PRTBL Nando & FLO 510 Review: A Minimalist Vape that Travels Everywhere

Product intro and specs

Earlier in 2023, we learned of the PRTBL (pronounced “portable”) launch. This exciting company was founded by the creator and designer of the PCKT One Plus, as well as the compact, ultra-durable PCKT 2 vape battery.

With over 15 years in the cannabis and e-cigarette industry, founder Nick Theobald gathered his knowledge to craft two new products: the PRTBL Nando weed oil vape and FLO 510 refillable cart. The battery is compatible with most prefilled weed carts.

The PRTBL Nando is a powerful, reasonably priced vape that fits right in your pocket. It’s a palm-sized device made to replace your 510 battery, with four convenient power modes, customizable haptic feedback, and error-sensing technology.

Although the Nando is screen-free and not wholly intuitive, the commands are simple to master with a quick skim through the manual.

As a fan of minimal yet effective devices, the Nando has been a huge hit with me over these past few weeks of testing. It’s always great to see young companies innovating and making standout products in a competitive market.

PRTBL Nando

Colors: Maui, Monterey, Slate, Sonoma, and Paradox

Price: $49.95 (at PRTBL)

FLO 510

Colors: Silver, gunmetal

Price: $2.95 (at PRTBL)

Build quality and design

At a glance, it’s clear that PRTBL took a good deal of inspiration from the PCKT designs, especially the PCKT Two. The fire button is larger, but the battery’s body shares the same sleek craftsmanship, right down to the smooth edges and robust metal feel.

The Nando strikes an impressive balance between heft and portability; it has a bit of weight to it, which is expected from a product made of CNC-machined 6061 aluminum. From my first time holding the Nando in my hand, it was clear that the device was durable. Still, at just 65 grams, it’s light enough to stick it in my pocket and nearly forget that it’s there.

This battery measures 2.87” x 1.38” x 0.67” (73 mm x 35 mm x 17 mm). Its ergonomic design is another huge bonus. Even as a small-handed person, the Nando sits comfortably in my palm.

I received the PRTBL Nando in two colors: Sonoma (red) and Slate (black). Both feature a smooth textured finish, thanks to hand sandblasting. It’s scratch resistant, so you don’t need to worry about surface tarnishing—even if it’s hanging out in your pocket or bag.

You can choose from four power modes: 2.4 V, 2.8 V, 3.0 V, and 3.4 V. While this isn’t ideal if you prefer vaping at higher temperatures, it’s a favorable range for most oils. Plus, you're at minimal risk of a burnt coil.

The Nando has dual-activated firing. While you can hold down the button to fire, this isn’t necessary. You can choose between auto inhaling and firing manually.

Like the Nando, The FLO 510 is all about thoughtful design in a small package. It’s constructed from solid steel and features a borosilicate glass chamber. Even in long-term storage, this cart is designed to protect oils from heat and leaks.

How to use the PRTBL Nando & FLO 510

Given that it’s a minimalist device, it doesn’t take long for the Nando to become second nature. Just hook your cart up to the magnetic adaptor and puff away. If this is your first time working with such a limited interface, it might take a bit longer to master.

Performance

For me, there are two big perks of the Nando: its customizability and simplicity.

It comes down to personal preference, but the straightforward interface is exactly what I seek. The haptic feedback and LED settings added to my experience; these sensory responses are a good indicator that everything’s in working order.

The Nando is truly about balance. You get enough customization to curate your session but not an overwhelming number of options. It’s ideal for a quick few puffs on the go.

Most of my time with the Nando has been on mid-range voltage settings. The airflow was smooth, and I didn’t experience any coughing, even at the highest voltage. Of course, it’s worth remembering that the cutoff is 3.4V—this is lower than most oil batteries I’ve tried previously.

I appreciate that an adaptor allows vapers to connect carts with a diameter of over 12 millimeters. Just keep in mind that this adaptor isn’t included with the battery and is a separate $8.95 purchase.

The FLO 510 abides by a similar trend: unassuming yet powerful. I tested it with a distillate and got consistent, rich hits each time. It was simple to disassemble, fill using a needle, and screw back together. The cart fits perfectly using the included one-gram adapter.

Battery life and charging

I charged the Nando after receiving it and haven’t needed to plug it back in since. This isn’t surprising for an oil vape, but a positive nonetheless. To boost your battery life even further, you can turn down the LED brightness.

The Nando is a step up from the PCKT Two in terms of battery life, especially considering its smaller size. It houses a 700 mAh battery, which beats most similarly sized devices on the market.

Battery life is simple to monitor. Give the button one press and check out the color:

When you do need to plug in your device, it charges in a snap: just 40 minutes. Again, this is an improvement from the PCKT Two and PCKT VRTCL, which take approximately 45 minutes to charge up—and that’s already an impressive timeframe. You can puff on your device as it charges with passthrough capabilities.

Pros / Cons

Gallery

Verdict

Aside from a few nitpicks, my experience with the PRTBL Nando is overwhelmingly positive. This is even true for the cost, which is far below the PCKT Two’s $79.95. It’s a durable, effective, and customizable product with a modest price tag. Plus, the FLO 510 is quickly becoming one of my go-to refillable carts. It gets the job done with ease and produces robust flavor.

I understand the rationale behind a tall adaptor being sold separately. It keeps costs down for the consumer, and smaller carts are becoming less popular with manufacturers. Similarly, not everyone vapes wide carts and requires the PRTBL Extend Adapter.

I’m on the fence about whether this lack of inclusion is a downside. My biggest criticism is that the tall adapter comes in a set with another short adaptor—it can’t be purchased on its own. However, I recognize that it may not be cost-effective to sell individually.

What are your thoughts on the PRTBL Nando and FLO 510 refillable cart? Let us know in the comments below.