SMOK TFV16 Sub-Ohm Behemoth – The King is Back?

As a hardcore Vaper Hobbyist, I was about as excited as anyone could be when my first 2 SMOK TFV16 Sub-Ohm Tanks arrived from Element Vape two weeks ago. While both an evolution of the previous King TFV12 and something brand new from SMOKTech, the TFV16 is massive in every way. Size, flavor, vapor, and… well, let’s see…

SMOK TFV16 Specifics

In addition to the whopping 9mL capacity while using the bubble glass tube, SMOK has used what its learned from the last sub-ohm it released with the Morph Kit, the TF Tank. (still my go-to sub-ohm). That is, a total change in Coils. It’s an ‘all Mesh all the Time’, type coil series that are installed in a plug ‘n’ play method, keeping coil changes quick, and leak free (mostly).

Airflow

The airflow section, now 14mm by 2.6mm, increase the airflow into the chamber, guiding the drawn in air past the internal coil structure. All this is used to successfully create incredible flavor and clouds of vapor that, well, to be frank, I found hard to believe.

The TFV16 uses the familiar locking top fill system that has been used in all the past TF-series since 2017, (it has the button release to swing the top cap away to reveal the fill slot) and like the earlier 2019 TF Tank, the silicon cap has been moved to the inside top of the swing back top cap. Swinging back the top cap reveals one large quarter-moon fill hole that makes it easy to use any type of e-liquid container, from the eye-dropper type to the needle-nose tip.

If you’re like me and have a tendency to drop your mod/tank you will definitely want to use the included thick silicon glass cover. (see photos) TIP: Turn the cover inside out, place it on top of the tank and unfold it onto the glass section. When you drop your mod with the TFV16 Sub-Ohm attached, it will not shatter the 9mL glass tube.

TFV16 – Let’s Talk Coils

The SMOK TFV16 Mesh Sub-Ohm Tank uses a new coil series that are optimized for full flavor and wicked cloud production. It uses a new Honeycomb-shaped mesh coil, and comes with resistances of 0.17ohms, 0.12ohms, and 0.15ohms, using single, dual, and triple mesh coil structure.

The TFV16 Replacement Coils are threaded at the base ensuring a tight and reliable seal. Each pack of replacement coils comes three (3) to a pack. Packs are currently $15.95 at Element Vape.

SMOK TFV16 Mesh Replacement Coils Features:

• SMOK TFV16 Mesh Coil Series
• 17ohm TFV16 Single Mesh Coil
• 12ohm TFV16 Dual Mesh Coil
• 15ohm TFV16 Triple Mesh Coil
• Plug ‘n’ Play Coil Installation
• Threaded Base Connection
• Comes in a pack of three (3)

TFV16 Coil Life

I expected good coil life and that is exactly what I got. I expected it because the replacement coils for the SMOK TF Tank are phenomenal, a good 2 weeks plus before the flavor begins to mute (unless the coil is accidentally scorched), so I had hoped the TFV16 coils would hold up just as long. And they do.

During the 2-week review I needed to use all three coils so I never got to see just how long each coil actually lasted, but I can say that after the review period was over I slid the single coil mesh coil back into the tank and it’s still going strong.

I’d love to tell you that each coil in the series was remarkably different from one another, but they weren’t. Yes, sure, there were differences and not only in the power requirements. The dual Mesh coil seems to be the best flavor coil, the triple mesh the largest cloud maker, and the single coil a nice even distribution of both flavor and vapor.

TFV16 Real World Performance

As much as I enjoy this new SMOK Sub-Ohm Tank, I don’t want to mislead anyone into thinking that the TFV16 is the “absolute best sub-ohm tank in the world”. For some it just might be, for others it could be too large, require too much power (a minimum of 90W for all 3 coils), or too wide (28mm at the base, wider at the glass) and so on. Like I said above, despite all the positives of this new tank, I still prefer the TF Tank.

For my personal vaping these days, I tend to use the new Valyrian II 2 sub-ohm, along with the Valyrian II 2 vape mod, or the SMOK TF Tank. In fact, during the review period I kept a Valyrian II 2 Starter Kit, a Jackaroo Box Mod with a SMOK TF tank, and my Lost Vape Triade for the new TFV16, and most of the time I would grab the Jackaroo/TF Tank combo more than the Triade/TFV16.

Having said all that, for anyone looking for massive clouds and spot-on flavor, own a vape mod that can handle both the power requirements and width/height of the TFV16, you will not be disappointed at all, provided you understand beforehand just how BIG this sub-ohm tank is.

Pro’s

• Awesome performance for serious hobbyists
• Excellent coil life
• No leaks (so far)
• Included silicon sleeve
• Fair retail price

Con’s

• Could be too large for some Vapers
• 1% spit back after 4 days of use with the single mesh coil
• Replacement Coils are a bit expensive

Spinfuel VAPE Score and Recommendation

After many months of being force-fed pod mod systems, this hobbyist is very happy to see SMOK once again turning its attention to high-end vaping. 50mg nicotine salt e-juice, and inexpensive, easy-to-break pod systems will be the end of the industry if it keeps up. So, yea, this new sub-ohm, along with the TF Tank, does show SMOK is still paying attention to the hobbyists, and that is a very good thing. And with the new Uwell Valyrian II 2 starter kit, I can only hope that the rest of 2019 we’ll begin to see more and more vape gear made for us, the hobbyist.

If you want the biggest, most powerful sub-ohm tank on the market right now then by all means, take the plunge and buy the new SMOK TFV16 Tank and a pack of replacement coils. You’ll be more than satisfied with the flavor production and cloud production with any of the 3 coils, and as long as your mod can output at least 90W and can handle a 28mm wide tank, you will be very happy.

Naturally, as much as I have enjoyed every aspect of this new sub-ohm, I’m giving it a solid A grade. For what SMOK intended to do with this new King, I just don’t know how they could have done it better.