SKE Crystal Plus Rechargeable Device Review – Versatility Over Flavour?

Today I’m looking at a device that’s disposable but not disposable. Confused? Then read on. It’s the SKE Crystal Plus Rechargeable device.

It pretty much falls into the “pod kit” category and therefore is more sustainable than a standard disposable vape.

The owner of SKE, simply known as Smith is an avid Skier and SKE is short for “Speed Skier Extreme”. Somehow vaping seems to fit the image of this cold, outdoor pursuit much more than smoking, doesn’t it.

Cold breath – vaping. Similarities that work for me, anyway.

Smith was so enamoured with the idea of vaping as a safer alternative to smoking that he invested all his College scholarship funds into researching coil atomisation and flavour replication.

That’s exactly how this Shenzhen based manufacturer came to be and the sport Smith knows and loves is captured in the design of products such as the SKE Crystal Bar and Amare Crystal One disposable vapes.

The SKE Crystal Plus is a disposable with a difference. Let’s check it out right now.

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What Can We Expect From the SKE Crystal Plus Rechargeable Device?

To be accurate, the SKE Crystal Plus is a rechargeable device that uses disposable pods (Purchased separately). It’s an idea that offers the user much more versatility and affordability over traditional disposable vapes.

Versatility in that it’s possible to swap flavours mid way through use. Affordable in that the disposable pods come in blister packs of two.

Admittedly this isn’t a new idea and we’ve seen it done before with the likes of the Elf Bar ELFA and Innokin Innobar C1 but it’s always been something that appeals to a skin flint like me!

Armed with the knowledge that this is a rechargeable device, SKE have done the decent thing and included a type C USB charging cable to constantly power the integrated 400mAH battery with a steady 11W/3.6V output.

There’s a single White LED on the base of the battery that illuminates with every auto drawn inhale as well as a single pinhole for that crucial MTL vaping experience.

The now trademark Crystal effect of the SKE disposable vape range is once again on show and the bevelling on the PC material creates some rather stunning light refractions against the two-tone colour schemes.

It’s slim, very lightweight and 100% pocket friendly. Everything you’d expect from a disposable device, really.

Disposable Pods

The disposable pods are made of the usual tough PCTG material and the 1.1ohm mesh coils are sealed inside together with 2ml of 50VG/50PG E-liquid. Don’t expect any leaking from these pods – always a plus!

Although the pods are sealed in blister packs of two, SKE have also inserted a tube down through the mouthpiece (sounds very uncomfortable doesn’t it!) as a form of juice control.

Its main objective is to ensure total flavour freshness so full kudos to SKE here.

Pulling the silicone tube out will allow E-liquid to enter the pod chamber and surround the mesh coil.

Important note! Do not attempt to vape straight away. Let the E-liquid do its magic by soaking into the cotton wicks for around 3 minutes first!

Failure to do this could result in a nasty burnt taste and is not a fault of the pod.

So the pods attach to the rechargeable battery section via two magnets. The partnership is pretty much seamless and I’m very much reminded of the original SKE Crystal bar.

The pods also contain 20mg (2%) of salt nicotine which means the device is fully TPD compliant. Great news for those in the UK and EU.

Expect to pick up this rechargeable device in five crystal clear colour schemes – Blue, Red, Aurora Green, Aurora Blue and Grey. I’ve received Aurora Blue for the review model.

There are a choice of popular flavours to choose from and these fall in the drinks, sweets and fruit categories. Some include the obligatory dash of ice for good measure.

SKE Crystal Plus Specifications

Rechargeable Device

• Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 133.4mm
• Material: SUS201 + PC
• Battery capacity: 400mAh
• Output: Constant 11W/3.6V
• Charging: Type C USB
• Activation: Auto draw
• Indicator: Single White LED
• Number of puffs: Up to 600

Disposable Pods

• Material: PCTG
• Capacity: 2ml (with removable juice control tube)
• Nicotine strength: 20mg (2%) salt nicotine
• E-liquid ratio: 50VG/50PG
• Coil: Sealed 1.1ohm mesh

OK, it’s time to test these disposable pods out for flavour, consistency, vapour production, airflow and of course battery life and puff duration.

