As we make our way into 2017, there’s no doubt that V2 Cigs remains one of the biggest players in the e-cig and vaping industry. Considered one of the big established brands, they have been at the forefront of bringing portable vaping devices to the masses since 2010.
Although part of the industry has moved away from from the small cig-a-like devices, (smaller being at slight a disadvantage when it comes to battery and e-liquid capacity) they are still favored by many smokers looking for a similar experience to the traditional tobacco cigarettes they’ve just put down.
They’ve also maintained a loyal following among more discreet vapers who wish to have a device that is portable, convenient and easy to use. Although the ease of use of cartridge based device over the DIY refilling comes at a premium, V2 now offers many open system options. This means you can upgrade or move to filling our own V2 device if you find cartridges are not offering you enough value for money.
I purchased several V2 Cigs starter kits and devices in late 2016 to see how they stand up against my more advanced devices. I was searching for an easy to use device I could use for work and social situations, where my normal bulky vape would be frowned upon or just a plain annoying to carry around!
I was also hoping to find a holidays gift for my father, who hadn’t had the best time with the e-cigs in the past. I was hoping the right quality device would finally convince him to put the tobacco cigarettes down for good.
As we mentioned above, V2 has come a long way and for this V2 Cigs Review we are going to cover the different starter kit options I tested out in my search for the perfect gift. The kits we will cover are the standard and EX starter kits, VERTX and VERTX Plus kits, XEO Void, V2 Pro Series, and the Vapor2 device. We list them in that order to show least advanced device to the most advanced device so depending on where you are at in vaping, you’ll want to find where you fit on the scale.
The Standard and EX kits are based on what made the company huge and have been around for a long time. Over the years V2 has improved them and perfected the cig-a-like design in the form of EX Kits. However, some users still prefer the classic style and options that the standard kit brings and that is why they sell both. This kit is designed to mimic the look of a cigarette and does quite well. They are similar in size depending on which battery length you choose and the easiest to use. You simply screw on a cartridge to the battery and it’s ready to use by just inhaling.
The standard kit starts at $39.95 and the EX starts are $59.95 before our coupons below. Each comes with 5 cartridges and two batteries which is the equivalent of 8-10 packs of cigarettes so you’re saving money right out of the gate by buy this kit. This is the easiest to use kit and if you want it to be a little more advanced, you can opt for the e-liquid version that comes with blank cartridges as well. The standard kit comes with various battery color and length options while the EX kits come with various design schemes for the batteries and a cover for your cartridge to match the battery perfectly. You can also choose a manual battery for both kits if you want to control when it turns on and off rather than have it based on when you inhale.
The VERTX and VERTX Plus kits are a combination of advanced technology with simplicity of use. They are an extended pen type e-cig that features more power than the standard and EX kits, but keeps the ease of use in putting a cartridge in and vaping. The VERTX kit has only the power button on it that you hold while vaping giving you more control over how long you take puffs without the cutoff function you’d get in the standard and EX kits. The cartridges also hold more liquid and can be replaced with blanks to use e-liquid if you want as well. It has an easy to see window on the side to see how much liquid is left in the cartridges too. This way you’ll know when it’s running low and never be left unprepared. It also features a magnetic charging cable so there is nothing to screw in and it won’t break if something pulls at it accidentally. Then you can see how much battery you have left with the 5 led light indicator at the bottom of the unit.
The VERTX Plus has all the features of the VERTX but also adds variable settings for voltage and brightness of the display on the device. So, you can add more power or make it easier to read by simply sliding up on the intuitive touch screen built into the device. You can also use both these devices in pass through mode which means you can use it while charging in a pinch. We do recommend the VERTX Plus over the regular version because the added variable voltage setting allows the device to work better for you by being tailored to your liking.
The VERTX kit starts at $49.95 and the VERTX Plus starts at $89.95 respectively before our coupon is applied. The VERTX comes with one 650 puff cartridge and the VERTX Plus comes with three 650 puff cartridges. The VERTX Plus comes in black, gray, or Rose gold while the VERTX comes in black only.
