Lost Mary Tappo Pod Vape Kit Review

Lost Mary Tappo Pod Vape Kit Review

Additional Testing By:  
Cathrine,   Madeline,   Trevor

Is the Lost Mary Tappo Pod Kit the perfect alternative to disposable vapes? We ask a group of disposable fans to give us their verdict...

With the big vape brands moving their focus away from disposable vapes and onto less wasteful rechargeable pod kits, manufacturers are already halting the production of disposable vape ranges.

As a potential UK disposable vape ban approaches, we fully expect to see far more pre-filled pod kits and refillable versions come onto the market. The lost Mary Tappo is one of the first kits of its kind, being squarely targeted at disposable vape users. Here, we take a look at it.

About Lost Mary

Lost Mary are a relatively new vape brand who have recently overtaken the UK market with their innovative products. The sister brand of the vape giant Elf Bar, they have a reputation for delivering appealing vaping experiences that cater to the evolving needs of an enthusiastic vape market.

With UK vaping undergoing a significant shift following a Government-announced ban on disposables, Lost Mary are future-proofing their brand by introducing a compact rechargeable pod system. While Elf Bar created the Elfa Pro, Lost Mary based their offering on the popular design of their BM600 device, and the Tappo Pod Kit was born.

With a sleek and compact design and disposable pods containing the same Nic-salt-based e-liquids as it's disposable counterparts, users can upgrade to a rechargeable device whilst maintaining most of the convenience and reducing their environmental impact.

The Tappo Device

The Tappo, which means cork or stopper in Italian, is quite similar in size and shape to Lost Mary's other "box style" disposable vapes and comes in a range of 2-tone colour schemes, with an option of solid metallic colours such as silver and bronze.

Whichever colour you choose, one pre-filled e-liquid pod is supplied to get you started and the flavour of the included pod is dependant on the colour device selected:

  • Dark Bronze - Blueberry Sour Raspberry
  • Blue Green - Lemon & Lime
  • Silver Stainless Steel - Strawberry Ice
  • Green Pink - Watermelon

The device is perfectly palm-sized and lovely to hold, and my metallic bronze version feels cool (in temperature) and is super-shiny. Many other brands have imitated the iconic BM600's shape and design for disposables, but this is the first BM600-style pod kit we have seen.

It features an upgraded aluminium casing, the battery has improved from a disposable 360mAh to a rechargeable 750mAh version, and pre-filled 2ml disposable pods are available in 15 popular flavours, including some from the Elfa range.

Each pod features a QUAQ ultra-fine mesh coil designed to deliver outstanding flavour with less e-liquid wastage. With this vapourising technology, the Tappo will likely give tough competition to other devices in the compact pod kit vape sector.

The Tappo Pods are available in a range of popular Lost Mary flavours, with the introduction of Mix Berries, Tropical Fruit and Banana Ice, which have come directly from the Elf Bar Elfa flavour range.

The Tappo device is compatible with the new range of Tappo pods. It is also backwards compatible with Elf Bar's original ELFA and ELFA Pro pre-filled pods, allowing a vast range of flavour options from the two brands combined. Incidentally, the Tappo pods will also work in both the ELFA and ELFA Pro Pod Kits.

Unboxing

The device is well-packaged and, as you would expect, includes the standard compliant warnings and authenticity QR code. At first glance, an attractive and impressively shiny nugget-shaped battery sits alongside one free pre-filled pod to get you started. In my case, it was the Blueberry Sour Raspberry flavour (a different flavoured pod is supplied depending on the device colour chosen).

The device feels solid; the reassuring weight indicates that it is well-constructed, yet it remains easily light enough to carry comfortably in your pocket.

In terms of power, the battery is more than double the size of a Lost Mary disposable battery and is rechargeable (unlike a disposable). There is a handy LED battery light at the front, which glows red when the battery is low, blue when it is medium, and green when it has a high remaining charge.

A Lost Mary Tappo Pod Kit device held in a hand
A Lost Mary Tappo Pod Kit Box and 4 packs of pods
A Lost Mary Tappo Pod Kit Pod with safety labels and mouthpiece cap
A schematic of the QUAQ Mesh Coil used in Tappo Pods

Testing

There has been a bit of confusion from customers experiencing burnt coils or dry hits due to the new style of Tappo pods. Some have assumed they can pop the pod in and start inhaling like they could with an older Elfa/P1 pod; this is not the correct activation process for the Tappo set-up.