I’d like to offer my thanks to Vape Club for sending these over for the purposes of review. As always it’s very much appreciated.

Blue Razz Lemonade

SKE Says:

Enjoy moreish Blueberries and tangy Raspberries blended with zingy Lemonade for a sweet and effervescent vape.

I Say:

This is bursting with flavour!

So much so that there’s almost an acrid taste generated on the exhale. Almost.

For me, that’s often the difference between a good and a bad vape. In this case, Blue Razz Lemonade just about gets away with it.

What we get is a very consistent balancing of flavour between the Blueberry and Lemonade. I’ve left out Raspberry because I’m not personally getting much of that.

There’s a whole lot of sweetness going on and it sticks to the taste buds. Thankfully it’s not a ‘wet’ sweetness so that leads me to believe the mesh coil is doing a fine job at delivering the flavour experience.

It plays well into the hands of the Lemonade, which relies on it and as a consequence this is quite a refreshing, Summer inspired vape that does much to quench the thirst.

A nice chilling blast on the inhale keeps that Summer vibe pumping along quite nicely.

Blueberry Sour Raspberry

SKE Says:

Moreish Blueberries and tangy Raspberries dipped in sour candy sugar. A very moreish sweet and sour fruity vape.

I Say:

This one crosses that dreaded ‘acrid tasting’ boundary, unfortunately and all I can think of is that it’s being caused by the excessive sweetness of the sour candy sugar element.

It’s definitely high on sour qualities and that just doesn’t work for me. It underscores everything else the vape is trying to achieve.

That’s something of a shame because unlike Blue Razz Lemonade the Raspberry pops much more here. So does the Blueberry but it does taste artificial and synthetic when having to deal with all the additional sweetness.

I am left thinking more of a sweet based profile because there is a candy like edge running through the exhale.

And because of the sourness, elevated levels of Koolada do nothing to lift Blueberry Sour Raspberry out of my ‘face pulling’ league of vapes, I’m afraid.

This one’s not for me.

Cherry Ice

SKE Says:

Rich and full-bodied Cherries with refreshing ice notes throughout for a sweet and tangy vape.

I Say:

These aren’t rich and full bodied Cherries in my opinion. In fact there’s a distinct lack of fruit full stop.

They are discernible but only just. Nowhere near the intensity I was expecting from them though and that makes all the difference.

There’s enough sweetness pulled up during the inhale but Cherry only seems to appear as a subtle after taste. Once the exhale has passed by.

If it wasn’t for the grace of the sweetener, Cherry Ice would actually be a dull and dry flavour experience. So much so that the Koolada actually hits harder than any taste.

Cherry Ice offers far too little, too late for my own taste buds but if the subtle flavour approach appeals to you give it a tug by all means.

Kiwi Passionfruit Guava

SKE Says:

Tangy and sweet tropical notes of Kiwi, sweet Passionfruit and smooth Guava, for a well-balanced exotic vape.

I Say:

Tangy is the key word to describe Kiwi Passionfruit Guava. Tangy and sweet – there’s another word..

I’m actually impressed with the Guava in this one. I usually struggle to pick it out but this time the rougher texture can be felt on the exhale.

The full bodied nature of Passionfruit with all its broader appeal is also on show, helping to create a very tasty tropical vibe.

There’s just the merest hint of Pineapple and I attribute this to the Kiwi. It’s consciously underplayed so as not to unbalance this rather decent flavour experience.

I don’t feel this one is bursting with flavour but that’s no bad thing here because SKE have struck an effective balance against the sweetener.

The Koolada might be a tad on the intense side for some but overall, yeah – another Summer vape banger methinks!

Lemon & Lime

SKE Says:

The bright citrus of Lemons and tangy Lime for a sweet and enlivening vape.

I Say:

The smell of Lime is still able to creep through the small silicone straw attached to the pod. Does that bode well or will Lemon and Lime just be an over concentrated mess?

In reality it’s one of the most refreshing vapes in the bunch. It’s where citrus, sweetness, fruit and Koolada meet in perfect harmony.

