Eleaf’s iStick range is an absolute all-timer (especially amongst old-timer vapers like myself!) and they have refreshed the iStick brand with the Eleaf iStick X80!
One of the biggest brand names in the industry, Eleaf have been around for almost 15 years now, developing innovative technologies and products to meet the needs of the fast-paced vaping market.
The iStick from Eleaf took the vaping world by storm when it was released 10 years ago, quickly becoming one of the biggest selling devices at the time and it was one of the most talked about in vaping forums at the time.
When it came to sub ohm tanks, Eleaf also scored a big hit with the Melo tank ‘back in the day’, boasting performance that pretty much blew all other sub ohm tanks out of the water!
Eleaf’s iStick X80 is the latest version carrying the famous iStick name, and the latest version of the Melo tank is included with the Melo X, so let’s see if this kit has the potential to become as popular as its predecessors!
Also, Eleaf are releasing an even more powerful version in the iStick X100- we shall also cover that off in this review!
What Can We Expect From The Eleaf iStick X80 Kit?
As mentioned above, both the iStick and Melo names are very well known amongst seasoned vapers, and Eleaf have combined the two in this kit with the iStick X80 device and the Melo X tank…
Starting off with the iStick X80, Eleaf have designed an ergonomic and solidly built device that comes in a range of five different colours, which feature a premium ice-flower finish.
A vibrant 1.05″ TFT colour screen presents all the information you need at a glance, and has four different customisable UI themes so that you can personalise your device around your personality.
Performance is driven by the intelligent Avatar Chip 2.0, which delivers smart wattage recommendation, a memory function and upgradeable firmware!
There are two different output modes available, with power mode allowing you to adjust power from 5-80W and RTA mode designed with rebuilable atomisers in mind, allowing you to adjust the output voltage from 0.5-9V.
An innovative press-twist button gives you total control over your iStick X80 device, with the multi-functional button combining press and twist actions to make operating your iStick X80 smooth and intuitive.
A 3200mAh battery keeps your vaping sessions powered up, and 5V/2A Type-C fast charging gets your battery charged back up in no time!
The Melo X tank is also part of the iStick X80 Kit, with this being an easy to use, leak-free sub ohm tank.
It is compatible with Eleaf’s newest EC-D dual mesh coils, which have received an upgrade over the original EC coils, providing a warmer vape, improved flavour and extended performance and lifespan.
The sliding top-fill design makes it easy to refill on the move, and the 510 drip tip connector means you can switch your drip tip out easily!
Many thanks to Eleaf for sending the iStick X80 kit over to review, let’s see how it performs!
As always, all views are my own…
Kit Contents
Everything in the presentation box comes neatly packed, and you’ve got nearly everything you need in here to get sub-ohm vaping- you just need to supply your own e-liquid…
Opening up the box, firstly you’ll find the User Manual and Warranty Card, inside a white cardboard wallet. Underneath this is the iStick X80 Device and the Melo X Tank. Pre-installed in the tank is a 0.5ohm EC-D Coil, and there is also a spare 0.3ohm EC-D Coil in the box.
I love the fact that you also have spares for the Melo X tank, such as O-Rings, Replacement Tank Sectionand even a Silicone Filling Port Cover, as this can save you from having to purchase a whole new tank if something breaks!
Specifications
- 134.1mm x 38.7mm x 28.1mm dimensions
- Smart Avatar Chip 2.0
- Customisable themes and animations
- Memory function
- Smart wattage recommendation
- 1.05″ TFT colour screen
- Innovative Press-Twist button control
- Power and RTA modes
- 5-80W/0.5V-9V output range
- 3200mAh battery
- USB Type-C 5V/2A fast charging
- 510 connector
- Melo X sub ohm tank included
- 5ml capacity (2ml TPD version)
- Top filling, 3.7mm filling hole diameter
- Adjustable dual-slotted top airflow
- Replaceable 510 drip tip
- Fully compatible with all Eleaf EC series coils
- Upgradeable firmware
- Built-in safety protections
Design & Build Quality
The iStick X80 Kit is comprised of the iStick X80 device and the Melo X tank, with overall dimensions of 134.1mm x 38.7mm x 28.1mm, so this isn’t a little sub ohm pocket rocket- it’s actually quite tall!
