Vaporesso PodStick Kit – A Real World Performance Test

I’m gonna lead off with a blanket statement — pod mods might have become too smart for their own good. When these supposedly simple devices first launched, they were designed to be user-friendly with no-fuss operation. Today, things have changed.

Take, for example, the new Vaporesso PodStick kit, which is a pod mod in name only. Sure, it uses pod-like tank devices with integrated coils, and is fairly slim and compact. But the PodStick also features sub-ohm and MTL heads, varying power output from the OMNI board mini chipset, freebase and nic salt liquid compatibility and more.

This versatile device wants to be a lot of things to a lot of people. But is being a “jack of all trades, master of none” really what the vaping world needs? Let’s find out, beginning with the specs.

The Official PodStick Description

The Vaporesso PodStick Starter Kit is an innovative vaping starter kit that integrated the best of both worlds, offering the functionality of sub-ohm and pod system style of vaping, inclusion of the advanced OMNI Board Mini Chipset, and features the newly patented press to fill system (PTF) that results in a mess-free child-proof refill system that makes refills even easier.

Featuring an aluminum and PC material chassis construction, the PodStick Starter Kit combines the best of both worlds, utilizing the lightweight materials to create a portable vape that is easy to bring around. In addition, the PodStick Starter Kit has two pod options available, offering a CCELL and Meshed variant for use with nicotine salts and freebase eJuice, respectively.

Furthermore, the Vaporesso PodStick Starter Kit comes paired with the OMNI Board Mini, able to detect and activate the corresponding vape settings of the installed pod for a carefully tailored vape. The Vaporesso PodStick can be top refilled via childproofed press to fill system, at the same time preventing messy leaks and adolescents from refilling the pod system.

At first glance, the PodStick looks like a million and one other pod and AIO devices, with a lightweight and slender frame, single-button operation, LED power indicator, and a narrow chimney for concentrated flavor. All fine, all good — nothing we haven’t seen before.

Initial Impressions and Aesthetics

In reality, the PodStick differs greatly UNDER the hood, with a wholly unnecessary OMNI board chipset sitting just beneath the surface. Don’t get me wrong, the chipset detects the coils well, and adjusts power accordingly for a solid vape. But so do a ton of other pod mods and AIO devices — why have a chipset known for customization when there’s really none to be had here? Maybe I’m overthinking things, but the marketing meter is pinned to “high” right now.

But the fit and finish of the PodStick is pretty darn good, with smooth lines and a seamless snap-in pod connection, that gives off a reassuring “click” to let you know things are working properly. Minor high point? Maybe, but it’s the little things that matter.

My only concerns with the exterior center on overall usability. For starters, the LED light system is technically a 5-light setup so you can accurately track problems and power depletion. But during my testing, the lights tended to jump a bit, making it confusing to figure out how much more vaping I had before having to plug in. And with a small-ish 900mAh battery inside, it’s not like there’s going to be much wiggle room.

Secondly, it seems like Vaporesso went for weight vs. durability with this case design. While I’m confident the PodStick can handle some bumps and bruises, the exceedingly lightweight chassis doesn’t instill a lot of confidence for long-term abuse. Maybe it’s preference, but I imagine many vapers used to more-substantial devices might find this bothersome.

After using the PodStick for several days, I’ve come to a conclusion — don’t use it as a direct lung, “sub-ohm” device. Oh, make no mistake, the device can certainly handle some cloudier endeavors without losing too much flavor. But even at its 22-watt max power output on the 0.6-ohm mesh coil, the PodStick gets awfully warm under steady use — to the point where I had to put it down several times during testing.

Using the MTL CCell head produced more manageable (and enjoyable) results, with a slightly snugger draw, but better flavor clarity and vapor that is simply warm, versus HOT. I’m not sure how a few extra watts could make such a difference, but I suspect the mesh coil head gets up to heat much quicker, even if the results suffer for it.

Overall, the flavor was decent with both coils, but more complex, layered e-liquids might get lost in the shuffle, since the PodStick seems to thrive with brighter, simpler flavors, muddling deeper ones into an indistinguishable mess. It’s not TERRIBLE, but I didn’t enjoy feeling limited with my flavor selection.

I DO have to mention that both coils last a long time, offering weeks worth of use before needing to be replaced. Maybe the flavor isn’t the best, but it stays consistent for much longer than expected.

However, 900mAh just isn’t enough battery life for a device like this. The PodStick only gave me a few hours of moderate use before the LED display began telling me to plug in. And when I reached the bottom 30-40% of the cell’s charge, the power output dropped off the table, leaving me with limp draws and even more muted flavor.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Fast ramping for a pod device
• Good coil longevity

Cons:

• Lousy battery life
• LED doesn’t seem accurate
• Flavor is just mediocre

Spinfuel VAPE Recommendation and Score

I can’t help but wonder how good the PodStick could have been if Vaporesso had stopped trying to appeal to multiple audiences and just made a killer pod mod. As it stands, the PodStick definitely has the ability to perform as a versatile vape mod, but one that isn’t particularly great at any ONE type of use. In the end, it works fine and delivers what it says. But it just isn’t as “all in one” as the marketing would have you believe, becoming another forgettable pod device for your collection.