The Powerful Sigelei Snowwolf MFENG Mod Kit

I really want to be a fly on the wall for vape product naming meetings. Between all the “PRIV” mods and “Pico” mods I review, I’m starting to wonder what all these Chinese manufacturers are using for inspiration. And now you can add “FENG” to that list, too… even if Sigelei’s latest, the Snowwolf MFENG, is the best use of the name to date.

Bold statement? Maybe – the series has a lot of diehard fans, for sure. But other than a few strange design choices, the MFENG might be the first Snowwolf that stays in my regular rotation … even with the silly name.

From the moment you open the box, you can tell Sigelei was going for a much more streamlined product with the MFENG. Gone are the odd colors, jutting lines and “Bold for Bold’s Sake” edges. In their place, users will enjoy a more ergonomic format, a cleaner display, and a less extreme hand feel. Well, except for one key “feature” …

…the MFENG has a giant, three-dimensional, chrome-plated wolf head on the rear of the mod. No, none of those words are out of place. In what might be the most literal branding I’ve seen in vaping; an otherwise comfortable mod has a giant animal noggin to contend with while using the device.

(In case you haven’t picked up on the tone, I absolutely f—ing hate the wolf head. And yes, it cost the mod points on the score.)

The other design flaw on the MFENG is the weird, raised sections on the top of the device. While they certainly make for a bold aesthetic statement, they also limit the types of tanks and RDAs you can use with the mod. The MFENG is fairly wide, so 30mm atomizers wouldn’t look out of place on top of the mod, but the raised “shoulders” all but ensure wider tanks are out of the running.

Beyond that, the MFENG is still a mostly attractive vape mod, with a fantastic fire bar on the left side of the device, rock-solid, centered 510 connection, and a nicely secured battery door. It’s definitely my favorite in the series so far, with a look that doesn’t try too hard to stand out (unlike earlier renditions).

The 200-watt Snowwolf MFENG seems to have a similar performance output as the awkward VFENG (reviewed here) and XFENG (reviewed here), but the chipset seems to have been upgraded a touch to provide a smoother, more intuitive operating experience. While the sharp display and menu system isn’t going to win any creativity awards, the trees are clearly laid out, linear, and easy to navigate by vapers of all skill levels.

In other words, beginners can easily find their way to their desired settings without much legwork. Which is good, because the MFENG has the usual laundry list of modes and settings, including all common temperature control options, TCR settings, adjustable preheat power, DIY customization and more. Overall, in 2018, it’s a fairly standard offering, but it’s laid out in a way that makes sense, and helps users avoid potential mistakes.

The other highlight is the included Wolf sub-ohm tank, which is a LEGIT contender in the crowded atomizer wars, and one tank we’re likely to be discussing again at the end of the year. Forget hyperbole, the Wolf tank is that good.

The 6mL, triple-airflow Wolf doesn’t appear to be that interesting on first glance, but once the coils are primed and ready, users will see what I mean. Both of the included WF series coils – a 0.2-ohm head with 150-watt capability, and a 0.16-ohm companion with 230-watt (!) max output.

Sure, we’ve seen prospective numbers like this before, but never have stock coils lived up to their own hype THIS well. In the two weeks since receiving my MFENG kit, I’ve used each coil extensively, and both are still kicking hard, even after tons of chain vaping and wattage adjustments. The flavor and vapor are as rich and abundant as day one, and I’m not seeing any signs of fading. When’s the last time we’ve said that about prebuilt coils?

Of the two, the 0.16-ohm version is the clear winner. While both heads offer RDA-levels of flavor and vapor production, the lower-resistance head blew me away with the nuanced flavors and thick clouds it generated. I was tasting notes in complex liquids that I hadn’t experienced since I last squonked them months ago – seriously impressive for a sub-ohm tank, even by modern standards.

My ONLY complaint about the Wolf tank? There’s a decent amount of spitback, even at lower wattages, making me wish there was some type of shield in the drip tip. It hardly ruined the experience, but it’s a point of contention all the same.

In a word? Power. Continuing 2018’s trend of fast-ramping, hard-hitting vape mods, the Snowwolf MFENG gets up to speed almost instantly, and continues to do so, all the way to its 200-watt maximum. In fact, I want to tip my cap to Sigelei for capping the output at 200 watts, rather than trying to push the chipset to 230 like before. Previous -FENGs struggled at higher elevations, but the 200-watt mark is the right level for this mod, and the smooth performance backs up this claim.

Temp control operates as expected, with no struggles using any different coil types, or setting temps and wattages. If there are any complaints or concerns with this mode, it’s that the temp limit seems a little cautious, pulling back the power a little too far when chain vaping. Of course, this was in testing conditions, and isn’t likely going to affect the regular user.

Using the MFENG, for the most part, was an absolute pleasure. The rocker-style fire bar is responsive and feels good no matter where you press (even though it seems like there would be a dead spot or two across the length of the key). The front-facing adjustment buttons are equally solid and rattle-free and are recessed just enough below the screen that they don’t get caught when kept in a pocket.

And of course, the tank is fantastic. I’ve read a lot of differing opinions about the Wolf sub-ohm tank on the web since reviewing the MFENG kit, but I don’t see a single problem with it, except for the minor spitback. Again, getting a week out of a replaceable coil seems to be the gold standard in 2018 – Sigelei may have raised the bar.

So, what’s the problem? Well, not to be redundant, but it’s that damn wolf. Not only is the thing gaudy and ugly, but it makes it difficult to use the MFENG for extended periods of time. Initially, it seems like the wolf is something you’d get used to over time, but the opposite actually happens. After a few hours, I became more conscious of the 3D animal head digging into my palm and pushing against my leg when kept in jeans. (Ed Note* Another Reviewer on staff  here at Spinfuel VAPE loves the Wolf head, to each their own)

I adapted by turning the MFENG around and laying my palm across the screen, which alleviated the discomfort but also made for a fingerprinted mess every time I moved my hand. A less-than-ideal solution to an unnecessary problem.

Yeah, I’m not afraid to admit it – despite all its positives, I seem to avoid the MFENG because of a stupid design decision. Had Sigelei just used a shiny graphic, or a nice engraving, we’d be discussing an “A” score. Instead, I have to shave points because someone in the marketing department wanted to hammer home the idea that this is a Snowwolf-branded mod.

Still, I’ve seen what people vape, so it’s doubtful everyone will agree with my thoughts. But I feel like Sigelei was THIS close to nailing it with the MFENG, and I hope they tone things down a bit more the next time a “FENG” hits the design table.

Score: B

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