Kiwi 1 Vape Pen Pod Kit Review

Is the Kiwi One Vape Pen the perfect replacement for disposable vapes? Our reviewers give their thoughts on this excellent Italian pod kit...

Products used in this review:

• Kiwi 1 Vape Pen
• Bar Juice 5000 Banana Ice
• Bar Juice 5000 Grape
• Elfliq Watermelon
• Elfliq Snoow Tobacco

About Kiwi

Kiwi Vapor have a strong focus on customer satisfaction. To stand out from a myriad of vape manufacturers, innovation, design, and technological advancement feature heavily on their list of priorities.

Instead of simply churning out pod kits of similar design to others, their devices draw more on the tactile sensations associated with smoking a cigarette - a crucial part of allowing smokers to transition to much safer vaping alternatives successfully.

The first Kiwi vape device hit Italian vape stores in 2019. A starter kit with a difference, it included a rechargeable power bank for use on the go, allowing the user total freedom to charge the device whenever and wherever needed. It proved very successful, and the following year, Kiwi partnered with Smoore, the parent company of Vaporesso, giving them a much more competitive edge in terms of ideas and innovation.

By 2023, the manufacturer had extended its user base to many EU regions. Shortly after, the Kiwi 2 starter kit was released with significant updates over the V1, including an e-liquid level reminder, smart vibration tech, and an improved reinforced Aluminum material for the included vape pen.

At the time of writing, Kiwi Vapor has a customer base of over 3 million in over 45 countries and a presence in 40,000 stores. I'd say that's going from strength to strength, wouldn't you?

The Kiwi 1 Vape Pen

Although the Kiwi vape pen is the device used with the Kiwi starter kit, it has also been made available as a standalone product, significantly reducing the overall price point. You don't get the convenience of the power bank, but a type C USB charging cable is provided for use with a suitable wall outlet.

Presentation

I can't fault the presentation. It exudes a distinct elegance. The Kiwi 1 vape pen arrives cellophane sealed, with the obligatory UK Government warning sticker attached over the top. Once removed, the entire product imagery can be viewed on the front of the carton.

It looks effective, although it lacks Aspire's stylish raised emboss characteristic. The device still contrasts nicely against its pure white backdrop. A centre band between the upper and lower half of the packaging indicates the device's colour choice. It's also printed on two sides of the carton.

Colour choices we have aplenty. Choose from Arctic White, Navy Blue, Light Yellow, Fury Green, Iron Gate, Light Pink, Rooibos Tea, Nimbus Cloud and Midnight Green (the device I have here).

Inside the Box

The top half of the packaging is easily removed, and we're greeted with a transparent label with the words 'Kiwi - The simple alternative to quit smoking' printed across it. Underneath the label is a safety instruction card, which you can also use to register the device. This will allow you to extend the warranty on the device for up to two years.

Next is the device itself, sitting comfortably inside a plastic tray and separated into its two component parts: the battery section and the pod section. Removing this tray exposes another tray, in which two drip tips are included alongside a decent-length type C USB charging cable. We also get a QC certificate and a multi-language instruction manual.

Please note: The instruction manual contains significant information about the power bank included with the Kiwi 1 Starter Kit. Since this is not included with this standalone version, I will not discuss it in detail.

Full list of box contents:

• Kiwi 1 vape pen
• Kiwi 1 pod
• 2 x Mouthpiece
• Type C USB charging cable
• User manual
• Warranty card
• QC certificate
• Registration card
• Kiwi 1 Vape Pen Battery

The Kiwi 1 vape pen includes a built-in 400mAh battery that can be recharged using the type C USB charging cable provided. Its output voltage is between 4.2V and 3.3V, and its power output ranges from 13W to 10W as it depletes.

With a height of 81mm and circumference of 15mm, it's tubular in design and made from toughened plastic, which helps to keep the weight down. The spray-coated colour scheme is immaculately applied, and there are no visible seams to betray the rolling process during manufacture.

Two gold-plated coil contacts paired with dual magnetic discs are recessed inside the battery's top for connection with the pod section.The front of the battery section is embossed with the letter' K', which acts as an LED indicator for current battery strength, recharge status, and potential safety prompts. The battery section also includes three further recessed gold-plated contacts specifically designed for use with the optional power bank.

The Kiwi 1 vape pen has a Type C USB charging port built into the base, so horizontal charging is the only option. In this instance, I do suggest (while charging) that the pod is either removed and stood vertically or fully topped up to avoid any unnecessary dry hits or premature burning of the coil-wicking material.

Kiwi 1 Vape Pods

The Kiwi 1 pods are made from a clear PCTG material and hold 1.8ml of E-liquid. A 1.2ohm mesh coil is sealed inside. Once the flavour degrades to an undesirable level, replace the entire pod with another. These pods can be obtained separately. The pod, 40 mm high and 12 mm in circumference, sits snugly inside the battery section. In fact, you can't go wrong with the installation because the battery section briefly vibrates, and the LED flashes white to confirm a working connection. Haptic feedback also occurs when removing the pod, but only the LED flashes red this time.

To fill the pod with E-liquid, lift the silicone tab on the side and insert the bottle nozzle. It's not the most manageable fill tab and may be a little too thin and flimsy for my liking, but it does get the job done

The Kiwi 1 Vape kit differs from many pod kits on the market in that it includes two separate drip tips. One is made entirely from plastic, and the other is cotton-based. The latter is designed to mimic the feel and sensation of a traditional cigarette butt. That's highly innovative, and I commend Kiwi for coming up with such an idea.

