Are There Any Domestic Heated Tobacco Devices Similar to IQOS?
The era of combustible tobacco has lasted for centuries, and in modern times people seeking a healthier smoking alternative helped give rise to e-cigarettes. However, as smoking alternatives, vaping products have not developed as ideally as expected. A co
The era of burning tobacco has lasted for several centuries, and modern civilization has derived electronic cigarettes in pursuit of healthier smoking methods. However, as a product intended to replace smoking, the development of the e-cigarette market has not been as ideal as expected. The core reason is that the experience of smoking through vaporizing e-liquid differs greatly from traditional burning tobacco in terms of taste and convenience. It wasn't until the rise of IQOS, with its characteristics of heating without burning and simultaneous innovation of tobacco products and devices, that this new type of electronic cigarette returned to the attention of many smokers. Are there any domestic heated tobacco devices similar to IQOS?
Because the market of smokers in China is large enough, and IQOS, as a foreign brand, cannot fully cover and meet the market in terms of channels, promotion, and operation, many similar domestic brands have emerged. Additionally, with the increasingly mature technology of the core component, the ceramic heating element, these domestic brands' products are quite competitive in terms of safety, experience, and most importantly, price. The latest product from Huoqi, the Huoqi GS5.0, has received great reviews, and we got one to try out.
The Huoqi GS5.0 has a very simple design, and its feel is slightly larger than that of a lipstick. Weighing 90 grams, it is noticeably heavier than the "smoking tube" part of IQOS. However, since it does not adopt a separable design like IQOS, but instead integrates a battery of up to 2400 mAh, the slightly heavier weight is understandable. After all, having fewer components makes it more convenient to use in various scenarios, and 90 grams is not heavy; most smartphones today weigh around 150 grams or more.
The hole for inserting the tobacco stick is covered by a movable metal sliding cover, which is better than the smoking tube of IQOS. This is because the internal ceramic heating element operates at very high temperatures, and if foreign objects enter and vaporize, it can pose immeasurable harm to the human body. The Huoqi GS5.0 closes the cover promptly after smoking, eliminating these hazards.
The Huoqi GS5.0 has only one main button on its body, which can achieve different functions through various combinations of presses. Generally, the most commonly used functions are three: a single short press to check the battery level, a three-second press to heat, and a double short press to pause heating during smoking. However, the main button has a relatively long travel distance, and the manufacturer may consider changing the button mechanism in the future to achieve a better pressing feel.
The entire heating time is about 5 seconds, which is faster than the official claim of 20 seconds. The double short press to pause is a unique feature of the Huoqi GS5.0, making it more user-friendly than IQOS. After all, unexpected situations can arise during smoking, and after handling the situation, you can double press to continue, avoiding waste of tobacco sticks. However, to maintain flavor, the Huoqi GS5.0 can only pause once per heating cycle.
After opening the shell, the exposed structure is relatively simple, and with a little force, you can pull out the plastic tobacco holder, which can be washed separately. The ceramic heating needle is vertically exposed, making it very convenient to clean with a cotton swab.
Regarding the experience of the Huoqi GS5.0 over the past few days, if you take a puff every 6-8 seconds after heating, you can get about 20 puffs, with a total duration of about 3 minutes. This duration and number of puffs are slightly longer than IQOS, and the taste and vapor are not significantly different from IQOS. The pause function is very practical in many scenarios, such as dining outdoors, chatting, or during meetings, where the pause function can be useful, further maximizing the avoidance of waste of tobacco sticks. The battery life is also impressive, with the official standard being 30 tobacco sticks per charging cycle, and the actual experience aligns with the official claim.
Finally, let's summarize the pros and cons of the Huoqi GS5.0
Pros:
1. Real-time temperature adjustment technology, allowing for a personalized smoking experience.
2. Compatible with mainstream heated tobacco sticks on the market, offering multiple choices with one device, saving costs.
3. 5-second startup, just plug it in and smoke, no more waiting.
4. One charge can last for 15-20 tobacco sticks, providing a longer-lasting experience.
5. Replaceable heating element, allowing for direct replacement if broken.
6. One-button cleaning function, making it quick and smart to clean the heating element.
Because the market of smokers in China is large enough, and IQOS, as a foreign brand, cannot fully cover and meet the market in terms of channels, promotion, and operation, many similar domestic brands have emerged. Additionally, with the increasingly mature technology of the core component, the ceramic heating element, these domestic brands' products are quite competitive in terms of safety, experience, and most importantly, price. The latest product from Huoqi, the Huoqi GS5.0, has received great reviews, and we got one to try out.The Huoqi GS5.0 has a very simple design, and its feel is slightly larger than that of a lipstick. Weighing 90 grams, it is noticeably heavier than the "smoking tube" part of IQOS. However, since it does not adopt a separable design like IQOS, but instead integrates a battery of up to 2400 mAh, the slightly heavier weight is understandable. After all, having fewer components makes it more convenient to use in various scenarios, and 90 grams is not heavy; most smartphones today weigh around 150 grams or more.
The hole for inserting the tobacco stick is covered by a movable metal sliding cover, which is better than the smoking tube of IQOS. This is because the internal ceramic heating element operates at very high temperatures, and if foreign objects enter and vaporize, it can pose immeasurable harm to the human body. The Huoqi GS5.0 closes the cover promptly after smoking, eliminating these hazards.
The Huoqi GS5.0 has only one main button on its body, which can achieve different functions through various combinations of presses. Generally, the most commonly used functions are three: a single short press to check the battery level, a three-second press to heat, and a double short press to pause heating during smoking. However, the main button has a relatively long travel distance, and the manufacturer may consider changing the button mechanism in the future to achieve a better pressing feel.
The entire heating time is about 5 seconds, which is faster than the official claim of 20 seconds. The double short press to pause is a unique feature of the Huoqi GS5.0, making it more user-friendly than IQOS. After all, unexpected situations can arise during smoking, and after handling the situation, you can double press to continue, avoiding waste of tobacco sticks. However, to maintain flavor, the Huoqi GS5.0 can only pause once per heating cycle.
After opening the shell, the exposed structure is relatively simple, and with a little force, you can pull out the plastic tobacco holder, which can be washed separately. The ceramic heating needle is vertically exposed, making it very convenient to clean with a cotton swab.Regarding the experience of the Huoqi GS5.0 over the past few days, if you take a puff every 6-8 seconds after heating, you can get about 20 puffs, with a total duration of about 3 minutes. This duration and number of puffs are slightly longer than IQOS, and the taste and vapor are not significantly different from IQOS. The pause function is very practical in many scenarios, such as dining outdoors, chatting, or during meetings, where the pause function can be useful, further maximizing the avoidance of waste of tobacco sticks. The battery life is also impressive, with the official standard being 30 tobacco sticks per charging cycle, and the actual experience aligns with the official claim.
Finally, let's summarize the pros and cons of the Huoqi GS5.0
Pros:
1. Real-time temperature adjustment technology, allowing for a personalized smoking experience.
2. Compatible with mainstream heated tobacco sticks on the market, offering multiple choices with one device, saving costs.
3. 5-second startup, just plug it in and smoke, no more waiting.
4. One charge can last for 15-20 tobacco sticks, providing a longer-lasting experience.
5. Replaceable heating element, allowing for direct replacement if broken.
6. One-button cleaning function, making it quick and smart to clean the heating element.
