SMOK XPro M50 Review

SMOKTech XPRO M50 50W Mini BOX Mod

 I would like to thank Ave40 for sending out the SMOK XPro M50 for review. Ave40 is based in China, with a very large wholesale operation and a brisk retail business all over the world. We’ve used Ave40 for several months and have never had a single issue with price, delivery, or customer service. We trust Ave40, and so should you. – JM

Donated by Ave40The first time I opened the box for the SMOK XPro M50 was live, on-air (well, recorded of course, but my reaction was real and I didn’t edit it). The first thing I noticed was the ‘finish’. The XPro M50 has a finish unlike any of the other box mod I’ve used lately, including the various iSticks, the MVP20W from Innokin, among others. It feels textured, with nano-sized granules mixed with a rich coat of metallic paint. The tactile feel gives you a confidence in your grip, but it also works to dissipate excess heat so it’s cool to touch all the time. It’s hard to explain, hopefully my video review that accompanies this written review will do a better job of demonstrating the texturized finish and showing off the 5 air holes on the bottom of the device that also work to stave off excess heat.

The SMOK XPRO M50 Box Mod outputs up to 50W of power, and is the box mod SMOK fans have been waiting for. The performance is first rate with an exceptional range of coils and eliquid delivery systems (tanks, clearomizers, glassomizers,). Users can go down to as low as .2ohm coils with this model.

The compact size, smaller than the IPV Mini, larger than the iStick 20w/30w, it has more in common with high-end mods than you might expect from a sub-$80 device.

One Important Note

Before we go on, in this review I make comparisons with other popular box mods. However, there is one important aspect to the XPro M50 that you must keep in mind. Unlike the iSticks or MVP20W, the XPro M50 uses replaceable, rechargeable 18650 batteries. This box mod is not a self-contained battery device.Ave40 XPro 50M

The Box Mod Phenom

There’s no doubt that all the major players are coming out with their version of the ‘versatile box mod’ style and it has caught on in a very big way. The only problem I can see is finding out which one is right for you, as well as finding the strength not to buy every new box mod that hits the streets. Tough for some of us…

Personally, the box mod, or pocket mod, never really appealed to me, and after hearing someone in the industry say that the box mod was “the next big thing”, all I could think was “I hope not”. Then the box mods started making their way to Spinfuel eMagazine and before I knew it I wound up being one of the biggest in-house cheerleaders for their compact size, attractive styles, and wicked performance. Now I understand why they are becoming so popular with vapers. (Plus, I’m old and set in my ways, change is hard for me, LOL)

Shape

A box, or to be more accurate, a rectangle, is a radical departure for a vaper who has only used tube shaped vaporizers in the past. Holding a box mod for the first time can feel unnatural, and the firing button can seem to have an awkward reach. But, once you find your way around one that has been designed well, chances are you’ll become a fan. Not that you’ll want to ditch your tube-shaped vaporizers if you own one, but a box mod can provide an excellent vape experience, it can do so with a small footprint and with a very large array of eliquid delivery systems.

The SMOK XPro M50

Ave 40 SMOK XProThe XPro M50 is made from a high quality aluminum and zinc alloy. It is lightweight, compact, and very easy to operate because all the buttons are within easy reach. The M50 has a ‘concave’ surface along the button side to protect the buttons, making you think that SMOK took their time to really work out what makes a box mod feel right, and last a long time. With the buttons recessed lower than the raised sides you’ll still get plenty of tactile feedback while using them, without exposing them to the effects of being dropped or shoved into the pocket of a pair of jeans.

The XPro M50 has a range of variable wattage from 6 – 50 watts and is able to power atomizer coils with a resistance as low as 0.2ohm’s. (Not that I’ve vaped down that low with it) The large firing switch on the side of the M50 provides a comfortable position for your thumb, a very important consideration for me. Also on the side is an LED screen, the plus and minus keys, and a reset button. The base of the M50 has a micro USB port for charging. The 510-connector on the top has an adjustable spring-loaded floating center pin, which is becoming as a standard on all vaporizers today. It also comes with an eGo-thread adapter so you can use clearomizers with it as well.

Features and Specs:

  • 510 Threaded
  • 510 to eGo Adapter Included
  • DC-DC flat signal, spring loaded brass pin
  • Battery type: Single 18650 battery (not included)
  • Voltage range: 3V – 12V
  • Wattage range: 6W – 50W
  • Minimum resistance: 0.2ohm
  • Mech Mode and VW Mode Shift
  • Shift between Mech Mode and VW Mode by entering the main menu
  • Charges via micro USB for rapid recharging
  • Short Circuit protection
  • Discharge protection
  • If system halts, can be restarted from side hole
  • Vent Holes
  • Intelligent OLED display screen displays: battery capacity, wattage, voltage, resistance
  • Dimensions: 3-3/8″ x 7/8″ x 1-1/2″

Since opening the XPro M50 I’ve used it in regular rotation with the iStick 30, the IPV Mini (yes, really), and the iTaste MVP20W, along with a couple of non-box mods. Each of these devices makes excellent vaporizers or I wouldn’t be using them, so choosing the one for you means checking out plenty of reviews and watch some videos to see them in action. Luckily for you, that’s what we do here.

