Product intro and specs
A friend of mine was recently shopping for a new DTL pod. He asked me, “Is there anything better than the old [2023] LUXE XR MAX?” My response: “Not yet.” That conversation highlights a notable void in the market. Dozens of pod vapes are released yearly, but few are powerful or airy enough to satisfy sub ohm tank and rebuildable users. Cloud chasers need more options, and OXVA is addressing that demand. Introducing the VPRIME!
As usual, OXVA seems to have accounted for everything with this release. The VPRIME features a 2600 mAh battery, a 60-watt maximum output, auto-draw, 5 mL pods, adjustable airflow, and a color screen. There’s not much more I could ask for from a DL pod vape.
Of course, looking good on paper (and in pictures) doesn’t count for much if a device underperforms. How does the VPRIME vape, and does it dethrone the LUXE XR MAX? Keep reading to find out.
Price: TBD (at Element Vape)
Colors: Natural green, auroral purple, glorious gold, brown leather, blue leather, sakura pink, black leather, black carbon
Build quality and design
Buckle in and prepare for a gush fest; you’ll find no complaints in this section. The OXVA VPRIME is an absolute stunner! The machining, finishing, and components are top-notch, and the smooth, curved design feels great in the hand.
The panels are made of IML, leather, or carbon fiber (depending on the colorway). I don’t usually prefer leather accents, but this is one of the few exceptions. It has a unique texture that feels more like a durable rubber material. The IML panels on the gold, green, and purple versions are even more stunning. Chef’s kiss! They’re some of the most attractive devices I’ve seen in 2024.
Of course, a 60-watt device with a 2600 mAh battery will be hefty compared to most pod vapes; there’s just no getting around that. But neither the size nor weight bothers me; it feels like what you’d expect. It may be a behemoth compared to compact options like the XLIM Pro 2, but it’s still reasonably pocket-friendly.
The beautiful color screen is another massive success. Everything on my wish list is displayed: wattage, resistance, battery percentage, and a five-digit puff counter (yes!). Everything else (including a customizable lightbar and menu themes) is just a bonus.
Getting started
As with the XLIM Pro 2, a quick-start guide is cleverly integrated into the internal packaging. When you open the box, it stares you right in the face. Thoughtful touches like this are why OXVA is becoming one of my favorite manufacturers.
The adjustment buttons on the side of the device make menu navigation intuitive, but there is some “click functionality” to be aware of:
- Two clicks to access the menu
- Five clicks to power on or off
- Hold both adjustment buttons to turn button firing on or off
The VPRIME pods utilize the same side-mounted fill tab as the XLIM pods, which means they don’t need to be removed from the device to fill. The fill hole is large enough for air to escape, so you can quickly top off the entire pod.
After filling, insert the pod into the device and use the adjustment buttons to select your preferred wattage. As with many modern pod vapes, the chip limits you to a specific range for each pod:
- 0.2-ohm pod (DTL): 5-60 watts; recommended: 45-60 watts
- 0.6-ohm pod (RDL): 5-25 watts; recommended: 20-25 watts
To adjust the airflow, slide the switch on the side of the device. Note that the air intake holes on the pods vary in size and placement, so don’t expect to get the same draw from every pod (even with the same airflow setting).
When you’re ready to start vaping, inhale to activate the auto-draw or press the button. Button-firing can be disabled (see above) if you prefer; however, the adjustment buttons cannot be locked. For this reason, you may want to confirm the wattage setting after removing the device from your pocket.
Performance
The kit includes two 5 mL pods equipped with Unitech 2.0 coil technology. Unfortunately, the coils are not removable, but many manufacturers have been moving in that direction. I tested each pod for 5-13 days; here’s a breakdown of my experience:
0.2-ohm pod (DTL): This pod can push 45-60 watts, so I used my usual DTL e-liquid blend (3 mg, 70VG ). After a short break-in period, the experience was pure bliss. The coil in this pod may outperform every DTL mesh coil I’ve ever tried. It’s incredible.
Sadly, this pod was toast after just five days of use. However, during that stretch, I went through 21 mL of e-liquid (it goes fast when you’re vaping at 50+ watts!). Higher wattages also tend to degrade coils faster. So, while the pod life wasn’t amazing, I wasn’t expecting it to be. But I still think there’s room for improvement (25 mL would be great!).
0.6-ohm pod (RDL): To account for the lower power range, I used a higher nicotine e-liquid (6 mg) in this pod. Once again, the performance was terrific. It’s just as good as the 0.6-ohm XLIM pod, one of my favorites of 2024. When it comes to coil technology, OXVA is among the best.
I’m also happy to report that this pod is still going strong after 30 mL of e-liquid. It’s probably the better option if you’re trying to save money on replacement pods (and e-liquid).
Device performance: Although the pod performance was outstanding, I did have some issues with the device. First, the auto-draw often causes “sputtering” (the device frequently stops and starts firing). This minor malfunction isn’t entirely surprising. Auto-draw switches are activated by air pressure, so a more assertive draw is required when introducing more air. In other words, the way I inhale may be partially responsible. Still, I’d be grateful if they dialed up the sensitivity of the switch.
My other criticism is the firing button. Sometimes, the device stops firing mid-draw, even when firmly pressing the button. Fortunately, this was only an issue on one of the devices I tested.
Battery life and charging
A high-wattage pod would be pointless without a large battery, and OXVA certainly delivered in this department. The VPRIME has a substantial 2600 mAh battery, which usually gets me through about two pod fills (9-10 mL). It charges pretty fast, too. Based on my testing, a full charge only requires 63-78 minutes. (Yes, one of my devices charges faster than the other, but it’s not the first time I’ve encountered that.)
Like the XLIM Pro 2, the device theme determines the charging display. When using the default theme, the screen prominently displays the battery percentage (nothing more). The space and rocket themes also show the percentage but with the addition of unique animations.
Gallery
Verdict
Let’s bring this full circle: is the OXVA VPRIME better than the LUXE XR MAX? In some ways, yes. The pod performance is (subjectively) superior, the screen and menu are much nicer, it charges faster, and it’s more pocket-friendly. However, the LUXE is more powerful (80 watts) and offers both replaceable pods and coils. It’s a tight race, but I’d go with the VPRIME if I had to pick one. The pods are just too good.
My main con is that the auto-draw switch’s sensitivity seems to be lacking. But again, I don’t expect that to affect everyone, as my inhalation style may be partially responsible. Also, the wonky button (on one of my devices) can be annoying.
Aside from that, the VPRIME absolutely rocks. It’s one of my favorite devices of the year. If you’re looking for a high-wattage pod vape, put this one at the top of your list. Even mid-wattage RDL vapers will benefit from the extra battery life and e-liquid capacity.
Not recommended for exclusive MTL vapers or those who prefer replaceable coils; highly recommended for everyone else.
Because of declining cigarette sales, state governments in the U.S. and countries around the world are looking to vapor products as a new source of tax revenue.
The legal age to buy e-cigarettes and other vaping products varies around the world. The United States recently changed the legal minimum sales age to 21.
A list of vaping product flavor bans and online sales bans in the United States, and sales and possession bans in other countries.
President Trump promised during his election campaign to “save vaping," but his administration has undermined that goal at every turn.
The U.S. disposable vape market has grown to $2 billion in annual sales, although nearly none of the products are authorized by the FDA.
More than 30 bills that would impose severe restrictions vaping consumers’ product choices remain active in U.S. state legislatures.
