Product intro and specs
A distinct trend has been taking shape in 2024: refillable pod vapes mimicking disposables (I refer to them as “disposalikes”). It’s an ingenious idea, offering users a familiar experience as they transition from prefilled to refillable kits. Until now, the finest examples in this subcategory may have been the OXBAR Oxpod Elite, a budget-friendly, 6 mL pod that boasted a 25K puff count, and the VAPORESSO ECO NANO line. But now the VOOPOO VRIZZ is raising the stakes. How does a 15 mL pod and 80K puff coil life sound? Too good to be true?
I’ll be honest: this has been one of the year’s biggest surprises for me. VOOPOO went all-in on the disposalike concept. Everything about the VRIZZ (even the display and functionality) screams disposable. It’s fascinating. If other manufacturers follow suit, it could change the landscape of the beginner market, nudging users to more sustainable options.
In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m pumped about this kit! However, while I absolutely love the device, the vape experience fell kinda short of expectations. Keep reading to find out why.
Price: TBA (at Element Vape)
Colors: Silver & black, sunset orange, spring green, phantom purple, iris blue, midnight black
Build quality and design
If there’s one area (aside from being refillable) where the VOOPOO VRIZZ has an edge on most disposables, it’s the build quality. It features an aluminum alloy body (as opposed to plastic), and the paint finish is resilient and beautiful. It almost looks like an ARGUS G2 Mini that fused with a disposable in a David Cronenberg movie. I wouldn’t say it’s built to last, but it’s far more durable than your average disposable.
Even the pod was well-executed. It fits flawlessly in the device (strong magnets; no wobble), has a comfortable mouthpiece, and features a sizable fill hole.
While not on par with some advanced pod vapes, the screen perfectly portrays the “disposable experience.” It’s basic, intuitive, bright, and relays all the expected info: battery percentage, power output, and puff time. There is no puff counter, but I assume that’s for the sake of simplicity (staying true to the concept). It would have been a nice addition, nonetheless.
Aside from a fragile plastic lanyard connector, there’s not much to criticize here. The VRIZZ is a surprisingly solid device. I really couldn’t ask for more.
Getting started
Operating the VRIZZ is just as simple as most disposables—that’s the whole point of the device. The only twist is that the pod needs to be filled with e-liquid, but that’s easy enough: open the rubber plug and fill it up! If it’s a new pod, be sure to remove the protective sticker and allow the coil to saturate for a few minutes before taking your first puff.
After filling the pod, pop it into the device and select your preferred power level by pressing the button (start low on a fresh pod). You can also adjust the airflow via the slider on the bottom. That’s all there is to it! The VRIZZ is draw-activated, so just inhale to vape.
Performance
This is where things get a bit complicated. Starting on a positive note, the flavor from the included 0.7-ohm pod is quite good. I used a fruity 50/50 nic salt, and all the flavor notes I’m accustomed to were present. No complaints from me in this department.
The complications begin with the power output. I’ve been running this pod at 24 watts (the max setting), and the vape isn’t very warm. It’s not bad, but it would undoubtedly shine with more power. I find this odd since I frequently use 0.7-ohm coils and pods for MTL and have never needed that much power. Between 16 and 19 watts is usually the sweet spot. So, either the device is underpowered, or the coil is especially power-hungry.
I have also experienced frequent gurgling. When this happens, I’ll remove the pod and stand it upside down for a few minutes to clear the excess liquid. This annoyance was somewhat expected due to the jaw-dropping size of the pod. It might also result from my tight airflow setting, PG/VG ratio (50/50), and lack of power (gurgling often occurs when you draw more liquid into the coil than it can vaporize).
Lastly, the airflow has a pronounced whistle on several settings. The tightest and loosest settings are perfectly smooth, but you may have mixed results in other configurations. On the bright side, it almost sounds like a squeaky chew toy, so your dog may appreciate it even if you don’t.
Note: VOOPOO informed us that some of the early production units exhibited gurgling and whistling, but they've resolved the issue with the final version of the product.
Battery life and charging
In contrast to the impressive e-liquid capacity, the 800 mAh battery is a bit of a letdown. Realistically, though, this aligns with the concept: most disposables hold a ton of e-liquid but aren’t equipped with large batteries (or fast charging). So, I’ll gladly give them a pass on this one. Still, I’d love to see a better balance with future releases. For example, a 1200 mAh battery and a 10 mL tank would be a great compromise.
Regardless, the battery is reasonably capable, providing 230-240 puffs per charge (my puffs are 2-2.5 seconds). Also, a full charge only requires 57-58 minutes, which isn’t dreadfully slow like many disposables.
As for the claim of 80K puffs per coil, that has yet to be determined (although I have my doubts). I can only vape so much while I’m testing these devices! I’m at around 1,700 puffs at the time of writing, and the flavor has yet to drop.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- 15 mL e-liquid capacity
- Solid construction
- Good flavor
- Extremely intuitive
- Three power modes
- Battery percentage on display (while using and charging)
- E-liquid level is fully visible (large viewing window)
- Airflow control
- Pods fit perfectly (no wobble)
Cons
- Needs more power (vape isn’t very warm at max setting)
- Gurgling from pods (will be resolved in the final version of the product according to VOOPOO)
- Airflow whistles in some configurations
- No puff counter
- Can’t power off or lock the adjustment button
- Small battery
- Only one pod included
Gallery
Verdict
To summarize, I love the device (and the concept), but I don’t love using it. The vape just isn’t satisfying, as it’s too cool for my tastes. Also, the gurgling is a daily struggle and detracts from the experience. Lastly, while it doesn’t impact me, the whistling airflow could greatly annoy some users.
The good news is that, aside from the airflow, the device is close to perfection. A better pod (more powerful and less gurgly) would immediately remedy the underwhelming performance. I have not tested the 0.4-ohm pods (sold separately), so maybe those will alter my opinion. There’s a ton of potential here, but the out-of-the-box experience has been lacking.
Would I recommend the VOOPOO VRIZZ? If you enjoy a cooler vape and VOOPOO fixes the gurgling/whistling issues, sure; if they include a better pod in the kit, a resounding YES! But as it stands, if you’re hoping this will match the performance of your favorite disposables, you may be disappointed.
Jeremy VanOs
Vaping for: 11 years
Favorite products:
Favorite flavors: Tobaccos, fruits, custards
Expertise in: RTAs, RDAs, MTL vapes, coil-building
Jeremy VanOs
Vaping empowered me to kick a lengthy smoking habit in 2014. It changed my life and I never looked back. Although vaping quickly became a hobby, my real passion is helping smokers make the switch and spreading awareness about the potential of these products. I have been writing vape content and working behind the scenes in the industry since 2016.