Aspire have emerged over the last couple of years as one of the leading e cig brands on the market mainly due to the top notch clearomisers they have been producing. One such product was the Nautilus which I found to be a great piece of kit albeit a touch on the large side with a 5ml capacity.
Then entered the Aspire Nautilus Mini, the same dual coil technology with a 2.5ml capacity. I couldn’t wait to use it! So of I went and bought myself one!
Aspire Nautilus Mini Tank Setup
While the likes of Innokin and Kangertech have gone down the route of designing their tanks with what could be described as a hard edged industrial look Aspire have softened things up a bit with the Nautilus Mini. The upper portion of the tank has rounded edges and an almost dome like top that’s a nice differential from other tanks on the market. In addition to the looks the Mini has a real feel of quality similar to it’s big brother.
When you assemble and disassemble the Nautilus Mini I found that compared to the likes of the Aerotank (which is still a great tank), Pro Tank 3 and the likes it just seems a lot more solid. By solid I mean when each component is put together, everything fits nice and snug.
What I really like about these type of vape tanks is that they are easy to get into the nooks and crannies and give them a good clean. When you get the Nautilus Mini, or any other similar tank for that matter, just take a minute getting to know how it is engineered before filling it up.
Filling The Nautilus Mini
The Mini is filled from the bottom. The good thing is there is loads of space to get in there with your e-liquid bottle tip to fill so no excuses for getting juice in the centre hole! Which for new users out there you really don’t want to do. Once filled simply screw the base on and allow the coils to soak up the e-liquid for a couple of minutes before vaping.
*A tip here* if you are re-filling the tank, before putting the base back on just give the coil head a check to make sure it is firmly in place. Sometimes they can come loose when removing the base from the tank itself. In fact this tip goes for all bottom coil tanks.
Nautilus Mini performance
The Mini comes with 2 1.8 oHm coils with one pre-installed. These are Aspire’s new Bottom Vertical Coils (BVC) which they claim are an improvement on the BDC coils (which by the way were still very good) offering longer life and a clean taste.
Some say if it’s not broken don’t try and fix it but I think it’s fantastic that companies are still striving to improve what were already good product.
Have they succeeded? Well…. My senses aren’t finely tuned enough to notice the difference between the BDV and BVC coils. Maybe others may notice, if so please let me know in the comments below.
The one thing that I do know is that both coils are great performers. Add to this the simple to use air flow collar and I was getting a good mid range draw, not too tight, not too airy. This added to the overall experience.
The actual air flow valve control itself I have to say is the best I have seen so far. There are four hole width settings and the collar turns over your preferred one. The great thing here though is the ‘click’ of the device when each hole is selected.
Not only does it let you know that it is set properly but it just sounds quality, almost like when you open the and close the door of a new car door to check for the sound it makes! OK the last bit could just be me?!
Spare prices
The Aspire Nautilus Mini has three replaceable parts, the BVC coil, the Pyrex glass tank and the 510 drip tip, the latter of which you can get from any brand.
The BVC coils are usually sold in packs of 5, are available in 1.6 oHm and 1.8oHm. The Pyrex glass has a couple of options for replacements. 
The first of course is the straight swap and the second is the Stainless Steel tank with the ‘T’ window.
This really is a slick looking bit of kit, not quite on par with the Nautilus Diamond Pattern Steel tank but still a superb addition that makes the Mini looks even better. Both of the Nautilus Mini replacement tanks are widely available.
Overall – Final thoughts
Well what can I say, I kind of fell in love with this tank. The build quality, appearance and performance are all top notch.
Aspire have certainly set the bar in terms of mainstream clearomiser tanks with both the Nautilus tanks, they are well suited to both the new user and the experienced vaper that is looking for something easy to use when out and about.
A quick thing to note, there are lots of replica tanks of inferior quality doing the rounds, not just of the Aspire brand but also Kanger, Innokin, Vision and others. I have been careful to select the vendor I recommend for this kit, not only do they deliver quick but they only sell the real deal.
