Vaporesso Swag PX80 Review

The Swag has always been one of Vaporesso’s best selling brands, but with the launch of the first Swag pod mod, it’s about to become it’s biggest product line yet. The new PX80 follows the same mod-to-pod-mod recipe we’ve seen from other manufacturers lately, but this device features such interesting innovations that I see it as nothing short of a game-changer.

Vaporesso Swag PX80 Specifications

• Dimensions: 100 mm x 24 mm x 48 mm
• Material: Zinc alloy, PCTG, faux leather
• Battery: 18650
• Wattage range: 5-80W
• Voltage range: 0-4V
• Vaping Modes: Variable Wattage, Variable Voltage, Smart Wattage
• E-liquid capacity: 4 ml

Vaporesso Swag PX80 Packaging and Presentation

The new Swag PX80 pod mod comes in a rectangular cardboard box colored the same as the decorative leatherette on the actual mod. It has a picture of the device as well as pictograms of its main features, on the front of the box, and some technical specifications, a list of contents, and a scratch-and-check authenticity sticker, on the back.

Inside the box we have a custom plastic holder, where you’ll find the Swag PX pod mod, a USB Type-C charging cable, two GTX coil-heads, a user manual, warranty card, and some other informative reading material. All in all, it’s a classic pod mod kit, nothing more, nothing less.

Vaporesso Swag PX80 Design and Build Quality

The Vaporesso Swag 2 is one of the best vape mods I’ve tested in recent years. I love how compact it is, the rubberized, grippy finish, and the outstanding Axon chip. Apparently, I’m not the only one, because the Chinese manufacturer decided to go with the same general design for the new PX80, while adding some really nice touches.

The first thing you’ll notice about Vaporesso’s newest pod mod is the high-quality leatherette panel on one of the sides of the device. It’s really one of the nicest fake leather decorations I’ve seen on a vape mod, and it really adds its charm. It’s not only nice to look at, but it actually feels like leather to the touch as well, so that’s a big plus.

But it’s not just that leatherette, the device as a whole looks and feels high-end. The gunmetal zinc alloy frame is brilliantly machined, with hardly any visible flaws, and gives the pod mod a nice heft in the hand. The carbon fiber-like panel opposite the leatherette is a nice touch as well, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

The buttons are some of the nicest, if not the nicest I’ve ever seen on a Vaporesso device. They are metallic, small and elegant, and the only thing I have to complain is a slight rattle on the fire button. It’s hardly audible, though, so it’s definitely not a deal-breaker.

Vaporesso Swag PX80 pods

What may be a deal-breaker for many fans of previous Swag iterations is that the PX80 does not have a classic 510 connection. That’s right, just like the VooPoo Drag Max did away with the 510 in favor of a magnetic connection and refillable pods, so to does the latest Swag pod mod. The company may come out with a 510 adapter, like we saw on the Smoant Pasito 2, for example, but for now, you can only use the PX80 with Vaporesso’s proprietary pods.

Although not having the freedom to use this gorgeous device with any atomizer you want is disappointing, you’ll be happy to know that the available pod and compatible GTX coil-heads offer a great vaping experience, so there’s not a lot to complain about. Not only that, but this new pod is the most innovative I’ve ever seen.

The PX80 pods hold up to 4 ml of e-liquid, and take the now famous Vaporesso GTX mesh coil-heads. They go in through the bottom, as with any other advanced pods, but the innovation lies in the way they are removed. once you push the coil-head all the way in, the bas sits flush with the metallic bottom of the pod, so there’s noting to grab and pull out. Luckily, you don’t need to do that.

On the top cap of the pod you have locked and unlocked markings that can be aligned with an arrow on the drip tip. When the arrow aligns with the unlocked symbol, you can press down on the drip tip, and it will push out the coil-head through the bottom, so you can easily remove it. This also seals the wicking holes on the metallic inner tube, so you don’t have to worry about juice leaking out when you replace a coil-head.

The only thing you need to do is align the arrow on the drip tip with the locked symbol, so you don’t accidentally push out the coil-head when you have the mod in your pocket, or another tight space. Other than that, this system is brilliant, and shows that while refillable pods are considered inferior to tanks, or downright rudimentary, they can be quite impressive.

Another important thing to note is that condensation is no longer a problem with this style of pod, thank to a catch-tray design built into the bottom of the pod, which catches any leaks and condensation and sucks it back into the tank when you draw.

Similarly to the VooPoo Drag X and S pod mods, the Swag PX80 features airflow slots cut into the mod, and all you have to do is rotate the pod to adjust the airflow to your liking.

