Eleaf iKonn 18K compact vaping device review: great flavor and looks

Blind box collectibles are an addictive format most commonly seen in trendy merchandise and the toy industry. Spending money and relying on luck just for the chance to pull a limited edition item is both exciting and thrilling.

Back in the vaping world, the long-established manufacturer Eleaf has also incorporated this blind box concept into one of its own products: the 18K compact vaping device we’re sharing today.

It uses a cylindrical package, and once you peel back the foil at the top, you can see what’s inside. So why is it related to a blind box? In fact, the “blind box” element of this product only applies to the battery device itself. It is sold in a promotion where buying two boxes of pods gets you one device for free. You can choose the pod flavors yourself, but the color and pattern of the device are completely random, and there are reportedly limited editions as well.

Since it is a free “blind box” gift version, the package includes only the device and a Chinese instruction sheet. There is no charging cable or other accessories.

With dimensions of 28 × 15.5 × 73.5 mm, it is truly super compact, yet it still comes with a built-in 350mAh battery, which is a solid point. However, precisely because it is a giveaway, the all-plastic body and cartoon-style graphics make it look a bit cheap, though the build quality and workmanship themselves are perfectly fine.

There is a USB charging port on the bottom, but users will need to provide their own charging cable.

Each box of pods contains two pods. Even before talking about anything else, those two little tabs are really eye-catching.

They are actually silicone strips used for sealing. You need to use a bit of force to pull them out, and they even make a sound the moment they come free, which is oddly satisfying.

It uses a magnetic connection for installation. As for the pod itself, the flavor tested this time was Iced Lemon Soda, with a nicotine strength of 35mg. The capacity is not listed, but it feels like it should be around 2ml.

As for the user experience, the first thing to note is that the draw-activated switch seems more suited to direct-lung inhales. When taking small mouth-to-lung puffs, it is not as easy to trigger. In terms of flavor, the inhale feels very icy. With the strong cooling effect, you can detect a faint lemon note. After exhaling, a bit of sweetness starts to appear in the mouth, and there is even a slight mojito-like taste. The overall sensation is very pleasant. That said, I would not describe it as especially refined, because it uses a traditional cotton coil. Its main strength is balanced overall performance.

Overall, this 18K compact vaping device has very few drawbacks in actual use. The flavor and overall experience are both excellent. Personally, I think bringing in the blind box concept works just fine. While the surprise factor is not quite as thrilling as a true blind box, at least you do not have to spend extra money chasing it.