Innokin have a new addition to the timeless Coolfire line up, with the Innokin Coolfire Z80 NEX!
Innokin have been around since before vaping even really took off, producing kits that appeal to every type of vaper, and they’ve picked up a ton of industry awards over time (including plenty of our own Ecigclick awards voted on by vapers themselves!) which recognises the excellence in their products.
One of the most recognisable brands that Innokin produce is the Coolfire line, featuring standout devices such as the original Coolfire 1, Coolfire 4, Coolfire Z50, Coolfire Ultra and the recently reviewed Coolfire PZPulse!
They aren’t just known for the Coolfire range however, and Innokin have released some top drawer products such as the Trine, Trine SE and the Z Pod Nano.
What Can We Expect From The Innokin Coolfire Z80 NEX?
The Innokin Coolfire Z80 NEX is the latest Coolfire device, seamlessly blending quality and innovation.
Known for providing a comfortable form factor, the instantly recognisable Coolfire design and rock solid build quality returns here with the Coolfire Z80 NEX device, along with some upgrades such as an easy slide locking switch and a simplified 0.96″ TFT screen, which puts the focus on what you need and makes vaping easier.
It’s powered by an 18650 battery (sold separately) and has an output power range of 6-80W, with 2A fast charging and six safety protections built in. A smart chipset maintains a stable power output even if your battery is running low, meaning you get a consistent vape with every puff.
A brand new Zenith tank is paired with the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit in the form of the Zenith NEX tank. This has a new sliding Top Fill and Airflow Adjustment system whereby the filling port and air inlet are integrated into one ring, allowing you to easily manage e-liquid filling and airflow adjustment with a simple twist.
The Zenith NEX tank has a 5ml capacity and as such is only available with the non-TPD version of the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit, the TPD (UK) version will be supplied with the Zenith M tank.
Z Coils have received an upgrade, with the upgraded versions making their debut as part of the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit, enhancing the design and optimising the wicking to bring out richer flavours and an elevated vape that is as dependable as ever.
This is a kit that appeals to both mouth to lung and restricted direct lung vapers equally!
Many thanks to Innokin for sending over the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit for review, let’s take a look at what the latest Coolfire device has to offer! As always, all views are my own…
Kit Contents
Of course, with this being an Innokin product, they make sure you are well covered with spares and pretty much everything you need to get going. You just need to supply your own e-liquid and suitable 18650 battery!
- 1x Innokin Coolfire Z80 NEX Device
- 1x Zenith NEX Tank (non-TPD version)
- 1x 0.8ohm MTL Z Coil
- 1x 0.3ohm Z Coil
- 1x MTL Drip Tip
- 1x RDL Drip Tip
- 1x Replacement PCTG Tube (2ml)
- 1x O-Ring Set
- 1x USB-C Charging Cable
- 1x Quick Start Guide
- 1x Warning Booklet
Specifications
- 58.33mm x 27.56mm x 130mm dimensions
- Zinc Alloy, PCTG and Leather construction
- 6-80W adjustable output power
- New Zenith NEX Tank (non TPD version)/ Zenith M Tank (TPD version)
- 5ml capacity (non TPD version)/ 2ml capacity (TPD version)
- Upgraded Z Coils
- Compatible with the full Z Coil range
- TopSync system: Top Airflow and Top Fill (Zenith NEX tank)
- 0.96″ TFT Screen
- Easy slide locking switch
- Replaceable 18650 battery
- 2A Fast Charging
- 6 Safety Protections
- Available in 6 different colours
Design & Build Quality
I’ve used a lot of Innokin’s Coolfire devices in my time and I felt right at home with the form factor of the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit as soon as I began to use it.
There’s a rounded back to it that sits really comfortably in the palm of my hand, and a decent weight to the kit as well with an 18650 battery installed.
Build quality on the Coolfire Z80 NEX is very solid overall, which is something that I have come to expect from Innokin products over the years. There’s no sharp edges or anything here, everything is machined well and works as well as it is intended to.
The front of the device sports a good sized power button, which has a relatively short throw to it. This sits above the 0.96″ TFT colour screen, which displays information such as battery level, output wattage, vaping time, coil resistance, output voltage and a puff counter.
At the base of the screen is a handy locking switch, with the charging port located just below this, and the + and – adjustment buttons located on the side of the device.
The battery compartment is located at the base, which has has a small handle that you pop up with your finger when unscrewing the cap, and a compartment to house a single 18650 battery.
