I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing a LOT of DNA250C devices these last few months, such as the Lost Vape Paranormal (reviewed here) and the Think Vape Finder (reviewed here) for example, and I won’t ever complain that the editors keep sending them my way. That’s because this chipset is the perfect marriage of DNA precision and mainstream accessibility – it’s the board that finally bridges the gap between delicacy and power. And in the Vapecige VTBox box mod, it is still the latest from the minds at Evolv.

But, to be transparent, the Vapecige VTBox DNA250C isn’t my favorite mod featuring this chipset. Nor is it the best implementation of the concept. Still, even with some aesthetic and build flaws, your vape collection will still be better off for having a DNA250C device in it, than without one.

Right away, you’ll notice how bulky and boxy the VTBox is, especially when compared to other DNA250C devices, like the stunning Lost Vape Paranormal or the 300-watt Think Vape Finder. It’s not necessarily unattractive, but the plain, unadorned aluminum box format doesn’t really match up with most modern designs.

(Though it should be said that a lot of old school vapers might appreciate the throwback to the salad days of power vaping.)

The massive, jutting fire button is another nod to simpler times, but it has a great throw and responds almost immediately with fast-ramping draws.

Not only is the 200-watt VTBox a tall drink of water at 92mm, but it’s also pretty wide – thought it’s not quite wide enough to handle 30mm atomizers without a touch of overhang. If Vapecige was going to make a massive box mod, might as well add that extra millimeter to satisfy that section of your audience, right?

Despite the bulk, the aluminum frame is durable and lightweight, and has really good venting slots on either side of the mod. Overall, it feels okay in the hand, but after handling more ergonomic high-wattage devices (including the DNA250C mods I mentioned earlier) I can’t help but wonder what the attraction is to a standard, shapeless box. To each their own, I suppose.

Moving past the looks, the VTBox brings the goods where it counts, centered on the DNA250C chipset and its better accessibility. The much-improved TFT, full-color display offers a much higher level of user-friendliness to typically difficult DNA operations, even if it’s around 1-inch in diameter.

Users immediately get a display that makes good use of the available real estate, with visibility into all pertinent information, and clear operations and adjustments for nearly every element of your vape. Now, this isn’t “SMOK-level” accessibility, but compared to the finger-cramping gestures needed to operate a standard DNA device, the DNA250C is a veritable walk in the park.

As we’ve said before about the display – it’s far from the finest one available. Hell, it’s not even a particularly attractive one by current standards. But it’s legible, intelligently laid out, and makes good use of the chipset’s three-button control scheme, which allows users to easily and clearly select options, rather than enduring endless button presses to get the same results.

While the operating system is a distinct highlight, this is the first DNA250C device that I had difficulty operating with one hand, even after the menu system is learned. It’s simply too bulky to be that controllable.

But the system itself is good to go. After just minutes learning the DNA250C, I was moving from wattage to temp control and back, with relative ease and very few missteps along the way. And if things DO get a little out of control for newer users, the VTBox has an extensive protection suite, to keep all these new abilities and functions in check.

This list of protections includes: Cell-by-Cell Monitoring, Cell Balancer, Atomizer Protection, Low Resistance Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Overheat Protection and even Low Voltage Step Down Protection.

Overall, having tested several DNA250C devices lately, I found the Vapecige’s performance to be predictable. And by “predictable” I mean “fantastic.” These chipsets are so dialed in that anyone expecting a notable difference in performance from mod to mod will likely be disappointed. That’s not always true with vape devices, but I have yet to have a 250C mod stutter even once, no matter what I asked it to do.

With a 200-watt max using just two 18650 cells, the VTBox isn’t likely going to be the most high-powered mod in your collection. Nor is it the most powerful one using this chipset. But I’ve found that these boards are FAR more effective when downthrottled from their max capability, rather than pushing the stratosphere.

As a result, the VTBox has nothing short of stellar battery life, no matter which mode you’re using, or how many times you connect it to Escribe to make more precise adjustments to temperature and preheat ramping.

That said, I don’t necessarily think Escribe is all that necessary, thanks to the vastly improved onboard adjustment features. Maybe the small screen makes it a little harder to nail that “ideal” vape heating curve, but I still question the legitimacy of anyone who can detect mere millisecond differences in ramp up time – it’s getting a little silly to complain about minute differences, folks.

Finally, I’d like to thank Vapecige for adding so much venting. Thanks to this, the VTBox stays cool to the touch, even when cranking the wattage and/or temperature. Too many mods are skimping on venting in favor of other elements, and as a result, they become unusable at higher wattages. This stark aluminum box could have gotten very toasty under extreme use, but never did thanks to intelligent design choices.

Rather than dive into our usual spiel about DNA functionality, let’s just do an internet-friendly “tl;dr” – the Vapecige VTBox DNA250C is a wonderful DNA-enabled vape mod, capable of doing virtually anything high-wattage and TC enthusiasts want it to. The real decision comes down to form factor, and whether or not you prefer this size and shape of vape mod versus something more streamlined.

Me? I enjoyed using the VTBox in short bursts, but it simply wasn’t comfortable enough to hold for long periods of time, so I never really consider bringing it out and about. At my desk, though? It’s as powerful and high-performing as any mod in my collection. It’s just never going to overtake my other DNA250C mods when it comes to aesthetics and usability.

Score: A-

Vapecige VTBox DNA250C at Element Vape