Vinci Spark220 vs Smok X-Priv Plus: £34.99 each, which dual mod?

It is rare to find two mods this closely matched. Both cost £34.99, both weigh 111g, both take two 18650s, both start at 5W, and both have a 510 connection for any tank.

The Voopoo Vinci Spark220 tops out at 220W and adds curve mode, TCR and temperature control. The Smok X-Priv Plus tops out at 225W and leans on a large TFT screen for easy menus.

So this comes down to modes and screen, not power or price.

Neither includes batteries, so budget for a matched pair of 18650s on top of the £34.99.

Curve mode lets you set different power levels across a single puff, for example a short burst at the start to heat the coil quickly, then a lower level to keep it from scorching. It is handy for chunky coils that are slow to warm up.

Temperature control caps how hot the coil gets, but only works with specific wire types such as stainless steel, nickel or titanium. TCR lets you enter the wire's resistance coefficient for wires the mod does not know by default.

If those terms sound like homework, you do not need them. Variable wattage alone is how most vapers use most mods most of the time.

Both mods are capable of more power than nearly any tank you will put on them. Typical sub-ohm coils on our shelves, like the 0.15 ohm and 0.2 ohm options in the Geekvape Z coils range, are designed for well under 100W.

The extra ceiling still has value. A dual cell mod working at half its maximum runs cooler and lasts longer per charge than a small mod at its limit.

Battery life depends on your cells and your wattage. At 60 to 80W, a decent pair of 18650s will usually see you through a day of moderate vaping.

Buy the Vinci Spark220 if you like to fiddle. Curve mode and temperature control reward people who experiment with coils and want to tune every puff. Voopoo's Smart mode also makes it easy on day one.

Buy the X-Priv Plus if you want a big, readable screen and a straightforward variable wattage experience. Smok's X-Priv design has a loyal following for its shape and feel.

Either way, you need two 18650 batteries and a sub-ohm tank, plus high VG liquid. Expect to go through liquid quickly at higher power.

Spare cells are a good idea too.

The Spark220 comes in Spring Green, Rose Red, Tech Silver and Starlit Blue. Voopoo describe it as a compact sub-ohm device for experienced vapers, and its three modes give you a clear path from easy to advanced.

Charging is over USB-C, and you can also buy it as part of the Vinci Spark220 kit with a matching tank.

It is light for a dual cell mod at 111g, matching the Smok exactly.

Start in Smart mode with a fresh coil, and only explore curve and temperature settings once you know what you like. The mod will still be there when curiosity strikes.

The X-Priv Plus comes in Black, Black Shell, White Shell, Silver Lines, Purple and Mineral Green. Its 5 to 225W range covers MTL, RDTL and DTL depending on your tank, and the large TFT screen makes navigation simple.

Like the Spark220, it is 111g and runs on two 18650s. It pairs naturally with a sub-ohm tank and a high VG shortfill.

If you prefer a single battery mod, Smok also make the X-Priv Solo at £27.99 with an 80W ceiling.

Whichever you choose, both mods are a solid foundation for years of sub-ohm vaping.