On top of the device is a spring loaded 510 connector for you to connect the Zenith NEX or Zenith M tank too, if either of these tanks don’t take your fancy then you can use any other tank that sports a threaded 510 connector.
Six different colour options are available with the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit, these are Black, Gradient Blue, Silver, Gunmetal, Turquoise and Purple.
Zenith NEX/Zenith M Tank
I did note that my review version came with the Innokin Zenith M tank which I was a little confused about at first, as the marketing blurb for this kit mentioned that it came with the new Zenith NEX tank.
We did reach out to Innokin who helpfully cleared this up for us. They stated that at present, there is no TPD compliant version of the Zenith NEX tank, therefore the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit actually comes with the Zenith M tank when purchased in a TPD market, and the Zenith NEX tank comes as part of the non-TPD kit.
So, I’ll detail a little bit about the Zenith M tank here!
This tank has a 2ml capacity allowing it to be compatible with TPD regulations, and it features a clear PCTG tank section which gives you full visibility of the e-liquid in your tank. You also get a spare tank section in the kit in case you break the original, which is a nice touch by Innokin!
It’s a top filling tank, that features an easy top fill method (more on this below), it comes with two drip tips- a narrow bore one for mouth to lung vaping and a wider bore one for restricted lung vaping. It will also accept any other 510 threaded drip tip.
An adjustable airflow control ring is located at the bottom of the tank, giving you access to a wide range of different airflow options. It is also compatible with Innokin’s range of Z coils.
Quick Start Guide
Battery Installation
No built in battery found here, the Coolfire Z80 NEX kit requires a single high amp 18650 battery and one is not supplied with the kit!
We recommend that you purchase one from a reputable vendor and do not store them loosely when not in use.
Read more in our guide to battery safety here!
To install your 18650 battery, rotate the silver cap on the battery compartment to unscrew it, install the battery positive side up, then replace the battery cap once done.
How to Fill the Zenith M Tank
- Rotate the top of the tank slightly anti-clockwise until it comes off
- Then locate the filling port, insert the bottle nozzle of your e-liquid and fill the tank up, taking care not to overfill it.
- Once done, pop the top of the tank back on and rotate it clockwise to lock it.
Changing the Coil
You can change the coil via the base of the Zenith M tank:
- Remove the tank from the device
- Invert the tank
- Unscrew the base of the tank
- Slide the old coil out and the new one in
- Replace the base of the tank.
If you are using a brand new Z Coil for the first time, let e-liquid sit in the tank for five minutes before vaping to allow the cotton to properly absorb the e-liquid.
Operation
- Three clicks of the power button turns the device on or off
- Toggling the locking switch will lock or unlock the buttons
- To adjust the power output, hold down the + and – buttons for one second until the numbers on screen begin to flash, then use + and – to adjust the output to your desired setting.
- Press and hold the power and – buttons together for two seconds to access the secondary menu. This allows you to adjust the vape cut off time from 3 to 18 seconds and the screen timeout from 5 to 180 seconds, and also to check the device ID.
- Press and hold the power and + button for one second to enter the information menu. This displays battery level, voltage, coil resistance, puff count and an option to clear the puff counter and return to the main interface.
Charging
I’d always recommend that you use an external charger purchased from a reputable vendor to charge up any device that has removeable batteries, though I know that this isn’t always possible for some people.
5V/2A fast charging is available through the charging port on the device if you choose to charge the battery in the Coolfire Z80 NEX, so it is recommended that you use the cable supplied with the kit or one compatible with 5V/2A charging.
You should always use a safe power source and ensure the device is charged within sight of you.
Charging speed will depend on the capacity of your 18650 battery and the power output source.
Safety Features
- LOW VOLT- this is displayed on screen when the battery voltage is too low, and is remedied by charging the battery.
- COIL CHECK- You’ll see this warning if the tank is not connected properly or the resistance of the coil is too high. Check the connection on the tank or replace the coil.
- TIME OUT- this is where the puff duration exceeds the set cut off. Wait for two seconds before vaping again.
- HIGH TEMP- this warning is displayed when the PCB temperature is too high. Wait for the device to cool down before vaping again.
- COIL SHORT- this warning displays when there is a short circuit. You’ll need to check the connection between the tank and the device or replace the coil.
- LOW RES- This displays if the coil resistance is too low. Again, check the connection between the tank and the device or replace the coil.
How Does The Innokin Coolfire Z80 NEX Perform?
Innokin Z Coils
Formerly known as Zenith coils, Innokin’s range of Z Coils are one of the markets top sellers and they offer options for virtually all styles of vaping.
