2019 was a very nerve-wracking year for ALL vapers in many countries. (Well, maybe not the United Kingdom.) The UK learned a few years ago just how effective e-cigarettes were as a smoking cessation device. They quickly set up rules and regulations that allowed any adult in the UK to vape, vape flavors, and vape thousands of choices of mods, tanks, and e-liquids.
In 2019 the USA lived through a nightmare around the harmless act of vaping. A nightmare that had, and still has, the non-vaping people believing that vaping is deadlier than smoking tobacco cigarettes. As crazy as that sounds, it is not an exaggeration.
We’re still writing about the continued fallout of what happens when ignorance meets corruption, every day, but today we are here to isolate the Best “Open’ Pod Kits to start off the new year right. Buying one of these excellent vape pod mod in January 2020, means that it will be available come December 2020, or perhaps an updated and improved model to boot. (closed pod mod systems will soon be banned. Not that it makes much legal sense, but closed pod systems are awfully expensive and the pre-filled e-juice is mostly terrible.)
In the next component we’ll spend a few minutes explaining the difference between an ‘open’ and ‘closed’ vape pod system.
The Open Vape Pod Mod
The Vape Community (referred to now as #vapeFam on Twitter) grew very quickly back in the day. During the early years companies tried to capture lightening in the bottle. Over and over. To no avail. Design and build a device, fill it with a flavored liquid, then go! Some worked. Some did not.
Years of battles. Millions in wasted dollars. More millions that proved a certain harmlessness in a simple mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, pure flavoring, and relatively low levels of nicotine is all there is to it. With an open pod system the person has freedom to fill the pod with whatever juice the wanted.
The Closed Vape Pod Mod
We admit that when the Federal Level Rules came down and it was decided that the closed pod mod systems would no longer be allowed to sale flavored pods we didn’t exactly moan and groan about it. A closed pod means that the e-liquid is sealed inside the pod and the only way to get it out is to use it (or smash it open, I suppose).
If a Vaper decided to go that route, to buy a battery operated mod to use the pre-filled pods, then no matter what, the enduser was stuck using the pre-filled pods. And let us say, today’s pre-filled pods can’t hold a candle to the only pre-filled ‘cartomizer’ set up that actually delivered the goods (BluCigs with Johnson Creek filled cartomizers).
Best Vape Pod Systems To Start in 2020
Below are several open pod pod-mod systems on sale at the beginning of 2020.
SMOK RPM80 PRO POD MOD KIT
The new SMOK RPM80 PRO Pod Mod Kit, is a single-battery variant of the RPM40, capturing features like a wattage range that spans 1-80W, two types of pods offered that shares compatibility with all preceeding RPM coils, and is powered by the new IQ-80 chipset making this an ideal compact vaping kit for those on the go, or are looking to get into vaping.
1 – SMOK RPM Replacement Coils
2 – SMOK RPM80 Replacement Pods
3 – SMOK RPM80 RGC Replacement Coils
The SMOK RPM80 is powered by the new IQ-80 chipset making this an ideal compact vaping kit for those on the go, or are looking to get into vaping. Implementing the new IQ-80 chipset, the SMOK RPM80 Pro can achieve wattages between 1-80W, while still offering an ultra fast firing speed clocking in at an impressive 0.0015s.
Constructed from durable zinc-alloy, the chassis of the RPM80 Pro can accomodate a single high-amp 18650 battery, facilitating changes and installation via bottom hinged battery door. In addition, of the two pods available, the RPM80 RGC Pod features a bottom coil, pod-based airflow control ring with dual slots to allow for minute adjustments to carefully control the amount of airflow rushing through the central point of the coil.
ASPIRE MULUS 80W POD SYSTEM
Open Pod - Pod Mod System
We start off 2020 with the new Aspire MULUS 80W Pod System, implementing a single high-amp 18650 battery, large 4.2mL refillable pod, and is compatible with a myriad of coil offerings designed and built by Aspire to assist in finding the perfect vape style that will satisfy Vapers. Both novice or advanced Vapers can enjoy the MULUS right now.
What makes the Aspire MULUS a winner is the 80W power delivery, the single-18650 format, and refillable pods with replaceable coils. It may have taken a little longer to fix the flavor and vapor feature in the tiny pod form, but we’ll be looking forward to what’s next.
Quick Links:
MULUS Replacement Pods
Tigon Replacement Coils
Nautilus BVC Coils
SMOK NOVO 2
Award Winning Slab
The SMOK NOVO 2 Pod System is the upgraded rendition of the original NOVO, retaining the elegant shape while sporting a visually striking finish, spacious 800mAh battery capacity, and uses an intuitive draw-activated firing method to catalyze the vaporization of premium nicotine salts within the 2mL cartridge.
