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Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Team Spinfuel
SMOK AL85 Alien Baby TC Starter Kit Review
Months after publishing our in-depth review of the SMOK Alien 220W TC Box Mod, it is still in the Top 5 Most Read Reviews every single day. On average, 500+ people a day land on this review in Spinfuel VAPE after having sought out information about the SMOK Alien box mod. Will the same number of vapers, or perhaps even more, seek out this review for the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby? Probably, though this Alien is dramatically different from its predecessor.
The SMOK AL85 Alien Baby 85W TC Starter Kit ($54.95 Element Vape) is a mini version of the ever popular Alien 220W. However, many will be pleased to learn that the SMOK TFV8 Baby Beast Sub-Ohm Tank is included in this Starter Kit model as well.
About the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby
Sporting a single 18650 battery, the SMOK Alien Baby is just 71mm by 48mm by 27mm, or 2.7 inches high, 1.88 inches wide, and 1 inch deep. Yet, looking at it you’ll know in an instant that it is a direct decedent of the more powerful Alien 220W. Maintaining the same basic form factor and design accents, including the same OLED Display, the Alien Baby is the perfect companion piece for owners of the larger Alien, or vapers looking for a small footprint and less power needs, while still wanting the “flavor” of the SMOK Alien. Despite its diminutive size, the Alien Baby offers up a lot of great features and specs that will ensure its appeal is widespread.
The SMOK Alien AL85 features a top-loaded battery cap that first made its appearance in the eLeaf Pico. Because the height of the AL85 is shorter than an 18650 battery, the top cap serves as an extension to the ‘height’ and allows the battery to be used as its power source. (who wants to bring back the 18350?) The board used in the AL85 Alien Baby delivers 85W of maximum output through that single battery. Simply unscrew the top-cap and place the battery negative-side up, screw on the cap and fire it up.
The SMOK Alien AL85 big-ass OLED Display is the same size as the OLED display on the larger sibling.
One of the nicest features of the original SMOK Alien 220W box mod was the use of the Firing Panel instead of a smaller firing button. Gripping the mod and squeezing the panel made vaping with it comfortable and easy. The SMOK AL85 Alien Baby incorporates the same Firing Panel for easy and comfort like its bigger sibling.
The OLED display provides the same extensive information that its older sibling does because the display is the exact same display used in the original Alien 220W.
The SMOK AL85 Alien Baby Mod has a power output range of 1 to 85W, and features a sophisticated temperature control that has native support for Ni200 (Pure Nickel), Ti (Titanium), and SS (Stainless Steel) heating elements. In addition, the AL85 Alien Baby includes Memory Modes and initial wattage boosts settings.
All in all, SMOKTech delivered the same awesome features of the Alien 220W TC Box Mod, the same design elements that users will instantly recognize as an Alien box mod, and reduced the body and the maximum wattage output dramatically, creating a device that will undoubtedly appeal to users looking for a small, attractive fully featured mod with modest power needs.
SMOK TFV8 Baby Beast
Although the AL85 Alien Baby is available to buy as a standalone mod, the Starter Kit version includes the TFV8 Baby Beast Tank, which has a 3mL juice capacity, along with an excellent airflow control design, and of course the same signature hinged top-fill system used in all the TFV4, TFV8 and TFV12 sub-ohms. The TFV8 Baby Beast also includes the new Baby Turbo Engines coil structure. This tank is at home on just about any box mod on the market, but with the Starter Kit version, the included TFV8 Baby Q2 Coil Heads, users will get an optimal vape at 50-55W, leaving plenty of power left over. (2x V8 Baby-Q2 Coil Heads included in the Kit version)
The Bottom Line
I use the larger and more powerful SMOK Alien 220W TC Box Mod a couple of days a week during my personal vape time. When I was chosen to review its little sister, the AL85 Alien, I felt at home with it immediately. The biggest difference, besides the small footprint, was the protruding battery cap. Swapping out the battery while the Baby Beast is attached requires a bit of delicate twisting to unscrew the cap, but after a little more than a day it became second-nature. Everything else about the AL85 Alien works, and feels, like the larger Alien.
Interestingly, the price of the full size SMOK Alien 220 TC Box Mod Starter Kit is just $59.95 right now at Element Vape, $5 more than the SMOK AL85 Alien Baby Starter Kit, which is my $54.95. Either way you go, you’ll be happy with your choice.
GRADE: A+
“Creating a small box mod that can truly deliver a wonderful vape experience, and retain all the sophisticated features of a wonderful high-wattage advanced box mod is no small feat. SMOK did not cut corners developing the AL85 Alien, and every ounce of quality that SMOK is known for is here. If your vape needs doesn’t require more than 85W, and if you enjoy vaping with small mods, the SMOK AL85 Alien is a wonderful choice.”
EDIT: A big thanks for reader Enrique for pointing out our error concerning the correct tank that comes with the AL85 Kit. To be honest, the SMOK Baby Beast, Big Baby, Cloud Beast, Cloud Beast King… it can get confusing as to which one is which.
Check out the TFV8 Baby Replacement Coils here.
SMOK Alien Baby 85W TC Box Mod Features:
- Single High-Amp 18650 Battery – Not Included
- Dimensions: 71mm by 48mm by 27mm
- Wattage Output Range: 1-85W
- Min Atomizer Resistance: 0.06ohm
- Temperature Range: 200-600F
- Supports Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and Stainless Steel Heating Elements
- Memory Mode
- HARD/NORM/SOFT Drawing Effects
- Premium Zinc Alloy Construction
- Full-Matrix OLED Display
- Stealth Firing Mechanism
- Ergonomically Placed Adjustment Buttons
- Top-Loaded Threaded Battery Cap
- 510 Connection
- Available in Black Gold, Red, Gunmetal, and Silver
SMOK TFV8 Baby Beast Tank Features:
- 22mm Diameter
- 3mL Juice Capacity
- Superior Stainless Steel Construction
- High-Grade Glass Reinforcement
- Convenient Top-Fill Design with Hinge Lock
- Dual Adjustable Airflow Control at Base
- Black Delrin Ultra-Wide Drip Tip
- Patented Baby Turbo Engines Coil Structure
- 0.2ohm V8 Baby-Q2 Dual Coil – rated for 30-80W | recommended 55-65W
- 0.15ohm V8 Baby-X4 Quad Coil – rated for 30-70W | recommended 45-60W
- 0.15ohm V8 Baby-T8 Octuple Coil – rated for 50-100W | recommended 60-80W
- V8 Baby RBA – Two-Post Deck
- 510 Connection
Included in the Starter Kit:
- 1 AL85 Mod
- 1 TFV8 Baby Beast
- 2 V8 Baby-Q2 Coil Heads
- 1 MicroUSB Cable
- Spare Parts
- Instructional Manual