The overall size might take some getting used to especially if you are moving from a pod system to a device like this that offers a little more power.
You have got five different finishes to choose from, four of which have a ‘premium ice-flower’ finish on them. The options are Red-Yellow Gradient, Black, Sky Blue, Red-Blue Gradient and Silver.
I got sent the Red-Yellow Gradient finish and I am absolutely in love with it. It is predominantly gold, with a gradient down to red at the base, and the finish just absolutely shimmers and sparkles.
The build quality is excellent too, with the device being very well machined, and it is very comfortable to hold. It doesn’t feel too weighty either, but still feels robust at the same time!
The front of the device is where all the action is. Starting from up top, there’s the press-twist button. This allows you to adjust settings and control the device by pressing and twisting, it is very responsive and tactile too.
Just underneath this is the 1.05″ TFT colour screen, which is bright and shows the usual information such as battery level, output power, output mode, coil resistance and a puff counter.
It also displays a colour animation, which can be customised. There are four different UI themes available, with ‘Racer’, ‘Pulse’, ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Aurora’ themes available through the menu.
Beneath the screen is the locking switch, and the Type-C charging port. The locking switch is actually quite smart, allowing you to lock the functional button down entirely, unlock the power function but lock the output power, or have the functional button fully unlocked.
By locking it down entirely, you can guard against accidental misfires without needing to turn your device off when not in use!
A blast from the past is present on the iStick X80 device, as this features a spring-loaded 510 connector, which used to be the standard connection on vape mods not all that long ago!
I might be a bit of a vaping dinosaur but I definitely prefer a trusty 510 connection. This means you screw your tank into the connector, rather than connecting it magnetically, and this holds firmer than a magnetic connector does.
Also, having a 510 connector means that you aren’t locked into using the tank that comes with the kit- another advantage over a device with a magnetic connection, so you can use any tank featuring a 510 connector.
Of course, the Melo X Tank features a compatible 510 connector!
Melo X Tank
The Melo X Tank features a 5ml capacity for non-TPD markets, and a 2ml capacity for TPD markets. A bubble styled glass tank section provides the extra capacity, whereas for the 2ml version the tank section is flush with the tank.
You do get a replacement tank section in the kit if you manage to crack or break the one on the tank!
You have a sliding top filling system at the top, and the drip tip connector is also 510 threaded so that you can use your own 510 threaded drip tip if you so wish.
It has a top airflow system, with two large airflow cut outs at the top of the tank which are adjusted via an airflow control ring.
Quick Start Guide
How to Fill the Melo X Tank
As mentioned above, the Melo X tank features a sliding top fill system. This means that you slide the top of the tank to one side to reveal the silicon filling port.
My only issue with this is that the top of the tank does not seem to slide far enough back and the filling port is a little too small for some shortfill bottles, resulting in some accidental leakage when filling from time to time.
Anyway, to fill the tank, slide the top of the tank back to reveal the filling port, insert the bottle nozzle and fill it up.
If you are using a fresh coil for the first time, it is advisable to let the e-liquid sit in the tank for at least five minutes before you vape, to allow the cotton in the coil to fully absorb the e-liquid.
This will cut down on the risk of burnt hits happening and in turn will prolong the lifespan of your coil!
Operation
- Five clicks of the power button will turn the device on and off
- To vape, hold the power button down and inhale
- Accessing the menu is done via clicking the power button three times in quick succession
- Whilst in the menu, twist the button to scroll through the settings and press it to confirm your selection
- Selecting POWER mode through the menu will set the output to variable wattage, RTA mode changes it to variable voltage
- THEME allows you to choose between four different UI themes
- PUFF CLEAR resets the puff counter to zero
- The iStick X80 has a memory function setting, whereby it remembers your usual output setting after you vape with it twice in a row
- The device will automatically set a power output for your coil if needed
- The device is firmware upgradeable by using the included Type-C cable to connect it to your computer and visiting the official Eleaf website
- To fully reset the device, insert a pin into the ‘Reset’ hole located on the base of the iStick X80
Changing the Coil
To change the coil, you will need to unscrew the Melo X tank from the iStick X80 device.
