Product intro and specs
The VMATE i2 is the latest pod system by VOOPOO. The VMATE line of pods has a ton of options; some are meant to be simpler and more affordable, while others are meant to be more fancy and expensive. The VMATE i2 falls into the simple and affordable category. VOOPOO has done an excellent job on their pod systems overall, making so many great ones, and the V series has proven to have good pods that are all cross-compatible, making them typically a safe purchase.
The VMATE i2 internal battery is listed at 1500 mAh, and the device comes with the newer “top-fill” version of the 0.7-ohm VMATE pod while retaining compatibility with the full line of V pods. The VMATE i2 can be used with the included pod for MTL vaping, but you can also do some RDL vaping on it using the 0.4-ohm pod that's available separately.
With so many pod vapes flooding the market in 2024, does the VMATE i2 have what it takes to get a recommendation? Keep reading to find out.
Price: $17.99 (at Vapesourcing)
Colors: Matte black, rosy, dawn blue, forest green, neon, ruby red, space grey
- Material: Aluminum alloy
- Weight: 55.5 grams
- Battery capacity: 1500 mAh
- Output power: Max 30 watts
- Output voltage: 3.2-4.2 volts
- Resistance: 0.4-3.0 ohm
- Charging: Type-C
- Pod capacity: 3 mL
- Pod material: PCTG, silver ion, silicone
- 1 x VMATE top-fill cartridge
- 1 x Type-C charging cable
- 1 x User manual
Build quality and design
The VOOPOO VMATE i2 is a standard stick-style pod, similar to the recent ARGUS G2 or the VMATE MAX. From a size perspective, it’s comparable to these devices, so it’s a full-sized pod. Not tiny but not large, just a good size to pocket. Unlike the ARGUS G2 and The VMATE MAX, there is no screen on the VMATE i2. There are no modes or buttons on the device either; it’s a simple inhale-to-fire device with airflow adjustability. The charging port is a USB-C port on the bottom of the device. There is one LED on the side of the device that works as an indicator light and battery meter.
They offer a total of seven colors. I got the forest green, which fades from a darker green on the bottom to an almost lime green on the top. There is a design etched into the device that looks nice. The body is smooth with no texture but isn’t slippery either. A small VOOPOO logo is on the front bottom and a VMATE logo is visible on the back bottom. The bottom has rubber around the USB port, which helps it stand up better than most pods. The finish is great and shows no sign of wear or chipping. Overall the design is simple, but it looks nice and feels well built.
Getting started
The VOOPOO VMATE i2 is a basic/beginner pod system. I say that due to the ease of use, plenty of experienced vapers still like having beginner pods for use on the go due to their easy pocketability and portability. It’s an inhale-to-fire system with no buttons, but there is an air slider on the back to adjust the airflow. The air slider will let you adjust from a tight MTL vape (slider all the way to the left) to a restricted DL vape (slider all the way to the right).
While the VMATE i2 shines as an MTL vaping device, it can be used with the 0.4-ohm coil (not included) to do a restricted DL vape, just like the G2 Mini and VMATE MAX that came before it.
Just like they did with the ARGUS pods, these new VMATE pods are labeled as “top-fill,” but they are really side-fill pods with the rubber plug on the side. They are meant to last longer and taste better than the previous VMATE pods. Filling is easy, as it can be done while the pod is still on the device.
The pods are technically magnetic, but the magnets aren’t strong, and the pods click in place, so they work like click-in pods. They fit great with no wiggle, and I had no issues getting them in or out. I did have issues with the VMATE MAX in the past (I couldn’t get the 0.4-ohm pods out), so that could potentially be a carryover issue here, but the VMATE i2 only comes with a 0.7-ohm pod, so I’m unable to test that.
The pods are fully visible but tinted, which I'm never a fan of. It’s not too dark, but you do need some light to see the juice level. Overall, though, I'm very happy with the usage of the device and didn’t have any issues with the included pod.
Performance
The VOOPOO VMATE i2 uses the same pods as the rest of the VMATE line. The original line has a 0.7-ohm and a 1.2-ohm pod (both 2 mL) that need to be removed to be filled. The VMATE i2 comes with newer pods that have a 3 mL capacity and can be filled without being removed as the rubber plug has been moved up on the pod. This kit only comes with one pod, so I’ll ding them for that, but it is the best coil of the series.
I have reviewed quite a few of these devices, so I have used this particular pod many times over, and every time it has been really good. This time was no different. The 0.7-ohm top fill is my favorite pod from this line’s options. So the only thing to test was to make sure it’s still good and consistent, and it vapes as well as all the others I tried. From a performance standpoint, it’s one of the better pods available these days for sure.
Battery life and charging
The internal battery is listed at 1500 mAh, which makes the VMATE i2 battery the biggest one they’ve listed in this line. For reference, the G2 Mini and VMATE MAX were listed at 1200 mAh. They don’t list a charge rate on the site but it is listed in the manual at 1A, and the port is USB-C located at the bottom.
When I see specs like this, I expect at least 1200 mAh and a charge rate of at least 0.8A. Remember, most companies round up charge rates, and on most devices usable mAh is about 20% less than listed. So I'll only ding companies for being worse than expectations to be fair to everyone.
I tested all this, and for the max charge rate I got 0.91A. Charge time is pretty long, sitting a little over 90 minutes. Most pods charge in 30-60 minutes, so this is going to be behind the curve on that. It's understandable, though; since it’s meant to be an affordable option and has a really large battery, something had to be sacrificed.
For battery size, I got around 1230 mAh usable. That fits into my expectations, so no complaint there. It has about 20% more capacity than the VMATE MAX. It does have passthrough vaping, like all pods should, and I'm glad they added it to the recent devices after not having it in a few of their older ones.
The indicator light works as a battery meter. The longer it is, the more battery you have. Unfortunately, it’s a bit tough to tell where you are at with it. I would have preferred a more traditional battery meter. Plus, putting a pod in doesn’t activate it either, so you can only check after vaping. The LED will stay on while charging and turn off when the charging is done.
Pros / Cons
Gallery
Verdict
Overall, The VOOPOO VMATE i2 is a pretty basic pod vape that isn’t meant to innovate. What it does, though, is offer a large battery capacity and compatibility with a proven good line of pods, at an affordable price. If you are in the market for something that gets the job done and works well at a reasonable price, it’s a great option in that range.
Really happy overall with this device, and I'd recommend it both as a first vape and as a backup device for experienced vapers.
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