Revitalizing the original chassis and exterior with a livelier finish, the NOVO 2 raises the capacity of the battery life within to a whopping 800mAh to ensure the battery lasts throughout the day. Acting upon a draw-activated firing mechanism, the NOVO 2 Pod System works with the 1.0ohm Mesh Pod and 1.4ohm MTL Pod to vaporize regular eJuice or nicotine salts, respectively. Within the pods, 2mL of today’s most popular juices can be stored for immediate and later vaping, creating dense flavored vaporous clouds.
Quick Links:
SMOK NOVO 2 Replacement Pods
UWELL CROWN 25W POD Mod
The new Uwell Crown 25W Pod Kit, a portable system, implementing a 1250mAh rechargeable battery, dual-parallel coil layout, and can be paired with a myriad of pod options.
Quick Links:
Uwell Crown Replacement Pods
Uwell is known as their great pod mods like Uwell Caliburn and Uwell Caliburn Koko. With their dedicated research and development team, Uwell strive to bring new innovations and ideas into a reality in order to further advance the technology in vaping field. For a lot of vape lovers, we do believe that Uwell is definitely a reliable vape brand.
And when it comes to Uwell Crown, many people will think of the Uwell Crown 4 Kit with multiple versions of the popular Sub ohm tank – the Crown 4, Crown 3, Crown 2 and the original Crown.
Uwell Crown Pod Kit
Uwell Crown Pod Kit features direct draw and button vape, it’s sleek body with the gothic pattern and the Crown fire button provides an elegant look and comfortable grip. There are two different pods in the package, 0.6Ω for restricted DTL and 1.0Ω for MTL. Fill it up with your favorite e-liquid — freebase or nicotine salt.
And the parallel coils design fully atomizes the e-liquid which gives you better flavor, bigger clouds, and a smoother throat hit. What’s more, there is an airflow valve on the side of the pod, adjustable airflow offers the option of restriction for a tight cigarette feeling or openness for satisfying clouds.
GEEK VAPE AEGIS BOOST 40W
The new Geek Vape AEGIS BOOST 40W Pod Kit, the legendary Aegis series returns with a stunning pod mod system, integrating 1,500mAh battery with advanced AS Chipset, 3.7mL Max Capacity, and intuitive Airflow Control!
Quick Links:
Boost Replacement Pods
Aegis Boost Replacement Coils
UWELL CALIBURN KOKO 11W POD SYSTEM
Presenting the UWELL KOKO Pod System, a finely crafted vaping kit manufactured with an integrated 520mAh battery and a flavor-focused pod design made in the high-quality fashion that made the renowned Caliburn!
Quick Links:
UWELL CALIBURN KOKO Pods
Coil Performance is Everything Now
The Uwell Caliburn Koko Pod Kit comes with two pods, which is great. All kits should always include two coils/pods. There is only one coil option which is a 1.2 ohm coil.
No specs on wire material or wick though. However you can also use the caliburn 1.4 ohm pods which are proven to be great as well. I used both included pods.
We’ve all used all 50/50 and 60/40 Nic-Salt juices 20-25 mg nicotine, and the draw is a solid MTL. It’s not super tight but not too loose. A little tighter then most of the pods I’ve tried. Flavorwise, it’s got great output, with some of the best flavor a pod can offer these days. Very similar and push come to shove, probably slightly better then the Caliburn pods. It also handled chain vaping just fine and the low watts means it doesn’t use much juice.
Coil Life
Coil life wise was pretty impressive. For a device like this, I usually look for 10ml as a minimum requirement and anything over that is a bonus. For my first coil I ran 40ml through it before it died which is pretty insane life. The other coil I ran 20ml through it and it’s still working perfectly fine so yeah very impressed with the coil life. I also used an OG Caliburn coil in it to make sure it works since I still use my Caliburn and purchased more coils for it and it works great too. Overall great flavor and good draw and great coil life and consistency.
VOOPOO VINCI X 70W POD MOD KIT
The VOOPOO VINCI X 70W Pod Mod System, delivering a powerful single 18650 battery with advanced Gene.AI Chip, large 0.96″ TFT Color, and utilizing PnP Coil Series for MTL or DTL vape.
Now available in Limited Edition while supplies lasts, a special packaging consisting of five different types of coils alongside the VINCI X Device. The coils included are the following: PnP-RBA (yes really!), PnP-VM1, PnP-VM3, PnP-VM4, and PnP-R2.
Quick Links:
VOOPOO PnP Coils (PnP RBA – Now Available!)
The standout feature of this “pod” device is the vastly improved battery life. The Vinci R struggled with poor battery performance with its 1,500mAh integrated cell. But by moving to a single-18650 setup, the Vinci X is a whole new animal, giving our test team several solid hours of steady use, in both MTL and direct lung use cases, before needing to swap. To be fair, the Vinci X doesn’t need recharging, you simply insert a fresh battery.
Maybe a single battery mod isn’t the most exciting thing to discuss in a review. But we have to hand it to Voopoo for blurring that line between pod and box mod so effortlessly with this series. And if you’re hellbent on recreating the integrated battery “feel,” know that the Vinci X recharges via USB in less than 45 minutes, making this a complete success story for active vapers.
