Advken Potento X Pod Review

Welcome back folks!

As a bit of a prelude to this review, you’ll remember that I reviewed a killer little stick pod device a while ago made by Advken. The Advken Potento had pretty much the perfect MTL draw for a small carry around device, with a battery that seemed to last forever! I rated it pretty highly, and really only had a few small issues to report back on. (which were pretty minor when I look back at it.)

Well, showing that they are dead set serious when they say they want to refine their products, Advken have released their latest version, the Potento X, which not only fixes some of those little niggles, but also brings a new form factor as well as a few other changes over the original.

Let’s take a look at the Advken Potento X Pod!!

Big thanks goes to Vaporstate for sending this directly through to me for review!

Photos

General Info

I knew this device was going to be small, but let me tell you, boy was I surprised after opening the box and picking up this tiny tiny pod!

Measuring in at a minute 40 x 74.4 x 14.5mm the new Potento X is not only small, but packs a lot of features into it’s miniscule frame.

Powered by a 950mah battery, with variable voltage power adjustment, adjustable airflow, USB Type-C charging, and one of the best MTL draws on the market, you’ll be left wondering exactly how Advken have managed to pack so much into such a petite design.

We’ve seen this form factor before, a few times actually. The Uwell Caliburn did a similar thing, with their V1 Pod device being more of a stick shape, and then releasing the Uwell Caliburn KOKO in a shorter, squarer stature. Smok also followed suit with the NFIX also originally being in stick form, with the NFIX Mate also taking on more of a square shape.

What the others haven’t done however is bring us new features in those devices, like Advken’s innovative airflow control, and potentiometer for voltage adjustment!

The Body

The ultra light body of the Potento X is made from an Alluminium Alloy with plastic inserts to keep things portable, it’s so light you likely won’t even notice it in your pocket. In fact I’ve been carrying this little beast in the front pocket of my jeans for the last few weeks, and usually forget that it’s even there and only remember after hunting around for it for quite a while.

Advken have done things a little different this time around, with a square shape compared to their original long narrow Potento Pod, it’s of similar thickness, at about half the length making this one extra portable.

From the top down, there is a familiar Pod recess, similar to the original, and in fact able to take the original PODs.

Off to one side, you’ll find the variable voltage adjustment wheel. It’s no longer on the bottom of the device and adjusted by spinning it around, it is now on the side of the body, allowing you to simply roll up and down to adjust the power output.

Underneath this is the USB Type-C charging port for quick charging, which is always nice to see on vape devices.

On the front face of the body, you’ll find something new. Airflow control.
It’s interesting the way Advken have done it too, because you simply push your fingernail against it and spin it around, much like you would an old school potentiometer. I find it kind of cool that they’ve done that sticking with the potentiometer theme.

The PODs

Another thing that has changed from the original Potento, are the PODs. This was a little niggle of mine and I’m really glad that Advken listened, because even though it really wasn’t too much of an issue, it was annoying all the same. They’ve made the new PODs ever so much thicker so that e-liquid does not hold in the separate sides, limiting filling all the way. If you remember my review, I mentioned that air bubbles would get trapped and only really allow you to fill 3/4 full, well that has now been solved!

The fill port has also changed, it’s larger and has been relocated to the side of the pod instead of on the wider side. It works just as well as before, seals great and easy to fill, just with a little bit of a wider opening.

The new PODs also come in two different resistance ranges just like the originals. There’s very little difference between the two, and you’re likely to really only notice a small drop off in power or ‘strength of hit’ if using the higher resistance POD versus the lower resistance one.

• 1.0ohm
  Both put out some great flavour, but this is a little on the stronger side, with seemingly a little more air coming through. On the widest airflow adjustment.
• 1.2ohm
  The 1.2 ohm POD is probably better suited for those who are looking for a reallly tight MTL experience. Obviously you can open the air wider if you want, but tightening it down, this will give a slightly tighter vape, as well as a little less power.