Quite often there’s an imbalance along the way, especially with disposable vapes and pods but Lemon and Lime bucks the trend.

The coolness of the vape is apparent during inhale before the sourness of the Lemon falls in alongside a mouth watering Lime. The blending is on par and offers a well rounded, flavoursome vape.

Sometimes Lemon steals it, other times the Lime takes over but each exhale provides a veritable explosion of fruity goodness.

This is one I could never tire of and would suit me all year round.

Great job, SKE!

Pink Lemonade

SKE Says:

Enjoy a medley of summer berries blended with zingy effervescence, a sweet & fruity vape with a tongue-tingling fizz.

I Say

It doesn’t quite hit the spot for me and I’m certainly not reminded of a medley of Summer fruits, unfortunately.

There’s no denying the fizziness of the vape which gets caught up in that icy cold blast after the inhale. But it’s pretty much on a road to nowhere when it comes to flavour properties.

The Lemonade is dull and lifeless with any Strawberry content being relegated to a position way behind the incessant sweetness Pink Lemonade has to offer.

Whatever taste that’s left behind is very artificial and unnatural. Not really any surprise as such but were this an actual food product – you’d be piling on the pounds and visiting the dentist much more regularly than you’d like.

Another one for those preferring subtlety over a full on flavour fest.

Strawberry Burst

SKE Says:

The vibrant taste of sweet Strawberries and juicy gummy Candy, a sweet and fruity treat for candy lovers.

I Say:

The Gummy qualities of this vape are nicely expressed. They work, in other words.

You may be of an age where you remember those Strawberry bootlace sweets. The ones that had a habit of getting stuck in tooth cavities!

This is pretty much what you’re getting with Strawberry Burst. I wouldn’t say the flavour is identical but it’s still a fair forgery of those gummies.

The taste is a little more diluted but holds up well enough during the exhale.

The level of sweetness is definitely on par though and there’s no mistaking what flavour category it belongs to.

You’ll be able to keep Weight and Dental Work to the bare minimum while vaping this sweet induced delight.

Watermelon Ice

SKE Says:

Crisp and juicy Watermelons with cooling ice on the inhale and exhale, making for a sweet and refreshing fruity vape.

I Say:

The aroma kind of betrays what to expect from this one. That usually tends to be the case with Watermelon based vapes.

SKE have taken the safe path with this one. That’s to say, there’s nothing new here.

It’s the same artificial, synthetic version of Watermelon found in humble 10ml E-liquid bottles of yesteryear.

Now I’m not particularly knocking that and it’s still going to appeal to the newer vaper but again, the sweetness levels don’t do it any favours.

One thing you can be certain of is flavour which is in abundance from the first moment of exhale to the last. And then some, as it tends to linger on the palate for minutes after.

The cooling effect of the inhale does its very best to lift the unnatural taste but if you’re anywhere near my vaping journey of nine years – you’ll have been here, got the T-Shirt.

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Blueberry Cherry Blackberry

SKE Says:

This berry delight whips up a medley of plump blueberries, rich cherries and juicy tart blackberries and is packed with satisfying berry flavour.

I Say:

It actually smells very much like a straight Blackcurrant when prised from the blister pack.

Yet it translates completely differently to the vape itself. The Blueberry takes away any characteristics of Blackcurrant and smothers it with what I feel are a few artificial back notes.

This isn’t a version of Blueberry that I’m particularly fond of. It carries something of a stale, repugnant after taste that’s very difficult to shift.

And that’s a bit of a shame because there’s just the merest hint of a very decent Blackcurrant in there yet only seems to work briefly, at the start of the exhale. Before drifting away to be replaced with the overall sweeter elements on offer.

I get absolutely no sign of the Cherries at all. There’s nothing really to indicate their presence so that will also impact on the final score.

Blueberry Cherry Blackberry is ok but doesn’t live up to expectation, unfortunately.

Blue Fusion

SKE Says:

Enjoy a blend of ripe blackberries, blueberries and tangy raspberries for a super sweet and tantalising berry vape.