The XEO Void kit is designed in Germany and exclusively sold in the USA through V2 Cigs. While this isn’t a product they make themselves, it’s a product they stand behind fully. This is the cross between the VERTX Plus and the Advanced Vapor2 device. It has a tank that can hold 2mL of e-liquid and this kit doesn’t have the option to be used with cartridges. You also will need to buy replacement atomizers with this as they last a couple weeks at a time if you want to maintain a quality vaping experience.
This kit comes with a large 1500mAh built in battery to pair with the built in 2mL tank so it will last you a couple days at least depending on how much you vape, it could be longer. The device also comes with two different atomizers, a 1.0-ohm atomizer and a sub-ohm 0.6-ohm atomizer. Sub Ohm vaping is popular these days because it is what allows you to create massive clouds of vapor and almost all devices are headed to be sub-ohm devices because of it. In general, for PG based juices you want to have at least 1 ohm and for VG based juices you want to have below 1 ohm. So, this device is perfect for whichever type of juice you prefer.
While this is more advanced than the kits above and a definite step up, it still is a quick learn when starting out. You simply fill the liquid and replace the top. Then you can adjust the airflow ring on the bottom to adjust the clouds and your comfort with the throat hit to match your preferences. Then you simply hold the power button while vaping and let go when done. So, it is more advanced but still easy enough to pick up the process right away. You will want to do long and slow drags to get the ideal amount of vapor.
This kit starts at $59.95 before our coupon is applied and you can choose between 3 colors of black, gunmetal, and burst silver. You’ll get the two atomizers, the device itself, and a micro-USB cable to charge the device. It’s a great price for the quality and capability of the device.
The V2 Pro series is true masterpiece for those who do more than vaping. It is the first 3-in-1 vaping device that allows you to easily switch between e-liquid, dry herb, and wax concentrates. If you use multiple mediums that you want to vape, this is hands down the best way to go. There are two options in this series being the V2 Pro Series 3 and the V2 Pro Series 7 kits. The Series 3 is a smaller version while the Series 7 is the more advanced version that is much larger and the one we recommend.
This device was the first to introduce the magnetic cartridges and charging that are a great hit among users. For the charger, it’s all magnetic so you don’t have to line anything up, just put it near the bottom of the device and it will snap together and start charging. As far as the cartridges go, they are magnetic and have smart technology in them to know which kind of cartridge you put in. For the e-liquid one, it will set the device to operate by pushing the power button for the duration of the draw. For the loose-leaf cartridge, it will use conduction heating at different levels which will continuously heat the material to vaporize without burning once it is turned on. The LED indicator at the bottom will turn green when it has reached the optimal temperature and you are ready to vape. Then the wax cartridge sets the device to a temperature mode being 400 degrees Celsius for the Series 3 and 600 degrees Celsius for the Series 7 and works by pushing the power button when ready to vape.
The Series 3 kit starts at just $59.99 and comes with an e-liquid cartridge, vaporizer, a USB charger, and a user manual. You can select from black, blue, or stainless colors for the body design of the vaporizer. The other cartridges are sold separately that handle loose leaf material and wax material. They also have a Sub-Ohm liquid cartridge available now that you can buy too. The price of the kit and what it comes with is comparable for the XEO Void, but if you want it just for liquid, then we recommend getting the Void instead.
The cartridges on this kit are rather small in comparison to the series 7 and the loose-leaf options is substantially better on the series 7 because of this. The more material you can fit in the better the performance for this medium. As far as the wax and e-liquid cartridges go, you’ll get a good performance on the series 3.
The Series 7 is hands down one of the best loose-leaf (dry herb) vaporizers on the market alone. When you pair with the fact that it’s also one of the best wax vaporizers as well and a very solid e-liquid vaporizer, it makes this one of our favorite devices ever. The Series 7 kit starts at $129.99 before our coupon but comes with the vaporizer, liquid cartridge, loose leaf cartridge, USB charger, wall adapter, and the pick and brush cleaning tools. So, the only additional cartridge you need for this device is the wax one If you want it. The series 7 also has the most flexibility to give you 3 temperature settings for the loose-leaf material and variable voltage for the e-liquid cartridge.