After that, invert the tank and unscrew the base of it. You can then slide the old coil out and replace it with a new one, before screwing the base of the tank back in.
It is advisable to do this with an empty tank if possible as the e-liquid will spill out otherwise!
Charging
Eleaf include a Type-C cable in the box which can be used for charging, you just need to plug this into the charging port on the front of the device and utilise a suitable power output.
5V/2A fast charging is found here so you don’t have to wait around long for the iStick X80 to charge up!
Whilst charging, the charging status is displayed on screen as a percentage when you press the power button.
Pass-through charging is also present, so you can still vape whilst you charge, but this will increase the charging time.
Safety Features
- Over-charge protection
- Low battery protection
- Over-current protection
- 10s vaping cut-off
- Short-circuit protection
Eleaf iStick X100 Kit
Eleaf also sent the iStick X100 Kit through so I figured that I would give it a mention in this review too.
Both devices are very similar, and they both have the same Melo X tank and coils bundled in the kit, however there are a couple of differences.
As you might have deduced from the name, the X100 is the more powerful of the two, as the power output goes right up to 100W!
It’s also slightly taller too, with dimensions of 149.6mm x 39.3mm x 29.2mm. You can see the comparison in the picture I have taken!
Rather than having a built in battery, the X100 can take a 21700 one or an 18650 using an included adaptor.
So, battery life is down to the capacity of the battery you decide to use with it!
How Does The Eleaf iStick X80 Perform?
So this is without a doubt a restricted lung/direct to lung vaping kit. You can get a mouth to lung vape from it but it doesn’t feel as suited, especially as the 0.5ohm coil is a little too strong for a MTL.
It is a powerful kit, with the power output range being 5-80W in power mode or 0.5V-9V in RTA mode. I didn’t really notice any difference in power between the two modes and I tended to opt for power mode for variable wattage as that is what I am used to!
Though I do love how Eleaf don’t restrict the power output depending on which coil that you decide to use, you have the freedom to vape however you see fit.
If you want to vape the 0.5ohm coil at 80W, despite it being rated for use at 15-25W, then you can go right ahead and do that if you so wish!
However, I would wholeheartedly recommend not doing so as for the purposes of this review I did try that out, with the end result being that the vape tasted of hot metal and it gave me a headache…
0.3ohm EC-D Coil
With this coil, Eleaf say that it works best at 30-45W, and you can push this a little further up to the 50-60W mark before it starts to struggle a bit with wicking e-liquid.
I get a warm and quite intense vape when using this coil, it is also better suited to an airier and looser draw rather than a tighter one. I was definitely impressed with the flavour results that I got from it.
If you are pushing the 45W mark with this coil, then it does keep up with wicking, even when using 60/40 and 70/30 VG/PG e-liquids.
That is a good thing as you don’t want a hot burnt hit!
0.5ohm EC-D Coil
Eleaf rate this coil for use at 15-25W, you can push this a bit further up to 30W, though I felt that it performed best for me in the 23-25W range.
In that range, and with the airflow set to provide a restricted lung hit, this just really hits the spot for me with a smooth and very flavourful vape, that has a little bit of warmth to it which compliments the e-liquids that I have been using.
Weirdly, despite usually having a preference for the lower resistance and higher powered option, I actually preferred the 0.5ohm EC-D coil.
The smoother, cooler vape and restricted lung hit just seemed to vibe with me a bit more.
Maybe all this time vaping prefilled/refillable pods has chilled my vaping style out somewhat!
Both of these coils are excellent though and do their respective jobs very well indeed.
Coil Compatibility
Not only is the Melo X tank compatible with the included EC-D coils, but you can use any of Eleaf’s EC coils in this tank, making it compatible with:
- 0.15/0.3/0.5ohm EC-D Dual Mesh
- 0.15/0.3/0.5ohm EC-A Mesh
- 0.3/0.5ohm EC-2 Mesh
- 0.15ohm EC-M Mesh
- 0.15ohm EC-N Mesh coils.
To push the power limits of this device, and vape in the 70-80W mark, you will need one of the 0.15ohm coils in order to do so.