The Tappo pods, newer in design but identical in style to the Elfa Pro pods, store the e-liquid separately from the coil to maintain freshness until use. To activate the pods, you must first press/click the button in the base to release the e-liquid onto the coil. After that, you need to wait for about 5 minutes to ensure the coil is fully saturated before vaping.

As an avid reader of instructions, I found these activation steps hard to miss! They are clearly shown on the website, on the pod packaging, on each individual foil pod packet, and on a large sticker placed over the base of each pod, which must be removed before use.

There is a satisfying magnetic click as the pod is inserted. While the pods are semi-translucent, having a clear view of the liquid level within is tricky, although possible.

Performance

The Tappo produces a decent amount of vapour. From the first puffs, the performance from such a small, simple-looking device is excellent, presumably a consequence of the more powerful battery.

In switching to a pod kit format, the flavours have lost none of their Lost-Mary-ish sweetness and intensity; I found some really impressive flavours I liked that I would use repeatedly, but also some that were just too much for me. Each is similar to the same-name disposable flavours, as you would have hoped when switching.

The battery life was great; it arrived partially charged, which was nice, but when fully charged, the Tappo's battery lasted me well over 24 hours with light to average usage. However, I found that the pod's flavour intensity faded a little when the battery charge was lower.

Brand:

Lost Mary

Flavours in Range:

15 at the time of writing

Specifications:

  • System Type: Closed
  • Vape Styles: MTL
  • Coil Type: QUAQ Mesh coil
  • Coil Resistance: 1.2 ohm
  • Refillable: No
  • Battery: 750mAh integrated
  • Airflow: Not adjustable
  • Charge Time: 1 hour
  • Recharge Frequency: After approx 600 puffs
  • Cable / Charger: USB-C (cable not included)
  • Pod Capacity: 2ml
  • Puffs per pod: 600
  • Pod E-liquid: 50/50 PG/VG Nic-salt
  • Pod Nicotine Strength: 20mg (2%) 
  • Pod Compatibility: Lost Mary Tappo, Elf Bar Elfa & Elfa Pro
  • Dimensions: 72mm x 37mm x 20mm
  • Weight: 54g
  • Manufactured in: China
  • Who is this product best for:

    Lovers of Lost Mary and Elf Bar disposable flavours wanting a less wasteful and cheaper vape solution

    Comparable Products:

    SKE Crystal Plus Pod Kit, Elf Bar ELFA Pro Pod Kit, Ziggiys Apollo Pod Kit

    Do I recommend this product?

    Definitely, it is exceptional value for money and performs well

    Reasons for buying this product:

  • Attractive compact style and design 
  • QUAQ mesh coils for improved flavour
  • Compatible with ELFA and ELFA Pro Pods
  • Familiar Elf Bar flavour options
  • Scores:

    Taste:
    Performance:
    Battery Life:
    Design & Build:
    Features:

    Overall Score:

    4.4 out of 5

    Test Panel Reviews

    * The views of the panel are entirely their own and may not reflect the views of Vapourcore

    Trevor

    Trevor's Review

    We already have lots of choices when looking for disposable vapes, and now all the big companies are starting to add disposable pod systems to the mix. These new devices aim to offer all the flavours you love in a disposable vape, but they use pods instead, so you keep hold of the rechargeable battery instead of binning it. Today, I'm looking at the LOST MARY TAPPO, one of the latest disposable pod kits.

    The device itself feels special. It is smaller than a disposable LOST MARY, but it still has the square shape. It's also a little chunky, but in a good way. It is ergonomically perfect and fits in the hand so nicely that you may not want to put it down. The shiny, smooth metal surface is pleasant to touch, and it has a solid, well-made feel to it.

    The Dark Bronze kit I've got comes with one blueberry sour raspberry pod included, but there are other devices available in different colours with different flavoured pods.

    The pods have a QUAQ Mesh coil, which delivers a smooth and reliable experience. The device has a 750 mAh battery, giving enough charge for around one and a half pods.

    The 3-colour LED battery indicator shows red when the battery is running low, blue for medium and green for full. It is not very bright, but it gives a useful picture of the battery charge status.