Vaporesso Swag PX80 display

Another noteworthy innovation introduced by Vaporesso with the new Swag pod mod is the stealthy display, which seamlessly blends into the carbon fiber-like panel. And I don’t mean that figuratively, when the display is off and you’re looking straight at the decorative panel, you couldn’t tell that there is a screen underneath.

You can sort of tell there is something there when tilting the mod and looking at it from a certain angle, but it’s still the stealthiest display I’ve ever seen on a vaping device. The only thing I don’t understand is why Vaporesso didn’t implement a stealth mode, where the screen doesn’t turn on when pressing the fire button.

The hidden display is a nice concept, but if you’re going to go stealthy, you might as well go all the way. If the screen will light up every time you vape, what’s the purpose of the stealth? With a stealth mode feature, the screen doesn’t have to turn on if you don’t want to. Luckily, that’s a feature that can be activated through a firmware upgrade down the road.

The color display on the Swag PX80 is very bright and vibrantly colored. It’s not the largest I’ve seen, but for a device this size, it’s big enough.

Vaporesso Swag PX80 Menu System and Features

The Swag 2 was a very advanced mod for its size, and the PX80 is equally impressive, for a pod mod. Holding down the + and – buttons simultaneously for a couple of seconds takes you into the intuitive and feature-rich menu system. Here, you can choose between several vape modes, as well as secondary options, such as resetting the puff counter or changing the color theme of the display.

The PX80 features three vaping modes – variable wattage, variable voltage and smart wattage. The first two are fairly straightforward, while the third was also featured on the Target PM80, one of the best pod mods of last year. Basically, it adjusts the power output automatically, when you attach a new coil-head, which ensures that you don’t accidentally burn your coil by bumping the power up too much.

You can also change the color of the display from the default green to blue or pink (which is more of a purple), reset the puff counter, or reset the device to factory settings.

There are also a couple of useful button combinations you can use, like pressing the fire button three times in rapid succession to lock and unlock the buttons, or the fire button and the + button, to check the firmware version.

Vaporesso Swag PX80 Battery Life

Just like the previous two Swag devices, the Vaporesso Swag PX80 is powered by an external 18650 battery (not included in the kit). It has the same Pico-inspired battery compartment and protruding battery cap with side knurling for better grip. All you have to do is pop a battery in with the plus side facing down, screw the battery cap back on, and you’re good to go.

I know what you’re thinking, 20700 or 21700 battery compatibility would have been nice, and I agree, but the mere fact that this is an external battery device is good enough for me. All you need is an extra 18650 battery, and you don’t ever have to worry about running out of power.

The Swag PX80 features 2A fast charging via the USB Type-C interface, and while I advise people to get an external charger, having fast onboard charging is always nice, if you don’t have other alternatives.

In terms of actual vape time, it depends on the power output, battery capacity and your style of vaping, but a battery should last you anywhere between 4-5 hours to a whole day. Two should hold the vast majority of vapers a whole day.

How Does the Vaporesso Swag PX80 Vape?

This is usually the most important part of my review, but in this case, there’s not a lot to talk about. Not because the Swag PX80 isn’t worth it, but simply because it uses the same GTX coil-heads we’ve covered many times before. They are reliable, they last a really long time, and, most importantly, they are among the best when it comes to flavor and vapor production.

The Swag PX80 kit includes one 0.3Ω coil head (32W – 45W0 and one 0.2Ω coil head (45W – 60W), which are very similar, to be honest. They are both mesh coils, and meant exclusively for direct lung vaping. There are plenty of other GTX coil-heads to try, which is a big plus, but you’ll have to buy those separately.

A subjective con is the lack of mouth-to-lung options for this device. Yes, there are MTL coil-heads available, but an even better option would be a custom MTL pod, like the one we saw on the Drag Max a while back. We may see something like that going forward, but for now, the Swag PX80 remains a pod mod aimed at fans of direct lung vaping.

If you’re a fan of Vaporesso’s GTX coil-heads, and you should be, you’re going to love using the PX80 pod mod. The Axon chip powering the device also does a great job of providing the right amount of power, and fires as fast as the most advanced devices available today.

Conclusion

The Vaporesso Swag PX80 lives up to the reputation of the Swag line and manages to bring some innovations of its own. It may not have a 510 connection (yet), but it more than makes up for it in every other department, from build quality, to features and performance. This is without a doubt one of the best pod mods ever made, and a very good example of how to push an already known brand to new heights.

The Vaporesso Swag PX80 pod mod was sent to me directly by Vaporesso for the purpose of this review.

Tags : mod reviews,pod mods,Swag pod mod,Swag PX80,Swag PX80 pod mod,Vaporesso,Vaporesso Swag