The newest and most advanced vaping product offered by V2 Cigs that we’ve reviewed is the Vapor2 Trinity device. This is a full on advanced vaping device consisting of a box mod and tank to create massive clouds. While you can pair the box or the tank with other boxes and tanks as well, these two pieces are designed to work in perfect harmony. It does however allow you the ability to upgrade over time as technology gets better in tanks without making your device obsolete. This kit starts at $89.95 before our coupon and is available in blue or black colors. The device is small in size and fits your hand perfectly but will still bring enough power to satisfy almost any Vaper out there.
While this device can be used by anyone with a little experience and learning, it should be noted that it’s for more advanced vapers in general because you will need to either install and replace pre-built coils or build your own coils for it. Building your own coils should be done at your own risk and should only be done by those who know what they are doing to prevent injuries or damaging the device. You can buy pre-male coils in 1.2 Ohms, 0.8 Ohms, and 0.5 ohms. The 0.5 ohm one is not included with the kit and will need to be purchased separately.
The coils power the tank which holds 2 mL of e-liquid. The tank features an easy top fill method that is accessed by twisting off the top piece and pushing it back on when complete. The holes are larger than most so that makes it much easier to fill without spilling. The tank also features adjustable airflow on the bottom ring which will allow bigger vapor clouds or more throat hit depending on your preferences. You can fully tailor the device to match what you want regardless of how you vape.
The box mod in this kit has a 40-watt max and can go as low as 5 watts. While this may not sound like a lot, many tanks are built to be used optimally at 40 watts or below and you will get tons of vapor in this range when paired with the right tank. The box has a built in 1200 mAh battery and is rechargeable through the USB port on it. It has a 0.69-inch screen that is crystal clear and easy to read. You can adjust the box into 5 different settings of Ni200, Titanium, SS316, power mode, and bypass mode. This means you can operate it in wattage or temperature control mode to get the most flexibility ever from your device when it comes to V2 Cigs products we’ve reviewed.
This was the kit I ended up getting as a gift for my dad because it grows with you and he already had a basic understanding of vaping and me to show him how to use it. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to screw the tank on with the coil in place, set your wattage or temperature and start vaping by hitting the firing button. This is my favorite device from V2 now and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s compact, reasonably priced, and grows with you over time.
V2 offers a wide range of battery styles and colors so you’ll be sure to find the perfect battery for you. Their batteries come in two main styles: classic batteries and their EX Series batteries. Their classic batteries come in standard and long sizes. The standard batteries are the perfect size for those looking to store their e-cig in their pocket and last for approximately 200 puffs. While the long batteries are bigger, they have a longer battery life and last for around 300 puffs. They come in your choice of: White, Black, Stainless Steel, Blue and Pink, which is only available in the standard size. To further customize your vaping experience, V2’s classic batteries are available in both manual and automatic. Manual batteries require you to hold down a button while inhaling and are best for those looking to get the biggest vapor clouds, since they offer a greater level of control. Automatic batteries are ideal for those who are on the go or prefer to have a device that’s activated automatically when you inhale. Automatic batteries are the easiest to use and are perfect for beginners. If you’re not sure which one to get, we’d recommend trying one of each to see which one is right for you.
V2’s EX Series batteries combines a sleek design with exceptional vapor production. They’re also available in automatic or manual, so you’ll be able to find a battery that’s perfect for you. They come in 5 color options: Opal, Brushed Steel, Matte Black, Blue Pearl, and Rose Gold. These batteries also feature a cartridge sleeve that comes in the same color of the battery. This cartridge sleeve fits neatly over your EX cartridge to conceal it within the device. A rubber ring at the base of the battery holds the cartridge sleeve firmly in place, and they even come with 3 extra ones so you’ll have a replacement just in case one gets lost. The EX Series batteries last a really long time and will get you around 300 puffs before having to re-charge. To help you know when your battery is running low, the EX Series batteries feature 5 LED lights on the end of the device to show you just how much battery life remains. V2 offers so many different styles and colors of batteries, you’ll be sure to find one that’s perfect for you.
