SMOK ARCO Max - Review by RichieJ

Hello Guys!

Welcome to my site, today I would like to introduce you the smok ARCO Max vape kit.

I am thankful to Sourcemore for sending me this device for the purpose of this review.

The SMOK ARCO Max kit is available at their webshop for a spot price of $18.19

The SMOK ARCO Max is the premium member of SMOK’s new ARCO line. The device boosts a full-sized 2.25-inch color TFT display with multiple themes, dynamic backgrounds and animations, a steady 1300 mAh built in battery, a power range of 5-30W and comes with the brand-new ARCO pod!

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Design and functionality:

I received the device in Silver and there are a total of 5 colors available (Space Grey, Silver, Mineral Green, Pale Purple, Pale Pink). The SMOK ARCO Max has a classical vape pen style with all rounded edges. As used to SMOK products, all the components are logically placed where they exactly should be located for a comfortable vaping – I keep repeating, but other manufacturers should learn how to build such a functional vaping device! Although it is ‘just’ another vape pen, you can feel the quality right after grabbing the device.

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At the front you face a full-sized color display with a dynamic background. The display shows you all essential vaping information: battery status, wattage, resistance, puff counter and puff length. The function button was moved to the left which you can press comfortably with your index finger, at the right resides the USB-C port and at the back you’ll find the airflow slider integrated into a beautiful hologram-like back panel, which is something typical to SMOK. There is just a small discrete SMOK logo at the back and an RGB lit ARCO branding at the front. The bottom is covered by silicone, providing a good grip and makes it possible to store the device upright.

You can access the menu by pressing the function button 3 times, with 2 clicks you adjust the wattage and with 5 clicks you can turn off/on the device. Pressing and holding the function button will lock the device which you can unlock similarly by holding the function button for a few seconds. When the device is locked you cannot vape on it or adjust the menu.

Once within the menu you can select between the 4 themes: Ribbon, Rainbow, Pink and Turkey; you can reset the puff-counter, activate the child-lock, disable/enable the skyrocket animation and exit from the menu. Since there is just one button, you can navigate through the menu items one-by-one by pressing the function button until the required menu option is highlighted, then you just wait a few seconds and the item will be activated. It is something new, but you can get used to it fast.

When a new pod is inserted, the device will set automatically the optimal wattage, however you can freely adjust the wattage between 5-30W. There is no smart mode fortunately which would restrict your wattage preference. The wattage can be increased in 1W increments and the counter does do round-robin.

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Battery performance:

The device has a decent 1300 mAh built in battery and supports 1.5A charging; it charges in about an hour and gave me a good 2 days of heavy use with one charge. The current battery percentage is displayed for a few seconds while charging, then the screen dims. You can then check the battery status from the main display. This was a bit strange to me as normally you can follow the charging process until a device is fully charged. But you can vape on it while charging!

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Size and weight:

117.15*26*17.2 mm, 74 grams. Made of zinc alloy and IML film.

It fits comfortably in your palm and is lightweight. Compared to the Voopoo Argus Matrix it is slightly thinner, sleeker and shorter, they weight the same. The ARCO pod is completely transparent and SMOK even propped a full-sized display into a similar sized chassis, unbelievable!

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Pod/Cartridge:

After years of success with their NOVO pods, SMOK finally introduced a brand-new pod that was released with their new ARCO vape line. The NOVO pods were great for their reliability and compatibility; however, it was already time for some innovation. The ARCO pods are finally available in 3 ml capacity as 2 ml was barely sufficient to cover a work-day. The manufacturer promises AAAA performance on these new pods: increased Airflow, Anti-Leaking, Adaptability and prestigious Aroma. I was keen to test their new pod and I can reassure you that these pods do indeed provide much more flavor, denser vapor and steady performance with every puff. It is a real competitor to Voopoo’s famous Argus cartridges and maybe they are even better, in my view!

The kit comes with two ARCO pods: a 0.6-ohm and a 0.8-ohm and the whole ARCO series are equipped with meshed coils, 3 ml capacity and top fill covered by a rubber plug. The pod attaches with two strong magnets into the device and holds tight without any wiggles. I filled the 0.6-ohm pod right away with Vampire Vape’s Pinkman Watermelon 6 mg traditional e-liquid, set the wattage to 19W and since then I couldn’t resist puffing on this magical pink juice night and day. I find the colored juice and the pink theme matches well with the silver chassis – it gives a modern balanced outlook.

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Final verdict:

SMOK offers something new and something more professional over the other competitors on the market – they stay traditional to their roots yet keep innovating to satisfy the vaping community with something unique. The SMOK ARCO Max has maxed out all my expectations with this craftwork: its functionality, the flavors, the vapor production and performance are magnificent. At this price tag it is a no brainer, I highly recommend it to any new or seasoned vaper!

The only con I can mention is the skyrocket animation, which can fortunately be turned off from the menu. The themes and the animation are modern, video game looking – aimed more towards the younger folks. I wish the menu button could also have functioned as fire button.

Hope you liked my review; would you have any advices or questions don’t hesitate to connect with me.

Happy vaping folks!
 
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