SXmini is a brand synonymous with innovation in the vaping industry and one of their newest releases is the SXmini PureMax Vape Kit!
They originally made a name for themselves by manufacturing high end mods offering almost infinitely customisable ways to tailor your vape. As well as using the well-loved YiHi chipsets that pioneered Temperature Control technology.
This isn’t the first SXmini foray into pod systems. We’ve previously had a look at the SXmini Mi Class Pod Kit, as well as the SXmini Vi Class Pod Kit.
Also recently reviewed on Ecigclick are the SXmini G Class V2 Mod, SL Class V2 and SX Nano if you would like to get a flavour for other systems that SXmini offer!
Back in 2015, I was absolutely enamoured with the SXmini M Class mod, to the point that I actually ended up owning four of them at one point! So when I was told that I was being sent the SXmini PureMax for review I was very excited indeed!
Will I also be suitably enamoured with the PureMax?
Let’s have a look…
What Can We Expect From The SXmini PureMax Vape Kit?
You can expect an easy plug-and-play vaping kit featuring refillable pods, which have a 2ml capacity in TPD regulated areas and a 4ml capacity in areas not under TPD regulations.
One of the biggest selling points of this kit is the YiHi SX303J chipset featuring PURE anti-dry hit technology. The chip pulses the power to the coil around 200 times per second to regulate the temperature and prevent dry hits from happening. Which will also increase the lifespan of your pods!
Basically the Pure tech combines with the Stainless Steel (SS316L) mesh coil in the pod and is able to sense the temperature of the coil around 200 times per second. This is a kind of automatic temperature control.
Not only does the SX303J chipset guard against dry hits, it includes buck-boost to ensure that power output is constant and a consistent and safer vape is delivered.
Sine waveform technology allows for fluctuations in vape warmth, delivering a broader spectrum of flavours as fruit and cream flavours tend to evaporate at different temperatures.
Four power presets allow you to intensify the flavour or extend the battery life.
The fixed coil pods themselves are available in 0.6ohm PX25, 0.8ohm PX20 and 1.2ohm PX25 versions, to cater for Restricted Direct Lung (RDL) and Mouth To Lung (MTL) vapers. We tell you what the terms MTL and RDL mean in our Guide To Vape Styles.
These feature a side filling system with a sliding door cover and a fixed Stainless Steel 316L coil for cleaner flavour.
Dual plug silicone safeguarding technology guards against leakage from the pods.
An airflow adjustment slider is found on the side and auto-draw technology means you don’t have to press a button to fire the PureMax.
The internal battery is 1050mAh and is recharged via USB Type C.
Ten different finishes are available, with Black, Gunmetal, Silver, Green, Purple, Blue, Fuchsia, Neko Witch, Quantum Gunmetal and Quantum Black.
Kit Contents
- Sxmini Puremax Device
- PX Cartridge
- Drip tip
- 2x information cards
- Type-C USB Cable
- User Manual
- Warranty Card
SXmini PureMax specifications
- Size: 94x26x19mm
- Battery: 1050mAh (internal)
- Display: LED indicators
- YiHi SX303J chipset
- PURE vaping technology
- Protects against dry hits and uses temperature control for a cleaner and consistent vape
- 2ml capacity (TPD regulated areas) / 4ml capacity (outside TPD regulated areas)
- Pods: Fixed coil (SS316L) replaceable pods
- Side fill
- Stainless Steel 316L Mesh coil
- Output: 12-25W (3-6V)
- Auto-draw function
- One button operation
- Adjustable airflow
- USB Type-C charging – 1A charge rate
- Ten colour finishes
Design and Build Quality
The SXmini PureMax measures in at 94mm x 26mm x 19mm and weighs around 56g.
I was sent the Quantum Gunmetal, Quantum Black and Blue versions for review.
On first impressions, this is a nice device to hold in the hand and ergonomically designed as well as being pocket friendly. The button and the airflow slider can be used with one hand and the sliding door over the side filling port can easily be flicked up with your thumb.
Design wise, it’s all class with this kit! With the Quantum versions I received sporting a lovely subtle laser etched graphic scheme on the body. At the base, a transparent viewing window allows you to view a portion of the YiHi SX303J chipset, just above the USB-C charging port at the bottom.
