The EPuffer Xpod Mini Disposable Pod was released towards the end of 2018.
Although I’ve never heard of ePuffer, they’ve been around for 12 years and while researching them, their product range has caught my attention some what.
The range includes Ciga-likes, Reusable pods, Vape pens, E-Cigars, E-Pipes, E-Hookahs and obviously disposable Pods.
We have covered a number of their devices and been impressed. You can check out the ePuffer Titan X review, ePuffer e-liquid and their cig-a-like, the ePuffer Magnum Snaps.
For the record any brand that makes E-pipes or a E-cigar called “Churchill D-1800”, gets my attention.
The Xpod range also includes a newer, rechargeable Pod system.
With headquarters in the UK, USA and Canada, ePuffers products are available in 26 different countries.
Their products are designed with smokers in mind. According to their website they “make progress and develop new, less-harmful alternatives to smoking”.
What Can We Expect From The Disposable ePuffer Xpod Mini?
I recently reviewed the Vozol D1 pods and they have drastically heightened my expectations of disposable pod systems. However, I will try to review the Xpods on their own merit.
The Xpod Mini pods are directly targeted at smokers. In the words of ePuffer, they are “developed to provide smokers with a clean alternative to smoking“.
The ePuffer Xpod Mini pods are currently only available in packs of 3.
The packs come with as a “variety” or just tobacco, (see the ‘In The Box’ section for more information).
The pods are only available in 18mg Nic-Salts (1.8% by volume). And they are TPD compliant.
Carrying 1.2ml of 50/50 liquid (and water…), the pods provide “upto” 300 puffs ( Yes I’ve got my clicker back out)…. Due to the Liquid containing water, If you’ve got Asthma these probably aren’t for you.
ePuffer make a lot of claims made about the Xpods, so here’s a list…
- Cost less than tobacco smoking
- Taste like tobacco, but contains no tobacco
- No Carbon Monoxide (No Combustion), No TAR
- Virtually odourless; no lingering smell in clothes, home and car
- Replicates behavioural and physical pleasures of smoking
- Satisfies nicotine cravings
- Easy to use (doesn’t require matches, lighters or ignition)
- Won’t stain your teeth and damage your skin
- No more embarrassment or guilt
- Not offensive to others
With all that said, I expect the Epuffer Xpod mini vapes to be slim devices with a tight draw, subtle flavour and a very small amount of vapour production.
Let’s go see…
See The Epuffer XPod Mini in Action
In the Box
I received both of the available packs (Variety pack and Tobacco pack).
The Variety pack includes:
- 1x Tropical Mango flavours system
- 1x Cool Menthol System
- 1x Premium Tobacco system
The Tobacco Flavour pack includes:
- 3x Premium Tobacco systems
There is absolutely nothing inside the boxes other than the pod systems, which are in individual air tight packets.
Specs & Features
- Size: 78 x 19 x 10mm
- Weight: 15g (per pod)
- Juice capacity: 1.2ml
- PG/VG: 50/50
- Nic Strength: 18mg/1.8% (Nic-Salt)
- Battery: 280mAh (not changeable or rechargeable)
- Life Span: upto 300 puffs
- Coil Resistance: 2.7ohm
Design & Build Quality
The first thing I noticed about these pods? The design of the box reminds me of an old cigarette packet. A good bit of brand targeting, right there.
Inside is the 3 individually wrapped pod systems. The plastic wrapping is clear, airtight, quick thin and easy to get into.
Inside the plastic wrapping the pod is ready to use, other than the dust plug inside the mouth piece.
As always, the plug probably isn’t designed to be reused, but I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to.
The Xpod Mini
The pods are as expected. The best way to describe the build quality of these devices is with the word “Disposable”.
The plastic feels quite thin and flimsy, although the system as a whole feels quite secure and fairly durable. The texture of the plastic is rather Satin-like, it’s not smooth and shiny like gloss but it also doesn’t quite have the roughness of a matte finish.
3 out of the 6 pods I received, rattle slightly when you shake them. I don’t think that is much of an issue with them being disposable.
The systems are not cigarette shape, which I would expect from a disposable device that is trying to replicate a cigarette. However they do feel pretty good in hand and between the fingers.
They also have a flat base, which they can stand on.
The mouthpiece is, again, not round like a cigarette but at approximately 15 x 5mm, it fits comfortably between the lips.
ePuffer mention, the XPOD is “non-flammable” numerous times. However they don’t go into specifics.
Visually
The pods look pretty smart and formal.
The brand logos are printed on the front of the pod, in a colour that represents the flavour.
The colour of the flat plastic cap in the bottom of the base also signifies the pods flavour.
The CE (European Conformity) and Crossed-out wheelie bin Symbols are embossed on the base of the device. They’re not really noticeable.
There is a LED Light on the bottom of the device, which lights up when you take a puff…
I think….(Joke – it definitely does). It always annoys me a little bit when the designers put a LED Indicator in a place that you can’t see it, without a mirror.
Airflow
In regards to airflow, ePuffer have done really good job at replicating a cigarette.
The airflow (unlike many devices) comes through solely on the base of the device. Usually with pod systems, if you cover the airflow holes, you can still draw air. This is not the case with the xpod, the outer shell of the pod is very airtight.
The airflow isn’t so restrictive that you have to suck with all your might, but certainly too tight to use the device direct to lung (DTL) but that’s not what it’s designed for.