Safety Features

The following will occur if the Kiwi 1 vape pen encounters any safety issues:

• Over vaping time - The LED will blink eight times after eight seconds of vaping, and the device will stop
• Low voltage - The LED will blink red ten times, and the device switches off
• Short circuit - The LED will blink three times, and power to the device is cut

Testing the Kiwi 1 Vape Pen

I used a Bar Juice 5000 Banana Ice E-liquid to test the Kiwi 1 vape pen. With a 50VG/50PG ratio and 20mg salt nicotine, it's designed to replicate the intense flavour of a traditional disposable vape and is ideally suited to lower-powered mesh coils.

Flavour intensity

Flavour intensity is precisely what I got! I was unprepared for the relative power I received from the freshly charged 400mAh battery. Quite remarkable!

The combination of fruit and ice is finely balanced, and both are pulled through in equal measure. Flavour hangs around the palate for what seems like an eternity, and the sweetness level is definitely what I've come to expect from a disposable vape.

Every inhale carried a satisfying smoothness, and at no time (other than when needing to refill) did the vape taste inconsistent. Without a doubt, this device offers one of the best MTL vape experiences I've ever encountered - and I've tested a lot of pod kits in my time!

The restriction is absolutely spot on. It's tight but not straining the neck muscles tight, and a three to four second inhale is comfortable enough to fully enjoy.

Vapour Production

The acid test is always how much vapour gets expelled before the inhale. In the case of the Kiwi 1 vape pen, it's not very much at all - always the sign of an effective mouth-to-lung vape. It's minimal on vapour production, as expected for a low-powered device like this - maybe slightly less than that produced from cigarette smoke.

I'm absolutely fine with this because stealth vaping has become quite a habit for me of late, due primarily to testing countless disposable vapes.

The Kiwi device is capable of pulling off a few cheeky vapes that wouldn't necessarily be appropriate with other pod kits. This is just another example of how the Kiwi 1 vape pen replicates the experience of a disposable vape.

Using the Cotton Drip Tip

The plastic drip tip obviously takes its cue from and is heavily influenced by all the disposable vape varieties on the market, yet for me, at least, its cylindrical shape is still more comfortable than many of those.

With the cotton drip tip, you get an entirely different vaping experience. The bore is dramatically reduced, so the MTL effect is amplified further. Where I could pull off a few restricted lung hits with the plastic version, the option is all but removed with the softer cotton one.

The flavour and vapour production are still incredibly good - there's no change there at all - but there's something comforting in the knowledge that you're never likely to bash or chip a tooth with this cushioned alternative. It's definitely the icing on the cake for any would-be vaper making the transition over from cigarettes. It's a real game-changer!

The feel and sensation on the lips are identical to a traditional cigarette. Although I've been smoke-free for a decade now, once I applied the cotton drip tip, there was simply no turning back. Kiwi have nailed it with this simple yet highly effective addition.

Battery Life and Charging

For me, a single battery charge lasted seven hours. The LED under the 'K' remained white for five and a half hours before turning red and eventually blinking ten times. The flavour quality did diminish slightly as the power output was reduced to around 10W.

During this period, I refilled the 1.8-ml pod once and vaped approximately 2ml of e-liquid in total. A single charge of the battery will likely produce the equivalent of 500 puffs. For a battery capacity rating of 400mAh, that's an average and reasonable number to expect.

The battery performance, number of puffs, and e-liquid vaped mirror those of any self-respecting disposable. A casual vaper will likely get anything up to a full day's use from the Kiwi 1 vape pen.

When the type C USB charging cable is plugged in, the LED flashes three times before turning solid red. It remains in this state for 5 minutes before switching to a solid white LED. Once the device is fully charged, the LED will turn off, and you're good to go again. This will take around seventy-five minutes to achieve. It should also be mentioned that it's possible to vape while the battery is being charged.

Connectivity

The connectivity between battery and pod may not be especially strong in terms of magnetisation. On several occasions, the pod detached when fumbling for the device from a trouser pocket, for example. However, since this relatively loose connection provides the only form of airflow to the coil, it may be forgivable.

Regarding the mesh coil and battery, connectivity is second to none. The two respond to the lightest of pulls, making auto-inhale a highly sensitive act and proving that the gold-plated contacts between both work exceptionally efficiently.

Pros

• Exceptional MTL performance
• Fantastic flavour quality and stealth-like vapour production
• Leak proof pod
• Two very comfortable drip tips
• Lightweight and pocket-friendly
• Overall design and build quality
• Reassuring vibration when installing or removing the pod
• It's as close to the smoking experience as it gets!

Cons

• Only one pod is included with the kit
• Fill port stopper can be a bit fiddly to use
• You need to remove the pod to view the remaining E-liquid level
• The power bank connector on the side of the battery makes the device feel incomplete
• Horizontal charging only
• Lack of colour LED charge indicators
• The pod can dislodge on occasion

Who's the Kiwi 1 Vape Pen For?

The Kiwi 1 vape pen is the perfect replacement for any and all disposable vapes on the market. This is a bold claim, but I have no hesitation in writing it. Very rarely do I stumble across a pod device capable of emulating and, in fact, improving the experience of a disposable vape.

This device offers the same intense flavour, limited but effective vapour production, airflow restriction (better than many disposables), portability, and overall ease of use.

Since the battery section is rechargeable, landfill waste is cut in half, and replacement pods are cheaper. It's a win-win situation for any current user of disposable vapes.

With only a slight niggle relating to the refilling of the pod, it's a device I would highly recommend to any budding new vaper. Its simple auto-inhale feature performs flawlessly, without buttons to contend with or memorise. Even the established casual vaper should consider it. The mesh coil is versatile enough to handle freebase nicotine, although I suggest sticking to 50VG/50PG E-liquid ratios for best results. In other words, you're not confined to the simple single-flavour profiles of disposable vapes. Great news for multi-layered dessert connoisseurs like myself!