Product intro and specs
One of the most innovative pod vapes of 2024 is back in the spotlight with a fresh look. The new ZLand Mini is a slimmed-down version of its big brother, featuring a 25 mm square footprint and 2 mL (TPD-compliant) ZColors Mini pods. It retains the stackable pod concept, allowing users to create unique blends by mixing up to three flavors. Mango-peach? No problem. Cotton candy-tobacco-kiwi? Ugh, sure; I won’t judge you.
I had the opportunity to test the full-sized ZLand device and ZColors pods earlier this year, and it won me over almost immediately. The performance was fantastic, and I had a blast mixing the different flavors. My only (minor) issue was the size—it’s a fairly substantial device, especially with two to three pods on top. For this reason, the mini version seemed like a perfect fit for me.
Of course, when you slim down any device, sacrifices must be made. The ZLand Mini is less feature-rich than the original, and some of the downgrades are significant. The critical question is: did they trim off all the good stuff, or is it a worthy addition to the ZLand ecosystem? Keep reading to find out.
Price: TBA
Colors: Black, gray, red, blue
Flavors: Acai, banana, bear foot, berry mix, blow pop, blueberry, cake, cherry, coconut, coffee, cola, coconut, cotton candy, dragon fruit, energy, grape, grapefruit, green apple, guava, gum, Hawaiian fruit nectar, hazelnut, kiwi, lemonade, lime, lollipop, lychee, mango, mango pineapple, maple, melon, menthol, milk, mint cool, orange, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pear, pineapple, rainbow rain, raspberry, root (rootbeer), sakura, skittle, skittle ice fruits, sour, strawberry, strawberry lemonade, strawnana, tobacco, vanilla, watermelon
Size, look, and feel
Like the original, the ZLand Mini is a modular kit with three key components: the base unit (battery), the ZColors Mini pods (up to three), and the mouthpiece. All of these pieces securely snap together via magnets. And because the pods come in various colors, every flavor combination will give your setup a fresh look.
The first thing that struck me was the compact size of the device. It’s only 67 mm tall and weighs 36.6 grams without a pod attached. That’s tiny! Of course, the height significantly increases when you add multiple flavor pods:
- 1 x ZColors Mini: 90 mm tall (3 mm taller than a 30 mL bottle of e-liquid)
- 2 x ZColors Mini: 112 mm tall (1 mm shorter than a 100 mL bottle of e-liquid)
- 3 x ZColors Mini: 135 mm tall (7 mm taller than a 120 mL bottle of e-liquid)
Although the size is manageable when stacking two pods, adding a third may look excessive—it’s comparable to a mech mod with an RDA on top.
Another disadvantage of using three ZColors Mini pods is that the stack becomes more unstable. The magnets holding them together are strong, but the long, narrow dimensions make for a weak spot in the middle. If you put it in your pocket, chances are it’s coming out in two pieces. For these reasons, I prefer a two-pod stack when I’m out and about.
Overall, the ZLand Mini’s alloy construction feels solid, and the satin finish looks great. It has an understated look, somewhat reminiscent of the original Eleaf iStick devices. The narrow dimensions and curved corners also provide a fantastic hand feel. If you’re a fan of cylindrical vape pens or tube mods, it should be a natural fit (despite the flat sides).
Getting started
Using the ZLand Mini is super intuitive: stack and vape—that’s pretty much all there is to it! But here’s a more detailed rundown to get you started:
- Remove the mouthpiece from the top of the ZLand Mini device.
- Stack one to three pods on the device (if it’s a new pod, remove the sticker and plug first).
- Put the mouthpiece on top.
- Press the button on the bottom of the device to select the power mode (soft or boost).
- Inhale to vape.
Additionally, the magnets holding the pods and the mouthpiece are reverse-polarized, so installing them incorrectly is practically impossible.
How does it hit?
Subjectively, the ZLand Mini delivers a flawless vape experience. I say “subjectively” due to the lack of adjustable airflow. The only option is an MTL draw with medium restriction (neither loose nor tight). While this may be ideal for me, it won’t suit everyone. Regardless, it delivers a super smooth hit, the vapor is warm and flavorful, and the auto-draw switch is snappy.
My most significant criticism here is that neither the device nor the ZColors Mini pods show when the e-liquid is running low. The only indication is when a dry/burnt taste emerges, which isn’t easy to perceive when using multiple pods. And to further complicate things, you’ll need to test them individually to find the culprit.
ZColors Mini best flavor combinations
With over 50 flavor options, one might assume (as I did!) that ZLab is opting for “quantity over quality” with its pods. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the flavors (even the basic ones) are solid on their own—no mixing required. I could vape lychee, coffee, mint cool, and several others all day! Whoever is responsible for these recipes has some serious skills.
