When I first heard I was getting to review the PLY Rock Zilla mod kit, I expected another massive, 200+ watt sub-ohm beast, much like the namesake fire-breathing lizard. What I got was only “massive” in the amount of surprise it gave us.

Indeed, the 60-watt Zilla mod isn’t going to put any of your primary cloud-chasing devices out of work. But for more moderate vapers, or for those who want a reliable backup, the PLY Rock Zilla is a fantastic starter kit – with a fantastic tank in tow to sweeten the deal.

From the moment you open the colorful, information-filled packaging, you can see that the Zilla is a solid little vape mod. But picking it up really tells the story; the Zilla has a solid, reassuring weightiness that nearly seems impossible for such a diminutive mod. It feels great in the palm, just on weight alone.

But the Zilla is also designed for ergonomics – a word some of our editors don’t like, but one that certainly applies here. The strangely shaped Zilla is an oblong box, with a firm, clicky, trigger-like fire key, well-placed buttons, and subtle curves that come together to create a true “one-handed” vape mod.

With the potent 2,000mAh internal battery on board, the weight is understandable. Still, the molded rubberized grip makes the Zilla even more comfortable to hold, even with the weight it has on had. Yes, it’s a tiny, squat little brick, but the device never becomes too much to handle.

This user-friendly design is highlighted by a simplified menu system that looks fantastic and makes navigation an absolute breeze for anyone using the mod – even first-timers. And it’s delivered through a bright, easy-to-read OLED display, which not only makes all operations and readings clear for users upon first powering up the Zilla, but these users will also have some insights into what the mod is doing beyond just a power reading. It’s a thoughtful, well laid-out display that makes the most of its real estate on the front of the Zilla mod.

That said, the Zilla is definitely aiming for more than just entry-level vapers. On top of the 60-watt power output, the mod also features a complete temperature control suite, surprisingly accurate TCR adjustments, and the standard collection of safety and protection measures, which are all but guaranteed on modern variable wattage mods.

But the user-friendly format and functionality is only part of the value. Inside the Zilla kit you also get the oddball, ultra-flavorful Wake Tank, adding up to a fantastic setup for a wide range of vapers, of all skill levels. Maybe we didn’t LOVE the Wake Tank when we first tested it, but over time, we began to appreciate the nuanced flavor that comes from its coils.

Our first run-in with the Wake Tank coils was hit-or-miss, with some questionable coil longevity and performance quirks. However, our second turn at bat was a home run. In fact, we’d argue that the Wake Tank is one of the most flavorful vapes in our collections now. The trick is working the coils up and breaking them in at lower wattages before putting them to the test.

And the PLY Rock Zilla is the perfect way to do just that. Even though the Wake coils are rated to go higher, I found a little break-in period at 30-40 watts was ideal for getting the coils to start strutting their stuff, before maxing out the Zilla’s 60-watt maximum. Once we did that, the 24mm Wake Tank sang beautiful melodies of unbeatable flavor and surprisingly dense vapor.

We definitely still wish the Wake Tank was packaged with the available RBA head, since we think that will be an even better way to maximize the tank’s flavor. But for newcomers, this is the perfect bridge

Our biggest concern during the PLY Rock Zilla preview was the performance of the relatively small 2,000mAh internal battery. But the cell proved to be a solid workhorse, giving us considerably more battery life than we ever could have expected. If users keep the Zilla around 50 watts or below, they’ll probably enjoy a good amount of steady vape time before having to plug back in at the office.

I still wish PLY Rock found a way to squeeze more capacity into the Zilla’s tiny frame, but all in all, we can’t complain about the battery, since it efficiently puts out smooth, steady-ramping power, even at its 60-watt max output. And when you do have to plug back in, the fast USB charging gets you from minimal power to near full in less than a few hours.

Looking past the battery life, the Zilla also proved itself to be a potent compact mod, and an excellent vehicle for the Wake Tank to shine. (Hell, they even look like a proprietary matchup, even if they’re not.) Though we didn’t spend much time in temperature control, the Zilla was excellent at recognizing resistances and locking them in, and even featured easy wattage adjustments after doing so – something I wasn’t expecting on a mod this small.

Still, despite the slick TC and TCR, the Zilla is at its best when delivering simple power to whatever tanks you throw at it – and with a minimum resistance of 0.05 ohms, there aren’t too many coils and setups in your collection that won’t work. Maybe 60 watts isn’t exactly “cloud-chucking” territory, but in 2018, I think we’re beyond that – and the smooth, steady performance of the Zilla reinforces that point.

Yes, it’s small. Yes, it’s heavy. And maybe it could use a TOUCH more battery life. But when you boil down the PLY Rock Zilla to brass tacks – vaping, vaping and vaping – there are few starter kits that offer more flavor and performance than this one. Whether you’re just starting out in advanced vaping, or looking for a more compact setup to complete your collection, this kit is a contender for best value of the year so far.

Score: A

Want the Ply Rock Zilla Starter Kit? Pop over to Element Vape now, they are in stock and ready to ship.