SMOK Vape Pen 22 Review

Vaping hardware comes in a wide array of products to accommodate every different approach to vaping. At one end are the advanced power vapers, with high power mods, sophisticated temperature control, and sub-ohm tanks with exotic coils. At the other end are simple eGo kits designed for beginning vapers.

Over the past year or two, manufacturers have begun designing and marketing all-in-one “starter kits” that combine elements from both of these very different worlds. The SMOK Vape Pen 22 is one such product. It is a 22mm diameter eGo-style battery with a capacity of 1650mAh that delivers fixed voltage (3.7 to 4.2 volts, depending on how much the battery has been drained). Unlike a typical eGo battery, however, the vape pen has a tank whose base is built into the cylindrical battery. Also, it comes with two sub-ohm (0.3Ω) dual-core (meaning dual-coil) atomizer heads that screw into the base. A glass tank section fits over that, held by an o-ring, and a top cap with drip tip screws onto the atomizer head to complete the assembly.

So, the SMOK Vape Pen is designed both for beginners and also for any vaper who wants a stealth set-up that provides a good, full sub-ohm vaping experience from a simple, small, easy-to-use package.

What are typically called “Vape Pens” have been associated with the dry herb and wax segment of the vaping community. While SMOK uses the same term, this Vape Pen is designed to use regular e-liquid.

The SMOK Vape Pen is remarkably simple in both design and operation. It has no display screen, no adjustment buttons, and no removable atomizer or tank. Screw on the atomizer head to the battery tube, fit the glass tank over the head, fill with eliquid, and screw on the top cap.

Press the fire button five times to turn the Vape Pen on or off, press and hold the fire button to vape. That’s it. All the expected safety protections are built into the regulating chip. When the battery drains down, which will take awhile with 1650mAh, recharge it with the included microUSB cord. What could be simpler?

The question is: Does the Vape Pen provide a good enough vaping experience to win over beginning vapers, but also keep more experienced vapers happy? The answer to both questions is YES.

The technology of vaping hardware has come a long way since the days of a 3.2 volt eGo battery topped with a 510 tube atomizer or Stardust CE4 tank. The Vape Pen’s fixed LiPo battery is substantial and provides enough current to power the 0.3 ohm dual-core sub-ohm atomizer head easily and effectively. Users won’t win any monster cloud competitions, but vapor production is ample, and the flavor is even better.

It’s hard to criticize a product that provides both simplicity and performance.

• Moderate Price
• Good Performance
• Compact size
• Simplicity and ease of use
• Straightforward top fill
• Battery life

• Non-removable battery (microUSB charging only)
• Fixed wide-bore drip tip (no user selected drip tips)
• Top fill can be a bit messy (need kleenex to wipe tank and hands)

The SMOK Vape Pen is similar in concept to SMOK’s Stick One Basic and Plus starter kits, but the Vape Pen is even simpler, since the tank base is built into the battery. Although that ultimate simplicity leaves the Vape Pen a limited, niche market, it should please those who want the easiest route to vaping pleasure.