Many of the earliest vape mods had box shapes basically out of necessity. The vape manufacturers didn’t invent the first mods; home hobbyists did. They put threads and battery connections on pre-built boxes to create vapes that lasted longer and produced more vapor than the small e-cigarettes that were available at that time. Eventually, the major manufacturers overseas began to build mass-produced mods of their own – but boxy shapes remained common for many years.
There’s room in the vaping industry to create a new style of vape mod that has better ergonomics and is more comfortable to hold. That was the genesis behind the new series of SMOK Mag kits, which are styled after pistol grips to fit more comfortably in your hand. SMOK Mag vapes are shaped like pistol handles, and they also have additional design elements for comfort such as padded hand grips and trigger-style fire buttons. If you’re the type of person who has your vape in your hand just about all of the time, you’re probably going to find SMOK Mag vapes much more comfortable to hold than the device you’re using now – and that could be a real game changer for your vaping experience.
So, what’s the story with the new SMOK Mag kits? Aside from the unique shape, what makes them special? In this review, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
View our full selection of SMOK Mag kits now. You can also see our full SMOK collection to see everything that’s available or view our full list and comparison of all SMOK vapes.
How Much Do SMOK Mag Kits Cost?
Our collection of SMOK Mag kits consists of two devices at the time of writing. They are:
- SMOK Mag Solo Kit: Costs $45.95 and includes the SMOK Mag Solo device along with the SMOK T-Air tank, two coils, a replacement glass enclosure, a battery adapter sleeve and a charging cable. Also available in a package including the SMOK Mag Solo device only for $35.95.
- SMOK Mag 18 Kit: Costs $51.49 and includes the SMOK Mag 18 device along with the SMOK TVF18 tank, two coils, a replacement glass enclosure and a charging cable. Also available in a package including the SMOK Mag 18 device only for $36.49.
SMOK Mag Kits: Specifications
Since the SMOK Mag series includes two devices with very divergent capabilities, we’ll discuss them separately. We’ll begin with a summary. Here are the two primary differences between the two devices that you need to be aware of before you make your choice.
- The SMOK Mag 18 has a significantly higher power range of up to 230 watts, whereas the power range of the SMOK Mag Solo is 100 watts. If you use a vape tank that operates efficiently at under 100 watts, though, the difference might not be relevant to you.
- The SMOK Mag 18 also has greater battery life since it uses two batteries rather than one. The difference is slightly mitigated, however, by the fact that the SMOK Mag Solo supports larger 21700 and 20700 cells.
SMOK Mag Solo
- Device Type: Vape mod
- Battery Type: Uses a single 21700, 20700 or 18650 battery (not included)
- Power Range: Up to 100 watts
SMOK Mag 18
- Device Type: Vape mod
- Battery Type: Uses two 18650 batteries (not included)
- Power Range: Up to 230 watts
SMOK Mag Kits: Features
Unique Pistol Grip Design
The unique shape of the SMOK Mag kits is their primary selling point. Both devices in the series have a gently sloping shape like a pistol grip, which is designed to fit comfortably in your closed hand. The shape is further enhanced by a soft leather hand pad and a trigger-shaped fire button. It’s a completely different experience from traditional box mods, and you’ll probably find it transformative if you’re the type of person who keeps your vape in your hand most of the time.
Intelligent Atomizer Recognition
One of the useful features of the SMOK Mag Solo and Mag 18 is the fact that they both have intelligent atomizer recognition and will automatically return to the previous setting if you remove the tank – to replace the coil, for instance – and reconnect it. If you do want to change the device’s wattage, it’s a quick process using the two adjustment buttons at the bottom of the screen.
It's worthwhile to note here that although the SMOK Mag Solo and Mag 18 have very wide power ranges, they’re designed for wattage-based vaping only. Our experience suggests that most people use their vapes in wattage mode only and generally don’t bother with temperature control and other advanced vaping modes. If you’re looking for things like temperature control or a custom wattage curve, though, the SMOK Mag vapes aren’t designed for those modes.
