REVIEW BY BENEDICT ‘NED’ JONES
iStick MIX
Eleaf’s iStick range is one of
the
most well-regarded in the
Device Specifications:
budget
vaping sector. Their devices
Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 134.5mm (including tank)
are
reliable,
user-friendly and well-
Weight: 209.5g
designed.
The
iStick
Mix is the first dual
Battery capacity: 2x removable 18650 cells
18650
box
we’ve
seen
from the range in
Maximum wattage output: 160W
some time. How does it fare in this competitive
space?
ELLO POP Specifications:
Construction, fit and finish are outstanding and
Materials: Stainless steel + glass
this device has a real heft to it. The chassis material
E-liquid capacity: 6.5ml/2ml (TPD edition)
appears to be zinc alloy, which is pretty much the best
choice for an every day mod. Tolerances are spot-on and
there is zero movement in the battery door, due to strong
magnets and great machining. The 510 connection is cantered,
allowing for atomisers of up to 27mm in diameter. The Mix looks
and feels much more expensive than it is.
The Avatar chipset features variable wattage, temperature control
-
Build quality
and memory banks. Power output is instant and stable. When I tested
-
Size + ergonomics
the temperature control with a simple stainless-steel round wire build, the
-
Simple but reliable chipset
result was a satisfying vape. The USB-C connection for charging and firmware
updates is great to see. Coupled with a true balance charging board, on-board
charging is a viable option.
Dual-battery box mods often sacrifice comfort for sturdiness, but that’s not the case
here. The rounded edges and very small size result in a mod that’s a pleasure to use day
in, day out. If you enjoy mods like the Voopoo Drag but want something smaller and more
comfortable, the Mix is where it’s at.
The POP is the latest in a long line of ELLO sub-ohm tanks from Eleaf. It’s compatible with the
same Baby Beast-style coils that have become an industry standard and comes supplied with
Eleaf’s HW-M2 and HW-N2 mesh variations.
The centre airflow pin makes the tank very resistant to leaking and the airflow much smoother than
in other single-bore mesh coils. The vape quality matches the very best Baby Beast-sized coils on the
market, falling just short of the output achieved by substantially larger fittings like the Falcon King and
Freemax Mesh Pro. I found coil longevity to be very good, easily running 80mls of moderately-sweet e-liquid
through each coil before a substantial drop in performance.
The POP has a standard airflow ring, which provides huge amounts of air when wide open. The pre-installed glass
section has a silicon coating to protect the tank during impacts. Eleaf supply a regular glass without the silicon in the
spares.
The top-fill mechanism is likely where the POP gets its name. Simply lift the top of the tank and then push to reveal a
moderately-sized filling port. Though it’s a single port design, I’ve not had any overflowing issues, but it would be nice to see
a second port that would eliminate this possibility. This mechanism is solid and stops accidental openings or small children from
getting access to the contents of the tank.
The Eleaf iStick Mix is a stellar kit for new sub-ohm vapers, or any veteran vaper who’s looking for an affordable workhorse mod that
doesn’t compromise on performance, build quality or ergonomics. I really am thrilled with this device. It’s now my go-to recommendation
for anyone in the market for a dual 18650 mod.
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