V2 offers many cartridge options so you’ll be sure to find the right style and flavor that’s right for you. V2’s classic cartridges are extremely popular due to their technology and reliable performance. Classic cartridges last for around 200 puffs and contain their proprietary e-liquid solution that’s FDA approved. Their cartridges also contain batch numbers, which you can look up on the V2 website for a full batch report. Since these cartridges contain a built-in atomizer, there’s never any cleaning or maintenance required. Simply dispose of the cartridge when the vapor becomes weak and has a slightly burnt taste. Classic cartridges come in 5 different nicotine strengths, 0%, 0.6%, 1.2%, 1.8%, and 2.4%. They also come in 12 different flavors: V2 Red, Sahara, Congress, V2 Menthol, Peppermint, Green Tea Menthol, Grape, Cherry, Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla, and V2 Cola. They also frequently release limited-edition flavors, so make sure to keep an eye out for those on their website. The classic cartridges come in packs of 5, 20, 40, and 80 with prices ranging from $9.95 to $127.36 for the 80-pack.
V2 EX Series cartridges expand upon the technology of the classic cartridges and are more advanced than any other pre-filled cartridge on the market. They last for around 400 puffs, which is double that of the classic cartridges. They’re also exactly the same size as the classic cartridges. The EX Series cartridges feature a leak-proof construction, so you’ll never have to worry about unexpected messes or leaks. This airtight seal optimizes air-flow, so you’ll be able to get thicker vapor without having to prime the device. They also feature a convenient window on the side of the cartridge, so you’ll be able to gauge just how much e-liquid is left inside. The EX Series cartridges come in nicotine strengths ranging from 0%, 0.6%, 1.2%, 1.8%, and 2.4%. They come in your choice of V2 Red, Sahara, Congress, V2 Menthol, Peppermint, Green Tea Menthol, Grape, Cherry, Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla, and V2 Cola. The EX Series cartridges also come in packs of 5, 20, 40, and 80, so you’ll be able to purchase as many as you need.
V2 also offers cartridges for their Vertx line of devices. Vertx cartridges come in packs of 3 for $14.95. These cartridges are capable of producing up to three times the puffs compared to a classic cartridge, and are the first of their in the micro-cig category. Each 3 pack is capable of producing up to 1,950 puffs. They produce thick clouds of vapor from the beginning all the way to the very last puffs. Because of its user-friendly design, these cartridges are leak and break-proof, meaning you won’t have to worry about cleaning up any leaks or spills. The Vertx cartridges come in strengths of 0%, 0.6%, 1.2%, 1.8%, and 2.4% and in your choice of V2 Red, Sahara, Congress, V2 Menthol, Peppermint, Green Tea Menthol, Grape, Cherry, Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla, and V2 Cola.
V2 offers a wide range of flavor options so you’ll be sure to find one that’s perfect for you. The 12 main cartridge flavors are: V2 Red, Sahara, Congress, V2 Menthol, Peppermint, Green Tea Menthol, Grape, Cherry, Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla, and V2 Cola. If you’re looking for a tobacco flavor, V2 Red, Sahara, and Congress are the flavors for you. V2 Red has a very robust flavor which replicates the taste of cured Virginia tobacco and is similar to the taste of Marlboros. Sahara is milder and smoother than V2 red and tastes like Turkish tobacco. Sahara would be perfect for those who enjoy Camels or prefer European cigarette varieties. Congress harnesses the robust taste of Burley tobacco with subtle notes of Virginia tobacco that is similar to the taste of Parliaments. V2 offers 3 distinct menthol options: V2 Menthol, Green Tea Menthol, and Peppermint. V2 Menthol is a pure menthol flavor that is similar to the taste of Kools, while Peppermint combines the fiery chill of mint with subtle notes of sweetness. The Green Tea Menthol flavor is very unique in that it combines the taste of green tea with a smooth, cool menthol flavor. This one is perfect for those looking for a lively flavor combination that revitalizing and refreshing.