I Say:

Boy am I glad about that!

Blueberries are mentioned again in the flavour description but thankfully kept in check by a stronger mix of Blackberry and Raspberry.

I’ve decided that I just don’t like the SKE version of Blueberry. That’s obviously personal preference – so to have it toned down is something of a relief.

I couldn’t also say that I’m the biggest fan of how the other berries have been thrown in. It’s not the classic flavour experience you’d associate from either.

Instead we get something of a mish-mash of taste that really doesn’t equate to a whole lot. The exhale certainly hints more towards a candy style Raspberry. That’s after dealing with colossal levels of sweetener on the way in.

You’ll also need quite a strong resolve when it comes to the icy content, because it can scorch the tonsils and leave an impression for minutes after vaping.

Blue Fusion just doesn’t feel like the finished article, to me. Yes, there’s concentrated flavour on offer but I really struggle to suggest what that flavour should be.

Blueberry Raspberry

SKE Says:

Moreish blueberries and tangy raspberries perfectly balanced for a sweet and fruity vape packed with berry flavour.

I Say:

As far as Blueberries are concerned, this one does actually translate better than expected.

There’s still that repugnant after taste which honestly does put a dampener on any flavour experienced beforehand.

But the overall taste during the vape is pretty good, to be fair. The sweetness doesn’t overwhelm and the Koolada is acceptable with each and every tug.

Raspberry tends to steal this particular vape show and it’s actually quite a tasty, succulent version. A few sour back notes help to force it away from the Blueberry. No bad thing, in my opinion.

Yes, I would like to have seen more clarity, more fruity characteristics but there’s still enough here to hold the interest.

Blueberry Raspberry falls more in line with a sweets based flavour than the fruit category I assume it belongs to.

Cherry Strawberry Raspberry

SKE Says:

Enjoy a rich vape bursting with sweet and tangy notes of dark cherries, fresh strawberries and juicy raspberries.

I Say:

This one’s quite interesting.

Cherries have been included in other flavours on this list but have failed to manifest themselves when called upon. Here, they’re very dominant and work a treat alongside the Strawberry content.

In fact the two create an effective partnership, blending seamlessly with one another.

It must be my taste buds but I could almost swear there’s a few delicate hints of Orange in amongst this fruit fest. It’s either that or the Raspberry just isn’t working for me.

And that’s the only blot on this vaping landscape. No Raspberries. I just don’t taste any and I think that’s because the Strawberry is cancelling them out.

It’s a very sweet inspired Strawberry, you see and similar to the chewy Opal Fruit or Starburst sweet variety. The difference is with those Cherries. They instil a welcome pop at the end of the exhale.

I do like this one. It has character and a sense of identity.

Cotton Candy Bubblegum

SKE Says:

This is a delicious candy treat that blends fairground cotton candy with smooth and fruity bubble gum for a super sweet and creamy candy vape.

I Say:

Instead of the usual sweet build up, it’s more about the sourness of the inhale with Cotton Candy Bubblegum.

The coolness of the ice content kicks in just before exhale and joins forces with a veritable explosion of fruity flavour on the way out.

It’s a finely tuned balancing act with the sourness, iciness and flavour of the vape all working well together. So we get an effective end product.

I actually think Orange is taking centre stage because it does project itself forward to the after taste. There’s nothing really natural tasting about it and does remind me of a powdered vending machine alternative but it’s still effective enough.

I can’t say the same thing about the Bubble Gum. It’s lacking and the exhale doesn’t produce anything in the way of texture – of gumminess, if you like.

If candyfloss is included it’s demonstrated by the sweeter notes in the vape. After all, there is a candy like edge to proceedings although no chalkiness actually develops. That’s what I generally look for with these kinds of vape.

So although I think flavour attributes are good, I’m not experiencing everything the description suggests.

Fire Brew

SKE Says:

A moreish blend of zingy mixed berry and citrus fruits and sweet and bubbly soda for a flavourful and refreshing vape.

I Say:

Wow! I wasn’t expecting that.

The citrus levels in Fire Brew are off the scale and the first thing you notice about this disposable pod.