Top-Quality SMOK Sub-Ohm Tanks
If you already have a vape tank that you love, the SMOK Mag Solo and Mag 18 are both available as standalone devices without tanks. You can buy one of those packages and save a little money if you like. If you’re interested in trying a new tank, though, the SMOK Mag Solo and Mag 18 kits include two of SMOK’s best tanks – and you’re really going to like them.
- The SMOK Mag Solo kit includes the SMOK T-Air tank, which uses a new type of hybrid airflow system that provides the benefits of top airflow – quiet operation and leak resistance – without the poor vapor production usually associated with top-airflow tanks. If you hate the popping and cracking that you normally hear with high-end vape tanks or have ever had a tank leak because you left your vape on its side, you’re probably going to love the T-Air tank.
- The SMOK Mag 18 kit includes the SMOK TFV18 tank, which is the latest in SMOK’s famous Cloud Beast series. These tanks are designed for high-wattage vaping and offer truly unbelievable vapor production. This tank uses a colossal mesh coil with a resistance as low as 0.15 ohm, and it’s capable of operating efficiently at up to 140 watts. You might think that you’ve owned other vape tanks with excellent vapor production, but you’ve never had another tank quite like this one.
SMOK Mag Kit Not Working? Here’s What You Should Do
As we bring this SMOK Mag kit review to a close, we’ll leave you with a bit of troubleshooting information that might be useful to you if you ever encounter a problem with your device. Your SMOK Mag includes a printed manual with a bit of information that might come in handy, but it’s a little light on troubleshooting steps. Is your SMOK Mag not working? Here’s what you should do.
SMOK Mag Not Working
If your SMOK Mag kit isn’t working at all when you press the button, the first thing that you should do is check the screen to see if it’s displaying an error message. The instruction manual included with your SMOK Mag explains what the errors mean, which can help you determine where to begin. These troubleshooting steps apply to all of the error messages that you might see.
- Make sure that the battery or batteries are fully charged. You can charge your SMOK Mag by connecting it to your computer with the included charging cable.
- Make sure that the SMOK Mag isn’t turned off or locked. You can press the fire button five times to turn your SMOK Mag on and off.
- Remove the tank and check for a leak under it. If you find e-liquid under the tank, it can impede the electrical connection between the device and tank, preventing the device from correctly reading the resistance of the installed coil.
- Open the tank and check the coil. Make sure that the coil is screwed all the way into the tank’s base. If the coil is loose or cross-threaded, the SMOK Mag won’t be able to detect it correctly.
- Disassemble and reassemble the tank. If the tank is assembled incorrectly or cross-threaded, it could cause unintended metal-on-metal contact that prevents the SMOK Mag from reading the coil’s resistance accurately.
- Replace the coil if nothing else gets your SMOK Mag working again.
SMOK Mag Not Charging
When you connect your SMOK Mag to a power source, the screen should immediately turn on and display a charging indicator. If your SMOK Mag isn’t charging, here’s what you should do.
- Use a different charging cable. Although both SMOK Mag kits include high-quality charging cables that should last a while, all USB cables wear out eventually. Replacing the cable resolves most vape charging issues.
- Connect your SMOK Mag to a different power source. We always recommend charging your vape through your computer’s USB port, but it’s also possible to charge your device with a wall adapter. We don’t recommend using high-speed charging adapters for mobile phones.
- Make sure that the charging port on your SMOK Mag is clean. If lint has collected in the charging port as a result of carrying the device in your pocket, you can remove it with a toothpick.
SMOK Mag Kits Review: Our Expert Perspective
SMOK Mag kits are all about comfort, and you’re probably not going to find another vape mod that’s more comfortable to hold. The SMOK Mag Solo and Mag 18 naturally conform to the shape of your hand. The leather pad adds further comfort, and the fire button is positioned exactly where your index finger will rest. If you find typical rectangular vape mods uncomfortable to hold, the SMOK Mag vapes will make a huge difference. Are you the type of person who keeps your vape in your hand pretty much all of the time? If so, a SMOK Mag kit could be a real game changer for you.
Best Points
- Pistol grip makes the devices incredibly comfortable to hold
- Leather pad adds a touch of luxury
- Kits include two of SMOK’s best vape tanks
Could Be Improved
- No support for alternative vaping modes like temperature control