Airflow

The airflow was fantastic on the original Potento, and the Potento X only improves on this. With the new airflow control on the side of the device, you can adjust it from a fairly open MTL vape to a really tight one in on small twist of the finger nail. Just dig your fingernail into the slot of the airflow head and turn. The action is quite smooth and there is a pretty wide adjustment here so you can get the airflow that is perfect for you.

This is a bit of genious on Advken’s part, making this one of the first or only small pod devices with an airflow adjustment. The circular, almost screw head looking adjustment fits in perfectly with the whole Potentiometer theme.

Battery

With a 950mah battery (yes you read right) you’ll be able to vape all day. That is a huge battery for such a small device, and Advken have defeated the odds in keeping this tiny beast so lightweight with such a large capacity battery.

I’ve never had the battery die on me in an entire day of primary vaping, which is brilliant.

Charging is pretty quick too, going from empty to full charge within the hour.

There’s a tiny LED light on the side of the device just above the USB Type-C charging port that will flash depending on what battery level you are at. From memory it lights up white most of the time, and begins to flash as you’re battery level drops. Like I mentioned before, this battery will last you and I’ve never actually run it down to nearly empty in order to test this behaviour!

Filling

Filling is easy, pop the pod out, lift the silicone plug up and away from the fill port and fill her up! The wider pods and larger fill port make filling a breeze with no back pressure or vapour lock. Plug the silicone plug back in and you’re ready to vape!

Any Leaks?

None, just the usual condensation under the POD which you’ll get with all bottom coil devices.

Usage

You’ll notice that the new Potento X no longer has a power button or fire button, that the original had. That’s because it is ‘draw activated’ only. This is a new thing, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I kind of liked that you could use the button to fire at times, but I also appreciated the ability to turn the device off if I wanted to.

You simply can’t with the Potento X. It’s on ‘all of the time’, so if in the event that anything goes terribly wrong like a battery short, you’re going to need to get ready to throw it, instead of just clicking the button 5 times to turn it off. The Potento X comes with all manner of protections though, so I’m probably being a little over-dramatic and it’s not an issue. But that power button would have been nice to have.

Other than the auto draw, there isn’t anything more to the Potento X. Turn the Potentiometer on the side to up your voltage or drop your voltage, turn the airflow adjustment with your fingernail to adjust your airflow, that is it.

Pros:

• Tiny form factor
• Very lightweight
• Rock solid performer
• Excellent Flavour
• Great battery capacity
• Excellent MTL draw

Cons:

• No power button
  
  

Where to Buy:

The Potento X Pod kit is a great little unit for a fantastic price. You can pick this little champion up at Vaporstate who are the Australian reps for Advken products. At the time of writing, Vaporstate have them for around the $55 aussie dollar mark, and overseas I’m seeing them for around the $28 – $35 USD range. Vaporstate have a cool deal going right now where you get a free pack of pods when purchasing the new Potento X, so jump on it. Excellent value right there!

Conclusion

There’s nothing more satisfying than a product that does it’s job and does it’s job well. The Potento X is exactly that. Advken have taken user feedback from the first Potento (which was awesome BTW) and improved on it. They didn’t need to, but they did it anyway, proving that they are more than in it for the sales, but to release a better product for the end users.

A battery that lasts all day, even longer, a true tight MTL draw, in a lightweight, tiny device that you can literally hang around your neck or pop into your jeans pocket and not even realise that it’s there, is a feat in itself. Add fantastic flavour, adjustable voltage and airflow, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

This will be my go-to POD device for on the go MTL vaping!

Excellent work Advken!

Shane Presser

Shane Presser has been vaping since 2013, and has extensive experience with advanced equipment, coil builds and DIY mixing. He is the man behind VapersGarage, and also more recently Aussie Vape Stores, a resource to help vapers find their nearest Vape Shops, and eLiquid Vendors.