Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Review – A Luxury Little Pod Kit?

Luxe at what we have here then…sorry I couldn’t help it as I’ve just received the Vaporesso Luxe PM40 and I’m eager to get going!

I’ve had ups and downs with Vaporesso devices although I don’t think I’ve ever had a Vaporesso product that was terrible.

Vaporesso was founded in 2015, although that doesn’t put them at the very beginning of this fairly new industry, they weren’t too far behind.

If age does show excellence Vaporesso’s parent company is one of the oldest in the industry, Smoore was founded in 2009.

However you could argue age doesn’t say all that much about a company, and it’s all about finances… well, this year Smoore was the first ever company in the vape industry to announce an IPO in Hong Kong (all to do with stocks and shares).

Cutting out all the technical details the launch to the stock market was so successful that Smoore is now one of the richest vape companies around, as well as one of the biggest and oldest.

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So now we know exactly who we’re talking about, let’s see what Vaporesso has done in the past.

Vaporesso – Good Track Record…

Early this year this year (2020) the Vaporesso Target pod mod caught a lot of people’s attention, and I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to review it and I loved it.

I suppose the most popular of all Vaporesso products must be the Gen kits (Gen, Gen S, Gen X and Gen Nano). The Gen kits are great box mod and tank setups utilizing the popular GT coils.

Other popular Vaporesso products include the Tarot, Revenger and Vaporesso Swag.

Before we move on, I’d like to point out the Vaporesso Luxe is already a popular range consisting of the Luxe S, Luxe Nano and Luxe II, which are all mod + tank kits.

What To Expect From The Vaporesso Luxe PM40

As the name suggests the Vaporesso Luxe PM40 is a pod mod with a max power output of 40w.

However it is unlike other recently launched pod mods, in the regards that it is more like a pod system than a mod system, in respect to the size, style and features.

It takes the popular GTX coils and comes with the GTX 0.8ohm Mesh Coil and the GTX 0.8ohm Mesh Coil.

It has a sliding style adjustable airflow, 0.69″ OLED screen, adjustable wattage which is controlled by the one fire button.

The built in battery is 1800mAh, which is slightly smaller than I expected but it does have a USB-C charging port with a 2A charge rating, which means it should take less than an hour to fully charge.

Vaporesso has also given the pod and coil a lot of attention giving it an “e-Liquid self-circulation system” and a “Triple-Silicone Coil Structure” to improve the leak-proof design.

I quite like Vaporesso’s tag line for the Luxe PM40, “Mini Got Mightier“, they also claim it is flavourful and durable with simplicity.

Luxe PM40 Video Review

Inside The Box

• 1 x LUXE PM40 Battery
• 2 x LUXE PM40 Pods (4ml)
• 1 x GTX 0.6Ω Mesh COIL
• 1 x GTX 0.8Ω Mesh COIL
• 1 x Type-C USB Cable
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 X Warranty Card

There are 3 package styles available (Standard, US and TPD) all are the same except the TPD kits have 2 x 2ml pods rather than 4ml.

Specs & Features

• Size: 96.4x30x21mm
• Output: 5-40W
• Battery: 1800mAh (internal)
• Display: 0.69in OLED screen
• E-liquid capacity: 4ml (standard) / 2ml (TPD)
• Type C USB charging – 2A
• Coils: GTX coil range
• Axon Chipset
• Adjustable airflow
• Quad Protection Improved Leakproof system
• Top fill
• Push/pull coil replacement

Design & Build Quality

The Vaporesso Luxe PM40 comes in 4 rather fancy colours, Black, Silver, Carbon Fibre, Lava and Jade, and as you have seen, I received the Jade kit.

The Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Mod

You may have noticed that I haven’t stated what materials are used in the specifications, that wasn’t a mistake, I’ve left it out because Vaporesso haven’t actually put that information anywhere (online or in the manual).

However the sides /frame of the device is metal, I’d guess at Zinc Alloy, but I can’t be sure.

The same and size of the device makes me think of the Smok Nord 2. It’s very much what I imagine a pod system to look and feel like, it’s a decent size and shape that fits in the hand nicely.

The entire device is smooth and well made, there isn’t anything about it the comes across and cheap, rushed or poorly done.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Screen

The screen panel (35x10mm) is much bigger than the screen itself (18x5mm). That being said I think the screen is an ample size, it is simple and easy to see and read.

On the left is the coil resistance and put counter/timer, in the middle is the power setting and the padlock symbol to signify if it is locked or not.

Then on the right side is the battery status, shown as both a percentage and a status bar.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Adjustable Airflow

I’m pleasantly surprised by the airflow control, I was highly expecting Vaporesso to have made some sort of horrible internal contraption but no, it has a sliding handle on the back.

