Today I’m taking a look at the Vaporesso LUXE XR pod kit.
It looks like there’s a penchant for techy, futuristic looking vape devices at the moment. In fact we’ve seen it recently with the likes of the Moti Vaporesso X Mini Pod kit with all its resplendent circuitry visible below the clear PC shell.
We read about it, we write about it but it makes a refreshing change to actually see what the Axon chip is all about. Complete transparency. Pun intended.
The Vaporesso LUXE XR follows on where the LUXE X left off. This time we get replaceable plug and play GTX mesh coils instead of sealed pods. That’s really about it in terms of differences. The size is the same and so is the battery capacity. Even the maximum wattage is shared.
So it would seem fair to say the R stands for replaceable – as in coils.
The Vaporesso LUXE XR caught the attention of vape enthusiasts at the recent Vape Expo in Birmingham, UK.
Let’s see if it has enough to do the same for me..
What Can We Expect From the Vaporesso LUXE XR Pod Kit?
Naturally there’s going to be cross compatibility with the LUXE X. It’s also compatible with the entire GTX plug and play coil platform. This means the 0.6 and 1.2ohm mesh coils can also be used. You get the 0.4ohm and 0.8ohm coils included in the kit.
Expect either a MTL (Mouth To Lung) or RDL (Restrictive Direct to Lung) vape when using the included coils. We tell you what these terms mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.
The AXON chip automatically detects coil resistance and uses SMART mode to regulate the appropriate power output up to a maximum of 40W.
The coils are supported by Vaporesso’s COREX heating technology to ensure rapid, even heat distribution across the morph mesh surface. The result is a 50% improvement to vaporisation efficiency, flavour and vapour reproduction as well as increasing the overall life span of the coil.
Vaporesso’s patented SSS (seal, store, saturate) tech is once again included to ensure recycling of any condensate back into the pod.
Powered by a 1500mAh integrated battery and using fast type C USB charging, remaining battery charge is indicated by 3 LEDs visible under the toughened exterior. Three coatings have been applied to prevent abrasions, scratches or damage when dropped from height.
The Vaporesso LUXE XR is available in TPD (2ml capacity) and non EU (5ml capacity) format. I can only assume the 2ml version features the dreaded rubber bung to bring it in line with current regulation.
It’s available in 7 colour schemes. Pink, Purple, Gold, black, Galaxy Purple, Galaxy Red and Galaxy Blue (under review).
What’s In the Box?
It’s a good thing Vaporesso provide a lifting ribbon around the device because it’s heavily recessed inside that plastic mould! I do like this kind of detailing though.
Fair play, Vaporesso.
- Vaporesso LUXE XR battery
- RDL LUXE XR pod with 0.4ohm GTX mesh coil installed
- MTL LUXE XR pod with 0.8ohm GTX mesh coil installed
- Type C USB charging cable
- User manual
- Reminder card
Vaporesso LUXE XR Pod Kit – Specifications
- Dimensions: 98 x 31.5 x 21.6mm
- Pod Capacity: 5ml / 2ml
- Coil resistance: 0.4ohm (26 – 32W) / 0.8ohm (20 – 26W)
- Battery capacity: 1500mAh
- Output power: 40W
- Charging current: DC 5V/1.5A type C
- Display: 3 LED light
- Activation: Button activated
Vaporesso LUXE XR Pod Kit – Design and Build Quality
Battery Section
With an internal battery capacity of 1500mAh it’s quite a chunky monkey but slips into the hand with the greatest of ease.
The Zinc Alloy and toughened Plastic is contoured so having no sharp edges assists with the comfort.
The AXON chip is on full view through the clear plastic shell and so is the Vaporesso branded battery.
There are two fixed airflow slots on either side. One is wider than the other. So flipping the pod 180 degrees will affect the level of restriction.
Four strong magnets align with those on the pod to ensure it passes the drop test.
The underside is home to the type C USB charging port. Such is the design that I guess side mounting would’ve been a bit awkward. It’s a shame because the LUXE XR sits perfectly well on any surface.
A raised fire button sits in a position that’s very comfortable for thumb firing. Five clicks will turn the device on or off. When powered on three LED’s ascend from the base. They descend when turning the device off.
These LED’s replace any menu screen and indicate the current health of the device.
Pod Section
The pods are made from a tough PCTG material so able to withstand a good few knocks along the way.
Unlike the sealed pods of the Vaporesso LUXE X, the plug and play mesh coils can be replaced with any in the GTX range. For this reason Vaporesso supply a reminder card for best results when using either pod.
The two included pods are distinctly different by design and the image below demonstrates this. The mouthpiece on the MTL pod has much more restriction than the RDL pod.
The vaping style is also printed on the sides. Vaporesso have clearly covered all angles in a bid to avoid confusion.
Oh and good news! Entire juice levels can be viewed through the transparent viewing window.
Let’s take a quick look at how to install a coil and fill the pod.