    There's a sticker on the pod that reminds you to push a button on it before you start, but I immediately forgot to do it! I was rushing and wanted to get on with testing the device. This meant that the pod became slightly loose after the first few puffs. It also tasted burnt, and I was confused why.;

    Then I remembered I should have pushed the button, and once I pressed it, everything started working properly.

    The moral of this story is that with the TAPPO pods, it is very important to press the button before adding the pod to the device. Sometimes, you get a clicking sound when you do this, but not always. Just make sure that you follow the instructions, unlike me!

    Pros:

    • Cool look
    • Feels well made and durable
    • Excellent battery life
    • Colour changing LED
    • Elfa pod compatible (untested)

    Cons:

    • You do need your own USB C Cable for charging (not a big problem).

    Scores:

    Taste:
    Performance:
    Battery Life:
    Design & Build:
    Features:

    Overall Score:

    5.0 out of 5
    Madeline

    Madeline's Review

    For the past few weeks, I have been testing and trialling the new Lost Mary Tappo Pod Device. This device resembles the well-known and much-loved Lost Mary disposable vapes but is reusable when used with the matching Tappo pods.

    The Tappo also offers MTL vaping, just like the Lost Mary disposable vapes. However, it is cheaper to run and better for the environment as it produces less waste.

    The Tappo range has 4 colourways to choose from: silver, blue-green, green-pink and dark bronze (the one I was given) - a simple but attractive selection with a colour to suit everyone.

    The amount of packaging used for the Tappo is minimal, which I like, as unnecessary packaging is just wasteful. It does not come with a charger (c-type), but I think that is fair when the device is so cheap.

    The flavour of the free pod included with the device depends on which colour device you pick. Mine came with Blueberry Sour Raspberry.

    There are 15 different flavours available, and each pack contains 2 pods. The pods come with the standard 2ml of e-liquid and have 20mg of nicotine. At the time of this review, the pods are available in a money-saving multi-buy offer, which makes the Tappo an attractive choice.

    The pods use QUAQ mesh coils, which allow for a more consistent and intense flavour, and the e-liquid supposedly lasts longer than the alternatives.

    The device has a 750mAh battery, which, when fully charged, lasts me just over a day. This is with frequent use throughout the day and is equivalent to around 600 puffs. The device charges fully in around 30 minutes.

    I really like the design and feel of the Tappo. It feels durable and sturdy. Albeit not my favourite colour (bronze), I really like the metallic finish.
    I have had this vape in my bag, which is full of stuff, and I've dropped it a few times. It hasn't scuffed once, which is impressive.

    In the time I've had it, the device hasn't leaked once. I hate it when vapes leak, and you get a load of e-liquid in your mouth. This hasn't happened at all with the Tappo, which is a testament to how good this device really is!

    The device was easy to figure out and use. In the box comes an instruction manual. You have to take the sticker off the pod and the silicone mouth cover, then push it into the device until you hear it click. This releases the eliquid. You then wait around 5 minutes for the e-liquid to soak the coil. The device is then ready to go!

    The Tappo is draw activated, making it very easy to use. There is also a battery light indicator which shows when it's fully charged or flashes when it needs charging.

    Elf Bar, who are the creators of Lost Mary, have a link to 'Recycle your electricals' on their website. This enables you to put in your postcode and find your nearest recycling point. Mine is a convenient 3-minute walk away.

    The only thing I didn't like about this device is that the pods are dark, and it's hard to see the e-liquid inside. So, you don't really know when it's running low on e-liquid until you get that burnt taste.

    All in all, I would highly recommend the Lost Mary Tappo Pod Kit Device. It is perfect for beginners or avid vapers like me. It is simple, cheap, and very easy to use. If you are still vaping with disposables, I would definitely recommend trying this to save money and the environment!

    Pros:

    • 750mAh Battery
    • Charges up to full in 30 minutes
    • Amazing price – much cheaper than disposable devices
    • Accurate flavours – flavours are true to description
    • Better for the environment than disposables
    • Accessible recycling bins for pods
    • Interchangeable pods
    • Leakproof

    Cons:

    • Can’t really see how much e-liquid is left
    • No airflow switch
    • Inconsistent flavours – some not as strong as others

    Scores:

    Taste:
    Performance:
    Battery Life:
    Design & Build:
    Features:

    Overall Score:

    4.2 out of 5
    Cathrine

    Cathrine's Review

    This is a review of the Lost Mary Tappo Prefilled Pod Starter Kit and a selection of 2ml Pods. I received a Dark Bronze kit and the following flavour Pods:

    1 x Blueberry Sour Raspberry pod (free with the kit), 1 x twin pack of Cherry Cola Pods, 1 x twin pack of USA Mix Pods, 1 x twin pack of Spearmint Pods, 1 x twin pack of Tropical Fruit Pods.