There are 0.48ohm, 0.5ohm, 0.6ohm, 0.8ohm, 1.2ohm and 1.6ohm coils for mouth to lung vaping, and striking, gold coloured 0.3ohm and 1.0ohm coils for restricted lung vaping.
Z Coils have recently been upgraded based on user feedback, featuring an enhanced design and optimised wicking for stronger flavour and even denser clouds.
You get two of the latest, upgraded Z Coils included in the box, and here’s my thoughts on how they performed-
0.8ohm MTL Z Coil
As the name suggests, this coil is best suited for mouth to lung vaping with the MTL drip tip, and has a recommended wattage range of 15-18W.
My preference has been to use the 0.8ohm Z Coil with 20mg nicotine salt based e-liquids, and it has been absolutely ideal for those.
Wicking keeps up perfectly, meaning no dry hits or gurgling, and there is plenty of flavour on each and every puff.
0.3ohm Z Coil
This is the coil you’ll want to use for restricted direct lung vaping along with the RDL drip tip, and the recommended wattage range for this coil is 30-40W.
As a restricted direct lung vaper myself, it’s no surprise that this coil was my preferred one!
This worked like a charm for high VG e-liquids (handy as I have a cupboard full of shortfills!), providing dense clouds and plenty of warm and tasty flavour.
The vape from this was up there with the best that I’ve tried from a sub ohm tank recently, and I’m still very much enjoying it as I type this review!
Coil Lifespan
These coils wick extremely well, I tested blends up to 70/30 VG/PG and the Z Coils showed no signs of struggle whatsoever.
I have found that fruity and sweet blends perform best with these coils, as long as they aren’t too heavy on the sweetener, I got just under a weeks worth of use out of a single Z coil when vaping fruity e-liquids.
Where I’ve found them to struggle is with particularly ‘heavy’ e-liquids, such as a salted caramel macchiato blend that I do very much enjoy. That has actually wiped the floor with a Z Coil in just over a days worth of use!
Airflow
A bottom airflow system is used on the Zenith M tank, and a top airflow system is used on the Zenith NEX tank.
There’s a wealth of options available for airflow on the Zenith M tank, ranging from a tight mouth to lung hit right up to a borderline unrestricted lung hit.
If you like a dense, cloudy vape then the Zenith M is no slouch in this department. With the 0.3ohm coil and the airflow opened up, this is more than capable of kicking out plenty of vapour!
The only downside I found here was that the airflow control ring is quite hard to adjust when the tank is on the device, often necessitating the removal of the tank from the device in order to adjust the airflow.
Battery Life
This is very much dependent on the 18650 battery that you are using in the device, as well as the coil resistance and the selected output wattage.
I used a Molicell 2800mAh 25A 18650 battery with my Coolfire Z80 NEX, and this will last me the best part of a full day when vaping with a 0.3ohm Z Coil and the power output set to 35W.
Pros
- Smooth and flavoursome vape
- Beginner friendly vaping kit
- Mouth to lung and restricted direct lung drip tips in the box
- Includes spare o-rings and replacement tank section
- Handy locking switch saves you from having to turn the device off when not in use
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Coil lifespan isn’t the best with certain e-liquids
- Does not have a built-in battery which will be a downside for some users
- Airflow control can be difficult to adjust unless you remove the Zenith M tank from the device
- TPD compliant kit doesn’t actually come with the new Zenith NEX tank.
Final Verdict
I don’t really like to start off summarizing this review with a negative, but I did find it a little disappointing that the TPD version of the Coolfire Z80 NEX did not come with the new Zenith NEX tank, with the Zenith M tank supplied instead. I love a good top airflow tank!
That being said, the Zenith M tank along with the new and upgraded Z Coils still provides a very enjoyable and flavoursome vape with an easy to use top filling system and a lot of different airflow options.
The Coolfire Z80 NEX device boasts some pretty rock solid build quality, which is something that Innokin have become very well known for over the years.
All in all, this is a solidly performing kit that appeals to both mouth to lung vapers and restricted direct lung ones too.
It’s easy to get to grips with and provides all the power you need for a single 18650 battery set up, so if you are looking to make the jump from a pod system to something with a little more power, this is well worth considering.
Fans of Innokin’s Coolfire kits will really like this latest one, and I’m sure this kit will draw in some brand new Coolfire fans too!
Many thanks to Innokin for sending the Coolfire Z80 NEX in for review!
Have you used the Coolfire Z80 NEX? Let us know in the comments below!