The airflow slots are on the sides of the device, there is one slot on one side and 2 slots on the other. As you slide the handle across, it pulls a cover across the airflow holes to cut them off.

It’s quite an interesting and surprisingly mechanical approach.

The handle is very stiff to move even after playing with it for a while, and I also found even with the airflow controlled full turned off the device still doesn’t offer a super restrictive draw, in fact it still allows for a tight Direct To Lung draw.

The Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Button

The Vaporesso Luxe PM40 only has 1 button, tThe fire button, which doubles up as the power selection button by pressing it 3 times.

Shiny and smooth around the edges, with a satin/matte texture on the front, the button is nicely placed, feels secure and does not rattle, it is also easy and nice to press.

It’s oval shape measures at 6.5x10mm and I think it fits the device quite nicely.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Pod Connection

Without the use of magnets, the Vaporesso Luxe PM40 uses a notch on the front and back of the pod to hold on to the device using the corresponding indents inside the pod port.

It’s easy to remove and apply the pod but it does hold in fairly securely, during my time using it, I haven’t had an issue with the pod connection.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Pod

The Vaporesso PM40 pod itself is quite an interesting thing.

Starting at the bottom of the pod, there is a liquid free chamber which has a 2 small holes at either side, this area does have 2 o-rings which come on the coil itself.

You insert and remove coils at the bottom, in the center but there is no fill hole insight.

On either side of the pod is 2 ridges for grip.

If we remove the black mouth piece from the clear part of the pod, we are we can now see the chimney hole, a fill hole and an air hole to allow air to leave the pod while your filling it.

Inside the fill hole, is a seal that you have to push the nozzle of your juice bottle through, I always like this type of filling design.

The seal prevents the liquid from coming back out of the fill hole, but inside the mouth piece there is a rubber bed that has 2 circles on it which firmly press round the fill hole and the air hole to stop them from leaking.

I always use a device for a few days before reading the instructions when I’m reviewing it. I feel it’s the only way to get a good grasp of how simple and easy to use a device is.

By doing this I had a lot of trouble trying to get the mouth piece off of the pod…

However after reading the instructions, you’re not supposed to lift it off you’re supposed to push it off… and it is much easier that way.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Quick Start Guide

Changing The GTX Coil

• Remove the pod from the device
• Holding the pod upside down insert the coil into the hole on the base of the pod
• Ensuring the top of the coil slides into the corresponding hole, press the coil in firmly
• Fill with E-Liquid

To reduce loss of liquid it is best to change the coil when the pod is as empty as possible.

Filling The Pod

• Remove the Pod from the device (Optional but suggested)
• Holding the pod firmly at the sides, push the black mouth piece, to the front or back to remove it.
• Locate the fill hole, it is to one side with a black seal inside.
• Insert eliquid bottle nozzle and fill the pod
• Re-apply the drip tip properly
• Leave for 5 minutes to allow the liquid to soak into the coil

Operations

• Power On/Off = Press Fire button 5 times within 2 seconds
• Unlock = Press Fire Button 3 times in quick succession.
• Lock = Device locks automatically after 5 seconds of inactivity
• Adjust Wattage = Unlock the device, the screen will start to flash, press fire button to move up in wattage (hold to move fast), wattage circles round from 40w to 5w
• Start Vaping = When in locked state, press fire button

When you change the coil the wattage setting automatically changes.

I personally think the words lock and unlock are inaccurate, the function doesn’t actually lock/unlock anything is merely actives the adjustable wattage setting.

How Does The Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Perform?

GTX 0.6Ω Mesh Coil

This coil has a recommended wattage of 20-30W and I’m using it with Got Salt Peachy Promise, which is a peach and passion fruit nic-salt, mixed at 50VG/50PG.

In good old Harley tradition I started down below the recommended wattage.

At 10W pretty much nothing happens… but at 15w the vapour production starts, it is minimal but it does carry an surprising amount of vapour, already you can taste the flavour profile, although it is faint.

20W is the lowest recommended for this coil and it’s quite the pleasant vape, the flavour isn’t super powerful but it’s prominent enough for you to be able to taste it nicely. It lines the back of the mouth and through nicely with that sweet peach taste that I love, that’s with the airflow closed and half open.

But if we fully open the airflow the flavour production is immense for 20W, hugging the back of the mouth nicely, the vapour production at 20W is very discrete.

Half way through the recommended wattage, 25w pushes the vapour production up a little, but it has a strange effect on the flavour. It doesn’t necessarily seem better flavour but now instead of the optimal airflow being fully open, you seem to get better flavour with the airflow halfway. Also with the airflow still set to half way, we start to get an okay Direct To Lung flavour production.

30W is up top and it’s where I think it’s where the table turns.

You can get a decent flavour with the airflow fully open, but if you’re firing at 30W it is much better for DTL.

