The Eleaf iStick made huge waves in the e cig world last year for a box mod that not only packed a punch in terms of functions but it did so in such a small device.
The iStick also beat other e cigs hands down to win ‘Best Vape Mod‘ in our Ecigclick E Cig Awards. Voted for by readers and fellow vapers.
My recent review of the eLeaf iStick Mini showed that they could go smaller still without the performance being effected.
Back to this review and we are taking a look at the 20W iStick and what it has to offer. If you have come across an e cigarette called The Curve from TECC or Totally Wicked then this review can be taken into account as they are the same product, just a different brand name.
Just a quick update. Two larger battery capacity iStick models have since been released. The iStick 30W and the iStick 50W, both great little vape mods.
In the Box / Presentation
The Eleaf iStick comes in a tidy cardboard presentation box and includes the following.
- 1 X 20W iStick (2200 mAh)
- 1 X EGO Adapter
- Manual
- USB Charging Cable
Battery/Body/Build
The Eleaf iStick design is so simple yet so effective. The corners are rounded which not only gives a nice smooth finish but also sits comfortably in the hand, fitting perfectly into the palm. 
It kind of makes the MVP2 look a little outdated now although and that is no surprise, you could argue that Innokin were ahead of the game for a couple of years with that device.
I know there are two new MVP’s hitting the market as I speak, I already have the 20W version so I will leave the comparisons until I have given that a good run out! In the meantime this is what they look like side by side.
I purchased the iStick in black but there are a few other options available which include silver, blue and pink.
The OLED screen runs between the power buttons down to the voltage selection buttons. In the black it blends in with the overall design and only comes to life when a button is pressed. The information screen is small but the details are set out well and easy to read.
The battery capacity indicator is followed by the atomiser resistance reading, current wattage or voltage depending on your preference and the voltage/wattage you have the e cig set to (ranging from 3v-5.5v in 0.1 increments and 4.5W-20W in 0.1 increments).
Selecting the voltage/wattage is simple through the up/down arrow buttons, if you want to race through them quicker just keep one of the buttons pressed for a couple of seconds, this zips through the settings automatically allowing you to stop at any point by pressing the opposite up/down button.
Depending on the resistance of your atomiser you will see different maximum watt output readings, I am using a 2.0oHm coil and this allows a maximum output of 15.1W.
I was mostly vaping this in watts mode though as that is my personal preference and helps with detecting and working with the atomiser attached. The only downside at this point is that in watt mode it can take a while to go through the selections, be nice to see something that could speed this up a little. Maybe I’m just being impatient though!
There are a number of other features.
iStick Features
- 510 Thread (comes supplied with EGO adapter)
- 3V-5.5v
- On/Off function. Press firing button 5 times in quick succession.
- VV or VW Switch between the two by pressing firing button 3 times in quick succession.
- Can vape the iStick while it’s charging
- 10 Second cut off
- Atomiser short circuit protection
- Low Voltage Protection
- Low power alert
So lots of features to sink your teeth into!
When it comes to performance the 2200 mAh battery is excellent. As a moderate vaper I was managing a few days at first from a fully charged battery. This has dropped a little over the last few weeks but the iStick is still getting me through a couple of days no problem.
A problem with overpowering
Phil Busardo came out with a video review/test of the iStick that shows that the voltage and wattage settings are inaccurate compared to the actual settings. In this case the iStick is firing at slightly higher voltage/wattage than the reading on the device.
Is this a big problem? Well it’s not ideal for sure and something I’m sure iSmoka, the company behind Eleaf, will be taking a look at. Has it effected the performance for me? Not that I have noticed personally, if I even get a hint that there is a burnt taste coming through I just notch the settings down a touch but this goes for any device.
Also, the 20W output is only achievable with lower resistance coils between 1.0-1.5 oHm.
Overall
I’m a big fan of both the looks and functionality. The size and weight is perfect to carry around in your pocket or bag and with the huge 2200mAh battery you won’t need to worry about running out of power before the day is out. The actual build quality is superb as well, very impressed so far.
Vapour/Flavour
I plonked the Aspire Mini Nautilus on top (with a 2.0oHm coil), which looks great by the way, and filled it with Decadent Vapours Rhubarb & Custard. I found my sweet spot was in between 9W-10W to bring the best out of this vape juice and it really didn’t disappoint, the iStick/Nautilus combo works well to provide good flavour and vapour volume.
I did whack a few different tanks on this including the Nautilus and Aerotank Mega and while they worked a treat they were a bit oversized for the e cigarette.
Overall – Not much else to say apart from that I was very happy with how the iStick combined with a number of tanks to give a top quality vape.
Overall – Final Thoughts
This is a great device for all levels of vaper if you are looking for a small device that still has a great battery life.
Here are the good and not so good that I found:
The Good:
- Battery life is superb.
- The build is quality and the compact VV/VW device sits perfectly in the hand.
- Light weight
- The VW/VV function works well.
- Simple to use.
- 510 & EGO compatible, the latter by way of adapter.
- OLED display is clear and displays all the information.
The Not So Good:
- Buttons have a slight rattle.
- The maximum 20W setting is actually pretty redundant as most atomisers that can be used with this won’t allow you to reach that output.
- Takes a while to go through the watt settings.
Available Below On Amazon
Final Eleaf iStick Review Verdict:
Excellent: Highly Recommended
I use the Nautilus Mini with the 20w IStick, but I always have an issue with the threads getting stripped, so I constantly have to replace them which is a little expensive. But it is still my favorite vape so far!
I have the Vapefly Galaxies kit – the small mod goes up to 30W and it is a cracking little device. It has a 510 thread so you can use your Nautilus on there.
