SMOK STICK V9 MAX 60W STARTER KIT REVIEW

It’s 2019. What could a direct-wattage pen/stick mod like the SMOK Stick V9 Max possibly have to offer? More battery capacity? We’ve seen better. Higher power output? This caps at 60 watts on a good day. Pocket-friendliness? The V9 Max is one of the widest, heaviest pen-style mods around. Smoother performance? Well… let’s get into it.

The SMOK Stick V9 Max Kit claims to be the “most powerful vape pens by SMOKTech to date.” Maybe that’s true, but on paper, this dense, weighty pen mod isn’t that innovative. It sports a solid 4,000mAh integrated battery, direct-voltage output, and single-button operations. Simple, to be sure. But not the revolutionary device promised on the box.

Of course, the usual protection suite is on board, ensuring safe, error-free operations, as long as the Stick V9 Max is used as directed. This includes Intelligent Battery Life Indicator, 8-Second Cutoff, Low Voltage Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Lithium Battery Protection and more. SMOK never disappoints with its safety measures, so this is definitely a check in the plus column.

Rounding out the kit is the companion V9 Max sub-ohm tank, which is designed specifically for direct-wattage usage, no matter what the coils have imprinted on the side of their sleeves. I attempted to use them on traditional, adjustable vape mods and the experience came up short every time. This is a kit that’s meant to be used together – something to keep in mind if you’re a habitual tank swapper.

Man ALIVE, everything about the V9 Max kit is big! Maybe not in terms of height, but definitely in girth and weight. For starters, with a 28mm base diameter;  extending to 35mm at the widest point of the tank extension, the V9 Max pushes the envelope on what can be called a “pen-style” vape mod.

(I recommend “Magic Marker Mod” to any SMOK marketing team member who might be reading this.)

At 133.5 grams for the mod alone, there’s nothing dainty about the V9 Max, from head to toe. It’s dense but reassuring in the hand. If heft is something you equate with quality and durability, then SMOK may have created your dream stick mod. If you’re looking for something to throw in a pocket and forget about when not using it, you might want to keep looking. The squatty, girthy V9 Max isn’t going to appeal to everyone.

That said, the build quality and machining seems to be top-flight. All edges and threads are smoothly finished, and come together to form a seamless, unified design aesthetic. The pentagon-shaped fire key is firm and responsive, leading to some impressive ramp time, even when the V9 Max is toward the end of a battery cycle. And even though the V9 Max tank isn’t going to appeal to everyone because of its shape and width, the setup lives up to SMOK’s quality standards.

I may not personally like the V9 Max tank’s shape and overall look, but I walked away impressed with its overall performance. Not only does this large, oversized sub-ohm tank store a veritable gallon (okay, 8.5mL) of e-liquid, but the included Baby V2 coils (one single mesh, one quadruple Kanthal) offer similarly long-lasting, strong experiences.

But therein lies a problem – in its documentation, the S1 coil was supposed to offer a more-restrictive lung hit when compared to the quad coil option. Well, I simply couldn’t detect that at all, and even though I’m not a restricted lung vaper, this proved to be a little disappointing and misleading. The coil worked well, but anyone hoping for distinct differences between the coils are headed for a little bit of a letdown.

The mesh coil takes the gold medal for this kit, but only for longevity reasons. Flavor and vapor production for both are nearly equal, and only the most-discerning users will be able to tell the difference between the two. After two weeks of testing, the quadruple Kanthal head tapped out first,  which was respectable. However, the mesh coil is kicking hard, even under testing conditions.

Using the SMOK Stick V9 Max Kit

With exactly one button required to use the V9 Max, there isn’t much to report here. It’s a simple, unadorned, bulky stick vape mod. If that’s your bag, and you like SMOK’s color selection, there’s no reason not to give one a try.

But the SMOK Stick V9 Max also doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The same single LED indicators are in place. The same single-button operation is there, too. The battery life is adequate. And the pairing with the included tank is a solid one.

So, as long as you stay in that lane, you’ll probably be satisfied with the end result. Because, the V9 Max does what it intends to, with smooth ramping power and very few surprises.

However, if you like mixing and matching your products, you might experience some difficulty making things work as intended. My other direct-voltage atomizers didn’t perform nearly as well as the companion V9 Max tank, nor did they seem to fit properly on the 28mm device.

I prefer more versatility in this day and age, and considering how many similar products SMOK puts out, I would have liked to see more options available for cross-compatibility.

Pros

– 4,000mAh integrated battery

– Nicely crafted and machined

– Tons of e-liquid capacity

Cons

– Too large, considering the battery and output power

– Awkward and heavy

– More of the same – where’s the innovation?

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

If you absolutely need another direct-voltage stick mod in your collection, I suppose the SMOK Stick V9 Max is as good as any of its direct competitors. But innovation clearly isn’t the intention here, and I found the overall experience pretty flat and boring, even with an overachieving tank and coil setup. If you like mods of this style and size, give it a look. Otherwise, wait for something more original and higher-performing.