Innokin Kroma-R Kit Review – Great Mod But What About the Tank?

The Innokin Kroma-R Zlide kit is the latest from the Kroma line which has mainly focused on those who enjoy a Mouth-To-Lung vape.

However, the Kroma-R mod, gives the user the ability to enjoy the full potential of an 18650 by popping on their own tank or RDA and firing up to 80w.

In September of last year I reviewed the Innokin Adept Zlide Kit which came with the same Zlide tank that is included with the Kroma-R kit, however this time round it comes with different coils.

What catches my eye with the Kroma-R mod is its ability to be more diverse than the Adept mod was.

Housing a removable single 18650 battery, and a maximum output of 80 watts, the Kroma-R isn’t a short sighted device, but a lot more versatile, and its certainly better looking than the Adept Mod.

What Can We Expect From the Innokin Kroma-R Zlide Kit?

Well I wont be spending too much time talking about the Zlide tank itself, a MTL tank which the man himself Neil H reviewed midway through last year, and also which I covered in my review of the Innokin Adept Kit.

As much as I see the popularity of the Zlide Tank throughout social media, both myself and Neil seemed to have experienced the same – ‘It’s good, but it’s not quite good enough‘.

So now the pressure is really focused on 2 things, the Kroma-R device itself, and the 2 coils that come with the kit.

Included in the box is a 0.8Ω and a 1.2Ω coil, different to what I tried with the Adept Kit.

So let’s Crack On and see if Innokin finally gets it right with the Kroma-R kit.

This item was sent to us for the purposes of review, and as always, my views are my own.

See the Innokin Kroma R Kit In Action

Checkout the video review from Gaz aka The Flatcap Vaper for a closer look:

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Inside the Box

• 1 x Kroma-R Mod
• 1 x Zlide Tank
• 1 x 1.2Ω Coil
• 1 x 0.8Ω Coil
• 1 x Spare Glass Tube
• 1 x Spare Drip Tip
• 1 x Spare O-Ring Set
• 1 x Micro USB Cable
• 1 x Guide
• 1 x Warning Booklet

Features

Mod

• Battery – Single 18650
• Charge Via Micro USB port 5v/2A
• Zinc Alloy Construction
• OLED Display
• Resistance Range: 0.05-3.5Ω
• Maximum Voltage: 7.5v
• Over Discharge, Overcharge, Over Voltage, Short Circuit, Overheat
• Colours Available: Bronze | Gun Metal | Steel | Black

Tank

• ‘Easy Slide’ Top Fill
• Child Safe Drip-Tip?
• 2ml e-liquid capacity
• Z-Coil Line Compatible
• Bottom Adjustable 5-step Airflow
• Colours Available: Gunmetal | Stainless Steel | Blue | Black

Dimensions

• Height: 131mm
• Width: 40mm
• Depth: 26mm

Design and Build Quality

I received the bronze version of the Kroma-R which came with a gun-metal Zlide Tank. Beautifully packaged in the usual Innokin Way which is in a way, a little ‘Apple-esque.

Kroma-R Mod

Once you slide the covers and pull the tabs, you’re presented with a gorgeous brushed-bronze device which really does scream class.

And for a single 18650 device its fairly small but looks extremely nice.

On Top

The top and bottom of the Kroma-R is a finished in a highly polished gun-metal and of course there is a spring loaded 510 connector up top.

The Display & Buttons

On the face of the device is a clear, bright colour screen which displays the usual info, and there is actually quite a bit of information on the one screen, but its extremely clear and displays well, even in sunlight.

The fire button is very cleverly hidden within the top of the black panel section, which also houses your 2 adjustment buttons, which again, are cleverly styled in black, with a polished brass ring around each button.

Right at the bottom is the Micro-USB port for firmware upgrades and charging, but as always try and charge your removable batteries on an external charger unless you get desperate.

I feel like Innokin really didn’t cut any corners with the design on this device.

The Base

To install or remove a battery, the spring-loaded battery door opens and closes with ease and clicks in nicely.

And the base itself has the same polished gun-metal effect that we see at the top of the Kroma-R mod.

Innokin Zlide Tank

The Zlide tank is Innokin’s successor to the Zenith, featuring a 2ml e-liquid capacity, nicely housed within a Gun-Metal case, meaning breaking the glass is a lot harder than your usual Sub-Ohm tanks and RTA’s.

The Zlide comes with a ‘child-proof’ drip-tip, which is basically a normal 510 drip-tip but with an extended base which stops the top fill part from sliding open.

The tank is actually really nice looking, very simple but with nice angles and nice smooth airflow adjustment which could only be described as a removable ring at the bottom of the tank.

The Innokin Kroma-R Kit In The Hand

I feel Innokin has really, REALLY thought about the feel of the Innokin Kroma-R kit, it’s very well built and the curves are all in the right places.

Regardless of how you fire your device (finger or thumb) its extremely comfortable. Although the device has some weight to it, its not heavy as such and the rubbery panel on the back of the device gives the Kroma-R that much needed grip.

The top and bottom of the Kroma-R mod may be a little bit of a finger print magnet, along with the front display panel, but in all honesty it hasn’t bothered me too much.

I really like how at the back of the top-section, the device curves down which acts as a comfortable ledge for your index finger – clever stuff.

How Does the Innokin Kroma-R Kit perform?

Basic Operation

The Kroma-R comes with all the usual bells and whistles when it comes to its menu and functions, here’s the basic operation details.