Here is my review of it https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/vapefly-galaxies-kit-review/
It might be worth considering.
In 2022 (December) I can tell you that every single one of these iStick batteries WILL DIE at the point where the USB charging cord enters the base of the battery to charge. The simple act of charging it will render it useless as the mechanism inside will always fail to make contact by virtue of the fact that just placing the charging cord into the port deforms and breaks this battery. If you like wasting money, go for it. If you want something that will last more than forty-eight hours, you need to buy something – anything – else besides this pisspoorly designed worthless hunk of vaping garbage.
I’ve had to change the tank on my istck cos the battery said there was no atomized and still does I’ve checked both with my wife’s and they work on hers, so why aren’t mine working
I first bought a Totally Wicked curve 2years ago and it’s only just packed up after being used all day and constantly being dropped on a daily basis, it’s stopped taking a charge last week. I replaced it with the Eleaf version and it’s just as good if not slightly better. I use a vanilla and blueberry mix on 3.6v. Yes the fire button does rattle and you have to tighten the 2 small screws on the top and bottom silver plates occasionally but other than that I’d recommend it to anyone
I’ve had two of these, the first was a 50W version which expired after three weeks of use, simply wouldn’t take a charge. I bought it from The Vapour Shop in Paisley, Renfrewshire who refused to do anything about it , even denied having sold it !!. I then took it to my usual supplier in Glasgow who reckoned it was a fake…..I bounced it off a wall !! 😀
After a couple of months of not vaping I then purchased a 30W version from my usual supplier, lo and behold 2 weeks into using it it’s given up the ghost…won’t take a charge and not even lighting in anyway when plugged in to the charger. I’ve not taken it back as yet but I don’t hold out much hope as I read on the eLeaf website that they only guarantee these things for 28 days
Would I/will I buy another eLeaf product ……eh, that’ll be a resounding no
La première fois tout va bien,mais quand je fait la deuxième fois j’ai le liquide qui vient en bouche.
Je suis aller au magasin en Belgique-Bruxelles,il n ont dit que cette machine n’était pas bon.
je l’ai acheter il y a en mois seulement et déjà j ai des problème avec.
ou bien vous n’envoyer comment règle la cigarette et puis le liquide correctement et exacte.
je vous en remercie d’avance,
I bought this mod along with the eLeaf tank specifically designed for it by eLeaf – a complete waste of time and money. 510 threaded tanks WILL NOT WORK on this device, – the only tanks that will are those that use an EGO adapter. Even then the performance is nothing to write home about – careful adjusting of the voltage is necessary or you finish up getting a burnt taste from your e-liquid. I don’t know what eLeaf’s other mods are like because I haven’t tried them, – based on this product I WON’T be trying them either. I would advise anyone thinking of buying a box-mod to spend a few pennies extra and get a decent device – it’s quite amazing that the ‘professional reviewer’ above makes no mention of the problem with this product’s firing pin, because it’s a problem inherent to ALL iStick 20w mods, not just the one I bought.
Thanks for the comment John.
Sorry to hear you didn’t get on well with this.
The 20W iStick was one of the first mini box mods of it’s kind when it was first released and is arguably one of the best selling box mods that has been released. That’s not to say it is the best for sure as since this review there have been hundreds of new releases hit the market as well as updated iSticks.
I will say though that the iStick 20W I purchased DOES work with 510 threaded tanks.
I used the Aspire Nautilus with this mod and it worked just fine. As with all variable wattage/voltage devices careful adjusting is required and if wattage is set too too high you are at risk of burning your wicking material. Same can be said for every VW device unless of course you are using a temp control mod.
A lower wattage should always be selected and work your way up until you find your sweet spot.
So I can’t comment on the firing pin problem you mention as I didn’t have it. The only thing I can think is that the pin may not be spring loaded so may not adjust as most box mods do nowadays.
Thanks again for your views though John.
looks nice, works good, is small and light and easy to use
From simplicity in function and sturdy craftsmanship. This is a great little mod for a aspire natilus or similar mouth to lung style setup. And the thing has gone through hell and works as good as when new with minor scratches only
my eleaf cigarette leaking too much , cost me double the liquid.
my cloths are getting spotted with oil everywhere
Hi Usman,
It’s likely your tank and not the e cig itself. What tank are you using?
Cheers
Jonny
This product sucked so bad that I will never buy from Eleaf again I will stick with Siegel or rolo smok brands. The Eleaf caught on fire while I was sleeping it wasn’t charging or anything just sitting on my table beside my bed with nothing around it it shorted out and burst into flames I tried to call Eleaf but no one answered
I use the Nautilus Mini on my istick 20w, i can depend on the battery to last me more than 2 days. I vape ALL DAY. My mod is nice & compact that i can carry it anywhere. I even found a leather vape case with a lanyard on it that my eleaf istick fits sweetly inside. I have the PINK one & I love showing it off to other vapers/smokers. I will NEVER to go back to smoking stinky cigarettes.
a good all rounder if you want to give up go buy one
I started vaping with a vivid starter pack, batteries ran out in no time. I moved on to a spinner 1600 but still found batteries ran out within a few hours. Neither of these products gave me the hit I got from Smoking and I still wanted a cigarette.
Wow, now I have got my eleaf istick 20v I can’t imagine ever going back to smoking. It is so nifty in size, fits neatly in my pocket, gives out loads of clouds and is the best purchase I have made this year, I LOVE IT.
I got the IStick for when I’m driving because of the small size but have found myself using it more and more it’s a great for just throwing in your pocket and going out I just love the fact you can have a VV/VW battery with this much power in such a small box mod