Compact Vaping Device Review: MOTI

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Today I’m bringing you my personal hands-on review of the MOTI S and MOTI C.

Let’s start with the appearance. Since they are from the same product family, the packaging is basically the same: the front shows the device color and the Youth Shield Program, while the back shows the product specifications and anti-counterfeiting code. Both use a pull-off lid design. The device sits on top, with the manual and charging cable underneath. Without further ado, let’s look at the devices. The MOTI S has CNC-cut edges on the sides, with clear body lines and a very tough overall shape. To emphasize that rugged image, it uses a coarse sandblasted finish with a very noticeable texture. The MOTI C, on the other hand, has a slimmer side profile, a semi-curved body, and a beveled pod slot, giving it a rounder appearance. Its sandblasted finish is also much finer, without the distinctly frosted feel. Although the two designs are completely different, both feel great in the hand. Personally, I still prefer the coarse sandblasted finish of the S—it really feels excellent to hold.

The S-type pod slot uses both magnetic attachment and a latch, and the pod can be inserted from either direction, so you can insert it blindly. After insertion, you still need to press it once, making it very secure. The C pod slot uses magnetic attachment only. Because of the beveled pod slot design, it can only be inserted in one direction and cannot be inserted blindly. Both provide a breathing light and vibration feedback after insertion. From the outside, the C’s airflow hole is clearly larger than the S’s. In actual use, the C has less draw resistance than the S, while the S feels tighter and better replicates the draw resistance of a cigarette. Personally, I prefer the S’s draw experience. I wonder if you’ve ever lost a pod before—I have. I once pulled the device out of my pocket and found the pod was gone. That’s why I really need, and really like, the S and its latch design.

Both the S and C use a Type-C charging port and both are equipped with 400mAh batteries. The only difference is that the S has a power range of 6–9W, while the C runs at 6–7W. The S also produces more vapor than the C, and the draw feels more refined. I’m not sure whether it’s because of the higher vapor output, but the S clearly consumes much more energy than the C. Whether in terms of battery drain or pod usage, the S seems to run through everything faster.

As for pod design, the S uses 1.8ml pods, with 3 pods per box, while the C uses 2.0ml pods, with 4 pods per box. Among MOTI compact vaping devices, the C’s pods are absolutely the jumbo size. Both use custom atomizer coils from Smoore, along with an excellent leak-resistant structure and a Y-shaped dual airflow channel design. However, there are still obvious differences in flavor between the S and C. Generally speaking, the S offers richer flavors and falls into the category with stronger flavor accuracy and restoration, while the C tastes fresher and cooler, with a lighter overall profile. Each has its own strengths, and they are fairly evenly matched. (If I get the chance later, I’ll do a side-by-side comparison of the S and C.) Recently, both the S and C launched several new flavors, and there are some I personally like very, very much—for example, the S’s Pineapple Ice and Longjing, and the C’s Old Popsicle and Green Grass. I recommend you try them too!

Both have a Surge Mode and both use an MCU variable-frequency chip, but the S is clearly stronger than the C, while still delivering excellent, fine, and smooth vapor. The image below is a very simple comparison chart I made (not including the MOTI C Star series), so please just take it as a rough reference, haha!

Finally, let’s talk about product positioning. I mentioned this in an earlier article as well: the MOTI C feels more like an upgraded first-generation model, while the MOTI S feels more like a flagship model. Although the C carries over many of the S’s features and, in addition to Surge Mode and the smart chip, also increases pod capacity, the S still delivers a better overall user experience. In terms of overall atomization performance and pod flavor, the C still falls a bit short. But now that the Star series is out, it’s harder to say which one is stronger. The above only represents my personal opinion. If you disagree, please go with your own judgment.

How do you choose the compact vaping device that suits you best? If you want to read more reviews of compact vaping devices, please follow me—there will be different reviews every week!

That’s all for this issue. Thank you all for watching.

Minors are prohibited from smoking. Friends who do not smoke, please use your discretion.