If you’re looking for more of a specialty flavor, V2’s got you covered. Cherry cartridges and e-liquids are the perfect combination of sweet and tart and is a great all-day vape. Coffee is perfect for those who love the taste of whole-bean coffee with just the right amount of cream and sugar. Vanilla features the twist of a full-bodied vanilla bean with a mellow sweetness. V2 Cola is perfect for those who can’t get enough of their favorite crisp and sparkling soda, without all the calories. Grape was initially introduced as a limited-edition flavor, but it was so popular that V2 decided to make it a permanent option. Chocolate is a flavor that tastes as good as it sounds, featuring the creamy taste of dark and milk chocolates.
If you’re looking for a wider range of flavors, V2 offers an extremely large selection of e-liquids on their website. They offer their own selection of e-liquids along with flavors from XEO, Black Note, Cosmic Fog, Vape Bartender, Charlie’s Chalk Dust, Ripe Vapes, MYLK, Zig-Zag, and Vapor 2. Each brand offers numerous selections of e-liquid, so you’ll be sure to find something for you. V2’s website also offers an “E-Liquid DNA” for each flavor which includes its rating on 4 different aspects: Throat Hit, Tobacco Taste, Sweetness, and whether it contains more vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol. The E-Liquid DNA gives you a great description of what to expect from each flavor, so you won’t have any surprises when your flavors get to your door. Be sure to check out their huge selection of e-liquids, you’ll be sure to find one (or many) that are perfect for you.
V2 offers a comprehensive warranty to ensure that you’re satisfied with your purchase.
The V2 warranty is offered to original purchasers who acquired their V2, VERTX, or Vapor2 product from V2.com. They guarantee that their products will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for the full life of the product. The V2 Lifetime Warranty applies to electronic components only and does not apply to Apparel, E-liquids, Flavor Cartridges or Disposable products. The V2 Lifetime Warranty is also not applicable to V2 Pro products. V2 offers this lifetime warranty, but it can be voided by: modifying, altering, repairing, or service of the product by any person or company other than V2.com; physical abuse to, or misuse of the product or operation thereof in a manner inconsistent with the use indicated in the V2 instruction manual; or any use of the product other than that for which it was originally intended (for example, the use of unapproved accessories, such as non-V2 chargers or power adapters. For a full list of the products covered by this warranty and for more information, visit their website.
Checking around over reviews I found helpful when looking into V2 Cigs, a standard V2 coupon for new customers is 20%. That makes many of the kits much more attractive if you find some of the kits in the high end of your budget.
I haven’t seen any other types of active V2 Cigs coupons in recent years. However, I do notice that they often discount standard prices on the V2 Cigs online store.
From what I can can tell from being on their mailing list for several years, beyond the coupon codes you find here and floating around the web, V2 Cigs discount list prices several times a year. Although that might be frustrating if you’re considering purchasing right now, it’s worth taking note. There may be the perfect time in the near future where you can stock up on cartridges/e-liquids or that accessory you’ve had your eye on with a decent chunk of change off.
Valentine's Day: Kit Deals
Labour Day: 25% store wide
Halloween: 25% store wide
Black Friday/ Cyber Monday: 30% off
Holiday Period: Certain product discounts
These tend to last for 3-4 days, so get one their mailing list to make sure you take advantage of any random V2 Cigs discounts that get announced.
Note: I had someone email me to ask if I thought it was worth holding out for a sale. If you’re still smoking, that’s a false economy. You're going to save big over the short term over your traditional cigarette habit, so I’d say get a V2 Cigs kit ASAP.
Although the products are of a high quality, like all vaping devices you’re going to need to buy replacement batteries every few months on the non V2 pro models. With small V2 Cigs batteries I’ve tended to find you get about 90 charges out of them. So at one charge per day of use, after you’ve gone through the initial set provided in your kit, you’ll need to order one every 3 months. Although it might be wise to order 2 new V2 Cigs batteries once every 6 months, so you have a spare to alternate between. Be prepared to add another $14.95 - $19.95 to your cartridge/liquid order for each one.
As explained in the V2 Cigs Cartridge section of my review, you’ll get on average 200 puffs out of a cartridge. For me that meant each one lasted just under a day. Although this might be slightly different to you based on your smoking style and habit, I found I was going through 8-9 cartridges a week. At around $1.99 per cartridge, that means I was spending around $18 per week for my nicotine habit. However, if you also factor in the cost of replacing the battery every 3 months, that increases by $1.25 ($14.95 divided by 12 weeks). So the real cost of using V2 Cigs was around $19.25 per week.