    Clear user manual instructions are contained in both the kit and the individual prefilled pod packs, covering how to set up and ongoing usage. These are very informative and include the usual safety warnings.

    I like the visually slick design of the Lost Mary Tappo Starter Kit. It is small, compact and lightweight. It is very smooth and tactile when held. There are no sharp edges.

    I found it easy to operate and insert the prefilled pods. You just push a pod into the main body until you feel and hear it click into place.

    It has unique features, including a battery light indicator, which is well positioned on the device, bright and functions well.

    It displays three different colours to show the battery level when vaping, charging, or inserting or removing a pod. It helpfully tells you when the battery is full (Green in colour 50%-100%), at mid level (Blue - 20%-50%) and low in charge (Red - Less than 20%).

    The Tappo has an exceptional battery life. It came fully charged, and over the time I used it, which was daily, I only had to put it on charge once. I did not allow it to drop to red on the indicator and put it on charge when it went into the blue stage. It charged very quickly and is still on 50%- 100% 3 days later and still going strong. This is a great feature you do not find in disposable vapes. I am impressed.

    The positives for the Tappo far outweigh the negatives. In fact, the only negatives I could find were with the pods themselves. Because the pre-filled pod is a very dark black plastic, you can not see how much vape liquid is left. You end up with a nasty burnt flavour as the only indicator that the pod needs replacing.

    In comparison, the pods for the Elf Bar Mate/P1 are much easier to see into at a glance without reaching the burnt taste stage. I also found that the e-liquid in the Tappo pods did not seem to last as long as other makes, such as the Elf Bar P1 pods.

    Overall, the Tappo is an attractive, durable, and affordable device worth investing in.

    Pros:

    • Easy to fit into a pocket
    • Battery Indicator
    • Mouthpiece is well designed and comfortable
    • Each puff leaves you feeling satisfied

    Cons:

    • Pod design - can't see eliquid
    • Pods don't last as long as P1 pods for the Elf Bar Mate

    Scores:

    Taste:
    Performance:
    Battery Life:
    Design & Build:
    Features:

    Overall Score:

    4.3 out of 5

    Product Taste Tests:

    Spearmint
    Spearmint
    5.0 out of 5

    Sweet and minty fresh high notes with slightly fruity undertones, this is a very nice pod and suits me perfectly. With the cooling exhale, this Lost Mary pod gets top marks.

    5.0 out of 5

    This flavour was a beautiful combination of crispiness and freshness. It felt like I’d just brushed my teeth every time I inhaled it! It felt energising and refreshing without being too overpowering. I would recommend this flavour to anyone who likes menthol filters in cigarettes as it’s almost identical!

    5.0 out of 5

    I really enjoyed this flavor. It would be a flavour I would have again.

    4.0 out of 5

    I love a Mint/Menthol, but this (like most Elf/Lost Mary Mint flavour choices) is very sweet. The first puff was a very intense but authentic, recognisable Toothpaste flavour if that is your preference. It settled down to a very pleasant Spearmint taste and became quite enjoyable, so I have upped my score.

    Overall Score:

    4.8 out of 5
    USA Mix
    USA Mix
    3.0 out of 5

    I did not know what this flavour was when I first tried it. It was like a
    blind testing, and I didn't know what to expect. I instantly got flavours
    similar to Tobacco and the roasted flavour that American blend cigarettes have.

    It also has the slightest hint of Fruit and Cream, and this combination was
    surprisingly moreish. Unusually for most pods, the USA Mix had no Menthol, ice or cooling. I have friends who do not like any cool or ice effect when vaping. If you can relate to them, the USA Mix is for you.

    2.0 out of 5

    I did not like this flavour. It was the only flavour I tried, which I could not finish. It is described as a ‘robust, smoky essence of American tobacco’ on the Lost Mary website, but I genuinely thought the coil was burnt when inhaling this flavour. It tasted exactly like a burnt overused coil, with a slight tinge of Tobacco. Having said that, I am not the target user.

