specs & Features:

  • Requires (1) Single 18650 Battery (Sold Separately)
  • Variable Wattage: 7W – 75W
  • Temperature Control: Ti, Ni, SS, NiCr, Kanthal
  • OLED Screen
  • Spring-Loaded 510 Center Pin
  • Micro-USB Charging Port
  • 4mL E-Liquid Capacity
  • Top Fill Design
  • Adjustable Airflow Control
  • Pyrex Glass Tank
  • Supports coils as low as 0.10 ohm

Jason Little

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