Two of the best known MTL starter kits, both with 1500mAh and a 2ml tank. The Aspire PockeX is a pen-style all in one at £16.99; the Innokin Endura T20-S is a classic tank and battery at £19.99 with a fixed 18W. Here is which suits a tobacco-style vaper best.
The short version
- Both have 1500mAh batteries and 2ml tanks for mouth to lung vaping.
- Endura T20-S: £19.99, fixed 18W, single button, 92g, Prism S coils.
- PockeX: £16.99, 18 to 23W, top fill, pen-style AIO, 87g, PockeX coils.
- The PockeX is cheaper and lighter; the T20-S has a wider choice of coils.
Two old favourites
Long before pod kits took over, these two were how many people started vaping. Both remain popular with people who want a simple, tight mouth to lung draw and replaceable coils rather than pods.
The Innokin Endura T20-S pairs a 1500mAh battery with an 18W fixed output and a 2ml T20-S tank. The Aspire PockeX is an all in one pen with a 1500mAh battery, an 18 to 23W output and a 2ml top fill tank.
Both are one-button devices, so there is very little to learn.
Each has its loyal fans, and for good reasons.
Coils: where they really differ
Both use replaceable coil heads, so the coil choice shapes the vape.
Innokin Prism S coils for the T20-S are £7.99 for five, in 0.8 ohm, 0.9 ohm mesh and 1.5 ohm, using Kanthal A1 wire. That works out at about £1.60 a coil, and three resistances give you some room to explore.
Aspire PockeX coils are £11.99 for five, in 0.6 and 1.2 ohm with stainless steel wire, about £2.40 a coil.
Over a year of weekly coil changes, the T20-S works out cheaper to run despite the higher kit price.
Source: Spectrum Vaping pack prices, rounded to the nearest 10p.
Power and draw
The T20-S runs at a fixed 18W. There is nothing to adjust, which some people love and others find limiting. Innokin say it is compatible with high PG liquids, and it produces a small amount of cloud for a mouth to lung draw.
The PockeX has a little more range at 18 to 23W. That extra headroom suits its 0.6 ohm coil if you want a warmer, slightly bigger hit.
Both work best with 50/50 or high PG freebase nicotine liquids, or nic salts at moderate strengths. Nicotine is addictive; tobacco-style switchers often start at 12 to 18mg freebase.
What do you care about most?
Aspire PockeX at £16.99.
Innokin T20-S, with Prism S coils from about £1.60 each.
Innokin T20-S at a fixed 18W.
Aspire PockeX, with 18 to 23W.
Looking after a starter kit
Both kits use coils rather than pods, which means a few extra habits keep them tasting fresh. Get these right and either kit will last for years.
The main one is priming. Every new coil head needs a few drops of liquid on the exposed cotton and five minutes to soak before you fire it. Skip that and the very first puff is a dry hit that can ruin a new coil.
Also check the O-rings when you change coils. A misaligned seal is the most common cause of leaks on both tanks, and it is a ten second fix.
- Empty the tankUnscrew the tank and pour any remaining liquid back into its bottle.
- Swap the coilPull or unscrew the old coil head and fit the new one firmly.
- Prime itDrip 3 or 4 drops onto the exposed cotton through the side holes.
- Fill and waitFill the tank, reassemble and leave it standing for 5 minutes.
- Ease inTake a few gentle puffs before vaping normally.
Innokin Endura T20-S
The T20-S kit comes in twelve colours including Stainless Steel, Gun Metal and Rainbow. Its single button and fixed output make it about as foolproof as a coil-based kit gets.
The T20-S tank is also sold separately at £8.99, which is handy if you crack the glass or want a spare. It charges over Micro-USB, so keep that cable handy.
A full charge of the 1500mAh battery covers a day of moderate MTL vaping for most people.
For a tobacco-style vaper who wants a dependable workhorse with cheap coils, it is a very sensible choice.
Aspire PockeX
Aspire describe the PockeX as one of the most popular starter kits worldwide, and its pen shape is still one of the most comfortable to hold. The all in one design combines tank and battery, so there are fewer parts to lose.
Charging depends on colour: Black, White, Silver, Rainbow, Blue and Black and White Gradient are USB-C, while Rose Gold and Pink Gradient are Micro-USB.
Its leak-resistant top fill design makes refills easy on the move.
At 87g, the lighter of the two, it is easy to carry all day. Keep a five pack of PockeX coils in the drawer and you are set for a month or more.
Quick answers
Which is better for ex-smokers, the T20-S or the PockeX?
Both give a tight mouth to lung draw that feels similar to a cigarette. The PockeX is cheaper upfront; the T20-S has cheaper coils.
Can I adjust the power on the Endura T20-S?
No. It runs at a fixed 18W. The PockeX offers 18 to 23W.
Do the PockeX and T20-S use the same coils?
No. The T20-S uses Innokin Prism S coils and the PockeX uses Aspire PockeX coils.
Does the PockeX charge with USB-C?
Most colours do. Rose Gold and Pink Gradient use Micro-USB.