The airflow slider features pretty smooth travel, allowing you to easily customise the airflow.
Just below this are four LED’s that light up green when adjusting the power setting and also when vaping giving a visual indicator as to how much battery charge is left.
When taking the device out of the box for the first time, a helpful sticker is present over the LED’s displaying the power output levels.
Just under the LED’s you’ll find the power adjustment button. This is an auto-draw device so it won’t fire by pressing the button.
PureMax pods have a built in Stainless Steel 316L coil. They are side filled, have a removable drip tip and are tinted Black.
There’s a handy minimum e-liquid level on the side of them. They connect to the PureMax device via two large prongs located inside the top of the PureMax, with a secure fit.
Overall, this is a really well made kit, that absolutely looks the part too. It gives off the appearance of a premium pod kit and didn’t feel cheaply made to me.
Nothing on the kit rattles, the finish has held up during use and not picked up scratches which is a big plus point in my book!
Quick Start Guide
You get a very in-depth instruction manual included with the PureMax, I wouldn’t expect any less from an SXmini device!
There’s also instruction cards that give you further information on the PURE technology, how to maintain the device, usage of the device and what the power presets can offer.
You’ll want to fill the pod to begin with and I’ll cover this in the section below.
To turn it on, press the side button three times and the LED’s will flash to indicate that the device is on.
Four power presets are present and to adjust these you hold down the side button, then press the button to scroll through the different presets. Minimum power is indicated by a single LED and maximum is indicated when all four LEDs are illuminated.
Airflow is adjusted by moving the adjustment slider on the side, pushing it all the way down opens the airflow fully, having it all the way up tightens it right down.
When taking a draw on the device, or during charging, battery level is indicated as follows:
- Four LED’s = 75-100% charge remaining
- Three LED’s = 50-75%
- Two LED’s = 25-50%
- One LED = 0-25%
If you have triggered the anti-dry hit protection, the LEDs at the side will flash four times and the PureMax will not fire. When this happens make sure there is e-liquid in the pod!
Filling the Pod
At first, I was a bit confounded as to where the filling port was. I actually had to consult the instruction manual to find out!
So, on the side of the pod, the filling port cover is marked out with two raised lines.
Slide this up with your thumb and hey presto, the large circular filling port is revealed.
Tilt the pod slightly downwards and stick your bottle nozzle in there, giving the bottle a squeeze to fill the pod. Just take care not to overfill as this can easily be done.
If a new pod – once filled leave the e-liquid to sit in the pod for 5-10 minutes then vape away.
Also and I can’t stress this enough, make sure you remove the drip tip and keep hold of it when disposing of an old pod!
Replacement packs of PureMax pods do not come with a replacement drip tip so if you mistakenly get rid of the old one, you’ll have to get yourself a new drip tip.
Thankfully the pods are compatible with any 510 threaded drip tip so you don’t necessarily need to order the PureMax one.
Charging
A USB Type-C charging port is located at the base of the device and a charging cable is included in the box.
Plug it into the device and into a power source and leave it to charge until the LED lights at the side go out.
The SXmini PureMax charges at up to 1A charge rate and it really doesn’t take long to charge up at all, depending on the power source used.
How Does The SXmini PureMax Vape Kit Perform?
The SXmini PureMax comes with the 0.6ohm PX25 pod.
PX20 0.8ohm and PX25 1.2ohm pods are also available, both of which also have an SS316L Stainless Steel mesh coil built in.
Normally, I would have a grumble about the dark tinting on the pod preventing you from seeing how much e-liquid you have life in the pod. But with the PURE anti-dry hit technology, this isn’t really an issue as the technology prevents dry hits from happening.
This also extends the coil lifespan too. I have been using the SXmini PureMax daily for over a week now and I am still yet to get through a single pod.
Anti Dry Hit Technology
The PURE anti-dry hit technology isn’t just a gimmick, this works exactly as intended. I have never experienced a single dry hit with this system and believe me I have tried.
I have even attempted to vape a brand new pod out of the box without filling it up and the chipset detected it each and every time, preventing the device from firing. Seriously, this is something that needs to be looked at by all pod system manufacturers!