You can get a small but surprisingly big cloud out of the kit while using it DTL at 30W with the airflow fully open and it comes with some great flavour too, although it doesn’t flood the mouth with flavour, I still think it is impressive for such a small device at only 30W.

Above and beyond… I went to 35W and 40W but not much was gained, so I turned it back down in order to not waste my battery power.

GTX 0.8Ω Mesh Coil

This coil has a recommended wattage of 12-20W and again I’m using it with Got Salt Peachy Promise, which is a peach and passion fruit Nic-salt, mixed at 50VG/50PG.

Way down low 6W gives off a very little bit of vapour, but barely any and there is no flavour.

Up to the minimum recommended, 12w gives a subtle but nice flavour production, the airflow doesn’t really impact the flavour too much but I think it’s slightly better with less airflow and the cigarette like amount of vapour is much thicker with less airflow.

Straight up to 20w, and it’s here that this coil flourishes, the flavour is on point especially for a 20W MTL vape and the vapour production can be likened to the amount of smoke from a cigarette.

This coil at 20W with the airflow fully open can also me used DTL nicely but it isn’t very strong with flavour.

Again, turning the power above the recommended wattage didn’t really improve anything.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Coil Summary

I actually really liked using both coils and I think for a starter kit they make a great duo.

While the 0.8ohm coil that like a straight forward MTL vaping experience, the 0.6ohm coil is great for those people who like both MTL and low wattage DTL.

They both are capable of creating a reasonable about of vapour but the 0.6ohm coil at 20w can provide lots of flavour and very little vapour at the same time.

I used both coils with high VG (70VG / 30PG) for a day each and they both handled it very well, however due to the size of the coils and the nature of the device, I would suggest sticking to 50/50 to prolong the life of the coils.

I got a week out of each coil (using 50/50 the majority of the time) and they’re still going strong.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Airflow

The adjustable airflow isn’t all that great purely because the pod doesn’t seal into the port meaning even with the airflow fully closed it still allows for a fairly loose draw.

However it does have an impact and I do very much like the design, although it could do with the handle being slightly looser.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 Battery Life & Charging

Although the 1800mAh battery doesn’t sound like much in this age of dual 21700 batteries, it is actually a very decent battery for this sized device, so let’s look at how long the device can fire.

12W is the lowest setting for the 0.8ohm coil and you get roughly 1000 x 2 second puffs which equates to a puff every other minute for 33 hours.

20w is the overall middle, and you get roughly 600 x 2 second puffs which equates to a puff every other minute for 20 hours.

30w is the highest setting for the 0.6ohm coil and you get roughly 400 x 2 second puffs, a puff every other minute for 13 hours.

As you can see the battery is good enough for an “all day vape” but to make that even better, the Vaporesso Luxe PM40 comes with a 2A charge rating, which gets the battery a full charge within just under an hour.

It is also worrying about how low down the USB-C port is, it couldn’t get any lower, which in my opinion makes it that little bit more vulnerable to being damaged by little puddles of water on a table, for example.

Vaporesso Luxe PM40 – Does It Leak?

It doesn’t leak.

With pod systems there is always a little bit of condensation in the pod port, but even that is minimalist with the Vaporesso Luxe PM40.

After 2 weeks of usage, I haven’t wiped it out and the port still hasn’t got any liquid in it, although there is a very small amount of residue on the walls, it’s still that small it’s not really worth mentioning.

Other Aspects

I don’t have any concerns about the devices durability (other the the location of the USB port), the entire device seems strong and sturdy.

Although the pods are only held in by ledges, they are a decent enough size to cause worry.

In regards to usability of the device, it is easy to use and if you would rather not get caught up in changing the wattage, it is super handy that the wattage changes to suit the coil you attach.

I’m personally not a fan of the 1 button operation, but there isn’t an alternative if you only use one button and I do think the one button suits the device better than 2 or 3 buttons would.

Pros

• Good Flavour
• Capable of MTL & low wattage DTL
• Next to no Leaking
• Innovating filling system
• Easy to use
• Adjustable wattage
• Adjustable Airflow
• Fast charging

Cons

• Incapable of tight draw
• Airflow Control is tight to adjust
• One button Operation
• USB-C Port is Really low

Final Review Verdict

Although this isn’t my everyday type of device, I do like it and would definitely consider it for a small ‘going out device‘, for them times your going to the pub or a busy event.

The reason this is idea in comparison to other devices is because of the usability that it offers.

If you want to cloud in open spaces but MTL in more confined spaces the 0.6ohm coil allows both which maintaining great flavour.

If you are strictly an MTL kind of person the 0.8ohm coil is ideal because it’s capable of being a standard MTL device with great flavour, but it is also capable of being discrete and proving great flavour.

The battery is more than capable of providing the average vaper an all day vape and it only takes 1 hour to fully charge.

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