Considering I was pack a day smoker of Marlboro Lights, which cost me $8 a pack here in IL after the local government had got their greasy hands on them. That means I was spending an incredible $56 per week to smoke. However, what is more incredible is that I would be now be saving $36.75 per week by switching to V2 Cigs.
That’s a saving of $159.25 per month, or $1911 per year! Amazing!
If you’re new to vaping, switching to V2 Cigs or any other e-cig for that matter, may take some time to adjust. You should however expect vaping to be different from smoking in a few ways. I felt a little frustrated by e-cigarettes at the start because I expected the experience to be identical.
However, vaping is not the same as smoking and because there is no combustion, the overall feeling is a little different. I found it takes time to adjust to the slight variations, but if you hang in there, you will learn to love the difference.
V2 Cigs are a little bit heavier than your old cigarettes and at first, it might seem a little clunky and awkward in your hand. I found find that I had to hold the e-cig differently than I held a cigarette in the past. After some experimentation l soon found a position that is comfortable. You might find yourself flicking away invisible ashes when you start vaping. When you are used to constantly ashing your cigarette, it can be a little strange to realize that there is no flame or ash to worry about. Don’t feel bad… all vapers go through this phase!
Also, prepare your brain to fight against the change when you first pick a V2 Cig. You’re only replacing the nicotine from your cigarette, not many of the other 4,000 addictive chemicals that are present in a typical cigarette.
The best place to buy the full range of V2 Cigs has to offer is at their official online store. They do allow retailers like dedicated smoke shops to stock express kits and their old disposable range. However, I found these hard to track down locally, so have always purchased V2 products online. Also, their Lifetime Warranty is only available for products purchased on their website, so it’s a much better option to order your V2 products online.
Despite scare stories from ignorant tobacco harm campaigners, there is mounting evidence that Vaping is a better alternative to traditional cigarettes.
The UK Government’s public health has stated that not only are e-cigarettes like V2 Cigs around 95% less harmful than tobacco, they also have potential to help smokers quit for good.
There are some studies that have found chemicals in e-cigarette vapour that are known to cause health problems. But these studies have tended to use low quality artificial conditions, and when good quality e-cigarettes like V2 Cigs are used normally (e.g. not overheated), there are far fewer harmful chemicals present in the vapour than in smoke from tobacco. Also, if e-liquid is being overheated, it tends to produce an unpleasant taste, so it’s unlikely you’ll continue to vape yourself into any danger!
So with any lingering worries about vaping usually coming from poor quality e-liquid, V2 cigs solves this and provides us consumers with comprehensive reports for every batch they produce. I struggled to find another US e-liquid manufacturer that is this transparent. This was slightly concerning for the rest of industry, but also a massive plus for me when I first purchased from V2 Cigs.
Every V2 product that contains e-liquid, like their cartridges, is clearly labeled with an expiration date and batch number. If you like, you can enter this batch number at V2.com and have their unique batch report sent directly to your inbox.
All V2’s e-liquid ingredients are also list on their website.
V2 Cigs Resource List
V2 Cigs Official Site - The official site of V2 Cigs.
CocktailNerd’s V2 Cigs Review - The original review & video that convinced me to try V2 Cigs.
The Vape.Guide V2 Vertx Plus Review - First alerted me to try the new V2 Vertex.
Great Vaping News Sources
ChurnMag - Great magazine that contain, news, vaping advocacy and Research
GrimmGreen - One of the biggest characters in the vaping industry. His blog is a must read
Vaping - Reddit - This subreddit is great for all levels of vapers and following the scene.
E-Cig Research
E-cig Research - Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos calls out junk science as he peer reviews the latest studies and hype surrounding e-cig.
FDA on E-Cigarettes - Uses highly selective figures, but some interesting data about e-cig usage in the USA
10 common questions about e-cigarettes answered - helpful article from charity Cancer Research UK.