It’s been awhile since I’ve sucked on a cigarette but if my memory serves me right, they got the airflow spot on.
Quick Start
- Remove the pod from the airtight packet.
- Remove the rubber “Dust Plug” from the mouth piece.
- Enjoy
When you take the first puff there is a little pop (often barley noticeable), That’s fine, it’s just the pod/liquid activating.
How Does The ePuffer Xpod Mini Perform?
If you’re like me, a flavour or cloud chaser, you’ll probably think they’re pointless.
However these slim pods aren’t designed for the likes of us. The rest of this review is written with the target audience in mind.
The Flavours In General
At first I thought the flavours are weak, but although the flavour is subtle, in accordance with the amount of vapour the pods produce, the flavour is actually really impressive.
The flavours are also constant. After 10 consecutive drags you can still taste the flavour. I think that’s pretty impressive.
Premium Tobacco
Would you believe it?
If you blindfolded me, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in taste, between this pod and a cigar/”premium” cigarette.
Now, I’ve never been a fan of actual cigars, I can’t stand the things but without smoke, I don’t think you could get any closer to the taste of a cigar.
It even leaves the cigar taste in your mouth/throat. I’m truly impressed.
Tropical Mango
The Mango flavour isn’t for me either, it’s the pure mango taste (You know, that very soft, sweet flavour). However it would definitely serve as a good flavour for mango lovers.
Although I do think this flavour is the less prominent of the 3 flavours. It tastes alright, but after having a fruity drink, it takes a while for the flavour to return (or at least it does for me).
Cool Menthol
Rant alert: it really annoys me when people (especially companies) don’t differentiate between Mint and Menthol. That applies here!
This is probably my favourite of the 3 flavours. Although it is menthol, there is definitely a minty taste. Perhaps ‘Minty Menthol’ or ‘Cool Mint’ would have been a more apt name.
With a subtly mint flavour the Cool Menthol is pleasantly refreshing.
How Long Does the XPod Mini Battery & pods Last?
ePuffer state these Xpod Minis provide ‘upto 300 puffs’.
If you’ve ever read or watched one of my reviews, you’ll know, that is far too vague for my liking,
So with clicker in hand I got to work.
First I counted the Tropical Mango puffs, I was so disappointed when it died at 184 puffs!
For me that was about 5-6 hours of use.
Rather disheartened, I started again with the Cool Menthol… That took 362 puffs!
That was about 11 hours use.
I Should probably mention, with the Cool menthol, although it lasted to 362 puffs at about 280 puffs, the flavour started to fade and at about 340 puffs the vapour production started to fade drastically.
I didn’t count the puffs on the tobacco but it lasted about 8-9 hours.
Maybe the Tropical Mango was the 1 in 1,000 and they usually last longer. These things do happen but I’m certainly not impressed with the difference between the 2 pods that I puff counted.
When the Pod battery has died/ran out, the LED indicator lights up after taking a puff, instead of while you’re taking a puff.
Vapour Production
The ePuffer Xpod Mini’s provide less vapour than a cigarette. Although I did find that if you inhale slowly you can get a similar cloud on the exhale.
Unlike a lot of pods, the sensor that detects the draw and activates the pod is very sensitive. (You can tell when the system is engaged, by the LED indicator). The pod being really sensitive, enables you to do a slower, longer inhale.
Obviously the longer you inhale, the longer the activated system will produce vapour and therefore produce more vapour.
Throat Hit
Although it didn’t take me long to get used to (or stop noticing), the pods provide quite a throat hit, especially for such a small amount of vapour.
Originally I put this down to the nicotine strength (18mg), then I realised the pods use nic-salts; so it’s not the nicotine causing the throat hit.
I just left it, and presumed it was the 50PG/50VG mixture (as PG is known to give more of a throat hit).
However it all made sense when I realised ePuffer uses water in the Xpods.
Water vapour is much hotter than PG and VG Vapour. Although water on its own could cause internal damage (Via burning the mouth, throat and so on), small amounts of water in e-liquid, is not uncommon and is considered safe.
However as I stated before, if you have asthma, I would advise you to be cautious of vaping e-liquids that contain water.
Pros
- Does a good job at replicating a cigarette
- Decent flavours
- High Nicotine
- TPD Compliment
- Small and lightweight
- Discrete Vapour Production
Cons
- Aren’t available to but individually
- Quite unpredictable puff count
- Disposable
Final Verdict
If you are a smoker looking to quit but don’t want to jump straight into buying a ‘Kit’ the ePuffer XPod Mini pods could be a great way to “test the waters”. Just please bare in mind, vaping isn’t a one size fits all solution, there are many different types of devices and flavour.
If you use a low voltage/wattage mouth to lung device and you have left it at home, broke it or lost it, I think these little things would tide you over quite sufficiently.
If you are a sub-ohm, cloud chaser, or flavour chaser type of vapour, these probably aren’t going to serve you all that well, unless you’re desperately looking for a nicotine fix.
At the beginning of this review I provided you with a list of claims that ePuffer has made, and I’ve got to say they pretty much ticked them all off. Except from “No more embarrassment or guilt”, “Not offensive to others”, which, in my eyes, are bazaar claims.
Oh and “Costs less than smoking” because that is pretty hard to measure (although it’s probably true).
Did you try and buy the ePuffer XPod mini? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