Flavour
When it comes to flavour, this is a pod system that is up there with the very best that I have tried! In fact I would go as far as saying that it rivals the Vaporesso XROS Pro in my opinion, which has been my previous pick of the bunch.
You can use up to 70% VG e-liquid in this without any issue.
Vaping tobacco-based e-liquids was a particular highlight in the SXmini PureMax.
One of the first things I did was fire up Manabush Powwow Sauce in one kit using the 0.6ohm PX25 pod and Chiricahua Sun in a second kit with the 0.8ohm PX20 pod.
I then cranked up the power output to the max.
Vaping these liquids really seemed to bring out the tobacco base. Along with the biscuit and custard notes in Powwow Sauce and the nutty flavours that are present in Chiricahua Sun.
I have been vaping these two e-liquids for years using all sorts of different set-ups, yet this seemed like a whole new experience.
This really shines with complex and layered e-liquids, bringing out all the notes in them, but it also delivers authentic flavour when vaping a straightforward fruit flavour too.
Type of E-Liquid to Use
Of course, with this being a pod system, Nicotine salt-based e-liquid is absolutely perfect. Using the IVG6000 range in 20mg strength as well as Unreal Desserts nic salts gives me a very good nicotine hit that keeps me going during work!
Sweet Caramel Vanilla Custard from Choppa Vapes was another highlight, the PureMax really accentuating the Caramel and Vanilla Custard notes.
If you are a restricted direct lung vaper, you’ll want to opt for the 0.6ohm PX25 pod and open up the airflow. Though even with the airflow fully open the vape is still a little bit tight even for a RDL hit.
The 0.8ohm PX20 pod can deliver a restricted direct lung airflow. But I feel that this works better when closing the airflow down a little which will give you a loose mouth to lung hit.
The 1.2ohm PX25 delivers a perfect mouth to lung airflow with the airflow closed down. I actually liked to turn the power right up with this which delivers some really intense flavour.
I will say that it is worth experimenting with the four power settings regardless of which pod you are using, as these can really change your vape by increasing and decreasing the intensity.
The SX303J chipset regulates the output, ensuring that it is consistent and also prevents it from getting too warm. I didn’t experience any spitback or leaking at all during testing.
Battery Life
One of the very few downsides of the SXmini PureMax is that the battery life isn’t the best.
It has a 1050mAh battery built in, but the SX303J chipset must really give it a workout. I will struggle to get through a whole day with this, especially when using the 0.6ohm and 0.8ohm pods. So I’ll take two PureMax kits out and about with me, or a second pod system as a backup.
I can get through a whole day with the 1.2ohm pod however!
Pros
- NO dry hits!
- Temperature control ensures that pods last ages
- Easy plug and play system with outstanding performance
- One button operation
- Customisable vape with adjustable wattage and airflow
- Absolutely excellent flavour for a pod system
- Mouth to lung and restricted direct lung airflow options
- Sleek and pocket friendly design
- Robust build quality
- Feels like a real premium product
Cons
- Not the best battery life
- Airflow control isn’t the smoothest
- Can easily overfill the pod if not careful
- No spare drip tip included with replacement pods – remember to retain the original!
- Only one pod included in the kit when a lot of other pod systems have two
Final Verdict
I think we are starting to see pod systems blurring the lines between pod kits and more function rich vaping kits such as box mods when it comes to performance. Especially with offerings like the SXmini PureMax and the Vaporesso XROS Pro to name but a couple of examples!
Rather than being back up devices or a step up from a disposable – pod systems are really starting to punch above their weight and are becoming viable main carry options for a broad spectrum of vapers.
Certainly, I tend to just carry a couple of pod systems around these days rather than a bulky box mod. I’ve definitely been converted by the performance of these and the convenience factor!
I can’t stress enough about how good the PURE vaping technology present on the YiHi SX303J chip is.
You get a consistent vape from start to finish, with no fluctuation in power and most importantly sweet, sweet dry hit protection. That really is a game changer and something I would love to see other manufacturers adopt in the future if possible!
This is a pod system that I will continue to use well into the future and will happily be buying more pods for the SXmini PureMax once my existing ones run out. Especially as these are readily available through online UK retailers.
This pod system may be a touch more expensive than others you may see, but I truly believe that it is worth every penny for what you get here.
Have you used the SXmini PureMax Vape Kit? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!