As good as the flavors are, they can be exceptional with the right pairing. That’s also part of the fun. You can swap the ZColors Mini pods around until you find a blend that suits you perfectly. There are no rules; let your imagination run wild. However, unlike the original, you can’t adjust the flavor strength on each pod, so it’s somewhat lacking when it comes to fine-tuning.
Because there are 50+ flavors, I’ll refrain from sharing my feedback on each; instead, I’ll recap some of the best combos I assembled during this review. At the very least, they should highlight the remarkable versatility of the ZColors Mini pods:
- Banana/root: The creamy, pronounced banana flavor balances the rootbeer “spice” almost perfectly. Those with adventurous palates are highly encouraged to give this one a shot.
- Cherry/bear foot: A nostalgic cherry gummy flavor that should please most candy lovers.
- Coconut/cake/papaya: Both coconut/cake and coconut/papaya are great pairings, but combining all three is even better. It almost tastes like a tropical sponge cake. That may sound bizarre, but I’m into it!
- Energy/pineapple/dragon fruit: One of my favorite fruit combos. It tastes like a tropical punch with an extra “zip” from the energy drink flavor.
- Green apple/lollipop: It reminds me of a candied apple: a ripe green apple encased in a hard candy shell. It’s nicely balanced, too—neither the candy nor the fruit is overwhelming.
- Lychee/pear: Adding pear adds more depth (and a touch of creaminess) to the bold lychee flavor. I’m shocked I haven’t seen this combo elsewhere.
- Mint cool/gum: Gum is highly versatile and mixes well with many flavors, but combining it with mint cool is my favorite. It’s a sweet and creamy mint candy with just a hint of gum.
- Sakura/grape: I don’t love the grape pod as a solo flavor, but adding sakura (cherry blossom) morphs it into something special.
Despite the well-rounded ZColor Mini lineup, there’s still room for more! Here are a handful of flavors that (I think) would be a welcome addition to the mix: custard, iced tea, blackberry, peanut butter, caramel, graham cracker, black licorice, citrus soda, and lemon (maybe a lemon bar or sorbet).
It would also be convenient if ZLab introduced more iced fruits (e.g., “mango ice”) rather than forcing you to add an ice pod to the stack. Not only would this simplify things (fewer pods to buy), but it would open the third slot for another flavor.
How long does it last?
Realistically, an 850 mAh battery is underwhelming in today’s market and may not be sufficient for a full day of vaping. I usually top it off twice daily, averaging about 200 puffs per charge on soft mode. (Note: always take puff counts with a grain of salt. My draw times may be longer or shorter than yours, so your mileage may vary.)
Although the device doesn’t charge particularly fast, it’s faster than expected—about 53 minutes. For comparison, the original ZLand required 90 minutes for a 1200 mAh battery, so the charge rate of the Mini is about 20% faster. As a bonus, the battery percentage displays on the screen while charging (in 5% increments), which is always a pro in my book.
Regarding pod longevity, the ZLand Mini is a TPD-compliant device, so don’t expect the pods to last very long. The 2 mL ZColors Mini pods are rated for up to 900 puffs, and even that’s an unrealistic estimate. Since there’s no puff counter on the device, I used a handheld counter to keep track of my usage. I averaged 146 puffs per pod; however, that number would jump to approximately 350 if I reduced my draw time (around 2.5 seconds) to one second.
Pros / Cons
Gallery
Verdict
The ZLand Mini may be lacking in a few ways, but that should be expected. The intention was never to outmatch the original device but to reduce its footprint and introduce the concept to the TPD market. With that in mind, most of its shortcomings are forgivable, but I’ll still point them out!
My main criticism is the absence of an e-liquid level indicator. When running two to three pods simultaneously, it can be difficult to tell if one is running dry. Adjustable airflow would also be a significant upgrade. It doesn’t impact me (I love the draw!), but everyone has different preferences. Lastly, the battery and e-liquid capacity may be mediocre, but that’s due to TPD restrictions and the device’s size, so it wouldn’t be fair to complain.
Regardless, the ZLand Mini is a phenomenal pod vape. It incorporates the original's ingenious flavor-mixing concept into a compact design. More importantly, it performs like a champ, providing superb flavor and a smooth draw.
Would I recommend it to everyone? No. The full-size ZLand/ZColors family offers considerably more functionality and capacity. However, for those bound by 2 mL limitations, the ZLand Mini may be the best prefilled option on the market. Its versatility is nothing short of extraordinary.
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