Vaping and ecigarettes have become increasingly popular over recent years. Recent studies estimate around 2.8 million people in the UK are using them, including current and former tobacco smokers. They’re designed to deliver nicotine by heating a vapour solution that contains a mixture of nicotine, propylene glycal and/or glycerine and flavourings.Before I dive into this Aspire Zelos 50W Starter Kit review, there are 2 important things to note:

1. I’m not a medical professional. Nor do I play one on the internet. While I might create a more in-depth article on my personal experience with vaping in the future, whether or not you decide to do it should be based on your own research. Here’s a handy NHS link to start with. I’m writing this review purely as a review of one particular product.
2. The review is also being written from the perspective of a relatively new vaper. Those more experienced will already have opinions on the Aspire Zelos based on the specs etc, and can probably make up their own minds about it far better than I can!

So lets crack on with the review…

The Aspire Zelos 50W Starter Kit review

For context, I’m a former smoker of around 15 cigarettes per day for two decades. Inititally Marlboro Reds and then Marlboro Gold, for the record.

The Aspire Zelos 50W Starter Kit will set you back around £50 from a variety of online retailers, and slightly more if you buy from a local shop. There’s plenty of information online to help you get started, or the assistant at your local vape shop should be able to take you through the initial set-up in a couple of minutes. The kit includes:

• 1 x Aspire Zelos 50W Mod Box (the handheld box which holds the battery and element)
• 1 x Aspire Nautilus 2 Tank with a 0.70 ohm coil installed
• 1 x Spare Drip Tip for the tank
• 1 x Spare glass tube for the tank
• 1 x Micro USB cable for charging
• 1 x 1.8 ohm BVC Coil
• 8 x O-rings

So with a 2500mAh battery in the mod box, you’ve got everything you need to get started aside from your liquid of choice.

Using the Aspire Zelos:

As a relatively new vaper, I’ve only had experience of a couple of mod boxes. But of the ones I’ve seen and used, the Aspire is one of the better looking. The simple case fits nicely in the hand, and is decently put together with some tiny hex screws holding it together on the outside. The rest of the case is closely fitted together, with a small OLED screen which will autorotate for whichever way you’re holding it.

It doesn’t give you quite the cyberpunk style of some kits, and you could claim it’s on the boring side. But in a simple choice of black, pink or silver, it’s a subtle and stylish vaping solution.

Overall it’s nice and solid, with the anodized finish which should hold up well for wear and tear.

There’s a ‘fire’ button which you click 5 times for on and off. And you either hold down or use the + and – buttons to access the menu, change the various options, and lock the device. Honestly, so far I’ve changed nothing much from the standard set-up and found it’s perfectly fine for what I needed. Rather than powering up to produce clouds of vapor, in fact, I’ve been reducing things slightly.

In terms of charging, it’s easy to plug the USB cable into my laptop, and I’ve only needed to charge it once every couple of days.

The Nautilus 2 tank can be used for Mouth to Lung (most similar to smoking), and Direct to Lung. And a sliding collar which allows you to select between one and five airflow holes. With them all open, you still get plenty of flavour, but it’s worth experimenting with to find the right setting.

But the best thing is that it’s very easy to fill. Just unsrew the top sheath, and fill into the tank without getting any into the central chimney. Wait a couple of minutes and you’re good to go. And you can fit other mouthpieces by using the supplied O-rings.

The tank has the 2ml capacity regulated by EU laws. Which isn’t a problem for mouth-to-lung vaping for me, as it’s enough to easily last around a day.

When you look at the reviews and feedback on any vape tanks, it appears that some people will always seem to encounter leaks. Like most technology, the Aspire is produced in Shenzhen in China, and it’s hard to know wether it’s down to manufacture, shipping or usage. The type of liquid you use and the thickness of it can all play a part. So far, I’ve yet to experience any leakage in everyday usage, and without taking any particular precaution.

Aspire Zelos 50W Starter Kit Review Verdict:

As a kit for beginner or intermediate vaping, it’s hard to fault the Zelos and Nautilus 2 combination. It’s very easy to use, and works well. The look of it is subtle enough that you won’t be mistaken for a cyberpunk festishist, and can use it in company without getting strange looks. And the weight and build of it is reassuring when you’re starting out and discovering the world of sub Ohm coils etc.

It’s competively priced with other mod kits. And as an idea, my 15 cigs per day habit means it’ll be saving me money within the first 10 days. You won’t necessarily be the king of your local vape cafe when you walk in, but you’ll be able to relax in the knowledge you’ve invested wisely. And if you want to move to Direct to Lung and experiment more with modifications, it’s a good place to start, and to keep as a backup.