SMOK has a long history in the business, and one of their best products, at least according to Julia, is their ZMAX series. She is a true believer in SMOK products, so for Julia the XPro M50 is her choice for a box mod.

But, how about you? Are you just starting out with this whole vaping thing, is this your first device, or your 100th? Have you owned box mods before, or are you considering one for the first time? I’ve put together a few key questions you should ask yourself before choosing the box mod that you’ll feel is the best one for you.

  1. Size – Look at the photos in this review showing the various box mods. The IPV mini qualifies, but it is at the very top of the box mod size. The smallest of course, isn’t the iStick 20/30, it’s the iStick Mini, but at 10w it’s not in the same class. Size and shape are important; the three “real choices” as I see them, are the SMOK XPro M50, the iStick 30 (and 50 coming soon), and the iTaste MVP20 (and 50 coming soon).
  2. Power – Do you need/want 50w of power? To be honest, a sub-ohm tank of .5-ohm is about as low as most people will go. While I can drive my Atlantis with the MVP20W I get the best performance from the XPro M50 and the iStick 30. In fact, the new high performance MELO tank from eLeaf, which I’ve been using non-stop, seems to be geared to the 30W iStick, but it also fires well with the XPro M50 set at 30w. Where do you see yourself in “ohms territory”?
  3. Box Mod or Pocket Mod – The SMOK XPro M50 is a true pocket mod because of the concave side that protects the buttons. While the iSticks have nearly flush buttons, the M50 buttons are further out, but in the tightest of pockets those buttons are protected with XPro M50.
  4. Variable Wattage vs. Mechanical – Do you see yourself needing to place your box mod in mech mode? If so, the XPro M50 is your only choice here. If you plan on firing super lo-ohm coils (.2ohm) the XPro M50 is the way to go as well.
  5. Self-Contained Battery or Replaceable – Do you want a box mod that has a built in battery? The XPro M50 does not offer that. However, when the battery expires in a self-contained box mod, replacing the battery isn’t easy. In fact, in some it’s downright impossible for most of us.
  6. Attractiveness – Purely subjective here. Which of the top box mods do you think is the best looking? After all is said and done, if you don’t like the way it looks its not going to be used often, especially if you have other devices. If this is to be your primary device you will want to be proud to show it off. Looks count.

I think that covers the majority of your concerns. How did it come out for you?GroupXpro

At Ave40, where we purchased our XPro M50’s for the staff, the current price is $59.95. (Regular price is $79.95)

Real World Report

As I said above, I’ve been using four box mods off and on for several days. Personally, I like them all, and each of them brings a fine vape to the table. It’s nearly impossible for me to point out one as the ‘top dog’, so I’m not going to do that. Instead, this is one review where I can present the information but offer no other recommendation than to say, “What works for you, works for you.”

The SMOK XPro M50 is a great device, and I love the way it feels in my hand, I love the feel of texturized finish, and I love knowing there is 50watts under the hood. I also like the idea of being able to switch out the battery, it can save time when I’ve exhausted the battery inside and need to get it up and running again without waiting for a recharge. Then again, I don’t necessarily feel like taking a screwdriver to it to make the battery switch-out, so I’ve simply been recharging it. Still, keep in mind that self-contained box mods won’t last forever.

Another consideration is price. The average price for the Innokin MVP20W is right around $50. That’s a 20w device, self-contained battery. The eLeaf iStick 30 is right around $40, a full $10 less and 10W more than the MVP20W. The iStick Mini is just $25 at most places. The Pioneer4You IPV Mini is right around $70. And again, the SMOK XPro M50 is right about $58-60.

The SMOK XPro M50 comes in gold, silver, black, and grey (sort of a gun metal grey). The kit contains

  • 1 x SMOKTech XPRO M50
  • 1 x Micro USB cable
  • 1 x Hexagonal screw driver
  • 1 x Hexagon socket head cap screw (4)
  • 1 x 510 to EGO adapter
  • 1 x Spare silicon button
  • 1 x User manual

Bottom Line

Choices, choices, choices. No one can tell you which box mod is right for you, we can only point out the positives and negatives, and relate our experience with it. Like the iStick series, and the iTaste MVP20W from Innokin, I happily recommend it, if it fits your needs.

John Manzione