Vaporesso Nebula 100W TC Box Mod Review

I admit it; I am a little disappointed in the Vaporesso Nebula. Well, maybe not so much disappointed, but I feel the design of the Nebula was phoned in. The photos I’ve seen before our shipment arrived made the Nebula look futuristic and ultra-modern, but ultimately it turned out to be a modified Target Mod. A bit uninspiring, if you know what I mean.

The Vaporesso Nebula is 86mm by 48mm by 32mm, or 5.24 inches high, 2.9 inches wide, and 1.9 inches deep, a smaller device than it appears to be in the dozens of product shots scattered across the community. I knew going into this review that Vaporesso had decided to utilize both the 18650 and 26650 battery option with the Nebula, and the first thought that entered my head when I had unboxed the silver Nebula was “no way is this going to fit a 26650 battery!” I was wrong of course, but it certainly doesn’t look as though such a thick battery could be squeezed into the device. (it can)

As a matter of fact, one could make the argument that the Nebula was designed primarily as a 26650 mod because the battery compartment includes a short red plastic sleeve that the user would slip over an 18650 battery if the user wanted to use one. While the 26650 battery would add additional weight to the Nebula over the negligible weight of an 18650, the added battery life and that extra 20W of power are the biggest reasons to own the Nebula over its sister box mod, the 80W Vaporesso Attitude. Except for the additional 20W of maximum output, the internal specs are the same.

Both the Vaporesso Nebula and the Attitude utilize the new OMNI board. The OMNI board is Vaporesso’s newest, and most versatile chipset, featuring a total of six output modes for a wide array of options for the user. The wattage range is 1 to 100W (with the 26650), and the minimum resistance for coils is 0.05Ω. With the 18650 the wattage range is 5W to 80W and 0.15Ω minimum resistance.

The various modes includes the new Customized Curve of Wattage (CCW), and the new Customized Curve of Temperature (CCT), both of which add a wider range of flexibility and accuracy seen in the Vaporesso Attitude.

In CCW mode, users can customize wattage output in near real time, ramping up every half-second. This ability allows users to tailor make their vape experience according their own preferences. CCT mode works in a similar fashion with Customizable Temperatures while in TC mode, giving users true control over the vape experience.

As with most modern box mods, the Vaporesso Nebula includes a Bypass Mode, a Smart Variable Wattage Mode (automatically recommends the ideal output), manual TCR, and support for Ni200 (Pure Nickel), Ti (Titanium), and SS316 (Stainless Steel) while using temperature control output mode.

The 26650 Decision

Vaporesso’s claim of 100W of maximum output is only true when the user inserts a 26650 battery. Otherwise, like the Vaporesso Attitude, the Nebula is an 80W box mod when using the single 18650 battery. As I indicated above, The Nebula truly is a ‘26650’ box mod that happens to support an 18650 battery by way of a silicone adapter sleeve.

The aesthetics of the Vaporesso Nebula was talked about in Julia’s recent column on the surge of modern aesthetics in vaping, though admittedly, Julia owns the Red Nebula which is a nicer color than the silver.

The Vaporesso Nebula does have a futuristic look and feel to it, but in the way as the Target Pro, also by Vaporesso. The chassis is made of Zinc Alloy and features a textured grip on the battery door, directly behind the large OLED display and adjustments buttons. This textured grip makes it easier to remove the battery cover and allows for a comfortable grip.

If you’re familiar with Vaporesso mods your first look at the Nebula will tell you instantly that it is indeed a Vaporesso product. Additionally, the way the battery cover is removed is exactly how the cover is removed from the Target and Target Pro. Instead of simply pulling back on the magnetized cover to remove it, the user grips the cover and slides it downward, then out. This method makes for a secure battery cover that will not accidentally be removed by the user. Additionally, the battery contacts are 24K Gold Plated.

The large firing button is the same trigger-style seen in the Target mods as well, while the large OLED display screen is the largest I’ve seen on a Vaporesso mod and much larger than the display on either Target mods. The information is organized for easy access to the current settings and battery life. CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

The Real World Report

The Vaporesso Nebula is available in Red, Gun Metal, and a Silver finish, all with the same black textured grip. It is available now at Element Vape for $54.95. Vaporesso makes a Starter Kit model that includes the Veco Sub-Ohm tank, which Element Vape also carries, for $67.95. I’m not so sure I would recommend the Starter Kit version unless the user needs a new tank as well. I like the Veco tank, but I would much rather have a SMOK TFV8 Big Baby sitting atop the Nebula.

As I indicated above, the Vaporesso Nebula appears larger in photos, and a lot less like the Vaporesso Target box mod. In person, holding the Nebula, using it for several days, I came to an understanding with the mod.

Vaporesso is being disingenuous marketing the Nebula as a 100W TC Box Mod. While it is a 100W mod, Vaporesso should have been a little more upfront about the requirement of the larger 26650 battery. Semantics, I know, but I’ll admit that I expected the Nebula to output that 100W with either a dual 18650 or a single 26650. Then again, I expected the Nebula to be a larger box mod than it is.

Graded as a 26650-cell 100W TC Box Mod I would give it a solid B+. That feeling of Vaporesso playing shenanigans with the non-precise wording notwithstanding, as long as the buyer understands that in order to work as advertised a 26650 battery is needed, I’ll leave it…

Grade: B+

“The Vaporesso Nebula is an okay box mod with nice features and specs. However, with the plethora of 80-100W box mods on the market I cannot recommend it over box mods like the eVic Primo, the eLeaf Pico Dual, or even the SMOK Alien Mini.”

Vaporesso Nebula 100W TC Box Mod Features:

• 5 to 100W Output Maximum
  • 5 to 80W Output Maximum
    • Only When Used with 18650 Battery
  • OMNI Board
    • Six Total Output Modes
  • 0.05 to 5.0Ω Atomizer Resistance Range
  • 0 to 8.5V Voltage Range
  • Smart VW
    • Automatically Recommend Ideal Output
    • Can Easily Adjust
  • Customized Curve of Wattage (CCW)
    • Customize Wattage Output By Second Increments
    • Customize Ramp Up by 0.5 Second Increments
  • Bypass Mode
  • Firmware Upgradeable
• Temperature Control Suite
  • Ni200 Nickel Support
  • Titanium Support
  • SS316 Support
  • Customized Curve of Temperature (CCT)
    • Customize Temperature Output Over Time
  • TCR Mode
  • 280 to 600 Degrees Fahrenheit
  • Atomizer Lock
• Magnetized Sliding Battery Bay Access
  • Native Support for 26650 Batteries
  • Silicone Adapter for 18650 Batteries
  • Batteries Sold Separately
• Four Button Control

• • Trigger Firing Button
  • Specially Shaped Adjustment Buttons
  • Mode Button
• Two Line 0.69 OLED Display
  • Temperature Mode and Output
  • Output Power
  • Atomizer Resistance
  • Battery Life Indicator
  • Neatly Displayed
• Zinc and Aluminum Alloy Construction
• Spring Loaded Gold Plated 510 Connection
  • Hexagon Shaped
• Low Voltage/Current/Output Short Circuit/Load/Low Resistance/Overheating/Anti Loaded/Timeout Protection