Quick Start Guide
- Remove the pod from the battery section
- Locate the chamber opening on the base of the pod
Push the coil up unto the chamber using the O rings to provide a good seal- Locate the arrow on the fill tab (next to the coil)
- Lift the tab to expose the fill port opening
- Gently squeeze e-liquid into the fill chamber taking care not to overfill
Push the coil up unto the chamber using the O rings to provide a good seal- Push the tab back into place. Make sure it’s fully re seated
- Drop the pod back into the battery section
Push the tab back into place. Make sure it’s fully re seatedLet the e-liquid soak into the cotton of the coil for around five minutes before vaping.
Vaporesso LUXE XR – Operation
Press the fire button to vape. The current battery strength is shown by the number of LED’s.
- Three LED’s – 60 – 100%
- Two LED’s – 30 – 60%
- One LED – 30% or less
If vaping exceeds 8 seconds the LED will breathe (gently flash) 3 times and the device will switch off.
The Vaporesso LUXE XR may be simple to use but still includes a suite of safety protection for peace of mind.
- Low resistance – All LED’s flash five times and output is stopped.
- Short circuit – All LED’s flash five times and output is stopped.
- No load protection – Current battery strength LED indicator breaths three times then output is stopped.
- High resistance – Current battery strength LED indicator breaths three times then output is stopped.
- Low voltage – All LED’s flash three times and output is stopped.
- Over charge – The device will cease charging when battery capacity reaches 100%
How Does the Vaporesso LUXE XR Perform?
0.4ohm GTX Mesh Coil & RDL Pod
The GTX plug and play mesh coils are already installed in their relevant pod so I began by testing the 0.4ohm one. I used Digbys Custard Cream, a 65VG/35PG juice ratio with 3mg freebase nicotine included.
I have to admit, there’s more power generated through this coil than I was expecting. Using the wider airflow slot I did indeed get a restrictive direct lung vape.
Cloud production was pretty immense. There’s plenty of volume from an extended inhale and it hangs around for quite a while.
However, the coil is a bit on the loud side and there does seem to be a little turbulence generated. The vape is Luke warm too – I was hoping for more warmth for the flavour I chose.
As for flavour?
I wasn’t overly impressed to be honest. It was OK but I tended to get more milky back notes than a full on offering of dairy cream. The custard fondant was severely lacking too. The taste can be best described as flat and uninspiring.
I also didn’t notice much airflow restriction when flipping the pod. The flavour doesn’t improve and vapour production remained the same.
The mouthpiece had a tendency to over heat with extended inhales too.
0.8ohm GTX Mesh Coil & MTL Pod
I used Monster Vape Labs Killer Lemon Tart to test the MTL pod. It’s a 50VG/50PG juice ratio with 20mg salt nicotine included.
With the pod positioned against the narrowest airflow slot first I got a pretty decent MTL vape. The only problem was that it didn’t take long to experience the dreaded ‘hot lips’ syndrome.
I couldn’t inhale for more than 3 seconds without the mouthpiece starting to over heat.
The flavour quality on the other hand was fantastic. Highly saturated, bringing out all the sugary elements of the meringue, biscuit base and natural Lemon.
The inhale was much quieter than the RDL pod and I didn’t notice any turbulence.
The experience was totally different when flipping the pod against the wider airflow slot. It’s not what I would call a MTL vape because (for me at least) it’s just too loose.
Far too much vapour was escaping the mouth as opposed to being inhaled back in. This had a detrimental effect because around 50% of that concentrated flavour was lost.
In all honesty? I spent the majority of the time RDL vaping. It helped with the flavour notes although the pod is best suited against the narrower airflow slot. That’s where the best MTL vape can be found.
Battery Performance and Recharging
The RDL pod lasted for 7 hours of continuous vaping. The MTL pod fared better holding out a little over 9 hours. I didn’t notice much flavour degradation as the battery weakened either.
As for charging? It’s the good ‘ole fast one hour variety courtesy of type C USB.
If that still seems too long to wait, the Vaporesso LUXE XR can be vaped while charging.
Pros
- Great cloud production from RDL pod
- Pocket friendly
- Ergonomic design
- Coils don’t leak
Cons
- Average flavour from the 0.4ohm GTX mesh pod
- Mouthpiece heats up under extended inhales with either coil
- No auto draw
- Not much difference to airflow restriction when flipping RDL pod
Final Review Verdict
I do feel a little let down that the Vaporesso LUXE XR doesn’t employ auto draw. That’s because it’s as portable and as light as many others that do. On a few occasions when distracted I found myself vaping fresh air! lol
There’s no doubting it’s very polished and ergonomically designed. It wouldn’t look amiss appearing on screen in the next Blade Runner flick with its futuristic looking LED’s.
I can’t be overly distracted by that, however. What it comes down to is performance, flavour, cloud production and battery management.
The only thing I think that lets the device down is airflow. The restriction was good on the RDL pod but didn’t have enough variation when flipping.
The MTL pod works great when placed against the narrowest airflow slot but soon heats up with tugs longer than a few seconds.
At the end of the review I’m left asking the question. Does the Vaporesso LUXE XR offer anything new to the vape table?
It gets the job done. It’s a solid, reliable little device but it’s not really anything we haven’t already encountered from a pod kit.
Have you tried this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