1. Switch On/Off – 3 Clicks Fire Button
2. Hold Fire + Up – Puff Count Info
3. Hold Fire + Down – Locks Adjustment Buttons (Still fires)
4. Hold Up + Down – Enters Menu

Innokin Kroma-R Kit Menu Settings

The menu settings on the Innokin Kroma-R kit are simple and easily navigated. Most of the menu options are self explanatory selecting wattage enters wattage mode etc)

Here’s a couple of options to keep in mind:

• Cutoff – Stops firing between 3 seconds and 18 seconds when fire button is pressed.
• Timeout – Screen enters sleep between. between 5 seconds and 180 seconds

How to Fill the Innokin Kroma-R Kit

If you’re using the ‘child-proof’ 510 drip-tip, be sure to remove this first, however the spare black drip-tip that comes in the accessories box doesn’t have the child-proof feature so you won’t have to worry about removing it from the tank.

Once that’s done, very very simply slide the top section across which will expose there large filling slot, then fill with your desired e-liquid.

You can check out some of our best rated e juice here.

As always give your coils chance to saturate, I advise around 5 minutes minimum before you start vaping – known as ‘priming your coils‘.

Also, be sure to start on the lower wattage’s to allow the coil and cotton to break in.

Innokin Kroma-R Kit – Flavour and Clouds

For both coil options, I made use of some nic salts by Nanna’s Secrets – Mango Lime. I also gave the Just Juice – Lemonade a try on the 0.8Ω coil.

I really like the little mesh ring around both coils, its clearly there to reduce spit-back.

The 0.8Ω Coil (Recommend 15-18w)

I’ve had mixed feeling about this coil, let me try and explain.

Personally, the vape experience at 15w, with the airflow on the one hole is exactly how I like it, restrictive and not too harsh on the throat, however flavour is lacking.

Bump that power up to 18w and the flavour improves, but the vape becomes a little too much on the throat.

The cloud production from this coil is warm and not too cloudy to bother anyone.

The 1.2Ω coil (Recommended 10-14w)

At 10 watts with the airflow on pretty much as low as you can go, the Zlide delivers a very nice Mouth-To-Lung vape, with average flavour. This doesn’t mean its a bad experience, its just a little lacklustre.

Flavour wise it’s OK and the majority of people will be happy with it.

Perhaps I’m being a little critical because I hear such good things about the Zlide.

But for me, there are other AIO and MTL kits and tanks that deliver better flavour.

Innokin Kroma-R Kit Airflow

The Airflow adjustment at the bottom of the tank has 4 small holes so setting to your desired airflow is simple enough.

However, I found the airflow is a little too loose even set to only one hole open for the nice tight draw that a MTL Vaper is looking for.

I practically have to close the airflow all the way shut to get the restriction I like.

For a tank that offers limited airflow, it is a little noisy but not turbulent and doesn’t whistle.

Innokin Kroma-R Kit Battery Life

Using an 18650 battery with the kind of wattage’s required for these high resistance coils, you’ll barely make a dent in the battery life in a day.

During my testing, even when vaping at the maximum 18 watts, the Innokin Kroma-R kit lasted a full 3 days.

Of course if you decide to use a Sub-Ohm tank or similar, with lower resistances and higher wattage output, expect that battery life to drop.

I’d also mention that trying to squeeze 80 watts out of a single 18650 battery is quite simply pointless.

First of all the battery wont last more than an hour an you’ll be generating a lot of heat and wear on the battery.

So quite simply I’d avoid using this device at its maximum of 80 watts.

Lastly you can charge the Kroma-R mod via the Micro-USB port below the adjustment buttons. However I cant stress enough how much safer it is to charge your batteries externally.

Charging external batteries within a device doesn’t have the best track record.

Pros

Mod

• One of the most well made ‘mainstream’ device I’ve used
• Form factor is extremely hand friendly
• Bright, clear display
• Easy menu options

Tank

• Well built
• Nicely styled
• Slide top fill works great

Cons

Mod

• Single battery may not be enough for some
• Spring-Loaded battery door may weaken over time

Tank

• Flavour is average with both coils

Final Review Verdict

A Kit which regardless of its average flavour is absolutely brilliant.

The Kroma-R device is one of the nicest styled, and well made mainstream devices I’ve used in a long while and every aspect of its form factor has been thought about – not to mention the brushed brass effect which is absolutely gorgeous.

The Zlide tank still doesn’t tick all the boxes for me, I feel the new coil options are an improvement on the coils I used on the Innokin Adept Review, but considering the praise the Zlide gets on social media, I really cant see why!

Yes the vape experience as a whole is satisfying, but I don’t understand the hype.

‘Would this device be long lasting and still work 3, 6 or even 12 months from now?’

Without a doubt, with a little care and maintenance every now and then, the Kroma-R and Zlide tank will see you well into 2021.

I have a slight concern over the durability of the spring loaded battery door – but only time will tell how it survives.

Does this device deliver the flavour, vapour and general experience I require, in order to be enjoyed?

The Zlide coils are almost there with flavour, but the airflow range is excellent and will suit anyone looking for a decent MTL vape.

Is the Innokin Kroma-R Kit versatile enough to suit a new vaper, and an experienced one alike?

Absolutely.

A very simple Kroma-R device to use and navigate, and a user friendly Zlide tank with simple coil replacement and filling, along with a silly Child-Proof filling mechanism.

So are you a big fan of the Zlide tank?

And is this kit one you’re using or ready to buy?

Let me know in the comments below.

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