Well, I have tried a few of these. I like the vaping experience but the damned thing is troublesome. It works fine then you come to fill it, the coil is stuck in the chimney instead of the base unit despite not over-tightening You put the coil back in the right place, fill it up and screw it back together. Then it burbles and spits and you get a mouth full of juice. Take it apart again dry everything out and try again. Then it leaks out of the air inlet and you lose the equivalent of a tank of juice. I solved the problem by taking into my utility room, placing it on a newspaper and smashing it to bits with my hammer, placing the debris in the dustbin and buying something else.
I am enjoying the tank but have a problem with the coils they only seem to last one day then I get a burnt taste very disappointed
Hey Sharon,
How much do you vape throughout the day? Also what type of e-liquid are you using?
The aspire nautilus mini was the first tank i bought a few years back and i still use it to this day! I definitely recommend the 0.7 nautilus bvc coil for both beginner and experienced vapers.
Recently moved over to this tank after more than 2 years using a Kangertech Mini Pro. It has been a revelation and I wished I had done it sooner. Great vaping experience with far better flavor and taste.
The reviewer before me talks about not being able to unscrew the tank without pliers, and that’s not the first time I have heard of this happening. So why has that not happened to me? Maybe good luck, maybe me not overtightening, maybe market flooded with inferior cheap imitations?
My local vape shop go into a good bit of detail when they sell stuff and are very helpful, so this possibility was covered at purchase. They explained there was no need to tighten as hard as I could, and that the seal was good. Also to check coil was nice and tight to avoid it remaining in tank when dismantling. As I say, so far so good.
The improvement in flavor is so great from my kanger to nautilus mini that I find myself having to change the flavor of some of the liquids I normally buy. Over the years I’ve gravitated toward sweet fruity flavours, possibly because my kanger wasn’t the best at allowing the flavours to come through. Now I find the sweet stuff a bit overwhelming and sickly sweet.
I refuse to knock the kanger mini pro as it was responsible for no-more-cigs, and for years I wouldn’t hear a bad word said. However, I think I can say I am now a nautilus convert. No leaks, easy to fill, great flavours, good vaping, various options for tightness/airiness of draw, looks great, feels solid etc etc.
Aspire Nautilus Mini
Absurd design! I stupidly bought two of these at the same time so I could drive Uk to Spain without having to keep stopping to refill.
Well – what a load of rubbish. I have to now carry 2 pairs of pliers with me at all times to unscrew the bottom to allow refilling. The air flow adjustment ring is right next to the very thin bit that you need to grip to undo it. I have had occasions where I have been out and about without said pliers and ran out of fluid in ecig and had to wait till I got home before I could refill. Trying to grip this thing to unscrew it is b*******s. And if you say ‘don’t do it up so tight’ – the electrical connection to the battery is compromised. Changing the atomiser is the same stupid problem. DON’T BUY ONE!!!
This is the tank i used to give up smoking after 46yrs and it saved my life brilliant invention!!!
the flavor nautilus gives has been on par with aerotank… but unlike the aerotank i has been able to find authentic bvc coils easily (and when i am in the mood i can so the rebuild really easy, unlike the other’s coil). but personally i prefer the look of the aerotank, my girlfriend found nautilus has a better look tho 🙂
I really didn’t like this tank and have nothing good to say about it maybe I got a faulty one was terrible so sent it back.
The nautilus makes for a great introduction to vaping. It does a great job of simulating the sensation of smoking in both vape temperature and MTL draw. It delivers great flavour and is a really hassle free device to live with.
Used this tank for years till I moved to more lung devices. Gave it to a buddy and still working strong. If you like a mouth to lung style vape. This is great little tank.
This (mini / BVC) was my first clearomizer I ever vaped on. From day one, I never felt the urge to smoke a regular cigarette. Best suited for mtl-vapers, it mimics smoking very well – the draw is very cigarette-like. It delivers great flavor and sufficient vapor. I would definitely recommend it to anyone willing to switch to vaping. I even use it regularly till today, even though i’ve moved on to sub-ohm and box mods.