I’d like to make a request to manufacturers worldwide – please retire the term “beast” for naming any future vaping products. First, SMOK was (probably) the first to use it, so they get to keep it. But more importantly, it’s now being used to describe products that, quite simply, aren’t “beastly” at all. Enter the FreeMax Starre Pure Beast sub-ohm tank.

On its own, the Starre Pure Beast is an adequate 22mm tank, with a proven, if not a little dated design. But as a follow-up to the revered Starre Pure, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed by this conservative and flawed offshoot. Let’s see why.

Just like its older brother, the Starre Pure Beast is a simple-looking affair, with unadorned stainless steel and plain glass dominating the proceedings. In fact, I put the Pure Beast next to an ancient Lemo 2 on my rack, and couldn’t tell them apart from a moderate distance.

But, in an era that sees most tanks going bigger and badder, I found the minimal look somewhat refreshing.

What isn’t quite as refreshing is the tank’s strict 2mL capacity. My test model didn’t come with any other glass sections or chimney extenders, so FreeMax is sticking with a 2mL limit for now. Though I understand this is a simplified tank, FreeMax might have shot itself in the foot by promising massive airflow, tremendous liquid flow, and something called “full-frontal flavor.”

One thing is for sure, the Starre Pure Beast will use a LOT of e-liquid. Have those large bottles handy, kids.

The two Kanthal coils included in the box – 0.25 and 0.5-ohms, respectively – are seemingly proprietary, but have ample juice ports to keep things flowing, even within the tight space inside the tank.

The top-mounted airflow is nice, with enough stiffness to keep it in place, but still enough play to allow it to move without concern. I imagine this decision was made to ensure the Pure Beast lives up to its billing as a leak-free atomizer.

(Spoiler Alert: It didn’t quite work.)

All in all, the machining and build quality of the Starre Pure Beast is exceptional, which is what we’ve come to expect from FreeMax products. There are no “crunchy” threads or poor-fitting sections, and all comes together to form a solid feeling device.

So, I have to admit, for a conservative-looking tank, I was a little surprised FreeMax used the term, “full-frontal flavor” in describing the Pure Beast’s capabilities. But that’s also what excited me about the tank. Despite not wanting another 22mm device, I was secretly hoping the Starre Pure Beast would smack me in the head with flavor, making me feel stupid for ever doubting the device.

Instead, I received a vape as conservative as its design. Not bad. Not weak. Not anything, really. It was a very average experience, marred by too much airflow, and too little juice capacity.

I first used the preinstalled 0.25 coil head. After juicing it and letting it soak in a full tank for nearly 20 minutes, I set my mod to 30 watts – well within the low 20-60-watt range – and began vaping. The first hit was strong, with a quick shot of nuanced flavor, followed by a muted exhale. The second was similar. This is when I noticed the Pure Beast wanted to go higher. I ramped up to 45 watts, and had a very similar experience. It was only at the 60-watt maximum that the Pure Beast began to make some strides toward “full frontal.”

I chain vaped at 60 watts for approximately 10 long, deep puffs. Each draw was warmer and more flavorful. Figuring I had finally broken in the coil, I let it cool down to wick, lowered the power back to 45 watts, then started again. And this is where the mystery begins – the coil completely popped. I got a quick mouthful of heat and cotton, then nothing.

Removing the coil showed that I did indeed fire this head one too many times, so I chalked it up to a fluke, then tossed it, focusing now on the included 0.5-ohm head.

I gave this coil the same treatment, with a long soak and ample priming. Since this coil was rated for the same range as the 0.25-ohm head, I started at 30 watts again, and had mostly the same experience as before. The flavor was initially strong, but quickly became muted and dull. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t particularly memorable, either. The flavor reminded me of the original Kanger Sub-Tank heads, with just a little more punch.

Moving things up the dial, I managed to get the 0.5-ohm head operating steadily at 45-50 watts, but noticed some dry hits when I went any higher. I know FreeMax wanted the Starre Pure Beast to be a true “no dry hit” atomizer, but these aren’t the coils for the job. Within two puffs at 50 watts, all I could taste was cotton and burnt filaments.

Thankfully, the coil did recover nicely when I dialed things back to 45 watts, and the head resumed its decent flavor and vapor production. I just wish the dry coil was the Starre Pure Beast’s biggest problem. But alas, there was leaking to be had.

It was MINOR leaking, to be clear. But droplets continued to form around the 510 pin whenever I fired. It never caused shorts or warnings to appear, but I was nonetheless surprised by the mess.

My only explanation for the problem was that the Pure Beast’s top-fill cap spent more time on my desk than the tank itself. With just 2ml capacity, and a pair of surprisingly thirsty coils, I filled the Pure Beast a LOT.

It wasn’t quite like rewetting an RDA, but after a while, I stopped putting my juice bottle back in my pocket when out at the bar. I knew I’d be reaching for it again soon enough.

One interesting note, even at 60 watts, the FreeMax Starre Pure Beast got very hot. Except for the Teflon mouthpiece, which remained cool to the touch, and very comfortable to use. When dialed back to 30-45 watts, the Pure Beast is much more comfortable to use, but this is a surprising concern, even for a 22mm atomizer.

I can’t help but be a little disappointed by the FreeMax Starre Pure Beast. I loved the original Pure, and have thoroughly enjoyed its other products, including the quirky, cool FireLuke tank. However, the derivative design, questionable coils and flawed performance make this a missed effort – one that’s far too limited to be a “beast” of any kind.

Score: C-

AVAILABLE NOW AT ELEMENT VAPE

FreeMax Starre Pure Beast Tank Specs:

• 6mm x 22mm
• 2mL Capacity
• 510 Threading
• Kanthal 0.25ohm Coil (20W – 60W)
• Kanthal 0.5ohm Coil (20W – 50W)
• Material: 316 Stainless Steel, Borosilicate Glass Tube, Teflon Drip Tip

FreeMax Starre Pure Beast Tank Contents:

• 1 x Starre Pure Beast Tank
• 1 x Kanthal 0.25ohm Coil (Pre-Installed)
• 1 x Kanthal 0.5ohm
• 1 x Replacement Glass
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x Spare Parts