SHANLAAN LAAN POD MOD KIT REVIEW

In the ever-expanding vape marketplace, there are pod mods and AIOs, and then there are devices that take these simplified ideas and turn them into something else entirely. The Shanlaan Laan is in the latter – and might be the pod/AIO device that turns the competition on its ear.

It’s not perfect, and the format still won’t appeal to many, but in terms of taking a simple premise and making it both better and more advanced, the Laan currently sits alone. Unfortunately, the price might also keep it sitting alone on shelves.

Shanlaan – a name new to most of our readers – designed the AIO Laan system to be compact, aesthetically appealing, and powerful enough to appeal to beginners and experienced vapers alike. With an output of 40 watts, the Laan is certainly more potent than most lightweight pod systems on the market. Yet, despite the power within, the Laan is still a button/adjustment-free device, using a draw-activated setup that creates a natural, authentic experience for users, and a convenient portable mod for those on the go.

At first glance, the Laan doesn’t seem like much – it appears to be a plain metal tube with a rounded, flat mouthpiece. But closer inspection reveals that the metal tube actually has a thin, real leather covering that leads to the right amount of tactile grip without being tacky. There are three color/texture combinations, and though I liked the black on black test model Shanlaan sent, I have an affinity for the silver and brown leather edition that more than resembles a good cigar.

The Laan’s pods are a lot different than most of the mini-tanks pervading today’s market. These 24mm, 2mL capacity vessels are top fill and leak-proof, thanks to an internal atomizer design that can handle any juice around – not just nic salt liquids like the competition. Yes – your AIO/pod mod can handle thicker, cloud-friendly liquids. Would I use max-VG all the time? No – the slender mouthpiece and smaller juice flow ports make it a questionable long-term practice. But it’s nice to know the option is there.

In regular use, standard 50/50 blends worked very well, with the right amount of cloud production and punchy flavor. Your mileage may vary, but the Laan is certainly designed for more than just ex-smokers seeking their first vape device.

More impressive is the amount of tech advancement underneath the thin metal casing. First, the Laan app – which connects the device to your smartphone, allowing you to control the mod’s power output, child lock protection and temperature.

No, that’s not a typo. The Shanlaan Laan has temperature control, and it can be modified depending on the juice you’re using. The app makes setting the temp easy and effortless, but to be honest, since the whole thing is so automated, I’m not sure the TC settings made much of a difference in vape quality when compared to the straight wattage settings. Either way, the Laan is designed and prepared to stave off dry hits and scorched coils, which is not something you hear about too many AIO setups these days.

It’s pretty clear by the specs and features that the Shanlaan Laan isn’t a standard bargain pod device, friends. Which is good, because unlike many of the lower-grade pods we’ve reviewed, the Laan tends to use some serious juice when cranked.

The pods themselves seem an awful lot like the old-school cartomizer tanks – remember those, from the days of ProVari and Volcanoes? The Laan might be the most innovative AIO device in the market, but this format is a throwback to simpler times. Which is great, because it works.

I DO wish the pods lasted longer than a few days. Admittedly, I was chain vaping, and trying different juice viscosities in the tanks, but all the same, for a top-dollar setup, the coil heads were surprisingly limp. Still, the flavor and vapor were great while it lasted.

I should also mention that there are rumors of pre-filled pods for the Laan, but I haven’t seen them in the wild as of this writing. Frankly, unless Shanlaan has a deal to distribute pods with top-tier juices, I’d stick to using your own liquids.

Finally, we should mention the integrated 1,300 mAh battery, which charges quickly over the onboard USB port. But you’ll need to do so often, since 1,300 mAh is far too limp for a device with this type of output capability. I don’t know how often I took the Laan to 40 watts, but I imagine it happened more than once… and the battery never quite kept up.

Bottom line? The unique Shanlaan Laan pod mod is a hybrid of a few really good ideas, and delivers a punchy, potent alternative to traditional pod systems and beginner vape rigs. I don’t know if it’s as “high end” as it’s being portrayed, but Shanlaan has definitely delivered something better and more advanced than the garden-variety pod mods cluttering shelves across the world.