Just don’t use the temperature control EC coils with the iStick X80 device as the iStick X80 does not support temperature control!
Coil Lifespan
Now the lifespan of your coil will depend on different factors such as the viscosity of your e-liquid, how often you vape, the power level you vape at and the flavourings and sweetener content of your e-liquids.
I got a week from the 0.5ohm coil, using it in the 23-25W power range, and five days from the 0.3ohm one at 40-45W. I was primarily vaping dessert and custard shortfills, with 60/40 and 70/30 VG/PG ratios.
I will say that the Melo X tank is a thirsty one, regardless of which EC coil that you decide to use!
Shortfills will be your friend here as you will get through a lot of e-liquid using this kit, which is par for the course with a sub-ohm tank as the increased power level combined with a larger cotton surface area absorbs and uses more e-liquids.
I got sent the 5ml capacity version and I would refill this at least once a day, sometimes more. The 2ml TPD version would require a fair few refills during your day depending on how frequently you vape!
Airflow
Well, the Melo X tank has airflow for absolute days!
It boasts two huge airflow slots at the top of the tank, controlled by a buttery smooth airflow control.
When you are vaping at high wattage and have the airflow opened right up, you get some absolutely massive clouds! It can also be quite noisy too, as there’s a noticeable ‘wooshing’ sound as airflow is drawn in.
To achieve a restricted lung hit, you’ve got to close those airflow intakes down somewhat. There are also smaller, circular airflow intake holes that can provide a mouth to lung hit (and a quieter vape) when the larger intake slots are totally closed off, but this tank really is for lung hitting.
Heat dissipation is quite impressive too, as when vaping at high wattage both the tank and the drip tip stayed relatively cool during use.
Battery Life
Eleaf have managed to pack in a 3200mAh battery into the iStick X80 device, which is capable of really keeping up with extended vaping sessions.
It is quite noticeable when using the 0.5ohm EC coil in the Melo X tank, as I’m getting a good couple of days of vaping before I need to pop it on charge.
Of course, it is well worth bearing in mind that if you are vaping frequently at high power with a low resistance EC coil in the Melo X tank, battery life is going to take a hit!
Pros
- Phenomenal flavour from the Melo X tank
- Excellent battery life
- Fast charging
- Melo X tank is compatible with a lot of different coils
- Wide range of different airflow options
- Powerful device
- Great choice for someone getting into restricted lung/direct to lung vaping
- Clever locking switch operation
- 510 connector present
- Plenty of spares in the box for the Melo X tank
Cons
- It’s a big old kit!
- Filling port opening is quite small and can cause spillage when filling
- Melo X tank can be pretty thirsty on e-liquid
- It is also quite noisy with the airflow opened up
Final Verdict
I was dead excited to get my hands on this kit as I was a big fan of the original Eleaf iStick back in the day, I owned many of them and frequently rocked my iStick with the Eleaf Melo tank!
Pleasingly, this brings back memories of those heady days of vaping when lung hitting and blowing the biggest, most anti-social clouds was all the rage!
The Melo X tank is even better than how I remembered the previous Melo tank to be. Flavour is absolutely spot-on, and the airflow means you can easily cloud out a room in a couple of minutes if you so wish!
And the iStick X80 device is as rock solid and dependable as previous iStick devices were…
It is accessible (a key component of iStick devices in the past) so that anyone can get to grips with it easily, it is powerful and it has battery life that just goes on and on, thanks to the 3200mAh built in battery.
Plus of course, if you want even more power, there is also the option of the iStick X100 kit too!
Although refillable pod systems and prefilled pod kits currently dominate the market, it’s worth remembering that vaping trends can be quite cyclical and they change quickly. Could the iStick X80 kit potentially kick-start a revival in sub-ohm vaping…
I certainly think it could (and as a sub-ohm vaper at heart, I sure hope it does!), thanks to the accessibility of the device and the absolutely excellent performance that you get from the Eleaf iStick X80 kit!
Many thanks to Eleaf for sending the X80 in for review!
What are your thoughts on the newest iStick kit from Eleaf? Let us know in the comments below!
