Eleaf iStick Mix Review – Mix it up!

While the Eleaf iStick Mix is pretty tame when matched up to the rest of the competition in its weight class, like the Vaporesso Swag the design of the kit is already pretty brave for Eleaf’s standards. The device is primarily constructed out of a sturdy zinc alloy and accentuated with excellently finished resin panels on either side.

What we appreciated in particular about the Eleaf iStick Mix’s overall shape is how the edges are slightly chamfered and rounded off so as to offer a more comfortable and ergonomic feel when holding the kit in your hand.

From an aesthetics and design perspective, the Eleaf iStick Mix takes a lot of inspiration from another popular and well-loved kit, the Voopoo Drag 2. Everything from the resin panels down to the layout of the display and auxiliary buttons give off a similar vibe as the Drag 2. We have to say that we prefer the look and feel of the Eleaf iStick Mix as the rounded corners and edges of the device contribute to a less aggressive design.

The OLED screen used on the Eleaf iStick Mix doesn’t really stand out spec-wise. It stays away from the oversize display panels that companies such as Smok like to use, instead opting for a more discreet sizing which is something appreciate in fact. The smaller screen is not only more discreet but also uses a lot less battery life making it the more practical option for any user who simply wants to vape without the extra bells and whistles that flashier kits tend to offer.

The firing button is sufficiently clicky and responsive, a trait that we almost always look for when it comes to these type of kits. The 510 connection on the top of the mod is spring loaded and made out of stainless steel machined to near perfection so you can expect a hassle-free experience when threading down your tank or atomizer of choice on the Eleaf iStick Mix.

The battery door on the side is attached magnetically and has decently-sized grooves which make removal of the panel a breeze. Polarity indicators in the battery sled are also very legible, leading to lower chances for newbies to install batteries incorrectly.

The kit version of the Eleaf iStick Mix comes bundled with Eleaf’s all new and self-designed ELLO Pop tank. Just like many modern tanks that use pre-built coils, the ELLO Pop does a good show of keeping up with the time’s thanks to its compatibility and usage of the HW mesh coils which specialize in high wattage vaping and low resistance values at 0.2-ohms.

The kit comes bundled with the HW-M2 and HW-N2 which are both constructed out of kanthal and are rated at the same resistance values. The difference makes itself apparent in the way the airflow works.

The M2 coils have a much more open airflow compared to the N2 and while flavor and vapor production are pretty similar between the two, we’re slightly more partial toward the slightly restrictive airflow that the HW-N2 coil was able to deliver. 

Ease of Use

Aside from your standard variable wattage and temperature control vaping modes, the Eleaf iStick Mix has a few options for saving preferred vaping presets which can be a bit tricky to program for those who are unfamiliar with this type of vape.

The good news is that basic usage in variable wattage doesn’t really take that much time to get acquainted with and even the utmost beginners should be up and vaping in no time.

The ELLO Pop tank makes things easier thanks to its slide-to-open top cap design which lets you top your tank quickly and easily even when on the go. Another impressive feature of the tank is its massive maximum e-liquid capacity which caps out at 6.5ml. Practically monstrous for a tank of this size which means you won’t find yourself having to refill that often.

The Eleaf iStick Mix ticks a lot of the right boxes. Awesome power delivery, beautiful and ergonomic design, and balanced onboard charging to boot. While fans of more modern and aggressively style devices might find the aesthetics of the iStick Mix to be a bit dated, we definitely don’t mind revisiting a tried and true look as long as a couple of refinements are made along the way.

While the Eleaf iStick Mix might not necessarily be the first choice for a beginner, it’s a great way to discover the full potential of what the vaping has to offer, but if you are looking for the simplest way to switch we recommend the Slice.