KangerTech RIPPLE 200W TC Starter Kit Review

KangerTech Ripple Kit Review –  Just hearing the name “KangerTech” brings a tear to my jaded reviewer eyes. The Kanger Subtank was my first foray into advanced vaping, and still sits proudly on my shelf… even if it doesn’t get much use these days. So, when the KangerTech Ripple 200W mod kit appeared in my “to-do” list, I held out hope that the mod/tank combo would bring me back to those same nostalgic feelings.

Well, we’ll always have our memories, Kanger. Now, that doesn’t mean the Ripple kit is a bad investment – it’s actually a pretty good one. But if there was ever a device that needed to be test-driven, it’s this one. Let’s first go into the abbreviated product description and specs.

The Ripple Starter Kit by KangerTech has a compact, lightweight design and is equipped with a 3.5mL replaceable glass tank. It’s compatible with NR series Mesh coils, producing great flavor and vapor production. The slide-to-open top filling system makes the juice filling simple, while the experience can be customized with temp control functionality and adjustable airflow. The mod is dual-18650 batteries with a maximum output wattage of 200 watts and has three pre-set user ability levels to make the experience suitable for a wide range of vapers.

The Kanger Ripple mod is definitely a “try before you buy” device. On the outside of the box, my silver and black test model looked like the pinnacle of smart, mature design, with a professional vibe and a durable look. Then I opened the box.

When I removed the Ripple from its enclosure, I was floored by how ridiculously light the mod really is. The exterior has a solid metal look, but the device is among the lightest I’ve ever used. In fact, it reminded me an awful lot of the recently reviewed Augvape VX200, in terms of how the company crammed a lot of power and tech underneath a VERY slender, lightweight exterior.

(Is this a new trend in high-wattage vaping? Chime in on our social media pages!)

On one hand, I really appreciated the compact, lightweight design. But as is always the case with mods built like this, I worry about dropping it, even from minimal heights, for fear the alloy casing will snap or warp beyond usability. I didn’t test this, because I want to keep the Ripple for the long term. But if something happens, I’ll be sure to update this section of the review.

In other areas, the Ripple has some really bright spots. For starters, the user interface, from the three-button control scheme, surprisingly clicky fire key and linear OLED screen menu system all work and look great, with a mature feel that most of today’s mods forgo to grab attention on shelves.

First off, let’s get back to that awesome three-button control scheme. I was actually told by my editor to STOP mentioning this in reviews, because it wasn’t doing anything to move the needle. Well, these controls are starting to make a comeback, so here it is – this is how all vape mods need to function from now on.

[ED. NOTE: Stop mentioning this in reviews.]

Why are we still designing devices to run with long press/short press/casual glance/butterfly fart mechanics, when a simple “enter” button streamlines the entire process? Not only does it make selection options much easier, but also affords designers more opportunity to do things with menu systems.

Now, for the Ripple tank. Well, at the outset of this review, I made mention of the classic Kanger Subtank. Well, the Ripple seems like a direct descendant of this venerable vape atomizer. Don’t get me wrong, the Ripple is a much more advanced tank, with larger coils and better functionality. But compared to some of the industry’s heaviest hitters, the Ripple lives up to its name – making ripples when others are making waves.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this tank. The NR mesh coils are solid performers, with better than average flavor and surprising longevity. But we did experience some occasional resistance jumping when using the tank with other mods, so it’s something worth keeping an eye on, should you make the purchase.

Also, I should mention that the Ripple is a maddeningly thirsty tank, with a limiting 3.5mL capacity and coils that just swallow juice in large gulps. If this was matched by unparalleled flavor and vapor production, I’d be all for it. But the middle-of-the-road performance makes me think it’s a little much.

As I always say, use the Ripple tank, enjoy it, form your own opinions. But in this reviewer’s eyes, it’s only valuable as a kit add-in, and not a standalone purchase.

Vaping the KangerTech Ripple Mod Kit

Despite the lightweight frame, the Ripple kit is surprisingly hefty on specs. With 200 watts of output power, 600-degree TC limit, and an extremely user-friendly menu system and interface, Kanger clearly listened to people who might have been disappointed by recent efforts like the lackluster XLUM kit, and other similar devices.

When first firing the mod in wattage mode, I was happy to see how responsive the fire key was. It wasn’t as good as some of the recent “record-setting” ramp-up we’ve seen on higher-end devices, but it was more than adequate, and gave me near-instant jolts of flavor and vapor on mid-high wattages. Moving the device up to its 200-watt limit, I only noticed a few stutter-steps around 160 or so watts, with massive battery drain after that point.

Truth be told, I don’t feel like the Ripple’s target audience is aiming that high anyway, so it’s not a deal breaker for me. But all the same, there’s no need to market this as a 200-watt device, when only 160 are consistently usable. Perhaps using the same chipset with different branding is worth looking into the next time around – DNA purposely down-throttles its products; maybe this is something other companies should look into more closely.

Temp control functioned as intended, with only a few minor hiccups when trying to lock resistance levels. Ultimately, I got things squared away in time – and it was made much easier with the presence of the “enter” button. [ED NOTE: Seriously, stop.]

One thing we never really discuss here is how the device FEELS when using it. Sure, we cover weight and angles, but never get into what it’s like to have a vape mod out and about. Well, I’ll just say this – I loved having the Ripple kit on display when I was at my local bar, because I think the subdued, professional appearance reflected my personal style. It looks like advanced tech, and operates accordingly, without LED light shows or dragons on the side panels.

But I didn’t enjoy the top-heavy feel of the Ripple, even when using it with its companion tank. The thinness of the exterior materials made it bend a little when squeezing and led to an overall imbalance when setting it down on a table. I was lucky that it never fell onto its side or the floor, but it never felt quite “right” standing upright, either.

Pros

– Attractive, mature design

– Excellent OLED display

– Three-button operation scheme

Cons

– Simply too lightweight

– Ripple tank is underwhelming

– Less true power than advertised

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

Like I said, the KangerTech Ripple kit is definitely a “try before you buy” proposition. On one hand, the sleek design, easy usability, and mature aesthetic all lend itself to vapers who don’t want to draw attention with anything but cloud production. On the other, there’s the flimsy casing, questionable power output and middling tank to consider.

Personally, I’m keeping the mod, because it’s pretty good, and I feel like it might grow on me. But if you only want to buy one mod this time around, you’ll want to spend a little time with the Ripple before laying down the cash.