    0.0 out of 5

    Rather a very strong flavour. One I did not enjoy, but I am sure that a person who would want a strong tobacco flavour would find this a flavour to their satisfaction.

    0.5 out of 5

    Good grief, it's potent. It's like inhaling the contents of a 3 day old ashtray. Super-grim but I can see why this is so popular with Tobacco users!

    Overall Score:

    1.4 out of 5
    Tropical Fruit
    Tropical Fruit
    5.0 out of 5

    I got Mango, Melon, Kiwi, Passionfruit and Guava perfectly blended like a sweet tropical fruit punch served with cooling ice. Full of flavour and top marks for this Lost Mary pod.

    5.0 out of 5

    I loved this flavour. I was so sad when both pods were done! It tasted exactly like tropical juice. With each inhale, you notice another flavour you didn't before. It was very sweet, which is my preference, and I felt this flavour was much stronger than the Blueberry Sour Raspberry.

    1.0 out of 5

    Not a flavour I would have again. There was no overall flavour I could identify, and it did not leave a very nice aftertaste.

    4.5 out of 5

    Gorgeous! Very fruity and definitely tropical! No single note flavour jumps out at me, maybe Pineapple perhaps? A bit like the fizzy drink Lilt. Best of the sample bunch in my opinion.

    Overall Score:

    3.9 out of 5
    Cherry Cola
    Cherry Cola
    4.0 out of 5

    Similar to a fizzy pop and everything you would want from a Cherry Cola flavour, with added fruity flavours mixed in and a nice cooling exhale. Definitely one for those with a sweet tooth.

    4.0 out of 5

    This flavour is well executed and accurate to its description. You can taste the sweet Cherry mixed with the cooling Cola aftertaste. It feels nostalgic, very similar to Cherry Cola bottle sweets. Cherry is not one of my favourites usually, but this was a nice change from my usuals.

    3.0 out of 5

    Cherry Cola is not bad. The overall flavour was of Cola, followed by a slight Cherry flavour at the end of the puff. Not a flavour I would choose for myself as it was quite sweet.

    4.0 out of 5

    Really nice. Not quite the familiar Cherry Cola that I was expecting and quite heavy on the ice, but I enjoyed this flavour and kept coming back to it.

    Overall Score:

    3.8 out of 5
    Blue Sour Raspberry
    Blue Sour Raspberry
    4.0 out of 5

    This pod came with my new TAPPO device and is a good flavour to start with. A sweet and fruity taste that never gets very sour. It is pleasant and has slightly floral notes. It also has the cooling freshness that you would expect from a Lost Mary flavour.

    3.0 out of 5

    This flavour wasn’t as strong as others I tried. It was still a pleasant hint of sourness mixing with the sweetness of the Blueberry. I did use both of the pods in this pack, so it was definitely moreish, nonetheless.

    4.0 out of 5

    Blueberry Sour Raspberry gave a nice combination of flavours. Very nice and smooth. 

    3.5 out of 5

    This flavour was supplied with the device. I found it intense, fruity and sweet. It has a nice balance of sourness to give it a good blend, but it is too heavy in lingering taste and smell to be my chosen flavour choice.

    Overall Score:

    3.6 out of 5

    Conclusion

    The launch of the Lost Mary Tappo is an intelligent move by the brand to capture the UK pod kit market early before it becomes saturated with similar devices from other manufacturers. With its sister brand Elf's expertise, Lost Mary has successfully designed a sleek, eye-catching metal-bodied pod kit resembling a popular disposable.

    One thing that will guarantee its popularity is the cross-compatibility with ELFA Pro, ensuring a vast array of flavours for customers switching from disposables to kits. The Tappo feels and tastes like a really decent upgrade from disposables.

    In recent years, the matchbox shape proved to be hugely popular with vapers, meaning that Customers switching from any brand of BM600 to pod kits for the first time will find much familiarity in the Tappo. Familiar but also improved and upgraded.

    With a metal body and eye-catching colour scheme, it definitely stands out, and the improvements in quality and longevity of the vaping experience, delivered by the QUAQ ultra-fine mesh coil and the 750mah battery, respectively (most existing pod kits have a 500mah battery or less) will be well received by disposable vape users.

    This compact little powerhouse is conveniently sized, long-lasting, solidly made, and eye-catching, with a vast array of flavours. The Tappo has tapped in, but it won't be Tapping out for quite a while yet.

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