SMOK Solus 2 Kit Review: Discreet & Easy to Use

 The SMOK Solus 2 Kit, an update to the original Solus pod vape, is a small and simple device that makes vaping both easy and enjoyable. It is a device aimed at new vapers or those wanting to transition from disposables, and as such, it is a great option. 

As an update, the Solus 2 is pretty similar to the Solus. Same battery capacity, the same meshed coil, and the same dimensions. You can even use the older 3ml Solus pods in the Solus 2. But there have been a few important changes which make this a better choice than its predecessor. 

The first is a clever reversible pod that gives you a wider choice of vape styles. The quick-charging USB-C port is also a new addition and goes some way to minimize the impact of the slightly underpowered battery. 

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, discreet, and adaptable pod vape, read on because this could be the one for you. 

Box Contents

• 1 x Solus 2 Device
• 1 x Solus 2 Meshed Pod (0.9Ω)
• 1 x Type-C Cable
• 1 x User Manual

Specifications

• Size: 107mm x 21mm 13mm
• Pod Capacity: 2.5ml
• Uses Solus 2 series pods
• Draw activated
• MTL or RDL draw
• Battery Capacity: 700mAh
• Max Wattage: 15W
• Charging: Type-C

Design & Build Quality

The SMOK Solus 2 looks very simple at first glance, with little to differentiate it from any other small pod vape on the market. The body is constructed of aluminum alloy with a plastic pod inserted into the top. The narrow, flattened design lends itself to a duck-bill mouthpiece, and that’s precisely what you get with the Solus 2.

You have a range of six colors to choose from, all with a metallic finish, from black and grey to mocha gold and lake blue. No matter the color you choose, they all have the same colored semi-transparent pod. There’s a bit of branding on both the front and back of the device but, overall, it’s a classy-looking object.

A small LED indicator light on the side of the vape lets you know when the device is firing, as well as warning you of overcharge, low battery, and short circuit. Aside from the USB-C port, the only other visible element is a tiny hole on the side. This can be covered to reduce airflow if you like a tighter draw.

The pod isn’t dark enough to obscure the liquid level inside, but the Solus 2 does have some juice visibility issues. In a similar way to several other small pod vapes, half of the pod slots into the body. When the pod is slotted into place, you can’t see how much juice remains because at least half of the liquid reservoir is concealed.

The pod is very effectively held in place by a strong magnet. When carrying the vape around in my pocket and rucksack all day, the pod remained in place and never felt like it was likely to come loose. It is effortlessly filled through a small silicone bung in the side of the pod, and in seven days of use, leaks were minimal.

Battery & Charging

It isn’t surprising to find a relatively low-capacity battery in such a small vape device. But although it is only 700mAh, during my tests, it lasted admirably well. It would, of course, be nice to have a bigger battery, but that would almost certainly impact both the size and the price of the Solus 2 Kit.

If you are a heavy vaper, it might not last all day on a single charge. But one of the positives of a small battery, combined with USB-C charging, is that the device can be fully recharged from empty in around 30-40 minutes.

You’re warned of a low battery by the flashing LED light when you draw on the device. That means you have about 25-30% left, so you still have a bit of time before you have to plug it in. The USB-C charging port is on the bottom of the vape, so you need to lay it down while it charges. Luckily the all-in-one design of the pod means you have little worry that any liquid will leak out.

Performance

One of the most unique things about the Solus 2 is the ability to change the draw style by switching the pod around. Insert the pod one way for tighter MTL vaping. Rotate the pod 180 degrees, and you’ll get a looser RDL-style draw. If you’re unsure, RDL is Restricted Direct to Lung and is similar to Direct to Lung but requires less airflow and power to produce better flavor and large clouds (still confused? Check out our guide to DL and MTL vaping).

This isn’t an entirely new idea, but vaping style is much more commonly altered by coil resistance and airflow control in these small pod devices. Getting that level of vaping-style customization in a tiny pod vape is a very nice feature. The only slightly confusing thing is there are no markings to show which way around the pod should be for each style. You have to draw and see, but it’s easy to tell the difference when you do.

The 2.5ml pod is fitted with a fixed coil. No messy coil changes are required here; when the meshed coil fails, you simply replace the whole pod. The fixed coil inside, which should last a week or more, has a resistance of 0.9Ω. This is about standard for MTL vapes, but it produces the best flavor I’ve ever experienced from a device of this type. It’s really quite impressive from a 15w vape, and even after testing it against a sub-ohm DL device, it continued to impress.

Verdict

It’s often hard to get too excited about these small, simple pod vapes, but the SMOK Solus 2 Kit has several features that make it worthy of recommendation. It is the perfect device for new vapers or users of disposables, as it offers pain-free vaping right out of the box.

It features several ways to adapt the vaping style, including the option to switch between MTL and RDL in a few seconds, and it produces vibrant flavors and considerable clouds. If you prefer a tighter draw, the simple airflow system allows you to get that.

The 700 mAh battery is a bit small, and it would have been nicer to see 900 mAh or more, but it provides enough power for a full day if you aren’t a heavy vaper. I stopped counting at 300 puffs from a single full charge, which should be plenty for an average user.

Aside from the slight annoyance of not being able to see the liquid level at a glance, the Solus 2 Kit is a nicely, if not uniquely, designed vape. And it’s so small and light that you’ll barely notice it in your pocket, purse, or bag.

If you are looking for your first vape device and don’t want the hassle of changing coils and messing around with adjustable power levels, the Solus 2 is hard to ignore. I think even experienced vapers will be shocked at the flavor it manages to bring out of the juice. At around $12, it could even make a handy backup for when your big battery mod is too bulky.

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