And yes, Soda makes its presence known just as much. So much so that this is the best in the bunch as a drinks based vape, in my opinion.

The cooling agent delivers a hefty payload during exhale, riding behind the fruity punch Fire Brew produces with apparent ease.

As far as taste goes, think Irn Bru only toned down a few notches. I like that. Irn Bru in vape format can often become sickly – very swiftly.

So that doesn’t happen here and even the sweeter elements are kept firmly in check.

Can’t be bad!

I’m really digging what SKE have done with those citrusy notes. Great job.

This one’ll be in the pocket and used to wipe a fevered brow or three during those long, hot Summer days.

Rainbow

SKE Says:

Treat yourself to an intense sugary rush of delicious fruit candy that will hit you with a sweet and sour kaleidoscope of juicy flavours.

I Say:

Yes, there’s plenty of fruity flavour about this one. It’s quite a rich, bold mix too even though it’s quite difficult to work out the structure or picking order of the fruits.

Raspberry makes a return and because of the extreme sweetness of exhale don’t expect any kind of authenticity. It’s not alone, though and I’ve a feeling there may be just a hint or two of Strawberries.

.. And there isn’t any Blueberry that I can make out. It usually leaves its mark as an unwelcome after taste for me, at least.

Rainbow expresses a sweetness from the opening inhale and never subsides throughout the entire vaping experience. So expect the ‘sugar lips’ syndrome to kick in early doors.

That may sit well for many but it’s too much for my taste buds to handle and does distract from the combination of fruits.

The cooling agent is balanced and does a consistent job complementing this candy style vape.

Battery performance and Number of Puffs

The SKE Crystal Plus is good to go straight out of the box. I checked this by plugging the USB cable in. The White LED flashed briefly then stopped, indicating a fully charged battery.

Onto battery performance – it held up very well. I was blissfully unaware it was coming to the end of its charge cycle when I got the dreaded flashing white LED. It flashes ten times then you’ll need to recharge it.

I say blissfully unaware because the flavour was holding up very well. I couldn’t say if battery life is comparable to E-liquid capacity as I was swapping and changing flavours as I tested the device.

Chances are you will get 600 puffs from each 2ml pod over the course of two charging cycles. Just keep an eye on E-liquid levels as the battery capacity may outlast the pod contents, resulting in a dry hit.

I managed around 350 puffs from a single charge.

It’s going to take 50 minutes to recharge a spent battery and the good news is you can still vape while doing so. During the charge cycle the White LED remains lit and switches off when fully recharged.

The White LED will blink 3 times when you remove the cable from a fully charged battery.

Final Review Verdict

As much as I like the idea of juice control for sealing in freshness, I’m not over keen on having to wait to vape on a sealed disposable pod. Part of their appeal is in the ease of use – being able to rip them open and vape straight out of the box.

SKE aren’t the only manufacturer to take the path of juice control but I’ve known quite a few new vapers to be put off simply by not waiting for E-liquid to flood into the pod chamber.

They end up with a nasty dry hit and return to smoking. Sometimes any excuse is a good excuse for an ex-smoker.

Tip! If you’re unsure when to vape, wait until the air bubbles have finished rising to the surface of the pod. Leave it for a further 30 seconds and you’ll be good to go.

I guess some of the versatility of the product comes at a cost here and we must still remember the SKE Crystal Plus is more of a hybrid disposable vape.

So let’s not forget that versatility. It’s great to be able to swap flavours between charging cycles and this can be done in the blink of an eye.

Flavour was something of a mixed bag. I’m finding this a trend with SKE products. As always, it comes down to personal taste and expectation.

As one of those folk that puts flavour over versatility the contents of these pods don’t quite cut it for me.

Vapour production was suitably stealthy though and will suit the newer vaper down to the ground.

In terms of a MTL vape I have no gripes whatsoever. The restriction is on par – not too tight and not too loose. It’s going to emulate the draw from a cigarette, no problem. It’s one area where the SKE Crystal Plus excels.

So overall it’s a decent enough device with average battery life but a range of pod flavours that I found to be very hit and miss.

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